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February 10, 2019 by Lizzie

What Would You Do With An Empty Swimming Pool?

On Friday I got to draw a big red line through one of the items on my photography bucket list and can happily say that ‘photo shoot in an empty swimming pool’ has been well and truly done thanks to general maintenance at Catmose Sports Centre.  When they called to tell me that my daughters swimming lesson would be cancelled this weekend because they had to drain the pool, I said “Great! Any chance I can take photos in it?!”

And I wasn’t the only one who was excited either, Jody from ‘Don’t Settle Petal‘ jumped at the chance to be a part of it. Not only is she a very talented florist, she’s also an awesome model and aced every part of it. I’m particularly loving her decision to add pink to her hair this week because it stood out perfectly from the blue of the pool!

Dresses came from the love that is Katie Dell Designs and even though we got them a little bit wet, no dresses were harmed during the duration of the shoot! You should totally check out her new collection as there are some beautiful pieces in there and her separates are stunning.

Here is how my shoot in an empty swimming pool turned out…

Thanks to all those involved in bringing this to life and big thanks to Tim Dunk Photography too who is a wonder to bounce ideas off and a very charming light stand. Couldn’t have done it without him. xx

 

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January 30, 2019 by Lizzie

Dream Autumnal Wedding at The Woodlands

The Woodlands at Hothorpe Hall is one of my favourite alternative venues in this area because for starters is has a blummin’ tree house as the honeymoon suite. And who doesn’t love a blummin’ tree house! Secondly, you can get married outside in a pretty little location amongst the trees and thirdly, the food is friggin epic. All the elements needed for a dream autumnal wedding at The Woodlands.

Woodland Autumnal Wedding

Rachel & Joe were married here in October and simply loved the laid back woodland feel and the chance to be married outside. Luckily for them the weather was on it’s best behaviour and they had the perfect autumn day for it.

Joe proposed the day they moved into their new house. The removal men had just left and he took Rachel to the bottom of the garden in the dark, with a head torch (my personal favourite touch). Rachel remembers it romantically as there’s a river that runs at the bottom of their garden and he had tied champagne to a string that was floating there.

When I asked them if they would change anything about their day they said “not one thing!” and that speaks volumes about planning a wedding that includes everything and everyone they love. Their favourite bit? “Marrying each other in front of people we love and our two amazing children!”

My favourite bit? THAT DRESS!! Look at it!

Please get in touch if you’re planning your own autumnal wedding at The Woodlands, it’s an awesome place and I’d love to be back there again soon.

Just in case you need a little convincing, then here is what Rachel and Joe had to say about working with me… “It was bloody awesome!!! You added more fun to our day.”

Job done I reckon!

Dress: Courtyard Bridal Boutique (who just won a big fancy award making them the best in the country!)

Venue: The Woodlands at Hothorpe Hall

Flowers: Lizzie Holland

Band: The Atlantics

 

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January 20, 2019 by Lizzie

Rutland Wedding Highlights Video – Lucy & Richard

Lucy and Richard got married back in June in their home town (and mine!) of Uppingham. The ceremony was in the church and the party was in their back garden which they completely transformed! As well as photos, these two had a Rutland wedding highlights video as an extension of their pictures and together they serve up a pretty emotive collection of imagery in order to remember their big day.

Rutland wedding highlights video

Lucy had this to say about it all;

“I think the universe works in crazy ways Lizzie and to receive these right now is just perfect timing! Thank you so much!

You literally have captured every guest at their best, our day just perfectly and you can see the love joy and happiness I felt!

Seriously my lovely, I just can’t find the words to do this justice… thank you just doesn’t emote what I am feeling!!

The day was always going to be full of emotion, I think my mum was with us, as she was on 29/6/1974 when she married my dad and on 29/6/1952 when she entered the world!

I am eternally grateful for your hard work but mostly I am proud to have had you there! You made the photos easy, you made me feel safe, beautiful and I loved every single second!! 💜”

 

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January 18, 2019 by Lizzie

Elsie Takes Florida by Storm

January is the month for me to slack off a bit and take in some winter sunshine. It was also the perfect opportunity to take Elsie across the Atlantic for her first trip to America and a state that holds many happy memories for me as a kid.

