After over two years with this current blog, I am pleased to announce that I have just launched my brand new Blog today.
There has been an enormous amount of work going on in the background for a few weeks and to be perfectly honest there is a lot of unpublished stuff being tweaked before it goes live, but we have decided to bite the bullet and publish the first post today!
This blog will still continue but will focus primarily on non-wedding and portrait work as well as personal images and i hope to add articles regularly so please keep checking back.
To view the new place to read about my current work and see all the latest weddings and images please click here.
Please feel free to add any comments either here or at the new place.
Showing posts with label Brides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brides. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Monday, 23 April 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Some Very Kind Words
It always great to hear that your clients are happy with the images and service that you have produced for them.
For me, being asked to photograph a couple's wedding day is always an honour and a privilege and it is always my aim to produce something special for every couple. Photographing weddings has been my passion for the past 16 years and long may the buzz continue.
Over the past few days i have received these three messages after photographing Corrinne and Tom's lovely wedding at Crockstead Farm Hotel in March.
I really enjoyed being their photographer, where i photographed their ceremony outside by the lake in what was unseasonably warm and sunny day!
I thought i would share the very kind words with you.
Hi Peter - they are brilliant, thank you so much! There are some truly beautiful pictures in there - we couldn't be happier
And a million thank you's again xx
Corrinne
Hi Peter! hope you're well.
The pictures are incredible, thank you so much.
Couldn't be better.
Tom.
Hi Peter. Just seen your fabulous photos of Tom and Corrinne's wedding. You have really captured the day. Beautiful colours, and relaxed atmosphere, all in all a perfect day! Thank you so much
Yana xxxx
(Mother of the Groom)
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
For me, being asked to photograph a couple's wedding day is always an honour and a privilege and it is always my aim to produce something special for every couple. Photographing weddings has been my passion for the past 16 years and long may the buzz continue.
Over the past few days i have received these three messages after photographing Corrinne and Tom's lovely wedding at Crockstead Farm Hotel in March.
I really enjoyed being their photographer, where i photographed their ceremony outside by the lake in what was unseasonably warm and sunny day!
I thought i would share the very kind words with you.
Hi Peter - they are brilliant, thank you so much! There are some truly beautiful pictures in there - we couldn't be happier
And a million thank you's again xx
Corrinne
Hi Peter! hope you're well.
The pictures are incredible, thank you so much.
Couldn't be better.
Tom.
Hi Peter. Just seen your fabulous photos of Tom and Corrinne's wedding. You have really captured the day. Beautiful colours, and relaxed atmosphere, all in all a perfect day! Thank you so much
Yana xxxx
(Mother of the Groom)
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Wedding Photography Standards: A Call to Action for the Professional Photography Bodies
After seeing another "Wedding Photography Horror Story" in the news again this week, i can see a huge PR and public education opportunity for the so called Professional Bodies of the photography world.
The story i read via the Daily Mail's website has been printed elsewhere and even featured on the BBC News! As i see it, the adverse publicity and the very sad tales of woe we read and hear about all the time offer the so called "Professional Bodies" the perfect PR opportunity to help educate the public, other wedding suppliers, venues and of course the photographers themselves. If the MPA, BIPP etc really had the best interests of the profession and their memberships at heart, they would be constantly shouting the message about why you should use a genuine profession over an untrained or inexperienced "Saturday Cowboy" who is just out there to make a few quid ono a weekend.
Now i know it is a real minefield out there for couples selecting their photographer for the biggest day in their lives and i also appreciate that times are tough for us all, but in my very honest opinion the biggest problem is the messages being given off by photographers themselves. A bit of digging has revealed what i guessed to be the very sad truth within the ranks of the wedding photography world.
These days, it seems desperation has set in amongst wedding photographers and not this is no only aimed at the newer ones either. I have seen countless adverts and websites where basically, in the mad scramble to book any wedding in what is a vastly over saturated profession, folks are charging extremely unrealistically low prices and giving away everything including the kitchen sink.
I have been asking myself why this is and wondering why they are happy to operate at a real world loss.
I think i answered my first question by saying "it seems desperation has set in". For many it is a sad fact that they are desperate to generate any income regardless of what it is doing to their business in the short, medium and long term.
The answer to the second question is slightly more contentious. There are a number of reasons as to why the giveaway prices may be offered. This could mean they are working illegally by not declaring earnings for income tax, NI etc, probably working uninsured and or may be working without adequate back ups, equipment etc. However if they don't meet these criteria for being able to offer crazily low prices they are in fact probably on the short steep road to going under.
The story in the Daily Mail is unfortunate and sad for the couple BUT with the correct education from the professional photography world, they would have realised that if you pay peanuts you tend to get monkeys. I appreciate that £750 is a lot of money in the normal world to anyone but if a photographer is charging a properly priced rate, based on paying taxes, having insurance, having the right training and kit and then actually making a profit, then this figure is totally unrealistic unless they have another major income stream to support them.
Right back to the original purpose of this post; a CALL TO ACTION for the professional organisations; going by past experience over a 16 year career, my feeling is that they won't seize the opportunity to promote true professions to the public yet again. I find this very frustrating and this is one of the reasons why i sadly and reluctantly resigned my last membership of one of these bodies in March.
Maybe if they pooled their resources and worked together rather than worrying about their own little political games against each other, they might actually be able to offer a real benefit to photographers and the public alike.
