Measuring Success & Being Grateful

Kat

April 24, 2012

Last week I was invited back to my University to give a talk on blogging and social media, which I wrote about here. Quite apart from the usual nerves and the unusual emotions of being back there, it started me thinking about success or more-so how one might quantify it. On the way I texted my best friend, who I'd met at Uni, to tell her where I was. "Ahhh how exciting," she replied "How long since we left, 6 years? How the hell did we both end up all successful and stuff?" and so I started writing this article in my head...

A Colour Pop Bridal Shoot

Kat

April 24, 2012

"Waking up to a dark sky and torrential rain, the day started with two long suffering, bare foot models scampering through puddles and sheltering under crochet blankets", photographer Becky Mitchell wrote. Luckily for all involved the shoot was to be held indoors, in an old school building. The inspiration for this shoot came from wanting to create something simple but delicate, pretty and soft - pastels juxtaposed with a bold and bright and neon edge.

A DIY Beach Wedding: Jaq & Patto

Kat

April 23, 2012

A Picnic Wedding: Alex & Denise

Kat

April 23, 2012

The inspiration for Alex & Denise's Brighton wedding was for it to be "just like a big picnic". They used local suppliers (including the caterers who used local produce and supplied locally produced champagne) where possible and DIY'ed the rest! "Our inspiration was for it to be like a big picnic - although without having to sit on the floor!" Denise told me. "I found mini picnic baskets that were used as the centrepiece on each table. These were filled with chutney, pickles and breadsticks. We wanted the wedding to be really relaxed – I've always disliked formal situations. I also wanted there to be lots of colour. For the meal we had a blanket set up on the floor for any children that got bored of the adults. We also did a play area with a wigwam, dress up box and colouring books. Although on the day they mainly opted for running around the field like lunatics."

An ‘Old Soul’ Bridal Shoot: Bella Angelina

Kat

April 23, 2012

There are few things I love more than a beautiful pink haired bride. So when Bella Angelina's (yes, I know, best name ever!) bridal shoot sent over by Veronica Lane Photography I was thrilled. "Angelina is a locally known artist who also teaches art classes to children at the one of the galleries in Chatham-Kent, Ontario (Canada)," Veronica told me. "Angelina has been 'pink' for 6 years and has no intention of letting the look fade away any time soon. She did her own hair and makeup for the session and made the white wedding dress shown in the photos herself!"

A Sunday Kind of Love: Ulyana Sergeenko’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Kat

April 22, 2012

After falling head over heels for her 2011 collection, I wasn't sure my love for Russian fashion designer Ulyana Sergeenko could grow any more. However I stand well and truly corrected as her 2012 designs have floored me.

DIY Tutorial: ‘Cocktail Time’ Clock

Kat

April 21, 2012

NB Other considered and witty titles for this feature included 'a clock-tail display' and 'gin o'clock'...although granted I came up with those on my own and Chloe, who created this tutorial, is much much classier than I. Over to you lady...

A Private Residence Wedding: Ruby & Emmanuel

Kat

April 20, 2012

Ruby & Emmanuel's sweet wedding took place on a private residence in Adelaide. The bride wore a 1930s vintage wedding gown with a vintage headpiece. Even her bridesmaids wore vintage dresses. The couple locally sourced things where they could including the food their served and the flowers the used to decorate the marquee. The bride's sister made all their stationery and paper goods. The wedding was a really personal and intimate affair. "Our focus was really just on our family," the bride explained. "We handcrafted our wedding with, of course, some true vintage touches."

Get Yourself Noticed: A Guest Post by Photo Professional Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Terry Hope

Kat

April 20, 2012

In today’s competitive market you need to be noticed and, as Photo Professional's editor Terry Hope explains, there are lots of cost effective ways you can exploit that will help put your name out there In today’s competitive market you need to be noticed and these days there are lots of cost effective ways you can exploit that in order to help put your name, and your business, out there. There have probably never, ever been more people out there offering photographic services, and while it’s great that what was once such a closed profession is now so wide open to everyone, it also means that the competition has never been stiffer, and you’re going to have to do something pretty special if you want to stand out from the crowd.

“Beauty & The Beast” A Taxidermy Engagement Shoot: Mckenzie & Alex

Kat

April 20, 2012

For their engagement shoot, Mckenzie & Alex wanted something unique. They wanted something that screamed 'them' and showed their quirky side. They came up with the taxidermy concept after visiting a museum and falling in love with how they looked and the artistry behind each one.

Thursday Treats: 19th April 2012 – Back to School

Kat

April 19, 2012

Wow where do I begin with this week? OK so I'll just give you a snippet so not to bore you too much! On Monday Gareth & I headed down to Canterbury to do a guest talk on blogging and social media to a small group of staff and students at Christchurch University. This was actually quite an emotional experience for me for a number of reasons. Not only did I go to University in Canterbury but my Dad'sDad (yes that's what we called him!) was actually a sports science lecturer at Christchurch before he died. When I told my Dad and my Nanny that I would be going to the University to kind of do the same thing as him they were all proud and stuff... Yeah, I know. SOB.

