Phoenix air base model shoot - Faith & Dan at Luke Air Base

While I was in Arizona, a newlywed couple came forward for a model shoot, and boy what a model shoot..... I asked for a bride to model in Vegas, after the convention in Phoenix. Faith answered the post, saying she just married to Dan in Vegas in November, but was going to be moving to Phoenix, just around the time I was going to be there for the convention.

Dan is a fighter pilot, and was being moved to the Luke Air Base at Glendale. He managed to organise permission for us to shoot in and around the base, what a blast; here is a sneek peek....

David A Williams AIPP is coming to Scotland!

I am super excited about this; one of Australia's top photographers David A Williams is bringing his "Almost Alone" workshops back to the Uk and is coming to Scotland for the first time, in 2009 and he will be HERE, at the McLeod residence in April for his only Scottish workshop date!

Spaces are filling fast and I cannot wait for this special week. Having heard Mr Williams speak for the first time as a keynote speaker in Arizona last month, it is going to be amazing to have him around for 3 days, along with fellow professional photographers.

http://www.davidwilliamsseminars.com/2009Scotland-Fife.htm

Las Vegas model shoot - part four

Here is the last of the blogged images of this amazing session; I ended up with 118 finished images from one quick hour in the Boneyard -cool!

What was lovely that even before this session, Renata loved my work so much, she commissioned me to shoot an engagement session of her and her lovely fiance Justin which we did the following night, on the Strip!!

Renata is an actress, soon to be appearing in the "Lion King" in Mandalay Bay.

Check out the blog soon for those amazing photos!

Thanks also to my wonderful husband, for being a great assistant, light stand, go-fer, etc, etc.

After the session, Graham was allowed a couple of minutes to have a laugh!

More Vegas images to come soon, as well as Arizona shots.

Las Vegas model shoot - part three

Las Vegas model shoot - part two

More images from the Boneyard...

Las Vegas model shoot - Part One - Renata in the BoneYard

I have so much personal stuff to blog, it will be all over the place but it will be fun to go through it all!!

Last month, the McLeod family had it's usual "summer holiday" - Nikki goes to a convention in North America and the McLeods come along for the ride!!

I was in Arizona for another fantastic convention held by a wedding photographers internet forum I am an active member of. Four days of intensive seminars, networking and socialising, learning and having fun (those that have seen the Facebook photos will know what I am talking about ....)

After Arizona, the McLeods went on a road trip and ended up in Las Vegas. Having never been to this crazy city before I really wanted to make it a trip to remember. I organised a model shoot in one of the funkiest places in Las Vegas; the Neon Boneyard, where all the old signs that are no longer used on the Strip are basically dumped!!

Renata who is getting married this year very kindly offered to model for me at this great place. An actress who is about to appear in the Lion King at Mandeley Bay, Renata and her fiance Justin had their engagement session by a local photographer at the Boneyard. This time she was on her own, in an amazing dress and looking HAWT!

Over the next couple of days I will be showing some of the images from this fantastic session.....


here's a taster....

Ingliston Wedding Fayre this weekend

If you are looking for a healthy dose of wedding fayre mania this weekend, come to Ingliston near Edinburgh Airport; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm.

The Old Course Hotel will be showing two sample albums of weddings I have shot there, as well as a slideshow of these weddings and I will be there helping out on the stand.

Another magazine front cover for NMP!

After the Scottish Wedding Directory's "Real Life Weddings" featuring Jen & Jon on the front cover of their Autumn/Winter 2007 issue, I was always hoping that another front cover would come along at some point.

And last month, I was told that a dress and shoe detail shot from the same wedding was to be featured on the front cover of the latest issue of "Brides & Grooms" Scottish Edition!

When I got the issue copy through, I was really pleased with this front cover, as well as a full page advert, and a full page bride and bridesmaid shot featured in the magazine.

The Old Course Hotel & Spa, St Andrews - wedding brochure

I have been very lucky to have major connections with the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa in St Andrews, one of Scotland's top 5 star hotels (and where all the stars stay when they are playing golf at the town's world class courses!).