The story i read via the Daily Mail's website has been printed elsewhere and even featured on the BBC News! As i see it, the adverse publicity and the very sad tales of woe we read and hear about all the time offer the so called "Professional Bodies" the perfect PR opportunity to help educate the public, other wedding suppliers, venues and of course the photographers themselves. If the MPA, BIPP etc really had the best interests of the profession and their memberships at heart, they would be constantly shouting the message about why you should use a genuine profession over an untrained or inexperienced "Saturday Cowboy" who is just out there to make a few quid ono a weekend.
Now i know it is a real minefield out there for couples selecting their photographer for the biggest day in their lives and i also appreciate that times are tough for us all, but in my very honest opinion the biggest problem is the messages being given off by photographers themselves. A bit of digging has revealed what i guessed to be the very sad truth within the ranks of the wedding photography world.
These days, it seems desperation has set in amongst wedding photographers and not this is no only aimed at the newer ones either. I have seen countless adverts and websites where basically, in the mad scramble to book any wedding in what is a vastly over saturated profession, folks are charging extremely unrealistically low prices and giving away everything including the kitchen sink.
I have been asking myself why this is and wondering why they are happy to operate at a real world loss.
I think i answered my first question by saying "it seems desperation has set in". For many it is a sad fact that they are desperate to generate any income regardless of what it is doing to their business in the short, medium and long term.
The answer to the second question is slightly more contentious. There are a number of reasons as to why the giveaway prices may be offered. This could mean they are working illegally by not declaring earnings for income tax, NI etc, probably working uninsured and or may be working without adequate back ups, equipment etc. However if they don't meet these criteria for being able to offer crazily low prices they are in fact probably on the short steep road to going under.
The story in the Daily Mail is unfortunate and sad for the couple BUT with the correct education from the professional photography world, they would have realised that if you pay peanuts you tend to get monkeys. I appreciate that £750 is a lot of money in the normal world to anyone but if a photographer is charging a properly priced rate, based on paying taxes, having insurance, having the right training and kit and then actually making a profit, then this figure is totally unrealistic unless they have another major income stream to support them.
Right back to the original purpose of this post; a CALL TO ACTION for the professional organisations; going by past experience over a 16 year career, my feeling is that they won't seize the opportunity to promote true professions to the public yet again. I find this very frustrating and this is one of the reasons why i sadly and reluctantly resigned my last membership of one of these bodies in March.
Maybe if they pooled their resources and worked together rather than worrying about their own little political games against each other, they might actually be able to offer a real benefit to photographers and the public alike.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Featured in Wedding Ideas
Its not often i find my work featured in wedding magazines these days as i generally have clients who prefer to fly below the radar and, of course i am always happy to be discreet and follow their wishes.
Obviously it great to see your images in "print", especially when it is a very special wedding at a extra special venue, Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex.
I was approached to be the photographer for Eliska and Tim by my good friends Sue and Clive professional wedding planners who run Eleganza Weddings. They are always amazing to work with and over the years we have been involved in some superb weddings.
Anyway, Sue has just sent me a link to the on-line version of the article so i thought i would take the opportunity to share it here. to view the article, please click here.
My original blog post can be seen by clicking here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here and follow me on Twitter (@PeterPrior).
For further information about Eleganza Weddings please click here.
Obviously it great to see your images in "print", especially when it is a very special wedding at a extra special venue, Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex.
I was approached to be the photographer for Eliska and Tim by my good friends Sue and Clive professional wedding planners who run Eleganza Weddings. They are always amazing to work with and over the years we have been involved in some superb weddings.
Anyway, Sue has just sent me a link to the on-line version of the article so i thought i would take the opportunity to share it here. to view the article, please click here.
My original blog post can be seen by clicking here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here and follow me on Twitter (@PeterPrior).
For further information about Eleganza Weddings please click here.
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Wedding Photographer: A Photo of Me in the Six Bells Toilets!
Its not often i get to be photographed. Quite fortunately for the world's photographers i should add!
Last week i met up for lunch with my very good friend, Leo Ferenc, videographer and owner of the mad Coco Photo Booths. Leo is a terrific videographer and great fun to spend a couple of hours with, putting the world to rights!
We were forced to pop down to the wonderful Six bells Pub in Chiddingly, which must be one of the best pubs in the UK! Leo had just picked up a brand new Canon 5D mark 3 and was keen to try it out.
So in a packed pub, i had my arm twisted and "modelled"...if that's the right word...although it doesn't seem appropriate when i am the subject.
After his various attempts to get something he was happy with we decided to look for an unusual or interesting background and ended up with me in the gents because of the amazing wall you can see in the image below. Leo had only bought his 85mm 1.2 lens so had to stand outside in the main body of the pub with his foot in the doorway to keep it open.
It was such a laugh as we ended up with a small audience who joined in the hilarity and were full of wise cracks.
Anyway, Leo emailed me a couple of images and this is my favourite. I have it in colour on my Facebook profile page but i prefer this version that i have processed in Photoshop.
You can follow me on Twitter (@PeterPrior) or view my wedding portfolio here for further information.
Last week i met up for lunch with my very good friend, Leo Ferenc, videographer and owner of the mad Coco Photo Booths. Leo is a terrific videographer and great fun to spend a couple of hours with, putting the world to rights!
We were forced to pop down to the wonderful Six bells Pub in Chiddingly, which must be one of the best pubs in the UK! Leo had just picked up a brand new Canon 5D mark 3 and was keen to try it out.
