When Things just don't go to plan with your wedding!

Wedding planning is stressful, no doubt about it! Most people seem to be booking their weddings a year or two in advance nowadays and spend the following months deciding on the perfect centrepieces, shoes, food and then seeing something new and changing it all over again. It makes sense, as it's one of the most important days in your life, up there with having kids, buying your first home and England getting to the World Cup Final, so it needs to be perfect, everything you dreamed it would be. But what happens if it all doesn't go to plan!!

Now a fair few people will know this pain, with the drama that the Covid pandemic caused leaving so many couples to postpone, change venues, cancel altogether. It was heartbreaking to speak to those affected, some more than once, but i recently photographed my now Sister in Laws wedding, which had its fair share of problems, to say the least! Here's the story...

Originally they were due to marry in August 2020, it had like most people, been booked for over a year. Well, as we all know, Covid put a stop to that happening. The second date came around, Covid stopped that too. The third date came along, they'd been finding it hard to get excited about it, they didn't want to get their hopes up, fearing that something would go wrong, and other than my niece; and bridesmaid to be, breaking her leg in a long jump incident and being in a full leg cast, everything else seemed to be going perfectly!

The final week arrived, countdown began 7, 6 , 5..... 4 came with a phone call.... the wedding venue cancelled... with 4 days to go. A Covid outbreak of out of town guests who were having to quarantine in the hotel!! 

They had got so close, they were devastated that they were going to have to cancel for the 3rd time. There were tears, stuff was thrown, they considered never getting married, ever, and then someone decided that it was possible to just find a new venue. That would be simple, right?

So with 4 days to spare the hunt began for a new venue, as well as the organisation of the registrars and the official documents, how hard could it be to find a new venue for a Saturday in the midst of wedding season!? 

Well believe it or not, a venue stepped up to the plate and hearing the journey they had already been on, pulled out all the stops to give them the best day they possibly could. So the impossible happened, the wedding was back on! 

I'd like to say that was the end of the run of bad luck, but the big day arrived and at 7:30am the Maid  of Honour received a phone call to say that her dad had been taken ill and been rushed to hospital and that she needed to leave asap, then the makeup artist got stuck in traffic and only managed to arrive an hour before the wedding.

But at 3:30pm against all the odds, the bride walked down the aisle, the moment was perfect, no one would have guessed the run up had been so chaotic. 

The day was everything they could have wished for and i think they appreciated it just that little bit more given all they had been through to get there. 

There is a reason for this little story.

It's really easy to get caught up in the stresses of planning the day, all the details, the money, the guest lists; whether to invite uncle Jim who never behaves and where to sit guests who dont like each other. It all seems important, but the thing that matters is just getting married, saying your vows, surrounded by friends and family, marrying the person you love. 

It's just a little bit of advice as a wedding photographer, who has been at a lot of weddings,  enjoy your day, take it all in and remember to smile!  

If you are in the midst of planning your wedding and are still looking for a wedding photographer, please contact me on the details below and i would be happy to have a chat.

Kids at Weddings... Yes or No?

Kids! Do you want them there on your big day, or would you rather have an adult-only affair, where no one has the responsibility of stopping little Freddie from sticking his face into the perfectly piped icing on the wedding cake?

I've photographed a lot of weddings and the opinions seem to be fairly equally divided. From a photographer's perspective, they can be amazing; bringing smiles and laughter and unexpected moments. They can also be pretty tricky! They don't stand still, they cry when they're meant to be smiling and they have the habit of having food either on their faces or all down their fronts. There's an old saying from the showbiz industry that says something on the lines of, "don't work with children or animals!" but do you know what? I love seeing them at weddings. I don't know if it's because I'm still a big kid (or so the Mrs says) at heart, but I can usually get the kids involved in creating amazing memories. Who doesn't love pulling silly faces!

Seriously though, it is a very personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. It's important to do what is right for you, it's your big day after all. It can be hard to tell guests that there are no kids welcome at your wedding, but you may be surprised, the parents might be jumping for joy at an opportunity for a child-free night out. The extra cost can be a factor to take into consideration; if you're on a strict budget it can be a good way of keeping costs down a little, as we all know that weddings aren't cheap.

