Andrew and Paz's wedding at St Brides and reception at The Queen's House, Greenwich

We've just finished our post-production after Andrew and Paz's wedding on Saturday.  The weather was just perfect, the trip down the river a great treat for everybody, especially family and friends who had come to London from Spain for the occasion.

On honeymoon now in Hawaii and California, we are very much looking forward to showing Mr and Mrs Mottram their wedding photographs.

Meanwhile, here's the elegant Tulip Staircase in the Queen's House, an inspiring location for any photographer, captured here with a fish-eye lens.

Watch me grow - next photo shoot sessions

We're holding our next baby photo shoots in our studio on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June.  Please ring for more information.

Watch your baby grow!

So many of our couples have become parents recently that we've decided to start a 'Watch me grow!' set of photo shoots for babies.

The idea is simple.  We have a comfy, purpose studio at the bottom of our garden with natural light, a place to change, sheepskin rugs aplenty , tea/coffee/herbal drinks to hand.

You visit with your baby visit, by appointment, for for three photo sessions.
1. your first visit will be when your baby is tiny (1-4 months)
2. your second visit will be when s/he is sitting (7-8 months)
3. your third will be when s/he can stand, holding on (12 months)

After about 3 weeks, you’ll return to the studio to view each entire photoshoot.

You’ll be able to choose a photo from each session which will be made up into a triple mounted framed picture and given to you after your third session.

Watch me grow! costs just £45.

Our next studio photo shoots will be held on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June 2011.
Please ring the studio on 07860 736 845 to book an appointment.

More boys' shoes - black and white this time

Colour is good, but black and white can also make a huge statement.  Why be boring with the footwear when your surroundings are incredibly stylish?  We like this.

Syon Park weddings

Syon Park Wedding Diary the 2012 Season opens on Monday and we were invited, along with other recommended wedding suppliers at Syon,  to meet couples who are looking at this very special wedding venue.


It was a gorgeous sunny day today and the Great Conservatory looked fantastic.  Will and Becky represented West London Photography for part of the day and enjoyed meeting several couples who are on the point of booking this amazing venue.   


Meanwhile, we look forward very much to starting the 2011 season next month.

Colour for the boys

Why should the girls have all the glitz?  Here the ushers had stripey socks to match the groom's turquoise shoes. Quite a bright sight, especially as he had a full head of flaming red hair.

Syon Park Open Day for Weddings, Civil Partnerships and Nuptial Celebrations

On Sunday 27 March Syon Park opens its doors to couples planning their wedding or civil partnership at Syon Park.

Couples are welcome from 11 am and they will be able to meet the team and suppliers recommended by Syon Park.  They all have a great  track record in looking after couples who hold their ceremony and reception at Syon Park.

What's worthwhile noting is that none of us pay His Grace The Duke of Northumberland's staff at Syon to recommend us.  And Syon Park doesn't expect their suppliers to pay them a commission for working at Syon Park. This is because we all enjoy positive feedback over several years  from past couples and the team at Syon find we work well with them to deliver a great result for our clients.

You can trust our recommendation of Syon Park as one of the very best UK wedding venues.  And you can trust Syon Park when they recommend their suppliers.

Please contact Beccy Thorpe for further information beccy@syonpark.co.uk

We hope to see you there and share our experience at this magnificent venue.

Shapes, light, colour and patterns

It's sheer pleasure to capture images for no reason at all apart for the fun of it. Sometimes, abstract patterns catch the eye, with their colour, texture and pattern. And light, of course. Here are some from around our hotel in Hurgada, after an inspirational session with Llewellyn Robbins.

Photo Training Overseas (PTO) : Hurgada

We've been away in Egypt for the past fortnight, staying at Hurgada on the Red Sea. It was quite an experience!

We'd gone to attend the PTO international photographic conference run by George and Glenys Dawber. It's a brilliant way to keep up to date on all things photographic, including the creative side of our art and the technical skills you need to make really great images.

Ours is fast moving industry where you can't ever rest on your laurels. In a busy studio like ours, it's difficult to take time out for training and updating - it's hopeless in the summer with weddings every weekend. So January is the best time and winter sun is always welcome.

