Tag: wedding photographer Bognor

West Dean Gardens Photographer | Engagement Shoot | Caroline & Geoff

When Caroline told me she and Geoff wanted to do their Engagement Shoot at West Dean Gardens I was super excited, I’ve been meaning to revisit for a long time. I hadn’t been there for many years when my sole purpose was to sketch and draw the sculptures for an art project… I wasn’t paying that much attention to the flora and fauna (although, were you to see my final sculpture based on my visit you’d be fooled into thinking my attention was on point!)

As is the norm for an Engagement Shoot we spend the first 15 mins or so bedding in (pardon my horticultural puns there!) to get relaxed with the camera and each other. It is a great opportunity to break the ice and get those nerves out of the way before the wedding day itself when the last thing a couple want is to feel they are on an endless photoshoot rather than celebrating their wedding day!

Caroline and Geoff were pro’s, a couple so visibly comfortable with each other it was an honour to be brought in to that fold. Geoff mentioned he had been awake since 7am the previous day, he was a trooper. Never once complaining or passing out from tiredness! A true professional to the end!!

West Dean Gardens are beautifully landscaped grounds centred around West Dean House, a place of artistic and creative education as well as hosting fabulous events throughout the year (I would personally recommend the Chilli Festival). The whole location is just made for a photoshoot!

There is this gorgeous Edwardian Pergola that has been extensively restored that cries out to be photographed. It was springing into bloom as we visited. Caroline and Geoff sprung to action being the perfect models as we traversed it’s 100m length, pausing at the pool to catch a calm reflection.

The Sunken Gardens are also a must visit, and for the foodies out there, the Walled Kitchen Garden as a source of inspiration for allotment growing (sadly, I have not inherited my Mother’s amazing green fingers, but greatly appreciate the abundant crops shared with me!)

As we strolled around the grounds together it was very hard to not just stop at every corner to take another snap. As a photographer at West Dean Gardens I was in my element. There are huts, nooks and crannies, green arches and endless fields all begging to be included in the shoot. We had planned to be there for an hour or two…. Four hours later we realised how absorbed we had all got, but it was certainly worth it! We talked about wedding plans, work, life, kids etc, it was hard to make this day feel like work!

As you can see from the images, Caroline and Geoff were true naturals during their Engagement Shoot at West Dean Gardens, their love and warmth for each other just shining through. I’m really excited for their post-wedding shoot when we can revisit in all their wedding outfit glory and create some stunning Newlywed portraits.

I can’t wait for next year and their April wedding!

Fiona xx

FionaMillsArt | West Dean Gardens Photographer | Engagement Shoot

Jess & Geoff | The Engagement Shoot | Chichester

When I got an email from Jess enquiring about doing an Engagement Shoot in Chichester following her recent engagement to Geoff, after putting two and two together I realised we had an army of mutual friends between us. I was shocked at how our paths had not crossed before this! After a flurry of emails, we got onto location… Being torn between the floaty dreamy setting of West Wittering, or the more gothic architecture and floral blooms of Bishops Palace Gardens at Chichester Cathedral, they chose the Cathedral.

Meeting Jess and Geoff at Chichester Cathedral for their Engagement Shoot was like hooking up with old friends. They are a lovely, vibrant couple with a real sense of fun and joy! I learnt that Geoff likes to climb trees (he’s very good at it) and is not afraid of the spiders that may live in those nooks and crannies!

Jess was a bold and adventurous model, very quick to be comfortable under the glare of my lens, and full of laughter with it! At times it seemed we forgot we were on a shoot as we chatted and got to know each other better! I found out that they met as Geoff was supposed to be interviewing Jess for a job in the family business…. it seems he not only scored a great employee but his future wife to boot! Lucky man!

One of the lovely things for me about joining a couple on an Engagement Shoot is that you get to see that fresh flush of love and excitement as a couple are starting to prepare for their married life ahead… I’m not sure where this romantic side of me has come from, but it sure seems to be creeping out more and more! As they chatted about ideas for their wedding day, what they may or may not like, whom they wish to share it with, I couldn’t help but share the excitement!

As you can see from the images, Jess and Geoff share a wonderful love… they also look fabulous together! Bishops Palace Gardens at Chichester Cathedral is a wonderful place to explore. As a photographer there is a plethora of backdrops to use, and despite having shot here multiple times, I can always find a new angle or scene to capture. The buildings and walls that surround the area are also a great backdrop to use.

After editing and sending over the online gallery and mobile app to Jess and Geoff following their Engagement Shoot in Chichester I realised they would also be a perfect subject for me to test out and order a sample of the GoBook, a new product by Graphistudio (whom I use for all my album products). Beautifully handmade in Italy, I’m sure you’d agree this album, with it’s free standing box frame would be a perfect addition to you home, preserving those fantastic memories.

I was very pleased to see that Geoff also values the medium of print, when upon my morning Facebook and coffee ritual I saw (much to my amusement) that Geoff had bestowed upon his beloved a gift of a cushion…..using the image below!! Cheeky eh?!

Peace and Love

Fiona x

British Institute of Professional Photography

You may have read in one of my previous blogs that one of my aims for this year was to submit my work to be assessed for a Licentiateship with the British Institute of Professional Photography in the category of Weddings. Since joining the Institute this time last year I have been closely mentored by Chris Harper FBIPP (and also CEO of the BIPP). Attending courses and taking constructive feedback on the chin has really helped challenge me to improve how I compose, shoot and edit an image. I can really see the difference in a year!

This February Chris suggested I apply for my Licentiate, with assessments taking place in March. Basically, the British Institute of Professional Photography has taken over my life for a very intense month or so. With help from Chris to put together my portfolio of images, I was very kindly given a small extension with which to write my supporting evidence. A book that documents how I began, where I am at now and how I hope to grow in the future. It also shows my working process, how I interpret client briefs and customer feedback. This workbook was the hardest part!

So……. Today I was assessed, and YAY!! I was awarded a Licentiateship in the British Institute of Professional Photography. I can use the letters LBIPP after my name and here’s a new fancy-pants logo I can incorporate into my marketing:

This is what the BIPP have to say about qualifications, “Recognised across the world as a benchmark of excellence, our tiered qualification structure offers photographers continual professional development. There are three qualifications, each reflecting increasing levels of experience, skill and achievement; Licentiateship, Associateship and Fellowship”

The assessors had some very kind words to say about my images but also offered some golden nuggets of how I could improve and what I could develop to take my art to the next level.

I am really looking forward to this next year or so, developing my craft and working towards the next qualification with the support and guidance of my mentor. The additional development tool I can now consider is whether I choose to complete a degree. The work submitted for my LBIPP can be assessed and awarded up to 240 points towards a BA(Hons) Photography with the Open College of the Arts (basically it could count as 2 years of a 3 year degree). I need to weigh up if I have: a) the time to do this; and b) the money, as the cost would be equivalent to a new camera and lens I’ve got my eye on!

Anyhow, I’ll think about that and leave you the images to peruse from my Licentiate Portfolio for the British Institute of Professional Photography while I pour myself a glass of vino and scoff some well deserved cake!

Fiona xx