way out west

So, I've had a chance to reminisce about our trip up north and remember all the fun times we had! I have chosen a few images to post as they speak louder that any word I could think of!

Our first night was in Plockton but it was dark when we arrived so there really wasn't any point in taking the camera out of the bag - a good seafood nosh up was more in order. you really can't beat the seafood up there...straight out the water and into the pan! The next day we went across to Skye and had a drive up the East Coast to Trotternish. The drama of that part of Skye is breathtaking and we visited Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock before my fear of heights kicked in and we just stayed in the car for a while after that! The cloud was way down when we passed the turn off for the Quiraing so we just headed north to Staffin and then inland for a couple of miles to a place that had always intrigued me. its a place called The Fairy Glen and I've read about it a few times but never had the chance to visit. What we found was breathtaking and I don;t think my photography does it justice! Its a small area of strange conical hills. Apparently there are 365 of them in all sizes and they are homes to The Brownies - no not the ones that meet in church halls on a Tuesday night and learn how to sew - but little people! We parked the car and set off into the heart of the glen and were suddenly struck by the utter silence that engulfed us - we could have been swimming under water it was so quiet. We were only 2 km from Uig but we could have been a million miles from anywhere! It truly was a place with a magical atmosphere and we all felt quite humbled by its natural beauty. Not a house, car (apart from ours!), mobile phone mast, pylon or another human being in sight - just us and the Brownies! We didn't see one but I'd like to think that they do exist. That place didn't exactly spook me but I did feel a strange and powerful energy was there! Apart from it being an odd, yet fabulous place to visit, the hills make for wonderful scrambling for kids so the boy set about busying himself whilst I communed with nature! I got a couple of shots of him carrying big rocks up the hillside to make his very own cairn! He really is the cutest! We left after hours of just playing there and asked about the folklore later that evening - we heard a very strange account of a local piper kidnapped by The Brownies! I believed it of course but Jason thinks the story teller had been in at the whisky!

The next day we set off amid sun and torrential rain for Elgol and the famous view of the Black Cuillin. In true Skye style, the cloud came down and we saw nowt! It was all wildly dramatic and I loved being so far from the big city!

We also took the opportunity to visit Wood Rising. This is a photography studio in Broadford and we had been here a couple of years ago. the photographer is Alan Campbell and he makes the most amazing landscapes you have ever seen! I am always inspired by other people's work but there is something special about his. I won't go on too much but visit his website at www.woodrising-photography.co.uk/ to see what I mean. We bought some prints and I left with a new found respect for the landscape photographers of this world. Their art is so difficult to capture but coupled with the need to be utterly devoted to getting the time and light just perfect, it's mind boggling to me! I'd like to think that Alan would struggle with getting gorgeous shots of a half dressed bride but who knows!!!

So, that was our whistle stop tour of Skye and Plockton. We loved every minute and plan to go again soon - well further north this time! I have the bug!

I hope you enjoy these images...I forgot to mention the lone ranger that we spotted when we first arrived at the Fairy Glen. He was like a modern day lone ranger and then he disappeared - very odd - but not before I got a cool shot of him!

Fxxx

one really good thing about November...

oooh oooh oooh - almost forgot to blog about this most brilliant November thing! It's Beaujolais season again! Every year at the stroke of midnight on the 3rd Thursday in November, the Beaujolais Nouveau is released amid parties, fireworks and general guzzling of this gorgeously light and unpretentious wine! It really is called 'Beaujolais Day' and I have it marked as a recurring appointment in my outlook calendar! So for the next few weeks, look out for Beaujolais Nouveau in the supermarkets and wine shops. Its usually got a bright and colourful, cheap looking label and is always much cheaper than the normal stuff! It's only available for a few weeks and has to be drunk sooner rather than later. Someone once told me that April was the maximum but the chances of a bottle hanging about that long in our house is slim, unless its fallen down the back of the fridge or somewhere.

So, next year, throw a Beaujolais Party - it's a great excuse to quaff some guilt-free wine on a Thursday night! Jason has promised to take me to Beaujeau some year for their celebrations. Apparently it all starts at 5pm the day before Beaujolais Day with wine tasting and then a torchlight procession just before midnight! The celebrations go on all weekend!!! Can you imagine?

