Portrait Photographer in West Yorkshire

Portrait photography for Becky and Mark

We first met Becky when she came along with her close friend Donna whose children we have photographed on a regular basis.  Donna came in to view her children's portrait images and Becky decided to book a portrait session for herself and hubby Mark to get some lovely couple photographs of the two of them together.  The brief for the style of photography was for anything at all, as long as Becky could have black and white photographs because she loves them!  We had a really enjoyable photo shoot with Becky and Mark, switching from traditional portraiture using a black background for a low key style, to a relaxed and informal photography style with the couple sitting on the studio floor, finally finishing the session with some contemporary images using just the studio wall as a backdrop.  We ended up with a lot of great images and when Becky and Mark came in for their viewing appointment, they ended up with nine images which they loved and had to have.  One of these will be a Christmas gift for a certain special person in Becky's life (other than Mark!) and the remainder - all black and white images - will be presented in two stunning black frames with silver edging to be displayed in the couple's new conservatory which will have a black and white scheme.  We offer loads of different frames to choose from and our multi frames are extremely popular, offering fantastic value for money, as they can accommodate several images in one frame, meaning that clients don't necessarily have to narrow their choice of photograph to just one.  We were delighted with Becky and Mark's images and we look forward to presenting them with their finished framed prints.

Wedding Photographers in West Yorkshire

Wedding photography Waterton Park Hotel - thank you 

Today we were very happy to receive a lovely thank you card from Sarah and Tom Cass whose wedding we photographed at Waterton Park in the summer. 

"To Alex and Janet

We would both like to start by saying a HUGE thank you for everything you have done for us.  Our wedding pictures are stunning and everyone we show them to can only echo this.  We are so glad we chose to have the storybook as it really does show off the images to their best.  You have both made us feel so relaxed right from our first meeting, to our engagement shoot and of course on the big day.  Our guests have commented how lovely and how professional you both were on the day.  We are so glad you were recommended to us and we will definitely recommend you to anyone looking for a photographer.  You have given us memories which we can treasure for a lifetime.  Love from Sarah and Tom Cass x"

 

Wedding Photography Wentbridge House Hotel

Wedding photography Bradford and Wentbridge House Hotel - Chloe and Sam - 4 December 2010

  

When Chloe and Sam booked us as their wedding photographers, they expected that being a December wedding, it was likely to be cold.  What they didn't expect was the thick snow which descended on the country at the end of November - much earlier than we usually get it!  So Chloe's dad, Bryan, had the unenviable task of clearing the snow outside the church to make it easier for the wedding cars to get access.  We arrived at Bryan and Janet, Chloe's mum and dad's house to a hive of activity as the girls got hair and make-up done.  Leaving the hussle and bussle for the quiet haven of Bryan and Janet's bedroom for a while, we set to work on photographs of Chloe's beautiful princess dress, her shoes, perfume, jewellery, flowers and wellies!  A text message from Chloe the evening before the wedding day confirmed that she was well and truly prepared and something as trivial as eight inches of snow wasn't going to stop her getting the photographs she wanted.  Leaving the ladies, we met Sam and the boys at the church.  The colour scheme the couple had chosen, along with the snow, the holly tree in the church grounds and a nativity scene inside all added to the festive theme of this winter wedding.  A quick chat with the kindly vicar and permission to photograph the wedding ceremony from both the front and the back of the church was granted.  The arrival of a Hummer full of bridesmaids in wellies caused a lot of laughter and shortly afterwards, Chloe arrived with her proud dad.  This is the first time we've seen a change of footwear in the church doorway - from bridal wellies to bridal shoes!  Following the ceremony, the family groups were taken care of inside the church before Chloe and Sam headed out to be showered with confetti.  At this point, it started raining and it was still raining when everyone arrived at Wentbridge House.  As professional wedding photographers in West Yorkshire, the weather is something we have to take in our stride but eight inches of snow and freezing rain is something of a challenge.  However, Chloe was an absolute star - pulling on her wellies in the car and stepping out with a big smile ready to take on anything!  She was so delighted to see the stunning snowy landscape of the gardens at Wentbridge House Hotel and she was adamant that no matter what, she and Sam were having their photographs taken in the snow.  She only shouted at Sam a couple of times for not holding the umbrella over her properly!!!!!  Sam - you were brilliant too, going along with whatever we suggested but at least you were wrapped up a bit more warmly than Chloe.  It must have been a spectacle - a beautiful bride in a huge wedding gown, carrying a red umbrella, a handsome groom and two photographers struggling through the deep snow.  Freezing is an understatement!  But it was well worth it for the amazing images we got.  After a few photographs around the Christmas tree in the hotel reception, we left Chloe and Sam to join their guests, drink champagne and thaw out whilst we photographed the wedding breakfast room which looked fabulous in its red and gold colour scheme.  Even the favours for the wedding guests had a Christmas theme - red Christmas tree baubles, individually personalised by hand - beautiful.  After the wedding breakfast and the speeches, we had a little time before the evening guests started to arrive and as was still raining, we decided to be kind to Chloe and Sam and work indoors.  A visit to the bridal suite and a short trip around the hotel resulted in some romantic images for the new Mr and Mrs Pickles before they took to the floor for their first dance.  Thank you for inviting us to capture your fabulous winter wedding.  Snow can be unwelcome but on this occasion, it made Chloe and Sam's wedding day and their pictures all the more special.  Hope you're enjoying a fabulous honeymoon in Mexico where we suspect it's just a bit warmer.   