So in a packed pub, i had my arm twisted and "modelled"...if that's the right word...although it doesn't seem appropriate when i am the subject.
After his various attempts to get something he was happy with we decided to look for an unusual or interesting background and ended up with me in the gents because of the amazing wall you can see in the image below. Leo had only bought his 85mm 1.2 lens so had to stand outside in the main body of the pub with his foot in the doorway to keep it open.
It was such a laugh as we ended up with a small audience who joined in the hilarity and were full of wise cracks.
Anyway, Leo emailed me a couple of images and this is my favourite. I have it in colour on my Facebook profile page but i prefer this version that i have processed in Photoshop.
You can follow me on Twitter (@PeterPrior) or view my wedding portfolio here for further information.
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Eileen and Lee's Wedding at the George in Rye
After a mad couple of weeks, i am trying to catch up with editing and designing albums and images in around the Easter Holidays.
Just a couple of weeks ago i covered the wedding of Eileen and Lee at the lovely George in Rye. I hadn't covered a wedding in the beautiful "smuggler's" town of Rye for a few years and couldn't wait to take the walk up the hill through the narrow old world streets to the George.
Again the weather was terrific for March and this certainly helped to create a buzz in the drinks reception in the courtyard outside.
Eileen looked absolutely stunning and as a couple i have to say, they looked perfect.
The hotel itself was lovely and the staff extremely keen to ensure everything went well. They couldn't have been more accommodating.
Below are a few images from a superb and very enjoyable day and you can view my wedding portfolio here.
Just a couple of weeks ago i covered the wedding of Eileen and Lee at the lovely George in Rye. I hadn't covered a wedding in the beautiful "smuggler's" town of Rye for a few years and couldn't wait to take the walk up the hill through the narrow old world streets to the George.
Again the weather was terrific for March and this certainly helped to create a buzz in the drinks reception in the courtyard outside.
Eileen looked absolutely stunning and as a couple i have to say, they looked perfect.
The hotel itself was lovely and the staff extremely keen to ensure everything went well. They couldn't have been more accommodating.
Below are a few images from a superb and very enjoyable day and you can view my wedding portfolio here.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Wedding Photographer Sussex: Corrinne and Tom's Intimate Wedding at Crockstead Farm Hotel
Corrinne and Tom's wedding took place on a stunning Spring day at the pretty Crockstead Farm Hotel in East Sussex.
The weather was certainly a blessing as the ceremony took place outside beside the lake and was watch over by the resident peacock, who joined in the vowels at every pause!
After a long drinks reception, they enjoyed a meal in the Mill Room and i left as the guests sat down to the wedding breakfast.
Corrine was driven to Crockstead by Tom's Dad in a 1966 Daimler, a family treasure and it was perfect for the occasion.
Here are a few favourite shots from the short time i was present.
The family Daimler
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
The weather was certainly a blessing as the ceremony took place outside beside the lake and was watch over by the resident peacock, who joined in the vowels at every pause!
After a long drinks reception, they enjoyed a meal in the Mill Room and i left as the guests sat down to the wedding breakfast.
Corrine was driven to Crockstead by Tom's Dad in a 1966 Daimler, a family treasure and it was perfect for the occasion.
Here are a few favourite shots from the short time i was present.
The family Daimler
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Wedding Photographer Sussex: The Ashdown Park Hotel Wedding Showcase
I just wanted to draw your attention to this weekend's Wedding Showcase at one of the UK's leading wedding venues, the stunning Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex.
The Showcase is on Sunday 11th March, running from 10.30am to 4pm with complimentary entry. You can see full details here.
I will, of course, be exhibiting all day and can't wait to meet couples and help them to select the right photographer for their wedding.
The venue is perfect for almost any wedding, anytime of the year with beautiful grounds set within Ashdown Forest and one of the most dramatic interiors you will ever experience for the setting of a wedding breakfast.
Combined with superb, professional but friendly staff, APH is a must if you are planning a wedding and want to see some of the country's best wedding suppliers under one roof.
You read more about Ashdown Park weddings in a dedicated section of my blog here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
The Showcase is on Sunday 11th March, running from 10.30am to 4pm with complimentary entry. You can see full details here.
I will, of course, be exhibiting all day and can't wait to meet couples and help them to select the right photographer for their wedding.
The venue is perfect for almost any wedding, anytime of the year with beautiful grounds set within Ashdown Forest and one of the most dramatic interiors you will ever experience for the setting of a wedding breakfast.
Combined with superb, professional but friendly staff, APH is a must if you are planning a wedding and want to see some of the country's best wedding suppliers under one roof.
You read more about Ashdown Park weddings in a dedicated section of my blog here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Wedding Photographer Sussex: The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne's Wedding Showcase
I am very excited to once again be invited to exhibit at the forthcoming Wedding Showcase at the the stunningly beautiful Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
As the preferred photographer for the highest rated coastal Five Star Hotel in the UK it is always a privilege to be involved in Showcases and events at the Grand.
Not only is the the hotel a fabulous setting for a wedding 12 months of the year, it is blessed with an amazing team, with all the staff from top to bottom being dedicated to giving a warm welcome and working with the highest attention to detail, ensuring an unforgettable time for all.
