VOWS Awards Nomination 2015

I am overwhelmed and delighted to annouce that we have been nominated for a VOWS Award for the 3rd year running. A huge thank you to our brides and grooms who have voted for us. It just spurs us on to be the very best decision you make for your wedding photography. Thank you all very much indeed !!!

Wedding Picture of the Year 2013

[caption id="attachment_3216" align="alignleft" width="214"] Last years winner. Heather and Vinny[/caption]

This years winner will secure themselves a lovely 20″ canvas of their winning print. So get voting!! Last year Heather scooped a beautiful 20x16 inch canvas of her and "best man" Vinny

Share the poll with friends, start online campaigns, tweet, facebook, anything goes. The couple with the most votes by midnight on the 13th Feb – wins the canvas. The winner will be announced on Valentines Day (awwwwww)

Clicking on the individual shots will enlage them in your browser.

Rules : Vote for your 3 favourite shots.

Pick yours, or your friends pictures, then have a wee browse and pick another couple of shots which catch your eye.

 

 

 

Tick the box above the image and click ‘vote now’ at the bottom of the page

 

[polldaddy poll="7730027"]

VOWS Awards Nominee and VOWS Awards Ceremony

Long time not update, sorry !

We will be sharing lots and lots of weddings with you over the coming months but first we would like to share with you some news on a recent success. Thanks to our wonderful bride and grooms we were nominated for a VOWS award this year.

VOWS stands for Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier and is an awards body set up to recognise companies that offer excellent customer service within the Scottish wedding industry.

The awards are voted for by recently wedded couples through marriage or civil partnership and this year out of 14,000 nominations, 1500 Photography was included in the top 10 photographers in the country. On the night itself we sadly didnt scoop the big one but to be nominated in such an incredibly competitive field was a huge achievement and one that we are very proud of.

I would like to thank all our fantastic couples of 2012/13 who cast a vote for us - you guys are amazing. Thank you

[caption id="attachment_3020" align="aligncenter" width="300"] © Kim Cessford[/caption]

Here I am with Gillian and fellow nominees Victoria and Richard from All Dressed Up. It was nice to know that two wedding suppliers from the Loch Lomond area (small world fact : Victoria and I actually went to primary school together) had been recognised. You can see more pictures of the evening awards here

1500 Photography - VOWS Award Nominee 2013

Collodion Wet Plate - Shooting photographs like 100 years ago

Over the summer I had the wonderful experience of meeting artist Alastair Cook and attending his collodion plate workshop in Dunbar.



Collodion plate photography is one of the very earliest forms of photography. It involves coating a glass, mirror or metal plate in a rather nasty chemical mixture, loading the plate into the back of a camera, focussing the subject under a cape and then making a guesstimate exposure of a few seconds. If this sounds like the kind of thing you may have seen in western movies and Victorian period dramas on a Sunday night, then you've got the picture exactly.

  

After a little chat about the history of the process and some stunningly beautiful plates, both antique and from Alastair's own portfolio, we were let loose in the darkroom. It was fantastic. It took me right back to when I had a darkroom in my bedroom aged 17. We took turns posing for each other holding our heads steady for the exposures by jamming a cup against a wall with our heads! Then we removed the back plate from the camera, took it back into the darkroom and washed the plates in the develop mixture.

That's when the silvery fog started to lift and experienced the total thrill (that is now long gone in our digital age) of watching an image ghost into life.

As someone who now goes to a wedding and shoots 1000 images in the space of 2 hours it was such a revelation to go back to the very beginning of photography and slow things way, way down. Alastair pointed out that all these pictures are taken while the sitter has thoughts going through their head and their hearts are beating. A real slice of time rather than today's photography - shot at a 1000th of a second and instantly uploaded onto facebook.

There is a gravity and sincerity inherent in these pictures which is totally captivating.

I loved my experience at the workshop and would urge you all to get along to Alastair's exhibition currently running at Dunbar Town Hall. Its a work of great joy, depth and beautiful images.

 Alastairs Exhibition in Dunbar runs till 20th December

 

Making the Papers - Awards Winning Wedding Moorpark House

Many thanks to the excellent Paisley Dailey Express for running a feature on our Awards Winning Wedding at Moorpark House

I am delighted to see Clair and Craigs wedding such great exposure - thanks to the team at the PDE !

Crutherland House Wedding - Lesley and Steven

Crutherland House Wedding - Lesley and Steven

Lesley and Stevens Crutherland House wedding has a bit of a story attached to it, so bare with me. 7 years ago I shot Lesley's graduation photo. Lesley was really impressed with her pictures and vowed that I would be the person she gets to shoot her wedding. However at that time I was working for another studio which has since shut down and obviously moved on to start 1500 Photography. I am touched to reveal that, even after all that time, Lesley hunted me down online, eventually found me and asked if I would be available to shoot her wedding - how could I possibly say no? I was humbled to be asked.





