 Last month I travelled up to London to this brand new event, armed with my Notebook, my oyster card, a lot of enthusiasm, a few nerves, and just my phone for photo taking. The day for me was not about picture taking, and I wanted to be in the moment and soak up as much as possible, so the cameras did stay at home. Plus I am finally having fun again taking photos on my phone, using different apps and whatnot, and fun is important! Wooo! 'Speak Now '19' was an event organised by the brilliant Marianne Chua, so when I first heard about it I knew I had to go, and I was not dissapointed.    Thanks to a delayed train I along with a few other ladies rushed into Islington Metal Works, got signed in and went to find an available seat. Laura Babb had already started her talk on 'Presenting like a Boss' but I have to say what I caught was great. I've heard of Babbs before and heard a lot of praise about the SNAP Photography Festival, so there was a sence for me honestly of "Oh cool! It's that really great person I follow online, in real life, like, right over there!... sweet..." which sounds so silly to admit but I think we've all done that a couple of times haven't we? I felt that a few times that day anyway...   Emma Wilson gave an interesting talk about her experience working as a journalist at the BBC in the past, and about her videography training in the present. Lex Fleming brought her puppy along for the day, so I was instantly even happier! Also, how cool is this venue?... 
  Nadine Van Biljon gave a talk that consisted of 10 reasons to get yourself and your business out into the big wide world, her work is beautifully shot and it was so great to see a female photographer who was clearly empowered and wanting to empower others. Karen from SEO Photo Lab also gave us some tips and tricks for websites, thank you Karen. We were enlightened about the magical and exiting world of business planning, thanks to Rowan Williams (aka Parrot & Pineapple Wedding Photography) - not an easy task in a room full of creative lasses, so thank you for that! 
Diana Hagues opened up to us about her feelings about the world of self portraiture and the power that's in doing it, definitely food for thought! I would be extremely surprised though if anyone didn't feel insanely inspired listening to Helen Sloan talk about her experience of being the Principal Stills Photographer for Game of Thrones! I am so appreciative that she was so open and honest with all of us about her job, as well as giving us a few great behind the scenes stories of her time working on the show, all accompanied by many laughs and a slideshow of a very small collection of her huge body of work on GOT. I feel like so many things hit home for me that day because of her talk, in the best possible ways, and I think her talk alone will help me so much in the future and I really truly thank her for that...     Thank you to all the fantastic and inspiring kick ass women who made that workshop possible. Also thank you to the other ladies who made me feel welcome even though I came to the event of my own. Woman empowering women? YAAAAS! Holly
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On a particularly warm and very sunny day in July last year, two lovely people tied the knot, and I am so glad I was there to document it for them.
Lawrence and Nick's wedding was such a wonderful mix of being really laid back, yet full of energy and fun. I'll be honest I hadn't been asked to do photos of a groom getting ready before, and it was something I got to do twice on their wedding day which I really enjoyed. Nick got all suited and booted at The Royal Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton, and after we'd arrived at the venue I met up with Lawrence and his groomsmaids to also photograph them getting ready at Moorhill House.
Tales and jokes about baths, vaseline and red jogging bottoms were mentioned in the ceremony and in the reception speeches, Lawrences mum even went the full hog and brought along cheese sandwiches for him to add to one particular story in her speech. We were all treated to a performance from singing waiters out of nowhere between dinner courses, hilarious photo opportunities were all around me! Hearing the live string quartet at the ceremony and through cocktail hour, playing classical music along with cover versions of modern hits just made the whole thing feel even more special and incredibly summery.
This wedding was an absolutely joy to photograph, and I want to give a huge thank you to Nick and Lawrence for hiring me, and for the really wonderful review they gave me.
If you'd like to have a butchers at Nick and Lawrence's engagement shoot in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, feel free to click this link.
Lawrence and Nick's wedding was such a wonderful mix of being really laid back, yet full of energy and fun. I'll be honest I hadn't been asked to do photos of a groom getting ready before, and it was something I got to do twice on their wedding day which I really enjoyed. Nick got all suited and booted at The Royal Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton, and after we'd arrived at the venue I met up with Lawrence and his groomsmaids to also photograph them getting ready at Moorhill House.