The date of the Wedding Showcase is Sunday 4th March 2012 between 10am and 3pm. Admission is complimentary and all of the hotel's preferred suppliers have been invited to help visitors plan their dream wedding. This is not your usual wedding fair so if you want to meet some of the very best suppliers in the South, a visit to the Grand on 4th is a must.
As the preferred photographer for the highest rated coastal Five Star Hotel in the UK it is always a privilege to be involved in Showcases and events at the Grand.
Not only is the the hotel a fabulous setting for a wedding 12 months of the year, it is blessed with an amazing team, with all the staff from top to bottom being dedicated to giving a warm welcome and working with the highest attention to detail, ensuring an unforgettable time for all.
The date of the Wedding Showcase is Sunday 4th March 2012 between 10am and 3pm. Admission is complimentary and all of the hotel's preferred suppliers have been invited to help visitors plan their dream wedding. This is not your usual wedding fair so if you want to meet some of the very best suppliers in the South, a visit to the Grand on 4th is a must.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Broyle Place Wedding Photographer Come and Meet Me at the Broyle Place Wedding Fair
Just a quick heads up to say they we are very excited to be invited to exhibit at the stunning Broyle Place on Sunday 26th February.
All of the venue's carefully selected preferred suppliers will be on hand to help you plan your perfect wedding at one of the South's best wedding venues.
I will have my latest albums and images on display and will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice on the very difficult but important issue of selecting the right wedding photographer.
Its a beautiful setting and is always has a great atmosphere, so it will be well worth the visit.
All of the venue's carefully selected preferred suppliers will be on hand to help you plan your perfect wedding at one of the South's best wedding venues.
I will have my latest albums and images on display and will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice on the very difficult but important issue of selecting the right wedding photographer.
Its a beautiful setting and is always has a great atmosphere, so it will be well worth the visit.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Wedding Photographer Sussex: Wiston House Wedding Fair Report
Despite there being a number of wedding fairs being held in Sussex on Sunday, i have to say the wedding fair at the wonderful Wiston House in West Sussex was a huge success.
In a little over 4 hours there were in excess of 400 visitors and over 130 brides present to take a look around the wonderful venue and its grounds and meet the hand-picked suppliers.
It was also a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of friends from the wedding industry and enjoy some great company.
We had a stand in the library and were kept very busy the whole time that the doors were open.
My stand
The Great Hall
BO-K Flowers
Whyte Weddings
Elegant Stationery
Consumed by Cake
It was also great to catch with Tracey from Disco Fever, amazing man of magic Matt Wainwright and harpist Fiona Hosford.
Thanks to the staff of Wiston for inviting us once again.
In a little over 4 hours there were in excess of 400 visitors and over 130 brides present to take a look around the wonderful venue and its grounds and meet the hand-picked suppliers.
It was also a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of friends from the wedding industry and enjoy some great company.
We had a stand in the library and were kept very busy the whole time that the doors were open.
My stand
The Great Hall
BO-K Flowers
Whyte Weddings
Elegant Stationery
Consumed by Cake
It was also great to catch with Tracey from Disco Fever, amazing man of magic Matt Wainwright and harpist Fiona Hosford.
Thanks to the staff of Wiston for inviting us once again.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photography: Where You Can Meet Peter in 2012 (UPDATED)
I am very selective regarding which bridal shows i attend but the quality of these events is sure to be good and well worth a visit for any couples planning their wedding in the next year or so.
26th February: Broyle Place Wedding Fair, near Ringmer, East Sussex
4th March: The Grand Hotel Wedding Showcase, in Eastbourne (10am-3pm)
11th March: Ashdown Park Hotel Wedding Showcase, East Sussex.
Coming to speak to us at one of these fantastic events is a great way to spend some time appreciating quality wedding photography whilst planning your dream wedding, at one of the UK's top wedding venues.
26th February: Broyle Place Wedding Fair, near Ringmer, East Sussex
4th March: The Grand Hotel Wedding Showcase, in Eastbourne (10am-3pm)
11th March: Ashdown Park Hotel Wedding Showcase, East Sussex.
Coming to speak to us at one of these fantastic events is a great way to spend some time appreciating quality wedding photography whilst planning your dream wedding, at one of the UK's top wedding venues.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: And More Kind Word
I was very pleased to receive this thank you card in the post yesterday.
Its always great to be appreciated and to know that you've produced images that your clients are delighted with.
You can see some of the images from Emma and Keith's wedding here.
You can also view my wedding portfolio here.
Its always great to be appreciated and to know that you've produced images that your clients are delighted with.
You can see some of the images from Emma and Keith's wedding here.
You can also view my wedding portfolio here.
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Yet More Kind Words
Just received another very kind email. Its always a dream to read such nice comments about the work you have done for fabulous clients.
Dear Peter
The photos are fantastic the ones of the dancing and the fancy dress are just brilliant they capture the atmosphere perfectly. You are a genius.!
Can't wait for another event so we can work with you again even I think three weddings would be a little too much. Happy New Year.
Kindest regards
Gail and Gavin
You can see images from Gail and Gavin's wonderful weddings here.
My wedding portfolio can be viewed here.
Dear Peter
The photos are fantastic the ones of the dancing and the fancy dress are just brilliant they capture the atmosphere perfectly. You are a genius.!
Can't wait for another event so we can work with you again even I think three weddings would be a little too much. Happy New Year.
Kindest regards
Gail and Gavin
You can see images from Gail and Gavin's wonderful weddings here.
