Leeds Wedding Photographer wakefield bio picture

Hi Grab a coffee, sit down and have a look!!!

 

Just a quick “welcome” and a “Thank you” to all our new visitors new and old to this “blog”. It’s been a busy year for us , so busy in fact that we had little time to update our blogs, so apologies for that.

The aim of this site.

After the latest horror stories about certain wedding photographers in the “press” ,i thought the a “blog” would be a great place for future Brides and Grooms to be guided through the “minefield” of what is modern wedding photography. So in the next few weeks this is what we intend to do.

We will of course be showcasing all the latest weddings  that we shoot, so if you are looking for a wedding photographer ,you might want to “bookmark” our site, in order to view our work.

We are a multi award winning company having just come runners up in the Yorkshire Wedding Album of the Year 2009 for The Master Photographers Association.

In 2010 we have a hectic year lined up with seminars in London, teaching other photographers  how to shoot weddings and business practices we have learnt over the years and then to Las Vegas in February to visit the WPPI wedding photographers convention.


 

Pet Portraits

A few weeks ago we had Nick and Jenny over to the studio to shoot their Engagement shoot. When they booked us to shoot their wedding photography, they asked if they could bring in “Odin” their black Labrabor too, so that he could star on a few of the pictures. Well of course it wasn’t a problem as we have a lot of people that bring their pets in to the studio for a “Pet Portrait ” and because there are not many photographic studios in Leeds that offer this service we are really busy. As dog lovers ourselves its great to capture their personality in a picture. Have a look at this face!

Just look at that face.

When Nick and Jenny arrived with Odin, he was a bit excitable but soon calmed down and we let him have a good long “sniff” around the studio. Trouble with that is that we have a twelve pound miniature Jack Russell named “Pip” who’s scent must be very appealing to black Labradors because it took him a while to settle but once he had he was great. Just like a true professional.

I have to say that Jenny and Nick were very good too and we had great fun shooting the pictures. I have included a few of Odin here because he’s such a character and he did upstage his owners a little bit. I wonder if he is invited to the wedding, he’d make a great Usher!

Its getting a little bit tedious now for Odin

Finally Odin plays "ball"

Anyone interested in having their pet photographed in our studio, just email or telephone me to arrange a free consultation.

A wedding at Oulton Hall Leeds

Here is a edited version of Wez and Nicola’s  slideshow shown on the night of the wedding.

I just had to write these few words, as soon as I got back from the wedding at Oulton Hall because we had such fun doing it.

Wedding photography for me is a passion, an art, and I give my total commitment to the couple on the day. Nothing is too much trouble and if you want a set of beautiful wedding pictures in your wedding album then please have a look at our main site to view our pictures.  A word of advice  for those of you looking for a photographer, look for the passion in your photographer, if you go on price then invite “Uncle Charlie”  to your wedding and save your money. Cheap is great but you always get what you pay for.

Wez  and Nicola called at our studio 12 months ago and booked us on the spot, out of interest I asked “why did you chose Mark Jordan Photography for your wedding photography”?  We know that there are other photographers in our area that use “Graphistudio” Albums. Wez said ” Its not about the book, it about the pictures within it. We looked at other photographers that offered similar albums but for us it was all about your quality of work you produce” CORRECT ANSWER!!!!

They were getting married at Oulton Parish Church today and its been brilliant. It was one of those days that just goes brilliantly.  Please look at these pictures and tell me what you think.

This shot was set up, its not reportage but could you tell..no

Posed picture again. Would you like a picture like this in your album?

Another posed picture that looks like a "natural moment"

I made them do this twice, great fun!

I love this picture

All these pictures are posed, but we shoot lots of reportage picture too, but allow a photographer just to walk around you, and your wedding guests is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.

If you like our work and your getting married in the near future, ring for an informal chat, we would  love to talk to you.

Mark Jordan ASWPP LMPA Qualified for your assurance.

February 21, 2010 - 9:35 pm Wez and Nicola - Hi Mark and Andrea Wez and I wanted to say a massive thank you for yesterday, you did as we knew you would a fantastic job. The slide show was totally amazing and we absolutely loved it as did our guests. We can't wait to see the photo's, we've already had a sneaky look on your blog!!! When we were choosing a photographer, we wanted the best, and surpassed this in so many ways. Your approach to photography is truly amazing. Cant wait to see the pre wedding album.

February 21, 2010 - 9:48 am oulton hall wedding photography | Leeds Wedding Photographer wakefield | Drakz Free Online Service - [...] rest is here: oulton hall wedding photography | Leeds Wedding Photographer wakefield Share and [...]

