Did a home shoot today with the Swan family - making use of their remarkably uncluttered home (compared to ours!), as well as our portable studio
Another hot one today - this time at Monkgate Methodist Church and The Pavilion in York. I do like the interior opportunities at the Pavilion, and it gives me chance to play with the video light!
Busy busy busy at the moment - peak wedding season, and we’re just looking into a new studio off Stockton Lane in York, which should suit us perfectly. Hoping to move in in September.
Some piccies from the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall in York, on Saturday. Back there this Sunday!
There’s always one…
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A few shots from Saturday’s wedding, with Hayley and Neil, at the Marriott hotel in York.
I recently invested in a video light, primarily for bridal portraits. Fortunately Hayley obliged. it was warm and humid though, so we we glad to get out for the group shots.
I was so tempted to get them to do a Mexican wave. Next time…
I’ve been invited to speak to a mother’s group in York later this year. I’ll take the portable studio, but I thought I’d concentrate on tips to get great photos of your kids. Here’s the best tip - don’t tell them what you’re doing. Most parents tell their kids to look at the camera and smile, which gets you photo of your kids doing what they’re told. Much better, in my opinion, to catch them acting naturally.
Below are some of my favourite photos of my daughter, 2 taken on holiday, 1 in the garden. None of these would have been possible if I’d have asked her to pose (not least because she’s not one for doing as she’s told!).
The last one is in a large frame on the wall, and gets a lot of comments. Mostly I think because it’s the sort of the photo parents generally don’t think to take, but I love it.
A quick pic from the Huntington Primary School Prom -
Had a great shot with the gorgeous Carla today, with entire farm to play with. A bit hot though! The sun was so high for this shot, Carla had to stand on the bonnet of my car so I could get low enough. Worth the effort I reckon.
Here’s a couple of shots from last nights social at Strensall golf club. It got a bit frantic, as we decided to print on the night
Just noticed today that some of our photos are on the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall’s website. Certainly one of my favourite wedding venues in York, though not the easiest to find for guests!
We’ve got a busy weekend coming up, with an army family social shoot of Friday night, at Strensall golf club, Lesley and Darren’s wedding at the Pavilion in York on Saturday, and a portrait shoot on Sunday. Thankfully the weather forecast’s looking seriously good.
Spent the day at Cadwell, getting to know the Ducati better. It was nice one the fog lifted…
Video slideshow link - s29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/paulwhittle/
Just a couple of quick shots from Burn Hall in Huby, today…
Just delivered Dan and Belinda’s order, which included this signed print, taken at their pre-wedding shoot, and signed by their wedding guests. A nice addition to the album I think, and a great keepsake.
Really nice to get some good weather for a change! Just in time for Serena and Paul’s wedding at St Mary’s and the Cottage Inn, both in Haxby (all of 3 miles away from me!)
Today was the first outing for the Ducati, this time as Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough. The first run was terrifying, as I’d never ridden the bike before, and it’s completely different to what I’m used to.
Having altered the gearing (couldn’t do anything about the slipping clutch), I started to get a feel for it, getting down from a woeful 88 seconds to a better, but still way off the mark 64s. Hopefully with it better sorted, and some track work under my belt, I’ll be getting under 60 next time. Easily the best sounding bike there, and got a lot of positive attention. Big thanks to Chris Machin for the photos.
we did a wedding fair (fayre?!) at the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall in York today. One of my favourite venues in York, and certainly one of the best lit in terms of natural lighting. It was quieter than we’d expected, but the new Loxley Bellissino album was very well received, and we we had plenty of interest. The Seger’s returned for their fourth session today - this time with two little ones
Sammie and 
It’s been a mad week - feeles like ages since we got back from holiday. I’ve been preparing the bike for it’s first outing at Oliver’s Mount next week, preparing for an attending 2 craft fairs, and preparing for today’s wedding fair. I’ve been playing with Animoto - an online animation application. I’ll be offering DVD animations to wedding and portrait clients shortly - see what you think of my first bash… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42PU20Lfo4 I’ve also set up an facebook page for Bestside - feel free to search for it! The weather did it’s best today, forcing an indoor shoot for Belinda and Dan’s wedding, at Harrogate’s Crown Hotel. Fortunately the hotel’s nice enough for indoor shots, though the lighting was a challenge! 
Today was the third visit of the Seger family. They first came just before the birth of their son now 20 months old, and only a week or so from having a sibbling! I chose a grey background for this, as a departure from white. It’s particularly effective in black and white. A lovely fun shoot. I’m looking forward to their next visit with the little one! 
Had some fun at Elvington today, driving the stunning Porsche GT3. They had some spare cars just lying around (as you do), so I took the Aston out as well. Probably the last time I’ll get to say “I’ll take the Aston” and mean it! 
Porsche GT3 
Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Had a commercial shoot today, as Strensall’s very own delicatessen, http://www.deliciousatyork.co.uk/ 
Had the pleasure of working with the gorgeous Faye today, doing a mixture of stock photo shots, and some for a new venture I’m looking into. Rather annoyingly dropped and broke a £400 flash, but at least we’d finished shooting. That’s what insurance is for! 
Had an engagement shoot with Dan and Belinda today. They are having a large mounted photo at the wedding reception for guests to sign. 
A commercial shoot today, at Monks Cross Tiles and Bathrooms. 
Sometimes, 4×4 is very useful…
Lake District
We’ ve just added a range of landscape prints to the print ordering site (http://pwhittle.photobiz.com/cart/), with a wide range of shots, from the York, Yorkshire Dales, East Coast, the Lake District, plus further afield, as well a as few still life shots. These can be easily orders online. 
We did a shoot at Hurst Hall in Strensall, which was open to families from the army base. Got a good range of photos, and used a few to play around again…
little girl
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but an interesting alternative to which backgrounds! I’ve been playing with some new Photoshop templates today, to offer something different to portrait clients. Some early results here: 
Had a great shoot today with the Lewis family. Great fun, and some great results (and they said they were camera shy…) 
We’ve just added a link to our ever-growing Shutterstock stock image collection. Shutterstock works on a subscription basis, but you also buy our images from istockphoto.com, or direct from us. If you fancy having a go at selling your own photos, follow this line and create an account - <a href=”http://submit.shutterstock.com/?ref=180946″> Submit Photos to Shutterstock and make $$$! Had fun in Blackpool today, with Rachel. This is the sort of fashion portrait we’re doing more of. More intesting than studio portraits, thought you’re at the mercy of the weather! 
Scorchio today, and very sunny - makes for challenging outdoor shots! The ceremony was at Thirsk’s St Mary’s, with the reception at The Angel. 
I can’t take credit for this shot - good though it is, however it was me riding - my first bash at hill climbing, as Scarborough’s Oliver’s Mount 
Today we had Sian and Robert’s wedding, at St Olave’s church in York, followed by the magnificent Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. Quite a logistical, given it was race day, and there were other weddings in the area, but well worth the effort! 
Burnsall has to be one of the country’s prettiest spots, and perfect for a summer wedding. The heavens opened 10 minutes after we finished shooting - I seem to be rather lucky with the weather at the moment! 
