ALISTAIR COWIN

Will

2012-01-18T02:01:00.000-08:00

Dan & Julia

2011-12-05T04:33:00.000-08:00

Dan and Julia enjoyed a fabulously bright - if a little crisp - winter day at the Curradine Barns in Shrawley in Worcesteshire for their wedding on Saturday 3rd Of December I was toting a new camera which is very hi-tech and with a fairly steep learning curve. Fortunately all went well, the camera proved to be everything the reviewers wrote about it and it performed brilliantly.

The happy couple were glowing in their admiration for each other and had a lovely day which I'm happy to say is reflected in the pictures that I took. And I can't say enough about the wedding planner and the staff at the Curradine Barns. I have worked on quite a number of weddings here and have always been treated brilliantly - as have their clients and wedding guests. If you are looking for a venue for a special event, you should look up the Curradines!

New photo technique…

2011-10-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Following the photography I did for Judy Bentinck’s new hi-fashion Spring/Summer 2012 Hat Collection, I have spent the last few days perfecting a new technique to give these photos (and others too) much more immediacy and impact. I would appreciate your comments – good, bad or ugly! – as any feedback would be very welcome. You can e-mail me here.

Judy Bentinck Project 2012

2011-10-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Judy Bentinck Project 2012

This was a lovely job to shoot! Fabulous hats, gorgeous girls. magnificent makeup. What more could a photographer want? And not only is Judy Bentinck a great designer, she is also a lovely person to work with. It was hard (but very enjoyable) work as we shot over 30 pictures that day and the two models really strutted their stuff. As for Ruth Hancox's makeup (and brilliant hair) - well what more can I say..?

All in all, a really brilliant day in the studio with some wonderful pictures to prove it!

Katherine's wedding

2011-09-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Katherine

ALEX & RACHAEL’S fabulous wedding day at Burton Court

2011-07-22T02:48:00.001-07:00

Turn page web Album Click on pictures photo gallery

Anyone who hasn’t taken a trip around the county of Herefordshire on the Welsh borders is missing an absolute treat. It has to be one of the very prettiest counties in the whole of the UK where even the normally common site of a row of ugly electric pylons cutting a swathe through the countryside is rare indeed.

Burton Court near Leominster (pronounced Lem-ster by the way) is in the heart of Herefordshire and is blessed with some truly magnificent country views. Alex and Rachael chose this wonderful, still private, house for their wedding party following their marriage in another Victorian gem, the Town Hall of Hereford.

The weather was wonderfully sunny which helped the day’s photography progress smoothly and quickly. It’s always a blessing for both myself and co-shooter Charlotte if we can make the photography impinge as little as possible on the days events. We both know only too well that there is nothing more irritating to the guests at a wedding to be asked to hang around for hours, very often in cold and windy conditions, whilst the photographer gets his act together. The unashamed happiness that shows in the photographs of Alex and Rachael’s attests to the fabulous day that everybody else also seemed to enjoy.

So please take a look at the ‘turn page’ album that I have now delivered to the bride and groom along with a short, fun video and all the wedding guests individual pictures (remember Charlotte and I taking individual shots of everyone?) in my photo gallery.

If anyone has any comments or questions about any of the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. It would be good to hear from you!

Posted by Alistair Cowin www.alistaircowin.com

ANDREW & LAURA’S great celebration on June 25th!

2011-07-17T04:19:00.001-07:00

YouTube video – click on picture

There are stylish weddings – and then there are stylish weddings! Andrew and Laura’s was definitely one of the latter. How often do get to see an exquisitely prepared ‘horse and carriage’ take the bridesmaids first and then the bride and her father to church? Not often these days I can assure you.

It was a spectacular site I have to say – and a very photogenic one too. Charlotte, my co-shooter, is a tidy horse woman so she took on the responsibility of photographing the horses – and a wonderful job she did of it too. There are lots of pictures of all this in the couples photo StoryBook which I have just delivered to them and which you can see here – all 80 ‘turning pages’.

Of course a carriage trip is very vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather but the Curradine Barns that day was blessed with a gorgeous hot and sunny day so all went without a hitch. I think you will see all this in the pictures in their StoryBook album and their YouTube video that are now posted and you can see them - and some pictures of yourself too in my gallery - if you click on the links that I have provided in this BLOG.

Andrew & Lauras’s photo StoryBook Photo gallery

Here’s wishing Andrew & Laura all the very best for the future.

Enjoy!

Alistair Cowin July 2011 www.alistaircowin.com

ROB & EILIDH’s wonderful day in Wales

2011-07-12T06:58:00.001-07:00

VIDEO

Having spent a few very enjoyable months in South Wales with my partner Glenda a few years ago, it was a welcome return there on the 24th of June to take Rob and Eilidh’s wedding pictures for them

The celebrations took place at Miskin Manor a hidden jewel in the crown of the Principality of Wales. Residing in the heart of the countryside, it’s only a few miles from the coast and less than a mile from the M4. This stunning house, set in 22 glorious acres and blessed with a timeless ambience makes a delightful rural venue for a romantic wedding celebration!

