Katy's Blog

About a month ago I met Laura from Little White Book wedding planners for a coffee.  We hit it off and were coming up with lots of different creative ideas of how we could work together.  When I left the meeting I was buzzing with ideas and couldn’t wait to make them happen. The thing we both wanted to do was to do a “Trash the Dress” shoot.  These are becoming more popular in the wedding industry and a great way for couples to have a bit of fun after their wedding doing something a little different in their wedding outfits.  Trash the Dress shoots can range from “Rock the Dress” which is where the bride and groom have the chance to wear their outfits again and get a little more creative to “Trash the Dress” which is exactly what is says on the tin…the dress gets trashed but lots of fun is had in the process.  Photos can be taken in the sea, a lake, climbing a wall, running through mud or even cutting the dress up!

Laura and I planned a day which would consist of two shoots, a “Rock and Trash the Dress” shoot and then a “Paint the Dress” shoot.  This part is about our “Rock/Trash” shoot which we did in Rivelin Woods.  Laura volunteered to model for this and was brilliant on a sunny but freezing day.  We did a mix of shots in the river and a few “sex and city” inspired shots as she was walking through the woods.  The shoot ended up with Laura jumping up and down in the river, getting water & mud in her boots.  We even had a few passers by helping out by throughing wet leaves at Laura.  One old man got really involved and I almost had to step in to get him to stop! There are a few “behind the scenes” photos which I’ll blog about later.

Laura created her dress from an old dress she had.  The bouquets are from Petalis and the head pieces/hats are by Imogen’s Imagination.

Taking a stroll

Rocking that dress

Sex & The City inspired...

Fun & Sassy

Bouquet by Petalis and Hat by Imogen's Imagination

Trashing the dress

Doing what we all want to do!

Mud, mud glorious mud!

I have been taking photos of this little one since he was a “bump”.  I was recommended to his mum and dad by another of my Shutterbug families who are also having my “Bump to 1st Year” package. They had met through anti natal classes so the babies are the same age and it is great to be photographing them at similar stages throughout the year.

This little one is quite a thinker and his expressions are priceless.  We were worried we were getting many smiles as he was quite happily sitting there watching what was going on but I’m really pleased that I got some great shots of his cheeky smile.

Cheeky grin!

I love my little Shutterbugs at this age as you can really see their personalities coming through.  It’s also such a priviledge to be part of such an important year in the family’s life and to be asked to be part of it.  I get to know the families and love every minute.

Here are a few more photos of this gorgeous little Shutterbug.

Blue-eyed boy

The bottom lip makes an appearence!

Just taking it all in!

It's hungry stuff when you're a model!

Sitting tall & big smiles for the last few shots.

If you are reading this and would love to have a family photo shoot of your little one then please get in touch.  I am currently doing a Mother’s Day special offer which is open to the 1st 10 people who get in touch.  When you book a £60 family photoshoot with me you get your complimentary 10×8 print and also a FREE 3hr Spa experience for the wonderful Spa 1877 in Sheffield.  A perfect pampering gift for your mother or the mother of your children.

Family Memories Captured Forever.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner I wanted to come up with a wonderful package that I could offer to make sure that the mothers in your life were shown how special they are.

In the last week I have had some very exciting coversations with the girls at SPA 1877 in Sheffield and am looking forward to working with them in the future.  To celebrate this, as well as to mark Mother’s Day, I am offering a FREE  3hr Spa Experience Voucher with the 1st 10 Family Photoshoots that are bought from me between Saturday 27th February and Sunday 14th March.

I think this is a wonderful gift to give as a Mother’s Day present.  Not only do you get a family photoshoot ( and a free 10×8 print) in a location of your choice to capture your wonderful family memories you can also give the mother in your life a chance to be truly pampered in the wonderful Spa 1877.
This offer is for the first 10 family portrait sessions that are booked so don’t miss out on this great gift for Mother’s Day.  Contact me at katythomson@serendipityphotography for your voucher or for more details.

The vouchers are valid for 6 months.

Now I couldn’t do a blog about Mother’s Day without introducing you to a very special lady in my life….my mum.  I’m dedicating this Special Offer for Serendipity Photography to my mum who has been an amazing support to me whilst I’ve been setting up my business.  My mum was a teacher and I think was a little disappointed when I left my teaching career behind and started my life as a sole trader.  At every point along the way (including the moment I phoned her to say I’d handed in my notice and was leaving teaching and then left her to tell my dad the news!!) she has encouraged and supported me.

My mum

Another two very special ladies are my Grandmothers who have also been really encouraging of my business.  Both my grandfather’s were keen photographers and definite inspirations to me.

Granny M - loves her martinis!

Granny J - At 90 she is dangerously close to being old!

Show your mother/grandmother/wife/mother of your children how much you love them by taking up this fantastic Mother’s Day offer.

When I do my family & Shutterbug shoots I like to go to people’s homes or a chosen location.  With this family I am doing a “birth to 1st year” package.  We have done two shoots at their home but we wanted to do something a little different with our 3rd sitting so decided to go to Graves Park Animal Farm.  We chose a wintery day for the shoot and had a morning of wintry showers but that didn’t stop us getting out there and having fun on the farm.  I’m just hoping that our final shoot will be a little warmer!

Fun on the farm in the snow.

Wrapped up warm

Not sure if I want to smile..it's too cold!

Cheese!

Loving the tractor at the farm!

What can you see?

Rosie Cheeks

I want to go higher!

