Mackney Photography PhotoBlog

How We Work | Mackney Photography

2023-01-13T14:21:00.001+00:00

Learn about the process we use to plan and execute your perfect photo shoot. From pre-shoot preparations to post-shoot delivery, we have everything covered!

The process can start weeks or even months before, and extends through a post-shoot process to finalise editing, retouching and product delivery.

We’re all about creating a truly personal, truly immersive experience for our clients—and that starts with you.

Here’s a step-by-step look at the process, and the important part you play in getting the best pictures:

1) Before the consultation: This is definitely one of the most fun parts of the process. Check out Pinterest, Instagram or facebook for inspiration on location, poses, props and general styling. Start thinking about your style and what you’re looking for in your session.

2) The consultation: Ask questions, look through our portfolio and figure out what approach you’d like to see in your session and final prints. If you’ve found great inspiration in step #1, bring print outs or websites along! We’ll discuss how you intend to use the images—albums, artwork, framing, etc—and help you refine the message you’re looking to convey within your session.

3) Finalising the details: After we determine what style you like, we’ll confirm a date, time and, based on that information, help you finalise clothing and extra props to bring (or pets/ grandparents)

4) The shoot: The day is finally here! Have fun and relax and you’ll naturally take better photos!

5) Post Processing: We’ll colour correct your images, crop, check for highlights and shadows, and do a some creative digital retouching (the icing on the cake as they say)

6) The cinematic slideshow: We’ll schedule time for you to come back after your photography session to view the beautiful portraits we’ve lovingly created just for you. It’s here that we can help show you how best to display our products, the rest is entirely up to you.

7) Final delivery: Turnaround time for products is based on the specific product you order – we quote 10-12 weeks, but often it’s quicker. Just got to get your home ready for your new art-pieces!

Newborn photography that will last a lifetime

2023-01-07T14:39:00.003+00:00

Choosing a newborn photographer is an important decision. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your choice….

Welcome mums-to-be! Whether you started browsing for a newborn photographer the minute you found out you were pregnant or are just beginning to look now, we understand that this exciting and sometimes daunting choice can be hard. Going through page after page of captivating newborn photography is quite fun but also tricky since making sure your little bundle of joy’s pictures turn out perfect will become one of your top priorities.

We've been getting quite a few newborn enquiries at the studio so I thought I would put a little blog about what we do here. So if you haven't heard of us before, we are Mackney Photography - we're a family run business that have been established in the heart of Darley Abbey Mills, Derby since 2012. We're a professional portrait company, by that I mean it's our full- time job, we don't offer anything other then portrait photography, whether it's a family, baby or beloved pet. That's what we do, so we have all the necessary insurance, props, accessories, expertise and know-how of how to pose our subjects as well as "getting that shot" you can only dream of. We've photographed thousands of customers over the years and have many returning customers who come back to us, entrusting us to capture those precious memories for them.

Like hotels and even restaurants not all photographers charge the same, nor do we photograph the same and even your studio experience will vary. I guess the question I would ask yourself is do you like our style? Do we offer the products you want? Do you want a studio shoot? These are just some of the many questions to think about before choosing the photographer for you!

Research is key into ensuring you end up with the photos you want, and perhaps the budget you have too. We're not just about photography, we care about how our portraits are displayed, for us it's all about creating what we call "wall art" - images to be displayed loud and proud at home. Products like ours isn't just about a "print" or a "frame" - it's the processing, for example we ensure each and everyone of our photos are re-touched, then our screens calibrated with our printers to ensure everything is printed to perfection. So what you receive at the end of everything is a beautifully finished print, album or frame.

A typical newborn session lasts 3-4 hours and is undertaken by our experienced team of photographers. We have underfloor heating, newborn props, more heaters and of course, everything is sanitised and cleansed before / after each session so you can be rest assured your in safe hands. There is no 'rushing" a newborn shoot, patience is paramount, so what we capture at the end of the day will be a lovely variety to select from. We're all about quality over quantity so only offer a couple of newborn sessions in the weekday when it's lovely calm and quiet in our boutique studio.

So with that in mind, if you have any further questions, feel free to pop us an email on info@mackney.com, or just give us a ring on 01332 650076 as we find it's always good to chat :)

Lots of love, Wendy xxx

Simon Mackney awarded a Fellowship by the BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography)

2022-11-23T16:22:00.007+00:00

Simon Mackney, owner and principal photographer at Mackney photography has been awarded a fellowship from the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP). This is the highest qualification offered by the respected photography organisation.

As any photography enthusiast knows, the British institute of professional photographers (BIPP) is one of the most respected photography organisations in the world. So when Simon Mackney learned that he had qualified for a fellowship from the BIPP - the highest qualification offered by the organisation - he was understandably thrilled.

However, Simon is quick to point out that achieving a fellowship is no easy feat. It takes years of hard work and dedication to reach this level of excellence, and he feels lucky to have been able to achieve it. But he also knows that it's an accomplishment that should be celebrated and shared. After all, not many people can say that they've reached the pinnacle of their profession. Nice one Simon and love the work created for the Fellowship….Photography is your passion! What else can a photography lover ask for!. Sure, anyone with a camera can take a picture these days, but it takes a true artist to create stunning portraits that capture both the subject's inner beauty and the outer world around them.

And that's exactly what Simon does. His photography has earned him numerous awards, but more importantly, his photography brings joy to those who view it. So whether you're looking at one of his award-winning portraits or simply flipping through his latest collection of photos, you're sure to appreciate the skill and artistry that goes into each and every one of his shots.

A good photographer is meant to make you feel comfortable in front of their lens and guide you through the process so that by the end of it, they have captured your truest self. With years of experience in the industry, I can promise you that when you book a session with our photographers, not only will you get priceless memories to hang on your wall but an unforgettable experience as well. So what are you waiting for? Lets plan your perfect portrait session...

Gift Portraits

Beautiful newborn experiences....

2022-09-15T14:38:00.004+01:00

We had the pleasure of having the very beautiful baby Hallie in our studios a couple of months ago. Both Charlie and Georgy wanted to capture her au naturale and she didn't disappoint (cue baby poop moment not captured in the final edit lol)

There's something so special about capturing your new first love, sleeping or awake - it's all about their natural expressions and beautiful newborn skin....who doesn't love a squishy bum, tiny toes or a cute button nose! Here's Georgy's review of her experience...

"We originally hadn't thought about having a Newborn photoshoot but a couple weeks in, I really wanted to capture her when she was tiny. So I had a look around online and found Mackney Photography. We just felt like their style suited us! Not overly cheesy and looked really high quality. We had our shoot with Simon and Wendy, who were awesome! We had a really lovely morning taking beautiful photos of our little one. There were trials and tribulations, especially when taking photos of a naked newborn, needless to say we had a trifecta of bodily functions and they were so kind as to lend me a dress to go home in! They couldn't have done enough to make us feel more comfortable and provided us with refreshments throughout.