If you’ve explored my website you’ll know that my Mom is American and when we were growing up, my grandparents “wintered in Florida” the way a lot of American’s do. It’s a bit over populated now and mass construction is breaking down a lot of it’s natural beauty but I was still able to introduce Elsie to a lot of things I hope stick with her the way that playing shuffle board with my cousins, fishing off the dock, tearing round park streets on my gran’s old three wheeler and cracking open my first lobster with reckless abandon have done with me. Elsie was less impressed by the lobster though (apart from the inflatable one) and I had to bribe her to try it but she still has an impressive list of Floridian fun to look back on including;

White sands and warm seas

Eternal sunshine

Unlimited pool time

Sugared cereal that quite literally changes the colour of your poop

Lobster bibs

Overtly friendly waiters and waitresses

Discovering the power of her accent

Neon coloured candy

Painting studios “totally in the garage”

Iguanas bigger than her cats

Food on a stick

Itchy bugs

Wizzy walkways

Pancakes, always pancakes

Jet lag

Willing conversations with strangers

Vibrant colour

Palm trees

I kept my cameras small and discreet this trip and actually took most photos on my phone…it also meant Elsie could take some and I’ve included a lovely one of me here for your viewing pleasure. I’m off out now to post off my films because I can’t wait any longer in order to see the results.

Till next time Florida x

 

 

 

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January 2, 2019 by Lizzie

January Doesn’t Have to Suck!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Did you get engaged over Christmas?! If you did then I have some lovely news for you. I’m giving away prizes to all couples who book their weddings with me in January. ALL OF THEM!

Who doesn’t love prizes in January? I know I do!

1ST PRIZE – An engagement shoot
2ND PRIZE – £150 off your wedding
3RD PRIZE – £75 off your wedding

And all other couples who book will get a £25 print voucher applied to their final gallery.

Everyone’s a winner baby that’s no lie! And you can bet your life I sang that out loud as I typed it.

Nb. If three couples book then the top three prizes will be drawn between them. However, if it’s only two couples I will be getting rid of first prize and drawing second and third and if only one couple sign on the dotted line they will automatically be awarded third prize. SO! It pays to tell your mates all about this because the more people in it means the better the prizes.

And Elsie will be doing the draw live on Instagram at the beginning of Feb. That’s incentive enough right?!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

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January 1, 2019 by Lizzie

Rutland Water Winter Wedding

And so to my last wedding of the year, I closed 2018 exactly the same way that I started it and I couldn’t be happier! This was a local blow out with a full on Rutland Water winter wedding on NYE…the guests even braved the cold to drink champagne and eat mince pies by the water. I’ve been pretty darn lucky with a whole host of awesome weddings this year and these two didn’t disappoint for my last, we went out with a bang! Congrats to Denise (otherwise known as disease to the registrar) and Ryan (just Ryan) you did it entirely your way, which was the only way, and of course, the right way.

Venue: Normanton Church and Mill Street Pub & Kitchen
Dress: The Bride
Makeup: Beauty by Amy
Singer: Alice Kube
Huge thanks again to Tim Dunk Photography for his help.

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December 30, 2018 by Lizzie

Brownsover Hall Winter Wedding

Laura & Casey’s Wedding – December 2018

Oh Laura and Casey, thank you for being the wonderfully awkward, utterly beautiful human beings that you are. Their Brownsover Hall winter wedding was ace and it’s more than OK that the kids stole the show a little bit right?! One little dude in particular. One bridesmaid in particular too… just you see if you can spot her! All the love for my penultimate wedding of the year. THESE GUYS ROCKED IT!

Venue: Brownsover Hall Hotel
Dress: Serendipity Brides
Flowers: Julia Dilworth Florals
Band: Dexter – The Band
Makeup: Jessica Rutter
Hair: Laura Cooper
Big thanks to Tim Dunk Photography for his help on the day!

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October 9, 2018 by Lizzie

Auction Fundraiser – A Day In The Life Family Photos

Time for a little auction fundraiser while doing something I love I bloody love taking pictures of families at home, you’re in your happy place with all your comforts and favourite things around you. It’s the place you can be most yourself and the easiest place to get relaxed and happy photos of you as a family… if you let me, I’d love to join you for a day. 

That said, going in to my friend Debbie’s house and taking photos of her and her girls was far from easy, but something I never would have passed up, knowing just how important it now is for them to make memories together.

I am reopening my family diary with this charity event in order to raise money for Debbie and the treatment she is currently undergoing, and will undergo for as long as she possibly can.  You see, late last year our beautiful and vibrant friend Debbie was diagnosed with a brain tumour. 

Debs is a hugely popular and loved lady, she is also the mother of two gorgeous girls aged 10 & 7. She is remaining incredably strong and positive with the most remarkable fighting spirit. She is determined to prolong the precious time with her daughters through whatever means available.  I WANT TO HELP WITH THAT. 

I would like to offer one family the chance of a ‘Day in the life’ photo shoot with me, which consists of my ugly mug at your breakfast table all the way through to bed time for the kids and wine for the adults. I am happy for this to happen anywhere in the country but understand that a date of convenience for myself has to be found if you are miles from where I live. You have to pay for it of course, but all proceeds will go to Debbie’s ongoing treatment in Germany, none of it is for me. 

