Randomness - My ideal bike

I realise that it's been a while since I posted, well anything. Truth is my alter-ego - Claire the PhD student - has been taking up too much of my time, and shooting has been infrequent. I did however take some random pictures a couple of weeks ago in Manchester, which I thought I'd share.

Some explanation is needed though - I recently confessed to Gary that the reason I don't want to go on family bike rides is because I don't like my bike. This may not seem like a big deal, but my bike wasn't cheap. I did compromise somewhat on the style of bike to keep the cost down, but this has turned out to be false economy. I compromised too much, and now do not want to ride the bike I have. Gary took this better than I expected (since it's my money I wasted not his, he's not to fussed ;) ). And I am now in the market for a new bike, though this time I'm getting the one I want. (I know at this point some of you are imagining pinkness, and ribbons, and rainbows, and baskets.... and you wouldn't be far wrong).

So back to the Manchester pictures. Gary and I headed out into the sunshine a couple of weeks ago, and I took my camera. I'm so glad I did because look what I found!!!!!

I need a bike just like this, then my life will be complete. And we can go on bike rides all the time.

C
xxx

New Lens - Sigma 18-200mm - feeling the love!

So on Friday I was given THE MOST AMAZING LEAVING GIFT EVER!!! I rented a Sigma 18-200mm lens for the wedding back in February and fell head over heels in love. I vowed then that it would be my next camera purchase, and have just been waiting for the right time to "justify" buying it. So when I opened the wrapping on Friday and found the lens inside I just about BURST! I can't thank the Forest guys enough for this gift, it's amazing! I'm gonna miss them all loads, but with my new lens, there'll hopefully be lots of camera adventures in my future. 

So, while the weather was fine, we headed off to Manchester, and I HAD to give my new lens a "test". These are the random shots I took today, and I'm so IN LOVE with this lens! 

(I think this is the most capitals and exclamation marks I've used in a post - but this lens - it deserves them ALL).

So with one lens I went from this:

Through this:

To this:

No extra lenses, no faffing with changing, just twist and shoot! And the image quality from it is just sexy! (I know, I find weird things sexy). 

The extra zoom allowed some surreptitious (I love that word!) street photography:

And just because I thought "Exit? Only if you can quantum phase shift!"

And finally, some pretty flowers, because it's spring, or summer, or something.....

Happy Weekend!

C

xxxx

International Women's Day

Happy International Women's day!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I heard an Oxfam campaign on the radio. To mark IWD 2012 Oxfam were encouraging women to "get together". The Oxfam "Let's get together" is focussed on raising money for Women in the developing world - you can learn more about it here. When I think of the role of Feminism in 2012, this is what I think of. Women with power and influence and money (like us in the Western/developed world), using it to give a helping hand to our less fortunate sisters. So this campaign really struck a chord with me.

With this in mind, I will be having a "get together" on the 16th March (it's late I know, but I only got my pack on Saturday!) in Preston. There's a lovely cocktail bar in Preston called Kuckoo (on Fox street), so I say we "get together" there. I'll be there from 6pm. If you don't want to/ can't drink, don't worry Kuckoo do non-alcoholic cocktails too.

I will obviously be asking for donations for Oxam on the night, but any little contribution will be welcome. For those of you who want to, for a £10 donation, I'll enter you into a competition to win a photoshoot with Urbantangerine (more details on the night). You'll get my usual portrait package, plus 1 A4 print of your choosing free of charge.

So, I hope to see you all on the 16th March.

C
xxx

A fine day for a February wedding!

When we were first asked to shoot this wedding Gary's reaction was "Oh crap!" Beccy is his cousin and he was terrified of not getting it right. I, on the other hand was giddy with excitement. It's not that I wasn't worried, or didn't care, it's just I knew we had this. Gary taught me to shoot, and whilst we now have very different styles, we compliment each other well. (And don't tell him I said this, but if he wasn't gonna be my groom one day, I'd want him shooting my wedding). We work well together as a team, and yesterday was no different.

The day started out with rain, and I swear I could have cried. I drove to the bride's grandmother's house praying for the rain to stop. Please, please just stop for lunchtime, stop for when we get to the church, please. 

As I set about getting the shots of the bridal party getting ready (with a lovely glass of Bucksfizz -  I was a spoiled photographer yesterday), I continued praying. 

