Jen and Jon's "Bliss" session

"Bliss" session? Yeah well, it's a "Bling" session but AFTER the wedding!


"Bling" sessions are engagement sessions done obviously before the wedding, where my couples get to know how I work them in front of the camera. But last year, one of my brides asked if she could do the session AFTER the wedding, back in her dress, with her dogs! YEAH of course! and it was fun!


And it made me think that maybe some couples who have booked the Ultimate packages would prefer their session after the wedding, when they are all tanned and loved up, and not so nervous about the big day. And that's what Jen and Jon wanted.


After a superb day in St Andrews at the beginning of the month, and a wonderful honeymoon in the Maldives, the pair killed 2 birds with one stone and came back to the studio for a "Bliss" session as well as viewing the finished results from their wedding day photography. Bride, groom, Mother of the Bride AND the photographer were all in tears watching the slideshow and seeing the emotion come back to life from a fantastic day. 833 images! Yes you saw that right, EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE images!! I have NEVER shot a wedding with that many images, but I have never shot a wedding from 9am till midnight before (my latest before that was a Balbirnie wedding, 11am till 10pm!) But it was worth every second for Jen and Jon's wedding, and all 833 images are now available to view on the proofing section of the main website.


After the crying stopped (and the sun wasnt so cruel!) we ventured out for the "Bliss" session! Now I have had ideas in my head for these sessions that really have been waiting for the right couple to come along, and this was the couple, and they were up for everything I asked of them! We visited the local shopping centre, we went down the beach, they rolled in the sand, they did piggy-backs, Jen and Jon were just amazing!


Here is a few of today's images;


This couple are beautiful on the inside as well as the outside and it has been an honour to know them and their families. And I am right there whenever the first Bird baby drops from the sky whenever that may be; I know it will be as beautiful as it's parents!

Ursula and Graham's new baby!

And congratulations are in order to the Brookies for the new baby boy brought into the world this week! It was the first time I had done a Newborn session in the actual maternity hospital, I forgot how hot those places get!

The as-yet unnamed wee man is just gorgeous, I love the wrinkly old-man hands newborns have. Mum and baby are doing well, dad is doting!

It's been a busy week. I was down in Bristol last week, for a seminar of 2 of my favourite photographers; Yervant in Australia and Joe Buissink from California. Both have different styles of photography and yet it was a well balanced and very inspirational seminar. I shared the day with my good friend Melanie East who is starting up in wedding photography in the Bristol area. Melanie is an established portrait photographer, who gave me a studio tour last year, and got some shots of Jack too! This kind of get-together is really important in this industry as it can get very lonely when you work for yourself!

Ursula's "Bump" session

I am glad I don't do too many "Bump" sessions.........I get seriously broody with every single one!

This one was special, as the bump in question belongs to a previous bride of mine! You may not recognise her face (not that you can see it on these pics!) but you would recognise her bum!

Ursula is the target on my famous bum shot (as viewed at the top of this blog, and on the front page of my website!) Her new husband Graham was walking away from a Cypriot beach several years ago when I spotted him looking over his shoulder at me, I knew he was up to something, so kept the camera to my eye. And sure enough, he lands his hand right on Ursula's bum! This shot has been a winner with many a client of mine, and I am sure that this cute bump is gonna turn into a cutey Brookie in the next couple of weeks!

Jen and Jon's wedding

It's unusual to get a "Thank you" note from a bride BEFORE I shoot her wedding but that's what happened at the rehearsal on Thursday of Jen and Jon's wedding. And it was the start of a weekend long celebration in St Andrews for this wonderful couple.

From the Gina shoes and Caroline Castigliano dress.........
to the stunning bride...........
to her handsome groom awaiting her at St Salvadores Chapel..............
to the bride running to her groom in the Chapel arches...........

to the wonderful couple...........
to the fireworks at the end of the night at the Old Course Hotel.....................
It was a wedding to end all weddings! Enjoy the Maldives guys, see you at the end of the month!

Newcastle "Breathless" marathon sneeky peeks!