We came to choose our photos a couple weeks later and were provided with so many different options, in the end we chose 3 large frames to go on our living room wall and that also came with an acrylic block, desktop frame and choice of 6 other photo printouts which we've decided to give to grandparents as Christmas presents. Ultimately, money well spent! The quality of photos and frames (which are bespoke) is beautiful! So so very happy with our experience and products, we love them so much! Well worth the money! And not just your average newborn shoot you see plastered on people's social media. Thank you guys 😊" Georgy Harrison

Bumpin' and Beautiful: Why Maternity Photography is So Special

2022-07-05T17:06:00.007+01:00

There's nothing quite like the miracle of life, and what better way to commemorate such a special time than with a maternity photoshoot? Whether you're an expectant mother or you're looking to gift a loved one with a memorable experience, a maternity photoshoot is the perfect way to capture the anticipation and excitement of awaiting a new arrival. Here's everything you need to know about why maternity photography is so special.

Whens the best time for a bump shoot? I would normally recommend around 34weeks plus, however it's just whenever you feel comfortable! Some pregnant mothers "show" their bumps earlier then others, any stage is good - just don't leave it too late..... I had quite a petite bump with both my children - but since my firstborn came at 34 weeks, I decided to ensure my next baby bump shoot was done at 32 weeks (just in case!)

Why Maternity Photography is So Important?

Maternity photography is such an important way to document such a special time in your life. Not only will you be able to look back on these photos with fondness and nostalgia, but they'll also serve as a reminder of just how strong and amazing your body is. Pregnancy is an incredible feat, and it's one that deserves to be celebrated!

What to Expect from a Maternity Photoshoot:

When you book a maternity photoshoot, you can expect to have a lot of fun! This is a time to relax, let loose, and enjoy being pampered. Your photographer will work with you to capture both posed and candid shots that show off your unique style and personality. We recommend booking a session for when you're around 32-34 weeks pregnant so that you're not too uncomfortable but still have that beautiful pregnancy glow

What to Wear for Your Maternity Photoshoot

One of the best parts of maternity photography is getting all dolled up for your close-up! This is your chance to wear something truly special, something that makes you feel like a radiant goddess. Whether it's a flowing dress or figure-hugging gown, we recommend choosing something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. After all, this is supposed to be fun! If you're not sure what to wear, our team can help style you for your shoot

Conclusion

Maternity photography is such a beautiful way to document such an amazing time in your life. If you're expecting or know someone who is, we highly recommend booking a session! It's the perfect way to celebrate the strength and beauty of pregnancy while creating lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.

So....if you're considering a BUMP shoot, or even if you're not sure and just want to chat through the options available to you, please do get in touch. I'd love to hear from you and answer any questions that you might have - no question is too small. You can book with us now by speak to our friendly bookings team on 01332 650 076. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Mwah, Wendy x

Hooray to the dads....

2022-06-24T12:42:00.002+01:00

With father's day passing, it was a time of reflection at Mackney as we celebrate dads present and past.

When my father had his stroke back in 2016, there was a week when we thought he wasn't going to wake up. It really made us realise how important it is to spend time with your loved ones and let them know how much love you have for them. The staff at the stroke ward at Derby Royal was amazing and kept reassuring us that he would be fine. Whilst he still hasn't regained his right arm and leg movement and his speech is still slurred, we're so grateful that he's still with us and thank every extra day with him.

Fast forward 2022, and it's so lovely to still celebrate another father's day with him. As we go past 2022, I also think about all the fathers up in the stars and how lucky no matter how short or long we have had with our parents, that we had any time with them at all.

This is a special post to all the father's out there, you are all amazing and we thankyou for helping pick us up when we fall, words of encouragement when we need to succeed and just being there for us, big or small....fathers and grandfathers, we salute you!

Wendy x

How we craft the most beautiful portraits.....

2022-06-09T11:28:00.002+01:00

Picasso’s “Dove of Peace” Napkin Art

I was scrolling through social media as you I normally do after putting both kids to bed, and I came across this story about Picasso....bare with me, but it goes like this....

Picasso was at a Paris market when an admirer approached and asked if he could do a quick sketch on a paper napkin for her.

Picasso politely agreed, promptly created a drawing, and handed back the napkin — but not before asking for a million Francs.

The lady was shocked: “How can you ask for so much? It took you five minutes to draw this!”

“No”, Picasso replied, “It took me 40 years to draw this in five minutes.”

This story really resonated with me as having set up Mackney Photography over 10 years ago, I'm still amazed at how many beautiful portraits we produce on a daily basis. Our team make it all look so easy, yet it takes skill and an artists eye to craft the portraits you see. It may appear easy to use a digital SLR to create relaxed, natural images of you and your loved ones, but taking "photos" is so much more then a push of a button. It takes years of experience to make it look easy. To be able to create a masterpiece in five minutes.
I get a lot of customers asking me about pricing and as a family business, we're as transparent as we can be about this - we specialise in finished products such as frames, prints and albums as we love to display our work loud and proud on the WALL. If this isn't for you then we're not the right portrait studio for you. It's like anything in life, you have to be "into" photography to appreciate our work. Our best portraits are customers who have gone the extra mile to co-ordinate their outfits, style their hair and bring in outfit changes, at the end of the day we can only capture what's in front of us. With the right styling, backdrops and props - we're proud of the portraits we create and though we won't charge a million francs for our portraits, our portraits will be remembered for years to come.

Coming into 2022....

2022-01-25T12:42:00.004+00:00

Hello and Happy New Year!

We hope your family are safe and well after another unusual year and are looking forward to what 2022 will bring. I (Hannah, hello!) had the pleasure of joining the Mackney family as the Social Media & Marketing executive last June and thought it was about time I introduced myself and let you know what I've been up to!

Previously working for another family business in Derby, I had heard of Mackney photography but never thought to book a photoshoot.

From my very first day, I noticed how friendly and helpful the team were and marvelled at the amazing art pieces on the studio walls. After settling in and seeing what the business was all about, I invited my own family for a photoshoot and we were all blown away by the experience!

"It was my 60th birthday earlier last year so when Hannah suggested having a family photoshoot I thought it was the perfect way to commemorate the occasion. Our photographer Lucy was very professional but friendly and made us feel at ease. It was great to meet the owner too who explained the process to us so we knew the various stages in advance. A second appointment was set up to review all the photographs and the lady we saw clearly explained all the costed options. We are over the moon with our finished images and can't wait to display them proudly around our home. "

– Philip (Dad)

Working in the studio, you get to see how much hard work everyone puts in from the reception team to the photographers, the viewers, the editors and the production team. The photos are finished to an incredible standard and I know they’ll be treasured by all my family, especially my dad, for years to come.