The 24th June was a memorable day for me in other ways too. The couple were gorgeous, the guests a lot of fun and the weather held up well. To crown it all Charlotte, my co-shooter, and I got some terrific pictures!

So here’s an invitation to look through Rob and Eilidh’s ‘turning page’ web album as well as the short video on YouTube that I have set to music for them. There is also a link to the Photo Gallery I have put together where you will find some interesting photos (including yourself!) which you can order for a very reasonable price if you are so moved!

If anyone has any questions or comments, I would be delighted to hear from them. In the meantime here’s to the next wedding shoot and the remainder of this – so far - great Summer!

WEB ALBUM PHOTO GALLERY

Alistair Cowin – July 2011

PHIL & AMANDA’S DAY at the Curradine Barns

2011-07-04T07:10:00.001-07:00

I have several favourite wedding venues all of which are easy and fun to work in! The Curradine Barns in Shrawley, Worcestershire is one of my special favourites for lots of different reasons so I am very fortunate to have photographed quite a few wonderful weddings there.

Thursday the 16th June was just such an occasion. Apart from the fact that the Groom’s party – which included most of the guests! - arrived half an hour late in the Big Red London Bus due to getting caught up in a horrendous traffic jam on their way to the wedding, the Bride kept very cool under quite worrying circumstances.

As soon as Phil finally turned up with everyone things started to go with a swing, smiles turned into laughter, the ceremony was really moving, Amanda looked magnificent and finally a really great time was had by all. The weather held, the sun shone and the the wedding couple were really enjoying themselves. I love photographing weddings like this!

Follow these links (Photo Gallery, Wedding Album and YouTube video) to see how the day went – and how you all looked!

GALLERY Click on pics ALBUM

Alistair – 4th July 2011

PETER & MICHELLE’S great day…

2011-07-03T04:49:00.001-07:00

click on album

The Curradine Barns in Shrawley just outside Worcester are a marvellously romantic, compact and very pretty location for a wedding. They are in the middle of wonderful countryside but handily just a few minutes from the M5.

The 11th June this year was a special day for Peter and Michelle who were blessed with excellent weather which made their wedding day just that bit more special. Charlotte (my co-shooter) and I had a really fun day and got some super happy pictures of everyone. These pictures can now be seen – along with their wedding album and a short video on YouTube – at the links shown here. If you have any comments, I would love to hear them…enjoy!

click on pictures

Alistair…3rd July 2011

Adam & Sarah’s perfect day…

2011-06-14T23:14:00.001-07:00

at Fishmore Hall, Ludlow on the 28th May 2011

Video Photo Gallery

Ludlow in Shropshire just has to be one of the prettiest small towns in the entire United Kingdom. It is a real gem , a wonderful mixture of new and old – mostly old but fabulously well preserved. It also happens to be one of the gourmet capitals of England so it should definitely be at the top of everybody’s list of places to visit!

Adam and Sarah were smart enough to choose the Fishmore Hall Hotel, which overlooks Ludlow, as the venue for their wedding on the 28th May and they couldn’t have chosen anywhere better. Lovely views over the town and truly beautiful countryside, intimate and refined and – yes, dare I say it, very romantic too.

I was fortunate enough to have been asked Adam and Sarah to take their wedding pictures for them and what a real pleasure that was. Charlotte my co-shooter mirrored my thoughts when she said it was one of the best weddings she had attended. This was a real compliment as we are both usually too busy to notice these things!

Here are a few examples of the pictures we took which pretty much demo what an unusually perfect wedding day celebration this turned out to be for everyone involved.

PhotoBook Album (click here to view)

15th June 2011 by Alistair Cowin

LEON & ELLEN’S WEDDING DAY – 21st May 2011

2011-06-02T10:37:00.001-07:00

Nailcote Hall, Coventry

PHOTOBOOK VIDEO PHOTO GALLERY

Another Spring day – another Spring wedding – but ‘special’ nevertheless.

Special for two particular reasons. First of all Nailcote Hall is a Jacobean gem (with golf course and all) in the middle of the countryside and yet a short drive from both Coventry and Birmingham. Special, second of all, because Leon and Ellen were so obviously and genuinely in love that it was a huge pleasure to be there to witness it all. And what a privilege to be able to capture some wonderful memories for everyone who was lucky enough to there. Here are some of the pictures Charlotte and I took to prove it…

Here also are the links to see LEON & ELLEN’S PhotoBook (with everyone’s picture in it!), to see the short fun Video I have made for YouTube and finally the Photo Gallery you can visit to purchase any photographs you might want for yourself.

