As a London-based photographer, I can safely say that our capital city is packed with quirky wedding venues, with one to suit even the most particular brides and grooms. 

Here’s my list of London’s quirkiest wedding venues with a difference.

1. Severndroog Castle

For the romantics among you, Severndroog castle is the perfect place to re-enact those fairy-tale fantasies.  Perched in ancient woodland on top of Shooters Hill, this grade II listed 18^th century Gothic folly offers incredible views of London.  It’s best for those who want a more intimate venue, as the maximum capacity of the castle and grounds is 75. 

See www.severndroogcastle.org.uk to arrange your very own happily ever after.

2. Tower bridge

What better place to tie the knot if the Big Smoke runs through your veins, than London’s iconic Tower Bridge?  Couples can choose to hold their wedding party surrounded by the London skyline in the amazing glass-floored high-level walkways, awe-inspiring Victorian Engine Rooms or 42 metres above the River Thames in the North Tower Lounge. You can even watch the famous bridge lift from a bird’s eye point of view!

Check out www.towerbridgeevents.co.uk for a virtual tour of Tower Bridge’s event spaces and bridge the gap between your dream quirky wedding venue and reality.

3. London museum of water and steam

Vintage lovers, Steampunk sweethearts and history geeks will go nuts for this unforgettable quirky wedding venue!  A wedding reception among the magnificent engineering of the Industrial Revolution, will make for some truly memorable moments, especially if you choose to have the engines in operation during your event.  There’s even a narrow-gauge railway for you and your guests to ride on a steam train! 

Contact www.waterandsteam.org.uk to get the wheels in motion.

4. The Gherkin

This emblem of contemporary London architecture will suit stylish city types down to the ground—or should I say up to the sky?   Couples with a cool head for heights can say their ‘I do’s way up on the 40^th floor, surrounded by jaw-dropping views of the capital.  Get your party going to the backdrop of the setting sun and this late-licensed venue will keep the music pumping and the cocktails flowing until 3am.

Visit www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk for the lowdown on your sky-high wedding.

5. London Zoo

Young at heart?  Got lots of children coming to the wedding?  Fancy a kangaroo as a witness? Look no further than ZSL London Zoo to host this special moment in your personal circle of life.   London Zoo has two stylish rooms licensed for civil ceremonies and once the zoo closes for the day, you can hold your reception in one of the animal houses (though I’d recommend checking that your guests don’t have any phobias before you choose which!).  Why not add some of the zoo’s famous residents to your guest list with an animal encounter experience? 

Hop along to www.venuehire.zsl.org to find out more about this grrrreat quirky wedding venue.

To capture your day in a series of unforgettable photos, contact Kim at www.kimrixphotography.co.uk

The post Get hitched at one of London’s quirkiest wedding venues appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

If you’ve read my last blog post on how to achieve more flattering photos, you should already be looking and feeling much better in front of the camera.

Lots of my clients find it difficult to look natural in front of the camera.  I can definitely empathise with that – you may be surprised to learn that I myself hate having my photo taken!  The same problems come up time and time again—what to do with arms and legs, and how to make a smile for the camera look natural.

So, with that in mind, this week’s top three tricks for flattering photos will help eradicate that awkwardness.

1. Free your arms

This is another one where self-consciousness about having your photo taken can make matters much worse!  People who feel uncomfortable tend to tense up and hug themselves.  Squashing your arms against yourself will make them look bigger than they are  and tensing up your shoulders will shorten your neck.  Keep your upper arms slightly away from your body by resting your hand lightly on a hip or half in a pocket.  Then drop your shoulders down and back to make your neck look longer. 

2. Streamline your legs and hips

Placing one foot slightly in front of the other will make your legs look less bulky.  Don’t cross too far over, though – you don’t want to look as if you’re bursting for the loo!  Another trick is to tilt your torso slightly towards the camera.  This feels odd but makes your legs and hips look slenderer in the photo.  Try it in the mirror to get the hang of it!  If you’re sitting, cross your legs at the ankle rather than the knee to avoid unflattering thigh spread.