~~Never~~ work with children & animals

Specialising in social media means I get the awesome job of filming those amazing (and hilarious!) behind the scenes clips. You’ll often see me darting around the studio, trusty iPhone in hand, waiting to capture those special moments. There have been times where photoshoots haven’t quite gone to plan but our photographers are the most patient people I’ve ever met and whatever the problem, they know exactly how to solve it. Whether it be a screaming newborn who won’t settle or a toddler throwing a tantrum, they have years of experience and know how to get the shot every time

I’ve seen our Peter Rabbit wheelbarrow tipped over by toddlers, dogs running in circles round the studio and toys literally thrown out of our prop pram - but it’s incredible to be a part of! I’ve met so many amazing people, pets and little ones and as soppy as it sounds, it’s extremely heartwarming to see everyone having fun and making memories.

Baby of the Year/Pop Face of the Year Competition

If you've been a customer for a while, you might be familiar with our yearly competitions. In December, I uploaded lots of super cute photos for our Mackney Photography Baby of the Year competition and lots of epic photos of superheroes, fairies & more for our Pop Face of the Year competition. We announced the winners earlier this month which were A-Nae & Ky-Anna for our Mackney competition and Mylah for our Pop competition! Both mum’s have been in to choose their fab £1000 worth of mounted portfolio prints and we can’t wait to work on these and get them printed! Keep an eye out on our Facebook & Instagram pages for interviews and behind the scenes clips of the worthy winners!

It may only be January, but we’re already planning lots of exciting things for 2022. Earlier this week, we revealed our newest creation - POP Masters! Our next blog will explain all about these brand new, exciting photoshoots but in the meantime, check out our Pop Studio social media for a sneak peek!

We also can’t wait to attend lots of amazing shows and events this year. Find us at Bustler’s Mamameet event in April and take advantage of our exclusive offers while you're there plus grab something delicious to eat! If you can't catch us at Bustler, don't worry as all our experiences are available on our websites and our friendly team are just a phone call away if you have any questions or queries.

Purchase a gift experience voucher on our website! (T&C's apply)

Maybe you know a little one that'd love to be a super strong Superhero, a beautiful fairy, a brave space explorer or a magical witch or wizard for the day?

Visit our Pop Studios website and purchase your epic themed photoshoot for a little one:

We hope you had an amazing 2021 and we can’t wait to get stuck in to 2022!

Love Hannah & the Mackney family x

Been for a photoshoot with us? Share a photo of your wall art, tag us and leave a review on our Google/Facebook pages to be in with a chance of winning a £20 M&S voucher!

#mackneyartpiece #popstudiosartpiece

Beautiful Wall Art....

2021-11-24T16:22:00.003+00:00

It’s been a fab few months being back in the studio, doing what we do best…crafting portraits. We’ve already had the pleasure of photographing dogs, cats, babies (a lot of babies :) families & makeovers and we LOVE the fact we get to experience the whole process with you again! We’ve missed seeing faces new and old and creating BEAUTIFUL art pieces that you can treasure for years to come!
In the digital age, we all find it so easy to take photos on our phones but most aren’t looked at or appreciated after they’re taken…this isn’t what we’re about “snapshots” we call these. Not only are photos more difficult to organise on your mobile but with technology evolving so quickly, we can’t rely on phones forever…whoever handed down a usb stick? This is why at our studio, we specialise in finished products. We believe photos are precious memories which deserve to be displayed loud and proud around your home and appreciated for many years to come.

We offer a selection of different sized prints, gorgeous albums and more spectacularly, our beautiful wall art. Our wall art is an amazing bespoke piece which is completely tailored to each and every customer. Choose a singular image or a montage of several images (if you fall in love with too many), your favourite frame and then we work our magic.

We’re really excited today to share a #mackneyartpiece from one of our lovely customers Syreeta and ask her about her wall art and overall experience at Mackney photography.

·      Where did you hear about Mackney photography?
I’ve known Simon since senior school and as a friend, followed his career and took my newborn to him in his early days at a studio in Ambergate!

·      What photoshoot did you have?
I’ve had numerous family shoots over the years either with my own immediate family, in laws or my parents.

·      How was your experience with Mackney photography?
Amazing! I love their bespoke approach and always get images I want and love.

·      Was the experience what you expected?
Not at all, it was refreshing to not be sat stiffly and posing awkwardly, like photoshoots I’d had previously as a child. With the variety of backdrops and being able to use Darley park too, it’s unlike any other studio I’ve been to.

·      Were you looking for a montage piece for your wall originally?
No I wasn’t! I knew I wanted a statement piece for the wall but I fell in love with too many images and after seeing all the combinations the editors had put together I had to choose one of those!

·      How did you decide on the frame?
Other frames we’ve got in the living room are a similar colour so we decided to go for a darker frame to match.

·      Where did you decide to hang your wall art?
Pride of place above our sofa in the living room!

·      What kind of response have you had to the images?
People love all the images I’ve had from Mackney and so many friends and family have enquired as to where they’ve been done!

·      Why did you choose Mackney photography?
I love the staff and flexibility during the session!

·      Would you recommend Mackney photography to others?
Absolutely! The only hard bit is choosing which shoot to go for! Next I’m hoping to have a makeover as I know how amazing the hair and make-up stylist is!

Thank you so much for sharing Syreeta! We love your wall art and hope it’s treasured by the whole family for years to come!
Tag us in your #mackneyartpiece on Facebook or Instagram, we’d love to see them!

April 12th 2021 - welcome back!

2021-02-23T14:37:00.004+00:00

Hoorah! We cannot wait to welcome all our lovely customers back into our studios as we throw open our doors on Monday 12th April 2021. It's been a while and we have missed you and life at the studio.

For our customers who were due to visit us or wish to make a new booking, we will start to make contact round the beginning of April as our opening date is still subject to government guidelines.  We hope you’ll love our specially crafted portraits, we specialise in creating beautiful wall art.

Our customers who have placed orders with us or have an order ready to collect, as soon as we reopen on the 12th April, we will be in touch to arrange a date and time to safely come to our studio. Please note we do not offer postage - all orders must be collected.


All experiences purchased will be still be valid and extended. (new purchases from our website  please remember we allow over 6 months to book in!). Please bare with us as we get the studio ready for everyone's return - if you do need further info, please feel free to email us at reception@mackney.com.

All our love and wishes,

Simon, Wendy and the Mackney family xxxx

Lockdown 3.0

2021-01-04T22:11:00.001+00:00

We’re hitting the pause button…again!

This is not goodbye - but just us hitting the "PAUSE" button on our beautiful studio. As our business is non-essential, we fall into the category of "shops to close"

We've decided to take time out creating new portraits and instead focus on creating special memories with our loved ones and hope you'll all be doing the same too. We wish it could be different, but in order to help bring a stop to this terrible virus spreading, we have to do our bit and close the studio temporarily.

For our customers who are due to visit us soon, we will re-book your appointments when we are allowed to re-open safely.  We hope you’ll love our specially crafted portraits, we specialise in creating beautiful wall art.

Our customer who have placed orders with us, we normally quote 10-12 weeks from your viewing appointment but will now be extended due to our closure. However we will be busy little bee’s behind the scenes making sure your orders are ready for collection as soon as we can re-open and will contact you closer to the reopening date with an update on your order.