A snowy wedding at Waterton Park Wakefield

A few weeks ago, I photographed a wedding at Waterton in the snow. The  lovely couple are called Julie and Richard and they come from Wakefield. We have some more pictures of them in the studio on this Blog click here.

They actually hired the snow machine that they have at Waterton Park Hotel and because they had snow on the ground already, people assumed it a waste of money but in fact it did work on the pictures so I was really impressed. It was handy that the General Manager, Simon, was a dab hand at organising the “Snow” and a big”Thank you” to Amanda (the wedding coordinator) for her help on the day.

Not much fun for the ducks I'm afraid

Julie and Richard not of a typical age for “newly weds” and I thought that they might be a little bit reserved when it came to the wedding photographs but how wrong was I ! Firstly it had been snowing, the Ice on the Lake must have been a foot thick and it was cold or at least I was after we finished with the happy couple, but no complaints whatsoever from these two.

We shot the family groups inside, which took about 15 minutes I guess, and then we took the “Bridal Party” outside in the snow, which is where we did the “snow” pictures.

After we had exhausted the Best man, ushers, and bridemaids we sent them in to get warm and it was about this time I noticed the sky have a ethereal look to it. Also the sun was really low in the sky now so I quickly posed up the couple and about shooting into the sun for some lovely silhouette pictures.

I just love this picture

Sunset over the lake

These turned out great so I showed Julie and Richard one of the  pictures that I had just taken  on the back of the camera and they were amazed at it. (A little tip for those thinking about starting up as a  wedding photographer, if you want to keep the couple happy, and their enthusiasm up, then show them a nice picture from time to time, it does wonders for the confidence too.) After this we shot a few more pictures as the light was starting to go and we went indoors.

I love this picture

We finished in time for the wedding breakfast (as usual) and we “camped up” in Charlie’s Bar” to prepare the slideshow for the evenings entertainment down in “Squires” bar. When I say “we” I mean myself and my assistant Yvonne. Yvonne is my “second shooter” and has her own studio, where she photographs, babies and family portraits. She rightly gets a mention in the “Blog”, firstly for putting up with me and secondly for the great pictures she shoots too. It always nice to her support on the day, so thanks Yvonne.

The Grand Staircase in Walton Hall

Julie and Richard had a surprise laid on for the guests in the early evening, they  had bought some Chinese lanterns for everyone to light and drift off into the nights sky. The effect of the lanterns rising into the heavens was surprisingly surreal.

The rest of the night went like a “dream” and we even got another chance to photograph the couple again, how lucky were we.

Waterton at night

We backlit them and got some lovely pictures for the wedding album and I cant wait to see it compleated.

They came around to the studio tonight to pick up there “preview” album which they are taking to Australia to show some relatives who couldn’t make it to Waterton Park that day.

Hats off to “you two” for been bloody brilliant on the day and please say a  heartfelt “thank you” from Yvonne and myself for the kind comments that your guests made about our pictures. Have a great time in “Oz”

Wedding Photographers Storm Hazlewood Castle

Great day today. Set off for Hazlewood Castle about 11.00am and we were soon bombing along the M1 link road which the Highway Agency  kindly provided for us. Its really handy and in what seemed like a few minutes  we were were “lugging” all our camera equipment up to the “Lavender Room” where Helen was getting ready for the biggest day of her life (so far) . When I say “we” I mean my partner Andrea Barrett and I.

Once at the very top of the building and a quick pause for breath, we introduced ourselves to the in-laws and the bridesmaids. Helen’s Mother and Father were also there, so we took time  to photograph them.

Helen was very calm and seemed to take everything in her stride, no Bridezillas here!  After a quick fifteen minutes with the Bride we went downstairs to find the Daniel the Groom , Bestman and the rest of the Ushers. I headed for the bar feeling confident they would be there but no, they were in the Chapel with the Vicar discussing the forthcoming event, very suprising.

Hazlewood  Castle is a lovely venue to hold a wedding at, well every girl wants there own fairy tale castle dont they!

The Bride and Groom got married in the Castle immediately followed by a blessing in the nearby Chapel. When the ceremony was over all the guests posed for a large group shot in front of the Castle. It great for photographers because shooting off the castle steps in great for this type of picture as you can see above.

We shot  the family pictures inside because it started to drizzle a little bit but once these were out of the way and the rain had stopped, we took  the Bridal Party outside, to well, have their pictures taken, and as you can see, they enjoyed themselves.

The wedding went like a dream and the Bridal Party were just riotous and were so funny. Daniel and Helen were great and were “up” for anything so it made our job  a lot easier, I can tell you.

