The Wedding of Andrea & Anthony in Southsea, Hampshire by Sam Carter Photography

Main website: www.samcarterphotography.com

On a bright and sunny Portsmouth morning, Andrea arrived at St Jude's Church in Southsea, Portsmouth, dressed in a beautiful ivory wedding gown. Her sisters, the bridesmaids, were dressed in lilac and all looked beautiful and so relaxed.

Andrea and Anthony are a couple that, as soon as you meet them, you know they are perfect for each other. There is a real ease between them, and their friendship and love for each other really shines through.

After the ceremony we headed off to the Southsea Rose gardens for some photographs of the two of them before moving on to the Queens hotel for the wedding breakfast.

It was a fabulous day and below are a few of the images from their wedding.

If you would like more information on our wedding photography services please visit our main website at www.samcarterphotography.com or email us on enquiries@samcarterphotography.com

The Wedding of Zoe & Ian at Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire by Sam Carter Photography

Main website: www.samcarterphotography.com

On 28th August 2010 I photographed the wedding of Zoe and Ian from Titchfield in Hampshire. They were the winners of a competition I ran back towards the beginning of the year to receive free wedding photography.

The ceremony took place at St John the Baptist Church in Titichfield and afterwards we travelled the short distance to Titchfield Abbey, a beautiful old abbey ruins, for some bride and groom shots.

Here a a few of the images from the day. If you would like more information on our photography services please visit our website at www.samcarterphotography.com or email us at enquiries@samcarterphotography.com.

Wedding Photography for Darren & Min in Weston Super Mare by Sam Carter Photography

Sam Carter Photography - fun and relaxed wedding photography throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire & West Sussex.

Main website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/

Early on the morning of 14th August I made my way through the drizzle from Hampshire to Weston Super-Mare in Somerset to photograph the wedding of Darren and Min. It was a really grey morning and it seemed like such a shame as they had chosen some wonderful outdoors locations for their photography which just couldn't be done in the pouring rain.

I needn't have worried though as the second we stepped out of the church the Sun shone and the temperature rose dramatically. It was the summer's day we'd all been hoping for. The church itself had no grounds so we made our way to nearby Grove Park to do shots of family and friends with Darren and Min. A little while later we then headed down to a quiet little beach rather aptly named 'Sandy Beach' for some bride and groom shots, before heading on to the reception.

If you would like more information on our wedding photography services take a look at our website at www.samcarterphotography.com.

Main website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/

Pre-Wedding Photography Shoot for Andrea & Tony at SouthSea Rose Garden by Wedding Photographer Sam Carter

Main Website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/


In true British Summer time tradition, the weather has been very changeable. It can be sunny in the morning and pouring with rain in the afternoon. Last Sunday I woke up to find it tipping down outside and my heart sank. I was due to photograph a pre-wedding shoot for a great couple, Andrea and Tony, that afternoon at the Southsea Rose Garden, but if this rain kept up we would have to re-think the shoot. Fortunately a few hours later the Sun burnt away the clouds and chased away the rain.

Southsea Rose Garden is a real hidden gem. tucked away along the sea front in Southsea near Portsmouth, it is housed in the remains of Lumps Fort which dates back to the 1860's. It is a sanctuary of peace and tranquility just metres from the popular Southsea sea front.

Andrea and Tony were a dream to photograph. They are very comfortable with each other in front of the camera and happy to play with the camera and have some fun. We took several shots around the rose garden and also in the Japanese garden next door. Here are a few of the images from the shoot.

If you would like more information on our photography services please take a look at our website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/ or email us at enquiries@samcarterphotography.com

Portrait & Wedding Photographer - A Dream Job

Main website: www.samcarterphotography.com

In a previous life my job involved sitting behind a desk, inside all year round, with all of the stress and grief which goes with such an environment, people I met used to ask me what I did for a living. I would tell them and then get all of the ' wow, that sounds so interesting' or 'you must really love your job' type comments. I would nod and agree not wishing to unload my lack of satisfaction and misery onto others but the truth was, I didn't like my job, even though I worked for an organisation which a lot of people would really like to work for. I was well paid and had security but something was missing. Flash forward to the present and now when people say 'wow that sounds interesting' or 'you must really love your job' I can say with all sincerity that I absolutely do love my job!

Being a photographer isn't easy or a walk in the park - its hard work, very hard work, but it is also a lot of fun. There is something very special about being asked to capture special moments in peoples lives. In essence you are being asked to help enhance peoples memories of events and occasions, to freeze time on a point in their lives, and that is a real honour.

When I carry out someones portrait photography my aim is to capture their spirit, personality, passion and soul in a wonderful image which they will be proud to show off to everyone they know. Its not just about getting someone to pose in a certain way, its about finding out about the person, what they like and don't like, what makes them tick, and then transferring that into their images so they get a portrait which is truly them.

Photographing a wedding is more than just capturing specific events during the day. When I photograph a wedding I am looking to also capture the emotion and atmosphere of the day, and the spirit and love between the bride and groom, the look of pride on the bride's Mum and Dad's faces when they see their little girl in her wedding dress, the look of anticipation on the groom's face while he is waiting for his bride to arrive, the first kiss, the first dance, the happiness, the emotion, the love....