Customers wishing to collect, please be patient with us as we will not be able to post orders out, however we can hold onto orders as we have ample storage, we will be in touch after the lockdown.

All experiences purchased will be still be valid and extended. (new purchases from our website please remember we allow over 6 months to book in!)The advice is clear, stay at home, stay safe and let's just all have some family time. If you do need help in rebooking in or would like some more info, please feel free to email us at reception@mackney.com.

All our love and wishes,

Simon, Wendy and the Mackney family xxxx

Reopening....

2020-05-29T13:40:00.002+01:00

Hi Everyone!

We hope your all staying safe and well! Due to the new government announcement we are taking careful steps to re-open the studio. We thankyou so much for your patience in all of this! Our customers kind words and support have been amazing over the last few weeks and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Due to government guidelines, we have been taking precautions and are reducing the number of customers within our studio to maintain the 2 meter distancing rules in order to keep both customers and staff in a safe and comfortable environment.

The studio has been sanitised fully and risk assessed to ensure we meet the required COVID-19 standards. We already operate on an appointment only basis, but it is more important now more then ever to kindly ask customers to keep to your time-slots as being late will effectively mean re-scheduling for any late appointments. We just wanted to update you on what that means for below customers:

Customers with orders/ collections

Week commencing Wednesday 10^th June:

From early June our labs are re-opening and we will be able to complete all outstanding orders. We will be in touch with you to update you on your order and arrange a date and time to book a 15 min time slot to collect your order if it’s ready. Any outstanding balances will need to be paid in advance to avoid further contact within the studio (call 01332 650 076). Social distancing guidelines will be applied and orders do need to be inspected and signed for within the studio.

Portrait ordering session – viewings.

Week commencing Wednesday 17^th June:

Our portrait ordering session can only be viewed at our studio– we specialise in creating time-less pieces we call Wall Art. We will be in touch to rebook you back in as well as give more guidance as what to expect during this time closer to your appointment date. For more info on products we offer please refer to your appointment card or visit our website

Photoshoots and new experiences

Week commencing Wednesday 24^th June:

For now we can only photograph immediate families only, but the government guideline is always changing – so hopefully we can re-book those with extended families in July (phase 3)

Please note we are able to offer location and studio photoshoots – but NOT both.

We are keen to get back to what we love doing as are our team, our approach to appointments has always been to speak to all our customers individually. Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting customers with availability and updates, please bare with us as our staff and ourselves are still working from home, some of us still have little ones to attend to. (we apologise in advance for any requests for snacks in the background or the Amazon delivery driver turning up)

Thankyou again for continuing to support our family business and we look forward to welcoming you back to our gorgeous studios very soon, we have missed it too 😊

Wendy and Simon Mackney, xxx

Lets all hit the PAUSE button....

2020-03-20T16:38:00.004+00:00

Updated 12th May 2020

During what has to be the most challenging times for everyone, we just wanted to update you all after the new COVID-19 recovery strategy announced over the weekend.

The studio is still classed as non-essential, and will remain on “pause”.  Sadly we know how important our portraits can be, but for the safety of our staff and customers, we cannot open just yet.  However – we have been busy little bees behind the scene and have been working on giving the Studio a deep clean and refresh to meet with new compliancy’s from the government.

Production on customer orders have still been continuing as we believe they are the MOST important memories you will have from this time, as soon as we can re-open the studio we will most certainly be in touch to update you on your order and arrange collection dates and times.  We cannot offer to “post” any customer items, as we are unable to open the studio as per the government guidelines.

We just wanted to re-assure you all we are watching and waiting, and hopefully  can reopen very soon to complete everyone's experience and start new ones :). Stay safe and well, love Wendy and Simon, xxx

Updated 23rd March 2020

What would have been our 8th fabulous year at Darley Abbey Mills - we should have been welcoming new, past and present customers alike. But after the government's announcement this evening - we will be closing the studio until further notice.

This is not goodbye - but just us hitting the "PAUSE" button on our beautiful studio. As our business is non-essential, we fall into the category of "shops to close"

We've decided to take time out creating new portraits and instead focus on creating special memories with our loved ones and hope you'll all be doing the same too. We wish it could be different, but if every day the NHS are risking their lives for us and all we have to do is stay at home, it's simple really.

For our customers who are due to visit us soon, we will be in touch and re-book your appointments, we hope you’ll love our specially crafted portraits and look through the products we offer as we specialise in creating beautiful wall art. If we haven't been able to contact you please call the studio on 01332 650 076 as we'll still be manning the phones through this difficult period.

Our customer who have placed orders with us, we normally quote 10-12 weeks from your viewing appointment but will now be extended due to our closure. The studio will remain closed until deemed safe for socialising, aka collections - but we'd be happy to keep everything safe until we can re-open our doors to you. Once reopen we can give a realistic date for when orders will be ready and arrange a new collection date.

All experiences purchased will be valid for up to 12 months to allow plenty of time to book in. The advice is clear, stay at home, stay safe and lets just all have some family time. I'll be posting videos and pics every couple of days so you know we're still here! If your feeling lonely, please feel free to drop us a line on 01332 650 076 or email us on info@mackney.com.

Lots of love, Wendy & Simon Mackney, xxxx

Merry Christmas one and all!!

2019-12-18T11:49:00.001+00:00

First of all, I do apologise if I've been absent from blogging on Mackney - time has flown by and I can't believe it's Christmas next week! We've had our 8th Christmas party and in February 2020 will be our eighth year in Darley Abbey Mills, we've got plenty planned and hope to share some exciting news with you all soon.

For 2019 we've been concentrating on making some very special art-pieces for our customers - we've seen so many returning familiar faces, for those we truly thankyou - it's you guys that make us who we are today....a happy family business :)

I just wanted to share a few collection photos of our lovely customers, their wall art we've created especially for them is truly one of a kind! We hope you'll share more pics once they're up in their forever wall space :) . We specialise in wall portraits...this is what we do best, there's no denying there's nothing more spectacular then seeing one of our creations printed and framed by our bespoke framers.

If you love digital, we're probably not the company for you, as we're about seeing our work created and printed (from start to finish) - the processing of our images is only a small part of why our portraits look so good....

For past and future customers, have a lovely, jolly Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year! Lots of love, Wendy Mackney xxx

What is beauty?

2019-05-17T12:38:00.001+01:00

What is beauty?

Hello ladies, (and gentlemen if you are reading), todays blog is something slightly different to anything I have ever done before, and I hope you will enjoy it and that it gets you thinking.

Who are we talking about?

Shabana is the lady on topic today! This beautiful lady is 32 (I didn’t believe her either!) and works as a business development manager. Day to day she works in an office and has to wear smart clothes such as blazers, trousers etc. Shabana informed me that she has around 10 different blazers, and at least 3 of them are black! However, I did ask if there was an expectation for females to wear heels around the office, as I know this is still the case in many offices even in 2019. Yes, heels may look smart and elegant, but there are many reasons I personally believe women shouldn’t be forced to wear heels in an office:

1. They are incredibly uncomfortable when worn for hours upon end

2. Worn for eight hours a day, five days a week is going to cause permanent damage to the individuals' feet and posture

3. Why do heels look any smarter than brogues or flat shoes?

Fortunately, Shabana did say that in her office it is NOT compulsory to wear heels, but she chooses to wear them because of her height (4ft 11”). She felt like if she was a lot taller, she would wear flats every day, which I completely understand from an office point of view.