        

If you attended Chloe and Sam's wedding, please leave a message - thank you.

Wedding Photography Yorkshire

Thank you 

In August we were the wedding photographers for Emma and Scott Dickens when they married in North Elmsall before celebrating at Wentbridge House.  Last week they collected their fabulous Graphistudio storybook wedding album from us and we were delighted to be presented with a beautiful, handmade thank you card which we very much appreciate.  We were over the moon with it and with the lovely comments which Emma had written inside.

"To Alex and Janet

Thank you so much for the wonderful photos, we couldn't ask for anything more.  It was a pleasure having you photograph our wedding day.  From the first day we saw your photography we were truly amazed and said we wouldn't have picked anyone else!  Thank you again." 

Family Portrait Photographers in Castleford

Nicola, James, Caroline, Glynn, Ryan and Baxter

We were very fortunate to have been Nicola and James's wedding photographers at Aldwark Manor this year and having enjoyed a fantastic day with them, we were looking forward very much to their family portrait session.  This session included sisters, Nicola and Caroline, husbands James and Glynn, Caroline and Glynn's son, Ryan and Nicola and James's baby Westie, Baxter, who was suitably dressed for the snow in his stripey scarf.  The brief was for natural, relaxed and fun family photographs.  Not a problem.  To include Baxter if possible please.  OK, we don't mind a challenge and a bit of bribery involving Baxter and some doggie treats did the trick!!!  In less than an hour, we had a selection of great family photographs in the can, working on various group photographs to include shots of everyone, Nicola and James with Baxter, Caroline, Glynn and Ryan and also Nicola and Caroline together.  We then had some fun with Ryan who was a star!  We think he really enjoyed the opportunity to play up to the camera and have a laugh but in all honesty, it was us who were laughing the most!  Baxter on the other hand thought being photographed was very tiring.  This is his "I want to go, I'm tired" shot!

Children's Photographer in Castleford

Amy and Josie

As professional children's photographers in Castleford, we photographed Amy as a baby a couple of years ago.  It was a pleasure to repeat this with Amy's younger sister, Josie and also brilliant to be able to capture photographs of the two sisters together for their proud mum, Wendy who is a good friend of ours and a very talented florist.  Wendy runs Triffidz Funky Florist in Castleford with her sister Lesley.  Following Amy's photography session, Alex designed a montage of Wendy's nine favourite images and personalised it with Amy's name.  Wendy chose nine images from Josie's photo shoot and again, Alex created a personalised montage for Josie so that Wendy has something beautiful and very special to celebrate each of her gorgeous little girls as babies as well as having some fantastic photographs of her children together.

       

New Baby Photography West Yorkshire

Neave

In September last year, we had the pleasure of being the wedding photographers at Chevin Country Park Hotel, Otley for Catherine and Paul, Neave's mum and dad.  How things change in just a year!  We were delighted to hear the news that Catherine and Paul were expecting a baby and even more delighted to meet their beautiful daughter when they brought her to the studio for some baby portraits.  At just five days old, Neave was the perfect age for new baby photographs.  Babies between newborn and around ten days old have that lovely new baby look and they sleep a lot (usually!)  This only lasts for a very short time before they get bigger, stay awake for longer and wriggle more, so before ten days' old really is the best time to capture these special images to treasure.  True to this theory, Neave obliged by sleeping throughout most of the session, only waking for a quick supper break!  This made it easy to "pose" her and to capture those cute photographs of her tiny hands, feet and ears.  Gorgeous!