Apart from buying loads of Beaujolais Nouveau for Christmas parties, I've read that 2007 was a very good year and the normal stuff will be quite gorgeous. Next year has to be even better! Hurrah!

Christmas countdown!

Sunday night....

So, some info about the boy and me...we are total Christmas freaks and start getting very excited round about now! Every year I try to contain myself but it's just not possible! As the days get shorter, darker and colder and mince pies start appearing in Tesco, I just can't stop thinking about Christmas! The boy has sadly inherited this infatuation from me and we started our Christmas countdown today! Don't worry - we didn't put the tree up or go out carol singing - but we did have a few moments of sheer excitement today, especially when the Sainsbury's advert came on - love Jamie Oliver's little tips! Jason thinks we are mentalists but didn't seem to complain about the full on roast turkey dinner and trimmings I served up for Sunday dinner earlier!!! Later on, the boy and I were still mooching for something to make us feel even more Christmassy so we watched the Muppet Christmas Carol. If you have never seen this, don't laugh - it's one of the best Christmas films ever!!!

Anyway, I thought I might start a Christmas countdown here...every day between now and the 25th of December I'll (try) and post something about Christmas. It may be a recipe, a shopping tip, a cool Christmas movie to watch or just something totally random that will enhance your journey to Chritsmas 2007.

There is one drawback this year - Rory! We are wondering how we will stop him attacking the Christmas tree and ripping all the parcels to shreds. I am quite worried as Christmas won't be the same without all my perfectly wrapped and colour co-ordinated gifts under the tree!!!!!!!! Any tips for preventing a small dog playing havoc with trees and parcels, please email me at info@fionamacneill.com!

Fxxx

It's been a while...

OMG - how long? No excuses, but I've been sooooo busy! Here's a quick list of what's been happening...helping lots of clients choose their wedding album images, designing lots of gorgeous albums, taking pictures of cute little babies, went to Skye for a holiday and took some stunning Autumn landscape shots, fell in love with some very expensive shoes and got a puppy! It all sounds a but random but its been a very exciting couple of weeks!!!

The most notable thing is Rory - the puppy! He moved in last week and we haven't slept since! Nobody told us a puppy would be such hard work! Here is a little shot of him, its very hard to photograph a small furry thing but I'm going to get lots of practise!

I promise to Blog some more in between feeds and toilet training!

Fxxx

school hols!

I never intended the blog to be all about work but until recently, it's all I've had time for! Anyway, we are now on the last day of the October school hols so there's been lots of time for the boy and I to have fun!!! Jason even managed a couple of days off work too which was a lovely surprise and a real bonus.

In the middle of the week, Jason's cousin Fraser and his wife Debbie and their two boys came through to stay for a couple of days. They only live in Edinburgh but it's been ages since we last saw them all. The three boys are all quite close in age so they had a ball. The first day we went to Finlaystone Park (www.finlaystone.co.uk/) which is in Langbank and is just the best place for kids who love getting their wellies on and going on a big woodland adventure. The woods there are filled with all sorts of amazing structures from a huge pirate ship to tee pees with lots of swings, slides, forts and seesaws in between. It really is a haven for active kids and Debbie and I even managed to struggle over the net wall - not a pretty sight! We got home late that afternoon exhausted but the boys had had an amazing time.

The next day we set off for Culzean Castle (www.culzeanexperience.org/) in Ayrshire for another action packed day. Jason and I go here a lot with the boy and we even joined the National Trust for Scotland because we go so often! We had a picnic in the courtyard before heading straight down to the beach. I took the camera and have chosen some favourite shots to post. You can see them below. I'm so pleased that we had good weather last week and were able to enjoy the great outdoors - we are so lucky where we live! We drove past Braehead shopping centre a couple of times and it was packed! I can't believe people would rather go shopping with their kids than hit the park or the beach!