Shabana is Muslim, and has several siblings, but she is the only sibling currently living at home. I went on to ask Shabana what she usually wears when she is out of work, to which she said she wears a mixture of Western and Asian clothing. A lot of her traditional Asian clothing is saved for the summer, nice weather or special events/occasions as the material is quite thin, so it’s perfect for warmer weather!

I got the chance to ask Shabana a few questions about her experience at La Femme:

Where did you hear about La Femme?

"My sister booked me in for the makeover photoshoot as a birthday present"

Kiran mentioned you had previously had a photoshoot before, and you had a bad experience?! What happened?

"I was told by the makeup artist (who is quite a famous bridal MUA) my eyebrows are not equal, my lips are not shaped and my hair is too thin. She was talking to her friend on the phone whilst I was sitting in the room, explaining my hair was too thin and she couldn't figure out what to do with it)
I felt incredibly insecure about myself after this experience."

In Shabana's words the whole day "was not a positive experience" I personally think it is perfectly acceptable to do your own eyebrows as we all know they are a very particular thing! I could never imagine in my wildest dreams a professional makeup artist making statements about their client, so to hear almost a horror story makes my heart sink. Shabana had never had a photoshoot before, as I presume most people probably haven't - it's not something you do everyday! For me, a makeover should be a completely uplifting and positive experience, feeling beautiful head to toe, being pampered like a Princess and then feel like a professional model! Not to come out the other end feeling deflated, self conscious and paranoid. Therefore, we were determined to turn around Shabana's bad experience into a positive one!

What were your expectations from the photoshoot?

"I mostly went with the flow as I was slightly nervous before coming in (due to my previous experience) but as soon as I spoke to Kiran (our lovely photographer) she put me at ease and I was excited!"

What does beauty mean to you?

"Being yourself, and making yourself feel better by the way you dress for yourself rather than focussing on other people's opinions."

What made you choose to wear the outfits that you brought along?

"I wanted something different, so the Western and traditional outfits worked perfectly. I also borrowed my sister's wedding dress... I just wanted to see how it felt to be dressed as a bride! (As I'm not married yet.)"

Me and Shabana spent a long time discussing traditional Asian and Western clothing as we felt like a mixture would suit her personality the best. Shabana's favourite image is the one of her lying on her back in the black jumpsuit- even though it was a workout! A lot of people don't realise how hard it is getting into poses, even though they may look effortless. Our photographer Kiran was making her laugh by saying "just push your body up a little bit more, just a little bit more!"

Shabana explained how it was only right to go on a shopping spree before the shoot as she wanted a mixture of clothing, although it was a task and half trying to find the perfect jumpsuit because of her height! As Shabana mentioned earlier, her sister very kindly let her borrow her wedding dress for the photoshoot (this is the red outfit!) The jewellery is also her sisters from her wedding day - how stunning is it?!

What kind of response did you receive from close friends and family before and after the shoot?

"Everyone loved the photos! I'd had comments saying I looked like a Bollywood actress in one of the images! I've got all of my images up on my wall in my room now, nicely displayed."

What did you think of your hair and makeup by Nat?

"I absolutely loved what Natalie did, she did a fabulous job on my hair and makeup and really made me feel beautiful whilst she was dolling me up. She is an amazing person!"

Did you enjoy your photoshoot with Kiran, and what was your highlight?

"Kiran is an awesome person- really bubbly and loving! She made me feel like it was a girls get together, just hanging out with the girls! Kiran made me feel so relaxed and we couldn't stop talking about anything and everything."

Shabana is completely right, Kiran is one of the most bubbly people I have ever met, and these three (Nat, Kiran and Shabana) got on like a house on fire! Shabana thought that there was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the studio and everyone she spoke to made her feel completely comfortable. She would 100% do it all over again.

Our lovely photographer Kiran:

What did you think of your viewing experience with Holly?

"I enjoyed looking at all the photos... it was hard to narrow them down as I thought all of them looked amazing. Holly was very supportive and gave her honest opinions whilst selecting the photos."

Would you recommend La Femme and Mackney Photography to friends and family?

"Most definitely, I have already told most of my friends about it and even got my sister to go for a photoshoot!"

Shabana has been shouting our name from the rooftops! As she mentioned above, her sister is already booked in with us, and Shabana herself would like to come back with her partner to get some gorgeous shots of them together. We can't say we blame her, but we are bias!

So let's summarise Shabana's story - there is no such thing as traditional beauty. Everyone is beautiful no matter how they dress, wear their hair or if they choose to cover their hair. I absolutely adore Shabana's (sister's) wedding dress, and I know that I probably will never have the chance to wear something so beautiful, so it makes me so happy to see Shabana wearing it with pride.

Beauty is not defined by how much skin you show or how long your legs are. It's who you are as a person, and I personally think Shabana is a perfect example.

Which of Shabana's outifts is your favourite?

I have loved writing this blog and I will be back very soon!

Love,

Debbie@Mackney

2019-05-10T15:21:00.001+01:00

Our Family Of The Year

Hello everyone!

We hope you are well, we have been talking a lot about family portraits recently and just how special they are to us. Today is no different, but your response may be. We enjoy telling you all just how much we love and treasure family portraits because we are incredibly proud of what we do, but today you are going to hear from a lady called Lucie.

Last year we ran several competitions, such as Baby Of The Year, Pop Face of The Year and Family Of The Year. This meant that you could have been in with the chance of winning products from the studio. A lot of people always ask us if this is real, if they really could win or is this a con?

The answer is this is 100% real and people win the prize! We are an award winning photography studio that simply wants to give something back and say thank you to our lovely customers.

The competition begins when we upload one of your images from your shoot on our Facebook page. After that it's all down to you. For example, on our family of the year competition you had to get the most comments on your image as possible. However, the comment had to be "Mackney Family" to count as a vote, and each person can only vote once, and their comment must be on the original post by us, and not on your shared post.

The competition lasts just over a month, so it's head to head until the deadline of the competition! After that, we then count and validate all of your votes, and we announce the winner, which this year was Lucie!

Lucie had a stunning family shoot with us here in the studio, and chose a montage and prints at her original viewing appointment. However, as Lucie was the winner of family of the year, she also selected another montage and a fine art frame too!

I've been lucky enough to have a chat with Lucie all about her experience with us at Mackney Photography!

Where did you first hear of Mackney Photography?