My wedding portfolio can be viewed here.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Wiston House Wedding Fair on 29th January 2012
I am very excited to have been invited once again to Wiston House's Wedding Fair on 29th January.
The doors are open 11am-3.00pm and it offers the perfect opportunity for couples planning their wedding to view one of the UK's best venues as well as meet some of the very best wedding suppliers in the South.
I will be there to show off my latest stunning sample albums, talk over couple's plans and see if i can help them in any way i can.
Wiston House truly is a magical place to hold a wedding and i am very proud to be one of their recommended suppliers, so it should be a must on any couples list to visit.
For further information please feel free to give me a call on 01323 486837 or get in touch with the superb wedding team at Wiston itself.
To view my wedding portfolio, please click here.
To view some of my recent Wiston House weddings, please click here.
The doors are open 11am-3.00pm and it offers the perfect opportunity for couples planning their wedding to view one of the UK's best venues as well as meet some of the very best wedding suppliers in the South.
I will be there to show off my latest stunning sample albums, talk over couple's plans and see if i can help them in any way i can.
Wiston House truly is a magical place to hold a wedding and i am very proud to be one of their recommended suppliers, so it should be a must on any couples list to visit.
For further information please feel free to give me a call on 01323 486837 or get in touch with the superb wedding team at Wiston itself.
To view my wedding portfolio, please click here.
To view some of my recent Wiston House weddings, please click here.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: More Kind Words
Its always great to receive compliments and notes of thanks and i am fortunate to receive many throughout the year.
I was pleased to open this short email last week from Morgan and Tom Vine whose wonderful wedding i had the privilege to cover in September. As they live up in London and have very busy lives, Morgan;s mum collected the album for them in readiness for their festive home visit.
Hi Peter,
Just another massive thank you. We got home Christmas Eve to see our beautiful album. All our family and friends were admiring it over Christmas. It's really stunningly put together and a great reminder of what a brilliant day we had.
Thanks for all your hard work and hope you had a great Christmas.
Morgan and Tom
You can see the blog post about their wedding here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
I was pleased to open this short email last week from Morgan and Tom Vine whose wonderful wedding i had the privilege to cover in September. As they live up in London and have very busy lives, Morgan;s mum collected the album for them in readiness for their festive home visit.
Hi Peter,
Just another massive thank you. We got home Christmas Eve to see our beautiful album. All our family and friends were admiring it over Christmas. It's really stunningly put together and a great reminder of what a brilliant day we had.
Thanks for all your hard work and hope you had a great Christmas.
Morgan and Tom
You can see the blog post about their wedding here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Sussex Wedding Photographer: Come and Meet Me at the Eastbourne Wedding Fair
Happy New Year!
After a short break for Christmas this week sees us crazily busy in preparation for the Eastbourne Wedding Fair which is being held on the 7th and 8th January at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne (surprisingly).
The doors open on the Saturday at 10am until 5pm and then again on Sunday (10am to 4pm). I understand there will be in excess of 100 exhibitors so its a really terrific opportunity for couples to come and decide on their chosen suppliers for their wedding before they are booked up.
Our stand will showcase our latest stunning sample albums sourced from the world's leading manufacturer and they will be on hand for couples to browse through at their leisure.
As i write this before the end of 2011 a check on my diary shows that i am already 75% booked up for 2012 and 2013 is already starting to take shape so i am looking forward to meeting as many couples as possible to tie up 2012 which will really enable me to focus on my clients and their weddings.
You can view my wedding portfolio here and see highlights from a number of recent weddings here.
After a short break for Christmas this week sees us crazily busy in preparation for the Eastbourne Wedding Fair which is being held on the 7th and 8th January at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne (surprisingly).
The doors open on the Saturday at 10am until 5pm and then again on Sunday (10am to 4pm). I understand there will be in excess of 100 exhibitors so its a really terrific opportunity for couples to come and decide on their chosen suppliers for their wedding before they are booked up.
Our stand will showcase our latest stunning sample albums sourced from the world's leading manufacturer and they will be on hand for couples to browse through at their leisure.
As i write this before the end of 2011 a check on my diary shows that i am already 75% booked up for 2012 and 2013 is already starting to take shape so i am looking forward to meeting as many couples as possible to tie up 2012 which will really enable me to focus on my clients and their weddings.
You can view my wedding portfolio here and see highlights from a number of recent weddings here.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Sussex Wedding Photographer: HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
The past year has seen big changes for us both professionally and personally.
Despite tough market conditions, we launched a new website early in the year. It had been a long time in coming and was well overdue, despite the continued success of our old site.
Professionally, we repositioned our wedding business and ended up achieving all of the goals we had set back in January and bookings for 2012 are ahead of schedule despite the continued doom and gloom we constantly hear in the news.
2011 was another great year for us on the competition front, seeing me picking up a number of awards in the regional MPA Awards yet again and achieving 2 Awards of Excellence in the National MPA Awards held in Newcastle.
I held my annual intensive workshop in March and was being invited to speak for SIM200 imaging in May and up in Aberdeen in October. Each seminar was sold out which was very pleasing.
In May we moved from Stone Cross to Polegate, just outside of Eastbourne. We found a wonderful house tucked away, a real hidden gem and just couldn't resist. Better still it offers us a dedicated client meeting room/gallery as well as a small home studio space. It couldn't have been better!