The game we all love as a child...."1..2...3...weeeee"

At the start of December one of my best friends had her second child, a very  beautiful little girl.  I then had the very great honour of being asked to be her godmother.  I already have 3 gorgeous godchildren but I couldn’t say no to playing a special part in this little one’s life! Unfortunately for little Becca (fortunately for me!) she will be featuring in a lot of my photos.  I am doing my “Bump to 1st Year” Shutterbug package with Becca so I can’t wait to watch her grow and document it in photos.  When it gets to her 18th I’ll have more than enough photos to embarrass her with!

These photos were taken last week when she was just over 2 months old.

Peek-a-boo

Cuddle with Daddy

Blue eyed girl

Cradle

Sleeping Beauty

Baby Feet

Mother & Daughter

Let me introduce you to one of my tiniest Shutterbugs.  This is Baby B.  She is the beautiful daughter of Jessica and Alex.  I first met them about 2 years ago when they booked me to do they wedding photography.  They are getting married on the 1st May this year so with the arrival of their daughter it’s going to be a very big year for them!  Once they knew they were pregnant they asked me to do my “Birth to 1st Year” Shutterbugs package which was an absolute honour. It is so exiciting to be part of 2 very important parts of their lives and to be able to capture the memories for them.

We had a great shoot with Baby B, she is so tiny I can’t wait to see how she grows up and share the photos with you.

Here are a few of her from our first shoot.  I managed to get some of her when she was awake and then when she curled up to have a sleep.

Wide Awake

A few minutes later...fast asleep!

So tiny.

Baby Face

Tiny Feet

Mother & Daughter

A very proud father.

Cuddles

Holding hands

A wonderful family

I met Ashley Tate from FIT Student Letting Agency through my BNI group.  Ashley runs his own student letting company and is an impressive entrepreneur.  I have been doing some work for him over the last few months.  I have spent some time teaching him how to take photos of the houses they want to let to their students.  I have also been taking photos for the new website which have included quirky Sheffield shots and some head shots of Ashley and his colleagues.  I didn’t want to stick with the usual head shots so we tried to do something different and give the impression of a young businessman.  Have a look at some of the shots here.

Ashley

ULet Students

FIT -the student letting agency

Student Living

Entrepreneur

Taking the business seriously.

I was introduced to Sophie nearly a year ago and in that time we’ve got to know each other really well and become good friends. We’ve developed a good network of like minded business women which has been a great support to me on both the social and business level.  Sophie is a great entrepreneur and always has new ideas on how to expand her business.  Her main passion is media and PR so with her contacts from Britain’s Got Talent and Belly Dancing I am excited about all the new things she has planned. In order to go with these business ideas she needed some different photos to use for her publicity.  I’ve done a lot of photos of Sophie when she has been belly dancing so it’s great to do something different and show Sophie the business woman.

Glamorous

The designer dress.

Thinking of the future.

Business Woman

Business Headshot

Informal headshot

Getting down to business.

I see a lot of engagements, excited couples planning their weddings and then I get to share it with them when I take their photos.  Every couple is different and so my job is always fresh and exciting.  I love hearing news of couples who have decided to get married but I have to say it is that extra special when it’s your sister!  My sister, Fiona, and her boyfriend Bill got engaged just before Christmas and we are now really looking forward to a family wedding at the end of this year.

Bill proposed to Fiona on their 3rd anniversary.  We were all hoping it would happen so it was great when I got a text saying:

“He did it!  Got down on one knee in a cell at the courthouse hotel.  I have a ring on my left hand. You’re the first to know (as promised in Notting Hill). Yay x x”

They got engaged at the place where they went on their first date which I think is so romantic!  Bill had planned it properly and had even bought the ring ready to propose.  Now this is something which I thought could be very risky!  My sister and I had always said we’d like an antique ring if we got engaged and it’s the kind of thing where we would need to be there to choose.  However Bill chose the ring for Fiona, with the help of a friend who’s mum is in the antique jewellry business, and Fiona absolutely LOVES it! Lots of brownie points for him from her as well as the rest of us!

Bill is already part of the family but  it’s great that we’ll be celebrating their wedding later this year.  I took a couple of photos of them when we spent time together at Christmas so thought I would share this with you.  I am looking forward to swapping my camera for a bridesmaid dress for this wedding, although I think I may have to take a few shots…..it’s what I love to do at a wedding after all!

The ring..

Fiona & Bill

Happy

Proud Dad.

Engaged & Happy

I am very excited to announce my first Serendipity Photography Competition of the year!  The reason for this competition is firstly because I am celebrating 2 years in the wonderful world of professional photography.  It has been an amazing two years and I am still pinching myself that I get to do what I am most passionate about for a living.  The second reason is that Valentine’s Day is not far away and is the most romantic day of the year and it is also my birthday so what other reason do I need to launch a photo shoot competition?

Happiness

The competition is open to couples of all ages and shapes and sizes who are based in Sheffield or the South Yorkshire region.  (You don’t need to be newly enagaged or getting married to enter.)

Together

In order to enter couples must give me their names, address, email address & phone number and tell me what they think is the most romantic location in Sheffield/South Yorkshire and why.

Send your entries to katythomson@serendipityphotography.co.uk.

The wining couple will then win a photo shoot with me in that location and get a framed print and coffee table book with a collection of photos in it for them to cherish for ever.

Kiss

The closing date is Friday 5th February and I will be announcing the names of the lucky couple in time for Valentine’s Day.  So, are you a couple who want the chance to win a romantic photoshoot or maybe you know a couple who you know would love this prize?  Maybe you want to nominate yourself and your partner and then if you win it would be the perfect Valentine’s gift.

Romance

Get your thinking caps on and come up with your most romantic locations in Sheffield and the wonderful surrounding areas.  

I can’t wait to see your entries and pick the winner.

Katy