Lifestyle Boxing Day shoot

Boxing Day 


I've had a really busy Christmas time on the work front and today was no exception.
I was booked a few months back by some previous clients of mine for a lifestyle shoot.  As it's Boxing Day and it was local it was a really nice homely shoot and a chance to see what other houses/families get up to on Boxing Day. I've attached some pictures from the shoot that I've had a chance to work on.

Claridges, London.

Claridges, Mayfair, London Christmas Eve.

I got booked for a last minute job at Claridges on Christmas Eve. With hardly any time for prep my husband, kids and the dog jumped in the car and drove me to London.
It was quite a high profile job, so I'm not able to say any more I'm afraid. All very glamorous though and it gave me a chance to see Claridges amazing tree designed by John Galliano. I've attached some Christmassy pictures below.

Wedding at Hunton Park, Hertfordshire.

Hunton Park, Kings Langley, Herts.

After a snowy trip to Watford I've just been booked for a wedding by another Zoe (popular name) and her partner Leon. They are due to get married in August at Hunton Park, Hertfordshire in the Orangery. I'm really looking forward to it after hearing about all the wedding plans.
Here is the venue below. We'll be visiting the venue in January so check back for some photo's.  Their engagement shoot will also be on the blog early in 2010 too.

Cosmopolitan Bride

I just love reading Cosmo Bride. I may no longer be a Bride but in my line of business I need to keep up to speed with whats going on.  I need to know what's hot and whats not. So whilst I was reading it one day, I thought that I'd try an ad in the classifieds section and what better month to put it in than Jan/Feb. It's Valentines for a start! Hopefully lots of proposals for some lucky girls out there. Cosmo Bride will be exhibiting at all the bridal fairs in Feb and you'll be able to pick a copy free of charge from their stand.

See me in the classifieds of Cosmopolitan Bride from January 2010! Next issue out 4th Jan.

Saint Mawes Castle

Beach wedding

Saint Mawes Castle, Truro, Cornwall.

I recently agreed to photograph a friends wedding. It's not until next summer but I am already excited. The reason for this is it's setting. It's on a cliff top in Cornwall at St Mawes Castle.  

I'll be posting my own images after the pre-wedding shoot, which will be in February at Saint Mawes. 

This image is copyright to www.weddingvenues.com and english-heritage.org.uk/ where you can find some unusual and special wedding venues.

I'll keep you posted with this blog entry and post some engagement shoot photos in Feb.

Blogged off for ages!

Wedding Workshop

It feels like ages since I've made an entry for the blog, so I thought I'd better catch up....

Recently I attended a photography workshop with The Trained Eye. I think it's really good for photographers to continually improve on technique and understanding of light and to also work with specialists within the industry. I always come away having learnt something new. It's also a great chance to network with other photographers and this one was no exception.
We spent the whole day shooting, which I love. All of it was on location at real wedding venues in Buckinhgamshire. Despite the wonderful locations, the weather did not work in our favour, we had to contend with gale force winds and heavy rain, so we were unable to make the most of the beautiful gardens and stunning locations outdoors. However we did make the most of the gorgeous architecture inside the historic houses and Abbey.
Here are a few of the images from the day, taken at Hedsor House, Bisham Church and Bisham Abbey.

Pregnancy Shoot

Lisa and Brad - Baby Bump

We were joking about during this shoot on Saturday. Brad and Lisa felt like they were on the set of OK or Hello magazine with a title not too unlike "Brad and Lisa at Home as they plan for the arrival of new baby"
Here are the gorgeous images from the shoot.  Lisa and Brad's baby is due end Jan.

Brighton Beach Engagement Shoot

Sharon and Tom's Engagement shoot

Not sure what it is about me but I seem to attract bad weather...rain for the wedding the other week and on Sunday freezing cold, wind and rain for an engagement shoot on the beach!! Ideal conditions.

Despite all this, we managed to get some fab fun shots of Sharon and Tom.

Mary and Jim's wedding, Farnham.

A wet start to the day it was! However I always think that rain on a wedding day brings good luck. Mary and Jim married in Farnham Baptist church, followed by a reception at Crondall Village Hall. The sun decided to appear just at the end of the service which was brilliant for the group photos. I made poor Richard my second shooter scale the roof (actually he had a ladder but that just sounds better) for the shot of the whole wedding party. Rather precarious but it worked. I'm going to post some more pictures over the next day or so but here's the first. Congratulations to Mary and Jim, who will be jetting off on honeymoon to Sacremento tomorrow.

Carl and Carim Wedding

Last Saturday was Carl and Carim's wedding day. The sun shone but it felt really autumnal. No time for us to get cold, David and I were running around all over the place!

Carl, the groom chose to spend his time before the wedding in the local. (as you can see below) Luckily for him and Carim, it was next to the church so there was no chance for him to be late. However the bride, in Vera Wang was fashionably late. The Bridesmaids had informed me there had been some problems with the little bridesmaids pomander bouquets. The Roses kept falling out so they ended up sticking them back in with chewing gum! Quite ingenious I thought.

It really was a gorgeous day, St Albans morris dancers were even on hand to perform for the guests. Congratulations Carim and Carl.

Website under construction.

www.zoecollyerphotography.co.uk

Finally I am pleased to sat that at the end of November my website will be up and running. This will be linked into my blog so you'll be able to catch up with my activities still. James Kelly from www.kellystudio.co.uk has been working really hard on my site for months now. He must have the patience of a saint as I am very fussy and have changed the design and layout so many times.

I will be attending a wedding course with the Trained Eye during the last week in November whilst it's all quiet and then wedding season kicks of for me again in April next year.

I have lots of lovely shoots planned before that to keep me busy including a baby bump shoot, another Boudoir and about 3 Pre-wedding shoots. Keep watching this space and I'll keep posting.

I have Mary and Jim's wedding this weekend, in Farnham and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll try and get some pics up on the blog on Sunday.

A Grand Gathering

Family Reunion

You might remember a while back I did a shoot at a friends house, well I've been back this morning. This time to shoot some family members that are over visiting from New Zealand and Florida. I was drafted to in to take some family photo's. We had quite a lot of fun trying to get four children and all adult members to smile and behave at the same time! Here are a few shots from earlier on.

Luton Hoo

Carim and Carl's wedding reception venue.

Last Saturday I travelled to Luton Hoo near Harpenden to check out the venue for this weekend's wedding. I am assisting David, a colleague on this one. Carl and Carim are getting married at a lovely church in St Albans followed by a reception at the gorgeous Luton Hoo. There is the most amazing staircase at this venue so I am really excited about getting some beautiful pictures. I'll keep you posted.

My best friend, her kids and a dog called Percy!

Lazy Sunday afternoon

Wow, the weather was so gorgeous this weekend, lets hope it continues.

As you will see from these pics I spent it outside with my best friend who was down from London. These are some pictures of her children, with their borrowed dog, Percy!

Boudoir

Boudoir Shoot - Surrey

We had such good fun on Saturday. This time with a Boudoir shoot. Take a peek at these!

A Saturday in Suffolk

Tanya and Ed's - Mildenhall Suffolk.

Hubby, kids and I spent a sunny Saturday in Suffolk with some old friends.

Tanya and Ed have recently moved back from France, they have refurbished and renovated their now beautiful Manor home in a matter of months. The kids spent most of the time in the garden, whilst the adults caught up over a glass of wine and home cooked food.

The day ended with a bonfire and spectacular impromptu firework display!

Thanks Tanya and Ed for a great day.

Take a look at the pics.