One of the highlights of my year (apart from covering so many wonderful weddings) was meeting one of my heroes, Sir Stirling Moss.
To finish, please note that we are closed for business from 22nd December until Tuesday 3rd January. If you need to get in touch please email info@peterprior.com as we will be checking our inbox if time permits.
We wanted to take this opportunity to wish our clients, friends, supporters, fellow wedding suppliers and photographers a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Thank you all so much for your support.
To view my wedding portfolio please click here.
Despite tough market conditions, we launched a new website early in the year. It had been a long time in coming and was well overdue, despite the continued success of our old site.
Professionally, we repositioned our wedding business and ended up achieving all of the goals we had set back in January and bookings for 2012 are ahead of schedule despite the continued doom and gloom we constantly hear in the news.
2011 was another great year for us on the competition front, seeing me picking up a number of awards in the regional MPA Awards yet again and achieving 2 Awards of Excellence in the National MPA Awards held in Newcastle.
I held my annual intensive workshop in March and was being invited to speak for SIM200 imaging in May and up in Aberdeen in October. Each seminar was sold out which was very pleasing.
In May we moved from Stone Cross to Polegate, just outside of Eastbourne. We found a wonderful house tucked away, a real hidden gem and just couldn't resist. Better still it offers us a dedicated client meeting room/gallery as well as a small home studio space. It couldn't have been better!
One of the highlights of my year (apart from covering so many wonderful weddings) was meeting one of my heroes, Sir Stirling Moss.
To finish, please note that we are closed for business from 22nd December until Tuesday 3rd January. If you need to get in touch please email info@peterprior.com as we will be checking our inbox if time permits.
We wanted to take this opportunity to wish our clients, friends, supporters, fellow wedding suppliers and photographers a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Thank you all so much for your support.
To view my wedding portfolio please click here.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Sussex Wedding Photography: Booking A Professional Wedding Photographer
With Christmas looming it has got me thinking about the New Year and the forthcoming "booking season" for couples looking for suppliers for their wedding in 2012 and indeed 2013. You can find earlier articles about my thoughts on BRIDES section of this blog
We are fortunate that we book weddings all year round and are generally booked 12-18 months ahead. As an example for 2012 our diary for wedding is already 75% booked and we are planning for 2013 and beyond.
As with most things booking wedding suppliers can be a bit of a minefield and the wedding blogs and forums are full of horror stories about poor work, customer service etc.
It has always been our aim to offer the very best possible standards in wedding photography and products and to constantly exceed our clients expectations. Anything less simply isn't good enough as we have very high professional standards and are passionate that our clients should always receive the very best at all times.
Our passion for excellence is probably the main reason for our continuing success and why i am still one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the UK.
If you read the many articles within this blog you will be able to see hundreds of images taken over the past 18 months or so and you can see many examples of my wedding images on my website by clicking here.
So what makes a wedding photographer a "PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER" rather than a "CAMERA OWNER"?
Booking a wedding photographer is a mind blowing experience, full of so many potential pitfalls, confusing promises and packages and a hugely diversity in terms of prices and abilities.
In these days of a vastly over saturated and unregulated profession, it has never been more important to ensure that you are booking the right photographer for you and that you have booked someone who is professional and capable of producing the results that you expect and deserve.
On-line wedding blogs, forums and bridal magazines are of little help either. They are generally written by folks who have no real world experience of what makes a good wedding photographer and in the main wouldn't know a good wedding image if it hit them between the eyes with a sledgehammer.
They are generally only interested in high traffic volumes to their site and advertising revenues for their publications and the lack of reality in many of their articles doesn't really concern them. They seem to be more worried about the latest over photoshopped fad, tuning a blind eye to the fact that you can't "polish a turd". However, for some reason only be known to themselves they seem to think that dropping a poorly lit, exposed and composed image into the latest off the shelf Photoshop Action makes the picture OK or even good! They also only ever feature their "favoured" photographers who may have even paid for the privilege of being promoted so heavily.
I am sure this is not the case with all such portals of information though as i am sure they all offer great entertainment and are all part of the excitement that comes with planning a wedding. However, all of this doesn't help the bride and groom trying to fight their way through the minefield of wedding photographers offering their services.
2012 sees me start my 16th year as a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer. I have written the word "professional" in capitals so as to stress the difference between a genuine "PROFESSIONAL" wedding photographer and a "CAMERA OWNER" professing to be a "professional".
For the record, in my opinion a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer can be either full or part time and is someone who acts, operates and produces work in a totally professional manner, paying taxes, carrying appropriate insurance etc where as a CAMERA OWNER is someone who has bought a digital SLR and wants to make a few extra quid on the quiet at a weekend with no real back ups or protection for their clients.
In these days of the Internet and readily available template web sites, it can be relatively easy for someone to set up with minimal or no experience as a wedding photographer and unfortunately the many stories of "Buyer's Regret " after the event that i hear help no one, not least the poor couples who have been let down.
As a PROFESSIONAL Wedding Photographer, i offer a number of things a "CAMERA OWNER" doesn't and each of these are huge benefits for clients before, during and after their wedding day. Sure a genuine PROFESSIONAL will probably be much more expensive and although it might not be immediately apparent, there are usually countless reasons to justify the higher prices and as with most things in life you do generally only get what you pay for.
1: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer makes his or her living from photographing weddings. A CAMERA OWNER doesn't.
