Friendly photographer covering weddings, elopements and families throughout Scotland.

Brooke Davis ~ Blush Photography Workshop ~ The Photography Farm

It’s been almost 2 years since I went on a workshop to gather some inspiration and meet like-minded photographers, so visiting the Photography Farm this year was a must for me and Brooke’s “Find Your Voice” workshop was the one I felt would most help me continue on this wonderful journey into photography I’m on. I love her work, it has so much warmth and love and truth to it and I wanted to learn how she achieves this with her couples and clients. What an absolutely genuinely lovely lady Brooke is – she’s warm, and lovely and so much fun. It’s so obvious now how she gets the most amazing photos that she does. I love the way she interacts and just hangs out with the people she photographs… this is something I already strive to do myself – it’s so much easier to photograph people who don’t feel under pressure to perform so you have to make it fun and laid back but learning some new poses and interaction tips and shooting techniques, plus how to use the available light rather than being scared of harsh shadows was so liberating for me. So many amazing light bulb moments!

Thank you so much Brooke for opening up to us today and sharing your knowledge with us. It was such a pleasure to meet you… here’s some shots I took with the rest of the group of the gorgeous couple Adri & Jared – they were up for anything and everything and so much fun to photograph!

West Sussex Couples Portrait Photographer 2014-02-02_0002

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Back Garden Marquee Wedding with a Pool Party ~ Rachel & Matt

Having a back garden marquee wedding in August is a wonderful idea – picture your guests enjoying the sunshine with a glass or two of champagne (or a nice cup of tea), playing a spot of badminton, soaking up the atmosphere…. soaking did I say? Yep – you’ve got it… the great British weather did it’s thing for Rachel & Matt on their wedding day… but it didn’t matter one bit. They are such a wonderful couple, they took it all in their stride and it was one of the most soul warming weddings I’ve ever had to pleasure to go to and really feel a part of. Hartfield Church‘s rafters were well and truly raised with the amazing singing during the beautiful ceremony – which was led by Matt’s Uncle! I enjoyed every minute of it and could tell it meant so much to each and every one of their guests to see them be married too.

Rachel looked stunning in her gorgeous little tea length dress and I loved the bright jade green colour of the bridesmaids dresses. Matt and his boys looked great in their navy & beige smart/cas suit jackets and chinos. The flowers were amazing – all put together by a friend of theirs and the cake was made by Matt’s sister. Rachel & Matt really had thought of everything. Rachel decorated the marquee herself, with help from family & friends. It all looked so wonderful – really creative and inspiring and it was such a family affair, her grandfather even played some jazz music with his band and it’s the very same garden Rachel’s parents had their wedding reception in when they got married – so special… I had prior warning that things would get wet at one stage of the day – not with the rain mind you but with them all jumping into the pool instead of a first dance. I bought myself a little underwater camera to capture some of that and it was fun!!! Everyone was wet anyway so being in the pool was no different! I really have waffled on – but it was such a fantastic day …. you’d best see for yourselves!

This gorgeous wedding was recently also blogged by Way Out Weddings – yay!

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Charley & Graham are Married ~ Chichester Watersports Centre

Charley & Graham’s wedding at Chichester Watersports Centre really made me smile! When they booked me I hadn’t put two and two together that I actually knew Charley from years ago when I used to tutor French to her for her GCSEs! Then, when they told me where Charley would be getting ready that morning I thought, I know that house – I used to teach someone French there and that someone was Charley! It also turned out that she and her gorgeous bridesmaid worked with my sister and niece at the Festival Theatre and then when I saw Charley had made her own dress and it was just the style I love – a beautiful 50s number with big petticoat and cutsie court shoes and converse for later on – well I was well away!!

Their wedding was just adorable – as are they. I loved Graham’s bowler hat and the boys’ different coloured bright converse and matching colourful gerbera button holes and ties. South Bersted church is tucked away behind the hospital in Bognor and is really rather pretty. Charley and Graham had a lovely service there followed by reception drinks and canapés in the church hall next door. Then it was off to Chichester Watersports Centre for a BBQ and boogie woogie but being keen watersports fans we had to stop at the beach en route for some very windswept couples portraits – would have be wrong not to! We had such a giggle – although it was meant to be the height of summer – 17th August to be exact – it was freeezing! This did not stop them going in for a quick paddle. Charley actually may have even mentioned she wished she’d had her board there for a bit of surfing – the waves were pretty good apparently!

