Real Life Wedding – Perfect Wedding Magazine

One of my favourite weddings from this year is featured in this months ‘Real Life Weddings’ section of the current Perfect Wedding Magazine (January 2009 Issue). Julie and Ian celebrated their marriage at New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield in May. They are absolutely over the moon to be chosen by Perfect Wedding, and even though we all knew that their wedding was just perfect, it is extra nice to have a national magazine agree with you ! Congratulations Julie and Ian – best wishes for the future.

Looking Back at 2008

As 2008 draws to a close I have been thinking back to all the wonderful weddings that I have photographed this year. I have travelled up and down the country, and I even photographed my first destination wedding this year. I have had the pleasure of photographing weddings in tiny village chapels followed by receptions in marquees on the lawns of proud parents homes. Beautiful ceremonies like the wedding of Karen and Daniel which took place in the Royal chapel within the Tower of London and afterwards at the exquisite Trinity House, and those in grand stately homes followed by fantasic banquets.

Next year I have more wonderful weddings to look forward to, and at some exciting new venues for me - Somerford Hall, Sudbury Hall, Fawsley Hall, Prestwold Hall, Rowton Castle, Ettington Park and even S.S. Great Britain. There are many old favourites of mine to look forward to as well, Swinfen Hall, Packington Moor, New Hall Hotel and Moxhull Hall, to name just a few. I have just two more weddings left now before before the end of December. I travel to North Yorkshire this weekend for Jo and Martin’s wedding at the beautiful Goldborough Hall near Harrogate, and then it’s back to Swinfen Hall at the end of the month for the wedding of Danielle and Steve.

Well 2008 has certainly been a busy year, both work wise and studio wise. March saw me moving studios from Birmingham, to nearer my home in beautiful Lichfield, and just last week the refurbishment of my converted barn studio was completed. Just my new art work to be displayed now, and I will be ready to face the New Year. Best wishes to all my clients, past and present – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Danielle and Adriano’s Wedding - 29th November

Danielle and Adriano’s big day had arrived !!! So much planning had gone into their wedding that it was always going to be just perfect. Danielle looked so beautiful with her gorgeous faux fur wrap around her shoulders to keep out the cold November weather. The ceremony took place at the stunning Erdington Abbey, which looked even more beautiful than ever, as it had been dressed with masses and masses of flowers. Danielle and Adriano were joined by their friends and family for their fantastic celebrations at Packington Moor. Most of Adriano’s family had travelled all the way from Italy to be a part of the celebrations. The food was absolutely amazing, and we were treated to course after course, following Italian tradition. The photographs that I took have to be some of my favourites from this year, and I know that Danielle and Adriano can’t wait to see them.

Winter Wonderland

At the Heart of the Country Village we held our Winter Wonderland Charity Event on the 3rd December, in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. We had a fantastic evening, with Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir in attendance, Santa’s Grotto and REAL reindeer, craft stalls, mulled wine and much, much more. On the night itself we raised in excess of £1,400 and the cash is still coming in, the total so far is £1655.59.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital need your help all year round, so please visit http://www.justgiving.com/claireevansphotography to make a donation or visit their website for details of how you could help with their fundraising.

How Cute is Sam !!!

My latest shoot was this weekend, with little Sam and his parents Lyndsey and Steve. How cute is Sam !!! He is just so sweet and so well behaved. He loved having his picture taken and was mesmerised by the sight of the camera. It was such a cold and wet day on Sunday that I had thought about re-scheduling, but I knew Lyndsey and Steve wanted some lovely pics of Sam to give as Christmas gifts. I decided to leave it until the last minute and thankfully the rain stopped, and the sun came out just long enough to get some lovely outdoor shots, as well as the gorgeous ones taken of Sam indoors.







It seems to be lots and lots of little boys that I am photographing lately, and just when I was saying to a friend “where are all the girls ?” My phone rang literally minutes later, and I took a booking for a portrait shoot for a little 2 year old girl. I can’t wait – I wonder if she has any fairy wings !!!

Katryoshka

One of my most favourite commercial shoots ever !!! I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph the products for a wonderful new company Katryoshka. The immensely talented designer Katharina Stubbs and renouned local artist Emma Hunk have joined forces to launch their new Lifestyle Products business. Kat and Emma have sourced amazing products from all around the world, and along with their own designs and pieces of art, I am sure that their new business venture will be a sure fire success.






Everything was shot at Emma’s amazing 17th century Staffordshire home, an Aladdin’s cave of wonderfully unique furniture and art. This shoot certainly didn’t feel like work – I loved it and was entrigued by each and every item. There are so many new gifts now added to my Christmas list !!! Look out for Katryoshka when their website goes live – I’m sure you will love it too.

Great Family Portrait Shoot

Another great portrait shoot that I shot a couple of weekends ago was with the Alcott family. Louise had been in to see me at my studio a few before and had booked a Lifestyle Portrait Session. She wanted to give her parents some lovely natural family pics as a Ruby Wedding gift. The family had travelled from as far away as Newcastle upon Tyne to be a part of the fun. The kids were great, and with two 5 year olds, one 4 year old and a 1 year old, you could say that we certainly had a lot of fun. This is the advantage of shooting on location, the kids get to be themselves, running around and enjoying themselves, rather than being confined to a studio.

Gift Boxes and Vouchers – Ideal Christmas Gifts

If you are looking for a really unique gift idea this Christmas, why not give a Claire Evans Photography gift box or voucher. Available from my studio now – I have for sale, children’s and lifestyle gift boxes which are beautifully presented, and include gift items and a voucher redeemable for a lifestyle portrait shoot. Alternatively, you could give a Claire Evans Photography gift voucher, redeemable for a lifestyle portrait shoot and including a 10” x 8” print. Contact my studio on 01543 481055 for further details.

Charlotte and David’s Pre-Wed Shoot – Nottinghamshire

Last weekend I travelled over to Nottinghamshire for a pre-wed shoot with Charlotte and David, whose wedding I am photographing next year at Thrumpton Hall. The shoot took place in Charlotte’s parents beautiful garden, which has wonderful views over Nottingham. With Thrumpton Hall, a beautiful Jacobean stately home rightly known as the ‘Jewell of the Midlands’ as the setting, it should be a wonderful wedding.

The Allen Brown Gallery

Allen Brown has launched his stunning new jewellery collection to coincide with the opening of his newly extended showrooms at the Heart of the Country Village. Allen had asked me to photograph some of his new pieces, and I was like a kid in a candy store!!! Wow, what a wonderful collection – Allen and his team are so skilled and the craftsmanship that goes into every piece of jewellery is absolutely amazing. You must come and see for yourself, as to walk through the doors of Allen’s beautifully converted barn showrooms is like stepping into wonderland.

Visit The Allen Brown Gallery Website