The bidding is going to start at £500. I’m not willing to accept anything less and when you consider that I charge £250 for one hour and almost £2000 for 12 hour coverage of a wedding day, you’d already be getting your hands on a bargain. Plus I’m quite fun to have around, I’m not allergic to anything and I won’t have a tantrum when you won’t let me watch TV.

So, all I ask is that if you have taken the time to read this, please take the time to share it. If you think a particular family would be interested then please send it to them directly. If you would like a family shoot with me at any point in the next six months, you have to share this post in order to secure your booking AND if you want to be in with a chance of winning, please find the original post on my Facebook page and place your bid underneath. The highest bid at midnight on the closing day of the last day of November will be the winner and the money will be added to Debbie’s fundraising account.

It’s been a hell of a time and despite immediate surgery successfully removing 95% of the tumour, she was told that the Glioblastoma was aggressive and currently incurable.

She has undergone a 9 month period of brutal treatment, a resection, a brain flap infection which turned in to meningitis and required part of her skull being removed, 30 sessions of radiotherapy with 30 day of temolozide (chemo). Then after a month treatment break, she has completed 5/6 rounds of chemotherapy. After getting shingles she’s decided her body can’t take anymore chemo, but has done 2 more than the average Glioblastoma patient, as well as an equally brutal immunotherapy treatment. 

During this period she’s been going to Germany 3 weekly for immunotherapy, where her amazing brother drives her 1300 miles round trip and has cost more than £200,000 funded by family and a huge fundraising effort by all her amazing friends.

Ongoing costs for this are huge, which is is why all donations are so important if we are to prolong this mothers life. Please help me contribute to funds in order to give her the means to fight this awful disease, while maintaining a stable quality of life for her and her girls. 

Thanks for your time xx

*TERMS & CONDITIONS
The prize is final and cannot be exchanged
Payment must be made in full to the charity fund before any photos are taken
Bidding must not be done on behalf of anyone else
Multiple bids are permitted
Each bid must be made in a new comment on the original post
The highest bid on the original Facebook post (found here: https://www.facebook.com/Shootitphotography) at midnight on 30th November 2018 will win 
A mutually agreeable date must be found and travel times taken in to consideration, no date is guaranteed
The date must be decided within one year of the end of bidding
The date cannot be rescheduled and must proceed regardless of weather conditions
Accommodation fees may be incurred if the photographer is travelling a great distance and is unable to stay on site
Photographs will be delivered digitally and delivery is final. No re touching, editing or alterations are included in the agreement
Bidders must be residents of the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) …but if you’re not, you need to pick up the travel costs! xx

 

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January 25, 2018 by Lizzie

2017 Wedding Highlights

I’m a little late to the party but I wanted to get my 2017 wedding highlights out to you lot by the end of January and I’ve managed it with a few days to spare so it’s not all bad! 

I really did have an epic year of weddings and would happily have made the slideshow about ten minutes long but come on, who has time for that?! I’m a big fan of smiles and laughter and movement in my photos and I’d like to think the pics I’ve chosen reflect that.

It has ended up about six minutes and two songs long and that’s more than enough to give you an idea of what I’ve been up to. And in case you’re wondering, the music is by an old band called ’99 Years’ who were, and some of them still are, friends of mine from a very young age…making it a pretty good soundtrack to reminisce to.

 

Going through pictures from 2017 was tough, I found myself saying “oh that one, and that one!” more than once or twice, and even after finishing it and posting it considered re rendering it so I could include a favourite I had forgotten, it’s so hard! There have been So. Many. Moments. And all of them wonderfully memorable. 

Including that one wedding that made the news. You know…the story of THE DRESS and the wonderful ladies at Courtyard Bridal Boutique coming in to save the day!

There was also the wedding of Kate and Austin which I totally bloody bypassed in the selection process and not because their wedding wasn’t amazing, it was brilliant, but because my brain malfunctioned and I skipped it. It should definitely be within my wedding highlights, without a doubt. So in ode to them, I’m including some pictures from their day too because they should be in there, along with a few others…and maybe some more. Do you see why this is so hard?!

Bride and groom running Funny bridesmaid bridesmaid fun Wedding highlights Swing Dancer Wedding

They’re swing dancers! SWING DANCERS! How on earth did I forget them?! 2017 was great from start to finish, I even ended it on a NYE wedding in my home town with a lovely couple and a fantastic party. You can’t ask for more than that.  All that is left for me to do is look forward to 2018, starting with a bang in less than two weeks at The George Hotel in Stamford and ending with another NYE extravaganza and the small matter of a little trip to Italy in the middle. I can’t bloody wait.

New Years Eve Wedding

 

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September 24, 2017 by Lizzie

The Story of The Dress

Yesterday was a wedding day, like a Saturday often is for me, and I was headed to Rushton Hall for the wedding of Nathalie and Mike, prepped, peppy and photo ready! 

