My Big French Blogged Wedding


Today I was pleased to learn a wedding I shot (this year) in Largs, Scotland and nearby Kelburn Castle is featured on a french language wedding blog.

Here's a link to the blog ... link

Pre Wedding Shoots

What Are They?

I didn't invent the "prewedding shoot" (if you wikipedia "Kim Mason" you'll see I haven't invented anything) nor am I the only wedding photographer offering the "pre-wedding shoot" (but as you can see I'm a wedding photographer who doesn't know how to spell/format the phrase "pre wedding shoot"). These shoots have been round for years so it's surprising to meet so many wedding couples who have no idea what they are.

The pre wedding shoot is a few hours (outdoors) of me taking relaxed/informal photographs of you and your partner. I normally use Pollok Park, Glasgow and it's an opportunity for the three of us to get to know each other. It helps to build an important familiarity between couple and photographer which in turn aids my (natural) approach wedding photography. Afterwards I produce a dvd slideshow of the shoot for you to keep. So you get some great photographs of the two of you; something not many couples already have.

I offer the pre wedding shoot inclusive of my wedding photography service.

Here's a few example images from past pre wedding shoots :

Reprint Orders 2009

Christmas Cut-off Date : Monday December 14th


Please note : This year's cut-off date for Reprint Orders will be Monday 14th December. After December 14th I can not guarantee delivery before Christmas 2009.

Thank you.

Wedding Albums 2009

Christmas Cut-off Date : November 1st




ONE week left to get your album choices in. After November 1st I can not guarantee delivery of your album before Christmas. Come on pull your fingers out; I know where you live!

Wedding Albums 2009

Christmas Cut-off Date : November 1st




ONLY two weeks left to get your album choices in. After November 1st I can't guarantee delivery of your album before Christmas.

Wedding Albums 2009

Christmas Cut-off Date : November 1st




ONLY three weeks left to get your album choices in and the design signed off. After November 1st I can't guarantee delivery of your album before Christmas.

Real Life Weddings Magazine

Featured Wedding #2

The lovely people at Real Life Wedding Magazine are featuring another of my weddings in their forthcoming Winter 2009 edition.

The wedding took place just outside Aberdeen, Scotland, in April 2009. The ceremony was held at Skene Castle and the wedding reception at Fyvie Castle. The Bride and Groom came over from New York for the wedding. The Groom (Douglas Rohrer) is proud of his Scottish roots, and has historical links with Skene Castle and the Skene Clan. The Bride (Mary Fontamillas) wore a fantastic couture wedding gown; made for her by Yves Saint Lauren in Paris.

The magazine is out next week but you can read the article on line by clicking this link Real Life Wedding Magazine Article

Scotland Wedding Venues : Glasgow

The Piping Centre

Sunday's wedding was held at the University of Glasgow Chapel with the reception and evening entertainment at The National Piping Centre, Glasgow.

So why do I mention this?

Well I've photographed weddings at the University Chapel many times but this was my first wedding visit to the Piping Centre. Occasionally I visit places and come away impressed by either the catering, staff, venue or service. But The Piping Centre (with its own auditorium & stage, hotel and bar) ticked all the boxes. Next time I take in a show I'll be heading for the warm welcome and friendly ambiance at The Piping Centre for my pre-Theatre and post-Theatre drinks.

30 - 34 McPhater Street
Glasgow
G4 0HW
Scotland

0141 353 5556

Scotland Wedding Venues : Moorpark House

Last Thursday I photographed a fabulous wedding at the equally fabulous Moorpark House Hotel. Moorpark House is situated just outside Glasgow in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland. The House has been restored by the current owner Graham Conrathe and is a stunning venue. Here's the outside :



The weather was incredible and I'm looking forward to returning soon. Here's a couple more images from the day.

My Wedding Photography

1983 - 2009 : What's Changed?

I receive emails asking about my style of wedding photography and how I got started. In general I avoid these questions because (in all honesty) if I was any good with words I'd be a writer and not a photographer.