Equally, people are managing to cater to the younger wedding guests in all sorts of ways, from kids activity tables, outdoor games, wedding-themed colouring sheets to keep them entertained and possibly quiet through the speeches! There are even specific wedding nanny services and creche companies that will come and look after them on the big day so you don't have to worry about them getting up to mischief when you're saying your vows, or dancing the night away. 

We've all seen the blooper videos of the tiny pageboy or flower girl throwing tantrums as they leg it down the middle of the aisle like a professional sprinter. The photos of a toddler picking his nose as the happy couple say "I do" and the fast asleep kid with his face in his dinner. As a photographer, I try my best to capture all these bits of your day too. They are wonderful, funny memories that are specific to your day. They are completely unstaged and document your day perfectly. 

One young chap managed to swipe a giant tub of sweets off the sweet station, rumour had it amongst the kids he was making a tidy profit! (watch out for this one on Dragon's Den down the line) 

Not all the photos I capture are funny, some can be absolutely magical. Those moments that happen when kids see the "princess" in the beautiful dress, or a couple have their child join them for the first dance are memories of the wedding day you want to relive over and over. 

Remember, that whatever you choose to do, make sure it's the right decision for you as a couple. I'd like to think that most people would respect your decision. 

So, if you're upcoming wedding will have a 4-year-old doing a knee slide on the dancefloor or whether it will be an adult-only affair, I hope you have a fabulous and beautiful day.

Thanks for reading my Blog

For more pictures and information on my services please check out my website 

www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk

 

Wedding Venue Spotlight - Holdsworth House - Halifax

Wedding Venue Spotlight

HOLDSWORTH HOUSE

HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE

As most couples will know, choosing a wedding venue is not an easy task. There are so many beautiful places; hotels, churches, barns, castles to choose from. I decided to try and help anyone who is in the process of planning their big day by giving a wedding photographer's view on some of the venues that I have captured along the way. This WEDDING VENUE SPOTLIGHT is all about the stunning, West Yorkshire HOLDSWORTH HOUSE HOTEL, Halifax

The inside of this Jacobean manor has so many photograph opportunities. It has that all-important grand entrance staircase, which is great to capture the first look and tears. A venue with commanding indoor features is brilliant in case the Great British rain decides to make an unwanted appearance. If the happy couple doesn't want to brave the outdoors, they won't miss out on their stunning photos.

This absolutely stunning venue in the heart of Calderdale is a wedding photographer's dream. It provides some of the most beautiful backdrops for Weddings I have seen. The gardens are immaculately kept and the intricate maze in the courtyard gives depth and texture to both the couple and group photos. It is both quaint and grand at the same time. There are plenty of opportunities for those large group shots too, which can sometimes be a little tricky at some venues.

The inside will not disappoint either. The venue can cater for weddings both large and small. I recently photographed a wedding through the Covid pandemic, with restrictions on the number of guests, it would have been easy for a wedding to feel empty and sparse. It couldn't have been further from the fact.

HOLDSWORTH HOUSE has an array of rooms and the smaller intimate ceremony room was perfect. It was a beautiful room to capture, with warmth and character which resulted in gorgeous photos of the wedding party!

Occasionally, when I visit venues, I find the decor can be quite bold, which can sometimes be a problem when it comes to colour clashes. Holdsworth house has a neutral pallet, which from a photography point of view is helpful.

The bedrooms are beautifully decorated, in subtle tones, so the bridal prep photos and those important macro, detail shots have a gorgeous environment to work with, which is great.

The lighting could be an issue for some, the rooms have quite low ceilings and there are lots of little corridors and not much natural light due to the historic architecture, but if you use a photographer who is able to provide their own artificial lighting and has good awareness of harnessing natural light you will be fine. (Make sure you ask your photographer about this before you book them!)

THEY ARE DOG-FRIENDLY TOO!

I hope that this little insight, from my point of view, is helpful to anybody who is looking for a venue for their wedding day.

Thank you for reading and if I can help in any way please feel free to get in touch! CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

Danny Thompson Photography, based in Halifax West Yorkshire, announces the launch of its commercial specialist photographer services.

