Toni Creative is the hair and make-up talent behind our bridal fashion shoots and we work together on weddings too. So it was really interesting to work on a brief from Toni for some of her own work – a hair collection for entry into Colour Zoom 2011, a major global competition run by hair product company Goldwell. The photos were under wraps until the judging had taken place and the winners announced, and then things got really busy here in the peak of summer wedding season, so we’re only just able to share.

The 2011 theme for the competition was ‘Play Strong’. We had to work to a very strict creative brief and within very specific competition guidelines but had lots of fun. We created a set of equestrian inspired images and Toni chose the one above for us to retouch to the highest standards. That meant every stray hair being removed, curves smoothed, eye shadow blended, lipstick built up, eyebrows tidied etc etc… it took hours. And after what seemed like an eternity we heard she won UK Finalist in the Partner category. Go Toni!

We shot a variety of images using different outfits and props. The finished image had to be all about the hair but there’s no reason you can’t have a bit of fun time when all the work is done! Here’s a couple of other favourites processed with a slightly different look (but not to within an inch of their life!) …

We’re busy planning with Toni now for her 2012 entry. The theme is ‘fascinature’ – think surreal shapes and vibrant colours that clash naturally in the wild. Wish us luck!

2011 has been our busiest year yet. We were a bit scared at the beginning. But you know what? We did it. And then some. And we made some lovely memories along the way.

I’d like to say a really big (you know, the monster kind) thank you to my team, my family, personal friends and industry friends (who are often both); as well as our facebook likers, twitter followers and blog commenters; who have continually supported and inspired us. You know who you are. Thank you!

Thank you also to all our wonderful and most gorgeous clients who chose us for their wedding photography. For trusting us to do our thing. And for being so flippin’ wonderful to work with. It’s such an honour to photograph a wedding. And there are no words to describe how much that means.

I can’t help but feel a little sad to leave another year behind. I’m closer to being another year older in January for one thing! Seriously though, we’ve had some great times.

But we’re excited about the year ahead too. There are some fabulous weddings in the making which we’re really looking forward to photographing.

There are no resolutions here. But we certainly have a long list of plans for 2012. Some big, some small. All exciting.

And on behalf of team Sarah, we hope 2012 brings everything that you wish for.

Peace. Love. Happiness. And all that jazz.

Bonne Année  xx

Well, it’s nearly here. The food shopping is done. The presents are wrapped. The traditional (in our house) Christmas Eve curry has been ordered and Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part II is lined up ready to play.

So all that’s left is for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from everyone at Sarah Vivienne Photography. May it be full of glitter and fabulousness. And maybe some sparkly rings for a few lucky couples :)

Joyeux Noël xx

Last week I scored a hat trick and was named Wedding Photographer of the Year (Licentiate category) by the East Midlands MPA for the third year running. Woohoo!

I also received two Awards of Excellence (a sort of second place) and four Merits (there can be any number of those, but usually no more than two or three) across the wedding, portrait and fashion categories.

Here’s the winning photograph and a bit about how I created it (and you can see the rest of my winning photos on my facebook fanpage):

This portrait of Danielle, one of a series, was taken in just a couple of minutes before her marriage to Will, at Ettington Park in January this year.

As soon as I entered the hotel room to photograph the preparations I knew I wanted to use this particular corner for Danielle’s portraits as the light was lovely.  There was originally a table pushed into the corner which the hair and make-up artist was using, so as soon as she had finished and whilst Danielle was starting to get into her dress (of which I only photograph the latter stages) I moved the table and a few other distractions to make a clean, neutral space that would work for a bridal portrait. So the space was set to go as soon as Danielle was ready, meaning that I could bring her straight in and get the shots quickly.

The wedding was in January and even though this was taken in the middle of the day it was quite dark. It would have been easy to blast my flash at the picture but I wanted to work with the direction of the natural light to sculpt and highlight Danielle’s cheekbones and to give depth to the pleats on the front of her gown. Using natural light means I can work more quickly too; I was very conscious that the Registrars would be expecitng Danielle at any moment. So I pushed my camera’s limits to make this picture. But there is still great quality. Nice job Nikon!

This was the first time I had photographed Danielle (no time for a pre-wedding shoot as the wedding was booked so close to the date). So added to the nerves of getting married in a few short moments, she was really nervous about being photographed. I could see her physically stiffen as soon as I asked if she was ready for a few portraits. So I asked Danielle to lean gently against the wall. A leaning or sitting pose is good to help you relax. That way you’re not just standing on your own in the middle of the room feeling vulnerable. Including the wall also brought some interest to the compostion of the photograph. I placed Danielle to the extreme left of the photo in a simple pose and left lots of negative space to the right so that I could include part of the radiator and the picture frame which add context and show something of the setting as well as give a more contemporary feel to what would otherwise be a very traditional portrait.