Tales and jokes about baths, vaseline and red jogging bottoms were mentioned in the ceremony and in the reception speeches, Lawrences mum even went the full hog and brought along cheese sandwiches for him to add to one particular story in her speech. We were all treated to a performance from singing waiters out of nowhere between dinner courses, hilarious photo opportunities were all around me! Hearing the live string quartet at the ceremony and through cocktail hour, playing classical music along with cover versions of modern hits just made the whole thing feel even more special and incredibly summery.
This wedding was an absolutely joy to photograph, and I want to give a huge thank you to Nick and Lawrence for hiring me, and for the really wonderful review they gave me.
If you'd like to have a butchers at Nick and Lawrence's engagement shoot in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, feel free to click this link.
Holly
xo.
1. Make a list.
Even if you're not a natural list maker. It can't hurt to be prepared and you and your photographer will be on the same page. Sit down with your other half, write out a fairly short and decisive list of group photos, give it a week or so and then have another look at it. As soon as you've decided, send it to your wedding photographer, and try and do this in plenty of time before the big day, it's such an easy thing to forget to do.
2. Give the list to your photographer, and at least one person from the wedding party.
I mean no disrespect but there are a lot of people at your wedding that I don't know, I've never met before, and so having names on a list becomes pretty meaningless to me in terms of organisation. I could be standing right next to your Aunt and not have a clue! So give your list to one or two other people, I would recommend people who are in your wedding party (because they'll be expecting to be on hand to help you out), and preferably people with a loud voice who aren't shy.
Even if you're not a natural list maker. It can't hurt to be prepared and you and your photographer will be on the same page. Sit down with your other half, write out a fairly short and decisive list of group photos, give it a week or so and then have another look at it. As soon as you've decided, send it to your wedding photographer, and try and do this in plenty of time before the big day, it's such an easy thing to forget to do.
2. Give the list to your photographer, and at least one person from the wedding party.
I mean no disrespect but there are a lot of people at your wedding that I don't know, I've never met before, and so having names on a list becomes pretty meaningless to me in terms of organisation. I could be standing right next to your Aunt and not have a clue! So give your list to one or two other people, I would recommend people who are in your wedding party (because they'll be expecting to be on hand to help you out), and preferably people with a loud voice who aren't shy.
2018 went by so unbelievably quick for me. It was chock a block with great clients, working alongside talented wedding vendors, awesome weddings and fabulous moments. The amount of work I did on weddings, other photo shoots, throughout my business and for me on a personal level, is actually if I'm being honest an insane amount. It's only because it's now winter and things have calmed down from the madness of summer and autumn, that I'm only really just starting to realise all of it.
This is purely a collection of my personal favourite 100 photos that I took at weddings this year. For weddings alone I gave my couples over 19,000 edited photos. Soooo I think it was wise of me to force myself to narrow it down to just 100 photos.
Thank you from the bottom of my nerdy heart to everyone who hired me this year to do photography for them, and to people who have supported me and cheered me on in lots of different ways.
I hope you all had a truly wonderful Christmas, new year and 2018 overall. Here's a brand shiny new year for us all, let's give 2019 our best shot and have some fun along the way.
This is purely a collection of my personal favourite 100 photos that I took at weddings this year. For weddings alone I gave my couples over 19,000 edited photos. Soooo I think it was wise of me to force myself to narrow it down to just 100 photos.
Thank you from the bottom of my nerdy heart to everyone who hired me this year to do photography for them, and to people who have supported me and cheered me on in lots of different ways.
I hope you all had a truly wonderful Christmas, new year and 2018 overall. Here's a brand shiny new year for us all, let's give 2019 our best shot and have some fun along the way.
holly
xo.
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Between the mad busy-ness of September and the mad busy-ness of October this year, I had a week away with my parents, my sister, her husband and their daughter, along with my Husband and our dog.
Firstly, I have to say that I've had such a busy year which has been ridiculously busy at times. It's been such a great year with my business but a week physically away from home was something I desperately needed.
Firstly, I have to say that I've had such a busy year which has been ridiculously busy at times. It's been such a great year with my business but a week physically away from home was something I desperately needed.
