Christmas card!

Well, Christmas is fast approaching and I can't remember a December that has gone as fast...I mean its the 16th for heaven's sake! I must admit I am very disorganised this year which is unusual but work has been so busy and I was away all of last week so its no wonder that I'm chasing my tail!

Anyway, I just wanted to wish you all a wonderful and happy Christmas. I hope Santa is good to you all and you manage to relax and have lots of happy times! The studio will close next Monday the 21st and reopen on the 5th of January. If you need to get in touch before then just call the studio on 0141 885 2229 as I will be picking up messages. I also ventured into the world of the iPhone recently so can pick up emails as I go...I can't promise to check every day but will do my best!

Merry Christmas and lots of love for a wonderful 2010!!

Fiona xxx

A Christmas present that someone would really want!

To celebrate Christmas and all its fabulousness, you can now give someone of a magical memory for Christmas. There must be someone you know who would love some gorgeous photographs to cherish...good news because I have mini portrait sessions available for just £50! That includes an hour's photo shoot at home or some other happy place and a 5x7 print from the session. Also included will be an online slideshow and password protected gallery so everyone can have a peek!*

If you don't have children it doesn't matter...a quirky, tasteful and fun couple's session is also a yummy gift! Men take note...will earn you far more brownie points than fur trimmed red undies!

To order your vouchers just call on 0141 885 2229 or email the above email address! Keep an eye out for other great Christmas offers later in the month!

Fxxx

* sessions must be taken midweek and if you live outwith the central belt a small travelling fee may apply

Ardanaiseig fame!

Ooh I am all excited this morning. There is a really amazing wedding venue in the West of Scotland called Ardanaiseig. Its on the shores of Loch Awe and just has this mystical and romantic atmosphere...not sure why but I imagine its steeped in history! Anyway, its now a top class wedding venue priding itself in sumptuous decor and delicious, locally sourced food. I have worked there before and loved it, even although it rained all day! My bride and groom had planned the most lovely and intimate of weddings and I remember the flowers were some of the nicest I've ever seen. I also remember Rekha (the bride) had a rather gorgeous Chloe handbag too!!!!

Well, Ardanaiseig decided they needed a new wedding brochure to send to prospective couples and they wanted to use my photography!!! I was chuffed to bits and very excited to see the finished product! It's now all done and it looks amazing! A very talented designer called Martin Boath designed the brochure and you can view it on his website here www.martinboath.com There are a couple of other small images from two other photographers but I'm happy to see that mine have been used in all the important bits!!!!!

So, check out the hotel...it has an amazing room to stay in called the The Boat Shed which is on my wish list of places to stay in 2010! The view from the hotel is to die for and it would be an excellent place just to get away from it all - or indeed get married!

Fxxx

p.s just read about the myths and legends surrounding the area on their history page - very eerie indeed!

Its December - time for some happy pictures!

Well, it's that time of year again when I lose all sense and go completely Christmas daft!!!!! I am a self confessed addict of all things Christmassy and vaguely Christmas related. The first day in advent marks something magical for me and I just love the excitement that is already building. I'm not putting my tree up just yet as Nina is at that tricky (naughty) stage and I worry the tree will not make it to the 25th! Instead, I will put all the other decs out, play Christmas tunes ad nauseam and buy in lots of mince pies and mulled wine! The tree is scheduled to go up on the 11th so I'll just have to be patient!

The other exciting thing happening is lots of parents are thinking about getting lovely photos taken of their little darlings in time for Christmas! Nothing is nicer than a little framed picture for Granny! As you know, I have been very busy taking pictures of little people and a couple of weeks ago I whizzed through to Edinburgh on the train to visit my dear old pal Emma and her little man Fraser Bear (he is very cuddly like a big teddy)! Emma runs the online stationery company www.twenty-seven.co.uk so when it comes to photography she is very discerning! I always get nervous because she knows what she likes and doesn't mind telling either! Anyway, nothing to worry about as usual and we had a ball. We just chilled out, drank lots of tea and maybe ate a couple of cakes too!

Fraser is 14 months and at that very cute age when everything demands a huge amount of concentration. He was very busy with his toys and his toddle truck which was perfect as he was hardly aware that I was there! He also had lots of cuddle time with his Mum and they read his favourite books together when he needed a little down time. I love photographing Mums and babes when they're at their most relaxed.

The resulting pictures were stunning and Emma cried! Job done I say! I have posted some of my favourites below so I hope you like!

Remember its not too late to have some beautiful and natural photographs taken of your babes. Just call me on 0141 885 2229 or email me on the above email address to find out more. The new website www.fionamacneillkids.com is the place to find lots of inspiring family photography! Go on....

