Mark Nicholls Photography: Blog

My favourite images of 2015

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 16:57:03 GMT

2015 - what a year.

It was while chatting to a potential client at a fayre recently that I realised just how amazing this year has been. I've met some truly incredible people, photographed some amazing weddings, and booked what I know will be some equally amazing weddings for 2016 and 2017.

So, I thought I''d share with you some of my favourite images from this year. It was a tough task because there was just so many!

Below are my favourites from 2015. Hope you like them!

Newborn Family Portrait Photography, Newport

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:28:19 GMT

We recently had the honour of being invited to photograph the Buonaiuto family, and an honour it certainly was!

World, meet baby Alessandro.

I hope you like the sneak peak.

Maes Manor Wedding Photography

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 18:05:15 GMT

I was recently told by someone who was looking through my portfolio that all the weddings I photograph look so happy, and this one was no exception!

Just a month ago we had a fantastic day photographing the beautiful, relaxed wedding of Philippa and Lee at Maes Manor Hotel, Blackwood.

The celebrations for the bride and her bridal party started with a glass of champers and fizz, and a few nibbles at the Maes, and whilst the hair and make-up team (Jo Adams of InnerBeauty and Hair By Lucy) were busy with the bride I got some detail shots. For every bride I capture these items to help tell the story of your day, as do the bridal preparation shots.

Philippa was extremely organised and had the support of some fantastic friends and family.

The groom arrived with plenty of time for us to grab a few photographs of him and his groomsmen, and the guy couldn't stop smiling!

The decor by Esme Weddings was a beautiful pink with ivory lace and flowers by Cottage Garden gave a stunning, chic theme to the day.

The speeches were full of laughter and (happy!) tears, and we stayed for the evening with our Studio and for the first dance.

Hope you enjoy looking at these photographs as much as I enjoyed taking them!

What you should consider when choosing your wedding photographer

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:31:19 GMT

So, I was asked recently what couples should consider when choosing their wedding photographer. I've put together what I believe is THE definitive guide to finding YOUR perfect wedding photographer.

If you've got a minute, have a read and take on board some advice from someone who has been on both sides of the camera.

Love your photographer!

Make sure you have a connection with your photographer, and they are the professional you know you can trust. Assuming you are hiring a professional and not Uncle Bob, your photographer is someone you will get to know in the run up to your wedding day, and along with your new husband or wife, they will be the person you spend your ENTIRE day with. They are the ones who will be looking after you and your cherished memories after the day is done. You need someone who knows how to do their job - sound fair enough?

A worthy investment

Ensure the photographer is as invested in your day as you are and the products they supply are of high quality. As much as this is your wedding day this is their reputation, and a photographer should care about your day as much as you. Your wedding album is a very precious publication, documenting every key stage of your beautiful wedding day. If you value your wedding memories, make sure your photographer offers a professional, high quality service and products.

Trend follower or trend setter?

Be mindful of photography trends. Photography trends are not only subjective, they are very much that; trends. And trends, especially extreme ones, will soon be out of favour. Keep this in mind when looking at a photographers style - will their style still be as appealing in 10 years? (Spot colour anyone?)

It's YOUR day

Don't be too quick to follow the recommendation of a friend. You may be thinking of asking friends or relatives for recommendations because that's the way it's done, right? Word of mouth recommendations are important, but a wedding photographer is a personal choice. Just because your friend connected with a certain photographer don't be too quick to book the same. Explore, research and get in touch with at least a few different photographers first so you know you are choosing based on what and who is right for you. It's YOUR day.

One day, one chance

Last but by no means least, book the best photographer you can afford. Yes, I know I am biased, but your photographs are the only thing left from your wedding day. Again, if you value your day and the effort you've put into it, invest as much as possible in your wedding photography.

Now, of course I base this advice on the values I have as a professional wedding photographer. I believe wedding deserves the most amazing images possible.

If you think so too, I'd love to hear from you.

Mark

Blackwood Photography Engagement Shoot

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:17:14 GMT

Blackwood Photographer - Engagement Shoot

I had the pleasure of doing an e-shoot for a great couple from Blackwood who are getting married next August. As a born and bred Blackwood man I knew of a few local places which would make for some great, relaxed, couple shots, and we settled on a local park area with a quaint little pond.

They were terrific to work with and so easy to photograph, and I can honestly say I am very much looking forward to photographing their wedding!