3. Tip of tongue behind teeth

A natural smile is key to flattering photos, but it’s hard to fake when you’re feeling tense.  Try placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.  Now smile, with your lips slightly parted.  This trick not only makes your smile look more spontaneous by forcing your mouth ever so slightly more open, but also helps to define your jawline and reduce the dreaded double chin.

Don’t forget to check back soon for more tricks and tips on achieving flattering photos!

Kim Rix Photography

Making Memories Precious

The post Flattering photos: Part 2 appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

Show me a person who doesn’t prefer flattering photos of themselves and I’ll show you a… well I won’t show you anything, because I don’t believe such a person exists! 

We all have photos of ourselves that we hate, and most of us have at least one photo of ourselves that we love.  Many people, however, can’t work out exactly why one photo makes them look great and another makes them look like Jabba the Hutt with a hangover, especially when the photos are taken minutes apart.

If you’re wondering how to get more consistently flattering photos, don’t just leave it to luck.  Over the coming weeks I’ll be discussing my favourite tricks of the trade to help you feel more in control of your image.

I’m going to begin with camera angles. Following these three key steps will transform the way you appear in photos.

1. Keep the camera above you

When someone is taking your photo, make sure that the lens isn’t tilted up towards your face.  Straight on is better, but the most flattering photos are taken from slightly above their subject. This emphasises your face and makes your body appear slimmer.  It’s all about perspective.  Objects close to the camera appear bigger, those further away appear smaller.  If you want proof of the difference this makes, take three selfies on your phone: one from below, one straight on and one from slightly above.  See?

2. Turn and tilt

Standing at an angle, with one side of your body slightly pointed away from the camera will net you more flattering photos than standing with your whole body facing it.  That’s perspective at work again.  Rather than standing bolt upright, though, bend the knee closest to the camera.  This creates a lively ‘s’ shape and will make your hips look smaller.

3. Angle your face

Lots of people feel awkward when someone whips out a camera, which can make them physically retreat, drawing their head back and away from the photographer.  Cue double chin shot!  Instead of pulling back, push your whole face (note: not just your chin) forward slightly and angle your chin slightly downwards.  This will get rid of the double chin and help elongate your neck.

Emphasise your cheek bones and reduce any roundness by turning your face ¾ to the camera.  Don’t forget to present your best side!  Stand in front of a mirror and cover each side of your face with a piece of paper – look at the size of your uncovered eye in relation to the rest of your face, your cheek bones, the arch and shape of your brows…  I’m willing to bet there’s one side you like better!    

Remembering these tricks will really help you secure some flattering photos, but don’t forget to follow my blog for even more tips on looking good for the camera!

Kim Rix Photography

Making Memories Precious

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Drip, drip, drop, little April showers…  Oh so pretty and a lovely subject for a Disney song, but April showers aren’t so welcome when dark clouds threaten to ruin your wedding photos.

Though I’m sure every couple dreams of a wedding day blessed with blue skies and sunshine, this is far from a given in rainy old Blighty.  Since you won’t exactly be able to rebook your session, there are a few things you can do to make your wedding photos look knock out rather than wash out.

There’s no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong clothing.  Just in case, why not get yourself some really fancy wellington boots and a pretty umbrella?  It’s a sure-fire way to guarantee an unforgettable entrance and you can always change into your heels once you’ve made it through the door!  From golden wellies to gumboots with a maribou trim, there are some truly imaginative solutions out there.  Top it off with a gorgeous brolly that co-ordinates with your wedding flowers and make a virtue out of the bad weather.

Be flexible with your timings.  Often, especially in changeable springtime, it can be pouring with rain one moment and sunny the next.  If it looks like it might cheer up in half an hour, try to delay the formal shots until then.  Just make sure your guests have some nibble to soak up any pre-wedding breakfast booze while everyone is mingling and waiting for the photos.

Take advice from your photographer.  A professional photographer knows how to use light – or lack of it – to the best advantage.  Listen to any advice and be willing to try out different settings and angles to make the best of the conditions.

