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It’s a busy time of year during the wedding season but with this brings fun and worthwhile photoshoot opportunities. I first photographed the Frew family about two years ago. They contacted me as they had a new addition to their brood- Elise – along with the countless chickens at the new family home in their countryside retreat near Stair! Scott and Carolyn counted their chicks and there were five this time – Holly, Shannon, Ethan, Millie and Elise!! Carolyn’s parents, Diana and Alistair, were a tremendous help.
We took pictures in their living room by moving seats, sofas, tables and chairs to create a mini studio. Then, their chicks got wild!! We headed out to an enchanted woodland just across the road from their cottage where elfs and fairies probably live along with Peter Pan!! They ran and I tried to keep up taking pictures of them.
The rain held off until just as we were returning to their cottage for some tea, hot dogs with tomatoes, onions and cheese. After a short break we took more pictures using creative lighting for Back to Black and White pictures. Thanks for re-introducing me to your wonderful family. I had fun – but was totally worn out by the time I got home! I hope you and your fabulous kids had fun too!
May 25, 2011 | Categories:Contemporary Photography | Tags: Back to Black, contemporary, creative, Family, fantastic day, memorable pictures, on location, photography, photoshoot | Leave A Comment »
Had the most amazing pre-wedding photoshoot with Nicole and Marc at Turnberry Resort. It was a fantastic evening. We were all amazed that there was so much light at 5:30 in the evening. The sun bathed the Ayrshire coastline just south of Turnberry Lighthouse. They are getting married at Turnberry Resort July this year. They have chosen a fabulous venue. Although it was sunny yesterday, it was extremely windy-so much so, we felt we had walked miles in the sun and the wind. Nicole, had to tie down her hair because it was so windy as we were worried she might blow away!! They are a fantastic couple and their wedding will be a very special day for them. I will definitely make their pictures worthy of their fabulous venue.
May 01, 2011 | Categories:Pre wedding photoshoot, Wedding Photographer | Tags: fantastic day, happy couple, marriage, memorable images, memorable pictures, pre-wedding, professional photographer, Turnberry Resort, wedding photography, weddings | Leave A Comment »
Last Saturday turned out to be a fantastic day weather-wise for Emma’s photoshoot. We started the photoshoot in her home then moved to Crossragual Abbey near Maybole. After this we headed into Ayr to capture some images near the Brig o’ Doon at the newly constructed walkway bridge over the cycle path. Emma was fantastic – we could have taken more pictures, but Emma’s tummy was rumpling!! Thank you to her Mum, Sharon, for waiting so patiently as we got to play around with fabulous locations and lighting.
At the moment I am offering a photoshoot with three to four changes of outfits at various locations. Please go to this link for details. Included is ten web ready images for you to use with your online portfolio. I will also post additional images that can be tagged on Facebook. You don’t have to become a supermodel to book, you can also book your photoshoot with a fashion edge or whatever look you want so that you look and feel good. Please contact me to arrange your portfolio or “feel good” photoshoot by email (graeme@pollockphotography.co.uk) or by calling me on 07792 327 693.
Apr 13, 2011 | Categories:Contemporary Photography, Fashion Photography | Tags: creative photography, fantastic day, model portfolio, photoshoot | Leave A Comment »
Despite being the 1st April it was no April Fools Day for Kathy and Allan as they marked their wedding day celebration at the Moorpark House Hotel In Kilbirnie. It was a fantastic mixed cultural wedding as Canadian, Polish and Scottish traditions were all mixed in to mark a memorable celebration. For example, it is a Polish custom for the bride to be to receive money in her bra by her Grandmother! The Scottish input was for best men (there was two) and groom to bare and uphold the tradition that no form of underwear is worn with the kilt – an unexpected surprise for Kathy and her maid of honour!!
Thank you to Kathy and Allan for making their day so special.
