Claire & Mike's wedding, Gleneagles - part three

Sweets for a sweet couple!

From the bucketing rain in the morning, we went to this amazing scene.....

Claire & Mike's wedding, Gleneagles - part two

Gleneagles is a truly stunning high class venue and the couple were well looked after.

Claire & Mike's wedding, Gleneagles - part one

I am finally getting around to catching up with blogging and Boy, do I have a lot to blog!

Let's go back to last year and feature the amazing day of Claire & Mike, an intimate eloping to a wonderful setting.

"Win your Wedding Photography" WINNER!!

There could only be one winner, and it was a thoroughly deserved win (over 80% of the votes!) to

KATRINA & CAM!!!

Here is their story, sent in by a friend............

"I met Katrina only a few months ago, but in the short length of time I have known her she has changed my life forever.

Katrina came into my life at a very dark & difficult time, I had been undergoing fertility treatment for years but earlier this year we were given the devastating news that we would never have our own child, due to be diagnosed with cancer in 2006,  I had been left without any egg reserve.

The only chance we had of becoming parents would be to find a person who was willing to donate their own eggs.  As the laws have changed and donors are not longer anonymous very few people opt to do this.

I was starting to come to terms with the fact that we would never become parents, when I came across a website discussing fertility issues , after reading several entries I started to feel deflated as many of the woman wanting to donate were looking to cash in on sell their eggs but Katrina's message stood out and seemed very genuine.  I decided to take a leap of faith and email her and ask if she would be able to help us fulfil our dreams of becoming a family.

I received and email back from her within 2 hours and she was willing to help us !!!    I can't explain how amazing this felt, like we had been handed a life line.

Becoming a donor is a very complicated and long process and involves a lot of  tests injections, hormones and emotions, but within days of swapping stories and chatting to Katrina,

she started the journey off becoming our egg donor.

She is the most amazing, selfless, and generous person I have ever had the chance to meet, she herself had a long fertility battle, but after 8 years she managed to conceive Twin girls and had a son 6 years later naturally.   She totally understands the journey people have to face and wanted to help another couple have the same happy family life she has blessed with.

Katrina has now found the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with and is due to get married in 2012.

Nikki, you captured my wedding day from start to finish in the most fantastic way.  I still look at the pictures and am transported back to the best day of my life so far, I would love to give this experience to Katrina & Cam, allow her to feel like a "princess" for a day and help capture every special moment as she is one very special individual."

I am SO looking forward to photographing their wedding in Ayrshire next year!!

Sneak peek - Jaki & Caz's wedding, Inchcolm Island & Keavil House

Inchcolm in October SHOULD be a recipe for disaster with autumn weather feeling more like Winter! Not here, AWESOME day for this lovely pair!

"Win your Wedding Photography" finalists!

At last, after a lot of stress at this end, I have my finalists!!

There were lots of lovely emails in my email box over the past month, with many deserving people looking for the big prize. But there could only be 3 finalists..................  So after taking out those that were getting married on dates I was already booked for and those who already had photographers booked, I had to whittle the entrants down to 3.....

And here they are!!

*****************************************************

Louise & David 

Me and my finance, David , got engaged in August, after almost 8 years together! I have almost given up hope however when we were in Rome for my birthday he got down on one knee at the Spanish Steps and popped the question!  I said yes straight away (I had thought about keeping him waiting another 8 year's for the answer).  We both were very excited to return home to tell our friends and family and most of all our little boy Cameron, who is 10months old.

We plan a small intimate wedding of 30 of our close friends and family in September 2012 at Kinnettles Caste in Fofar.  Its an amazing venue but the costs of the castle with the marquee for the evening dance its proving too much that we are worried we can't afford to do every thing.The caste and grounds are amazing, especially for photos!!!!  We are both in love with the venue and would love to win this competition. 

I have attached a photo of us - its minutes after we got engaged so it really captures our excitement

*********************************************************************************

Katrina & Cameron 

Nominated by a friend who would like to remain anonymous;

I met Katrina only a few months ago, but in the short length of time I have known her she has changed my life forever.

Katrina came into my life at a very dark & difficult time, I had been undergoing fertility treatment for years but earlier this year we were given the devastating news that we would never have our own child, due to be diagnosed with cancer in 2006,  I had been left without any egg reserve.

The only chance we had of becoming parents would be to find a person who was willing to donate their own eggs.  As the laws have changed and donors are not longer anonymous very few people opt to do this.