Over the past 6 months I have been in collaboration with the Marketing Team in the hotel with regards to their new wedding brochure. The team are looking to hold more top class weddings in their establishment and I was honoured when they asked for my permission to use some of my imagery in their new brochure.

The brochure has now been released and it looks amazing! Images from Jen & Jon's wedding, and Martine & Jonathan's wedding are spread out all over the classy elegant brochure.

The Old Course team and myself will be appearing at the Ingliston Wedding Fayre this coming weekend; come and see the brochure for yourself. If you are looking for THE venue for your big day, I cannot recommend highly enough, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa.

"Back Again" sessions!

I love doing "Back Again" sessions, it's playtime for me!

I will be posting some model shots I have done recently of brides back in their dresses; this is such a fun session to do especially if you didn't have the creative freedom (and time!) on your actual wedding day!

There is a current "Back Again" session offer on at the moment, for sessions taken in the spring time. Normally these sessions are £200 for 2 hours; the spring time offer is a HALF PRICE session!! £100 for 2 hours!

Contact me on nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.com for details.

Scottish Wedding Directory "Breathless" competition winner

Congratulations to Lorraine, pictured here with me before the start of her Breathless session.

"Breathless" mini marathon done!

Phew what another exhausting weekend.

After yesterday's wedding fayre in Edinburgh (prize draw winners coming soon!) I was back in the studio doing more Breathless sessions, including the winner of the Scottish Wedding Directory's competition from the Spring/Summer issue.

Lorraine Mulholland from Fife was the lucky winner out of all the entries pulled from the hat at the SWD office, and Lorraine had her Breathless experience today, which I think she thoroughly enjoyed!

Photos to follow!

Here's to 2009!

And here we start 2009!

Okay so I am a little late, it has been a busy month and there was a little delay in getting this new blog up and running but here it is!

2009 looks like being an interesting year; the books are already half full with wedding bookings - and it looks like I shall be travelling a lot again this year. Already I have weddings booked in Norfolk, England and New York City, USA!!

I have already started the first of this year's Breathless Marathons, and today I am appearing at the Dedicated2Weddings Wedding Fayre at the Assembly Halls on George Street, Edinburgh!

Here's to a busy 2009!

2008 - what a year!

It really has been a year to remember.

25 fantastic weddings.

From the top of the country at Loch Ness, to the south in Surrey, England.

From ferries to the islands of Inchcolm and Arran, to the many trips to the wonderful town of St Andrews.

From golf resorts, to castles, to small hotels, and palaces.

From horse & carriages, to walks around city centres.

From local couples, to those living as far away as Hong Kong.

I am so lucky to have this as my full time profession.

Enjoy this look back at the weddings of 2008.

Jack's 4th birthday

A bit behind in this, the joys in having album design to do till the cows come home.

Can't believe our boy is 4....

Scary.

He asked for his party to be at his favourite place in the world, the Play Planet, a local soft play centre, the Disco Room was booked, and he danced his wee heart out, with friends old and new (I invited his best friends from his old nursery, I think he was well chuffed to see them again after 5 months!)

A Spongebob cake was brought out by Zimmy the Alien, and lots of cake and sandwiches and jelly to scoff (why are kids parties so much more fun?)

He then went to his friend's Rosemary's party as he shares a birthday with her, and ended the evening at the ice rink watching his uncle Scott attempt to play hockey!

Click the play button, give a second or two, and then enjoy a bunch of crazy kids having a fun time (and the children had fun too!)

"Breathless" Mini Marathon - Jan/Feb 09

Update on the studio Mini Marathon

24th January - still has spaces (but no make up available)

25th January - half full

31st January has been taken off the Mini Marathon as I am now doing a wedding fayre in Edinburgh that day

1st February - has ONE space left

So DONT HANG ABOUT!!

Jennifer's model shoot - Forrester Park Resort

At this quiet time of year, you could easily stagnate with no weddings to shoot; well not me.

Jennifer and I met on a wedding forum, and Jennifer very kindly helped me at another shoot a couple of months ago.