Work with the weather, not against it.  So-called bad weather can have all sorts of photographic advantages over sunshine, especially for photos that call for lots of emotion.  A moody dark sky, light bouncing off raindrops, dramatic storm clouds and dreamy, hazy mist can all look absolutely stunning as a backdrop to your photos.  And, if you’re really lucky, you might get a rainbow!

Think creatively.  Sometimes you just need to get inside, particularly if there are children involved.  It’s hard to get a good photo if everyone’s cold and miserable.  If this is the case, all is not lost.  Force yourself to get inventive!  Seek out interesting corners to use a backdrop, or make the rain-streaked windows a feature.  This works particularly well if you have hired an old or quirky building for your wedding.

Finally, just take heart from this lovely quote:

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather

John Ruskin

Kim Rix Photography

Making Memories Precious

The post Rainy day wedding photos appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

Stories don’t always need words—sometimes it’s more powerful to tell a story with photos.  And, since today is World Storytelling Day, read on for some fail-safe ideas to work narrative into your photos!

 The best stories have a tight plot, great characters and brilliantly convey emotion and mood.  Whether you’re aiming to capture an event, location or family life, exactly the same applies when you tell a story with photos.  So, before you start to take your photographs, book your photo shoot or plan your display, make sure you have a think about what story you are trying to tell and the type of shots you might need to tell it.  

Multiple shots

There’s a huge choice of off-the-shelf frames available for your multiple-shot photo stories, so you can really go to town here.  The key thing to remember is to follow the basic three-act story structure:

Act I       set the scene

Act II      main action

Act III    resolution/end

This can liven up a formal photo, like a wedding shot, very nicely.  Your Act I photo might have the bridesmaids fussing with hair and make, the Act 2 photo would be the formal shot and the Act 3 photo could show the relaxed hugs and laughter that come after the formal pose.  Display in a triptych frame for best effect.

Take a photo on the same date every year

You’ve probably seen photo collections like these on social media.  Meaningful and effective, they work really well with babies and children as the changes are particularly apparent from year to year.  If you use a seasonal backdrop, like autumn leaves, a Christmas tree or spring blossom, it will act as a reminder that now’s the time to take your annual photo. 

Photos that capture personality

Think about times when you and your friends and family are in their element.  Could it be when playing a cut-throat game of Monopoly?  Dressing up before a night out?  Or perhaps it’s something as simple as walking the dog on a sunny afternoon?  Whatever it is, a person’s personality is best caught when doing something that makes them super relaxed and happy.  Which brings us to…

Hobby photographs

Capturing people while doing their favourite activity is a fail-safe way of telling a story in a single shot.  Don’t just show the subject posed in front of equipment but wait until they are fully engaged in what they’re doing.  The look of intense concentration or effort on someone’s face is worth a thousand words.  The moment a runner crosses the finish line, a painter or jeweller mid-project, or a shot of mum knitting while the cat plays with the ball of wool – all are perfect subjects to tell a story with your photos.

Don’t have the same person taking the photo each time

This tip is often forgotten as it’s usually the same person in the group who ends up holding the camera.  They’re part of the narrative too!  Share the camera around or hire a professional to take your photos so that no one ends up missing from your story.

For help and advice on how I can help tell your story with photos, contact me via my website, email me on info@kimrixphotography.co.uk or call me on 020 8989 4886.

The post Tell a story with photos appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

With the official first day of spring falling in March, it’s time to shake off the frosts of winter and organise your spring photo shoot!  Nothing gladdens the heart quite like feeling the long-forgotten warmth of sun on your skin and the first flashes of colour emerging from ground, so a spring photo shoot is perfect for fresh, uplifting and gorgeously positive portraits.

Here’s my pick of the best places in London for the perfect spring photo shoot:

Kew Gardens

You can’t beat Kew Gardens for spring blossom splendour.  The riot of spring colour begins in late January/early February when thousands of delicate snowdrops cover the green with white.  Carpets of crocuses start to appear from late February and are in full bloom throughout March.  From April, the cherry trees throw their pink and white confetti skywards, while May brings our native blue bells out en masse. 

