Lesley and Iain's wedding

When you plan a wedding, you hope for a lovely day and for everything to be perfect.

So what happens when the following happens on your wedding day?

- the hair and make up ladies are late thanks to traffic jams and accidents on the motorways

- the wrong colour of Cadillac turns up for the bride

- the groom is late again thanks to the traffic jams

- the rain does not stop............. all day, infact it hammers it down............. all....................day

What do you do............?

You do what Lesley did at her wedding day yesterday; look gorgeous, smile all day and just accept all the little things that happen on your wedding day.

Lesley looked so relaxed amongst the chaos that resumed in the morning.

Daughter Lauren helped her mum into her amazing Maggie Sottero dress
And the groom did finally get there; I don't know who looks the most relieved here; Iain or Lesley!We had such great plans for photos at both Park Circus and Eastwood Park but the rain stopped us going to Eastwood. And thanks to the wedding conveyor belt of Park Circus, Glasgow, we got exactly 5 minutes of photos there, and they stopped the parents coming into the conservatory for the parent formals! I am sure one of the main reasons why couples choose to marry in Park Circus is the beautiful and ornate surroundings. It's such a pity that we photographers just do not get much of an opportunity to use these surroundings, as there are so many weddings on at the one time and there is a queue for the balcony and conservatory!! (rant over...........)

We managed some great shots at the Redhurst Hotel though; you just have to look for some great light...........even if it happens to be in the ladies toilets!!

And even at 9pm at night, Lesley still looked amazing!
And the band at night were excellent!It was a joy to photograph your wedding, all the little things are just a challenge and you are still guaranteed amazing photos in the end. I can't wait to show you the full results when you return from honeymoon!

Bloodline session # 3 - the Sloan family

Third session this week was the Sloan family; Adrienne and Jason were already familiar with the NMP style, having had their wedding photographed by me several years ago and now they are joined by the most adorable twin boys Gregor and Findlay.

To sitting back and chillin' with a weaning spoon.......
to getting a cuddle from Daddy..............
or a kiss from Mummy...................
......or watching Mummy and Daddy having a smootch themselves, these boys were wonderful little characters, a total joy to photograph.

Bloodline session # 2 - Danielle and Stewart

When I received an email from Danielle, she was asking for a portrait session with a difference.

Danielle saw my work after being a guest at Leanne and Allan's wedding in May. Danielle asked for some photographs to be taken of her and her boyfriend, "some beautiful pictures of us together as our "last luxury treat!" Fair enough, but then the request was " I'm quite Gothic so I have ideas of graveyards, churches and old stone or ruin buildings."

After a lot of discussion and planning, I found a great "venue" for something a little different, a cemetary in Edinburgh that is just stunning, in a morbid kinda way! But it was just the thing that I thought would bring the elements to the session that Danielle requested.

What do you think?

"Bloodline" session #1 - Nicole and 'Dandy'

Busy period for me at the moment; "Bloodline" portrait sessions and "Bonding wedding days.....fabby!

Every young girl dreams of owning a pony, and for Nicole that dream has been reality for the past couple of years, with her lovely pony 'Dandy'.

Unfortunately as little girls grow up, ponies become too small, so before Dandy was due to be sold on, Nicole's mum Lee-ann asked me to do a portrait session with the 2 of them.

I know Lee-ann from having shot her wedding to John-Michael several years ago; it's always great to get repeat commissions from past clients.

Andrew Brookmire's baby session

It's great to see babies growing up; Andrew has been welcomed into the Brookmire family and it was an amazing treat to shoot his first session in hospital when he was only a day old.


And this past week, his mum and dad booked him in for his first studio session at 11 weeks of age, and he was really well behaved! (By that, I mean he didnt pee all over his dad's arm.........)
Isn't this just a "Mini-me" shot?!?!
I am sure I shall be seeing Andrew a lot over the next year!

Debbi and Iain's wedding

Many couples pick their venues for particular reasons; and for Debbi and Iain, Seamill Hydro on the Ayrshire coast was picked for the amazing view of the Isle of Arran.................... except on their wedding day..............


The Scottish weather was at it's best this past weekend. Lovely the day before and day after the wedding, dark cloudy, gloomy on the day of the wedding, blocking all view of Arran. But hey it didn't spoil the day.

Debbi looked gorgeous in her "black mini dress" (what the groom thought she was going to turn up in!)
And the children on the day were extra cute too! We made a visit to local Portencross Castle, as the pier held special memories for the couple; that was where Iain proposed to Debbi! I bet it wasn't as windy then as it was on their wedding day!
And Debbi looked Queen of the Castle..
Enjoy New York guys, your wedding was fab!

