Take Better Photographs: Model Shoot

Right now my photography course 'Take Better Photographs' is being filmed for DVD. The DVD will be out shortly and be an Introduction to DSLR photography. The DVD is being filmed in Loch Lomond and the West End of Glasgow, these pictures were taken at the latter around Kelvinbridge.

My thanks to the amazing model Urszula Prokop and the talented Joanna Cunningham for Make-Up. Here is a sneak peek of some of the images taken during the filming, hope you like them...

Wedding Speeches: Top 5 Hints

My company is Paul Saunders Media & Photography, here though you will mostly see my photography work. However, beyond that I make films, documentaries and radio programmes so I know how nerve wracking people find public speaking.

So if you due to give a speech at a wedding I thought that I'd offer some hints and tips, using my experiences as a photographer of many weddings as well as a media producer and presenter.

1. Don't be too nervous, whether you're the father of the bride, groom or best man, everyone is wanting you to do well. The audience will laugh at all the right points and provide you with a warm welcome.

2. Know what you're going to say, share your speech in advance with someone whose opinion you value, if they think it's good then you should then feel confident about delivering it.

3. Use light and shade, by that I mean cover the traditional elements, which of course includes acknowledging all the people that you should but also...
...make them laugh as well! you'll find some great examples on-line, along with some examples of some of the formalities to include, take these ideas and make them personal to the people you are talking about.

4. Don't hold back, it's a day of emotion, say what you feel and what is authentic. If it's genuine, sincere and positive then I am sure that you will get a good reaction.

5. Finally, enjoy it! Maybe organise the speeches to be done before the meal starts so that you can then feel comfortable having a few drinks. 

I hope you find those tips useful, please get in touch if you would like to find out more about my Wedding Photography.

Paul Saunders is a full time Professional Photographer. Based in Loch Lomond, he works throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Ayrshire and Loch Lomond. Paul specialises in Wedding Photography, Family Portrait Photography, Photography Training Courses, Photography & Video for Businesses and Charities.
For more details contact him on 01360 661029 or visit his websites at: www.paulsaundersphotography.com and www.paulsaundersmedia.com
e-mail at paul@paulsaundersphotography.com.

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How to Plan Your Wedding on Pinterest

I wanted to share an amazing Social Media site, which you may or may not know about. It's called Pinterest and is simply an electronic pin board. Basically you sign up and then start creating boards, you then populate the boards with pictures that you either upload, or pin to from the web or other boards on Pinterest.

I've added some pictures of how my Pinterest boards look. You'll see below that I have created different boards featuring images from weddings that I have photographed. Each board has its own theme such as wedding flowers, wedding dresses, venues etc. 

Here is what one of those boards looks like. It features wedding dresses and I regularly get notifications to see that my pictures have been pinned, when I go to the board that they have pinned it onto I see that they are building a gallery of what their wedding might look like.

Here is a close up of one of my pins, it shows a bouquet from a vintage themed wedding.

So feel free to visit me on Pinterest and to look at my photographs that are on there. But what might be useful is to create your own account, then start pinning to your own boards. The text associated with each picture will help you search for whatever you're looking for.

Hopefully these tips on Pinterest will be really useful when you're planning your own wedding. If I can help or you want any advice on Pinterest or Wedding Photography please do get in touch.

Happy Pinning!!!

Paul Saunders is a full time Professional Photographer. Based in Loch Lomond, he works throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Ayrshire and Loch Lomond. Paul specialises in Wedding Photography, Family Portrait Photography, Photography Training Courses, Photography & Video for Businesses and Charities.
For more details contact him on 01360 661029 or visit his websites at: www.paulsaundersphotography.com and www.paulsaundersmedia.com
e-mail at paul@paulsaundersphotography.com.

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Take Better Photographs in 2014

Into 2014 and how many of your new years resolutions have you been able to stick to? Problem is they're not much fun, are they?

What would be fun for 2014 would be to improve your photography. Maybe you got a new DLSR Camera for Christmas and are wondering what all the dials and controls do. Well the good news is that I run Take Better Photographs an Introduction to DSLR Photography courses, (just click here to see more details and book). A fun, informative and enjoyable way to learn how to take control of your camera.

Beyond that I think it would be good fun to work on a project or theme that you can work on throughout the year, for instance your garden through the seasons, architecture, your pet or even just interesting signs! A project can really help to focus the mind and produce photography that will inspire you and your friends.

In the spring I am releasing a brand new Photography Training DVD and if you would like to be advised as soon as it is ready please scroll down to the end of this blog and leave your e-mail address.

In the meantime here are some images that maybe kick start an idea for a theme or project for you to concentrate on in 2014. Do let me know what your theme is and then of course share the end results!