Newborn Photography, Newport - Baby Freya

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:03:08 GMT

Newborn Photographer, Newport

Introducing the gorgeous baby Freya! This little lady was only a week or so old, and photographing such a tiny, precious bundle was an incredible honour, and I was even lucky enough at the end of the session to catch her with her beautiful big eyes open!

Here are a few highlights from the session:

Cwmbran Wedding Photography - Rhianon & Chris

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:48:32 GMT

Cwmbran Wedding Photographer - St Gabriel's Church

On Saturday 11th September we photographed the wedding of Rhianon and Chris at St Gabriel's Church, Cwmbran.

Rhianon & Chris had booked their photography with me well over a year before the wedding, something I always advise a couple do to avoid disappointment, and we kept in touch during that time, even if only to see how their plans were coming along.

Upon arrival bridal prep had commenced, the gown hung perfectly in the window (purchased from the fantastic Charlotte Alexander, Cwmbran. Pop over to their site to view their terrific dresses at: www.charlottealexander.co.uk) and the bridal party were having the finishing touches applied to their make-up which had been done by the very talented Naomi of Naomi's Nails, Cwmbran.

The ceremony was in St Gabriel's Church, and what a church it was! We're fond of church ceremonies, particularly because of the atmosphere and the features they have.

After the ceremony was a dove release by All Doved Up; www.alldovedup.co.uk, and the incredible hog roast was from the brilliant The Full Hog, Cwmbran.

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking; below are some of our favourite shots of the day - we hope you like them!

Cardiff Family Portrait Photography - Waters Family

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 15:25:51 GMT

Family Portrait Session, Cardiff

Waters Family

As you'll have seen from the taster photograph I posted, we did a family portrait session with two beautiful little ladies recently, and I've been itching to get the finished product ready to show off. Straight out of the camera these images looked terrific, and needed very little enhancing, as I'm a firm believer of having the skills to get it right 'in camera' - here is a photograph I took with my phone during the session of the back of my camera:

You can see for yourself how little I had to do once I'd uploaded these.

The sisters were a joy to photograph and were basically just models for the whole session!

Hope you like the finished product as much as I do.

Rhianne x

Young Adult Portraiture

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 03:26:00 GMT

It was my wife, Rhianne, who had the idea of offering a portrait service to teenagers, but not the kind where they're made to sit sweetly and smile for the camera.

She wanted to treat them with a little more respect than they'd get in a family-orientated sitting, treating them like the young adults that they are, and so, our Young Adult Portraiture service came to be.

Below are a selection of the images she took with Erin, who kindly volunteered to allowed us to practice how this shoot would take place.

Newport Wedding Photography - Parc Golf Club

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 01:56:00 GMT

Fate is a funny old thing. They say everything happens for a reason, but when Hayley and Gavin found themselves in a position where, due to external factors, they had to not only choose another date to get married but another venue as well, I doubt this saying was of much consolation to them.

However, despite the weather being rubbish for weeks prior to this new date, the sun couldn't have shone brighter if it had tried, and their new venue, Parc Golf Club, lived up to its reputation of being a superb location to get married.

Hayley was extremely calm when we arrived, and her eldest daughter could barely contain her excitement at her mummy getting married!

Rhianne Holvey had already got to work on their flawless makeup, and it was soon time for the dresses to be put on.

Hayley's father arrived and his face, along with his granddaughters, were a picture when they saw the bride in her dress for the first time.

At the venue, Gavin and his best man were greeting guests as they arrived. He too seemed surprisingly relaxed! He remained so until he saw his beautiful daughters walk down the aisle ahead of his wife-to-be, which, upon seeing them, brought a proud tear to his eye.

The day as a whole was extremely relaxed, fun, and full of many recitals of the chorus from R.E.M - What's the frequency Kenneth? which I'm reliably informed is because of the Groom's father's name being Ken!

The evening gave way to karaoke and our Evening Studio for all to enjoy!!

Miskin Manor Engagement Shoot

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:52:00 GMT

I recently met with Sarah and Elliot at Miskin Manor to do their engagement shoot, as this is their venue that they're getting married at.

They wanted to use the photographs for their Save the Date cards, and brought along their beautiful dog, Jake, to incorporate into the shoot, and he was an absolute delight!

Below are some of my favourite images.

The requested shot for the Save the Date card.