2: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer pays tax, national insurance and has to put money aside for sickness and their long term future. A CAMERA OWNER generally isn't paying the legally required tax, NI etc and probably encourages cash payment. They also generally have a job/career that funds or reduces the other worries.
3: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will be readily available to answer your questions, meet with you and not have to juggle you with the day to day requirements of the CAMERA OWNER'S primary job. I have genuinely have had more than one tearful bride on the phone begging me to cover her wedding at the last minute as her "photographer" had bailed out as they were required at their real job!
4: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will be fully insured for his/her clients protection. For example we carry full professional insurance which not only protects the couple but also their venue(s) should mishap occur. I still find it mind-blowing that venues allow uninsured photographers to work on their premises leaving them open to bills etc when they wouldn't allow an uninsured DJ to set up! Most CAMERA OWNERS don't bother with insurance, mainly due to the cost i suppose.
5: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer carries all the right equipment complete with £1000s of back ups should disaster strike. In my case most clients wouldn't notice my spares as they are tucked away in my car. The CAMERA OWNER may only have the budget SLR in his/her hand!
6: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will ask you to talk about your wedding and plans in detail and cater to your requirements, producing quality images regardless of the weather, venue, time scale etc. The CAMERA OWNER will make excuses if things go pear shaped when it rains.
7: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer should be skilled in the dark arts of CORRECT EXPOSURE, LIGHTING, COMPOSITION and POSING whereas the CAMERA OWNER will just wing it, probably shooting 1000s of images on AUTO MODE, hoping for the best.
8: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will confirm everything in writing together with receipts etc. The CAMERA OWNER will probably just thank you for the cash on the day.
9: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer should be able to show you a few full weddings before you book whereas a CAMERA OWNER may only be able to show a few "best shots" from a few different weddings. We show both!
10: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will still be about long after your wedding day should you require further prints, albums etc. A CAMERA OWNER probably won't be even shooting weddings 12 months down the line once they get fed up with the potential for hassles when things don't run smoothly.
11: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer's rates will reflect his/her experience and the demand for his/her talent. A CAMERA OWNER'S rates generally reflect that they are working for extra cash to fund their hobby or next holiday. Generally the more experienced and talented a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer is the more in demand they will be and their rates will reflect this. This is very much in the same way a Mercedes is more expensive than a cheaper less thought of car marque.
A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer is a true specialist. Wedding photography isn't something that anyone or even other professional photographers from other genres can pick up easily. It is an ART and carries huge responsibilities.
A few hundred pounds saved now can lead to a lifetime of regrets and sorrow so the choice needs to be made with care and with a couple's eyes firmly open.
Here you can ready more of my observations and thoughts here.
Choosing Your Wedding Photographer: REVISTED
What is Reportage Photography?
Wedding Fairs and Wedding Photographers: An Observation
Winter Weddings Revisited
Photographer or "Camera Owner"
We are fortunate that we book weddings all year round and are generally booked 12-18 months ahead. As an example for 2012 our diary for wedding is already 75% booked and we are planning for 2013 and beyond.
As with most things booking wedding suppliers can be a bit of a minefield and the wedding blogs and forums are full of horror stories about poor work, customer service etc.
It has always been our aim to offer the very best possible standards in wedding photography and products and to constantly exceed our clients expectations. Anything less simply isn't good enough as we have very high professional standards and are passionate that our clients should always receive the very best at all times.
Our passion for excellence is probably the main reason for our continuing success and why i am still one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the UK.
If you read the many articles within this blog you will be able to see hundreds of images taken over the past 18 months or so and you can see many examples of my wedding images on my website by clicking here.
So what makes a wedding photographer a "PROFESSIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER" rather than a "CAMERA OWNER"?
Booking a wedding photographer is a mind blowing experience, full of so many potential pitfalls, confusing promises and packages and a hugely diversity in terms of prices and abilities.
In these days of a vastly over saturated and unregulated profession, it has never been more important to ensure that you are booking the right photographer for you and that you have booked someone who is professional and capable of producing the results that you expect and deserve.
On-line wedding blogs, forums and bridal magazines are of little help either. They are generally written by folks who have no real world experience of what makes a good wedding photographer and in the main wouldn't know a good wedding image if it hit them between the eyes with a sledgehammer.
They are generally only interested in high traffic volumes to their site and advertising revenues for their publications and the lack of reality in many of their articles doesn't really concern them. They seem to be more worried about the latest over photoshopped fad, tuning a blind eye to the fact that you can't "polish a turd". However, for some reason only be known to themselves they seem to think that dropping a poorly lit, exposed and composed image into the latest off the shelf Photoshop Action makes the picture OK or even good! They also only ever feature their "favoured" photographers who may have even paid for the privilege of being promoted so heavily.
I am sure this is not the case with all such portals of information though as i am sure they all offer great entertainment and are all part of the excitement that comes with planning a wedding. However, all of this doesn't help the bride and groom trying to fight their way through the minefield of wedding photographers offering their services.
2012 sees me start my 16th year as a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer. I have written the word "professional" in capitals so as to stress the difference between a genuine "PROFESSIONAL" wedding photographer and a "CAMERA OWNER" professing to be a "professional".
For the record, in my opinion a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer can be either full or part time and is someone who acts, operates and produces work in a totally professional manner, paying taxes, carrying appropriate insurance etc where as a CAMERA OWNER is someone who has bought a digital SLR and wants to make a few extra quid on the quiet at a weekend with no real back ups or protection for their clients.