It's been a busy week of editing and all bar one lass from the Newcastle Marathon has allowed to show you these sneeky peeks! (the other one is waiting till after her wedding!)

Thanks girls it was fun, look out for the postie in the next week or two!

KJ and Dave's wedding

The gorgeous wedding of Kirsty-Jane and Dave took place at a new venue for me, Kirkley Hall near Newcastle. My first military wedding, and very smart the boys looked too, though that sword looked dangerous!A lovely 11am ceremony, with tears aflowing all around, especially when the registrar mentioned about Dave getting posted to Iraq when the couple got engaged.

This couple were daft about each other; from serious smooches one second.....
to hamming it up for the camera the next!!
And the bride certainly hammed it up on cue when requested!
And my love for brides with long veils continued!

And for those that know KJ well, this shot of her shoes will give you a laugh! For comfy footwear for the reception at the Britannia Hotel, KJ had specially commissioned Crocs with "Just Wed" on them!

Comments from the first ever "Breathless" marathon

From Wedding Ideas Magazine forum;

"Went up to Newcastle for my 'Breathless' shoot with Nikki McLeod yeasterday. It was amazing. Something I've always wanted to do, and so glad that I've done it. Definitely one of those things to say before you die 'I did that'. She made me feel completely at home, I got to dress up in my sexiest underwear, and she made me feel like a top model. Anyone thinking about it - DO IT!! You won't regret it. Now can't wait for my pics to be ready."

"I thoroughly enjoyed my sessions too - thanks Nikki. Never thought i'd dare do anything like that but you made it very relaxed. i hope the photos come out as good as i felt! Bet you were shattered Nikki! To anyone considering it I agree with Sue, just bite the bullet and do it - it is no where near as scary as you think and Nikki makes you feel fab!! can't wait to get my photos!"

"i had mine done yesterday nikki is great and i can't wait to see the pics."

and another comment regarding previous "Breathless" sessions;

" you would have the courage with Nikki. She really put me at ease despite me not being a natural model."

Bleurgh......................

I have just dissolved into a little sweaty blob in the corner, I am so exhausted!

A grand total of 330 miles on the clock, over 12 gb used, with over 1000 images, a gorgeous wedding, and some cracking "Breathless" sessions............... what an amazing last couple of days!!

Congrats to KJ and Dave, who as we speak will be celebrating at their evening reception of their wedding. I was SO glad the rain held off today to allow us outside. Once my brain is a bit more awake tomorrow, I shall download the images and give you a sneak preview here, right on this blog!

And as for you "Breathless" marathon girls in the Newcastle area, you gals ROCK!!! Every single one of you brought something different, in props and personality to your own sessions, as well as girlfriends and husbands; and again I can't wait to download the images and see full screen, the work that was being produced!! I will asking each girl if they will let me put some images on here, that are "safe" for the world to view!! Well done, all of you (and PS i enjoyed my bath at 11pm last night!!)

"Breathless" Newcastle, here I come!

Well, time to depart for Newcastle for a round of "Breathless" sessions, as well as Kirsty and Dave's wedding. Can't wait to meet all the girls, and have a great time at the wedding too!

Here's some previous "Breathless" shots to get us in the mood (all with the permission of the girls in photo!)

Julie and Paul's wedding

Well the good weather continues, and so does the stunning weddings I have been lucky enough to be PAID to photograph!! I truely love this job; I get more excited than the bride sometimes!!

Yesterday's wedding was no exception; Scotland and Northern Ireland joined forces at Balbirnie House for the wedding of Julie and Paul. What a lovely couple, and what a stunner Julie was!
It's always special for me shooting a wedding at Balbirnie, as I got married there myself nearly 8 years ago and going up the drive towards the beautiful Georgian house still gives me goosebumps! So does turning out work like this (easy when you have such an amzing couple!)
I'm really into arty angles at the moment; I don't mind lying flat on my back in order to get the shot!

As well as shooting till after 9pm at night, in the car park in order to get shots like this!

Enjoy the Maldives guys; can't wait to show you the rest of the images when you return!

Lesley and Chris' wedding

Easter weekend; usually unpredictable weather and lots of chocolate.