I was starting to come to terms with the fact that we would never become parents, when I came across a website discussing fertility issues , after reading several entries I started to feel deflated as many of the woman wanting to donate were looking to cash in on sell their eggs but Katrina's message stood out and seemed very genuine.  I decided to take a leap of faith and email her and ask if she would be able to help us fulfil our dreams of becoming a family.

I received and email back from her within 2 hours and she was willing to help us !!!    I can't explain how amazing this felt, like we had been handed a life line.

Becoming a donor is a very complicated and long process and involves a lot of  tests injections, hormones and emotions, but within days of swapping stories and chatting to Katrina,

she started the journey off becoming our egg donor.

She is the most amazing, selfless, and generous person I have ever had the chance to meet, she herself had a long fertility battle, but after 8 years she managed to conceive Twin girls and had a son 6 years later naturally.   She totally understands the journey people have to face and wanted to help another couple have the same happy family life she has blessed with.

Katrina has now found the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with and is due to get married in 2012.

Nikki, you captured my wedding day from start to finish in the most fantastic way.  I still look at the pictures and am transported back to the best day of my life so far, I would love to give this experience to Katrina & Cam, allow her to feel like a "princess" for a day and help capture every special moment as she is one very special individual.

***********************************************************************

Katelyn & Craig

Craig and I met when we were unemployed. He was watching anime and I was havering about a game (Modern Warfare since you asked! :P). It didnt take long before we realised we had alot in common. So thinking he was cute and fun we decided to have a little fling. But I never got rid of him! We were a "proper" couple pretty quick. Gaming and laughing and other fun things *cough* were how we spent our time together. Anyway we got very serious after we went to Sonisphere, a rock music festival, when we realised I was pregnant. Ok that's a lie - he realised - I denied it for a month. Or two. Now we had talked about these things and how important they were and I had always said I wanted to be married first (a stability thing not a religious thing!) Just before my birthday Craig went and got me an engagement ring. I was very pregnant at this point and he proposed terribly! He tried to hide the ring under my pillow but I woke up and caught him! I just ended up laughing my ass off as he tried to make it romantic afterwards! And the rest, as they say, is history.

Why we should win:

Well, honestly, a real photographer would be great. My brothers girlfriend is going to do some as I think it will help her for getting into college for photography and it gives us a little raw talent on our pics. I wish she could be a proper guest though! Our wedding is a little affair. And we are (read I am!) trying very hard to get it all done. We have a budget of only £500 so with 50 odd guests we aren't exactly getting much. What we do have, I am, for the most part, making it. We would love to have a real album and some gorgeous pictures while everyone's drunkenly playing on space hoppers in their best threads! And I would love to know that my brother's date can actually be a date rather than working properly. We have decided to try and make our wedding about our family and friends. With most of our money going into the food, fun (guitar hero face offs!!) and favours for them all. Its in no way traditional. But my will it be fun!

*****************************************************************************


Three amazing couples with three amazing stories......

So who wins??? In the words of "Big Brother", YOU DECIDE!!

What you need to do now is go to the Nikki McLeod Photography Facebook page, go to Contests and vote for YOUR favourite! The Facebook page is the only place you can vote and you can only vote once so make your vote count.  The closing date is Tuesday 18th October midday, and you can place your vote from today (14th October) midday!

So what's stopping you? There is a special couple looking for that amazing prize of a fully qualified Master Photographer on their wedding day. VOTE!

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Lynne & Mark Rae, who had a "Back Again" session, a "breathless" boudoir session, and a Blast off family session.

"We have had 3 photo sessions with Nikki McLeod Photography since 2009 , breathless, back again & a family session and she has blown our expectations out of the water everytime. Nikki is a very talented photographer and we would recommend her to everyone - and do. So thank you again Nikki for all your wonderful work you trully are amazing. :-)"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Anita Williamson, married to Grant at Balcardine Castle, near Oban, who also had a "bling" pre-wedding shoot, a "breathless" boudoir shoot and a "Back Again" post wedding shoot!!

"When we got engaged in September 09 we started the rather daunting task of finding a photographer. I joined the Scottish Wedding Directory Forum and this is where I found Nikki first. I liked a comment she had made and looked at her website and just knew that her style would really suit us. She had a "win your wedding photography" competition going and I entered. We didn't win but still met up..well the rest is history really. We just clicked and booked her straight away.