St Fagans Wedding Photography

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 01:41:00 GMT

St Fagans was the perfect place for a wedding, especially when the sun shines as bright as it did on the day of Lucy and Rhys' wedding.

We arrived for bridal prep at The Copthorne Hotel, where Lucy and her bridal party were getting ready, and her wedding co-ordinator, Amy, of Perfection Planning was there to assist.

Lucy said that she hired a wedding planner so that she could hand over the responsibilities of a wedding day to someone other than mum/sister/bridesmaid/other because she wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the day without having to worry. Amy was nothing less than terrific in assisting not just the bride but the whole party.

After the ceremony we walked to the Oakdale Institute at the bottom of the museum, where the reception was being held.

Before the meal were the speeches, where both parents of the bride gave a speech, the bride herself and the groom.

Lucy had thought this day through very well indeed. Her vision included delicate little touches from card games on each table for guests sitting next to each other to have a talking point, to the superb up-lighting in the reception room.

Her groomsmen had ties that matched the Cath Kidston theme she choose for her special day, with her wearing one of the most beautiful lace and crystal embellished gowns I've ever seen.

Before leaving them to dance the night away I managed to steal the couple for a midnight shot outside the building.

Cwrt Bleddyn Wedding Photography

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 01:25:00 GMT

We met Ellen and Dave at a fayre at Cwrt Bleddyn back in May and they said they were getting married in June... of this year! They had decided they didn't really need to wait, nor did they want to, and had found a beautiful venue and date they were happy with and booked with me on the day.

We arrived in time for bridal preparations, with probably a little too much time actually, so utilised this time to get some truly amazing images of Ellen getting ready.

The ceremony was at their local church, then back at Cwrt Bleddyn for the rest of the celebrations, where the pastor joined them and gave a lovely speech before the meal.

During the evening is when we choose to do the couple photographs, which made for some fantastic images.
Have a look and see for yourself!

Why you should only book full day wedding photography

Thu, 21 May 2015 15:18:00 GMT

I know this is a topic that divides many, both clients and professionals alike, and just the title of this blog post will have caused some to wonder if I've lost my marbles. But hear me out...

You should not book anything less than full day photography, and I'm saying this no matter who you have or intend to have as your wedding photographer.
Why? Here's why.

Times have changed...

I'm dealing with an entirely new generation, one that is tech savvy, knows how to get the most out of a product and service, and are very much accustomed to things being 'unlimited' - minutes, texts, data, download allowance, food and drink. Gone are the days when you could cap something and people just accept it.
The generation who are now my clients are used to freedom, they want it all, they want...

Why would wedding photography be any different?

Why I offer nothing less than full day wedding photography

It is called a wedding day, but lets face it, there's more than just a day involved here.

At the very least there are months of preparation, possibly two or three years of excitement depending on how far in advance you book your venue, and for some an entire lifetime of dreaming of your perfect day. There's the night before where you're too excited to sleep, the early morning wake-up, the hair styling (that you've trialled at least twice because you found another you loved on Pintrest!) the make-up application, the putting on of the dress - THE dress! - that you had fitted to perfection, and as all eyes fall upon it and you IN it no Instagram filter will do this moment justice.

And that's just the before-the-wedding stuff!

The ceremony itself is always covered...

Along with the family formals...

But what then? Does the day end?

No chance.

How many songs did you listen to on Spotify before you chose the perfect first dance song? For how long during that song did you want the entire dance floor to yourselves because every lyric up until then fitted the moment perfectly?

A parent dance isn't for everyone, but for those who do want it, when will you ever get that again?

When will you get any of this ever again?

So to conclude...

As I said at the beginning of this post, I know there will be people who are divided on this, cost usually being the biggest factor. But few things last beyond a wedding day, so when looking at how you spend the money you've budgeted choose wisely.

I may be biased as I fall into the current generation that is getting married, but all the clients I meet with appreciate that I only take one booking per day for a wedding, regardless of what time you get married - that day is devoted to you.

And those who didn't have full day photography say they wish they had done so. They wish they could have had more of the beautiful photographs their photographer took.

This is why you should have full-day wedding photography, no matter who you book.

I offer this as standard because I too am investing in your day. I would hate to take money off someone to only give them a fraction of this momentus occasion photographed.

Your photographs are one of the most cherished wedding-related items you could ever possess.