Secondly, we stayed at the nicest possible place I could have hoped for in order for this well needed break. If you are looking for a staycation in Dartmoor or Devon in general, somewhere that's just out of the way enough to feel in the middle of no where, but somewhere were you're still able to go to the shops for essentials, have a trip to a nice local pub or two, or just somewhere for a great long walk, I could not recommend West Nymph Holiday Cottages highly enough.
The converted barn we stayed in "Holly Hock Cottage" (total coincidence with the matching name) could not have been more beautiful, cosy and clean. The main bathroom had a humungous shower that I enjoyed dancing like this in whenever I had a shower in it. Something that makes my heart happy as well is a curved free standing bath, so you better believe I was grinning like a fool when I was having a soak in that beast!
The converted barn we stayed in "Holly Hock Cottage" (total coincidence with the matching name) could not have been more beautiful, cosy and clean. The main bathroom had a humungous shower that I enjoyed dancing like this in whenever I had a shower in it. Something that makes my heart happy as well is a curved free standing bath, so you better believe I was grinning like a fool when I was having a soak in that beast!
During Leanne and Sam's wedding day Alan Partridge was mentioned in one of the best men's speeches, an Einstein quote was featured in the ceremony along with a Tolkien reading, and the ceremony was kicked off with a beautiful cover of the Queen song You're My Best Friend, all things that made me so happy to hear!
I think it is the windiest wedding I have ever shot at and the ceremony had to stop a couple of times because the wind was so strong, but it all went very well, and it was a little bonus for me that a couple of times Leanne's very long veil got caught up in it which was great to photograph, there was even a little confetti tornado at reception!
Hair & Makeup: Style Sisters.
Ceremony: Island Celebrants.
Wedding Rings: Serendipity Diamonds.
Flowers & Arrangements: Inspired Island Events.
Venue: Albert Cottage, Isle of Wight.
Band: The Rockafellas.
Cake: Boudewijns Bakery.
Thank you both so much, you were a dream to work with, and thank you for the lovely review you wrote for me.
I think it is the windiest wedding I have ever shot at and the ceremony had to stop a couple of times because the wind was so strong, but it all went very well, and it was a little bonus for me that a couple of times Leanne's very long veil got caught up in it which was great to photograph, there was even a little confetti tornado at reception!
Hair & Makeup: Style Sisters.
Ceremony: Island Celebrants.
Wedding Rings: Serendipity Diamonds.
Flowers & Arrangements: Inspired Island Events.
Venue: Albert Cottage, Isle of Wight.
Band: The Rockafellas.
Cake: Boudewijns Bakery.
Thank you both so much, you were a dream to work with, and thank you for the lovely review you wrote for me.
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So two Hollys, two Bens, an Ed and a Dan went to Ryde one evening in a taxi and a van, with a load of instruments, a floor lamp, a sofa and a few cans of beer. The result, was this shoot.
I can’t remember the last time I did a shoot for a band, I think it might have been back when I was still in college, and it was so great to shoot something a bit different, although I do absolutely love shooting weddings it did break up the season a bit, and it allowed me to try different things because it wasn't the normal kind of thing I'm used to shooting.
The guys even played my request of Three Lions (back when there was still a crazy chance that England were going to win the world cup!) and other songs that they play as a live band, which was really lovely actually, apart from the odd dog walker or two I felt like I was watching a live show alone on a summers evening in what felt like the middle of nowhere.
Thank you to all five of you for being so great and asking me to shoot with you in the first place, it really was a great evening.
I can’t remember the last time I did a shoot for a band, I think it might have been back when I was still in college, and it was so great to shoot something a bit different, although I do absolutely love shooting weddings it did break up the season a bit, and it allowed me to try different things because it wasn't the normal kind of thing I'm used to shooting.
The guys even played my request of Three Lions (back when there was still a crazy chance that England were going to win the world cup!) and other songs that they play as a live band, which was really lovely actually, apart from the odd dog walker or two I felt like I was watching a live show alone on a summers evening in what felt like the middle of nowhere.
Thank you to all five of you for being so great and asking me to shoot with you in the first place, it really was a great evening.
Love & Stuff
xo.
The Ramblings of Holly Cade:
Wedding and Portrait Photographer - based on the Isle of Wight.
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