A Royal Blue Austin Wedding: Erica & Rick

Kat

April 19, 2012

I. die. No seriously. How beautiful is this bride? VERY! Dear Erica you make my job easy. Erica married Rick last November in Austin, Texas. After an outdoor ceremony at Chapel Dulcinea, the newlyweds headed to the surrounding areas for a portrait session with their wedding photographer Rachel Sumner.

A Book-Themed Glasgow Wedding: Jane & Mike

Kat

April 19, 2012

They met while they were both working for their University newspaper, and although Jane said she only joined for 'the hot boys', it would appear her joining was worthwhile! The couple planned their wedding for March 2012 and were married at Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow. Their love of writing inspired their wedding decor, particularly the ammmmazing book vases. I had to know more...

A Rustic Australian Vineyard Wedding: Richard & Eleanor

Kat

April 18, 2012

When Richard & Eleanor's wedding landed in my inbox I was sure there was some sort of mistake. Photographer Lakshal Perera must have meant to send this to one of the more glamorous wedding blogs surely? But before he could realise his mistake I'd replied with a 'oh hell yes I wanna feature this' and he was trapped with Rock n Roll Bride.

The Inspirations: Choccywoccydoodah’s Christine Taylor

Kat

April 18, 2012

Do you dream in chocolate? Then, surely you must be aware of the unequaled talented that is Choccywoccydoodah. Famous world-over for their creations in confection I am a huge fan, and even more-so now I've got to know the team behind the yummy personally. I'm was seriously excited to speak to Creative Director Christine Taylor as part of this series, and when you read through our chat below I just know you're going to fall in love with her too.

A Vintage-Inspired Walled Garden Wedding: Carina & Chris

Kat

April 18, 2012

Carina & Chris chose The Walled Garden at Cowdray, West Sussex as the venue to host their March wedding. "It was a fantastic venue where we were really able to personalise for our day," the bride told me. "They were very relaxed and the venue's informal spaces were perfect for us and our guests." "We spent the last year since getting engaged planning all of the details of the day", she continued. "We spent our weekends rummaging in charity shops collecting china and glassware. We spent a long time making all of the bunting, menus, paper flags and lots of other items ourselves and needed someone to make it all look pretty on the day so that I could relax and enjoy getting ready! For this we worked with Lucy at Love Lane Vintage. We met her at the venue and she worked closely with our plans and our items, as well as my many sketches to style the venue! We also hired her vintage china teacups and cake stands to style the table and serve our mini afternoon tea – in place of canapés – for the drinks reception! The macaroons and mini scones looked stunning, as did the piles of teacups and teapots for guests to use!"

Buy or Sell a Pre-Loved Wedding Dress with Still White

Kat

April 17, 2012

After their 2010 wedding, Australian husband & wife team Bruno & Ingrid started Still White. Ingrid decided she didn't just want her wedding dress to sit in the back of her closet forever so she looked into selling it online. Then, after not having much luck finding an Australian pre-loved wedding dress website they decided to set up their own. The Australian site has come on in leaps ans bounds over the past 24 months with the site helping brides saving an amazing $320,000 AUD (£215,000 GBP) so far!

An Eclectic London Wedding: Kate & Jon

Kat

April 17, 2012

Kate & Jon were married in March in London. After a ceremony in Battersea Arts Centre they headed to Balham Bowls Club for their eclectically decorated reception. "The most important thing for us when planning the wedding was that it should consist of things that we normally like to do - reception in the sort of pub we would normally drink in, the style of dresses both I and the bridesmaids would normally wear (although a bit nicer of course!), the sort of food we would normally eat," Kate told me. "This was also reflected in the ceremony, with a reading from Captain Corellis Mandolin (one of my favourite books) and everyone singing along to 'Sunshine of my life' by Stevie Wonder rather than a more traditional song. Also, our first dance was 'You never can tell' from Pulp Fiction - a favourite film of Jon's. It was important to us that it was in London, which is where we and the vast majority of our friends and family live. Like most of the couples on Rock n Roll Bride, we didn't concern ourselves with what was expected of us traditionally and instead thought of it more like we were just planning a big party!"

Undercover Bride: The Wedding Dress Boutique

Kat

April 16, 2012

So Roo and I came up with a new blog series idea...she's going undercover. Many wedding blogs who review the places they visit only write about the good stuff - the glittering service, the elegant decor and the impeccable attention to detail...but you know we're not like other wedding blogs. Sure, when the service is good we'll be telling you about it, but similarly when it's shocking, we ain't holding back! And judging by Roo's experience on her first assignment it's going to be a very interesting series indeed!

Desperate Housewife: A Personal Project by Joanna Brown

Kat

April 16, 2012

I love wedding photographer Joanna Brown. LOVE. I'm always blown away by the weddings she submits to me, and I'm thrilled to feature her work on these pages whenever I can. So imagine by unadulterated joy when she asked me if I'd be willing to model for a personal project she was working on.