Baby Photographers in Castleford

Mia

As professional Castleford baby photographers, it's always a pleasure to welcome our youngest clients to the studio and our recent baby photography session was no exception as we met beautiful Mia and her proud parents, Terrie and Dean.  At five weeks' old, Mia was well past the new baby photographs stage.  Mum Terrie said she'd always wanted a photograph of baby Mia lying on dad, Dean's outstretched arm.  Reasonably easy to achieve with a new baby when they're asleep and floppy but it proved a bit more difficult this time as Mia stayed awake throughout that part of the session and refused to turn her face towards the camera except for a split second!  We look forward to welcoming her back when she's sitting and she's bringing along her big sister next time so that they can be photographed together.

 

Boudoir Photographers in West Yorkshire

Boudoir photography for Rachel

As professional boudoir photographers in Yorkshire, the second half Rachel's photography session was devoted to creating some fabulous boudoir photographs for her.  Nicky did an amazing job with Rachel's hair and make-up for these photographs, resulting in a completely different look.  We worked with a variety of coloured drapes during the session, just to see which worked best.  In the end, we couldn't decide so we'll let Rachel choose!  We really enjoyed this session and we hope that Rachel (and her husband, Scott) love these glamourous, tasteful and beautiful boudoir photographs as much as we do. 

If you are getting married and fancy presenting your other half with the perfect wedding gift, we'd love to hear from you.  Your boudoir session can be in whatever style you choose and if you would like to be truly pampered by a professional make-up artist before your photo shoot, we can arrange this for you too.  A professional boudoir photograph presented in a contemporary frame from our range is also a fabulous gift for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine's Day or Christmas and with Christmas just around the corner, why not treat your husband, partner or even yourself?

Portrait Photographer in West Yorkshire

Hollywood screen idol make-over photography for Rachel

As professional portrait photographers in Yorkshire, we love creating beautiful images in the studio and working with some fantastic clients.  We've had the pleasure of working with Rachel and professional make-up artist Nicola Shann before.  Rachel is incredibly photogenic and is a joy to photograph and Nicky is brilliant to work with and very talented too.  For this portrait photography shoot, we decided to create two completely different looks for Rachel - the first a homage to Hollywood screen legend Audrey Hepburn and the stunning photographs from Breakfast at Tiffany's.  This is ours, Rachel's and Nicky's interpretation of these gorgeous, iconic images.

Wedding Photographers Hazlewood Castle, Yorkshire

Wedding photography at Hazlewood Castle - Laura and Kevin - 28 October 2010

Laura and Kevin chose an autumn Thursday to tie the knot at the stunning wedding venue of Hazlewood Castle.  As Yorkshire wedding photographers and recommended wedding photographers for Hazlewood Castle, it was so nice to be back.  The trees looked beautiful in their autumn colours and Laura had chosen her colour scheme to compliment the season.  When we arrived at Hazlewood, Laura was out getting her hair and make-up done and running late, so we made a start with photographs of her shoes and her gorgeous Ian Stuart wedding dress.  By the time Laura arrived, Kevin and the guys were in their suits and ready for their photography session, so we had a walk around the grounds with them, taking some great pictures along the way and keeping Kevin's mind off any pre-wedding nerves.  The couple married in a civil ceremony in the Victoria Room and because we'd already completed the boys' pictures, we followed Laura back upstairs to finish off her accessory photographs and capture all those buttons being done up on the back of her fabulous dress.  Tip - a crochet hook comes in very handy for this!  She looked just stunning and dad, Lance, must have been very proud as he accompanied her down the stairs.  Following the blessing of Laura and Kevin's marriage in St Leonard's chapel, conducted by the lovely Ian Walton who is always an absolute pleasure to work with, the new Mr and Mrs Murray-Ward were congratulated by everyone before making their way over the bridge for the big group shot and a shower of confetti.  The rain clouds loomed large throughout the group photography session and we were keeping our fingers well and truly crossed for the weather to hold until we'd completed these and the couple shots.  We almost managed it...  The raindrops started when we were just a few minutes from going inside but Laura and Kevin were brilliant sports - they didn't run for cover and we got the Private Dining photographs they wanted.  With the Great Hall photographed and the before dinner speeches covered (which Kevin had told us would be short!), we left everyone to enjoy the wedding breakfast and at this point it did rain - properly.  Then it stopped but any relief was shortlived because it started again, only heavier this time.  Then it stopped...  perfect!  By the time the wedding breakfast was almost over, the rain had cleared.  As professional wedding photographers at Hazlewood Castle, we know that there are lots of places to take photographs inside, but Laura and Kevin really wanted some evening shots outside in the courtyard and as video light and rain don't mix, we wanted it to be dry so that we could get the shots they wanted.  In fact, Laura and Kevin were so keen to have these pictures taken that we were given instructions to "drag them out" as soon as the light was perfect!  With perfect timing on their part, the wedding breakfast was over at exactly the time when the sky was that dark blue colour.  We even managed to get some evening photographs in two different locations.  Thank you guys - you, your families and your attendants were brilliant to work with and it was our pleasure to be part of your celebrations.  We look forward to seeing your wedding photographs come together in a fabulous storybook album.

