Bright and breezy with a little bit of cheese – Nick and Decia at Whitstable

I’m delighted to be joining Nick and Decia for their spring wedding at gorgeous Winters Barns near Canterbury and we decided to meet up for a fast and furious pre-wedding photoshoot at Whitstable. The weather on Saturday was damp and dismal … but Sunday was bright … and incredibly windy!

Some of my brides need a tiny bit of encouragement to let go … Decia is NOT such a bride – her laughter and giggling is infectious and we are going to have no trouble at all getting beautiful and engaging images on their wedding day!

As we strolled through a busy Whitstable Harbour, we found an astronaut …

Nick and Decia’s connection and love for each other was very obvious to see … we stopped traffic, drank coffee and traded stories.

I am so looking forward to their wedding day … oh, and the cheese reference is twofold – cheesy shots may be required on the day to get into the spirit of things … and Decia LOVES cheese! See you both very soon xx

Sara and Steve – the fully story of their eco friendly wedding at the gorgeous Pines Calyx

Sara and Steve met me at a wedding fair … even before they were engaged … Sara was absolutely intent on having Pines as their wedding venue and on a very bright sunny day last May, her wish came true. For bridal preps, Sara had hired a local house and she and Steve also stayed there on their wedding night – it overlooked the Channel and was light and bright and full of quirky details – perfect as far as I was concerned! Weddings are emotional occasions and this was no different. Happy to have loved ones with them to celebrate and sad that there were others who couldn’t be there.

Pines Calyx is a beautiful venue, set naturally on the cliffs at St Margaret’s Bay. The first place in the UK to see the sun and affording so many great places to take bride and groom portraits … even on the beach! The feel of this wedding was relaxed, the invitations had been designed by Sara and Steve themselves, along with the menus (designed personally for each guest), the seating plan was an upscaled ladder from Sara’s dad, the list of incredible details is endless.

The flowers and bouquets were exquisite and all prepared by Steve’s mum. The cake, and cup cakes, were incredible … and made by Steve’s sister – the bride was reduced to tears on seeing the cake as it was absolutely perfect!

I am delighted to share with you images from Sara and Steve’s wedding day – the day Sara couldn’t wait to marry her best friend … enjoy!

We had such a wonderful day and I was truly sad to leave. My second shooter, Sarah, and I enjoyed the hospitality and generosity shown to us by everyone and it was an absolute pleasure to capture the smiles, the laughter and the tears. Sara and Steve chose to have albums with their package and I know that nan had a long list of people that she wanted to show her one to!

I look forward to capturing more of Sara and Steve’s life events … and thank you both again for making me feel so very much part of your day xx

And I’ll see you both again at Dan’s and Alison’s wedding in August!

Venue: Pines Calyx in St Margaret’s Bay (pinescalyx.co.uk)
Brides dress: Bridal Wardrobe in Rochester (www.bridalwardrobe.co.uk)
Grooms outfit: Next
Hair and make up: Kelly, a schoolfriend of Sara’s
Caterer: Michelle from the Pines Calyx tea rooms
Dj: Apollo Funk Entertainment (www.apollofunk.com)
Flowers: Groom’s mum
Cake: Groom’s sister

The first ever set of 20/20 sessions in Faversham

It’s taken a while for me to be brave enough to book my first set of sessions … but I am so glad that I did! Using the upstairs room at The Saddlers right on the Market Place in Faversham, I welcomed nine families who came along, giggled, laughed, blew bubbles and sang … here are just a few of the results!

I can’t blog all of the sessions because some of them are secret Christmas presents … what a great idea! We had Santa hats, bubbles, fairies, wands and dancing. Jumping and giggling and cuddling … oh it was such fun. The smiles and energy from the children was just inspiring!

If you’d like more details on the next set of sessions, which will be in Spring 2015, just drop me a line sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk and I’ll be happy to tell you more. In fact, some of my clients already want to book for the next ones too as their little ones will have changed so much by then! I also offer bespoke family photography in a more relaxed environment so do get in touch.