If anyone has any questions about the photographs – or anything else for that matter – I would be delighted to hear from you. Roll on the next wedding…

3rd June 2011

James & Helen’s wedding day – 14th May 2011

2011-06-01T05:43:00.001-07:00

St Peter’s in Droitwich and Rous Lench Court in Worcestershire

PHOTOBOOK PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

The 14th of May - yet another gorgeous Spring day and a wedding fit for a King & Queen! This time we started in the very pretty church of St Peter de Witton in Droitwich and from there we all drove over to the truly magnificent Jacobean house Rous Lench Court just a few miles north of Evesham. The house is still privately owned and is used for weddings on very special occasions only. We all felt especially privileged to be there, particularly Charlotte (my fellow smudger) and myself, as it was such a fabulous background for our photographs. And it was sunny too – what an extra bonus!

Helen and James were extremely gracious hosts and provided everyone with not only a truly wonderful setting but also a superb marquee - all decked out in white including the carpet - but also great wine (which I was only allowed to sip!) and some delicious food.

There is a huge lake, jealously guarded by a pair of mating swans, in the grounds of the big house which made a super backdrop for my photographs of the handsome groom and beautiful bride which I’m sure you’ll agree they are once you see the pictures. There was also plenty of room for the group photos and also for all the usual individual shots we take of every wedding guest for inclusion in the wedding album.

The PhotoBook Album I designed and had printed whilst they were on honeymoon in the USA was collected by James and Helen personally today, the day after their return, and it was a delight to see the joy on their faces as they looked through their photographs and relived that happy day. It was also nice to receive some gracious compliments from them about the photography and the speed with which everything was delivered to them.

Complimentary or otherwise, if anyone has any comments after looking through the electronic version of James and Helen’s PhotoBook, their YouTube video and also their Photo gallery (where you can see your photos), I would be very happy to hear from them. You can e-mail me here

DIAMONDS & BOWS – a grand May Charity Ball

2011-05-23T05:55:00.001-07:00

Click on pictures to go to Gallery

Last Friday night (20th May) saw me acting as the ‘official Smudger’ for a fabulously well subscribed Charity Ball organised by the wonderfully pro-active Sue Brazier in a huge marquee in the grounds of the very busy Swan at Newlands pub and restaurant – courtesy of Duncan the Guv’nor!

I was charged with taking all the pictures – some serious, some funny and some frankly off the wall. My wits were due to be pretty well tested and as there were over 150 guests to photograph I had to run around like the proverbial blue-bottomed fly but it was all in a good cause.

The music was supplied by the hugely talented Katie Setterfield who rose to fame after showing off her talents on the BBC’s The One And Only. I shut my eyes (only for a minute mind you!) and I could swear I was back in Mack’s 100 Club in Oxford Street listening to Dusty Springfield at her best. Needless to say she pretty near brought the house down.

Unfortunately I had to leave to get back to my studio before the ‘table dancing’ started which was a pity. I suspect that these pictures would not have been printable however. I had a big wedding to shoot the following day with quite a lot of ‘prep’ work to do so a late night, more’s the pity, wasn’t on.

Here are a few of the shots taken on yet another night to remember. Who wouldn’t want to be busy photographer!

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL WEDDING – 30th April 2011

2011-05-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

A break from the norm…

I have photographed a wedding before in Westminster Cathedral – back in 2006. My most lasting memories of that day were the beautiful and very effervescent Zambian bride and rather shy South African groom and the cleverly crafty homeless persons who had discovered a nice little earner by ‘getting in the way’ of working photographers inside the Cathedral and then only ‘moving on’ for small fee. I think it was £1.00. Of course this was because it turned out that there was a soup kitchen right outside the Cathedral. I couldn’t help admiring their audacious cheek!

However this time, instead of being in the Cathedral as the photographer, I was there as a guest which made a huge difference to my enjoyment of the day. As much as I love shooting weddings – I really do – it is fairly stressful occupation but on this occasion I could really relax and have some fun with the bride and groom and the family. And - joy of joys - there were no hairy homeless chasing a dime as I think they had all been moved somewhere else because of the Big Royal Wedding just down the road the day before!

Even as a guest however I couldn’t resist taking a few snaps after getting the permission of the ‘official’ photographer who was very co-operative I must say. There have been many occasions when I have had to ‘fight my space’ with keen amateurs and even the odd professional. A top tip is to remember that it is always better to get the OK from the pros if you want to take photographs as well. That way you actually get better pictures because they do all the hard work of setting up the shots! I usually have no problem with other snappers shooting alongside me – we’re all after the same thing after all – great pictures for the bride and groom!

Anyway a fabulous ceremony in the West Chapel was followed by a motorised coach ride to Claridges in Mayfair of all places for the reception. I imagine that this was probably one of the few times that a tour bus has been allowed to stop outside Claridges and drop off a load of punters, albeit rather dressed up ones!

Here are a few of the shots that I grabbed during that enjoyable day – some taken with my mobile phone. All in all, another enjoyable, memorable and rather different day wedding day for me this time.

