A few highlights from 2009

Change to Online Albums

My apologies to all of you who are wondering where the online albums have gone! My old supplier ceased trading, and I am currently changing e-cpommerce supplier, and they will be back online hopefully by the end of next week!

In the meantime I will add a slideshow of a few highlights from 2009. It is always an impossible task to try and choose just a few from the thousands of images from last year. Now I know what you all feel like choosing for your albums!

A winter wedding at Wentworth

Its not often that I get to shoot a wedding in the snow! Beautiful as it is, it also raises all sorts of challenges photographically from misting up lenses to red noses and steaming breath! Not least of all pretty chilly!

Claire and David's wedding was held at 3:30pm on 22nd December, amazing and magical covering of snow, but I also ended up arriving at the venue with almost two hours to kill (leaving enough time in case the roads were bad!)

Winter weddings also mean less light, and by the time we headed outside for a quick photo session, it was almost dark. It takes courage and correct exposure to get images that aren't dark and overflashed, instead relying on my trusty tripod and long exposures, to balance natural light and get the pretty atmosphere of christmas lights as well. A challenge that I am always ready to rise to, and which gives great job satisfaction.

Most couples don't put much consideration into whether it will be light or dark at the time they marry (and why should they), and the effect that it can have, even on indoor shots. Call me crazy, but I do relish the challenge, and enjoy working in this way!

Hopefully you will enjoy a few of the images here, still using natural light wherever possible.

A cuddle to keep warm!

Looking out at the winter wonderland

Bridesmaids playing hide and seek in the wardrobe!

The blue and the orange are natural, and as a result of mixing natural daylight. and the yellow tungsten light in the porch. Its not done in photoshop!

Groups were all inside in the warmth, definitely a day for mulled wine...

Portraits of Bradley

I did Carly & Gareth's wedding 2 years ago, and was delighted when they got in touch for a family portait session. despite being on location in November, the weather was kind, and how can you go wrong when the baby is so gorgeous!

Fallen leaves and low light , fallen trees to climb and jump off all make great fun for a small child who may not enjoy sitting in a studio. I am a great fan of portraits outside, usually everyone relaxes that bit more, and real portarits are taken.

Alison & Rob get married at The Elvetham

Alison and Rob at The Elvetham. Apart from the very beginning, weather and cold forced us indoors, but I am more than happy sqeezing every last drop of natural light out of the situation. It can be tricky at winter weddings not to use full flas and kill every shot, by that I mean white faces and black backgrounds, but with a few tricks and knowledge, a dark day can become a magical and warm event, as happened here.

Why I love my job!

With album season in full flow, this is the time of year when the design side really takes off! No matter how fantastic your photos are, if they are not displayed beautifully, or heaven forbid put away in a drawer, then you are not making the most of your investment in a good photographer...!

It can take 2 or 3 days to design an album, but the results are worth every moment. I know the temptation is to think you can do it yourself, and sometimes it does work, but unless you have the design skills, and the time to put things together properly, you may end up with disappointing results.

Anna & Steve got married at The Elvetham. Alot of fun and friends was the order of the day, with some great group shots, see

www.lookatphotos.co.uk

for their wedding in full.

Helen & Carl got married at Weybridge registry office, and their reception was at The mandolay in Guildford. I love this photo below where Carl is really concentrating on getting that ring on Helen's finger!

Some interesting stairway shots. Love the graphic lines, and round lights. It's important to have recci'd the venue beforehand, that way I know where the best places are, in all weathers without wasting time on the day.

Gladys and Carlos had their magical day at Albury park. Its the second time I have been there, and is such a gorgeous venue. The weather was somewhat wet, but not that this affected the photos. Trees and specailly chosen paths and places enabled photos to continue outside, without anyone getting wet.

A change of outfit, ready for a blessing in the chapel in Albury's grounds.

All of these weddings, and more, can be found on the online albums page of my website www.schutters.com

Sam & Katie's wedding

Katie & Sam's wedding was held at Wotton House nr Dorking, wow! what a place!

It was a day with a difference, with some unique features including an American style 'reveal' where the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony, and both a civil ceremony inside; followed by a an outdoor blessing in the walled garden.

To top it off a full moon and some night time shots outside, very appropriate as Sam had also propsed by on a full moon. A fabulous day, great couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The reveal...!
Katie approached and tapped Sam on the shoulder...

An outdoor ceremony in the walled garden

...and a moonlit kiss

to see all images from Sam and Katies wedding, go to:

www.lookatphotos.co.uk