We’d left just as the crowds were beginning to gather in Tahrir Square and the first week was a bit uncertain. Then the hotel was vast and emptied dramatically as tourists were flying back home and no one took their place.

Trips we cancelled which limited the photo opps hugely. We’d hoped to go to Luxor, or out in a boat but it wasn’t possible. The internet was cut off which was fine, but the tv was showing bigger and bigger crowds and Mubarak still wouldn’t go. It was a relief to get to the airport and away. Having said that, all the Egyptians we met were charming, helpful and they did all they could to make our seminars and our holiday enjoyable.

We’d go back again like a shot.

Happy New Year!

We wish you a very happy New Year, especially if it's your first as a married couple. 2010 was great, with lots to celebrate despite the gloomy forecasts and we enjoyed each and every one of the weddings we photographed.

2011 is shaping up as THE year to get married. We're excited about the ones we're already booked for and still have some dates free, should you make a big decision on New Year's Eve. It's reckoned that's one of the most popular dates for a romantic proposal.

Wishing you well wherever you may be and have a fantastic New Year.

Susan and Godfrey

Real Life wedding at The Hurlingham Club

Eira Jones and Greg Smith have just sent us their account of their wedding at All Saints, Fulham and The Hurlingham Club. They had a fantastic day and made sure they enjoyed the fruits of all their planning and hard work.

Here's the link

http://www.westlondonphotography.com/real_life_wedding_The_Hurlingham_Club.php

Just back from holiday in Liguria

Sorry - we've been out of touch for 3 weeks after photographing our last wedding of our busiest season ever. Liguria was wonderful and we'd recommend it highly as a honeymoon destination.

We're now busy getting wedding albums together in time for Christmas and taking bookings for next year. And catching up on the phone calls and emails!

Wedding at St Peter's Petersham

Liz and Mark Pietronave married at St Peter's Petersham on Saturday - they are honeymooning in Peru and later Miami. We've taken some beautiful photographs of their day and look forward very much to showing them.

Their reception was at the Richmond Hill Hotel. Wonderful.

A special mention about their service: the Reverend Canon Tim Marwood was particularly welcoming to everyone. The Church is a gem: most unusually, the service was held in the centre with the bridal party in box pews. A real sense of intimacy, which made the vows exchanged doubly meaningful. The Church is beautifully kept and the Church Warden who attended did his part to make the day go smoothly for everyone.

Heating in the conservatory at Syon Park

A beautiful day in May. Juliet was a gorgeous bride, elegant and sophisticated, her dress stunning and her Jummy Choos to die for. She and Ali are due back from honeymoon this weekend and their Syon wedding photos will be online shortly.

The flowers were by Wheelers of Turnham Green and were perfect. White was the theme which blended perfectly with the black and white of Robert Adam's interior.

The weather was kind but even so, with Juliet in her amazing dress and other guests wearing light clothes, the evening reception could have been on the chill side. The couple asked us for advice and we told them we've seen guests eating their wedding breakfast in the Conservatory with their overcoats on. Help was at hand with the company who supply heating at Syon - Carrier rental express.

If you're hiring this venue or a marquee, it's worth considering portable heating. It can make all the difference to your guests' enjoyment of your wedding day. Speak to Sarah Tropia or David Garland on 0870 751 7002

Real life wedding at The Vineyard Stockcross

The Vineyard Stockcross is a great wedding venue in Berkshire for discerning couples who enjoy the finer things in life. We've been photographing weddings for many years now at The Vineyard and we talk about it on our website.

Last August we were there again for Victoria and David - it was a very wet day and their plans could have been badly upset, but The Vineyard is such a cosy venue that it made no difference at all. The rain cleared up in time for the fireworks and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

You can read about Victoria and David's real life wedding at The Vineyard Stockcross on our website at

http://www.westlondonphotography.com/real_life_wedding_Vineyard_stockcross.php

Have your wedding plans been affected by the volcano in Iceland?

Have your wedding plans been affected by the volcano in Iceland? We had a pre-wedding shoot booked for this weekend but the Bride-to-be is stranded in Ibiza. Hopefully she will be back for her wedding in three weeks.