I then decided to have a Boudoir Shoot as a surprise wedding present for my husband. I'm still not quite sure how I talked myself into it in the first place lol
I was really nervous but there was no need. Nikki had put me at ease in no time and before I knew it I was posing away and really enjoying the experience. In fact I was buzzing for days after.
Once I got the pictures online I had the hard task of picking the ones I wanted for the album,there were sooo many awesome pictures,it was hard to pick what I thought would be the nicest for my husband.....well lets just say the end result had my poor man in tears on our wedding day :)

Then Grant and I had an engagement shoot. Neither of us liked to get our picture taken and we felt really awkward,so doing this shoot really helped us to relax in front of the camera and we got to know how Nikki works. we had loads of fun and in the end settled on one picture (I wanted all of them really) which we used for a signature frame that our guests signed at the wedding instead of a traditional guest book, its now hanging in our hall and makes me emotional every time I look at it.

Over time Nikki an I got to know each other well and by the time of our wedding we were firm friends and without her I think I would have lost the plot in a rather stressful run up to the day :) She did an amazing job, our pictures are AWESOME and it was hard to pick pics we didn't like lol Now we can't wait to get our album!!

We also did a post wedding shoot which was awesome fun!

All I can say is...finding Nikki was the best thing that could have happened to us. We have the most amazing wedding pictures and memories and I have an awesome friend in her :) Thanks so much Nikki for everything you have done over the last year..all those lovely pictures and for going above and beyond on our wedding day ;) You are truly amazing and I love you to bits :) xxx"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Alison Tinlin, from her Blast Off session of her family.

"Back in May, Nikki did a portrait session with myself and my family.
What patience she has, and a great eye and the ability to make a picture. Anyone that can tame my 3 and 5 year old has my upmost respect, and we were delighted with the outstanding images she took of us as a family.
Thanks Nikki, have always been impressed by your work but this was top notch x"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Vicky Venters, whose daughter was the winner of the Blast Off Portraits Next Top Model competition 2010.

"What an absolute pleasure to meet and see you work Nikki! Your patience, ideas and creativeness is unbelievable with outstanding results I look forward to seeing the finished album and will definitely be recommending you in the future xx .....The Album has arrived and definitely worth the wait its outstanding I totally love it. Nikki you are amazing at what you do ! Thanks for everything that you done with Jodi she has had the most amazing experience xxx"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Pardeep Cassells, married to Michael at Moorpark House, Ayrshire.

"Nikki travelled all the way down to Ayrshire on a yucky October Saturday to take our wedding photos...Well, weren't they worth it? Seriously cannot believe how gorgeous the photos are and how amazing the album is. Everyone who has seen them has been super impressed and Michael's family were so, so pleased that we got the album in time to take it over for Christmas (thanks for that!!)

Some of the pictures are just unbelievable - still don't remember either of us looking that good on the day!! And, Michael is never going to live down his new nickname "Blue Steel" (courtesy of the full page spread of him?)...Thanks so much for an incredible album to remind us of an incredible day. You were awesome xxx"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Kerri Miller, from her Blast Off session of her family.

" Tonight we got to see our online viewing of the photos Nikki took at our family portrait session last weekend. I have been buzzing for the last 72 hours, waiting for them to be put up for us to see, I had a feeling they were going to be good. WOW. I had no idea how good they would be! We thought it would be easy to pick 5 for our package, and then 1 more to get blown up nice and big for the wall at home...yeah right...! I'm not sure that I could pick 5 that I DONT want!

Out of almost 200 images, I have no idea how to pick the best ones, there are no best ones, they are all so brilliant.

Nikki made the session so easy and relaxed, and most importantly (with 2 children!) it was FUN. At times it seemed a bit chaotic with the 2 children runing riot, but you'd never guess that from the photos that we're looking at. Every single one seems to capture the essence of our family, in such a way that I have actually found myself welling up over more than one of our beautiful pictures.

Thank you so much Nikki, you have captured moments that will never ever happen again for us, especially our sons first ever steps. I simply can't put into words how happy we are, and i've alread said once today that you are worth EVERY penny!

THANK YOU!!! xxxxx
Kerri x"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Nadine Hare, married to James at House for an Art Lover. Also had a Back Again session.

" My beautiful wedding album is one of my most treasured possesions. Nikki captured every detail of our speacial day, made us feel totally relaxed and due to her amazing talent we have stunning photographs. She is warm, relaxed and laid back even when things didn't go as I had planned she knew exactly how to handle it. I would absolutely recommend her, you will not be diasppointed in fact I can confidently say you'll be blown away. Thanks again Nikki, Nadine Hare"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Jen Stalker, from her Blast Off session of her family.

"Amazing photo's of our beautiful boy!!!"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Fiona Smith, married to Chris at Balbirnie House.