I arrived at 10.30am all ready for an hour of bridal prep before the wedding at 11.30am, only to discover a slightly sombre mood in camp because of the fact that Nathalie had no wedding dress. It turns out she had been unable to pick it up and was sat in the bridal suite in a basic slip dress, calmly waiting to get married.


 At this point, I would like to stress I am not writing this blog to name and shame the dress maker who let her down, I am writing it to commend the ones who came to her rescue…because quite frankly, what happened next, and for the rest of the day is more noteworthy and deserving of your time.

What followed was a bit of a blur but I did what any photographer in the area would have done, I called Courtyard Bridal. Having worked with the lovely ladies who run the family owned business before, I figured they would be our best bet, and I’m sure you can guess by now, that they did not disappoint. 

“I HAVE A BRIDE WITH NO DRESS!”

“YOU HAVE A WHAT?!”

“A BRIDE WITH NO DRESS!!!”

“WHEN IS THE WEDDING?”

“…………..in an hour”

“WE ARE ON OUR WAY!”

They swooped in like literal caped crusaders and bundled everything they could in to the car, promising they would be with us as soon as they could. Tears followed, as did a party play list, an abundance of hugs and a much improved mood. Now it felt like a wedding!

Nathalie is petite in every way and finding a wedding dress that fits is no easy feat, let alone one that wouldn’t completely swamp her height. I had no idea what to expect but later realised that Rhiannon had asked me all the right questions on the phone about her size, height and shoes…they were on the job! 

They arrived in a flurry and full of smiles at exactly eleven o’clock with two dresses, veils, pins, hair pieces and a sewing machine. Yep, you read that correctly, they even bought their overlocker. Nathalie tried both dresses on, and both of them fitted her, both of them looked amazing, both of them could have been made entirely for her, it was absolutely unbelievable. What happened next even more so.

She chose the more classic and elegant of the two and Anne immediately set about making alterations. SHE MADE IMMEDIATE ALTERATIONS! Anne cut off the bottom of the dress in the bathroom while Nathalie stood on a box of breakfast bits from the hotel. She then overlocked the bottom hem so it was finished as well as taking a few buttons off the back, sewing a few on AND SEWING BRA CUPS IN TO THE FRONT. She was not about to have nipples on show at Rushton Hall, oh no no.

Time check: At this point we’re at about 11.30am. I continued to stay in touch with reception, the registrars have three other weddings to get to today but they’ll wait, if needs be they’ll cut a reading from the ceremony. The bridesmaids all arrive, Anne is still doing the finishing touches and the veil is going in. The master of ceremonies delivers Dad and we exit the bridal suite in a flourish at 11.45am with Anne and Rhiannon in tow to watch Nathalie down the aisle. THE WEDDING IS ON!

Despite Nathalie and Mike’s young boys being a little unruly throughout the ceremony the pair were married, Nathalie looked nothing short of AMAZING and the party was waiting. Everyone could return to business as usual. Which was why I was a little surprised to see Anne and Rhiannon outside when we exited, knowing they had a full day of appointments at the shop.  Turns out, in all the excitement of leaving the room, no one had thought to bring a key…and all available keys to the bridal suite were, yep, you guessed it…in the bridal suite. Invited to stay for a drink, the dynamic duo enjoyed some champagne while the hotel tried in vain to get in the room. They had no phones, no keys and no sewing machine and were now going to have to wait for a locksmith. 

Rhiannon arranged for her husband to pick her up but Anne and I formed an alliance and not only did she help me organise my group shots, she became best friends with the bridesmaids, was centre of attention for all those wanting to hear about the dress and sat next to me for a delicious three course meal accompanied with some wine and cheese!

I literally can’t stress how diligently they worked to make sure Nathalie looked her absolute best and how wonderfully they managed the situation. They didn’t once falter or even consider not coming to help and they were there as fast as they could carry themselves.  Anne’s only complaint is that she wasn’t dressed for the occasion but in the end it didn’t matter and having Mike thank us all in his speech so earnestly for pulling the whole thing together just goes to show how much it meant to everyone involved.

The room was finally opened around 5.30pm and Anne could get all their stuff and go, although (and this is my favourite little detail) she’d had just a tad too much wine with dinner to drive so had to be picked up herself!

Before all this happened, I would recommend Courtyard Bridal as a great place to go to all the brides who asked, but now, I will be telling them that they’d be stupid to go anywhere else.

Nathalie would have looked beautiful regardless, I would have taken photos of her in her jeans, but the fact of the matter is she FELT amazing and it’s all down to a wonderful team of people who were willing to go that extra mile to help her out.

Nb. Her original dress turned up two hours after the ceremony and it was suggested she put it on. She declined.

The dress worn by Nathalie is Pronovias and is called ‘Niagara’

 

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