So as you would expect we started the day at Lesleys parents house (where I got to see those graduation pictures, hung pride of place in the dining room) to capture Lesleys preparations. Then it was onto Crutherland House where the couple had opted for a humanist ceremony. Then we had the slightly ominous prospect of shooting a good number of complicated group shots. Again though I have to pay tribute to Lesley who had the guests prepped and organised - despite my reservations, the group shots ran like absolute clockwork.

[caption id="attachment_2705" align="alignnone" width="595"] Steven, Lesley and me (the graduation photographer)[/caption]

Everything about the couple really impresses me. Their organisation, their determination and the bond that they have with each other. It was a fantastic day to be a part of and and I so thrilled that Lesley spent so long searching for me. A touching experience which I am very proud of.

1500 Photography Glasgow Wedding Photographers - more of our work

 

 

Big Shindig Ball 2013

We were delighted and proud to once again lend our weight to this fantastic event.

The Big Shindig Ball is an evening of entertainment and fun in aid of The Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres held in memory of Lisa Morrsion. This years event took place at the Winnick Hotel in Drymen and was a huge success raising over £8000 on the night. Organised by Elizabeth Emmerson of Maggies and compared by Gary (Mrs Browns Boys) Hollywood it was a great night providing lots of laughs but all in a great cause. Many congratulations to all involved who gave up their time. Its admirable to see so many talents come together like this.

Cameron House Wedding/Real Radio Dream Wedding - Lisa and Mark

Cameron House Wedding

We were delighted to have been asked to provide the wedding photography at Cameron House for Lisa and Marks 'Dream Wedding' on Loch Lomond. You see, Lisa and Mark had won the Real Radio competition as Scotland's "most romantic couple" and as winners enjoyed a fabulous day courtesy of Cameron House and their recommended suppliers

 Winning the competition meant that Lisa and Mark only had two weeks to prepare themselves for walking down the aisle!! However with a dress supplied by the Helensburgh Wedding Planner and Mark dressed in his uniform the couple looked absolutely striking. Although the twist on the day was that the wedding took place on the same day as the wedding show, I am delighted to report that Lisa and Mark had a wonderful time and the day went super smoothly.

They were a great couple to work with and it was a brilliant feeling to be part of the Cameron House 'team' all pulling together to make something really special come together. I am very proud of my fellow suppliers - we did a cracking job !!

 

Cameron House Wedding Photography, Loch Lomond by 1500 Photography

The Big ShinDig 2012

The Big ShinDig 2012

Its always been a goal for me to involved 1500 Photography in some sort of charitable exercise and use our skills to help raise money for worthy causes. I am delighted and proud to have been able to lend support to this years "Big ShinDig"  in aid of the Maggie Centre Glasgow. A wonderful evenings entertainment was had with compare Gary Hollywood keeping the evening bubbling along brilliantly. A number of fund raising games, auctions and sponsored events raised an amazing total of over £10,000 on the night.

The inspiration for the night was close friend of the organiser, Lisa Morrison. Lisa was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of just 33 and she has bravely battled on with the support of friends, family and the Maggie centre. Probably the most touching and awe inspiring moments on the night was one of Lisa's friends having a 'sponsored head shave' which raised over £2000 on its own!!

I wish there was a happy end to this blog post but unfortunately Lisa lost her battle just shortly after the event. However anyone and everyone who reads this can make a difference, even for as little as £1.

Please text LILI99£ (followed by your amount) to 70070. Any and all donations to the Maggie's Centre will, I'm sure, be gratefully received. Thank you.

Real Life Weddings Feature - Victoria & Darren's Cameron House Wedding

Real Life Weddings Feature

We are delighted to have our award winning wedding featured in the latest issue of the Real Life Weddings magazine.Victoria and Darrens wedding which scooped 'Best Complete Wedding' , Classical Wedding image of the year and winning me the overall Scottish Wedding Photographer of the Year is spread over 7 pages.


This is a great showcase for all the suppliers on the day, Cameron House and of course for me and my work.

Having lived with the pictures for a long time now its a real treat to see them in a different light. The RLW mag has used predominately colour images where I have been using mostly the black and white images from the day. I am really please with the way the magazine has put this feature together. However it offers so much more info, ideas and inspiration than just my pictures. Well worth a look for all brides to be.

