Shop Small Gift Guide
We've finally made it to the end of 2020 and while I did lose quite a bit of work this year due to the lockdowns, I was so incredibly fortunate to work with some amazing local businesses on their promotions and products which I am so unbelievably grateful for. So as a thank you and as a way of supporting the small businesses who keep me going, I thought I'd put together an extra post of gift ideas from businesses I've had the pleasure of photographing christmas goodies for, and some who I've shopped from myself this Christmas and who I just generally love.
1. The Doors of Riverdell by Marianne Rosen
2. Candles by Black Tree Organics
4. Doggy Christmas Baubles Pawfect Delights
7. Mini Guinea Pig Play Set by The Orange Corner
9. Skincare by The Balm Pantry
Chouxlicious Christmas Hampers
Working with and promoting fellow small businesses is something Nicola of Chouxlicious makes a lot of effort to include in everything she does, which is one of the reasons I really value working with her. For this session we were shooting her delectable variety of christmas hampers and afternoon teas brimming with delicious handmade and local goodies, making them a perfect gift or treat for yourself if you'll be celebrating christmas in smaller numbers this year and don't fancy making a whole feast yourself <3
You can shop Chouxlicious' christmas range here.
Krafty Gifts UK 18
My Christmas product photography sessions with Bridgnorth business Krafty Gifts have become something of a personal tradition over the last few years. They are usually the first Christmas shoot of the year for me, and spark the first sparks of festivity in me.
This year we were updating stockings, which you can see along with their whole christmas range here. So if you're in the market for some personalised Christmas goodies for you, your kids or your pets while supporting a local Shropshire business, be sure to head over and have a look.
Emma & Jay
Emma & Jay were originally going to be married in December but with all of the uncertainty surrounding weddings caused by the on again off again lockdowns, they decided to chance it and see if they could bring the date forward into October and be able to have an intimate Church Ceremony in Claverly before heading to Davenport House for a small reception. They decided to keep their beautiful blue Christmas theme, and I’m SO glad they did, so much time and thought and love went into making this wedding as stunning as it was, and it was so lovely to get into the festive spirit a little earlier than usual.
I arrived first at their home to photograph Emma getting ready and to finally get to meet her in person. Usually I get to meet couples a few months before the actual wedding, but with lockdown it wasn’t feasible, so being able to arrive before the ceremony and be able to get to know her and her amazing son Seb a little bit meant we got to break the ice before I started following everybody around with my camera for the next 6 hours!
Emma & Jay’s wedding was stunning and really did go to show that having fewer guests does not mean that you can’t go all out with every other aspect of the day. From the blue streaks in Emma’s hair to the giant Christmas tree set up at Davenport House, this was a Christmas winter wonderland wedding of dreams.
Ceremony - Claverly All Saints Church
Reception - Davenport House
Florist – Ginger Lily
Hair – Stephanie Watton
Harpist – Oona Linnett
Sub Pro
Sub Pro are a new brand supplying high quality products for use in the sublimation process, from whole sale products that can be printed onto, to the very paper and inks themselves. For their photoshoot we needed to focus on the quality of their inks and paper hen used in printing as well as how transferrable they are. Technical shoots like this are a real treat for me, particularly when working with brightly coloured items as they really pop against the white backdrop.
Marianne Rosen 2
As well as producing promotional imagery for her book launch, Marianne was looking to experience a few different sorts of photoshoots to help her to feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Studio sessions can be really intense, particularly if you typically don't spend that much time having your picture taken, so rather than asking sitters to pose and smile, I always try to make it a conversation with pictures taken in between.
Luckily for me, Marianne always looks cool as a cucumber in front of the camera.
Maybe it's her brilliant personality. Maybe it's the killer cheekbones. Maybe it's just her exquisite taste in coats.
The Balm Pantry
The Balm Pantry is a brand new business run from a true fairytale cottage high in the Shropshire Hills. PRior to the session I met with Lenka, the brands creator to chat about her products and vision for her business which is essential when essentially creating a businesses branding photography from scratch. Their products are handmade, natural and with a high importance on quality and sustainability and so it only made sense to set shoot the pictures from her home.
Having booked a full day 'collection' session we were able to cover promotional imagery, modelled product photography, styled product photography and get plenty of extra seasonal shots for content to produce pictures to see them through the next couple of seasons, which is a brilliant way of getting a lot done without taking days, weeks and months to do it.
Autumn Styled Shoot
As I only work on a handful of weddings each year, styled shoots haven't ever been something I've thought of doing before, but when Nicola got in touch and pitched her idea to plan a styled wedding shoot to promote the work of some of our wonderful local businesses who have suddenly had their wedding season robbed of them this year, I jumped at the chance. And I’m so glad I did, because not only did I get to work with some incredibly talented people, but it was such an incredibly fun day. Shropshire and the West Midlands are the home to so many wonderfully gifted small businesses, and I'm was able to work with and produce something that celebrates that.
The shoot took place on a stunning day in October, on a farm and upcoming wedding venue with breathtaking views of the Shropshire hills and backing onto Hampton Loade's SVR station. With two gorgeous models, amazing décor, delicious food and drinks, a tipi, a convertible, a horse, a drone, a videographer, amazing stylists, and 3 puppies who weren’t necessarily IN the shoot but were certainly very much appreciated.
This photoshoot produced SO many of my favourite photographs, and really does prove the value of a good team
You can view everybody's websites by clicking the links below <3
*
Style shoot organiser: Nicola Peake
Tipi: Kata Cheifs
Wedding Photographer: Christna-Clare Photography
Blogger - Clare Loughead
Samosas: Samosa Stop
Model (Bride): Shannon McNally
Model (Groom): Harley Gregory
Biscuit Favors: The Biscuit Baking Company
Wedding cake & Macarons: Shropshire Macarons
Tableware: Tipples
Menus: Dotty About Paper
Drone Video & Images: Drone Rangers
Wedding Video: Shropshire Wedding Video
Bridal Makeup: SJM Beauty
Bridal Hair: Rural Roots
Afternoon Tea: Chouxlicious
Hexagon Backdrop & Prosecco Wall: Chouxlicious Wedding Catering and Props
Venue: Woodcock Lodge Farm
Balloons: Feather and Fox
Wedding Car: Stylishly Classic
Wedding Dress: Wedding Belles of Four Oaks
Men’s Suit https: Duncan James
Flowers: Blooms of Bridgnorth
Main bar & Prosecco DIY Bar: Bottle Top Bar
Hay Bales and Reels: Westcroft Farm
Thanks everyone, lets do it again some time! x
The Smith Family II
I first photographed The Smith Family back when their biggest was the littlest and I'm so glad we got to update their family portraits now that their gorgeous daughter has brought a little extra blue eyed sparkle to the world. Sarah and I go way, way, waaaaaay back and it really is a privilege to see a friend's family grow and change and to get to be the one to capture little moments like these to be treasured forever.
Pawfect Delights 7
Getting Christmas ready with Pawfect Delights in a mini shoot covering doggy treat advent calendars filled with their homemade vegan biscuits as well as a few more additions to their pet care and birthday biscuit ranges.
