This year I am embarking on a personal project to photograph the gardeners and gardens of Waterperry, Oxfordshire. Historically Waterperry was a very inspiring and interesting garden made famous by Beatrix Havergal who founded the women’s horticultural school there in 1932. I will be visiting the gardens throughout the year and recording the lives of those that work there. There has already been much interest in the project and there is a small gallery of images on my Facebook page
The wedding car can be a big part of the day. Don’t panic if you struggle to get into the car in your dress, most brides do and will get in with a little help from their Dad or bridesmaids. If the car has a stereo ask if you can play some music on the way to the church or venue. Record a CD that’s ready to play on the day, some stereos may even accept an iPod! 
But don’t be disappointed if there is no stereo after all many wedding cars are vintage, so long as the wedding car can get you to the church on time!
These old cars are not wedding cars you will be pleased to hear! They just happen to be ‘parked’ in the grounds of the fabulous country pub and wedding venue The Crooked Billet. If you are looking for a quiet country pub for your wedding venue that serves the most incredible food then look no further. Kate Winslet even had her wedding reception here!
To celebrate #Crufts which starts tonight I am offering dog portrait sessions of your beloved canine friends for just £25 for a dog friendly portrait session in the South Oxfordshire countryside.
Vouchers valid for 12 months from date of issue and are available for just £25 until 10th March 2014. I am happy to travel further afield and travel costs would be charged accordingly.
Call now on 01844 351218 to purchase your voucher or email info@marklordphotgraphy.co.uk
See more of my animal portraits on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
With the current British weather I’m sure several brides will be worrying about it raining on their wedding day.
Unfortunately this is not something any of us can change and what will be will be. However, a rainy day can make for some stunning photography if everyone is prepared for it. Check with your venue to see what their wet weather plan is, see if they have a load of umbrellas or whether you need to buy some for the bridal party. We bought a job lot of clear umbrellas for our wedding day which thankfully we didn’t really need but it’s one less thing to worry about if you have some. Also, remember the grounds of the reception venue may be waterlogged if there has been flooding or a lot of rainfall. I would suggest getting yourself a couple of pairs of wellies, Hunter do some very trendy ones now so treat yourself to a pair, if you don’t use them on the wedding day then I’m sure they will come in handy another day!
But most of all, don’t let it get you down. Just smile and remember it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day!
Recently Clare and Conor booked me for their wedding photography at Notley Tythe Barn. I love a rustic wedding at a tythe barn so if you are getting married at one of the Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Wiltshire tythe barns please do get in touch!
I was at a wedding fair at Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon, near Thame and Clare and her Mum came by to see me and introduce themselves. We had a chat and before Clare left she mentioned bringing their dog to the pre wedding shoot. I really enjoy photographing dogs, I could photograph dogs all day long and in my time have photographed all sorts from terriers to Newfoundlands. It’s been a while since I have photographed an Old English Sheep dog but Clare and Conor brought their 8 month old ‘Old English’ with them to the shoot, called Eddie! I was a little taken back when I opened the door but not quite so as our cat who sensed something large and hairy at the door and legged it upstairs.
We headed off into the nearby South Oxfordshire fields with Eddie and we all had a blast. I am very much looking forward to their wedding later in the year at Notley Tythe Barn
Here are a few of my favourite images from the shoot.
Since Christmas I have been very busy booking weddings for 2014 and 2015, meeting couples and shooting pre wedding shoots. Although the weather has been pretty shocking we have been very lucky on the days the shoots are booked for, with some nice winter light and some lovely wintery colours. All of my clients who book a pre wedding shoot near to my home are advised to bring wellies this time of the year. We can get away without going off road too much but some industrial rubber on the soles of our feet will mean we can venture further.
This is a picture of a footpath where I regularly take my clients for photographs so you can see suitable footwear is advisable!
Just over a week ago I had the pleasure of photographing one of my couples who’s wedding will be at The Tythe Barn later this year. Paula and Dan booked my services over the internet and then came to see me to discuss their wedding day and for their pre wedding shoot. Paula had given me the ‘heads up’ that they had a bit of a theme to their wedding and would be bringing a balloon to the shoot. How cool I thought! I am not going to give the game away before the big day but all will become clear when you see the wedding pictures I post later in the year. We were blessed with a beautiful morning for the pre wedding shoot and got some wonderful images.
Here are a few of my favourites from the shoot.
The vintage look I apply to some of my pictures worked really well at this shoot and the most important thing to me is Paula and Dan loved them. I am really looking forward to their big day!
See more of wedding photography and family portrait photography for Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
Your wedding flowers are such a beautiful part of your wedding day, take time to smell your flowers before the wedding service or ceremony, they will help you relax as you will have chosen some of your favourites and maybe they will even remind you of your childhood, parents or grandparents gardens.
Find a few minutes to take in all of the wonderful flowers at your venue and see how spectacular they look. Often the church or venue will smell of the flowers you have chosen. Speak to your florist about your favourite flowers, what is in season and what they are able to get as you plan your big day. Choose flowers that remind you of your loved ones who are perhaps no longer with us.
Some of my favourite florists in the south Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire area are listed below. Check out there websites for more information.
http://www.theflowerfairies.com
http://www.hotflowersandart.co.uk
http://www.thedaisychainprincesrisborough.co.uk
Here are some ideas to help you with your wedding flowers
See more wedding flowers and more of my work on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
I had a recent enquiry for a wedding at Hedsor House and we got talking about the Highland cattle there. It got me looking through some images from a wedding I photographed there a couple of years ago. The highland cattle at Hedsor are a fantastic sight as you drive up to the house and are certainly a talking point for your guests at your wedding. Here is a picture of the lovely Lauren and Chris with one of the cattle in the foreground.
More images from Hedsor house can be seen on this blog by searching Hedsor in the search bar at the top and also on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
Since my time at Venture I have photographed hundreds, probably thousands of babies over the years but there is nothing more adorable than a baby portrait shoot. For baby portrait shoots it is often best if I come to your home where we can do a few changes of clothes, some semi naked pics of your baby (with a towel strategically positioned!) Often all we need is some good window light, a warm floor or a bed. Sessions can last up to 2 hours so if your baby gets upset or needs feeding etc then there is plenty of time and nobody feels rushed or gets stressed!
Portrait session in your home in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire are from £50 depending on your location. Portrait vouchers make great gifts for new Mums and Dads so if you know of someone who has just had a baby then why not treat them to a portrait session?
More portrait photography of mine can be found here
http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk/family-portrait-gallery.php
My trusty assistant Jack has now got himself a full-time job in London working in a photographic studio and cannot commit to working for me at weekends. Therefore, I am looking for an assistant or two to help with some dates in 2014 and beyond. This is a great opportunity for the right person to work with an experienced wedding photographer and have some fun at the same time!
If this is of interest to you please send me 12 unprocessed low resolution wedding images to info@marklordphotography.co.uk by the 15th February 2014.
Thank you.
Mark Lord Photography 