Julia & David’s day…

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

IAN AND EMMA’S WEDDING on 16th April at Redhouse Barn in Stoke Prior, Worcestershire

2011-05-07T09:52:00.001-07:00

FULL SCREEN ALBUM

PHOTO GALLERY YOUTUBE VIDEO

A bride’s wedding day is one of the most momentous of her life and as her wedding photographer I am always acutely aware of my responsibility. This is a ‘once only’ deal and both I and the Bride know that!

The 16th of April however was even more special than usual. As nervous as she was – and all brides are – Emma turned out to be real star! First of all she showed not a hint of nervousness and, in fact, turned out to be one of the most bubbly, happy, smiley brides that I have had the pleasure to photograph. But on top of this, she was fully aware of all her guests needs, she was a delight to everyone around her including the catering staff and there was absolutely no doubt that this day was one of the happiest of her life. This was hugely infectious and everyone obviously enjoyed it immensely with her. It was indeed an honour to have been there and witnessed it all…I just hope that the pictures I took adequately reflect this.

As usual Charlotte Duffet (my co-photographer-in-crime) and I shot an individual photo of everyone at the wedding as well as the traditional ‘group’ pictures and these have all be incorporated into Ian & Emma’s wedding PhotoBook. A full screen version of this Album with ‘real’ turning pages can be viewed by clicking on this link: FULL SCREEN ALBUM

If anyone is interested in buying any of these photographs please go to PHOTO GALLERY and as a special bonus I have made a fun 2 minute video of the wedding for Ian and Emma which can be seen here on YOUTUBE

If anyone has any comments to make I would love to hear from you: ancowin@aol.com

Point-and shoot cameras

2010-09-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

The typical point-and-shoot camera is for the ‘quick draw’ snapshot. They are truly meant to capture an instant or special moment and , without any controls to worry about, except the shutter button (of course!) they can be extremely fast-handling. If you’re lucky you can draw and fire the shutter before your subject can reel back in horror or break into a hideous mood breaking smile!

Be aware however that point-and-shoots are not perfect for capturing images for scientific study or for large coffee table books. They are for cheap and cheerful memory-jogging photos but even pros like myself often carry them round to use in emergencies or in places where a large DSLR camera would be a no-no.
To use them you don’t need to know anything about photography. They are designed for minimum wear-and-tear on your psyche taking care of all the variables except one and the most important – picking a subject. All you have to do is aim the camera and push a button and your subject is immortalised forever. At this end of the camera spectrum you’ll find really keen prices and a great deal of ‘photographic fun’.
Budget point-and-shoot digital camera buying tips. The minimum to look for:

Medium resolution – between 2 to 8 megapixel sensors.
Built-in flash with red eye reduction
2 to 3x optical (not digital) zoom
SD memory cards up to 2Gb at least
Image editing and downloading software
Auto focusing
2” LCD screen or larger
Compact design – handbag or pocketworthy
Transfer cables to computer and/or TV for viewing files

Some point-and-shoot cameras worth considering:

Fujifilm FinePix Z70 "...the Fujifilm FinePix Z70 is a very capable, solidly built pocket point-and-shoot with an almost throw-away price-tag, making it perfectly suited to rough and tumble family life." Read Review

Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR "Despite all the new features, the F80EXR retains the same very attractive official retail price of £229.99 / $299.95 as its predecessor, easily making it one of the most capable

Pentax Optio H90

"Given its overall plus points it's a shame therefore that Pentax lacks the marketing budget and spend of its electronic company rivals when it comes to shouting about its products. Scoring highly across most categories, there's a time and place for humility, but the Pentax Optio H90 isn't it."

Read Review

Samsung PL150

"Even ignoring the secondary screen, the PL150 is still a well-appointed and stylish camera, making it worthy of our Highly Recommended award."

Read Review

All the above information courtesy of www.photographyblog.com

What is the right camera for you?

2010-08-04T05:26:00.000-07:00

There is a dazzling array of digital cameras out there for you to choose from at an equally dazzling array of prices. The question is which is the right one for you? The most important thing for you to decide should be what you’re going to use it for.

To keep things simple (which I promised) the dazzling array can be broken down into 4 main categories – point-and-shoot, mainstream, prosumer (hybrid professional/consumer cameras) and the full professional (= expensive) outfits. Today, I’m going to talk about p&s (point-and-shoot) cameras.

Essentially P&S cameras are what they say they are – point (no focussing) and shoot (no adjustments). In other words delightfully easy to use. Just a few years ago these p&s cameras cost a few hundred pounds. Today they can be bought for as little £50! However the best and most useful of all the p&s cameras these days come in mobile phones. The convenience of a camera in a phone is indisputable as you will almost always have your phone with you and therefore be ready to shoot at a moments notice. In addition there is no skill involved in using them – they are real p&s cameras!