"I first heard of Mackney Photography on Facebook where I saw a competition advertised for a family photo shoot. I quickly entered and we were informed at a later date that we had got through to winning a free photo shoot at The Mackney Studios! I super swiftly called back and we were booked in within a couple of weeks with a lovely photographer called Kiran. Not long afterwards, this lovely lady called me before the shoot, she introduced herself and talked through me the upcoming shoot. We discussed what kind of things to wear and what to think about in terms of where the photos would go - so that the interior of the chosen place would complement our set. I remember having a lovely chat and feeling very relaxed and interested, not dissimilar to the kind of chat you would have with a friend. It was very uplifting, friendly and upbeat and left me feeing very excited for the date ahead."

Who was your photographer, and what did you and the boys think of your photoshoot?

"On the day of the shoot we met our photographer and she did not disappoint, in-fact, she totally exceeded my expectations. The photographer was just as lovely in real life and made us feel very relaxed and welcome. This was especially important for my eldest, as he is quite shy and reserved, but due to her lovely, warm personality and great engagement skills, Kiran managed to engage both of my boys and managed to capture some lovely shots of us all. I don’t like having my photo taken very much and suffer from random facial twitches, but I found that I could control these more than usual and I am sure this was down to feeling happy and relaxed.

I admired the professionalism of our photographer and the way she was able to make the shoot fun, interactive and also professional at the same time. We felt confident, well-looked after and well-directed also. Something that is well received in the chaos that is two Sons and a disorganised Mum."

When you came back into the studio for your viewing appointment who was your viewer and how did you find the experience?

"After the shoot we were booked in at a later date for our viewing session with Holly, and I felt very emotional. This took me by surprise really, but I had never seen any type of professional images and it was a really intimate moment as the pictures were way beyond anything quality wise that I had ever seen before. They also captured our personality and family dynamics so well. At this point I was not committed to buying anything, mainly because I am a single Mum, and financially our budget is somewhat tight. That said, once I saw the images and realised how special they were and that I could do a finance option, I just knew I had to purchase, as it was a memory right there and one I will not get back. The viewing process was very much where the magic came alive for me, as I didn’t know what to expect, and to see us all up on that screen in that gorgeous room was an experience in itself."

Did you ever think you would have a chance of winning the family of the year competition against 18 other family?

"After the viewing, I totally forgot about the competition really until it came up on my Facebook account. Obviously, I never in a moment thought we could win, but I posted it on my timeline to accumulate some votes. I also kept a beady eye on the number of votes accumulating. A few days into it, I realised how many votes we were getting, which gave me such a fuzzy feeling inside. At this point I kept posting and reminding those who hadn’t yet voted that the final days were looming! I then realised that we were close but another family were on our tail. That is when the post frenzy began! When the deadline day arrived, I saw that we had the most votes and we were thrilled!!!! I didn’t really believe it at this point and needed to wait until the end of the month for this to be confirmed by Mackney."

What do you think of the digital editing at Mackney Photography?

"Once this was confirmed, the boys and I were thrilled and loved seeing all the online congratulations posts from all our friends, and Mackney to boot! It really did feel really good that people were rooting for us! Then once again, I popped into the studio and was able to choose £2500 of wall art! I never win anything and this was just spectacular!!!! I chose another montage to go in my bedroom, the reason for this was so the boys have one each to inherit and treasure forever when I am dead and gone. The Art piece was something different and will just look stunning on my sitting room wall! The frame is the same style as the montage I purchased first time round, so it will look striking and in sync and the fabulous editor Tom kept me up to date with my opinions on the editing front. I am a tad ditzy and he even accommodated this…numerous times! Thanks Tom!"

How has your prize of £2500 worth of wall art effected you?

"We moved to this house as they thought our Son had Cerebral Palsy and we needed to get as much space as we could for our money…(think wheelchairs and the like.) Due to our budget, this meant buying a house that needed a lot of work. After a year or so, we discovered that our boy was out of the woods and by some miracle, he was not diagnosed and subsequently discharged with no further interventions. This was THE MOST AMAZING news we could ever have wished for, but needless to say, we still needed to continue in our quest to make this house a home...and with limited funds. Shortly after Dad left and after 3 long years of blood, sweat and tears I did the place up, on my own and on a shoestring budget which meant working, raising 2 children under 3, putting my decorating clothes on after the bedtime stories, (sometimes until 2am) and just cracking on. I have now, finally, got to the light at the end of the tunnel. After trying desperately to prove to the mortgage company that I could afford to keep the house alone, 18months later, I was granted a transfer of equity and the house was ours! That said, although the walls were smooth and decorated, we had nothing to hang on the walls and no money to buy anything special or any type of quality wall art, that was just on the future want list.

Winning this prize does not only grant us just that, I lost my Mum, Sister, and a child throughout the last 10 years and this gift has given me a chance to purchase some amazing wall art and the most amazing photographic images that I would never, ever had the chance to get without winning this competition! It is literally a dream come true! And it doesn’t end there…I now know that if ever anything happens to me, my Sons have a memory each, all ready, in a frame that they can cherish forever!!!! I wish I had that of the people who I have loved and lost, rather than some old faded, poor quality images of people who once lit up my whole world. "

Would you recommend this experience to other people?

"I have memory sticks, old photos, and lots of memories, but nothing will ever do those special people the justice they deserve and capture those special memories like these quality frame do! They are the best quality images you could ever wish for. I could not recommend Mackney enough!"

Lucie has sent us a couple of images of her gorgeous frames up on her walls!

We are so so happy for Lucie and we hope that you and your family enjoy your frames for years and years to come!

Debbie@Mackney

2019-04-12T17:00:00.000+01:00

A journey to the perfect portrait

Hello everyone!

What a fantastic start to the year we have had here at the studio! We have seen lots of lovely new faces, as well as many familiar faces too. It's always a pleasure to welcome you all into the studio, so to see you return time and time again makes us incredibly honoured to be your studio of choice for all of your portrait needs!

Over the years we have had customers from all over the Country, but more recently we have attracted an ever wider audience - around the World! France, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Today, we had the Harle family in for their portrait ordering session. The Harle's are from The Wirral (which is around a two hour drive) and this will be their second trip to the studio after their photoshoot (last weekend.) Today, they have selected a 30x30 montage and a black and white panoramic frame. The images simply look incredible, and are a mixture of serious and smiley.

The Harle's could have gone to any portrait studio, for example one that was a lot closer to home for them. However, they made the choice to venture to Mackney Photography, all the way to Derby to achieve the beautiful results that they have seen on our website and social media accounts. This really does speak volumes - we are not just a studio in a little village called Darley Abbey - we are a profound studio who achieve great results that will last a lifetime and more.

Here are some of our lovely customers:

The Hadden Family

We aren't just all about the images though, we value the whole experience from start to finish. From phone calls, to the photoshoot, portrait ordering session, collection and everything in between, we want you to feel like you're in a luxury environment.

The Thomason Family

Products from us are not just a USB stick to throw in your drawer and look at once or twice in your lifetime. They are finished pieces of art that are going to last you and your family a life time. Finished pieces are also lovely things to pass down through the family.

The Webster Family

At the end of the day, your car could mean the absolute world to you, your phone, your laptop. They are just objects that help you through day to day life, images aren't going to help you, we completely understand that. However, they will have a lasting impact on your family- you have made those memories that are now going to last for years to come.