Chichester Watersports Centre was a bit breezy too! Charley & Graham *with the help of their wonderful friends and families* had decorated it so beautifully with miles of bright bunting which looked like it was about to take off at times! There was a delicious little sweetie table, oodles of cup cakes, lots of home made jam jar lanterns and flower posies and pom poms galore. They had a delicious BBQ buffet meal with no seating arrangement or anything too formal. Cocoa Moon of Chichester popped along with some delicious Italian ice cream and the fabulous Deloreans played music and sang well into the night keeping the dance floor nice and busy through out their sets!

It really was the perfect day – Erin from Way Out Weddings thought so too when they even had their very own Blog feature there!

Thank you so much Charley and Graham for having me along to capture it all for you – here are some of my favourites from the day… x

2013 … in a nup-shell! {One of my favourite photos from each wedding}

Oh . my . goodness … what a year 2013 has been! That was hard work though – choosing just 1 photo from each of the weddings I’ve photographed this year. I wanted it to be a photo I love and one that also said something about the couple to me. Their fun side, their shy side, THAT look, THE kiss, snuggling, dancing…. we had it all this year and I’m pretty sure 2013 has been one of my best yet!! 28 weddings is no mean feat for a full time mum of 3 young boys, 29 if you count my own BIG day just a couple of weeks ago! It’s far more than I ever dreamed of or thought I could cope with (!!) but I did it and I’m so very proud of myself for putting in the hours and the effort – I’ve loved every minute! I’ve got some albums to design now, a wedding and a shoot to edit and a dreaded tax return (eugh!)… 2014 kicks off this Saturday with what’s set to be a fantastic winter wedding at The Tithe Barn so it’s all systems go. I want to thank all my gorgeous couples for being so wonderful this year – for sharing their most special days with me and letting me capture it all for them. You’ve been fantastic!! Also my peers in the industry – other photographers, bloggers, make up artists, cake makers, hair dressers, wedding planners, videographers, venue owners, stylists, florists – the list goes on! … I consider you all my “office” pals and my friends and your encouragement & support has been phenomenal this year. Last but definitely not least I must thank Steve – my HUSBAND!! It’s so amazing to be able to say that… he has stuck by me this year through thick and thin and really supported me and proved his love to me by marrying me. It truly was the best day of our lives 🙂 🙂 I feel so happy, lucky and blessed… I had to include a photo from our wedding day – so picture no 28 (2nd to last) was one of my favourites by my dear friend Kelly of Lola Rose Photography…

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. And if you get engaged or so know someone who has got engaged – send them my way!! 😉 Lots of Love…. Nicki (Lyall)! xx

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Claire & Mike’s Beautiful Summer Floral Wedding at Gaynes Park, Epping

Wow… Claire & Mike’s beautiful floral wedding at Gaynes Park, Epping is one I won’t forget in a hurry! Although it was back in August I remember it like yesterday; the heat, the excitement & buzz, the love all around… the giggles, the beautiful bridesmaids in their gorgeous floral numbers and the grooms men for not allowing me to stop laughing the whole time I was taking their photos… oh and the wasps! It was a fantastic wedding from start to finish – epic in so many ways. Claire looked absolutely stunning in her Maggie Sottero dress and beautiful Valentino choker necklace, a gift from Mike that morning – tears were shed when that big pink box was opened!! I loved Claire’s quirky plastic peach shows with bows on by Mel Shoes too. Mike and the boys looked pretty dapper too in their smart navy suits and brown brogues – swit-swoo fellas! 😉 Gaynes is of course one of my favourite venues to shoot at – not just for the delicious scotch eggs (!), wonderful staff and grounds but also for the scotch eggs!! It’s not particularly near to where I live but I’ve always made it up and along the M25 in time for bridal preps and the ceremony and back home again in one day, so don’t let me living in Bognor put you off booking me if you’re getting married at Gaynes Park. Now on this blustery, cold, wet winter evening I bring you sunshine, warmth and lots of smiles… congratulations again Claire & Mike! Have a great first Christmas together as Mr & Mrs!! xx

This poor guest was petrified of wasps… not group photos!

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