However there is always a downside and with cameras-in-phones it is usually the dreadful quality pictures they produce! Just take a look at 90% of the photos people put up on Facebook to be an unfortunate witness to that. The upside with these cameras is that the newer ‘smart’ mobile phones are now equipped with much larger sensors (typically up to 5Mb) and the resulting leap in quality is enormous. They are still pretty easy to use – although my new phone has a basic zoom facility and even a rudimentary flash system – but the pictures are streets better than before (see examples below shot with my new HTC smart phone). In my next blog, I’ll talk about the next type of digital camera that you might like to consider – the ‘ mainstream’ camera. As always, email me if you want any advice or help…

Become a better photographer – the easy way!

2010-08-03T10:03:00.001-07:00

I first used a professional digital camera way back in 1998 when I was shooting out of Los Angeles in the US. As usual the Americans were gung-ho to try it out and embraced the new technology in pretty short order. I loved it – the ‘instant’ pictures were a revelation in terms of creativity and efficiency.
When I came back to Europe a few years later, nobody wanted to know about digital imaging. Not really surprising when you realise that learning anything new nearly always requires a bit of effort which nobody here in the UK was prepared make. In fact it was the general public here who first took to shooting with digital cameras - and how!
In a very few years film has almost entirely disappeared – except for a few stubborn pros - and suddenly millions of people can now take pictures without any of the restrictive expense of traditional film cameras. As a result the wonderful hobby of photography has literally exploded almost overnight.
I thought it would be useful to publish a series of top tips every so often to help you understand the process a little better, get more enjoyment out of shooting and all with the aim of make you a better photographer. And I promise to keep it simple. My first top tip will be to help you make a decision about what sort of camera to buy so watch this space...

This was a fabulous wedding!

2010-08-02T06:31:00.001-07:00

I have just received my PhotoBook copy of Hayley and David’s wedding in Rowton Castle that I shot for them early in July and even though I say so myself, it has completely blown me away. This wedding was a classic of its kind – wonderful couple, superb location and terrific guests.

This is where my PhotoBooks really come into their own over traditional wedding albums. Because they are photo storybooks as opposed to just a haphazard collection of photographs, they really do give the reader an excellent idea about what really happened on the wedding day. And because they can display anything up to 300+ photos (show me an ‘album’ that can do that!) it means I can also include a headshot of everyone who was at the wedding. As far as I know I am the only photographer who provides this extra service and it is particularly special because it is a great reminder in years to come about who was actually there and what they looked like then! I do know it is a hugely popular feature of my PhotoBooks. So much so in fact that one couple for whom I did a PhotoBook even had all the guests sign their pictures in their book which they have since told me has made it a really extra-special memento.

If you click here you too can now see Hayley and David’s PhotoBook actually working with real turning pages – and all the guests at the wedding!. Let me know what you think? It would be good to hear from you!

Hayley & David by Rowton Castle 3rd July 2010 | Make Your Own Book

Hayley & David’s wedding on 3rd July 2010

2010-07-21T01:06:00.001-07:00

What a fabulous day! Rowton Castle near Shropshire is probably one of the busiest (and prettiest) wedding venues in the country. Over 300 weddings there last year alone apparently! No wonder though. It is a wonderful location with it’s own lake, park land and very emotive Castle.

Hayley and David’s wedding day was blessed with wonderful weather, sunny and not too hot. Photo opportunities were there in abundance which you can hopefully see from the attached short video of the day. Here’s wishing the two of them all the luck in the world for the future…

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Genna & Stephen on 29th May 2010

2010-06-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

The 29th May 2010 was an auspicious day for Genna & Stephen at the magnificent Prestwold Hall near Loughborough in Leicestershire. The weather wasn't great but frankly I don't think anyone noticed. I got some spots of rain on my lenses once or twice but nothing that a dry wipe (and Photoshop!) couldn't fix.

The very pretty church was in the grounds of Prestwold Hall so just a short walk to the House itself. It was all very convenient and a great weather beater I have to say.

All in all this was one of the prettiest, most sophisticated wedding parties that I have had the pleasure to shoot. Hopefully this shows in all the pictures?

Another Happy Day photographed by AC

2010-06-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Another happy day photographed by Yours Truly

Hayley's lingerie shoot...

2010-05-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hayley Wilson needed some new body shots so we put our heads together and came up with a really 'natural' feel to these lingerie shots. There is a time and a place for 'glamour' and we fely that this wasn't the time. It still had to be sexy though and I think we found a happy medium. The Make up was created by another Hayley - Hayley van der Kleijn.

Expressions - by Lucy

2010-05-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

The purpose of this 'beauty' shoot was to demonstrate that if you are truly beautiful (as Lucy Shropshall most certainly is) it doesn't matter how many faces you pull, you will always remain truly beautiful. Aided and abetted by Hayley van der Kleijn in the makeup department!

Renee Rossiter beauty shoot - April 2010

2010-05-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

Another beauty job completed and now up and running on video. This time I worked with the lovely Renee Rossiter with the makeup ably created by new girl Jo Freeman. I organise this type of one-to-one shoot together roughly once or twice a month and it's easily my most favourite photo subject. I've been taking pictures like this for at least 20 years and never seem to get bored with it!