For me this year, it is BEAUTIFUL sunny weather, a gorgeous wedding and lots of chocolate!!

Lesley and Chris made sure everyone remembered it was Easter weekend, with lots of personal touches at their Garvock House wedding. The daffodils were in full bloom, the bride looked gorgeous and there was tons of chocolate for everyone!!

And the winner is....................

JESSICA AND NEIL!!!

Congrats guys, I will be over to shoot your wedding in Belfast in September!

Many thanks for everyone for entering!

Competition finalists!!

Oh boy did I have a difficult decision in trying to find a winner, and as yet I still haven't decided?!


There were so many fabulous entries, so many great reasons why YOU should win a wedding photography package for FREE from me.



But I have narrowed it down to the following three finalists;



Patra and David
Patra and David are getting married in the Oldham area this year and this is Patra's story;





"Myself and Dave have been together nearly 12 years and due to redundancies for both of us, we have just really struggled to get the money together to pay for a wedding, although it is something we have always wanted, I know we could do it on the very cheap, registry office local pub ect ect, but we wanted something a little special and that meant if we had to wait and save then so be it.
We are not after any limelight or masses of presants from everyone, to us the wedding signifies us being commited to each other for ever and not just about a big party and getting dressed up for the day.
So we have no photographers planned it is just the people attending taking the photos and hopefully we will get some great shots, but a proffesional photographer would be the icing on the cake."

Next is

ROSS & "H"

This couple are getting married in Cyprus this year but coming home for a wedding reception in North Wales.

Their story;

"We have been trying desparately to get a photographer to come to the function to get photos of family members that will be missing as they cannot make it over to Cyprus with us i.e. my fiancees nan who is too poorly to travel etc.

Further details removed now on request of the couple but the rest of the story was regarding a death in the family.

And finally

JESSICA AND NEIL

This is Jessica's story; her and Neil are getting married in Belfast this year

"i would like to win the free wedding photographybecause ive had a crap year literally ...heres mystory..excuse the pun..

went to work in spain to open new store for primarktook really ill in spain thought i had food poisoning..unfortunately not..turns out i had ulcerative colitis which is an inflammatory bowel disease i have never been sick in my life and ivenever heard of this ..to cut a long story short docs tried everything colon swoll up and nearly died and they had to remove it i now have an ileostomy whichmeans i have a colostomy bag and a lovely 7 inch scar on my stomach..

the wedding was nearly cancelled as ivebeen out of work for months however ive just returnedto work and im slowly but surely trying to get my lifeback...as you can imagine my confidence has beenshattered im only 25 and im very self concious so really want wedding pics to be good.

im sure im no more deserving than anyone else but hey its worth a shot!! and im sure my boyfriend would appreciate it as god love him hes had to fork out for everything!"

Can you see my predicament?!

I've got a portrait session this afternoon, so I will be making the decision between the above three at some point today.

Last chance to enter!

Oh dear I am going to have a busy Saturday trying to decide a winner! So many lovely stories, some totally heart renching and well deserved, some............... well some "interesting" emails!!!

Check out this blog on Sunday for the winner, and pictures and stuff!

Entries are coming in thick & fast now!

Just arisen from my sick bed to a box full of emails about the competition. Thanks to Wedding Ideas magazine for putting the competition in their e-newsletter.
http://www.weddingideasmagazine.co.uk/newsletter260307.htm

So many fabulous stories, I am going to find it difficult to decide.

Keep 'em coming!

Still free wedding photography!

How frustrating! Had a few lovely entries into this competition I am holding for free wedding photography and as yet no entries that are suitable!

I've had Rhiannon (what a gorgeous name) getting married near Dundee, but unfortunately on a date in August where I am already booked.

I've had Laura in Stroud, Glos; getting married the day after I have a wedding up here in Fife, with no chance of getting down to near Bristol in time for her wedding!

And others who have posted on forums saying that they wouldnt be able to give me the time for the portrait session!

Surely someone out there wants some free wedding photography.........???

FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Doing something for someone for the hell of it makes you feel good doesn’t it I have decided that this year I am going to do something for nothing with my wedding photography…………….

Okay maybe not completely nothing……….. read on.

Are you getting married in 2007 in the UK and not got a wedding photographer yet? How would you like your wedding photographed for FREE………?

Yes I did say FREE…………….

Coverage from getting ready in the morning, till the start of the meal……FREE

Online proofing for a month……………….. FREE

“Viva” custom-designed album…………………FREE

Slideshow CD/DVD………………….FREE

Why?

Why not? It’s nice to do something for someone who may be can’t afford top quality photography, who may be feels constrained by what everybody else is telling them to do with the photography (lots of formals etc), who just wants to have fun on the day and have great photos to show for it. One of my favourite photographers is Jessica Claire and at the end of the year, she gave away a free wedding photography package; reading about it totally humbled me and prompted me to do the same. Read her story at http://www.jessicaclaire.net/oldblog/C887790049/index.html


So what’s the catch?

- Well, I obviously have to be free for your wedding date!
- Group formals are maxed at SIX group shots to be decided before the day.
- You have to give a minimum of an HOUR AND A HALF with just you and your new husband for photos that are totally different, more than likely away from your wedding venue for some of that time, with you guys being totally up for ANYTHING! (So you must make sure that there is enough time between ceremony and meal for this!)


Who can enter? Anyone that has a date and a venue confirmed for a 2007 wedding and has not got a professional photographer booked.
Anyone that is not already booked for photography with Nikki McLeod Photography.

How do you enter?

Email me and tell me why you should win free wedding photography, make sure you tell me where and when you are getting married and get those entries into me before 31st March by email at
nmcleodphoto@aol.com
where the decision will be made on 1st April on this blog!!

Helen & John's wedding

It was great to finally meet Helen and John from down souf, at the weekend, as they were in Edinburgh for their wedding day. They had chosen the stunning and exclusive Balmoral Hotel for the ceremony and reception, and I was trying to persuade them to have a bridal portrait session with a difference........ Helen wasn't so keen to begin with, but went with it in the end, and here's the results!

We had the boys walking along Princes Street, with the most important member of the McCaig family, Curtis the dog with his tartan tie!

We had a wonderful ceremony, sunlit overlooking the outstanding Edinburgh skyline, we had tears of joy and happiness.

We then went on a wee walk with the Bride, Groom, Best Man and Bridesmaid; dancing in Waverley train station, hijacking a sightseeing bus, smooching in the shadow of the Scott Monument and cuddling in the sunlight!

Well done to Helen and John for being such good sports, and giving me the time to get some great shots of them; I am sure they will agree with me after seeing them tonight, that they certainly have some "different" wedding photos!

Newcastle "Breathless" marathon almost full for 190407!

There has been a tremendous response to the "Breathless" marathon session being held in Newcastle next month. To the point that it looks like there is only ONE space left on Thursday 19th April! If there is enough interest, I can extend it to the Friday evening, so if you are interested, email me quick on nmcleodphoto@aol.com

I am holding the sessions in an executive room in a boutique hotel in the city centre, and I know that I am going to get some amazing results from the lovely girls already booked.

And if you need any more incentive or want to see what some "Breathless" images look like (there are some under the link on this blog "Breathless takes your breath away") here are some beautiful images from Tanya, one of many lassies who have come to the studio recently for a "Breathless" session.

I think Tanya was pleased with the results; I got this email;

"wow some of those pics are fab!! took ages to decide which ones, THANK YOU LOADS!!!!!"

and then I noticed this message on Wedding Ideas Magazine forum when girls were asking about getting boudoir photography done;

"nikki mcleod did mine and i recently got to see the pics.....and she made me look fab!! they say the camera never lies.......well IT DOES much to my benefit, it was a tough task as im not a wee girly (size 22 on a good day ) but hey...if i can do it and come out looking good, anyone can!!"

Tanya is a GORGEOUS lass, and I LOVED her cape, which she is going to need when she gets married in Finland next month; and I am sure her hubby-2-b will LOVE his wedding day present!