The bridal party consisted of Beccy, her sister Vicky and her mum Anne. All of whom were far more calm than I expected. I suspect it had something to do with the pampering from the having their hair and make-up done. 

Beccy's dress was breathtakingly beautiful! She covered all the bases with fastenings, there was in inner corset,

A zip, and then 24 buttons,

Whilst I was with the bridal party, Gary was with the Groom and his grooms-men, 

Tom on the left and his Best-man Ryan on the right. Ryan's best-man speech was brilliant (I heartily recommend him as a best-man). 

Thankfully, my prayers were answered and we ended up with a lovely clear afternoon. The service was beautiful, and there were a few tissues in hands as vows were exchanged. St Annes is a gorgeous church, I mean come on!

From the balcony above the service I was able to get some lovely shots of the bride and groom throughout the ceremony. 

Including the exchanging of the rings!! 

Once the ceremony was over we went out into a now lovely, if slightly blustery day. 

Then it was off to the venue for the evening celebrations. Beccy and Tom had a gorgeous car, and we took full advantage of the car and the now lovely weather.

Beccy, you looked absolutely stunning! Tom is a VERY lucky man! 

After allowing everyone a few minutes to breath, Gary and I herded them all into the garden and handed out balloons. 

I'm not going to share the family shots, except this one, because I LOVE it. Uncle Richard gave Beccy away, and this shot, well see for yourselves........

I'm going to finish with two shots of the happy couple.....

Beccy, Tom, Thank-you so much for allowing us to document your day! Have a wonderful honeymoon!

C

xxxxx

Somewhere Woody!

Last Sunday I had a shoot with little K. I know her VERY well (she's my cousin) ;). When her mum and I asked her where she would like her shoot to take place her response was "Somewhere woody". So me, mum, K's little brother T, K, and dog Lilly headed to Spring woods. This location is on my doorstep, and I know it well, so I was really looking forward to getting there and shooting some cool pictures.

We'd had snow the night before, and though most of it had melted, there was just enough on the ground in the woods.

K is an adventurous sort of girl, happier climbing trees and exploring the world. She loves wildlife, and is not afraid to get dirty. My kind of girl!! (She's also amazingly pretty and photogenic - not sure where she got those genes ;-p).

At the start of the shoot K was VERY nervous around the camera. I decided the best way to deal with this was to let her do her thing and just follow her with my camera clicking away. This method resulted in a lot of shots like this one:

K discovered a pile of old logs, and as she set about exploring, I really started shooting....

After a mini snowball fight K made a mini snowman (like I said not a lot of snow left, just enough)

We were shooting in the late afternoon, and as the sun started to set we got the most amazing light! By now K was more relaxed with the camera, as you can see...

On the way back to the car I asked K if she would hold her brother's hand. Lilly also wanted to be in on this action and we got the quintessential brother/sister shot

Mum wanted to get a shot of both kids and Lilly together, this proved an incredibly difficult task! NEVER work with children and animals ;). I know mum is probably going to kill me for this, but I couldn't resist sharing this out-take, it made us all laugh! (Poor T). 

C
xxxx

Find us on Google+

So, has anyone else jumped on to Google+ yet? If not, why not? It's like the best parts of Facebook and Twitter in one place. Come and join us over there - +urbantangerinephotography.  I've uploaded a bunch of photos, just check out our album.

Pretty little M

Today was our first official newborn session. I was very excited last night, and this morning. I thought it would be harder than it was, but sweet little M was a darling. She tolerated all of my mauling and manhandling with hardly a grumble. She's such a little sweetheart...... but you can see that for yourselves. (N & C, enjoy your preview).

You CANNOT do a newborn session without getting pictures of those teeny, tiny feet!

And the teeny, tiny hands! 

The next shot was inspired by this great website and one of my Christmas presents. Little M makes a beautiful little flower-fairy!

Then it was time to try to get the "head on the hands" shot, Little M looked sooo sweet.....

Dad C was a little unsure about me taking his picture for this next shot, but I promised him it would be worth it. I think it is, hope he agrees....

We finished with a few shots in the nursery (which I loved, loved, loved. It is the perfect baby girl nursery!) 

I had a fantastic time doing this shoot, thank-you N &C for allowing me to experiment, and trusting my judgement. I hope my future clients are as easy as you guys!! 

C

xxx