Welcome to my Blog, its a quick way for me to get stuff of my chest, talk about my work as a wedding and portrait photographer, and moan about having to lose some weight. I am rubbish at spelling, so I apologise in advance if some of it doesn't make sense, but being the creative type, grammer never really bothered me.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas Everyone......


Just a quick one to say thank you to all my wonderful clients I have had the great pleasure of working with this year. I wish you all the best for the holidays and for the coming New Year.

Next year is going to be huge, I have a packed program of events already, plus I have some massive changes coming up for the New year. Look out for my new website, which will hopefully be live early in January and also look out for news of a new range of totally exclusive products.

Anyway, good luck for next year, I dearly hope that all of you have a wonderful time,

See you in 2008

Paul

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

YOU'RE KIDDIN ME





Believe it or not, the Christmas promotion is nearly over, only a few more days to go. We have had a huge success with bookings so far and nearly all of our allocated slots are full, but due to the amount of interest we have had, we have decided to extend the offer for one more week.

Not only that we are offering a limited number of gift certificates to lucky applicants. Each certificate entitles the bearer to £100 of products and services from our portrait range. These include handmade frames, display portfolios and albums.

Email me at paul@paulsaxby.co.uk to book your place.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Celtic Tigers Roar.........


"I can jump further than you...."
Last week I had the honour of being invited over to Ireland to photograph an entire extended family and some of their friends and family. I was invited into the family and waited on hand and foot for the three days I was in the Emerald Isle.


"Seaweed is great..."
I had been asked to photograph several families and all their respective children, all aged between 4 weeks and four and a half years. It was great, I got to behave like a child again, crawling on the floor, rolling about in wet grass and digging holes in a muddy beach. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even when I found myself changing nappies and watching Thomas the Tank Engine.

"Catching some rays man..."
Best af all I was given as much creative freedom as I wanted, so I took the bull by the horns and began using off-camera flash. As soon as I arrived in Ireland I instructed 'Uncle Russ' in how the VALS(Voice Activated Light Stand) system worked, gave him a Canon 580EZ, a Quantum Turbo Battery pack and a Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceiver, and we got to work. Russ even found himself in one or two of the images as he tried to dodge back and forth between children on the beach. I deliberately included him in the shot below to demonstrate how I lit the group shots.


Is that Russ or VAL in the corner of the picture?


"its not really gonna fall over....is it?"
I was really surprised how quickly the children got used to me being there, even though it was the first time I had met most of them, within a few minutes, the children strated to behave like children and ignored me. I let them get on with playing with their toys, racing around the garden on a peddle powered go-kart, playing on the swings and digging in the mud.


"Did someone say there were Ladybirds in here?"


Even Uncle Peter gets in on the act...What a poser..."
I am really happy with the results, I hope everyone enjoys the images as much as I do.
Many thanks to Carina, Russ and family for inviting me over, and a special thank you to Suzanne, Brian, Paddy and Collette for putting me up, and treating me as a member of their family.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Its all go...




The last few days has been a total blur, I have projects coming out of my ears, so I guess there are going to be a few late nights on the cards. More on the main job coming up in a few days, but in the mean time I have to mention a job in conjunction with Ursula from FLUK Studios in Nottingham.

Ursula had asked me to come in with her to help out on a large commercial project photographing a collection of designer jewellery. I have to say that most of the items were fairly ordinary but a couple of the items were incredibly striking, including the diamond pendant featured above.

I found this job extremely interesting as I was using techniques that I hadn't used in years, normally used to photograph broken pieces of aircraft engine or in forensic investigations, the use of macro technology enabled me to get up close and personal with some stunning designer trinkets, some worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Anyway, the rest of the week I was working away from home, but I will talk about that when I have had a chance to sort my life out.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Autumn is well on its way....


A few days ago, Alison, Lucy and myself managed to get a few hours out in the fresh air together. It seems like ages since we had all been out together, and since the weather was so good we decided we had to make the most of it.

We decided to load up and go for a gentle stroll at Sherwood Pines, which is the largest public area of Sherwood Forest. Its only about 25 minutes from where we live, so it really convenient as well.

Lucy absolutely loved it, she went completely bonkers ferreting in the undergrowth, she didn't even notice the two stags that appeared momentarily in front of us. They were an awesome sight, its a pity I only had my 50mm on my 30D, as they were just to far away to get a decent shot, but it was worth it just to watch them as they wandered past us.



Lucy swimming across the pond, with Alison in the background

Anyway, the most stricking part of the day was the stunning colours of the leaves that are turning. The 50mm was perfect for selecting the individual leaves on the ground, as well as the Chestnuts that were all over the forest floor.



If anyone is stuck for something to do in a quiet Sunday afternoon, I would recommend a trip to Sherwood Forest.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Christmas Promotion

Just thought I would let everyone know that I am now running a special Christmas Portrait promotion for families with young children starting this weekend.

If you have a child aged 5 or under I will photograph you and your family for the princly sum of £15( thats a saving of £50). This is a perfect oppurtunity for you to get some Christmas Gifts ready for friends and family.

I am happy to travel to your home, or we can meet up at a favourite location of your choice(a small charge will be made for a location more than 20 miles from Newark), and we can spend an hour or so creating some beautiful images of your child for Christmas.

With the nights drawing in, please note that evening bookings are becoming scarce, but weekday and weekend shoots are still available. The offer is valid until the end of November.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss your requirements on 01636 650954, or email me at paul@paulsaxby.co.uk.
A manic few days.....

Its been incredibly busy over the last few days, along with the normal portraits and stuff, I have been awfully busy with commercial and PR work.