Here's my favourites!

don't delay

I have just had to email another lovely couple today and tell them that I am NOT available to shoot their wedding next year. They sounded so nice and I know I would have enjoyed working with them. I get about 6 enquiries per day for various dates and it really upsets me when I have to turn people away for 2008 but it re-enforces the simple fact that good photographers get booked up at least 18 months in advance. I am still getting enquiries for the key summer dates next year and I really wonder how these couples are going to find a good photographer this late in the day. I have limited availability for 2009, never mind 2008 and people have already started asking about 2010!

If you read this and are planning a wedding for 2009 and beyond - I urge you to book your photographer as soon as you possibly can to avoid disappointment. Not to mention the fact that prices could increase and you'll be kicking yourself! So, when you find a photographer you like, remember that there are hundreds of couples getting married on your date and they are all looking at the good photographers and making enquiries. If you hang about and keep searching the chances are that you'll be struggling to get the one you want!

Blogging about this has made me think of all the other pieces of invaluable advice that I can pass on! I think I'll compile a list of 'essential info' and also 'frequently asked questions' and post it here in the next week!

Keep an eye out and one other thing - if you read this and find it interesting or useful, please please leave a comment or pass it on to someone else!! Spread the word!!!

Sarah and Neil

I have no voice!! I have got this nasty virus and it has gone straight to my throat. I have been in bed since Monday and feel rotten but my clients are still waiting to see their lovely images from the end of September so I've dragged myself out to the studio....oh never mind! I'll just get on with the story of Sarah and Neil! They booked me last year but I only met Neil a few months ago when we met in Leith for their pre-wedding shoot. Neil is in the army and was in Germany until last month so it was Sarah who had done all the hard work and planning! I'm sure Neil won't mind me saying but she did a grand job!!! The wedding was fab and everything went to plan. Sarah has since told me that one of her favourite parts of the day was the morning in the house with the girls getting ready! I was ever so chuffed as I had managed to persuade Sarah to have a girly morning! The original plan was to head into North Berwick to have hair and make up done separately. Whilst this is fine; it's not as much fun as getting great hair and make-up artists out to the house or hotel and having it all done on sight. Anyway, she took my advice and they had a hoot! There was bubbly, hairspray and lip gloss everywhere but they all looked gorgeous and were super chilled! I must say that this really is the best way to spend your wedding morning! I hate to hear of brides darting about town in their veil and jeans from hairdresser to beauticians - not relaxing and wind and rain are a threat!

Anyway, Neil had a boys lunch in the pub in Dirleton and I arrive in time to catch them walking down to the church. Neil had his guard of honour with him and sheesh - did they look dapper or what?! I do love a uniform but there's was really striking. The service was lovely and the minister let me shoot the ceremony from a great spot. Its important that some of the ceremony is captured forever but sadly, a lot of ministers don't allow photography during the service. I intend to write about this at a later date.

After the service and very exciting guard of honour, it was off to the Marine in North Berwick for bubbly and canapes and lots of windswept fun on the golf course!

I enjoyed myself so much that day and the speeches were brilliant too. Sarah and Neil had a short honeymoon in a secret location up north before relocating to the south of England where Neil will be posted for the next few years. I wish them all the best in their new life and can't wait to see them next month when they come up to choose their album images!

Here are a few of my favourite images from the day that tell their story!

I'm famous!

Well, not really but my copy of Real Life Weddings magazine plopped through my letterbox on Saturday and there it was...all 7 glorious pages of my photographs of my gorgeous bride Katy, an of course Graeme!!! I am so chuffed that I got such a big spread as it's almost impossible to get any photography featured in there never mind 7 pages! Katy and Graeme look brilliant and I'm about to email Katy to see what she thinks! It must be strange to see your own wedding pictures in a magazine!

Anyway, the magazine is in the shops now and they are launching a website in the next day or two so that will be great for brides planning their big day! The site is at www.reallifeweddings.co.uk/ but hasn't gone live yet.




I hope you get a chance to see it!