Fxxx

technical hitch

Just a quick note to anyone that has filled in the contact form on the new children's site www.fionamacneillkids.com

It would appear that it's not working as it should and I haven't been receiving the messages. Such a pain and I do apologise if you are waiting on a response.

If you are waiting to hear from me, please email me on the above email address with your details and I'll call you!

Fxxx

Tiny Emma

Aaaaah - I got to cuddle a tiny baby girl called Emma last week - it was just lovely. She was only 3 weeks old and so good! She just ate, slept, ate, slept, ate slept and then when I needed her to be alert she obliged perfectly! She even held her little head up...so strong for such a little person. Her Mum Carolyn had wanted some lovely natural shots of Emma as a newborn before she changes. I must admit, I look back at Nina and The Boy and forget they ever looked so little. So, we had a lovely relaxed session one afternoon in Edinburgh. We just drank tea mostly and I took some shots without Carolyn really knowing. Her friend was there too so we just chatted which helped distract Carolyn. Emma really was wonderful and even smiled! I think it was her first one so we were all oooohing and aaaaahing like mad.

Here's some of my favourites...I hope you like!

If you have a little baby or one on the way or even know someone who would love beautifully natural photographs to love forever then get in touch or visit the new website at www.fionamacneillkids.com

Session fees start from £75 and print prices from £20 and you can also purchase gift vouchers to give as a wonderful gift.

Xxx

shiny new website!

Well...after weeks of working away I'm so happy to announce that my new dedicated children's website is finally live!!! I had until now a little page tucked away in my wedding website but finally my work has the space it deserves!!!

So here is the link www.fionamacneillkids.com

Click on the link and then do the following...

1. Please have a little nosey and enjoy some cute baby and kids photos!
2. Show everyone in your house
3. Forward the link to everyone you know, even if they don't have children
4. Ask them to forward it to everyone they know and so on and so on until everyone in the world has seen it!!!!
5. Leave a comment here and let me know what you think!

Fxxx

busy bee

Oh my, I'm beginning to realise what a good idea it was to start taking photos of children again -I've had so many bookings in the last month and I've loved every minute of it! I have had the privilege of working with so many lovely little people and some teeny tiny people too! I have been so busy with this and the new website that I've not been able to Blog much about them all but I'm going to try over the next few days.

I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph Coben and Lucas. Their Mummy Vivienne along with Dad Nick, owns Mood Flowers so we have known each other for ages! Coben is 3 and such a boy. Vivienne always laughs that she'd love him to be arty and studious but Coben is never happier than whizzing and banging cars off the skirting board or rolling about the house causing mayhem! Lucas is just 3 months old and 100% babylicious. I could have cuddled him all day but there was work to be done!

So, we had a brilliant morning and Coben was allowed to indulge his car obsession. Lucas was so chilled as well and I got some really lovely pictures of them all, including Viv. Viv and Nick's family live all over the world so it was great that I posted their images online for all their friends and family to see. Vivienne is now clearing some wall space so she can hang lots of photos of her little darlings! I have posted some of my favourites below.

I hope you love.

Fxxx

If you are interested in having some beautiful and relaxed photographs of your children, please get in touch by emailing info@fionamacneill.com

Lush stationery!

Well, its been a very busy time for me. My weddings for the year have finished and its been a period of intensive album design for my fab clients! The deadline for Christmas is this weekend so it was high pressure but I'm happy to say the designs are gorgeous and the albums will be even more gorgeous - can't wait to see them!

Anyway, apart from that I've also been busy designing a new website which will be unveiled in December. I'm very excited about it but don't want to say too much at this time. It does involve a lot of work and I hope I can get it all done and launched this year - I'll Blog about it nearer the time of course.

My lovely friend Emma, who owns www.twenty-seven.co.uk and makes the most delicious wedding stationery has also been busy making a new website. She felt her current site wasn't making the most of her designs and wanted a more visual website where her brides and grooms could see just how beautiful and unique her work was. She has also been beavering away designing new ranges to add to her current portfolio so it made sense that I photographed everything for her new website so we had a day together a couple of weeks ago photographing all her new stuff. I felt very privileged to be the first to see her new designs and I was wowed when I saw what she had come up with! Not only has she built on the success of the signature style of her stationery, she has come up with all sorts of little extras to make the day look even more special.

I am really loving the sweetie jars with the gorgeous little tags round them...after all the horror stories about chocolate fountains, sweetie bars are big news at weddings right now. Guests just can't resist a flump or a Vimto lolly you know! http://www.moodflowers.com/ do an amazing colour coordinated sweetie bar. I've seen one in pinks and purples and it was fabulous. Really well done and visually stunning. I think the little favour jars are a fab idea too and would look gorgeous on any table. And check out the little Lego guy on top of the name card - so original!