" We chose Nikki to be our wedding photographer 5 years ago and never regretted it. Our photos were amazing and there were so many to choose from. Neither of us were confident in front of the camera but Nikki made us feel so relaxed, it made the end product just stunning. We would both recommend Nikki very highly"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Lynne Francis from her "breathless" boudoir session.

" A consumate professional and a wonderfully talented artist. Nikki made me look and feel like a supermodel at my 'Boudoir' session. She is the only person EVER to have made me look good in a photograph, in fact, she made me look AMAZING!! Warm, funny, puts you completely at ease and stunning images. Look no further for your photography needs!!!!!!"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Megan Wood, married to John at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.

"" You are just the best! Our wedding album is STUNNING! we totally love it, and every time i look at it i am so happy, you are a total star, and thanks a million mrs, xxxx

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Natalie Graham, married to Daryl at Mansfield Traquair.

" What can i say..Nikki you made our wedding complete. Our storybook that you made is a dream in pictures.. You really are up there with the best photographers. Heres to our next wedding with my sister xx

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Kimberley Johnston, married to Lee at Kings Lynn Registry Office, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Also photographed Kim's "breathless" boudoir shoot.

"Hey Nikki
Got the pic today from the Boudoir shoot and i just love it thank you so much.
You really are great.
Totally recommended for Wedding Photography and the Boudiour Shoots.
Thank you again
xx"

{blush} reviews from Facebook continued

Testimonial from Janice Murphy, married to Anthony at St Patricks Church, Dumbarton & 29 Glasgow.

" Having our photographs taken was one of the favourite parts of our day as we had a chance to sneak off with Nikki and spend some time together. Nikki was a real pleasure to work with. She filled us with confidence and had some fantastic ideas. She took advantage of the fantastic backdrop and asked us to do some night shots out on Royal Exchange Square. These worked out brilliantly and are my favourite shots of the day.

Nikki was a true professional and knew exactly what would work. We actually booked Nikki purely on the work we had seen in RLW then on her website. We didn’t even meet her beforehand. I was that sure I wanted her to photograph our wedding. Her style was exactly what we were looking for.

I would highly recommend Nikki McLeod Photography to anyone who is getting married.

Thanks Nikki.. I'm sure you will see us again soon!

Janice and Anthony x"

{blush} reviews from Facebook

Facebook are removing their Reviews part of a business page from the end of the month. Total bummer, as I have a load of lovely testimonials on there from wedding, boudoir and portrait clients.

So please excuse me while I copy them all onto this blog.....

Sneak peek - Mhorag & Ian's wedding, North Berwick

I was SO looking forward to this wedding, having already photographed the bride's sister a couple of years ago. And it didn't disappoint. Can't wait to blog this one in full!

"Win your wedding photography" competition deadline extended

Win your wedding photography with NMP competition deadline has been extended to October 13th!

Click here to get all the information and enter!

Good luck!

Sneak peek - Scott & Laura's wedding, Crail Church & Fairmont St Andrews

One original couple = one wedding with original touches! Gonna be a good 'un to blog in full in the future!

"Blast Off Beauty" model competition 2011

Yes it's that time of year again,  Blast Off Portrait's Top Model competition!  Last year was very successful with an awesome model session done for the winner Jodi (above), with full professional make-up, and hair styling and a fantastic portfolio to boot. Watch out for her images being shown in full on this blog over the next week or two!

This year, things are gonna be a little different! For example, the competition at Blast Off is going to be open to more ages.  The categories are as follows (females only)

1. Tweens (11 to 12 years)
2. Teens (13 to 17 years)
3. Plus 18's (18 to 25 years)

Blast Off Beauty sessions are 30 minutes long, in the studio, casual or posh, it's up to you!

Each photographic session is followed by a viewing session at a later date, where the model picks her favourite image.  I shall then pick my category finalists and show them to the world on my Facebook page, where YOU, the general public can pick the overall winner!

Sessions are available right up to November 27th with viewing appointments available up to November 30th. Sessions  are £10 each, which include your favourite image as a 10" x 8" mounted print and a Facebook-ready file.  Other products will be available to purchase at your viewing slideshow.

Each category winner shall win a fantastic digital frame, complete with their complete session as Facebook ready images, pre-loaded onto their frame!

