Beach Day Part 1

Well we are a bit behind on our blog posts but hopefully this will make up for it!

At the beginning of August we headed up to the Antrim coast for a day of what should of been fun and sunshine - well lets put it this way......we had fun, just with typically British weather! One minute we are rushing for umbrellas the next we are down to tshirts but either way the weather never dampened our spirits!

First off we met up with Michelle and her wonderful kids, full of beans and plenty to chat about! I think you will all agree we managed to get some wonderful shots of the relationship between brother & sister!

Engagement Sessions - Why should you have one?

"We don't need one" "We've been engaged for years" "Would it make my package cheaper to remove it?" "We can't think where to go" "We aren't photogenic" These are just some of the most common remarks we get when we mention our Engagement (or pre-wedding) sessions. We hope this blog post will answer your questions on engagement sessions in general, give you some ideas of how to put your session to best use and hopefully get rid of any "fears" you have about the session. 

Here we go.....

Many of our clients come to see us and book their wedding date with us months or even years in advance, regardless of the time scale each and every one of our wedding clients are entitled to an engagement session. First things first, we do sometimes refer to this as a "pre wedding" session instead of engagement session as we appreciate not everyone has been recently engaged. Some of our clients are engaged for up to 10 years before they set a wedding date and so the term "engagement" session doesn't always seem to fit everyone however one thing that is guaranteed is that each and every couple is having a wedding so why not have a "pre-wedding" session!

Our sessions are complimentary, and by that we don't mean that we have hidden the cost in your package, nope, we mean that session really is on us! So removing it won't make your package cheaper (sorry). Why do we take time out to do these free sessions? Well thats because firstly we love what we do! Secondly and more importantly we appreciate that your wedding day is something you've been planning for months or even years and you want to get right, so if by having a session with us before hand helps any camera nerves then great! We've learnt over the years that our session, being fun relaxed and informal gives you a chance to see how we work, gives us a chance to see what poses suit you best, and gives us all a chance to get to know each other so we aren't so much "strangers" by the time your big day arrives!

Sessions aren't limited to the studio (infact 99% of the sessions we do are outdoors) we can go pretty much anywhere you want in Northern Ireland, whether it be somewhere special, somewhere you both spend alot of time, where you first met or maybe you just fancy a trip to the seaside - either way we don't mind! If you aren't sure where to go don't worry we have plenty of ideas for you to check out and we will always help you along the way where we can!

By our very own nature we don't like to pose too much so alot of our images (including the ones here) were very candid and we just captured what happened but sometimes the smallest hints and tips can make the world of difference to a photo and your session is the perfect time to show you some tricks of the trade which you can then put into practise on your wedding!

We should also mention that although your session is aimed at you as a couple theres always room for a little'un whether that be a child or family pet - really just a good excuse for a portrait! This has sometimes helped with the younger members of your family who maybe is a little nervous beforehand so this way not only are you used to us but they are too so feel free to bring along the rest of the immediate family!

Better still we will give you a free desktop print to take away with you as a reminder of the session, however some people use this as a perfect opportunity as wedding gifts for parents, thank you cards, or just a good excuse for a new framed print in the hallway! There's no limit to how you can use the images but also there's no obligation either, trust me we wont be offended!

So we hope this has answered a few of the most popular questions and gives an insight into why we love them so much! Please feel free to leave some comments or questions below if there is something we have missed!

    

Logans studio sitting

A few weeks ago Logan came along to our home studio with his mum Debbie for a portrait. From the minute he came to the minute he left he was full of smiles and happy to pose for the camera, watch out Debbie and Colin you may have a model on your hands!

Here's just a few of the images we managed to get and look forward to seeing Logan and the family back in the studio very soon we hope!

Please leave some comments below!

Donna & Marks wedding at La Mon Hotel

A few months ago we met up with Donna & Mark at Hillsborough Forest Park just outside Lisburn during one of the first warm weekends of our summer to catch up before their wedding and get some really nice pre-wedding photos! 

It was great fun speaking to both of them about the build up to the wedding and it was very clear that they were very much in love and wanted the day to run smoothly. 

It felt like no time at all before their big day arrived. The day was to be spent at La Mon Hotel and what a contrast to the weather we had just a few weeks before! It was a constant drizzle all morning but that didn't dampen anyones' spirits! It was lovely to spend the morning with Donna, her mum, sister and 2 of the most adorable little flower girls. A very relaxed and peaceful atmosphere and as always time flew by in no time. Mark, who was also getting ready at the hotel surrounded by close family was more than ready by the time we met up with him and gave us the opportunity to get some wonderful candid images of the waiting groom.

The rain by some miracle gave us a 20 minute break which gave us the opportunity to dash over to the grounds gardens and get a few minutes alone before the all important family photos. 

Here's just a few of the highlights of their pre-wedding shoot and of their day. A lovely couple and myself & Niki wish them all the very best for the future.

Planning Ahead....

Well it really is that time of year again, the nights are longer, the heating is on more than it's off and no doubt soon enough we will have to get up an extra 10 minutes earlier just to scrape the ice off the car! At Ideal Photography though we are focusing on all the positives this year! There's the christmas continental market in Belfast, the smell of hot chocolate as you work your way around the various stalls, the feeling of lying in bed snuggled up for an extra hour on a Sunday and of course, kids getting excited about santa and having fun in the snow. That's how this time of year should be remembered.

What better way to capture those precious smiles from the kids, the loving looks between you and your partner,than with a walk down the park or a trip to the studio! Capture those feelings, and hang them on the wall for all to see!

Better still while you book your very own family portrait why not allow us to take the hassle out of christmas shopping for you too! With a variety of options and packages this winter it will be hard not to find something to fit! Better still buy 2 gift vouchers and get the 3rd half price!!

Just call the studio on 02892 668536, drop us a text on 07849961962 or send us a quick email to idealphotography@live.co.uk

Model School - September

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of working alongside Ann Connor and Anthony Miller as well as a dozen amazing young women at the Northern Ireland School of Modelling. Here's just a few images from the evening, and we look forward to working alongside this fab school in the future!

If you want any information on the school of modelling please get in touch.

Ryan

Here's just a few of our favourites from a recent session with Ryan, who came into the studio with his mum!