Sunday, July 29, 2007

Caroline & Derek's wedding

It's been a couple of weeks since my last wedding, due to a cancelled wedding. So it was nice to get back into a fantastic wedding yesterday in Edinburgh.

The weather has been soooooo unpredictable recently, and my health has been poor thanks to tonsilitis. But I pulled myself out of my sick bed to meet Caroline & Derek for the first time on Friday, and what a lovely couple they were. Getting the troops over from Ireland for their city wedding was no mean feat, but the hard work was well deserved as the day went perfectly. And the weather also was being good, we couldnt have asked for better!

Caroline looked amazingly regal in her Amanda Wyatt 'sand' coloured dress, it was stunning! And Derek looked no bad himself either in his smart suit. And their young son Bobby just stole the show, what a cutie.
The couple chose the stunning riverside city centre venue of the Edinburgh Menzies Belford Hotel for their big day; this was a new one on me and a great hidden gem. Such a peaceful riverside venue, you couldn't imagine that the city centre is just minutes away.
We also popped over to the Dean Gallery for a couple of shots with it's great architecture.
And even though Caroline said she didn't want too many "posed" photos, I had to ask her to do this pose for me, this funky chair, fabulous lighting and Caroline looking stunning, was just screaming out for this shot!

Thanks guys for allowing me to be part of your special and stunning day, it was an honour to shoot your wedding and meet your lovely families. Have a great time in New York, and big kisses to Bobby!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Nice words

Lots of nice words this past day or two.

From Jen on receiving her album.........
"it is totally amazing, I was bawling my eyes out again, i love it, took it to work and everyone said they never seen anything like it, they were all totally amazed. "

From James and Nadine, getting married next year.........
"Just a short note to say we'd be delighted to have you as our wedding photographer. Both Nadine and I loved your work - and you seemed to 'get' us straight away which left us confident you'll do an amazing job!"

From Jo and Craig, getting married in 2009.....
"Craig and I were so impressed when we met up with you and we would like to go ahead and book you if it's not too late."

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Happy Birthday to MEEEE!!

35...... old! Well it feels like it! Only 5 from 40.............old!

I celebrated with a choccy cake from hubby and the Jman this morning.

Then to amuse ourselves this afternoon, we went by Jman's favourite form of transportation, train to Edinburgh. Easiest way to amuse a 2 year old boy!
I had fun with my fisheye lens. He loves looking for the Bridge!

And then for the first time, we took an open top double decker bus for a sightseeing tour around the city.
I love the architecture in Edinburgh, it is amazing.

I really must around to going inside Edinburgh Castle one day.Jman "cheesing" for the camera! Who the hell taught him that one?!

So many interesting little things in the city that I have never noticed before.

It was fun!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Being a guest at a wedding, Italy, "Breathless" Marathon no.3, and tons of mail!

I'M BACK!

Firstly, I was a GUEST at a wedding a couple of weeks ago! It's so unusual for me to go to a wedding these days and NOT be the official photographer. But it was really good fun to be on the other side of it all at my cousins wedding at Oxenfoord Castle near Edinburgh.

David and Laura his lovely bride, has enlisted the fabulous Alan and Jackie Rankine of Rankine Photography to do the hard work, and I am sure the results they give the couple will be fabulous. I did take one of my back up bodies and a couple of lenses on the day but I only clocked up just over 20 images on the day, I was more than happy to sit back, speak to family, enjoy the champagne and check out the wonderful Oxenfoord Castle. There is nothing worse than an "Uncle Bob" at a wedding, not letting you get on with your job, and I made sure I didn't disturb Alan and Jacqui while they were working hard.

After my 070707 wedding called it off last minute, hubby and I booked a late deal to one of our favourite countries, Italy. Of course, the Jman came too; boy have the terrible two's hit the McLeod household or what?! I think I need another holiday after that!

We love Italy, we honeymooned there nearly 8 years ago and have been back several times since. Of course the camera went with me, you just can't NOT take amazing pictures in Italy!!


We visited the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral... which Jack desperately wanted into.....................he even sampled the amazing Italian ice cream.......... And on the way home, it was a stop-off in Newcastle for another "Breathless" Marathon; another bunch of lovely girls, who were very patient with me arriving late after being stuck in traffic for 5 hours, on what would have normally been a 2 hour journey! Thanks girls, check your emails for a sneak peak of the results!

And of course, I came back to a pile of mail at the door; orders, a couple of bookings for next year, and a ton of email to take care of, though I did touch base a couple of times at the local internet cafe in our little Italian village! The joys of working for yourself is that you can't really NOT ever be available for too long, so the work mobile came with me, as well as a couple of emails sent!

There were also some lovely notes sent while I was away; Gail and Derek dropped me a note regarding their November wedding;

"We's also like to say thanks for the fabulous photos you took - it's been very hard deciding which ones to get printed. Our album is amazing too and certainly has the "Wow" factor!"

I am looking forward to seeing Gail again end of this year, when she returns the favour to Fiona, by being HER bridesmaid!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Newcastle "Breathless" marathon almost full for 140707!

I received the third booking this morning for this Marathon so yes it is definately on!!

There are one or two spaces still available if there is anyone else wishing to participate; just email me before Wednesday.

Nikki McLeod Photography

Nikki McLeod Photography
tel 01383 821498