Recently, however, ("however" on this occasion means I am going to talk about my work) I was going through some old images and was struck by how much my work had hardly altered since I took my first wedding photographs in 1983.

Here's an example. This image was taken in 1983 :

This is from a wedding in 2006 :


and this was taken in May 2009 :


I include the wedding couple in the 2006 & 2009 images but essentially it's the same photograph.


Here's another example. The 1983 image first:


this is from a wedding in 2008 :


And now one from 2009 :


Again it's the same shot.

The only thing that's changed is I now use wider angle lenses. I still have the same approach and I still use 35mm cameras (although now it's digital). I guess you could say still the same stills (groan).

And the reason my wedding photography is more or less the same is because my attitude has not changed since 1983; I tell the story of the day, leave events to unfold naturally and (also) capture what is happening around the day's main characters.

My wedding photography style came about by pure chance. The groom in the 1983 wedding (a keen photographer himself) wanted "candid-type" images in addition to traditional wedding photographs and asked me if I would take them. It really was as simple as that.

The final image is me at work in '83. I no longer have the "tank-metal" built Pentax SLR (alas) but I do still have the suit (alas).



Thanks for looking.

New Music

The music currently playing on my website is the old standard "September in the Rain" sung by the incredibly talented Glasgow saxophonist/singer Lucy Kerr.

I photographed Lucy today at the stylish restaurant/bar West on Glasgow Green. Her effortless Jazz is amazing. She was accompanied on piano by the exceptional Euan Stevenson. Both Lucy and Euan are available for weddings; together or on their own.

This is my favourite image from this afternoon. Lucy was putting her sax back on the stand when I noticed her reflection in the piano just in front of her.

Home Coming Scotland 2009

This is the year of Home Coming Scotland 2009 and as the wedding season gets into full swing I want to send my best wishes to everyone coming back home to Scotland for their wedding. A high portion of my wedding bookings are from brides and grooms who no longer live in Scotland and I know how special it is for them to come back home for their wedding. Well this year (being the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns) will be that bit more special.

We Are Moving

Next Monday, March 1st 2009, we'll be moving to a new location. At the moment I do not have the new telephone number so please use my mobile number (07899 804600). I'll post the new landline number on my website just as soon as we are connected.

We are moving back towards Glasgow. This is an exciting new development and I hope the location will be more accessible to more of my clients. My photography tuition continues to grow in popularity and after the move I will be holding courses in the conference facilities over in the xScape complex at Braehead. More details to follow.

I will be continuing with the ever popular pre wedding shoots and will be holding these in Pollok Park and the Glasgow Science Centre. These are shoot locations I used several years ago, so it will be good to revisit them.

Speak soon.

Bliadhna Mhath Ur : Happy New Year

Wedding Venues in Scotland

I'd like to wish you all a prosperous 2009 and thank all my 2008 customers for their support.

I also want to mention a few Scotland wedding venues I enjoyed photographing at in 2008. If you're looking for a Scottish wedding venue I'd recommend any one of them.

House for an Art Lover (Glasgow)
Keavil House (Fife)
Glenskirlie House (Banknock, Stirlingshire)
Glasgow University Chapel
Cameron House (Loch Lomond)
Dalhousie Castle (Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh)
Lochside House Hotel (Ayrshire)
Mar Hall (Bishopton, Renfrewshire)
Minard Castle (Loch Fyne, Argyll)
Blairquhan Castle (Ayrshire)
Hopetoun House (South Queensferry, Edinburgh)
Oxenfoord Castle (Pathhead, Midlothian)
Atholl Palace (Pitlochry, Perthshire)
Fortingall Hotel (Aberfeldy, Perthshire)
Ross Priory (Loch Lomond)
Roman Camp (Calander, Perthshire)
Ardanaiseig Hotel (Loch Awe, Argyll)

Portrait Work Changes

I spent the whole of the summer (summer what summer?!) wrestling with a problem regarding my portrait work.

The photography workshops I started this year have been very successful and very enjoyable. However, I underestimated their success and I need to find more time to dedicate to this side of my business. Something has to give and that something, I'm afraid, is my portrait photography.