Fxxx

quick update

It's been how long since my last blog? Oh dear - where do the days and weeks go? I am slightly traumatised that it is October today! how did that happen? Anyway, just an update on my life! I shot my last wedding last Saturday and will spend the next 2 months finalising the processing of all the outstanding wedding images, meeting clients to show them their wedding images and then designing their albums so that they get them in time for Christmas! It's going to be a busy couple of months for me!

I decided not to take any weddings beyond September this year for a couple of reasons. I am working on a new baby and child portraiture website so that will take up some time and also, I wanted to spend some weekends with Jason and the boy! I feel as if I've hardly seen them since the middle of February as I've had weddings every weekend since then! Don't think I'll be putting my feet up though; I will be busy during the week doing various things and I am taking new wedding bookings for 2008/2009 and meeting new clients every week! Phew-it is an exhausting and constant business but all worth it!

I met with Karen and Andy last week to show them them wedding images. They loved them so much and were delighted with the choices I helped them make for their album. For me, the viewing is the most nerve-wracking part about the whole wedding! Wondering if clients will love their images as much as you hope they will! I'm happy to report that ALL my clients have loved the pictures I've shown them and what a fab feeling that is!

I also got a lovely email from Alison who got married in September at Wedderburn. She wrote
"The photos are absolutely gorgeous. I could not love them more, and they do bring back really lovely memories of the day and of our time with you -- you have such a gift for this! Thank you, thank you. I can't wait to get out of this office and look at them with George! " These emails make all the hard work worth it! Alison and George live in Chicago and have only seen their images online so far which isn't ideal. I'm currently making a web slide show for them to watch. Their images will be much larger and easier to see. This will mean that they can choose the shots they want in their album more easily - I'd love to fly to Chicago for a viewing but I don't think it would be cost effective!!!

Anyway, enough chatting!

Fxxx

Elaine and Martin

I have been dying to get a chance to post some images from Elaine and Martin's wedding at Glenskirlie Castle a couple of weeks ago! Glenskirlie Castle is a new venue in Scotland although Glenskirlie House is a well known venue and has been there for years. The owners bought the land next door and designed a purpose-built castle for weddings! Its brilliant and only opened in July of this year. The Castle itself looks rather unusual from the road - a real mix of old and new but inside it really works! Wow - the reception is amazing and the rooms are to die for! I have been dropping hints to Jason that a wee night there would be in order!!!

Anyway, the whole day was brilliant and Elaine and Martin are such a lovely and happy couple who wanted a very relaxed and informal day! The girls made their final preparations in the honeymoon suite so I got a sneak preview and the ceremony itself was held in the Castle. Afterwards guests mingled in the garden at the back and the sun stayed out! After some champagne had been downed...I took Elaine and Martin up to their room for a pillow fight! It was hilarious and although not my usual style, the room was too amazing to not feature! I thought a pillow fight would be perfect for them as they are always laughing with each other and just generally having fun.

Elaine's hair was flying everywhere and they didn't hold back or be gentle with each other! There were big feathery cushions on the bed and the feathers were flying about! Don't tell Glenskirlie!

I have posted some of my favourite images for you to see - I think you'll agree that Elaine and Martin both look amazing!

SECC wedding enquiries

I thought I would do a quick post to the lovely couples we met at the show and are awaiting a brochure, price list and information pack. The packs are all ready and will be posted first thing tomorrow morning so that they arrive on Saturday morning. The information pack is normally larger than most people's letter box so I always post them to arrive at the weekend so it avoids a trip to the post office.

If anyone wishes to get in touch before then, please call the studio on 0141 885 2229 or email me on info@fionamacneill.com

Fxxx

useful info for brides to be!

I have been thinking about the wedding show and all the lovely people we met over the course of the weekend and there was a very apparent pattern emerging...couples were feeling more and more overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of wedding planning. I heard the same things said time after time...'we don't know where to begin', 'can you recommend such and such?', 'the venue we wanted is booked', 'we've heard horror stories about this cake maker or stationer or photographer' and so it went on and I really began to wonder if anyone out there actually enjoys and relishes the challenge of planning a wedding in a world where there are hundreds of suppliers all wanting your business! I was lucky when I planned my own wedding, firstly, it was very small and intimate and secondly, I knew exactly where and who I wanted to use for the venue, flowers, stationery, photography etc as I had first hand experience of their work and knew I wouldn't have any worries. I have a page of recommended suppliers on my website called 'friends' and it really is a valuable source when starting out. A recommendation is worth a million glossy ads or a fancy stand at a wedding show.