I would usually do bridal portraits somewhere private but it wasn’t possible this time and as I started to direct Danielle into the pose a crowd of onlookers grew: Danielle’s parents, three Bridesmaids, two Page Boys, the make-up artist and a friend. And whilst the room wasn’t the smallest I’ve worked in, it wasn’t spacious with all those people in either. I could see that the well-intentioned comments of support were distracting Danielle from the photograph (as well as me) and making her more nervous so I had to quickly but delicately dissipate that so that I could get Danielle’s full attention for the best possible photograph in the couple of minutes that we had.

Could it be improved? For sure. If the carpet had been nicer I would have liked a full length to show all of the dress. Given more time I would have tried using a reflector to lessen the shadow cast by the radiator which bugs me a bit. And I might have tried a few variations on the pose. But for me the picture sums up the approach that I always take: prepare ahead and make the best of the situation in front of you.

In first place: Copse Hill Road in Lower Slaughter. Doesn’t sound very romantic but it’s beautiful! It’s a quintessentially English village in the Cotswolds with traditional sandstone cottages and a bubbling stream running through. 2009 wedding clients Katherine and Ian chose to stop off there for their Bride & Groom portraits.

Ranking third: The Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the home of  2010 wedding clients Nick and Victoria, who chose to have their pre-wedding portrait shoot along the Royal Mile to mark their bond with Edinburgh. I loved the hustle and bustle, cobbled alleys and tartan clad window displays.

And the High Street in Lavenham: Lined with 15th century half-timbered crooked houses and perfectly manicured gardens it reminded me of a child’s picture book. James and Julia had their wedding at The Swan in Lavenham last year and we spent some time creating their couple photographs along the high street itself.

I’ve always been led by how and what I see rather than the technical stuff. Indeed that’s the way I came into photography. I’ve always seen the world in pictures but then learnt how to use an SLR to actually be able to create those pictures. And not being the most technically minded person (hubs will testify to that!) I’ve been a little scared of using flash in any way other than on top of my camera, with one setting that I knew worked every single time. I suppose that’s not a bad thing because being able to guarantee that a picture will work is important as a wedding photographer. But now that I’m doing more and more bridal fashion photography the time has come where I want to add another dimension to what I can offer.

So last week I went on a workshop to learn more about using flash: off-camera, creatively, and triggered wirelessly. This gives a completely different look to blasting the flash directly from the top of the camera. And creates the directional lighting style with lots of contrast that I really love. You’ll regularly see me use window light to create a strong look in a picture, but now I want to up the stakes and be able to create an even bigger level of drama, at any location.

Here are a few shots from the day…

I often find at weddings there’s someone that keeps spotting me and looking at the camera, despite my best sniper efforts to capture them unaware of me. Today it was the guest of honour – Rory!

The service was just lovely, surrounded by family and friends.

And then everyone headed to the local town hall for some lunch and of course, bubbles …

The cake cutting was probably my favourite moment of the day. As soon as he was close enough to reach, Rory leaned straight over and pick up a piece of the cake that had just been cut. It was the best bit too: the corner with all the icing! Rory is one clever little boy!

♥ Venue: Towcester Town Hall
♥ Catering: Towcester Tea Rooms
♥ Cake: The Cake Shop, Banbury

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you all get thoroughly spoiled and have a fabulous time celebrating xx

Usually a windy day = a bad hair day. And stray hairs are a nightmare to retouch! But you wouldn’t get wedding photographs like this without a good gust. And of course a photographer with quick reactions and a good sense of timing ;)

Got to love a long veil ♥ And kirby grips!

To mark Chinese New Year I’ve been back through previous wedding photographs to find a few Chinese traditions and ideas to share.

A lion dance

Chinese celebrations often include a traditional lion dance to bring good luck. If you’re after something to bring high energy, colour and wow factor to your reception this would have to be it.

The dancers move to the loud beat of a drum, cymbals and a gong. On the head of the lion is a mirror to frighten away evil spirits with their own reflections. As the lion moves from place to place he looks for green vegetables, often lettuce, which has money hidden inside the leaves. The lion eats the whole thing and then scatters the leaves to symbolise a new start and the spreading of good luck.

Double Happiness

The Chinese character, Double Happiness, is often seen at weddings. It represents love, happiness and luck.

Origami cranes

Origami was invented in China around 100AD when paper was a luxury item. It was particularly special for love letters and considered a very secure way of sending a message, because the folding is so intricate it would be obvious if someone had tried to open and refold it.

It’s a folded crane, a symbol of honour and loyalty, that is most commonly seen at weddings. The crane mates for life and is extremely loyal to its partner.

Kelmarsh Hall’s Chinese Room

The 300 year old hand-painted wallpaper in Kelmarsh Hall’s Chinese Room makes a dramatic and beautiful backdrop for wedding photographs.

新年快乐