St James’ Park

Make like Wordsworth and wander lonely as a cloud—or with friends and family—down to St James’ Park where you’ll find that crowd of golden daffodils ‘Beside the lake, beneath the trees/Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.’  And what a sight they make!  St James’ park receives the lion’s share of the 1 million daffodil bulbs planted in London’s Royal parks each year, so you won’t lack picturesque spots for your spring photoshoot.  Just mind you don’t get upstaged by the famous St James’ Park pelicans!

Regent’s Park

If you’re yearning for the orderly beauty of a formal garden, take the Bakerloo line to Regent’s Park and head for the Avenue Gardens.  Here, April brings the cherry trees into bloom and turns the Avenue Gardens into a froth of pink blossom.  Don’t forget the cherry tree avenue along Chester Road, either.  Originally planted in the 1930s, this avenue was restored in 2015 with the planting of 100 new trees. The large, pale pink flowers of the variety ‘Sunset Boulevard’ are sure to make a fabulously romantic backdrop for your spring photo shoot.

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is one of my favourite places for a woodland walk, especially in late April to early May, when the Isabella Plantation is ablaze with thousands of azalea flowers.  Established in the 1830s, the Isabella Plantation boasts 40 acres of Japanese azaleas, rhododenrons and camellias, which intermingle with native plants and other exotic and rare varieties.

London’s City Farms

The animal lovers among you will definitely want to visit one of London’s city farms for your spring photo shoot!  Springtime is synonymous with comically fluffy chicks and ducklings, and adorably knock-kneed lambs.  Rather incongruously located in the middle of Tower Hamlets, Stepney City Farm is a tiny rural idyll in the midst of the grey urban sprawl.  Here you can even bottle feed the lambs for that perfect family photograph.

Contact me for a friendly chat. Let me help you make your memories precious.

Kim Rix Photography

Making Memories Precious

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Attention please!

Food is usually king when it comes to getting your pet’s attention.  Even small furries like guinea pigs will tend to look up in interest when the fridge is opened or the food bag rattled.  However, young or untrained pets often want to snaffle up the treat immediately, making it hard to capture the perfect shot.  With these, or more energetic pets, it’s worth trying out an unfamiliar noise to gain their attention.  It’s a great way to get dogs to the classic head tilted, ears pricked pose as they try to work out what on earth their human is doing!  Just make sure you don’t scare your poor pet with anything too sudden or loud.  

Don’t forget the details

Taking better photos of your pet often comes down to details.  If your furry friend is a proper fluffball, make sure you get the brush out before your photoshoot.  The texture of freshly brushed fur really stands out in a photograph and any clumps or tangles will spoil the shot.  Likewise, wipe away any drool or tear stains as these are very difficult to edit out of your photo afterwards.  If you’re going to use a prop, such as a pet bed or favourite toy, clean it up a bit first.  What looks presentable in real life can look tired and dirty in a photograph.

And… action!

Find someone to be your assistant if you want to capture some action shots.  Throwing a ball or dangling a toy is a great way to capture your pet’s playful personality.  If there are any easily accessible open spaces nearby, use them to photograph your dog running towards you.  There’s nothing like the pure joy of a dog running at full pelt, tongue lolling and ears blown back!

Get down with it

Crouch down to your pet’s level to focus on your pet’s eyes and expressions.  This gives the impression in photos that you are ‘in their world’ and seeing life from their point of view.  It’s great for bringing out your pet’s personality and really is one of the easiest ways to capture better photos of your pet.

If you’re inspired to capture some professional lasting memories of your furry friend, give me a call on 020 8989 4886 or email info@kimrixphotography.co.uk to find out how I can work with you.

Kim Rix

Making Memories Precious

The post Professional secrets to get better photos of your pet appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

Hiring a professional photographer to help you capture the right side of your business is one of the best marketing investments you can make, but how can you make sure that you get exactly the images your business needs?   That’s where briefing your photographer comes in.  If this is the first time you’ve invested in business marketing photography, briefing a photographer might sound daunting, but it’s really very simple: all you need is a bit of preparation and a clear idea of what you want to achieve.  Going through the who, what, where, when and how questions usually gives enough indication of what you want to achieve with your marketing photography.

Who/what?