Danny Thompson Photography, based in Halifax West Yorkshire, announces the launch of its commercial specialist photographer services. Danny Thompson commercial photography helps companies be professional and stay one step ahead of their competition.

For more information visit their website at https://www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk/Commercial-

With the announcement of their services, this Halifax firm aims to provide the best commercial photography to help businesses develop their branding awareness. They understand that it is important to invest in commercial photography as it escalates the growth and standards of a company.

Danny Thompson Photography creates high-quality commercial images to maintain the reputation of businesses. Professional photographs will reflect the level of professionalism at which the company operates and disclose the standard of the goods and services they provide..

Danny takes professional headshots in corporate and business event settings, that reveal the excellence of companies. He is an expert in product & brand photography. He captures images that portray the quality and craftsmanship of the product and the people in the business.

According to Danny Thompson, every photo tells a story and he presents the best visual story of every organization. By creating a unique arsenal of images customized according to the brand and client. He also does in house studio and on-location fashion shoots. https://www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk/Studio

Danny Thompson Photography also does Fashion and E-commercial photography. They are the experts in creating high-quality stock photos that can be used for commercial design applications. His personal and professional photography has a high resolution and is easily shareable via his membership portal. His commercial photos are digital assets that help increase the exposure of the brand and create more awareness by giving the brand a more professional look. They also boost the social media and search engine ranking of those brands.

Danny Thompson Photography offers a commercial photography package for startups, small or medium businesses, and charities. It's a three-tier package which includes, essential photography, enterprise photography, and premium range packages from £49- £150 per month. For larger businesses and agencies he provides a higher three-tiered package which includes an entrepreneur plan, executive plan, and the VIP plan ranging from £350- £1200 per month.

Danny Thompson Photography takes pride in capturing personal wedding for brides & grooms and family lifestyle moments. In portraits, photographs, and albums custom & bespoke to their client's requirements. https://www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk/Lifestyle

For more information visit their website https://www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk/ or call them on +44-7540-118284.

Danny Thompson Photography North of England Wedding Awards Photographer of 2020!!!

Photographer of the Year!!

Those of you who follow my social media will have most likely seen, that before Christmas, I was nominated for the North of England, Wedding Awards Photographer of the Year 2020! That in Itself was amazing. It was the first awards I have ever entered and the category is a very tough one, as there are so many amazing photographers up North, especially in Yorkshire (not that I'm biased!)! 

For me, someone who has never really won anything, I was definitely not expecting to be shortlisted as a FINALIST. It was a huge list of finalists and felt honoured to be named amongst other amazing businesses and photographers. I was happy to have made that list, but it was a very large list of 12 finalists, some of whom I have watched and admired for their images. 

"The North of England wedding awards The most prestigious awards for client service excellence.
The Awards recognise businesses in the wedding industry which go the extra mile for their customers, providing outstanding service and inspiring their customers to want to actively and positively promote them."

The evening was not the usual Big elaborate Awards night that usually happens, due to the ever ongoing Covid Pandemic. 

That meant instead of donning my glad rags and sipping champagne I was sat on the sofa in my comfies, brew in hand, with the wife and kids watching the Live Feed on my laptop. Not quite as glamorous as some would expect but that's probably a good job because when the judges announced the winner was Danny Thompson Photography I seemed to forget that was me. It wasn't until my son, at lightning speed shouted "Dad, you've won!" nearly sending my brew into next door that I realised I HAD WON!!

Now, I'm not one to blow my own trumpet, it just seems weird, so when the messages and phone calls started happening it was all a bit strange! I had some amazing comments on social media and was congratulated by so many people, it was amazing!

The thing that I am most proud of about winning this particular award, (despite the fact it was the Yorkshire one) was that it is based on customer service and feedback voted by the Brides and Grooms who's weddings I had photographed. I try incredibly hard to make the whole process of working with me as enjoyable as it can be. I want my clients to feel at ease with me, especially on such a big special day. I like to fit into the wedding, talk to the guests, make everyone feel as comfortable as possible so that I can get the absolute best photos for the happy couple to treasure forever. So to receive an award based on the experiences of my brides and grooms was incredible. It felt like lots of hard work had paid off.  

