Transatlantic Romance: Kat and John

John & I met back in Texas in 2008, working as camp counselors, at Camp Hoblitzelle. I had just returned from England and had done a show in his hometown. Having heard he was from Stockton, I was eager to tell him I had been there performing. Naturally, he didn’t believe me; thinking I meant “Scotland”. But after a few minutes of convincing, he finally believed me, and our love story began.

For the past three years, from the moment we met, we have spoken to each other every day. Whether it is in person, on skype, through letters and emails, or on the phone, John & I have found ways to always communicate. We have made it through volcanic ash, winter storms, and the end of LOST.

Growing up I would have NEVER imagined that I would be marrying an Englishman. As a young girl, I dreamed of my prince charming, but I never dreamed of him with an adorable accent! I look forward to, not just our wedding day, but to the day we sit on our porch watching our grandchildren play.

Kat, John and I spent a wonderful day in Durham a couple of weeks ago for their pre wedding shoot.   I was so excited for this one……. as soon as I met them I knew they’d be so much fun to photograph and I was right!

Kat and John, I feel like I’ve known you for years and I’m so honoured that you chose me to photograph your wedding.  Thank you so much for letting your hair down and allowing your amazing personalities to shine through in these photographs.    I wish I could pick you both up and keep you in my pocket.  You’re just so darn cute!!!

I cannot wait for your English/American wedding on the 16th, its going to ROCK!!!!! x

Kat’s awesome hairband is from Ban Do and every girl should have one ; )

Soon to be Mr and Mrs!!!!!

Jane Hornsby – New Collection Autumn 2011

A little welcome break from the norm here for me.  My sister Jane, owner and designer at Jane Hornsby, asked me to photograph her new collection a couple of weeks ago, some of which can be purchased now on her website www.janehornsby.com and some which will be launched at the Country Living Christmas Fair next week.  If you’re heading down there like me, Jane would love you to drop by and say hi!

A striking Pink Flower Silhouette cushion embroidered on cream linen union and piped in pink linen union. Button back opening on the reverse.

As above in black.

A stunning Love Cushion made with luxury Italian wool piped in cream linen. Beautiful Pearl beads and buttons hand stitched to make the word Love. Available in two colourways green or blue.

Jane has many years experience within the Interior Design industry.  Born from a necessity to produce individual and unique soft furnishings for her clients, Jane Hornsby’s designs were created.  From her studio in rural Northumberland, Jane uses beautiful luxurious fabrics when creating her designs, taking inspiration from her love of all things traditional, patriotic and quirky to design timeless pieces which are entirely individual.

Due to overwhelming demand the website was launched in 2008 and it has gone from strength to strength.  Jane’s designs feature in national newspapers, magazines and television.

A stunning Mr & Mrs Cushion on dark cream linen union and piped in off white linen union. Beautiful Pearl beads and buttons hand stitched to make the words Mr & Mrs. Button back opening on the reverse.

Gorgeous Little Bee, Ladybird and Swallow Cushions embroidered on cream linen union and piped. Button back opening on the reverse.

Appliqued Wool Hugs and Kisses cushions with pom pom trimming.  This gorgeous cushion is handmade with luxury Italian wool. Appliqued Hugs on a grey background with cream pom pom detail to either side.
If you would like to purchase any of these cushions now, please head to www.janehornsby.com   The perfect wedding gift or Christmas present!! x

Sarah and Aidan : Pre Wedding Shoot – Hebron

Aidan and I have been together for 8.5 amazing years. We first got together towards the end of sixth form, after Aidan took me on a romantic candlelit dinner to Blackfriars in Newcastle. I always joke he won me over because he ordered us a bottle of champagne setting the bar high right from the start – turns out it was a mistake as he couldn’t actually find the normal winelist but still wanted to impress! He neglected to say too that he doesn’t drink wine, so it was down to me to enjoy the whole bottle!

We fell for each other quite quickly (despite following dates being less extravagant!!) but shortly after we got together, Aidan had already planned to take a gap year with a couple of his friends, and I had a place at Manchester University. Everyone told us that long distance relationships never work, and we really weren’t sure what would happen, but when it came to it, we knew we had to give it a try. Living so far apart wasn’t easy, we both missed each other like crazy, but neither of us wanted to be without the other, we loved each other and took it all in our stride, we knew it would be temporary as Aidan would be going to Leeds University when he returned, only an hour away from Manchester!

After uni we moved in with each other and have lived together ever since. We’ve shared many amazing adventures over the years, travelling around Japan, Australia and Malaysia, kayaking in the Swedish wilderness (I think we were both surprised Aidan didn’t fall in, set fire to his socks and melt his shoes, as has happened on previous camping trips!!!) and we lived in Canada for a year, which we absolutely loved, and hope to move back to soon.

You may find this location for Sarah and Aidan’s pre wedding shoot very familiar and your thoughts would be right… I photographed Aidan’s sister’s pre wed and wedding here last year at their family home and was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their wedding too!   Its the most amazing setting with a carpet of cornflowers and even better a tipi tucked away in the corner!