Today we ventured to one of my favourite venues Forrester Park Golf Resort near Dunfermline to do a model shoot; time for me to practice some new techniques, and the chance for Jennifer to wear her wedding dress since her big day in Malta in September (though I believe it isn't the first time she has had it on since then.......)

Here is a sneak peak at what we got up to today..

"Breathless" Valentines special released

Click to enlarge!

Scottish Wedding Directory's "Breathless" winner!

Congratulations to Lorraine Mulholland of Crosshill who won the SWD "Breathless" competition, I shall be contacting you tomorrow to organise your prize of a "Breathless" session and resulting album!

All those that asked for further information about NMP's "Breathless" will be receiving an email this evening, with not only information but they will be getting first dibs on the Valentine Special offer!! Well I thought, they have taken the time to ask for further info, they can take up the offer first!

Don't worry, I will be releasing to the masses in a couple of days!

2010 "Bonding" wedding day collections have been released.

I have finally managed to find 2 seconds to also release the 2010 price list for NMP "Bonding" wedding day collections.

So if you are getting married in 2010, in Scotland, or anywhere else, give me a shout for the new price list to be sent to you by email only at the moment, but PLEASE NOTE that price lists will only be sent to those enquiries who email me with their full wedding details (date and venues) and a CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER.

Email me on nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.co.uk

And by the way, one July 2010 date is already gone!! So don't hang about!

"Breathless" news........

I have been drowning in Christmas print orders, and finally finishing off the album designing but I think I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

In the meantime, this is a little sneak blog post to ask you to watch out for a big "Breathless" promotion coming soon.

The closing date for the Scottish Wedding Directory's competition for a free Breathless session and album was just this past weekend, so all those that entered and left their details for further information about Breathless, will recieve first dibs on the promo before it gets released onto the blog.

Don't forget if you are still looking for that last minute Christmas present....

Buy a NMP gift voucher for any value over £50 and when that voucher is used, whether it be wedding or portraits, the recipient of the voucher gets a complimentary FRAMED 7" x 5" image!

Closing date for this is December 19th.

big {blush}

When my wonderful clients come to collect their final album, you always hope they are as pleased with the final result as I am.....

So when you see praise like this on a national bridal forum, you know you are doing well....

"Massive N&P for Nikki McLeod Photography

My husband and I picked our album up from Nikki on Friday night and we were overwhelmed with it.

The album itself is gorgeous with a black leather exterior and case. But inside the album....WOW!

We have shown it to family and friends all weekend and everyone has commented on it - even the men!!! It is the perfect story of our day and captures every single moment from me getting into my dress with my Mum and Sister to my husband being nervous before the ceremony all the way to us cutting the cake and having our first dance together!

My husband even mentioned to me that any further photography we have done will always have to be done by Nikki - he loves her work that much!!

To any Scottish hitchers who are looking for a photographer - check out Nikki's stuff - you will not be disappointed!

Thank you Nikki - Brent and I will be sending you a wee something shortly!!! "

All change!

At this quieter time of year, it is a great time for revamp...... price lists, contracts, websites, blogs, marketing material, etc.

At the moment I am happy with the website, I just need to update some of the images on there which I will do over the winter.

The blog needs a little bit of an overhaul, again a winter job.

Price lists - can't put it off any longer, I have to get the 2010 price list sorted. I already have one wedding booked for 2010 and I have been getting a number of enquiries recently for it, so it has to be done! The current price list shall remain for all 2009 weddings.

Contracts - one big change I will be making is with regards to the contract. One thing I have done for years has been the provisional booking where you can take up to 5 working days to make up your mind as to whether you book me or not. This has proved a bit sticky recently and therefore for ALL NEW BOOKINGS it will now be a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis only; signed contract and booking fee secures. So if you want to book, you must get in quick, as while you are thinking about it, someone may have taken your date from under your nose.....

Also the payment regime is going to change - again for NEW BOOKINGS ONLY, the payment regime will be £250 at time of booking, £250 3 months after booking (plus any accomodation/travel fees) and the remainder of the collection or custom quote no later than 1 month prior to the wedding. If you have already booked me, you can stick to the old payment regime, though payment can be made at any time up to 1 month prior to the wedding. I know several couples in the past have paid me a small amount monthly in order to avoid a big large payment to be made, a month before the wedding.