The overall winner will win THE best prize for those that love watching the Next Top Model tv programmes; the prize is a model day -
- professional make-up, hair styling, photo shoot up to 3 hours in total, consisting of a studio session & weather permitting, an environmental session, with up to 3 clothing changes, a post session viewing of images, a deluxe desk frame of your favourite image PLUS a FULL PAGE model feature in local magazine "Duloch Discovery"! An awesome prize worth over £200!

Want to enter? Email me now on nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.com for your entry form, and to book your session. And GOOD LUCK!

Terms and conditions;
1. Every entrant MUST bring completed entry form and proof of age to their session and present both at the start of the session. If either are not available at the start of the session, session will be cancelled. The £10 entry fee must be paid at the start of the session too. Entrants must fall within their category on October 31st 2011.

2. All entrants in categories 1 (Tweens) and 2 (Teens) MUST be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, this adult must remain in the studio throughout the session.

3. Blast Off Beauty sessions are up to 30 minutes, including signing model release and organising your viewing appointment.

4. All entrants must wear suitable clothing for the session, this is NOT glamour or boudoir photography therefore there will be no nudity or partial nudity.

5. Entrance open to females only.

6. There is no online proofing of images for any session.

"Blast Off Beauty" model competition

LAUNCHING SATURDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2011!!

Check back for details.

"Win your wedding photography" with NMP!

It's been busy busy busy at NMP, I feel like I am designing albums in my sleep at the moment, such is the joy of a busy summer season!

I have so many amazing weddings still to blog, but before I do, I would like to announce NMP's 2011 "Win your Wedding Photography" competition!

This competition has been a success at NMP, this year's winner had an amazing wedding, it was even sneaky-peeked featured on OffBeat Bride in the States!  Gillian's wedding will be blogged in full soon on here............... at some point, promise!

In the meantime, it is time to find a new winner!

Do you, or are you a bride getting married in 2012? Are you looking for a fabulous, fun, funky wedding photographer for your big day? How about having Fife based photographer Nikki McLeod Photography as your prize?

Easy!

WHAT YOU WOULD WIN.....

- a pre-wedding chat at the studio in Fife 1 month prior to your wedding

- coverage by Nikki from the getting ready stage of the day to the start of the meal 

- a post-wedding slideshow première of your images

- 3 months online proofing of your images, for all your friends and family to view

- a book-bound coffee table album with the first 20 images included, with the option to upgrade your album

HOW TO ENTER

You can enter yourself, or enter a friend or family member who is getting married.

All you need to do is email me on

nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.co.uk

before October 13th 2011 (NEW CLOSING DATE!) and telling me why you, or your friend/family member should win; it could be for any reason; a lovely story of how you met, a heart-breaking story of how love won through the odds, funny or romantic proposals, whatever!

You MUST include the following details (any entry without any of the following will be immediately disqualified!)

- bride & groom's names

- wedding date (2012 weddings only sorry!)

- wedding venues (ceremony & reception)

- a recent photo of the couple

On October 14th, I shall pick three finalists whose story shall be posted here on this blog. Then on October 14th, I shall post all three stories on my Nikki McLeod Photography Facebook page; the winner shall be the couple who get the most votes on their story on my Facebook page. Obviously the best stories will have a better chance of getting the most votes on Facebook so make sure you give me a good story!  This year, the votes on Facebook shall be the only ones counted towards the entries, so get all your friends and family registered on Facebook, so they can vote for the winner!

RULES

- I shall consider any 2012 wedding anywhere in the world BUT any wedding outwith East Central Scotland shall be subject to travel and accomodation costs to be paid for on signing a contract to secure your date. Obviously dates I am already booked on cannot be considered.

- You must send your email to nikki@nikkimcleodphotography.co.uk with the following information; names of the bride and groom, wedding date, wedding venue(s), contact telephone number for the bride or groom, and your blurb as to why this couple should be considered - anything missing from the above list will void that entry. A photo of the couple is also a must! An email will be sent within 48 hours of receiving your entry to say firstly if I am available and secondly if your entry has been considered, and if the wedding is outwith East Central Scotland, how much the travel/accommodation fee will be.

- You must not already have a professional photographer booked and NMP will have free range on the wedding day to photograph the day the NMP way, and use the images in advertising, promotion etc. 
- The couple will have to sign a contract within 1 month of winning the prize, accompanied by a £100 booking fee, which is refundable at the slideshow première or can be used as a credit towards an upgrade on the album (non refundable if contract is subsequently cancelled for any reason by the client).  If there is any travel/accommodation fee to be paid, it also must be paid with the contract and is non refundable.

- Any client already booked by NMP cannot be considered.

Dead easy! Looking forward to hearing the stories! GO!!!!!