Yesterday was very busy, I had the great oppurtunity of working with the girls at Willoughby PR, for the official opening of the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Derby. It was an early start, getting in to the centre at just gone 6am and working almost none stop until 6 pm photographing VIP's, special guests and shoppers visiting one of Europes biggest shopping centres.

The centre was officially opened by Tess Daley, one of the presenters of Strictly Come Dancing, and the owner of Westfield, Mr Frank Lowy, flew over from Australia to be there at the opening.

The day was spent running from one event to the next, and then transmitting images to the Australian Press for use in their papers.

I ached like mad this morning, but I must admit I totally enjoyed the day. Many thanks to Diana and Laura from Willoughby for looking after me, and also to Spike and Neil for getting me the gig in the first place.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

CHEESE FANS - CHECK THIS OUT

One of my many, many failings is an absolute passion for cheese....especially anything covered in mould. I have been known to eat an entire block of mature chedder to myself...in one sitting.

Yes, yes I know its not good for me, but niether is drinking an entire bottle of cheap red chilian plonk, but I still do it.

The clever people at West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers have been running a web cam in the maturing room, it makes my mouth water every time I log-in.

Anyway, if you want to watch some really interesting tv(well its better than most of the rubbish on the digital channels), then check this out.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Kelly and Paul.....a sneak preview.



This weekend I photographed a lovely couple at Rushton Hall near Northampton. The wedding was a lively affair, with great kids, bouyant guests and adoring family members.

Here are a few examples, all given the black and white treatment.



Kelly arrives at the church with her Dad.



The girls were wonderfully well behaved...







One of a few more traditional shots near the lake at Rushton Hall.





A portrait of Grandad, a proud Normandy Veteren and ,in my eyes, the star of the day.

I hope you like the photos, and don't worry, there are loads of colour ones too.

Monday, September 03, 2007

Ruth and Adrian

This week I had the pleaseure of photographing a lovely couple from Newark, which was great as for once I didn't have to travel far...all of half a mile.

Ruth and Adrian had a lovely quiet civil ceremony followed by a small gathering of friends and family, which went without a hitch (well almost - we won't mention Kirsty and the Key!!)



Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Maz and Alex, a wonderful weekend..


This weekend I travelled to South Wales to photograph Mariam and Alex. I arrived a day early to shoot a few portraits, then I spent the whole day with them and their families enjoying a wonderful service and glorious sunshine.
A vintage Double-Decker provided transport for everyone, and was intended to keep everyone together, even so someone(John!!!) went missing. Nothing important, he was only giving the Bride away!!!!

Here are a few of my favourites,

The boys on the way to the pub...

Nervous Bride....no way, Maz was full of it.

A quick smile as Maz arrives...

The first Dance, boy can they move...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Faye and Matthew ....VW camper and Creme Brulee.



Here are a few from Faye and Matthews wedding at Rowton Castle Hotel near Shrewsbury. I have been looking forward to this particular wedding for quite a while now. Faye and Matthew are a wonderful couple, childhood sweethearts that were obviously meant for each other.



Faye hired a vintage VW camper van to collect Matthew(just to make sure he turned up!) and the boys. The van made for a great portrait, using my favourite Lumedynes and a 1/4 CTS filter to warm up the foreground.



As ususal I kept the formals to a minimum, just capturing a few shots on a long lens while the couple strolled around the lovely ponds at Rowton.

Then it was out to the lawn for Pimm's and Croquet, very English.


I have to thank Kate from Rowton Castle Hotel, she made a special effort to make sure I was fed and watered, not essential by any means, but very much appreciated. The Creme Brulee was absolutely outstanding.

Anyway, I hope you like the images, enjoy your time in New Zealand and see you when you get home.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Melissa and Tim sneek preview.

A wonderful day at Stapleford Park Hotel, near Oakham. The weather was glourious, but thankfully not too warm
Melissa and Tim tied the knot at Oakham Castle, an ancient hall right in the centre of town, you wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it. Followed by a ride back to the hotel courtesy of a horse drawn carriage.
To mark the day, Melissa and Tim, aided by their son Ollie, planted a Purple Beech tree in the grounds of the hotel.
Here are a few of my favourites.
Check you out.....
The kids......
A moment of laughter....

The next Grand Master...
Planting the tree...








Monday, July 30, 2007

Swords and Flowers - A few of my favourites.



This last weekends wedding went extremely well, the weather held out and the traffic was relatively light, which was good because there was quite a bit of running about.
Neill and Louise can be considered as the ultimate couple, both being extremely attractive, polite and so relaxed, my job was a dream.

Here are a few of my favourites from what can be only called the perfect day.


Last minute hair alterations veiwed through a "cracked" mirror.
The girls getting ready.

Loving Mum...

Words of encouragement from Dad...

Exchanging rings..

Climbing that hill...


Handsome chap.....

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Neil and Nicola Sneek Preview....



Nothing could have spoilt today, a wonderful couple, a beautiful location, amazing guests, stimulating conversation and the most stunning dress.
Neil and Nicola had a lovely intimate civil ceremony followed by a very moving blessing at Doddington near Lincoln, only very close members of family and dear friends present, making this extremely simple service even more special.
We had been expecting to be drenched (I had brought along my white umbrellas just in case) but thankfully the worst of the weather held off until we were safely inside, and even then we were very lucky.
Anyway, here are a few images that I am particularily proud of, all have been treated with Platinum Split Tone Process.
Dad missing his cufflinks.....

Nicola slides into that dress....

Flowers, simple yet very effective...

Good job I brought those white umbrellas....

Entering Church together for the blessing...

A walk in the grounds of Doddington Hall...
A couple from the photo booth I set up at the reception venue.
Cangratulations you guys, I hope you like the photographs.