I love taking the bride and groom off for a little while to get some images of just the two of them. This is usually the only time during the wedding day that they get to be alone, away from their guests and is a perfect opportunity to photograph the two of them together as the love and feeling for each other really shines through, capturing the little loving glances, the unsaid words, the secret smiles and the unique beauty and soul of their relationship. It is about capturing the love they have for each other and their bond and their happiness.

Being a photographer is hard work. But you get to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful occasions, be a part of the most important day of peoples lives, and that is a privilege.

If you would like more information about our portrait of wedding photography, please visit our website at www.samcarterphotography.com/

How to Get Over Your Camera Shyness in Time for Your Wedding

by Sam Carter Photography, portrait and wedding photographer in Hampshire, Surrey and surrounding areas.

Main website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/

Camera shyness is much more common than you'd think. So what do you do if you have your wedding coming up and want fantastic photographs of your day, but panic when you think of a camera being pointed at you? Well, we can't give you a cure but there are a few things you can do to help yourself to enjoy having your photograph taken.

Your Photographer Is There To Make You Look Your Best.

Most people who are camera shy think that they aren't photogenic, but remember, your photographer is there to make you look your absolute best in all the photographs they take of you. They aren't going to make you look awful or try to take an unflattering picture of you. Professional photographers know how to use posing, light and composition to make sure that you look fabulous in the photographs they take of you.

Looking At The Lens
A lot of people feel very uncomfortable looking directly at the camera lens. Try looking just slightly above the lens at the photographer's forehead. You'll feel a little more comfortable and it will still look as though you are looking directly at the camera in the photograph. Alternatively, let your photographer know that this makes you uncomfortable and they may suggest taking some photographs with you looking in directions other than at the camera itself.

Breathe!

Its a natural reaction when the human body is stressed for our breathing to change and become fast and shallow. If you find yourself tensing up and getting panicky when the camera is pointed at you, make a conscious effort to breathe deeply and slowly, you will be amazed at how quickly you start to feel more relaxed.

Practice.

Book a pre-wedding shoot with your photographer. While this may not seem like an obvious solution to camera shyness, it will give you the opportunity to see how your photographer works with you and get used to having the camera pointed at you and standing in the various poses that the photographer puts you in. Let your photographer know which poses and shots you felt most comfortable with and which you felt least comfortable with. This will help your photographer when it comes to your wedding day and also help you feel a little more at ease when it comes time for the photography on your special day. Think of it as a wedding photography dress rehearsal.

Talk To Your Photographer.

Most importantly, let your photographer know that you are camera shy at the time of booking. A good photographer will be able to take this into consideration and do all they can to help you feel relaxed in front of the camera so that they can get the best photographs of you that you will be proud to show off to your friends and family.

If you are getting married in 2010 or 2011 and are looking for a wedding photographer, call us on 07943 953009 or visit our website for details of our wedding photography services.

Sam Carter Photography Recommends' Part 2 - Wedding Reception Entertainment

by Sam Carter , Portrait and Wedding photographer in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex & surrounding areas.

Click here to visit our main website.

Choosing entertainment for your wedding can be very tricky. You want something that your guests are going to enjoy without being cheesy and making them feel awkward. Its also worthwhile keeping in mind the age ranges of your guests. For example, if you are inviting a lot of friends and family to your wedding who have children, those kids aren't going to find much interest in a live singer or musician. I went to a fantastic wedding once where there was a 'kids room' next to the main reception room where there was a kids disco and entertainers. Not only did this keep the kids occupied and happy but it gave their parents some peace and quiet to enjoy the reception. Smiles all round!

Very few people choose to go with the traditional disco DJ these days and opt instead for table magicians, live bands and even stand up comedians. When I got married I was looking for something a little different. Something that our guests would enjoy and remember, and that is why we booked Luisa Calvo. Luisa is a caricaturist who has carried out work for some very big names including Sir Trevour Macdonald, Richard Branson and Prince Phillip of Spain, and you can book her to do caricatures of you and your guests at your reception. Luisa's work is unobtrusive as she works her way around the room drawing the guests. Your guests have fun and enjoy the experience and comparing pictures (and don't worry ladies, Luisa is very flattering when drawing us girlies!). The caricatures are also a lovely little thank you gift from you to your guests for sharing your day. You can find more about Luisa's work on her website at http://www.wickedcaricatures.com/.

Ultimately your wedding day is your day and you should always choose the different aspects of your day that make you happy. You are (hopefully) only going to do this once and you want to make sure that the whole day is exactly as you want it, but if you are looking for something a little different, something unusual and fun, I highly recommend having a look at Luisa's website.

And don't forget, if you are getting married in 2010 or 2011 and are looking for a wedding photographer in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex or even further afield, call us now on 07943 953009 or visit our website at http://www.samcarterphotography.com/ for more details of our wedding photography.