Apr 03, 2011 | Categories:Contemporary Photography, Wedding Photographer | Tags: celebration, creative photography, marriage, memorable images, memorable pictures, wedding celebration, wedding day, wedding photography | Leave A Comment »
Graeme’s ‘Back to Black’ portraiture is conducted in the clients own home, a single key light, hair light and a black background is all that is needed to produce these striking timeless images. The images protray emotion, depth and absolute simplicity. Smiles are not the order of the day although not prohibited, serious studies work best in this style of portraiture. Graeme can offer you the opportunity to posses your very own personal work of art. The sessionsession is always planned with complete simplicity in mind in the comfort of your own home. Clothing is kept dark to maximise the impact of the image, although as you will see from some of these images, reds work well with black. The idea is for the faces to be the main feature of the portrait so a low key effect is employed. This is the most emotional style of portraiture and as such is always presented in Fine Art Black and White. I always like to break rules, so images can also be supplied in colour. I feel that black and white images provide more impact as they take out any distraction that colour imposes.
Its great to meet up with old friends especially where they have gone though some great changes in their life. Jenny wanted me to take a series of images in her parent’s home of her new baby girl Ellie, her nieces, Jayde and Emma, her Mum and Dad, Dawn and Don, Ian, Ellie’s Dad and her sister Karen, who is the proud Mum or Emma and Jayde. It was a great evening, we photographed everyone or until everyone got bored. Thank you, Dawn and Don, for your hospitality and for making such fantastic lasagne and trifle.
Please contact me if you would like to book a similar photo session in your home. I charge £70 for my time to take pictures and the session usually takes around 2 hours.
Apr 01, 2011 | Categories:Contemporary Photography | Tags: Back to Black, creative photography, memorable pictures, portraiture | Leave A Comment »
As well as taking a series of pictures, a good photographer will know what type of images are required for a portfolio photoshoot. Head shots as well as full body shots are always required. Bring along at least three or four changes of outfits. Think about what genres of photography interest you – nudes, glamour, fashion, commercial are all areas where there are opportunities. However approach a photographer and ask what their experience is so that they can help and guide you. I was fortunate enough to shoot Fredau (images below) over in East Lothian near Gifford with fellow photographers John Denton and John Archibald. These are some of the images captured throughout the day in the studio then on location. Please contact me if you would like me to help you with your model portfolio. At the moment I am offering a photoshoot with four changes of outfits at various locations for £95. Included is ten web ready images for you to use with your online portfolio. I will also post additional images that can be tagged on Facebook. You don’t have to become a supermodel to book, you can also book your photoshoot with a fashion edge or whatever look you want so that you look and feel good. Please contact me to arrange your portfolio or “feel good” photoshoot by email (graeme@pollockphotography.co.uk) or by calling me on 07792 327 693.
Mar 30, 2011 | Categories:Fashion Photography, Model Portfolio | Tags: creative photography, Headshots, model portfolio, models, on location, photoshoot, professional photographer, studio | Leave A Comment »
Towards the end of February an opportunity arose to attend a photographers paradise – a chance to play with light with like-minded photographers using models to produce contemporary, fashion and wedding photography images. The event was called Monkeefest and was organised by two fabulous photographers, Liz and John Denton from Denton Photography. We had many commercial companies present who shared in our creative endeavours – Colorworld, OnOne Software, Aaduki Insurance and Exclusive 7. This was a two day event at Burn Hall in Huby, near York and at Flamingoland Theme Park and Zoo which was shut for the winter but was opened up for us. We were give the change to really get our creative juices flowing washed down with some alcoholic beverages for the evening entertainment.
During the event we were given a photography challenge, organised by Roger Griffiths to emulate the photographic creativity of George Hurrell, a famous photographer from the 1930s and 1940s who photographed famous actors and actresses from this era. He used his understanding of light to give Hollywood Stars images that would inspire us even today. To explore this look, we used two Lowell iD video lights to light our fabulous model, Tanya Beetham, in a darkened room for most of the images. I used a Nikon D3 camera with a 24-70 F2.8 lens set to manual exposure, tungsten light white balance. Images were inported into Lightroom 3 and processed further using Photoshop and OnOne Software to produce that “Film Noir” look along with a little softening and glow to finish off with the film star effect.
During this fantastic weekend I also photographed Fredau Hoekstra, Yasmin Clappison, Leroy Vickers and Bebe Backhouse. Got some fabulous fashion and contemporary look images as well as wedding couple images. Here are some taken during Monkeefest which I hope you will enjoy. They represent my passion for photography and give you examples of what I can achieve for you. Why not arrange a fashion or contemporary photography photoshoot – these might be on location or in a studio environment or in the comfort of your own home and are edgy and modern. Please email on or call me - (graeme@pollockphotography.co.uk) or by mobile 07792 327 693.