Aidan and Sarah will say ‘I do’ a week tomorrow at Ellingham Hall and I can hardly wait.  First, see their cosy pre wed in the wonderful tipi (very deceptive, its huge inside!) all beautifully decorated and filled with goodies by Aidan’s mum and the  stunning field of cornflowers.  You couldn’t ask for a better place!!!

Aidan and Sarah thank you so much for asking me to photograph your wedding next weekend,  I honestly can’t wait, you are a joy to photograph x

I HAD to end on this one, I LOVE IT so much!! x

Amanda and Alex : Pre Wedding Shoot

Alex & I met in the summer of 2008 when I had a summer job in the University gym in Durham and he worked at the same place as a physiotherapist. He still claims to this day that I used to clean the mirrors in the gym far too much so that I could watch him working out without anyone noticing! (not true!) We actually only got together a few months later when we ‘bumped into each other’ in Osbornes. Must have been fate because I’d had a terrible week at work and as I drove home on Friday I saw him outside of the pub, so I got to my flat and immediately dragged my friend out to the pub with the hope that he hadn’t left the bar and of getting his number- and it worked!

I asked him what he loves about me, he said first my cooking (!) but I think we agreed on the fact that it’s because we are best friends, and appreciate all of the little things that we do for each other. Oh and he has kind eyes!

Amanda and Alex got married two weeks ago in Durham and boy did Amanda look stunning in her Leigh Hetherington dress!!  We met at a secret little location near Durham one beautiful evening for their pre wedding shoot.  Hope you’re having an amazing honeymoon in Italy as Mr and Mrs, huge congratulations.  Wedding photographs to follow soon x

Middleton Lodge : Alex and Sil

Its been a long time since I blogged a wedding, its that time of year again ‘WEDDING SEASON’.  So apologies for the lack of blogging!!  I have a great wedding for you today and I wish I could blog more of the photos.  Alex and Sil got married back in May at the wonderful Middleton Lodge near Richmond.  They really did have the most perfect day!

I asked them about Sil’s proposal and it melted my heart……..Having had a busy week at work Sil suggested we get out of London for the weekend and visit his parents. We arrived at their house late on Friday evening and, as usual, walked into the back garden to go in through the back door. However as I entered the garden I was overwhelmed by the sight of a sea of lights. As I looked closer I saw the path was lined with paper lanterns, the pond was full of floating candles and fairy lights were illuminating the trees. I was completely confused and asked Sil if his parents were having a party (which of course they weren’t). He then led me into the garden and got down on one knee to pop the question – to which my immediate answer was yes (of course!!!).  Obviously Sil’s parents were in on the surprise and I was so touched by all the effort they went to! Sil used a ‘fake’ ring to propose, he had picked out a ring but had been too scared to buy it in case I didn’t like it. We went to see the ring when we got back to London and the second I saw it I loved it! Sil often finds my indecisiveness a little bit annoying and I don’t think he could believe how quickly I said this was the ring and I didn’t need to look at any others.     

One very proud father escorting his daughter down the stairs to Sil…

Lesley, Alex’s mum, who I call a Fairy Godmother, was wedding planner and doer extraordinaire!  She made the bridesmaid dresses, the cake, all the stationary ( and mine too, THANK YOU LESLEY! ) probably a million other things I haven’t mentioned!

A Fun Fair And Romance With Georgie And Chris : Pt.2

Chris fell asleep in the bar during our first date!! we were just leaning in for a kiss and i thought it was all going so well, and then i realised he wasnt leaning in but more leaning on me as he dozed off (following a night shift) that was very nearly the end before it began!
I hate all things medical, whilst Chris is a GP, we are a very Strange combination and my friends and family found this absolutely hilarious. I even used to make him wash the doctors surgery smell off him when he first came home!!
On meeting Chris’s best friend for the first time, i over enthusiastically lunged for a hug tripping him up, resulting in both of us lying on the pavement, His friend on top me and my pants on full view. Cringe Cringe!
Here is part. 2 of Georgie and Chris’ beautiful pre wedding shoot.  I wanted to split the shoots up as one was very fun and vibrant and the other soft and romantic, just like Chris and Georgie!

Georgie and Chris are currently planning their incredible wedding which will be held later this summer and I can’t wait to photograph it!  In Georgie’s own words ” it will be filled with fun and laughter and then dancing our socks off in a marquee reception in Hebron Village.

It was a beautiful morning for a photo shoot and they looked fantastic as always! x

Georgie’s business, Chic-osity, has a special vintage wedding hire service, which is where all these pretty props came from.  “Weddings are expensive enough, without having to buy extra special props and nick naks to add the vintage touch and style. So we have developed a special vintage wedding product range available to hire.. from quirky props to have fun with during the photography to chic vintage touches to create your theme on the day, pick and choose from our collection.”  So visit Chic-osity if you’d like to use any of these props at your engagement shoot or wedding.

A Fun Fair And Romance With Georgie And Chris : Pt.1

I met Georgie a couple of years ago when I photographed her sister, Aimee’s, wedding.  So I was over the moon when Georgie got in touch to ask me to shoot her and Chris’ wedding this September.  I cannot wait for their wedding, this family really know how to do weddings !

