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.

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

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.

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!