You can order your copy of the Real Life Weddings Magazine here

Houston House Wedding - Graeme & Nicola

Houston House Wedding

What a cracking couple Graeme and Nicola are. Really relaxed and laid back.

As usual we started off in Nicolas room getting some of the final preparation shots. With (oddly a first for me) a lovely shot of all the girls in their bath robes first! Then it was onto the ceremony before shooting the rest of the shots around the gardens of Houston House.

I think Nicola looked absolutely stunning and what a beautiful dress.

It is with some amusement I note that the 'big tree' in the grounds of  Houston House, a staple of all wedding photography there for goodness knows how long, has developed an alarming lean !! I have no idea what we are all going to do if the hotel take it away. I think a campaign should be launched now, just in case.......

Houston House Wedding photography by 1500

Balbirnie House Wedding - Alan & Pam

Balbirnie House Wedding

Well now that all the award excitement has died down, back to the weddings.

As trailed before the events at Dunblane Hydro, Pam and Alan were married at Balbirnie House in Glenrothes in Fife. I had also mentioned before Pam and Alan were the 3rd couple I have photographed in the Cureton family but this was the first wedding I have ever shot where the bridesmaid and bride were both expecting!!

We started the day at Pam's Mum and Dads before making our way to Balbirnie for the service and reception. It was a typical Scottish spring day........cloudy to miserable. However I have to admit that we were lucky to find lots of brilliant spots in and around this stunning venue for our pictures. I also put myself in major jeopardy but not, for a change, with heights or perilous positions to get pictures. But by almost choking myself by kneeling down to shoot through the chandelier in the 4th shot above - then trying to stand up again without noticing I was kneeling on my tie.......Not my smoothest moment but at least it gave the couple a laugh.

Pam and Alan are a great couple. I had a wonderful time at your wedding and cant wait to meet jnr. All the very best to you both.

By the way isnt Stuart a great name ..........?

Wedding at Balbirnie house by 1500 Photography

1500 Photographys "Shot of the Year 2010" - The Winners !!!!

 Wedding Shot Of The Year 2010

Well after a record breaking 3,756 votes I am delighted to announce the winners of this years 'Shot of the Year' are Emma and John Feechan with 1156 votes.

Congratulations Mr & Mrs F, your framed print is ordered and will be waiting for you next time you are up to visit Loch Lomond (maybe as a 'family' this time).  I do love this shot but have to admit my abiding memory of  taking this picture is the busload of Japanese tourists at my back as we were shooting. How Emma held it together I do not know !!!

In second place, with a staggering 922 votes were Kathryn and Paddy.

To put things in perspective last years entire poll pulled in 552 votes. I am overwhelmed at the response these two images received. So I think it is only fitting that Kathryn and Paddy will also receive a framed print for all their efforts and campaigning. Their shot at the Trongate in Glasgow was possibly one of the most nerve wrecking shots I have attempted. A 15 second exposure while leaning off a 6th floor balcony in -6° temperatures is recommended everyone who thinks wedding photography is 'easy money'.

And finally in 3rd place with a very respectable 224 votes came Kate and Paul (well specifically Kate anyway) with this lovely shot taken in the bridal suit at Cameron House. This shot was pretty much inspired by Kate who wanted to replicate a shot of a silhouette from Coleen Rooneys wedding - our twist on that image brought about this stunning shot.

My grateful thanks to all who voted, as I said I am overwhelmed at the response. Congratulations to our winners and congratulations to all of our featured couples. I am so glad you all chose 1500 Photography to shoot your wedding and allow us to produce images like these. Thank you - Stuart

Awards News for 1500 Photography

I am delighted to confirm that we have had 2 shots chosen at this years Master Photographer of the Year awards. Shots from Victoria & Darrens wedding and Amanda's Trash the Dress shoot have been selected to be judged against the very best photography in Britain and will feature on the "Wall of Fame"

This is a huge honour for us and hopefully provides our clients with the assurance that 1500 Photography is maintaining its position as one of the leading wedding photographers in the country.

The Master Photography Awards are the most prestigious awards for photography in the UK and feature the cream of today's photographic talent and the winners will be announced on the 17th October.

Lodge on Loch Goil Wedding - Caroline & Kevin

What an amazing day. What an amazing venue. Caroline and Kevin had chosen to have their wedding at the Lodge on Loch Goil and what a fantastic choice they made.

The Lodge is a real hidden gem set on the banks of Loch Goil and with Kevin and Caroline making a stunning couple the day was a photographers dream.



The ceremony was held on the shores of the loch after which we took pictures at the boat house, on the viewing deck and in the treehouse.  Spoiled for choice!!!

A brilliant day with a lovely couple. 1500 Photography