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.

Aileen & Michael's Hand Fast Ceremony

Weddings are about the two people being married, and the commitment they feel to each other. Some people are very traditional and wish to be married in a church, chapel, abbey or cathedral, some wish a simple civil ceremony followed by a great celebration with all their family and friends, and sometimes some people want to express themselves with a feeling of heritage, or of something long thought lost. Hand fast ceremonies are ancient, and feature in Scots history from earliest remembered times.

At Special Day Memories we provide both video and photographic packages. All weddings can produce wonderful photographs, and video has its own place capturing the wit of the speeches and the romance of the first dance. Either provides a lasting record of a wedding day and I would never say that someone should have photography, video, or both. Sometimes, however, something can only be described as a video moment. Jock's hand fast ceremony is a video moment. Please watch and enjoy, I am sure you will agree that this ceremony for Aileen and Michael is something special.

Check out Jock at http://www.heraldevents.co.uk/weddings.php

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Hi Sandy, just a wee email to say thanks again...

Another Album...Another Happy Client!

Being a photographer can be quite a hard business. I don't want any sympathy or anything, because I wouldnt swap it for all the world, I love it, but I just want to share some of the pain, the anxiety. First there is the whole business of marketing to attract customers, then there is creating a package of products that the customer likes. Not forgetting the bit about being quite a good photographer, and working on those skills to get fresh ideas. Then there is the wedding day - no pressure there, hey?

And after the wedding there is that moment when you review the images and you see that some of them are not too shabby. Then you show the customer, online, and they seem to like them but they are still small and on a screen. After the customer picks the images, the album design. I love designing albums, probably my favourite bit of the whole process. But, just like painting or any other creative art, what I think is fabulous might not appeal to my customer. Thats okay, I just take one for the team and redesign until I make my customer happier.

Then we go to print. And then, we wait!

Right now Graphistudio, the beautiful Italian album that I offer, is taking about 6 weeks to print and deliver. So, by the time the album arrives, I am so nervous. I review for print and build quality, and then when I'm happy I look at the images properly. Did the design translate onto a page? Is it wow? Did I capture the emotions of a special day?

And then the very worst bit; presenting the album to a customer. This is lip biting, nails stuck into palms terror. Ok maybe that's a bit of exageration, but I do so want you to be happy. Actually, no, I want more than just happy, I want you to be over the moon. I want to give you memories of a special day that will last and last, so that you can look back in years to come and remember how you felt that day.

Some people smile, some cry, some laugh and point and tell a story, some people are more private and just say a quiet thank you and go on their way. The feeling I get from making someone else happy is fabulous. Later, sometimes, I get a little thank you card or an email, and that is just the cherry on the top for me. This is what I got today from Stephanie, who was married to Robert at Burnhouse Manor, earlier this year:-

"Hi Sandy, Just a wee email to say thanks again. We are so happy with our album and prints and can't wait to show them to our friends and family! Steph x"

Steph, you have made my day! And then this is just the best job in the world and for a moment I have no stress or hassle or pressure, and I can't wait for my next wedding... :-)

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Sarah and Graeme, St Mirin Cathedral and the Gailes Hotel, Saturday 29 May

I love the cathedral! I am so lucky to work in a town that has venues like St Mirin Cathedral and Paisley Abbey. What more could a wedding photographer want? Well, how about a wedding reception venue like the Gailes Hotel, only a short drive away? This venue has it all - a rooftop terrace, views towards Arran, a well heated conservatory and the Talisker Lounge with a lovely open fire (both very important in the west of Scotland!). The Lagavulin Suite was beautiful, a great example of how a wedding breakfast should look. The staff - thank you Karen - were very professional and were a real help to the photography team.

Anyway, enough of that: Sarah and Graeme, despite the drizzle, were stars! Sarah was the princess that every bride should be; maid of honour, bridesmaids and Taylor the flowergirl were just lovely; and Graham and his groomsmen were very handsome in matching highland dress. A first sort of the images tells me that we have some photographs that I am very pleased with. I am sure Sarah and Graeme will be as well.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Nicola and Kevin at St Aidan's, Saturday 15 May

St Aidan's in Johnstone is a truly stunning piece of architecture. The light is fantastic and it has an aisle that any bride would love to walk up. Then we have another beautiful, clear May day and you have most of the ingredients for a great wedding shoot. Just add 14 men in matching kilts, 2 lovely bridesmaids and a bride in a gorgeous embrodered gown. And if that wasnt enough we went to a country estate near Houston where the landscape was unspoilt and wonderful to be in. Nicola was beautiful, and Kevin was really up for photographs (as the one below with his best man and ushers shows!) Nicola and Kevin, thank you. It was a lovely day to be part of. Please enjoy these pictures, lots more soon.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Aileen and Michael's wedding at Kincaid House Hotel, Milton of Campsie

Friday 14th of May, and the sun shone! Wedding photographers can be fussy about the weather. We like sunshine, if we can find shade, because contrasts look harsh in photographs, or makes people squint! But we prefer sunshine to rain because natural light makes everybody look better. No rain and lots of sunshine, with enough shade and a great day for all. Aileen and Michael looked wonderful at Kincaid House, which is just outside Milton of Campsie and is a great venue, with a fantastic conservatory and beautiful grounds.

Aileen and Michael had a civil ceremony made really personal by writing their own vows, and then had a handfasting ceremony by Jock Ferguson, which was just so perfect for a Scots wedding. Check out Jock at http://www.heraldevents.co.uk/weddings.php. It is always great to work with someone who understands photography and video, and Jock was a total professional.

Michael and Aileen also worked really hard, and that has paid off with some stunning photographs. Thank you, it was a real pleasure. Here is a sneek preview with lots more to come.

Sandy - Special Day Memories

Award winning wedding photographer!

Anybody who knows me will tell you that I never brag. And, as if to prove that, gaining my latest award from the Society of Wedding and Portrait Professionals (SWPP) has reminded me that I never published the news to my blog about the last award I received. So this is an opportunity to share both of these award winning photographs.

Michelle was simply stunning for her wedding last year in Kirkintilloch, and the weather blessed her reception at the beautiful Lochgreen Hotel. Working as a wedding photographer in Paisley, I love getting the chance to work in Paisley Abbey, it is one of my favourite venues - the light is fantastic and it has a marvellous atmosphere - and that really shows in this photograph from Tracy and Kevin's wedding. I hope you like them. As always, thanks to my wonderful couples for allowing me the privilege of sharing their special day and helping to capture some memories.

Sandy - Special Day Memories