The Allen Family

They say a picture says a thousand words, and how true that is! Every time you look at one of your images, happy memories will come flooding back. How much fun you had on your photoshoot and how lucky you are to have such a wonderful family. We are experts in capturing those special moments that you don't get day to day.

The Hardy Family

We are incredibly lucky to have such wonderful customers, and we absolutely love seeing your reviews come through on Google and our Facebook page!

Here are some we'd like to share with you:

Dawn Zmija:

"Jack, our two year old, really enjoyed his photoshoot. Our photographer Lottie, was fantastic at keeping his interest and captured Jacks personality with some fantastic images.

We really enjoyed the whole experience! The studio has a great atmosphere and you feel very looked after throughout.

After our viewing the week after the shoot, in a gorgeous little 'cinema room' we are very excited about reciving our artwork and a couple of prints in a few weeks time.

I would recommend Mackney Portraits to anyone who is after a brilliant and fun experience with a highly professional studio."

Faye Paterson:

"We had a photoshoot with Mackney in January for our little boy who was only few weeks old. The experience was lovely. They kept the studio lovely and warm for him and they were so patient with all of us during the photoshoot. It was a fantastic experience and they put us at ease throughout. Our photographer was like the baby whisperer- she could relax him and make him feel sleepy in minutes! (Is she available for babysitting?! 😉) They called us prior to the photoshoot to discuss what kind of photos we were looking for, which they took on board. We were also happy to roll with the photographers ideas and we were extremely happy with the images at the end. It was a very difficult choice choosing our favourites! Would highly recommend."

Holly Village:

"We had our complimentary Autumn shoot a couple of weeks ago, and before we arrived had decided that no matter how good the experience was, we would walk away with just the free mug and keyrings, as we are just on one wage and the prices, that we had seen beforehand on the website, seemed a little out of our budget.
As soon as we stepped in, and saw the quality of the photos displayed, and the time and expertise that had gone into them, we knew that just taking the free gifts wasn't an option! We didn't want to waste the time and skills of the photographer, editor, and all of the friendly staff that we had come into contact with, so we knew we had to rethink our original plan!
The shoot with our 1 and 2 year old was absolutely brilliant, the kids thoroughly enjoyed it and cooperated more than I thought they would (no naps=potential uproar!)
We would never have been able to afford an experience like this if it hadn't have been for the complimentary shoot, so we feel really lucky to have been given this opportunity. We look forward to collecting our products.
I'm so sorry I can't remember any individual names (I'm terrible like that), but we as a family would like to express our thanks to everybody involved, from the people who answered the telephone, to the person who answered the door, made our (delicious) drinks, the photographer, editor, the woman with the friendly face who showed us our images yesterday (and put absolutely no pressure on us to buy, and when we felt embarrassed saying we could only afford the cheapest products, you didn't make us feel stupid at all).

That's basically a really long winded way of saying, we loved it!
The Village family x"

We hope to see you soon at your very own portrait session!

Mackney Photography x

Don't judge a book by it's cover

2019-02-21T15:10:00.002+00:00

Don't judge a book by it's cover

It's been a long time coming!

It is finally time to release our brand new La Femme blog post on Rosanne! I'm so excited to write this blog that I am actually struggling to think straight because I have so much to say.

Where to begin?

La Femme has been growing since our last blog post in May 2018, with 1453 likes on our Facebook page and 125 members in our La Femme Ladies group (yes that's right, we have a closed group!) The group is closed for a reason, and that is because the rule is NO MEN ALLOWED. It's a place we have to discuss upcoming photoshoots, outfits, and any general questions you ladies might have. We also do polls and little behind the scenes clips on there.

Who are we talking about?

Today we are talking about a very special lady called Rosanne. I actually did Rosanne's edit on her images and I was blown away by her sass straight away! This girl is so beautiful, fierce and sexy she could get away with murder. Rosanne is a vet nurse and spends 5-6 days a week wearing a "baggy leprechaun green uniform" and her hair in a messy bun. She says she usually smells of something questionable (I can't imagine what!)

I wanted to ask Rosanne a few questions about her time with us here at La Femme:

Why did you come in for a boudoir shoot at La Femme, and have you ever had one before?

"I had always thought about a photoshoot like this, but didn't actually think it was a thing. I never tried to find out, thinking I would never have the guts to do it anyway.

I had turned up very late to a wedding fayre (due to being terribly hungover) and as we walked in everyone was starting to pack up. The guy that greeted us said that it was nearly finished, but the person who had originally won the golden prize never came to claim it, and as I was the last customer it was mine. When I opened it and had a look I wasn't sure what it was at first. As my fiancé was explaining it to me, in that moment my hangover vanished as I was so excited!!"

How did you feel before, during and after your photoshoot?

"As the day of the photoshoot started to near closer, I was getting excited, but as it drew very close I was terrified. Thinking I was too chunky, worrying about the flaws that you only see on yourself, worrying I would be rubbish and that I wouldn't take the right stuff, silly things really.

My fiancé pretty much pushed me into the car to get me to go knowing I would love it, and I did! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, and afterwards I felt fantastic!!!

We hadn't planned to go out the night of the shoot, but decided to make the most of me being done up so nicely. We got home at 10.30pm but I still kept the makeup on until midnight as I didn't want to take it off!!"

I always live my life thinking "if I don't try, I will never know" and I know that even though I write these blog posts on the La Femme Ladies, I have never actually experienced a makeover/ boudoir shoot myself. Maybe it should be something I should do to get some more insight for you in the future posts? Let me know what you think on that! I am also turning 21 next month so it seems like good timing.

Who was your photographer?

"Lola did my shoot, she made a very tense me feel very relaxed in a short amount of time. Lola was very easy, knew how to keep the atmosphere chilled, the time flowed by."

What did you think of your makeover by Nat?

"Nat did the hair and makeup and she could see I was a little nervous. She talked me through it all, my hair and makeup was beautiful. I've had my hair and makeup done before but she did amazingly, I don't usually have very much optimism for my looks but I did look bloody good that day thanks to Nat!"

What do you think of your images and your viewing experience?

"I think the photos are really incredible. We arrived thinking we were going to order one or two prints, but they were so impressive we bought a whole album. Lola's photography and Debbie's editing work was really impressive, and I thank them for helping me see myself in another light!"

What was your favourite outfit?

"My favourite outfit was the leather jacket and knee high boots."

This was my personal favourite as I think Rosanne looks so fierce, but elegant and beautiful all at the same time. I say this all the time that I probably sound like a broken record, but there really is something about black lingerie that gives it the edge to any other colour. It's simple but effective, looks amazing on all of our backdrops and flatters everyone! Plus, teamed up with Rosanne's black leather jacket and knee high boots it ties in together perfectly.

Which image blew you away?

"The photo that blew me away was the close-up of me in the white. It was on the big screen when we arrived to view the photos, and I didn't realise it was me at first. I was surprised I could look like that. The day did incredible things to my self doubt and lack of confidence."