Well, I'm so so pleased for Emma and wish her all the best with her new website and her new designs. I have posted some of my favourite pieces below and hope they inspire and excite you as much as they did me! Please visit her at http://www.twenty-seven.co.uk/

Fxxx

Gillian and Geoff

Well some weddings are wet, some are dry but all are happy and when Gillian and Geoff got married beside The Bridge Over the Atlantic it was no exception...despite the rain putting in an appearance halfway through the ceremony!!!! The happy couple and all their guests were a marvel and stood in the rain quite happily while the vows and the rings were exchanged! I'm not sure how many other wedding guests would manage such staying power!!

The day started with the girls getting ready at the house...hair and make up were well under way when I arrived and Gillian looked very glam in her huge rollers! While the girls supped a mug of tea, I went for a little nosey about to see what I could find! I was so excited to see Gill's dress - a two piece! I haven't had one of those for so long and it was gorgeous! You can't beat a two piece for understated style and elegance and Gill's dress was just that. She told me it was what she had wanted before she'd even set foot in a dress shop! All her accessories were beautiful and matched her Gran's necklace that she was going to wear. After the dress was on and we were all wowed, I sped off to The Isle of Seil to catch up with the menfolk! They were already at the venue under the guise of 'last minute things to do' but I could see right through them...especially when they suddenly disappeared into the pub!!!! I suppose Geoff did deserve one small drink while he was waiting!

The guests arrived by bus and soon after the girls were there and the sun was shining! The Humanist ceremony was lovely and I guess nobody cared that it started raining...I know that I hardly noticed it and I am a real rainophobe!!!

Typically the rain stopped after the ceremony so champagne and beer was consumed al freso. I don't think anyone noticed us sneaking away for a ten minute photo session - I like to keep it to a minimum so brides and grooms enjoy their day more! We got some stunning shots on and around the bridge. The bridesmaids were in the most amazing peacock blue and the flowers were bright yellow sunflowers so the shots with the girls were so striking! I like a lot of black and white photographs but these colours were too wonderful to change.

The Royal hotel in Oban was the next stop. Gillian's Dad's microbrewery in Glenfinnan supplied the ale and the guests relaxed in the lounge while the speeches were on. Gill and Geoff wanted everything to be relaxed and informal and it was. After dinner, the band started and the first dance was a fabulous Strip the Willow! Six brave souls joined Gillian and Geoff for a very lively session! I got some amazing shots of them all whirling round! I have posted some of my favourites from the day below and I know Gillian is eager to get a sneaky look so I hope you enjoy!!!!!

I loved my rainy west coast adventure and the fish and chips in Oban weren't bad either!

Fxxx

Julie and Iain and some rain...

I know the weather has been exceptionally lovely for the last week or so but there was a Saturday not so long ago when it just tipped it down all day long...well Iain and Julie had their wedding that day and despite the damp weather, the wedding was anything but! It was one of the most happiest and joyous weddings I have ever had the pleasure to photograph! Both of them just smiled and laughed all day!

I started the day by catching up wit Iain and has boys at the flat where a PlayStation session was underway. They had been very good the night before but still looked a bit shell shocked when I turned up! After that, I went to Julie's Mum's house and it was all going on there! Ainsley M was doing her fab make up and Julie's hairdresser had them all looking chic and gorgeous! Julie's hair was amazing - you'll see it in the photos!

I went for a rummage upstairs and found exquisite ivory gown and delicious Gina heels! Again - not my size - I hope my next bride will be a size 3!!! I had a play with the dresses and shoes and then went back down to see what else was going on! The girls were all dancing in the living room and Julie was getting very very excited!
The ceremony at Lodge on Loch Lomond was lovely. The rain poured down but with the big windows in the wedding suite, it was bright and lovely and very warm!

Afterwards we headed down the road to the Pier at Luss. The bridal party came too so we had a bit of a giggle on the beach before getting some gorgeous shots of Iain and Julie on their own. I work fast anyway but because of the rain, we were super speedy and back in the Lodge before anyone noticed we had gone. Job done!

After some bubbly, we had amazing speeches; so funny and heartfelt too. Julie also got a surprise signed photo from Noel Edmonds which she loved! I got to have a wee rest during dinner and then there was some dancing!!! Julie and Iain had had some dancing lessons and it paid off! Everyone was wowed by their routine especially them - I don't think they could believe they pulled it off!

I loved being part of such a happy happy day and I hope they are enjoying a relaxing and glorious sun drenched honeymoon!

Fxxx