If you are a family member or a friend, please feel free to leave a comment - thank you.

Portrait Photographer in Castleford, West Yorkshire

Headshots for Karen

As professional portrait photographers in West Yorkshire, today it lovely to meet Karen and welcome her to the studio for a portait photography session.  Karen had never had a professional photograph taken before, but she appeared to be very relaxed in front of the camera.  She decided on a white background for her photographs and this turned out to be a good choice as her lovely dark hair and vibrant clothing really stood out against the white.  Karen wanted a good headshot of herself for her website - one that wouldn't frighten people off, she said!  With that beautiful smile we don't think she has anything to worry about.

Wedding Photographers for Rogerthorpe Manor

Wedding photography for Aimee and Richard - St Peter's church, Kirk Smeaton and Rogerthorpe Manor - 23 October 2010

As wedding photographers in West Yorkshire, we are regular photographers at Rogerthorpe Manor in Badsworth, near Pontefract, but today was very special and a bit more pressured too!  It was a pleasure to be chosen as Richard and Aimee's wedding photographers because they are such a fantastic couple but as Richard is the manager of Rogerthorpe Manor and his dad, Roger, is the owner, we had a lot to live up to!  We met up with Aimee at the couple's home in Carleton.  Aimee had her gorgeous dress hanging up in the lounge window, all ready for photographs.  Unusually, the bride had taken a back seat with the wedding planning, leaving Richard to organise almost everything, even choosing Aimee's dress!  Now most brides wouldn't have entertained this idea but Richard really did Aimee proud with his choice.  After we'd captured all the important details and some make-up shots, Aimee was in her dress in no time, allowing us to get some photographs of it being fastened and a few ready shots before we had to leave for church, arriving at exactly the same moment as Richard.  Aimee arrived by a slightly different mode of transport - a red London bus - accompanied by her proud brother Darren.  Following the wedding ceremony which was very personal and designed to include the couple's two fantastic sons, Logan and Ronnie, the new Mr and Mrs Metcalfe exited the church, spent a few minutes being congratulated by their guests and then hopped on board their red bus to travel to Rogerthorpe Manor.  With the threat of rain looming, we managed to secure the group photographs quickly before spending some time with Aimee and Richard around the venue's beautiful grounds.  Thankfully, the rain managed to hold off and we had a brilliant time with them both as they were so relaxed and easy to work with.  Aimee was definitely up for striking a pose or two so that we could create something spectacular for her, even though a couple of her friends had a go at  trying to sabotage the arty bridal photographs!  Too much champagne perhaps!  There were a lot of benefits to having Richard organising things - clearing the bar area for some contemporary wedding photographs was one of them and because Richard arranged it, no one could blame the photographer!  After dinner, Richard did the honours with the wedding cake - cutting it up himself so that it could be served to all the guests with dessert which we thought was a really nice touch.  It has to be said that Richard had organised so many things for the enjoyment of his guests and a huge priority for him was making sure that every one of them had a great day.  One the things he'd arranged was lazer clay pigeon shooting to entertain his guests after the wedding breakfast and this proved really popular with the ladies and gents alike.  In fact, one of the ladies was a crack shot...  We often take evening photographs outside Rogerthorpe Manor but because the clay pigeon shooting was going on at the front of the wedding venue, we didn't think it was a good idea to get in the way!  So we chose a different location and timed it for that perfect evening sky.  Richard and Aimee took to the dance floor and soon afterwards, the band, Joe Public, entertained the guests.  Thank you Aimee and Richard for allowing us to photograph your lovely family in the studio and for asking us to share your wedding day.  We're just sorry that Aston Villa lost!  Thank you also to Roger, Sheila, Ann and Darren for making us so welcome.  We had an amazing day!

If you attended Aimee and Richard's wedding, please leave a comment - thank you.