Paul Saunders is a full time Professional Photographer. Based in Loch Lomond, he works throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Ayrshire and Loch Lomond. Paul specialises in Wedding Photography, Family Portrait Photography, Photography Training Courses, Photography & Video for Businesses and Charities.
For more details contact him on 01360 661029 or visit his websites at: www.paulsaundersphotography.com and www.paulsaundersmedia.com
e-mail at paul@paulsaundersphotography.com.

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Top 10 Tips: Wedding Photography

Beyond capturing a wedding in beautiful photographs my aim is to help the couple really enjoy the day, so how can a photographer help this happen? Well here are my Top 10 tips for the day itself, based upon observations from many weddings!

1. Start your coverage from when you get ready, these provide some beautiful moments and don't worry a good photographer knows when to back off and disappear! It's also a fantastic opportunity to capture some pictures of shoes, invitations as well as portraits of family members.

2. Don't forget the groom too for this! Ideally factor in some time for his preparations, he might not be initially up for it but this often provides great story telling images!

3. Brides please try and allow some time from when you are ready in your dress when you need to head to the service. This allows you to take a much need breather and provides the photographer with an opportunity to get some good portraits with you and your family.

4. Try and not schedule the time of the service too late in the day, especially in the winter as light will soon start to go. Give yourself some time after the service for some good outdoor pictures in natural light.

5. Factor in some time for portraits of just the two of you in a good location nearby. However, don't let the photographer take you away for too long, otherwise you will miss out on spending precious time with your family and friends!

6. Similar to 5, ensure that the photographer knows the schedule of the day, especially when it's time to sit down for dinner. Preparing meals for a large number of meals is not easy and it causes incredible problems for the venue if it runs late.

7. Don't overdo the group pictures, these can take a lot of time to do. I build the groups in sequences to make it run efficiently and enlist an usher or bridesmaid who knows everyone to ensure that the chosen people are all nearby at this stage. After the group pictures the photographer can go and get some candid shots of the guests which works really well.

8. Capture the detail, you'll have invested much time and money on wonderful detail, your day though will pass in a flash so make sure all of these beautiful touches are captured.

9. There is a growing trend of speeches being before the dinner, this is a good idea, especially for the ones nervous about public speaking as it gets it over and done. For my packages it also provides you an opportunity for a discount if you don't want your first dance covered.

10. Finally remember, it is your day, you will look wonderful, everyone will be happy for you. You'll have no doubt worked hard in the planning of it. Once it comes to the day enjoy every moment and if the weather is not too good then don't worry it is unlikely that it will be bad all day so there will be plenty of chances to get good photographs.

I hope you have found this guide useful, if you would like a brochure for my Wedding Photography Services please visit my website page and gallery for Weddings or call me on 01360 661029.

Paul Saunders is a full time Professional Photographer. Based in Loch Lomond, he works throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Ayrshire and Loch Lomond. Paul specialises in Wedding Photography, Family Portrait Photography, Photography Training Courses, Photography & Video for Businesses and Charities.
For more details contact him on 01360 661029 or visit his websites at: www.paulsaundersphotography.com and www.paulsaundersmedia.com
e-mail at paul@paulsaundersphotography.com.

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£1000 Free Photography Deal for a Scottish Charity

As we start a new year I am announcing something very special for charities in Scotland. For 2014 I want to offer one Scottish Charity £1,000 worth of free photography.

I am looking to find a charity that I can work with to create compelling and emotive pictures that will help to demonstrate the difference that they make allowing them to reach out and engage positively with existing and new audiences.

The photography projects that I work with businesses on are strategically and creatively designed to achieve a strong impact and I would like to provide that service for one charity on a no cost basis (up to the value of £1,000) during 2014.

Previously I have worked with charities including Cancer Support Scotland, Radio Clyde's Cash for Kids, Yorkhill Childrens's Foundation, The Loch Lomond Steamship Company, Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow and the Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

Please get in touch via paul@paulsaundersphotography.com by Jan 31st and let me know why your charity would like to be chosen, along with  any ideas of the kind of photography that you would like. I am based in Loch Lomond and ideally would like to work with a charity that is located in the Central Belt.

The prize includes photography coverage up to the value of £1,000 which would allow one session per quarter.

My apologies in advance though as I can only take on one charity on this basis, but what I will be able to offer is a real commitment to providing images that will hopefully generate interest, engagement and support for them. Ultimately I am looking for a charity that I can add some real value to with impactful images that tell stories. So the more creative your approach and ideas are the better!

Remember, register your interest and tell me more about what you would like to achieve in an e-mail by January 31st. In the meantime here is a varied collection of some of my work.

Paul Saunders is a full time Professional Photographer. Based in Loch Lomond, he works throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Ayrshire and Loch Lomond. Paul specialises in Wedding Photography, Family Portrait Photography, Photography Training Courses, Photography & Video for Businesses and Charities.
For more details contact him on 01360 661029 or visit his websites at: www.paulsaundersphotography.com and www.paulsaundersmedia.com
e-mail at paul@paulsaundersphotography.com.

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your e-mail address to sign up for our quarterly newsletter with special offers.