Georgie and Chris’ paths have crossed many times – ” from school days, to university, both moving back to Newcastle at the same time and yet we never met! Until a few nights out with mutual friends we were introduced and i complimented Chris for his ‘lovely shoes!’ It was a year later that our paths  crossed again and we bumped into each other in a bar, after a few too many drinks on a boys golfing night out, Chris staggered over to me, eyes dancing all over the place and asked me if i’d like to go out for a drink.. we still argue to this day whether the drink was an ‘official date’!”

What first attracted you to each other…….
Georgie- His lovely shoes! hee hee just joking, his warm friendly smile, twinkely kind eyes and fun sense of humour- always up to mischief!
Chris – her pretty face and beautiful eyes mixed with her bouncy fun loving nature.

Chris hits the nail on the head not just for Georgie but for them both.  You are a fun loving couple which totally shines through in the photographs and a complete joy to photograph x

We decided on two locations for their pre wedding shoot – The Hoppings fun fair on the Town  Moor in Newcastle and Exhibition Park just round the corner from the fair.  They’re two very different shoots but I equally love both, so wanted to split them as I didn’t feel either should sit at the bottom of a post.  So here is part one : )

Skye and Neill’s pre wedding shoot with Manor

Neill and I first met in September 2006 through mutual friends on a night out in Newcastle. It is safe to say that introductions were far from conventional. Before a word was said (or I’d even seen his face) he put his finger inside my belly button, ran it down to a recent keyhole scar and proceeded to tell me how amazing it was that I had (what he named) an extra belly button!

Any insecurities I had post op were instantly demolished by Neill’s ability to turn a bad situation to good. Knowing this characteristic from the very moment we met made me feel very comfortable with him very quickly. It wasn’t long after that night we became a pair, dubbing each other “husband” and “wife”.

Neill decided to turn these nicknames into reality in august last year, when he proposed to me after my brother’s wedding in Las Vegas. The whole proposal was set up 6 months earlier when Neill went on a short break to Vegas with his now best man, and I thought he was up to mischief. I still say he was, but obviously the right kind of mischief. How did I not see this coming?

So our wedding bells are in the air, and we are ready for this beautiful journey.
This is my great adventure with Neill, and I’m enjoying every minute of the good, the down right daft and the love love love. Apparently that’s all you need.

Skye and Neill, you are the loveliest, most thoughtful, kind couple.  Skye, you’re beautiful inside and out….. you now have me addicted to biscuits ; )  My waistline is expanding, eek!  I’m so excited for your wedding!  x

This charm believe it or not was a present from Tiffanys in Vegas, posted to Skye when they returned from their visit and Neill’s proposal in their store!  Skye ♡s  Tiffanys

Meet Martha

My friends Helen and Will have just got their new kitten Martha and I couldn’t help but pop over to take some photographs of her, she’s so tiny and such a beautiful colour.  I really wanted to do this for them because when we got our cocker spaniel, Daisy, a year ago I took some pictures of her on her first day at home, I look at them now and I honestly just can’t remember her being that size she grew so quickly.  So I’m really pleased I have those photos to treasure of her as a little puppy.  She’s now a crazed teenager (that’s in dog to human years, apparently)!

If you’d like a portrait shoot of your family pet, please get in touch.

Here are a few of Daisy, one on her very first day at home and some more recent ones.  Daisy your NUTS but we love you! x

So a Mammoth’s marrying her Acorn! ; )

Hum Michael and I……

We met on line and after about 2 months of trying to arrange a date we met in Popolo’s in Newcastle, we instantly hit it off and I knew he was a keeper as later that night we sat down to watch Kung Fu Panda with peanut butter on toast!

Since we met in June 2009 we have both had a tough time, Michael lost his best friend to cancer, I got diagnosed with MS and my stepdad was diagnosed with and died from cancer. This rough ride has definalty proven to both Michael and I that we can get through what ever life throws at us and I know the quality we both appreciate most in each other is that we make one and other laugh….(as you may have noticed when photographing us!!)

We are a good example of miss match, I work in fashion, Michael has zero dress sense!! He works in music and I can only be described as beyond tone deaf! I could NEVER be described as a morning person, Michael on the other hand bounces out of bed every morning. I’m never late Michael’s never on time, dispite all of these little differences we have the same out look on life to enjoy every day and keep your family and friends close no matter how far away they are.

My very clever 2 year old niece Martha who gives every family member a role from “ICE AGE” recently observed, Polly you are Ellie (The Girl mammoth, Cheers for that Marf!) “What can Michael be Martha”…… “Michael’s the Acorn, because he’s got NO HAIR!”
So a Mammoth’s marrying her Acorn and they happen to be very best friends!

I’m so excited to be photographing Polly and Michael’s wedding in July at Alnwick Gardens.  They are such a perfect match and this jumps out from their pre wedding images.  They are constantly laughing at each other and such a wonderful couple to photograph!

You make my job easy Polly and Michael and I cannot wait to see your faces on your wedding day, you’ll be beaming from one ear to the other!!! x

These shots were taken on a beautiful spring evening in Tynemouth.  How perfect is the light!!