Mar 11, 2011 | Categories:Contemporary Photography | Tags: bridal, contemporary, creative, Fashion, light, Lightmonkees | Leave A Comment »
To coincide with the release of my new website, The Ayrshire Post published an article stating the advantages of choosing a wedding photographer that offers a free trial photoshoot when you book. In my experience I’ve found that one of the quickest ways to discover how the couple can gel with the photographer to produce the most natural looking images is to do a trial photoshoot before booking. I offer this because this gives the bride and groom a chance to experience working with me and seeing the results firsthand.”
So for absolute confidence and to avoid those wedding photo nightmares follow Graeme’s top advice and finally seek out a wedding photographer that you can “try before you buy”.
This is what Isla and Brian, said about their wedding photography experience “Our photoshoot totally relaxed us for the day and gave us confidence knowing that our wedding pictures would be fantastic.”
To read the complete article, pick up a copy of the Ayrshire Post or follow this link:
The Ayrshire Post guide
Feb 17, 2011 | Categories:Wedding Photographer | Tags: ayrshire wedding photographer, creative photography, free trial photoshoot, marriage, pre-wedding, professional photographer, wedding celebration, wedding photography | Leave A Comment »
Last weekend I had a fabulous time photographing a wedding at St. Margaret’s Parish Church in Dalry for the ceremony then later for the reception at The SeaMill Hydro Hotel and Resort.
Jacqueline O’ Shea and Stephen Ashley chose a wonderful church with character which complemented their reception venue for its fantastic views of Arran.
Amanda Burt and Katriona Anderson, were Jacquelines’ bridesmaids. Julian, Steve’s brother, was acting bestman. Ross, Katriona’s fiance was an usher along with Ryan, Jacqueline’s brother. Margaret and Michael, Jacqueline’s Mum and Dad and John, Steve’s Dad were a fantastic support.
The afternoon started off with light rain then the sun came out – though it was cold, very cold. Most of the pictures were taken within the hotel to allow Jacqueline and Stephen enjoy their guests for the latter part of the afternoon leading up to the reception.
The reception started with a champagne celebration and the cake cutting. That’s where we left with images that captured their special celebration.
Thank you to Jacqueline and Stephen for making us feel welcome and for allowing me to capture special moments. You were the perfect couple and very patient.
Feb 17, 2011 | Categories:Wedding Photographer | Tags: celebration, fantastic day, happy couple, marriage, memorable pictures, The Seamill Hydro Hotel, wedding photography, winter wedding | Leave A Comment »
The 5th February marked my first wedding for 2011 and it was nice to be invited back to the Fairfield House Hotel to capture another wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Martin, owners of the hotel, were the perfect hosts and their staff laid on a lavish celebration to mark the marriage of Mr. Martin’s son to Liz – the perfect couple. Tim and Liz are a lovely couple and enjoyed a very intimate wedding with a small selection of family and friends.
Outside the weather was miserable and raining and presented very little eopportunities for pictures of Tim and Liz. However, lack of sunshine didn’t matter because the Fairfield Hotel staff had prepared a party atmosphere with champagne, wine, vodka mixers and sumptuous food preparations that began before the ceremony and went on until the evening – an oasis of memories, food and laughter all captured with on location flash, tungsten, ambient lighting and my trusty Nikon D3 camera.
After the ceremony the guests were entertained by Tonality String Quartet, a string Quartet, Derek Gray, a caricaturist, a firework display organized by Absolute Fireworks, R3 Tenors, singing waiters who sang a variety of operatic songs during the reception dinner. The staff had prepared a fantastic selection of food for the afternoon which included oysters, Sevruga caviar and Sushi followed by a reception dinner with meso glazed medallions of tuna, smoked salmon Gravlax, kobe beef carpaccio, haggis, sorbet, venison loin, fillet of halibut with langoustines, veal, to finish with winter berry pavlova, trio of chocolates, assiette of fruit, Scottish cheese and liqueur coffee.
Feb 08, 2011 | Categories:Wedding Photographer | Tags: ayrshire wedding photographer, Fairfield House Hotel, happy couple, hotel in ayr, loving couple, marriage, photography, wedding celebration, wedding day, wedding photography | Comments Off