Be sure to tell the photographer who or what they will be photographing.  This will ensure that they have the right sort of equipment with them to capture the subject in the best light.

When/where?  

If there are particular features of your location that you want to capture at their best, make sure you add this to the brief.  Your photographer might suggest changing the location or timing for issues around lighting or another technical reason you might not have thought of.

How?  

State clearly what you want your business marketing photography to say about your business.  Your photographer will help you understand how to achieve this.  Finally, make sure you let your photographer know how you are intending to use these photographs – for social media, printed materials, website banners?  Different uses will have different requirements.

Answering these questions is the surest and quickest route to getting the results you need.  Then all you need to do is sit back and let the professional photographer do their job.

Interested in other ways that you can use marketing photography to increase sales?  Contact Kim Rix Photography on 020 8989 4886 and we can discuss some ideas and strategies.

Kim Rix Photography
Making Memories Precious

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The average period between engagement and wedding is around a year, so you may well want to consider a winter wedding.  Despite the cold—and often wet—weather, a winter wedding is not only wonderfully romantic, but also visually spectacular thanks to the seasonal sparkle and Christmas decorations.  Here are some tips to make your wedding album a cracker (sorry!)…

Winter weather isn’t always great but that’s part of the charm.  Use warm, yellow lights rather than bright harsh ones to emphasise the warmth of the occasion in contrast to the cold and dark outside. Make sure your winter wedding photographs include that contrast between the two.  I love photographing the bride as she walks from the darkness into a venue full of light and love.

Make the most of the season.  Don’t just stick to photographs of the bride, groom and guests—build up a real story of the day. Get close ups of Christmas decorations at home as you’re preparing for the big day.  Remember, it doesn’t need to be the day itself—you could photograph the planning stages as you put together wedding favours or pick the floral arrangements.  Why not get a personalised tree bauble made and photograph it hanging on your Christmas tree?

Winter textures also make great photographs.  Focus in on a bridal faux fur wrap, the softness of a sheepskin rug, or the folds of a cosy tartan blanket.  Outside, capture frost on leaves, raindrops on a spider’s web and the little bridesmaids and page boys puffing into the cold air to see their breath.

Find the humorous moments in your winter wedding!  Whether it’s the moment the bride lifts the hem of her stunning dress to reveal welly boots, or the moment that a well-timed snowball hits the best man on the back of the head, the season can offer plenty of laughs.  Don’t forget to capture them in your photos!

Above all, book your female wedding photographer early!  To speak to me about your perfect winter wedding album, call +44 208 989 4886.

Kim Rix Photography

Making Memories Precious

The post Why a winter wedding is so special appeared first on Kim Rix Photography.

Here are some tips to make sure your proposal shoot all goes to plan.

Firstly, know what the answer is going to be!  You don’t want to risk your proposal photos ending up as a documentary of your big fat rejection.  Read the signs beforehand and perhaps test the water with a few subtle questions.

So, you’ve booked a table at the most romantic restaurant in town, or bought your ticket to an extra special attraction.  Make sure the venue is in on it if you need help for everything to go to plan. Everyone loves a romantic gesture, so it shouldn’t be too hard to persuade them to play along. 

Make sure there’s somewhere for the photographer to be anonymous – it’ll look suspicious (and more than a bit creepy) if it’s just you, your loved one and someone lurking with a camera! 

Do a recce of good angles beforehand.  You’ll won’t want to show off those proposal photos if they’ve caught either of you on your worst side, so think about where you want your photographer to stand.

Risk assess – if your loved one is a slow sipper or a dainty eater, you might just get away with hiding the ring in food or drink.  But it’s a risky game.  Choking on a diamond isn’t going to put anyone in the mood for love and won’t make proposal photos you’ll sigh over 40 years later!

Last of all, have a signal for the photographer so they know when to start capturing those memories.

Over the years I’ve picked up the nickname Ninja, as I’m known for getting great photos without anyone noticing I’m there!  To book me for your proposal photo shoot, contact me at +44 208 989 4886.

Good luck!

Kim Rix Photography

Photo credit – thanks to Hayley Smith for permission to use her photo – big congratulations!

Making Memories Precious

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