So what should you do if your plans are compromised? Put in a call to your insurance company as a priority. Some travel insurance policies will cover volcanic eruptions, many don't..

Specialist insurer E&L said, 'Unfortunately E&L Insurance does not offer any compensation or reimbursement of cost through our wedding insurance packages in light of the flight disruptions caused by volcanic ash. This is clearly stated in our policy wording and although it is an unavoidable act of god, we are unable to pay out on claims as a result of this natural disaster. Wedding Insurance however, does cover the vast majority of issues relating to your wedding, both in the UK and overseas, so it is always worth taking out a policy to help protect your special day.'

If you end up paying for extras due to the flight disruption, make sure you hold on to receipts to follow up later with your airline, tour operator or travel insurance agent. Bear in mind, that in most cases only reasonable expenses will be covered.

Best of luck!

Syon Park London wedding venue

Looking for a great London wedding venue? Syon Park's Wedding Diary opened today for the 2011 Season.

The Great Conservatory was the place to be if you're looking for fantastic wedding photos. We were there, showing our work along with other highly recommended suppliers.

Some couples had queued since early this morning to secure their date. And one couple we met had only got engaged last night!

The team told us that they are accepting reservations by telephone, email or letter from Monday 12th April 2010. The number to ring is 020-8758-1888 020-8758-1888 or email events@syonpark.co.uk

We're now taking bookings for wedding photography at Syon Park. Please contact us on 020 8932 6309 or look at our website which features a real life wedding at Syon Park. Here's the link

http://www.westlondonphotography.com/Syon_Park_House_real_life_wedding.php

Weddings at The Athenaeum Club

You can choose to have your wedding at a central London Hotel, of course. There are many to choose from. But can they compare with The Athenaeum Club in Pall Mall.

Saturday last we photographed a high profile wedding reception at The Athenaeum. We were struck by the wonderful service offered to the bride and groom by Nick Spike and his staff. Understated, sophisticated and very special.

The Athenaeum is closed to members at the weekend so you can have the full run of the venue including bedrooms. It is extremely central for your guests and just wonderful.

Highly recommended. Please visit the following link for more information on The Athenaeum Club

http://www.westlondonphotography.com/Athenaeum_Club_London_wedding_venue.php

Blenheim Palace wedding venue photography

We're very fortunate to have an Oxford base as well as a London studio. From Susan's college LMH Oxford (a wedding venue in itself) to Blenheim Palace within easy distance, we can offer you a first class wedding service second to none.

The Orangery at Blenheim Pallace is fabulous for wedding photography, full stop.

You need to see the beautiful double vaulted ceiling in the Marlborough Room to appreciate how good this room will look in your wedding photos. Just consider those a-list chandeliers and a massive fireplace.

Not quite big enough? With two professional wedding photographers at Blenheim Palace, you are guaranteed great coverage if you book the Great Hall, The Saloon and the Long Library. You're sorted for evening drinks receptions and wedding celebrations from 60 up to 300 guests.

To know more about wedding photography at Blenheim Palace , please contact us on 020 8932 6309 www.westlondonphotography.com

Wedding venue The Vyne Hampshire

The Vyne wedding venue in Hampshire? Do you know it?

We made a private visit it on Sunday - it had just opened the day before and it's absolutely enchanting. The info tells you that it was a Tudor power house, but what comes over is the charm of a much loved family home.

The volunteers 'on duty' were so welcoming, with just the right amount of information to tell you about a strange portrait. And there were a few of those - a scene of a father and mother receiving a letter telling them their son had died. Or a 6 year old called Chrysostoma done up like Queen Elizabeth 1, deathly pale and bejewelled.

There were fresh spring flowers in most of the rooms, a volunteer playing a forte piano beautifully adding to the period note and carpets of snowdrops and crocuses in the grounds. The Tudor Brewhouse did a great local blue cheese quiche and there was a free cup of tea an slice of Victoria sandwich for all Mums - it was Mothering Sunday of course.

And it's a great wedding venue. I'll add some pictures soon to show you. Meanwhile, you can google the National Trust link for wedding photos at The Vyne