"Back Again" session in Ayrshire

I love doing long distance weddings as I get to do what I am doing now - sitting in a lovely hotel, with a glass of dry white wine and peace and quiet (ie/ no screaming toddler or snoring husband!!) and usually a great new venue.

I am in the gorgeous coast of Ayrshire, a good 90 miles from home, ready to shoot a stunning wedding tomorrow.

While down here, I thought I try something a little of the box, and get a bride back in her dress for some funky shots. It's been a while since I have done this and I knew the coastline would throw up some amazing scenery.

So thanks to Diane and her handsome hubby for being up for anything............... and I do mean anything; bare feet on rocks for example..................

And before I started on this lovely glass of wine this evening, the sunset just had to be shot; even when I am "off duty" I still have camera in hand!

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!

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."

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!

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!

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.

14th July Newcastle

Gosh, nice to be popular!!

A bride-to-be on one of the wedding forums asked if I would come back down to Newcastle for another Marathon, as she would love to give a "Breathless" album to her hubby-to-be at their wedding in August; another B2B added her name to the list and if I can get another one down on the list, looks like I shall be going back for Newcastle Marathon number 3!!

So, again if there is anyone interested in a "Breathless" session (or a Bump session, or I could even do a Bloodline family or couples session, esp if the weather is good we could go and get piccies down at the Millenium Bridge!) please contact me on nmcleodphoto@aol.com

19th July London, 2nd August Ayrshire

Those 2 dates are the most current "away" dates!!

What I mean is, I am going to be away from home, and in these areas on these dates and am open for portrait sessions of any kind on these dates.

Bloodline, Breathless, Bump or Baby; if you are interested, give me a shout on
nmcleodphoto@aol.com

"Thank you"

"Dear Nikki

Many thanks, the photos are wonderful and well admired by all who have seen them. Your professional happy presence put us at ease and was a tribute to you on the day and after Jen and Jon's wedding. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to make this a special even for us all.
Thank you again and take care.
Mary Henderson
Mother of the Bride"

New Marathon in August

I shall be on the West Coast (near Saltcoats/Largs) and am available for the following types of photography on the 2nd and 4th of August ;

"Bloodline" - family portraiture with a contemporary slant, probably beach-led but open to suggestions

"Breathless" - boudoir photography in a luxury hotel room, contemporary and modern, for ladies of all ages

"Bump" - pregnancy photography, can be done in the hotel room, and/or on the beach

Sessions fees start at £80 for the session plus studio viewing of the images, and normally there is a travel fee but for this marathon, there is NO travel fee!

April & Dave's wedding

There are so many elements of a wedding that you as a photographer can't control, and the weather is one of them, especially in Scotland, even in the summertime!

When you plan an outdoor wedding in Scotland, you HAVE to make alternative arrangements. Unfortunately April and Dave's wedding had to be turned from an outdoor wedding in the gardens of Fernie Castle, to an indoor ceremony in the Grand Hall thanks to the horizontal drizzle this weekend.

All weddings are emotional but this wedding was extra emotional, April's parents unfortunately no longer with us but they were never forgotten on the day, and there were certainly times of laughter along with the tears.

Fernie Castle has probably the most totally unique honeymoon suite, a Treehouse on the edge of the castle grounds, which has had so many personal little touches given to it. The staircase is just a photographers dream!

And when the couple think of only each other, you get amazing images like this!

Enjoy St Lucia guys I am SO jealous, we were there in 2000 and it was amazing!

The "Breathless" marathon last weekend was fun, shame one of the appointments cancelled at the last minute but I got some great images. It was also nice to meet past Breathless clients who were picking up albums and prints and even Andy the groom from last months wedding in Newcastle came to collect his finished album!

"Breathless" Newcastle marathon.......AGAIN!

Yup, so quick after the first one, I have ended up with another Marathon, back in Newcastle on 9th June!!

And I shall be meeting up with some of the ladies from the previous Marathon who will be picking up their albums etc!

And if there is anyone looking for a "Breathless" session in the North East, I have ONE space left!
Email me on nmcleodphoto@aol.com

New website!

If you haven't already noticed, HAPPY DANCE! New website, live TODAY!!!!

It's still not 100% done, still a few minor adjustments to be made, and a few more galleries to be added, but on the whole, for the first major overhaul on the website, it' s pretty goooodddd!!