“Call to Dinner” was at 5.00pm so as soon as we photographed them coming into the room we got on with designing their slideshow which we show before the “First Dance” on a giant screen. Before this we recorded the speeches for prosperity and whisked the happy couple out for 10 minutes so we could take some pictures in front of the castle in the flood lights. These pictures are great and so dramatic, and really add that special something to the final wedding album.

The slideshow went down a bomb and the happy couple felt like “Film stars” they told us afterwards. Well they might not be “film stars” but they were certainly we “stars” to us and made our job a lot more enjoyable. Thank you guys

Emma and Richard at Ripley Castle Harrogate

Emma

Going back for our first visit of the season to Ripley Castle was like visiting an old friend. We always get a good welcome from the staff and its a joy to photograph couples there.

I had just landed from Florida where I had a two weeks holiday on the Friday morning but thoughtfully got my head down on the night flight so the dreaded jet lag wasn’t a problem.

On this occasion it was my partners wedding, and I was to second shoot, and after two weeks break from our last wedding I was really looking forward to it.

Emma and Richard were the Bride and Groom and I know I always seem to say it but they were a delight to photograph. The day itself was quite overcast but it also had a little bit of fog about so this added to the atmosphere and because the ceremony was a late one, we had to work fast before the light went! No sooner had we photographed the actual ceremony we whipped them both outside and complete with the bride in a pair of wellingtons we raced around the grounds of our old friend.

Emma in the floodlights Ripley Castle

Once we had these shots in the bag we went inside to photograph the families and large group picture which we  shot from the stairs. Big thanks to the guests as they were great too. On to the wedding breakfast and Andrea and myself headed to the The Boars Head for a quick snack and swift drink before we began work on Emma and Richard’s slideshow presentation which we show in  the evening just before the first dance on a giant  projector screen in the Library.

We just about got the presentation ready as the speeches had ended. I shot the speeches whilst Andrea put the show together. I asked the newlyweds if they were up for another 10 minutes of photography and without a moments hesitation we were heading for the door and outside with the couple.

Emma and Richard on the Grand Staircase

Afterwards we slotted a few of the “outside pictures” on to the end of the slideshow, so they got to see those as well.

So thank you all the staff, guests and Emma and Richard for a wonderful wedding day at Ripley Castle. It was a joy and a pleasure.

Mark and Andrea

My web site

Andrea’s Web site

Holidays

Wow well its been a great few weeks and theres no letting up either.

I had a fantastic week in London with the Society of Weddings and Portrait Photographers, where i manage to achive  the societies “Associate” level of qualification. Only 10% of the countries photographers have attained this award so its great to be up there with the best.

Fo the last two weeks I ve been in Florida with my long term partner Andrea Barrett and her lovely mum Shelia. We had a couple of friends staying with us called, Justin and Claire. Justin Slee is another photographer whom I been friends with for a long time now and is a great photographer. If you would like to view some of his work, I ve posted a link below.

Its Justin and Claire first time out to Disneyland Florida and as they were only here for a week we crammed in as much as we could. On their first full day over here we set of to Universal Studios which is two very large parks and along with the city walks complex really needs two or three days to go round but we were off like the clappers. The “guys” went off to ride the “Duelling Dragons” rollercoaster              and Justin’s nerve just about held and he manage to get on the ride but failed to open his eyes, so he cant have seen much :-)

We had so many highlights of the week that it would be too boring for the you the reader to endure but if youve not been to “Mickeys Home” then start thinking about it because its a great place to come and its okay for Kids too lol.

As soon as our Guests left the weather broke and it been great weather for ducks as you can see. So for the next three days its feet up and relax because we have weddings Saturday and Sunday when we get back!!! No rest for the wicked!

Click below for website links

My Web Site

Andrea Barrett Photography

Justin Slee Photography

February 13, 2010 - 2:24 am wed photographer - I really liked your blog! good

Annual Holidays 2010

Unlike most people, are hols can not be taken during the summer months as its our busiest time of the year for a wedding photographer, well apart from December when its almost as busy. So it was great to finally get aboard Richard Branson’s Plane and fly off to sunny Florida last Wednesday.

The flight was uneventful but was packed with small children eager to meet “The mice” (Mickey and Minnie) and their excitement did get a bit vocal at times, thank God for noise cancelling headphones!!  After eight and a half hours in the air we landed safely and proceeded to the villa whereapon we quickly dropped our cases and had a quick trolley dash around Wal-mart. Wal-Mart is a amazing place, its a bit like Asda but with guns, because believe it or not, you can purchase armaments, if your so inclined, how mad is that? Well to be fair, America is mad. The store itself is that big, it crossed my mind to use one of those electric cart things to get about on, and wondered how far they went on one charge because I didnt fancy getting stranded at the far end of the store as it would take a couple of hours to get back to the tills. I decided against this idea because it seemed the only people using them were huge obese folk and although I am overweight in the UK in America I am verging on anorexic which is great but I would have stood out like a sore thumb. (Question. Do sore thumbs really stand out, Im not sure?)