As of today (oh crikey I sound like Ringo Starr) I'm only accepting portrait commissions from wedding clients (past, present and future brides and grooms), existing portrait customers and students from my photography courses. If you are looking for a portrait photographer and you're outwith these groups please consider one of these two superb portrait photographers. Both are based in Glasgow, Scotland :

Ken Sharp at kensharp.com
Deirdre Hannon at nofussphotography.co.uk


Talking of photography tuition....next year I'm introducing Portrait and Wedding Photography mentoring. This will include 3 full days of 1-2-1 tuition, the opportunity to second shoot with me at 2 weddings and 1 years telephone/email support. There will be a limit of 4 places a year and the cost will be £1,250. If you're interested please get in touch for more details.

Peace and Luv, Peace and Luv

updated 26/11/2008
One mentoring place has been taken for next year; there are now 3 remaining.

Boudoir Photography & Trash The Dress


Pre wedding Boudoir Photography (aka "For Your Eyes Only" aka "fyeo") and post wedding Trash The Dress Sessions are big over there (the US) and becoming bigger over here (the UK).

I don't promote Boudoir Photography because I believe brides (and grooms I guess) are more comfortable using female photographers for their boudoir images. So when I get enquiries for Boudoir Photography I always recommend Beautifully Boudoir based on Maryhill Road, Glasgow, Scotland. They are a two girl team and I've heard (from my own clients) only excellent things.

BB's telephone numbers are : 0789 1166 398/ 0781 8484 205


Trash The Dress is something I do; well it's something I photograph anyway. Don't worry we don't actually trash the dress. It's more a case of photographing (post wedding) the Bride, wearing her wedding dress, in unusual locations. If you are interested please give me a call.

Real Life Weddings Magazine

Featured Wedding

I started this blog to push Photography and all things Scottish in the world of Photography; not as an excuse for self promotion. However...(oh dear here comes a shameless plug) those terribly nice people over at the Real Life Weddings magazine in Glasgow are featuring one of my weddings (from last year) in their forthcoming Winter edition. The wedding took place at the amazing Corsewall Lighthouse (near Stranraer, Scotland). The groom was the very talented Michael Hines; the bride was the lovely Lisa Ambrosini.

The magazine is due out in October. I'll let you know the date when I have it.

Photography : Wedding Photographers

As a Scotland based photographer I photograph weddings all over the UK. However I realise some couples would rather use a photographer more local to where they live or local to where they are getting married. So I'd like to recommend a couple of fantastic wedding photographers in England.

Jill Thorning-Jensen : North of England

Jill is a wonderful wedding and portrait photographer who specialises in family and children photography. She's based in Nantwich and is ideal if you're looking for a photographer in Cheshire, the Midlands, Yorkshire, North West and North East of England.

Jill's website is www.jtjphoto.co.uk

Graham Nixon : South of England

Graham is based in Farnborough. He's a very talented wedding and portrait photographer, and the South of England (e.g. Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and London) is on his doorstep.

Graham's website is www.grahamnixon.com

VOWS Awards : Win a Second Honeymoon

The Vows Awards (Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier) are awarded to Scottish wedding companies which offer excellent service. These awards are highly prized by suppliers because winners are nominated by the people that really matter. Brides and Grooms.

So if your wedding was/is between 21st September 2007 and 20th September 2008 and you would like the chance to win a second Honeymoon (don't worry your photographer doesn't go with you) simply nominate four Scotland based wedding suppliers. Here's the link.

Click the logo to visit their website
Closing date 20th September, 2008

Personal : Wedding Images

These days I decline invitations to join the wedding party for the meal. Instead I use this "wind-down" time by addng to my personal portfollio of images.

Here's some from recent weddings :

Taken in Glasgow's West End near to the unique wedding venue Oran Mor


The entrance hall ceiling at the fabulous Blairquhan Castle, Ayrshire.

Flower by a window at Cameron House, Loch Lomond

Shot with a macro lens outside during a wedding at Mar Hall, Bishopton, nr Glasgow



Thanks for looking.