However, it also got me thinking about my friend Wendy who is a wedding planner and runs a very successful company called Utopia Scotland. Wendy has helped many couples over the years plan and then have their dream wedding. She sources a handful of venues to match your requirements and once you are happy with the venue she has a shortlist of suppliers that she has worked with on numerous occasions and deemed to be 'professional, punctual and nice!'

Not only that, Wendy is the point of contact with these suppliers and does all the hard work in contacting them, paying them on your behalf and coordinating the whole day for you, while you sit back and watch it all come together. Finally, the day itself, and again I am very fortunate because I am at the wedding all day and get to see what goes on! At about 75% of the weddings I shoot, something doesn't go to plan. The flowers are the wrong shade or the wrong style, the wedding car breaks down or some other major decision has to be taken there and then. Its always the bride who is left to sort these things out and I always feel so sorry for them. While she's trying to have her hair and make up done, the mobile is ringing and turning the poor girl into a nervous wreck! So, what could be better than having Wendy there to take the calls and deal with the little hiccups leaving you to relax and enjoy the day!

If you haven't already visited Wendy's website you can do so at www.utopia-scotland.com/

Go on - it makes sense!!!

Fxxx

Pre-wedding Shoot

All my clients get a complimentary pre-wedding shoot included in their package which is in fact a practise session so that the couple feel relaxed and comfortable with me on the day. They get a chance to see how I work and any nerves they have about getting their picture taken or indeed having a bit of a smooch in public will have gone by the end of the session! Not only that but they then get a large print from the session to keep! I get it mounted with a big broad ivory mount and take it to the wedding. all the guests on the day then sign round the picture! It's such a fabulous keepsake and is much more practical and usable than a guest book.

So, last week I met up with Karen and Christopher who are getting married this Saturday at Seamill Hydro. They seemed OK about getting their picture taken but weren't really sure what to expect. We started off with some individual shots to get them warmed up and then I put them through their paces together and by the end of the session, they were naturals! I tend to use the same venue as it works so well for the backdrop. Its an old industrial estate in Glasgow which is really grotty but looks amazing in the pictures. It's private so we can have lots of time and room to mess about and get the pictures right!

The pre-wedding shoot is available to be booked as a separate session for couples who have already secured a wedding photographer and it's also popular for anniversary sessions of just for couples who fancy some nice relaxed shots of themselves.

Here are some of Karen and Chris's best shots!

Karen & Andy

So, Karen and Andy were married a couple of weeks ago and the whole day started in Karen's parents house with all the girls getting ready in a lovely big bedroom which was so light and airy and perfect for lots of gorgeous 'getting ready' shots! I love doing these shots because its a part of the day that the groom doesn't get to see and its always a time of ever increasing anticipation and excitement as the clock ticks by! It sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it!

The church ceremony was at Aberfoyle Kirk which is a beautiful wee church in such a stunningly beautiful part of Scotland. After the ceremony, we all headed back to Karen's parent's house which overlooks Loch Ard. the weather was great and everyone mingled on the terrace drinking bubbly and eating fab canapes. Karen had particularly wanted shots taken of her and Andy on their jetty at the loch side so we did a short session down there and some other lovely shots in the fabulous grounds.

Karen's dress was magnificent with a jewelled bodice and full, cascading skirt. She felt the dress was enough and just wore her hair simple with no veil or tiara. It was a good call and she really did look perfect! Andy was very smart in his dark kilt and gold cravat.

After the speeches and cake cutting the reception was underway and the first dance was really lovely in the huge marquee. The ceiling of the marquee had a dark blue star cloth which twinkled away with hundreds of white and blue fairy lights! It really was a brilliant day and I know Karen and Andy will love their pictures! I am seeing them next Thursday for a viewing session when I'll help them choose the best images for their album!

Here are some of my favourites!