Cat Dawson photo shoot - March 2010

2010-03-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the result of yet another beauty shoot, this time with Catherine Dawson from Worcester showing off her credentials with Hayley van der Kleijn doing the honours with her makeup brushes. This was completed a few days ago and a selection of the shots will be put forward to my publisher for possible use in my forthcoming coffee table book "Undiscovered Beauty".

Tracy & Mark's Big Day...

2010-03-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

Tracy and Mark's wedding day was a load of fun! Lots of happy smiling faces, pretty girls and some handsome men as well according to my assistant Lucy! This short video pretty much shows it all...

Beauty shoot with Luissa Burton

2010-03-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

Another happy and successful shoot completed for my book "Undiscovered Beauty", this time with the delightful (and delicious!) Luissa Burton lending me her face and the skilful Kate Dowle deftly (and delicately) applying the make up and twirling the hair.

Photoshoot for "Undiscovered Beauty" book Cover

2010-02-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

Now that the Cover photos are shot and all 25 of the models have been chosen and their pictures for the book selected, I can get on with completing the artwork. This is the most exciting time for the whole project when 18 months of research and hard work comes together and starts to make sense in published form. Another month or so should see the first proof - so WATCH THIS SPACE!

Amy McDonald provided the beautiful face and Claire Shipman provided the finishing touches. Lucas Baker assisted me and the session was shot in my studio in Worcester.

Bella's a beauty!

2010-02-10T10:06:00.001-08:00

This photoshoot was arranged to shoot Bella Keegan's generous contribution to my forthcoming "Undiscoverd Beauty" coffee table book. The hair & makeup was provided by Christie Marie and Bella did her own styling.

Some examples of my fashion work

2010-02-08T07:05:00.001-08:00

These are assorted examples showing some of my fashion work taken from various fashion shoots over the past couple of years...

Amy McDonald Beauty photo shoot

2010-02-06T23:52:00.001-08:00

These pictures are from a second photo session with Amy McDonald to shoot more pictures of her for my "Undiscovered Beauty" coffee table book project due for publication in the USA later this year. Amy is studying make up so she was allowed to do her own hair and makeup for this shoot and she did a thoroughly professional job! There is a distinct possibility that Amy will be used for the front cover and I am currently organising a third photo session to shoot some covers.

Photo session with Emily for my beauty book project

2010-02-05T10:06:00.001-08:00

This photo session was another one organised to shoot pictures for my "Undiscovered Beauty" coffee table book due out in the USA in the autumn. Emily, the model here, is a very talented 16 year old with all the right assets to become a successful fashion model. She's slim, tall, confident, very pretty and loves being in front of a camera. What more could a fashion photographer want?

2010-01-22T02:27:00.000-08:00

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE...this time with Ali Cain

We were working on some new fashion and beauty pictures for her model agency. Christie Marie did a sterling job wuth her hair and makeup and we managed between us to complete 4 different 'looks' during the session.

If you might fancy something similar, please get in touch for a chat about it!

CLICK ON PIC TO SEE 30 SECOND VIDEO

Fashion doubled up...

2009-11-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

I have just finished working on my latest set of fashion pictures. This time I was shooting with Alison Cain, one of my favourite models, who strutted her stuff as usual. The creative input on the hair and makeup came from Christie Marie.

In order to give the pictures more impact and to try and create something a little different, the idea on this shoot was to make it look as though I was using twins as models – see pics. This meant I had to use a special ‘static’ set up the studio where nothing could be changed (i.e. lighting, camera position, lenses etc.) once the shoot started. So I obviously had to be sure that everything was in the right position because there was no going back once the shoot had started!

For each change of outfit the model was posed on and around the white box which was used as a ‘marker’ . The really tricky bit was masking and stripping the pictures together in Photoshop and of course selecting pictures that worked together realistically. This ‘masking’ technique is new to me so I have had quite a steep – and interesting – learning curve. In fact I am now brimming with ideas on how to use this technique. More will follow I’m sure!

Portraits for song?

2009-11-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

STUCK FOR IDEAS?

Portraits make perfect presents!

I have a wonderful new photographic studio here in Worcester which I use primarily for my fashion and beauty work.
However it has occurred to me that it is also a fabulous portrait studio. I have decided therefore to offer my considerable experience to anyone wanting portraits of themselves or their families.

We all know about the outrageous 'rips' that high street portrait studios work on their customers by offering a very low initial 'photo fee' but then harass and even bully the client into taking exorbitantly priced prints. This is how they make their money.

I would rather be up front and tell clients that I don't do any printing. Instead I provide a CD/DVD at the end of each session in print ready hi-res format which can then be taken to any high street printer (i.e. Boots, Tesco, Jessops, Bonusprint etc) who charge between 10p and 80p per print depending on the size. Isn't this a much more reasonable way of doing things?