TJ and Scarlett {sneak peek}

Lovely to spend time with you all on this special day. Here’s a quick little teaser with some images from Sunday … enjoy!

I’ll make sure that the edits are all done before you leave for foreign shores xxx

Diana’s birthday party and a beautiful album

I was contacted by Diana’s daughter just a few days before the celebrations at Shepherd Neame in my home town of Faversham. Juliet asked if I was available to take some candid photographs of the party and to produce an album … of course, I was delighted that I was available! It was such a lovely event, with a slideshow of memories taken from holidays, and weddings and just general life itself. It really shows how important photographs are that they can be enjoyed again and again and those moment are captured for ever.

The album has been duly designed and delivered and here are a couple of images to show the high quality of the product:

The album was full of laughter and family and friends. I was so happy to be a part of it and hope that the album will be enjoyed and shown around now and for many years to come. Congratulations Diana!

Charlotte and Daniel married at Salmestone Grange {the story of their day}

When I first met Charlotte and her sister at a wedding fair, little did I know what a fun and detailed wedding Charlotte was planning. She had read in a wedding magazine that weddings should be styled and have a theme – so she took that to heart and themed the wedding as Alice in Wonderland. Great table plans, sweeties galore and hats, lots and lots of hats!

I arrived to meet up with Daniel and his ushers and to capture guests arriving. The forecast was mixed, sunshine and showers and we certainly had both of those during the course of the day (right at the end of the formals, it started to rain … great timing)!

Wedding transport varies from horse and carriage, to Rolls Royce to limousine. But never have I heard the bride’s arrival before seeing her … she arrived in her dad’s electric blue hot rod which had been preceded by her bridesmaids in another hot rod!

And, of course, with a bridesmaid as cute as Olivia in a cute little dress that she could spin around in …

The chapel at Salmestone Grange is really quite beautiful with colourful stained glass windows and centuries of history. Once everyone was seated, Charlotte walked in to a scattering of rose petals and accompanied by proud dad Keith. Daniel did look a little nervous but as soon as his future wife arrived, there were smiles and laughter all round!

Once the register was signed and kisses exchanged, we completed the formal shots on Charlotte and Daniel’s list just in time as the heavens opened. But we then were whisked away from the venue in a beautiful Rolls Royce and popped down to the sea for a few shots. We really were so very lucky … the skies cleared, just for a bit …

I must say that I was a bit scared when some dog walkers came past … I held my breath and hoped with all my might that they wouldn’t jump up on Charlotte’s dress!

Then back to the venue for confetti – I do always recommend that brides and grooms shouldn’t breathe in for this bit! Charlotte had lots of help with removing most of the confetti as she was a bit concerned that it might stain her amazing dress … I love her natural laughter and genuine smiles!

I mentioned the details before but check these out, along with the incredible cake!

We did pop out in between courses to make use of the available light – it was changing so quickly, one minute sunshine and then next gentle rain. But I don’t think you would see that from the smiles!

Soon it was time for the wedding breakfast (delicious, as always!) and then on to speeches … again, Charlotte was just throwing her head back with laughter!

I left the party after the first dance … more guests were arriving and the laughter and smiles started all over again! I’ll end this post with a montage of Charlotte and her friends … details at a wedding have their place, but I think the true memories are of people.

Congratulations to you both and thanks so much for inviting me to share your day. I can’t wait to share your final images with you. xx

I went to Croydon on a very sunny day …

to join Julie and Peter in their wedding celebrations! The sun shone, the bubbly flowed and the laughter and smiles … well, it was just amazing! My photography is all about emotion … so here’s a fab sneak peek of the newly weds …

And on the steps of the town hall …

And after they were whisked away in their silver Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (beautifully chauffeured by Roger from www.weddingcars4you.co.uk), Julie and Peter made their way to Coombe Lodge for their wedding breakfast in the light and airy conservatory.

OK, one more shot to illustrate the laughter … Julie and her daughter Sarah …

I hope that you all had the most amazing celebration on this gorgeous day … with much love and all best wishes for the future!