Claire and Jamie, Houston and Gleddoch House Hotel, 24 July

Gleddoch House Hotel is a lovely wedding venue, whether you have your ceremony or just your reception there. If the weather is kind the views are wonderful; the grounds make for great images and if the rain comes in (which has happened a few times this month!) there are wet weather options. Always think about that when you book a venue. Ask the event coordinator to show you where photographers take the photoshoot, and ask about what happens when it rains. In the end every venue can be shot indoors, with flash if necessary, but the light outdoors has a better quality and your photographs will have more variety if there is some outdoor space. Claire and Jamie got some great fun photographs despite their mixed weather.

As always Elaine and the staff were first class and very understanding. Thank you so much, and thanks to Claire and Jamie who really worked with us to make the most of their photography session; even sneaking away for 10 minutes after the meal to get some great Bride and Groom photographs, something which I always recommend, if we are still shooting into the evening.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Hilary and David, Gleddoch House Hotel, 17th July

Hilary and David had a lovely day at Gleddoch House Hotel, they looked great together and they had a lot of fun having their photographs taken. Photographs on a wedding day should not be a chore - it should be a part of the day but not take over. Getting the balance right is very important. Some couples want high fashion, some want lots of family shots and special artistic images others just want a record of their day. When the weather stays dry, you have a good venue, the time for photographs and a willing couple, all this is possible. 

Thanks to Hilary and David for giving us their time and participation during their photoshoot which enabled us to capture some fabulous photos, also a special thanks to Elaine at Gleddoch House Hotel who kept in touch with us every step of the way.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

New photography presentation on website homepage

This is the new presentation of images that is now on the homepage of my website. It is so difficult to know which images to put in these presentations, but I think these 6 weddings are lovely and give a good impression of some of my work. More can be seen elsewhere on the website, but to fully appreciate photographs I still think you need to hold an album in your hands. Come and see me at the Wedding Fair on the 15th August at Paisley Town Hall, or call me to make an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Lynn & Graham, Old Parish Church Renfrew, 10 July

It sometimes rains in the west of Scotland. Seriously, it does!

Brides love bright sunshine and clear blue skies. They don't like rain. I can understand that, it is a special day, their special day, and everything should be perfect. But sometimes, even after all that planning and preparation the one thing we can't control lets everyone down.

Most photographers I know would take a dry, overcast day - it makes it so much easier to control the light and make people (especially the bride) look as good as possible. So if it rains, what do you do? That depends on just how heavy the rain is, I think. Outside light is definitely the most flattering. Even all photographs indoors isn't a disaster, although  that is dependant on what equipment you have, what space and features of interest there is in the venue, how big your formal  groups are. I try to control what I can. I always bring a mobile studio outfit with me, so if we need to work indoors we can light favourably.

There is only so much rain you can work in, more for the people being photographed than the photographer (I have an assistant with an umbrella!). But if it is only a light drizzle then out come the umbrellas for everybody! And thats what we had to do for Lynn and Graham. It wasn't so persistent that we couldn't go outside at all, and we got some really nice photographs. So, even if you wake up on your special day and see some clouds and rain, dont despair. Smile, and I promise we will get some great photographs - although one or two might have an umbrella in them!

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Vimeo (Video) Presentation

Vimeo is a great way of presenting videos - and now there is a way to collect the all in one place, perfect for blogs and websites. Don't forget that as part of a package I can edit photographs or video into a variety of different format, so you can watch at home, online, embed on a Facebook page, email to friends. You choose!

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Clare and Sean, Saturday 3rd July.

It is always so exciting when a couple come up with a venue that I have never worked at before. Yes, couples are right to shop around and get a photographer that they are comfortable with, and for some that means finding a photographer that has worked at their venue before. But that doesnt mean that if you have never worked there before you cant shoot a wedding there.

If you are a professional photographer you should be able to see that great shot, and sometimes looking at something for the first time means a fresh approach and some really great ideas. I always take the time to go to a new venue, meet the event manager, understand the potential of the location and get an opportunity to plan some shots. It makes the wedding day go so much smoother, and still leaves space for some captured moments - those reportage images that if done well everyone loves.

I think the combination of 2 contrasting photographic venues should always be considered if time permits. I like to take couples to Barshaw Park in Paisley, which has a beautiful, secluded walled garden. I also like Kelvingrove Park and the Botanical Gardens in Glasgow.

Claire and Sean had two new photography venues for me: after a ceremony at St Bartholemew's in Coatbridge we went to Viewpark Gardens and Celtic Football Club! The gardens were beautiful, Claire was stunning and the images are just wonderful. Then the football ground. It is the first time I have shot in a stadium - and it worked! The boys certainly enjoyed themselves in the stands and (nearly) on the pitch. It certainly makes for some very different album images. Sean and Claire looked fantastic together, and that really shows in the images. Really a pleasure to work with, and as always I am very grateful to be allowed to be a part of your special day.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Tracy and Michael, at Dalmeny Park

Video and photography can work very well together on a wedding day. I really think that the package that we produce when we create both for a couple is very complimentary. While I am happy to work with other professionals, I do think that our best work has been when we have produced both. It means that there is an opportunity to "stage" some things in a manner that suits the media best, and we can very carefully capture all angles. Sometimes it is lovely to see all the fuss and bother, the giggles and silly moments just before we captured that absolute stunning, romantic image that now hangs in pride of place. After all, who doesnt watch the outtakes at the end of the movie? Anyway, here is a small video which gives a taste of the photoshoot for Tracy and Michael. As always, thank you to the couple, who were brilliant on the day, a delight to work with.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Tracy & Michael at Dalmeny Park Hotel from Sandra Keddie on Vimeo.

Paul and Gemma at Glasgow University Chapel

Much as I love working in Paisley, especially at the Abbey and the Cathedral, it has to be said that there are some beautiful places nearby. The architecture of Glasgow is world famous, and justifiably so. Glasgow University Chapel is a truly stunning wedding venue, and a delight to photograph or video. In April this year it was my very real pleasure to capture special memories for two lovely people, Paul and Gemma. After the Chapel they then held their reception at Oran Mor, another fantastic building with great food and atmosphere. I could write more, but the video says it all.

Paul & Gemma from Sandra Keddie

Sandy - Special Day Memories

A Special Day Memory - Wedding Video

I am very pleased to be a part of a special feature of the Autumn/Winter edition of The Scottish Wedding Directory. I was asked to give a tip, along with a number of other videographers and mine was one that was published. My tip (Sandy of "A Special Day Memory"*) was; To tell your videographer what you want. "If you have a singer, or doves being released, or really want to video that confetti photograph that you saw, make sure that your videographer knows about it in advance"(this advice applies to photographers as well). I always try to capture what my brides (and grooms!) want on their wedding day, either through photographs or on video. The two media are very complimentary and work well together, especially if there is a bit of a plan. This doesnt have to be rigid or regimented but it does help if your videographer/photographer knows about the fireworks before they start to go off! Please enjoy my video showreel .

Sandy - Special Day Memories

* Its a long story, but basically there was once a really great video company (mine) called "A Special Day Memory". A little while later there was a lovely photography company (also mine) called "Special Moments". These two cute little companies are now very happy working together as "Special Day Memories", but we still have advertising and marketing stuff out there which is carrying our old details. We are yet to getting around to changing this as we are so very busy making beautiful films and photographs for happy couples on their very special days.