God Bless America

Anyway after shopping, it was on to the local steak house where they serve steak is  “to die for”, which I suppose is what the cow  did. We had a look at the menu and were suitably impressed with the selection of food on offer apart from one item. Now would any of you out there eat this? Baked potatoe with marshmellow and caramel sauce!!! Well not me! and while were at it, I won’t be putting treacle syrup all over my bacon at breakfast either. Weird!

The food arrived and was duly consumed and with free fills on “Cokes” and after two pints of the stuff, I waddled out to the car and drove back “home” to chill out, and watch Tv. (Tv in America is mad too, more on that later) Well the time difference meant that at 9.00pm American time, our body clocks told us it was 2.00am in the morning!! So eventually we got to put  our feet up to relax… bliss.

The SWPP Convention 2010

As you might have read, I qualified to “Associate” level for The Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers. Its an honour for me and absolutely delighted with the accolade as there is only four other photographers in West Yorkshire that have reached this standard, but I had another reason to attend the convention which was that I was helping my “other half”  Andrea Barrett with her seminars and workshops.

We arrived on Tuesday 12th Dec at the hotel in Hammersmith feeling like a couple of pack horses, having dragged our camera equipment and suitcases halfway across London.  We were there for the week because Andrea had two seminars and workshop  and lots of judging to do. We also had the awards evening on the Sunday and we were booked in to a “Jerry Ghionis” Superclass on the following Monday.

It was a fantastic week and I got to meet and chat to photographers from all over the world. We also got to meet many “newbies” and it was great to pass on some of my experience’s and “do’s and don’ts” to them. If any of you “guys” are reading this then please get in touch via email which is info@markjordanphotography.co.uk if you have any other questions. It was great to meet you all.

I’ve included some pictures of the event here.

American Photographer and Chairman of Judges

Mike Ayers. Top American Judge

Phil Jones and Andrea and me with worlds best wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis

Assessment Qualifications ASWPP

I delighted to learn that our work has been assessed by five top judges from all over the world and all were “Fellows” of The society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (which is the largest independent photographic organisation in the UK with over 9,000 members) and I have been promoted to “Associate” standard. Only 10% of the wedding photographers in the country have reached this standard, so we are over the moon with the award.

I travelled to London last week and along with many other photographers submitted twenty wedding pictures that I had taken over the last year. The pictures were judged on: creativity, expression, posing, use of light and location, and quality, all twenty images  had to score over a certain mark, if just one print failed, then so did the whole panel  of prints. It was nerve racking because I attended the judging  and many of the photographers sadly failed but it was a great feeling to “win” and  know that we are now ranked  amongst the top wedding photographers in the country.

The wedding venues that the Wedding photographs were taken are

Woodlands Hotel Leeds, Oulton Hall Rothwell Leeds, Waterton Park Wakefield, Hazlewood Castle,Wentbridge Hotel, The Village Hotel Leeds, Rudding Park Hotel Harrogate,Woodhall Hotel Linton, Ripley Castle and The Mansion at Roundhay Park in Leeds

Our Studio Premises in Leeds

Most successful and experienced  wedding photographers will have a studio that they work from and and most amateur photographers wont. This is one of the ways you can identify a “weekend warrior” as most full time photographers like to call them.

If you ring a photographer and he wants to call at your house or the venue that you intend to have your wedding to show you his portfolio then beware, he might be an amateur trying to pass themselves off as a professional. Worryingly, many many, people think that turning up at a Wedding is just about walking around the crowd, taking SNAPS then passing a disc of all the images to the couple for a cheap fee with no questions asked. What the Bride and Groom are left with, is a set of pictures that are badly composed, badly exposed leaving the Bride and Groom disapointed with the results. I’m sure that you may know someone who’s had a photographer at their wedding like this.

Customer Lounge and Projection Area

Most people have a budget and this should be stuck to like glue but  some couples that I know that have a photographer Ive just mentioned, have spent £1000s on flowers and only a couple of hundred pounds on the photographer aaarrggghhh! Where is the sense in that? The flowers are dead the day after and you have a lifetime to look at the inferior pictures the cheap photographer took!!

I know not all amateurs think they are bad photographers but it my opinion they are even worst. So if you are an amateur and you shoot wedding as a “hobby” for a few quid on a Saturday, do the couple, me and everyone else a favour, stop what your doing and get some training with a qualified wedding photographer.

I’ll get off my soap box now.