It was only a few weeks ago that I managed to collect my trophy, again Covid got in the way, which has now taken pride of place in the window of ALBION STREET STUDIOS, Halifax alongside the many awards that The Northern Video Company and James Mellor already has there. It feels good to be able to add my own to that impressive collection!

Thank you to everyone who has allowed me to be a part of their wedding day I absolutely love what I do and to know that people are also happy with my work is a massive bonus. 

Here are a few of the weddings that I have been apart of and if you would like to chat or see more please feel free to contact me 

Thank you for reading my blog it's much appreciated, please comment below and give me a cheeky share =)

If you would like to see more of my work and want any information ring me on 07540118284

 ✉   danny@dannythompsonphotography.co.uk

If you would like to look at more of my wedding images please head over to my website and follow me on social media  

🖥  www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk

 

Are you Camera Shy?  Maybe this could help

Today is World Mental Health day and it may seem a strange thing for a photographer to choose to blog about, but I seem to come up against it a lot in my line of work. It makes me feel like I should speak up about it, not only for myself but for my clients and other photographers and videographers in the industry.

I GET IT!

I have recently been encouraged to get out from behind the camera and to start filming videos for social media posts. This is completely out of my comfort zone, which is probably quite obvious from the videos I have already done. I become very self-conscious, worrying that I am waving my arms around, waffling and not making any sense. I've noticed that worrying about it makes it worse too. Watching them back isn't much fun either, I can laugh off the fact I said the word MASSIVE 100 times in one video and I can honestly say I am much more comfortable on the other side of the lens. In general, I am a confident person, happy to talk to everyone whether I know them or not, so it's unusual for me to feel anxious. It has definitely helped me to empathise with my clients who feel camera shy.

Do You Hate Having Your Photo taken?

A lot of my clients have expressed concern about having their photos taken! It actually puts some people off having a shoot. They worry about whether they will look right, that they have bad skin, they have wobbly bits, a double chin, what to wear, do they need to diet first if you can think it I've heard it! In fact, it's rare to have someone who is super confident, there have been a couple, but it is pretty rare. 

I try hard to reassure people that they will love their pictures. Professional photography produces different results to a selfie on your phone. The right lighting, settings, equipment, backdrop and position all play a part in creating brilliant portraits. Over the years I have developed a few ways of getting that perfect image. 

Plan Out the Day. I like to make sure that everybody knows what to expect on the day, especially if they seem anxious about the upcoming shoot. If people feel prepared and organised they often feel calmer, I certainly do. We try to discuss what they should bring with them, clothing etc, what will look best on camera and what to avoid.

Getting Comfortable. On the day I spend time just chatting, having a brew and letting the person get used to the studio and to me. I don't like to rush straight into shooting unless they are happy to do so. As people begin to feel more comfortable and relax a bit, it starts to show in their photos. I like to keep people talking throughout the shoot and the atmosphere light. the moment that someone genuinely laughs is pure gold. 

Be Open. If you are anxious or worried I urge you to open up and talk about it with me. If I know how you are feeling then I can try my best to make it as easy as possible. We can take our time and we will get there.

Adjustments. Every person is different. Every shoot is different. I've learnt to take them one at a time, if someone wants to bring their entire family for moral support, then they are more than welcome. (COVID rules allowing) If shooting at Albion Street Studio, Halifax is too overwhelming then we can take the photos in your home, or a cafe or even outside. Whatever makes it easier.

I recently had a client who suffered from Body Dysmorphia. This wasn't anything that I had come across before and for others who aren't aware it is a mental health condition that causes a person to worry or fixate on particular parts of the body and it interferes with everyday life. It opened my eyes to the complexity of mental health and the impact on photography. Despite her worries, she was brave enough to have a photo shoot and the images were beautiful. It took her a little time to see what others were seeing and she later mentioned that it had been helpful for her to have this experience. 

It's important for all industries to be aware of mental health issues that can arise. The better awareness we all have, the kinder and more understanding we can all be. I try to play my part, where I can, however small it may be. So far I have managed to make people feel comfortable and ease their fears over having their photos taken. I hope to feel more confident with my filming experience and I've got lots of people helping me out. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, body dysmorphia or any other mental health issue there is lots of support available. I recently became a Mental Health Champion after completing a course with Unmasked Mental Health, which I highly recommend for anyone.