Don't forget the photography gift list, I am getting new gift list flyers made up over the winter which I will be sending out to all my 2009 clients to put in their wedding invitations. This means that your guests, family and friends can contribute towards a lasting memory of your wedding day, the official wedding day album.

Jenni & Jon's wedding - The Fairmont St Andrews

There was a sheer sense of deja vu last weekend for me..............

Bride's name; Jen
Groom's name; Jon
Venue in; St Andrews


For those regular to reading this blog, you will know that I had a wedding last year for Jen and Jon in St Andrews which went onto be one of the biggest weddings to date, ending up as a featured wedding and the front cover of the Scottish Wedding Directory's Real Life Weddings Winter magazine last year.

This wedding was no less fun to shoot; infact I think the bride and groom were one of the most funniest couples I have ever shot in 8 years!

Even the seriousness of the ceremony brought fits of giggles!A proud Father of the Bride watched on....After lots of cuddles and congratulations from their guests and a very quick family formals session, I took Jen and Jon around the hotel for a fantastic couples session; my favourite time of the day.

We even managed to brave it outside for some fresh air and some amazing scenery..But we were soon back in and warming up by the fantastic fireplace in the reception area. The wonderful cake made by the Mother of the Bride was on display in the Atrium for the cake cutting.

And the speeches......... I think the whole room was rooting for young Tom, who did an upstanding job as his dad's Best Man.

The dancing was in full swing by the time we left, not before Jon spotted me on the dancefloor!

Fun n funky; just my kinda wedding. Thanks Jen and Jon for making my last wedding of the season a cracker to finish on!

Vendor’s information

Wedding ceremony & reception venue; Fairmont St Andrews
Wedding co-ordinater at hotel; Julie Mcelrath
Cake; Mother of the Bride – Kathleen Hollingworth
Flowers; Lasy Daisy Leven – Bridal Flowers, Ladybirds St Andrews – Table displays
Band; Red Square
Bride’s dress; designed by Maggie Sottero
Bought at Elizabeth of York
Bridesmaids dresses; designed by Berketex
Bought at Berketex
Jewellery; Swarovksi
Make-up; Bride's sister in law Michelle Hollingworth
Hair; Michelle @ Byron Hairdressing
Stationery: Bride's sister in law Michelle Hollingworth

More {blush}

"Well Nikki you’ve done it again, you’ve managed to surpass our expectations.

We were expecting something special when we got the album but what you have produced is so much more than we were even hoping for. Looking at the images online was amazing but the album is simply stunning.

Not only have you given us a book of beautiful images but you have managed to capture the mood, atmosphere and emotion of the whole day and left us with an album that we will treasure always.

We absolutely cannot thank you enough for all your hard work.

Lisa & Ruairidh xx "

More Christmas ideas - NMP Gift Vouchers

Buy a NMP gift voucher for any value over £50 and when that voucher is used, whether it be wedding or portraits, the recipient of the voucher gets a complimentary FRAMED 7" x 5" image!

Runs out December 19th 2008

Contact me on nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.co.uk or phone 01383 821498 for details!

Christmas specials and deadlines

I had a couple of great sessions in Glasgow yesterday, which I will get around to blogging at some point.


In the meantime, some deadlines for my wedding clients.


All album orders should have been in by now, if you still wish to order an album, contact me NOW on nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.co.uk and I shall see what I can do.


Print orders must be ordered and paid for NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1st, in order to have them for Christmas.


And now some Christmas specials.


For all previous, current and future wedding and portrait clients, there is a cracking promotion on at the moment at NMP.


All those that have visited the studio, will have seen the amazing box prints on display on the walls. From now until December 1st, you can order as many 20" x 16" box prints for an amazing £125 each!! This size is normally on sale for £250, so for the next month, they are HALF PRICE!!


And there is a fantastic portrait promotion here in Dalgety Bay this month;

Just noticed it doesn't make it clear on the flyer but the 7" x 5" and the 10" x 8" are FRAMED!