In these days of the Internet and readily available template web sites, it can be relatively easy for someone to set up with minimal or no experience as a wedding photographer and unfortunately the many stories of "Buyer's Regret " after the event that i hear help no one, not least the poor couples who have been let down.
As a PROFESSIONAL Wedding Photographer, i offer a number of things a "CAMERA OWNER" doesn't and each of these are huge benefits for clients before, during and after their wedding day. Sure a genuine PROFESSIONAL will probably be much more expensive and although it might not be immediately apparent, there are usually countless reasons to justify the higher prices and as with most things in life you do generally only get what you pay for.
1: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer makes his or her living from photographing weddings. A CAMERA OWNER doesn't.
2: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer pays tax, national insurance and has to put money aside for sickness and their long term future. A CAMERA OWNER generally isn't paying the legally required tax, NI etc and probably encourages cash payment. They also generally have a job/career that funds or reduces the other worries.
3: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will be readily available to answer your questions, meet with you and not have to juggle you with the day to day requirements of the CAMERA OWNER'S primary job. I have genuinely have had more than one tearful bride on the phone begging me to cover her wedding at the last minute as her "photographer" had bailed out as they were required at their real job!
4: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will be fully insured for his/her clients protection. For example we carry full professional insurance which not only protects the couple but also their venue(s) should mishap occur. I still find it mind-blowing that venues allow uninsured photographers to work on their premises leaving them open to bills etc when they wouldn't allow an uninsured DJ to set up! Most CAMERA OWNERS don't bother with insurance, mainly due to the cost i suppose.
5: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer carries all the right equipment complete with £1000s of back ups should disaster strike. In my case most clients wouldn't notice my spares as they are tucked away in my car. The CAMERA OWNER may only have the budget SLR in his/her hand!
6: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will ask you to talk about your wedding and plans in detail and cater to your requirements, producing quality images regardless of the weather, venue, time scale etc. The CAMERA OWNER will make excuses if things go pear shaped when it rains.
7: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer should be skilled in the dark arts of CORRECT EXPOSURE, LIGHTING, COMPOSITION and POSING whereas the CAMERA OWNER will just wing it, probably shooting 1000s of images on AUTO MODE, hoping for the best.
8: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will confirm everything in writing together with receipts etc. The CAMERA OWNER will probably just thank you for the cash on the day.
9: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer should be able to show you a few full weddings before you book whereas a CAMERA OWNER may only be able to show a few "best shots" from a few different weddings. We show both!
10: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer will still be about long after your wedding day should you require further prints, albums etc. A CAMERA OWNER probably won't be even shooting weddings 12 months down the line once they get fed up with the potential for hassles when things don't run smoothly.
11: A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer's rates will reflect his/her experience and the demand for his/her talent. A CAMERA OWNER'S rates generally reflect that they are working for extra cash to fund their hobby or next holiday. Generally the more experienced and talented a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer is the more in demand they will be and their rates will reflect this. This is very much in the same way a Mercedes is more expensive than a cheaper less thought of car marque.
A PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer is a true specialist. Wedding photography isn't something that anyone or even other professional photographers from other genres can pick up easily. It is an ART and carries huge responsibilities.
A few hundred pounds saved now can lead to a lifetime of regrets and sorrow so the choice needs to be made with care and with a couple's eyes firmly open.
Here you can ready more of my observations and thoughts here.
Choosing Your Wedding Photographer: REVISTED
What is Reportage Photography?
Wedding Fairs and Wedding Photographers: An Observation
Winter Weddings Revisited
Photographer or "Camera Owner"
Friday, 2 December 2011
Wiston House Wedding Photographer: Some Very Kind Words
We are fortunate to be asked to photograph many amazing weddings each year. Every wedding is special and i passionately feel that every couple deserves the very best wedding photography i can produce regardless of the time of year, weather or location.
Time and time again we receive messages and card of thanks and it is always great to know that you have exceeded your client's expectations, which of course is our aim each time we take on a wedding, portrait or indeed any other photographic commission.
Lorraine and David were married at one the UK's premier wedding venues, Wiston House, near Steyning in West Sussex in September and have been an absolute delight to work for from the first time i met Lorraine.
I was overwhelmed to receive the following short message of thanks last night and in view of the way their booking of me came about, it was even more special to me.
Our beautiful, gorgeous, stunning and very treasured Wedding Album arrived today. Thank you so very much Peter for capturing our very special day, thrilled
Lorraine
It was a huge honour and pleasure Lorraine and i truly hope we keep in touch.
To see some of Lorraine and David's wedding images please click here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Time and time again we receive messages and card of thanks and it is always great to know that you have exceeded your client's expectations, which of course is our aim each time we take on a wedding, portrait or indeed any other photographic commission.
Lorraine and David were married at one the UK's premier wedding venues, Wiston House, near Steyning in West Sussex in September and have been an absolute delight to work for from the first time i met Lorraine.
I was overwhelmed to receive the following short message of thanks last night and in view of the way their booking of me came about, it was even more special to me.
Our beautiful, gorgeous, stunning and very treasured Wedding Album arrived today. Thank you so very much Peter for capturing our very special day, thrilled
Lorraine
It was a huge honour and pleasure Lorraine and i truly hope we keep in touch.
To see some of Lorraine and David's wedding images please click here.
You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)