My portrait sessions, which normally last between 60 - 90 minutes, costs £99 which includes everything. The cost is therefore fixed and there are no 'unknowns'. If you think someone deserves some super pictures of themselves, give me a call and perhaps buy them a voucher as a present to be used 'down the road'

For all the details, go to http://www.alistaircowin.com/portraits%20page5.html

Fashion shoot in a great new wedding location...

2009-11-21T02:50:00.000-08:00

I have finally found the time to sort out the photographs that I shot for a fashion feature for Worcester Living magazine a few weeks ago at the brand new Redhouse Barn in Stoke Prior just outside Bromsgrove in the West Midlands. Jane Finch, the intrepid owner of this really fabulous new wedding location kindly let me use it for the shoot and I was so bowled over by it that I went back the next morning - when the weather was a lot sunnier - to shoot a full set of photographs of the location itself.

This new venture has been a labour of love to Jane and it shows in the wonderfully practical design and exquisite detailing of the the buildings. And what a great place it turned out to be as a background for the fashion pictures that I was working on. Here are some examples of the pics that I shot - with thanks to Ruth Hancox who did her usually wonderful job with the model's makeup and hair and thanks also to the four great models - Lucy and Katie Shropshall, Nina Blakemore (of How to Look Good Naked fame!) and Neil Miles who all wore the clothes so well.

If you are based in or near the Midlands and are looking for a wedding venue that has a great traditional feel yet is thoroughly modern and just a bit different, I can highly recommend you take a look at the Redhouse Barn. Go here for more info: http://www.wedding-venues.co.uk/redhousebarn and to http://www.alistaircowin.com

Lucy Shropshall beauty pictures by AC

2009-09-25T02:42:00.001-07:00

Hair & Make up:
Iain Burton-Legge
Charlotte Pingriff

Amy Beauty shoot in June

2009-09-24T09:43:00.001-07:00

Shoot for 'Undisovered Beauty' Book project

4 Weddings - and no funeral (yet!)

2009-08-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

My "Thank You" videos

This month of August has been very busy indeed in the wedding department and I have attended some smashing events! I always seem to be treated very fairly by the bridal couple and their parents so, in return, I am now sending a short - and hopefully sweet - video of the important events of the day to each couple. This is my way of saying thanks for allowing me to attend such an important occasion and also a good way to remind everyone what a good day it really was! To see some of these 'thank you' videos - 30 seconds each, that's all - please click on any of these links:

Neil & Sarah

Natalie & Matthew

Mark & Louise

Duncan & Rebecca in Florence

And of course, all these videos can be seen by simply sending everyone who was at the wedding the same link as above!

Sarah & Neils day in Bromsgrove - 8th August 2009

2009-08-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

Guests photos can be seen here

This last weekend - the 8th August - had me shooting another wonderful wedding, this time in Bromsgrove. Sarah Whitehouse, the bride looked really great and I have no hesitation in using the word 'radiant' to describe her! I am in the process of editing the photographs ready to do the artwork for the special Photobook she wants. Such was the productivity of my photo team that it looks like around 225 photographs = 65 - 70 pages are going to used in the Book so that the whole fun story of the day can be told in full!

Once again I shot individual pictures of each guest for inclusion in the album and there are a selection of these here if any one would like to take a look at them. They can be ordered using Paypal.

Natalie & Matthew at Moffats Hall, Kilver

2009-08-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

GUEST PHOTOS HERE

This last weekend - the 1st of August - saw me shooting a wonderful wedding at a most marvellous venue called Moffats School in Kinlet near Bewdley in Worcestershire. This huge and historic house has been in the same family since 1066 until shortly after the 2nd World War and is now a prep school for girls and boys up to the age of 13.

It turned out that Natalie attended school here and I'm really not surprised that she wanted to get married here as well because it is a truly fabulous house set in the jewel of the Worcestershire countryside. The weather was not on our side (once again) but it was such a fabulous day that I don't honestly think the wedding guests even noticed it!

Guests who were at the wedding can see individual photographs of themselves - and purchase prints at a very reasonable cost - if they click here: Natalie & Matthew's wedding - August 2009

The Jason & Kerina spectacular in the Lake District

2009-07-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

I have my wedding PhotoBook albums printed in the States - not the cheapest way but cerainly the best, the most efficient and the most reliable. You have to hand it to the Americans when it comes to customer service - they definitely show the rest of us how it should be done. I get my Books back within 10 days of the wedding so I am usually able to have them waiting for the couple on their return from honeymoon - a unique service which I know is very much appreciated.

Anyway I have just received back the PhotoBook I shot for Jason and Kerina's wedding at the Leeming House Hotel on Lake Ullswater in the Lake District. And what a spectacular venue it is I have to tell you! Here are few photographs taken from their Book to demonstrate what I mean.

Jason and Kerina are still on their honeymoon (somewhere very exotic and top secret!) lucky people but I think I woke them when I called them up to tell them their Book was ready! I'll have to do something to make up for the disturbance I caused...but at least I know they are really looking forward to seeing all their photographs when they get back!