Don't miss out on incredible photos, personal or business, get in touch and we can have a chat and see if what we can do! 

email : danny@dannythompsonphotography.co.uk

phone: 07540118284

  Thank you for reading my Blog. Please feel free to share. :)

 

 

Big Announcements for Danny Thompson Photography

 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT  - In fact it’s MASSIVE! 

It feels good to be able to share some positive news with people during this crazy pandemic that we find ourselves in! I didn’t expect to have made such progress throughout the last few months with all the restrictions in place, but being on lockdown with lots of time on my hands gave me plenty of time to plan and create new ideas for the business. So it’s with great excitement that I can announce the ALBION STREET STUDIOS. 

Yep, I finally have my own studio space, it’s taken a lot of hard work to get everything in place and up and running, but we’ve done it! Danny Thompson Photography is live and kicking in the Town Centre of Halifax, Albion street in the Westgate Arcade! I’m all set up for Commercial, branding, product lifestyle & family shoots and I’ve already been photographing some new and old clients! We’ve had some great shoots, it’s brilliant to be able to provide a relaxed and safe environment for my clients and the results have been amazing. (It’s also the perfect location to sample some of Halifax’s amazing food venues for lunch! We’ve toured the Halifax Borough Market and can honestly say if you haven’t been to some of the incredible eateries in there you’re missing out! Burritos and Thai food are fantastic!

That’s not the only bit of exciting news though, I’m not on my own in the studio!

I have teamed up with a fantastic videographer, James Mellor, from RAINBOW TROUT FILMS & THE NORTHERN VIDEO COMPANY! 

He is an amazingly talented videographer with a wealth of experience in the industry and his work is incredible! We have been working together on some commercial projects offering a complete digital media package to businesses. It’s amazing to work alongside someone who shares my passion for photography and media and we’ve been able to come up with new and exciting ideas, which are now all in the pipeline for the future! 

He’s even been encouraging me to make more videos for my social media, something I am not yet 100% comfortable with, as you may be able to tell if you’ve ever watched them. At least it’s helping me appreciate my client's nerves in front of my camera, so I’m working on it! I’m learning to work with the anxiety which I hope to be able to pass on to anyone who I work with who feels self-conscious or nervous about being in front of the lens. I’ll post another blog on this later! Back to the good news though... ALBION STREET STUDIOS is part of something even bigger... ALBION HQ...

The team at UNMASKED MENTAL HEALTH are in the space next door, providing much-needed entertainment, ideas and support as always! They’ve been a great motivation through COVID and are masters at making Yorkshire Tea! 

It’s the only tea allowed in ALBION HQ 

It’s a great space to work and as a bonus, we have meeting rooms to hire to other businesses or groups that need somewhere central and relaxed to meet. It’s been great to meet other local organisations and businesses in Calderdale and I can’t wait to see what else happens...

Then to top off my positive month...

I am now listed as a finalist for THE NORTH OF ENGLAND WEDDING AWARDS 2020, which was amazing news and very unexpected! I can’t thank my amazing brides and grooms and all their friends and family who voted for me enough! It’s a MASSIVE honour! I love what I do and being part of someone’s wedding day is reward enough, but I won’t lie, I’m very excited to be a finalist for the best photographer! So I’d like to say a MASSIVE Thank you to everyone! (If you haven’t seen my video, with the massive amounts of massive Thanks please check it out!)

Crab & Lobster Wedding, Crab Manor Hotel, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Holdsworth House, Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire

Holdsworth House, Halifax, West Yorkshire, Wedding 

So all in all, even though the last few months have been difficult I have been able to keep pushing forward and have tried to remain positive! It’s been hard work, but it’s paying off... 

So welcome to the next phase of DANNY THOMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY and the ALBION STREET STUDIOS... 

Thank you for reading my blog it's much appreciated, please comment below and give me a cheeky share =)If you would like to see more of my work and want any information ring me on

 07540118284  

email - danny@dannythompsonphotography.co.uk


https://www.dannythompsonphotography.co.uk/Commercial-