'Sam Carter Photography Recommends' Part 1 - Your Wedding Rings

by Sam Carter Photography, Hampshire, Surrey and surrounding areas wedding photographer. Click here to visit our main website.

Planning Your Wedding.

When it comes to planning your wedding there is just so much to think about and plan and so many decisions to be made. If you do an Internet search on, for example, wedding cakes, you will be bombarded with literally thousands of websites and nobody has the time to scroll through each and every site trying to find the right supplier. So how do you find the right wedding suppliers for you? Over the next few weeks I am going to be sharing with you a few of the companies that I recommend to help make your wedding day perfect (no surprises who I recommend for the photography!).

The History Behind the Custom.

The origins of the wearing of a wedding ring begins back in ancient Egypt. The ring, being a circle and having no beginning and no ending, was a symbol of eternity to the Egyptians. Even the hole through which you put your finger had meaning. It symbolised a door or gateway leading to events unknown, and it is therefore not surprising that this symbol of eternity became common as a gift of love in the hope that the couple's union may take on the eternal characteristics of the ring.

The Egyptians wore the ring on the third finger of the left hand as it was believed that this finger contained a vein which lead straight to the heart so it was thought the most appropriate finger on which to put this symbol of love, and this tradition carries on today.

The Wedding Ring Workshop.

When it comes to choosing your own wedding ring, the designs are endless. Everyone looks for something unique, beautiful and meaningful to themselves and what could be more meaningful than making each others wedding ring? No, I'm not talking about a Blue Peter job with tin foil, I mean a real piece of jewellery, made of gold and hand made by you. Tucked away in Hatton Garden in London is a wonderful little place called the Wedding Ring Workshop. Here you can spend a day being guided by experienced ring makers through the process of making your rings, from melting the ingot of gold, through to milling, shaping, welding and polishing. Its a fantastic and fascinating day well spent and you will be amazed and proud of the beautiful rings you make. While you are making your rings they spoil you with Champagne and nibbles, and take you off for some lunch afterwards. Its a really fantastic experience and makes your wedding rings unique and so much more personal . Give their website a visit at http://www.weddingringworkshop.co.uk/

Wedding Photography.

And of course, don't forget to book your wedding photographer! Visit our website or contact us on 07943 953009 for details of our wedding photography. If you are getting married in 2011 contact us now for details of our early booking discounts.

Wedding Photography for Mark Batehup & Alisia Rust at The Alton House Hotel - by Sam Carter

Main Website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/

On 21st February I photographed the wedding of Mark and Alisia who got married at the Alton House Hotel in Hampshire.

Despite the poor weather Alisia looked serenely calm when she arrived with her Mum, who travelled all the way from South Africa, and the Matron of Honor, Holli.

The ceremony went smoothly and both Alisia and Mark had huge smiles on their faces all the way through.

After the ceremony the photography had to take place inside due to the poor weather. The majority of images were taken in the Hotel's 'Fountain Lounge' but we also moved to a beautiful staircase for a few images too.

Huge congratulations to Mark & Alisia and a big thank you to them both and their guests for being so welcoming.

If you would like details of our wedding photography services please contact us on 07943 953009 or visit our website at www.samcarterphotography.com

Wanted: Deserving Couple for Free Wedding Photography in Hampshire. Surrey or West Sussex - by Sam Carter Photography

Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex Wedding & Portrait Photographer, Sam Carter Photography. Specialising in wedding photography, portrait photography, special occasion & event photography. Wedding photographer, wedding photography in Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex.

Main website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/



Are you getting married this year or do you know a couple who are planning on tying the knot? We are looking for a deserving couple to receive an amazing offer of FREE wedding photography!



Maybe you know a couple who have been through some tough times recently, or who give a lot of their time to help a good cause. Maybe you are part of a couple planning on getting married and feel that you deserve a break. Whether its yourself, friends or family, if you know a couple who you feel deserve this extra special treat then let us know.


The couple who we feel are most deserving will receive wedding photography from bridal prep right through to the first dance absolutely free.


All you need to do is email us at enquiries@samcarterphotography.com with details of the couple you nominate and why you feel they deserve this offer. Include details of when and where they are getting married. We must receive you email by 15th March 2010 and the successful couple will be notified by 31st March. They must be getting married this year and in Hampshire, Surrey or West Sussex.

Make someones special day even more special and nominate them now.

Wedding Model Shoot at Prested Hall in Essex by Wedding Photographer Sam Carter

Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex Wedding & Portrait Photographer, Sam Carter Photography. Exceptional wedding photography, creative portrait photography. Wedding photography throughout Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex.

Main website: http://www.samcarterphotography.com/

On 5th February I took part in a wedding model shoot at Prested Hall in Essex. The models, Nezda and Anthony, braved the cold and we got some great shots. Fortunately the morning rain disappeared by the time we started the shoot and by late afternoon we had great light casting a warm glow over us.

If you are an up and coming model and would like to model for a photoshoot with us please contact us on 07943 953009 or email on enquiries@samcarterphotography.com.

If you are getting married this year contact us now to discuss your wedding photography. You could be eligible for an early booking discount!