A great day with Sara & Paul

2009-07-17T05:01:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough last weekend - the 11th July to be exact - to shoot the fabulous wedding of Paul Comis to Sara Moore from Derbyshire. They were married in Paul's parents parish of St Augustine in Edgbaston. The reception was held in a wonderful neo-Jacobean mansion called Woodnorton Hall near Evesham in Worcestershire.

Woodnorton Hall, the former home to French Royalty, is a glorious Grade II listed, country house hotel. Set in its own grounds the hotel looks over the beautiful Vale of Evesham to the nearby Cotswold Hills and is both a wonderful place for a party but also a terrific location for photography.

The weather held - just! - so Paul and Sara's day went with a bang - literally - as the party ended with a fantastic firework display which was apparently included in the cost of the venue. Check out Woodnorton Hall's web site if you are looking for a marvellous place to have a wedding party!

A call from Hughes Model Agency in London

2009-07-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I had a call from Cheryl Hughes who runs probably one of most successful Plus Models (larger sizes to the layman!) model agencies. Cheryl and I have been mates for many years but I haven't spoken to her for almost that long. So it was a really nice surprise first of all to hear from her and to know that she wanted me to update some of her busiest model's portfolios. I have now been doing this during the past few weeks as time has permitted.

On Thursday last week, the 9th of July, I worked with Penny Hatfield on some new pictures that she wanted. After a chat with her agent she e-mailed me the sort of ideas that she wanted for her book and left it up to me to interpret them. Her agency felt she needed some really 'straight' pictures for her more conservative clients as well as some really strong editorial fashion shots for magazines and fashion clients. This was a bit of a challenge to get done in one day but we managed it anyway and judging from a 'thank you' e-mail I have just received from Penny everyone appears to be delighted with the results.

As a matter of interest to anyone wanting some new Portfolio pictures, I am not at all expensive as I use these sessions more often than not to experiment with ideas of my own and also of course to familiarise myself with the quirks and foibles of my 'new' studio! So give me a call on 01905421924 and I can talk it through with you.

Portfolio pictures for Penny Hatfield

2009-07-16T08:47:00.001-07:00

My updated 'Goth'...

2009-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

An updated 'Goth' look for my Beauty Book

2009-07-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

My book project 'Undiscovered Beauty' is now a priority as I have to have the artwork to the printer in the USA by the end of July at the latest in order to market it properly and in time for Christmas this year. I still have at least 3 more spreads - and that means 3 models as well - to finish the 50 pages which I have planned for the book.

Working again with makeup artist Ruth (Struth) Hancox, we came up with the idea of an updated 'Goth' look with a real fashion 'edge' to it. We had an ideal model for this look, a tall willowy girl with a striking face, called Laura Allen. She loved the 'Goth' idea as well so that was what we went for.

This set of pictures was shot in the new studio on the 24th June and noteworthy this time was the fact that I used the new outside patio wall with direct sunlight for the first time. It works very well once the sun gets low enough - around 7pm at this time of year - so I can see myself using this facility a lot.

Burlesque - or be damned....

2009-07-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

The following day - the 12th June - I had another 'go' at some pictures for my upcoming Beauty Book. This time my wizard makeup artist, Ruth Hancox, came up with the idea of burlesque as a basis for some fun pictures. A gorgeous friend of hers, Sandra Marie Lees, volunteered her body for the 'look' and these are the results. Sequinned, sexy and stylish I like to think?

The first pictures shot in my new studio

2009-06-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

The first pics shot in the 'new' studio - using God's light (daylight)! With thanks to Model: Ashlie Langford from Mansfield near Nottingham Hair & MakeUp: Ruth ('Struth') Hancox...

Rebuilt Studio ready at last!

2009-06-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

Following a freak 'accident' on 9/11/09 - spooky eh? - my garage (triple sized mind you) was severely damaged by a large runaway Mercedes Benz.

It has taken nearly 7 months of negotiations with the insurers, meetings with engineers, discussions with planners and the scrutinising of lots of builders quotes to get to the stage where I can now say that I have a fully workable studio. This has been created specially to take full advantage of either daylight on it's own or studio flash mixed with daylight.

With great excitement and some trepidation (as to whether I had spent the money wisely!) I used the space for the first time on the 11th June. And the resulting photographs shot so far speak for themselves - or at least I hope they do?

All the while I have been working on a coffee table beauty book, provisionally called "Undiscovered Beauty", which is to be published in the US next year. The destruction of my make shift studio space in the old garage meant that everything for the book had to be put on hold for a few months.

Now that I'm back shooting again in my own environment and in a space with absolutely gorgeous light, I am really excited about getting the last 20 or so pages shot. I have a number of days booked with some really beautiful girls (almost all of them totally new to the world of fashion and beauty) and I shall be uploading a few examples of these to my Blog for any and all comments - good or bad! - over the next few weeks. Please let me know how you think I'm getting on...