Would you recommend a makeover/ boudoir experience at La Femme to other women?

"I would 100% recommend this to anyone, especially people who lack confidence in themselves and their looks, even just for the day out. I felt fab, and would deffo do it again!"

I can't explain enough (I know this sounds cringey!) the effect these kind of shoots have on every woman that comes into the studio. I try and chat to as many of you as possible as I think it's important to get to know you and also get some cheeky behind the scenes shots too. My name is Debbie, I'm in the studio Monday-Friday and I'm upstairs in the editing office, give me a shout as I love meeting you all!

I've missed writing the blogs so much and I'm over the moon to be posting again. 2019 is the year of confidence and we're going to rock it just like Rosanne!

Love,

Debbie

xx

Family...the most treasured possession....

2019-02-05T15:22:00.000+00:00

Wow - how 2018 has flown and we're already into February 2019. I thought it's time to tell you a little bit about the female side of my family :) As you may (or may not know) - we're a family business who pride ourselves on portraiture - so to have one done of 4 generations of my very own ladies is so special to me - talk about girl power! Our most important date in the calendar is actually Chinese New Year - which we spend making time for our nearest and dearest, eating a lot of food and of course celebrating the "lunar" new year (this one being the year of the pig! I'm lucky I still have my nanna with me, being over 80 she's still gardening, shopping and catching the buses into town (I have no idea how she does it as she cannot speak English, nor can she read or write English...a savvy lady I have to say!) She came to England back in the 60's to escape the hardship of China and has been here ever since growing her own "family". It's amazing that Matilda, our 4 year old has gotten to know her very well and continues to dote on her "dai paw" (big-grandma she calls her..which is ironic as she's actually very petite). Anyway - just a glimpse into our family life and remember...a portrait is about capturing the essence of your family, I'm so proud of mine and glad that finally we got this done...going up as wall art at our home very soon :)

Location, Location, Location!

2018-10-12T15:48:00.004+01:00

Location!

Hi guys! I hope you are having a wonderful Autumn! We’d love to see all the adventures that you are getting up to. I guess we're now heading into Winter… yes, we have already mentioned the C word several times!

Over the summer we did a photoshoot with a lovely lady called Ruby (I nearly sang it three times too :P) So, where to begin? Well, Ruby actually came to Mackney Photography back in April for a bump shoot, and decided to have her shoot on location in the stunning heritage site of Darley Abbey Mills.

I don’t know how many of you know, but our studio is actually based in the North Mill, only a minute’s walk away from the river! We absolutely love going out on location with you guys (in all seasons) to capture some more natural shots of you and your family simply having fun and enjoying yourselves.

We know that the studio can get a little tedious for the little ones sometimes, so going outside is also a great way for them to release some of that endless supply of energy. A fantastic way to do this is capturing some action shots. We walk across the bridge over the river, and get some gorgeous shots of you guys walking (or running!) towards the camera.

Another trick of ours is props and bubbles! Just because we’re outside doesn’t mean we can’t bring parts of the studio with us. We can bring anything from cuddly toys to sets of ladders.

Back to Ruby!

When Ruby and her Husband came in for their photoshoot she was pregnant with her little boy. The location shoot was based on a couples shoot as at this point it was her and her husband! We have been so excited to share these absolutely beautiful images with you, and now is that opportunity!

Ruby's photoshoot really is breathtaking, *spoiler alert* and so is her newborn shoot which you may see a glimpse of later! :O

Why did Ruby choose a location shoot?

Why did you choose Mackney Photography over other studios for your portrait sessions?

"It was really difficult for me to find someone who not only took good photographs but actually understood what I was looking for. I searched many places and looked through so much work I ended up confused and lost my initial thought.

Then I came across Mackney and your photos were absolutely stunning. I saw a fairy photoshoot and I was then sure you will definitely know what I want."

What was your inspiration for your location shoot?

"Pregnancy is beautiful and so is nature. I wanted to be outdoors and thankfully the weather was on our side. I think that was a really good idea for shooting outdoors and I always said to my husband throughout my pregnancy 'you must treat me like a princess' so my Husband said to wear something that makes you look like a princess. I picked a not dull, but neutral colour, and I wanted to be completed covered - no low necks or sleeveless clothing. I think it makes you look more elegant. That worked brilliantly I think. I wasn’t really inspired by anything for colours, I just knew what I wanted to look like and I did it."

What was your ultimate favourite moment from your experience with us?

"Initially I only booked a bump shoot, but after seeing the images I then booked the newborn shoot too. My ultimate favourite moment was actually viewing the images, it was so emotional and beautiful for myself and my husband. We cuddled into a ball and watched the slideshow; it was so touching."

How did the viewing experience make you feel?

"It was so emotional, it makes you remember your entire pregnancy, birth, all the good moments captured together. We absolutely loved it."

Newborn time!

So I may have mentioned that Ruby also had a newborn photoshoot with us, and I know you've been waiting to see them, so here we go!

This is little Azaan! He is less than 10 days old here! I can promise you this is my expression every morning too!

Are you glad you have captured those special moments from pregnancy to newborn?

"Oh yes most definitely, for any woman it’s the most beautiful experience of her life regardless how good or bad the pregnancy had been. I’m so happy I have me in those images. I have always been a size 0 type of person so I love seeing my big bump! It’s amazing."

Would you recommend the Mackney Photography experience to other people?

"Yes definitely. Your the best in my opinion."

Do you have a favourite image and why?

"I have one favourite image and that’s of my husband and my son, nose to nose. I just look at that photo and see my entire world in-front of me. I have always liked photos but never thought photos could be so emotional."

What is your opinion on the digital artwork on your photoshoots?

"It's something I was inspired about and something I will definitely consider when baby is a little bigger or maybe when I have more kids! "

Who was your photographer and did they make you feel at ease?

"My photographer Lola was amazing. She did a fantastic job and she was so understanding through the entire two shoots it was really nice. I would definitely come back and have more photos taken by her."

Our newborn specialist Lola has over 11 years working with babies and is

passionate about creating the most beautiful portraits. She is a pro at posing sleepy

babies into the cutest positions. She has learnt many techniques over the years for

posing, soothing and making the most of our specialist props.

Rate the whole experience out of 10:

We hope that you are inspired by what you see! Whether studio or location, winter or summer, you can achieve beautiful portraits of your whole family that will be treasured for a lifetime. Ruby's photoshoots are the prime example of we can achieve together through styling and photographic skill!

We hope to see you soon and we hope to see Ruby again in the near future!

Don't forget to have a look on our Facebook page or give us a call on 01332 650076

https://www.facebook.com/mackneyportraits/

2018-07-19T15:19:00.000+01:00

We're featured in Derbyshire Life!

We feel incredibly proud to have been featured in the Derbyshire Life magazine, all about our work recreating the famous Joseph Wright painting of Sir Richard Arkwright with business leaders Robert Kirkland and Liz Fothergill.

Visitors to Derby’s Museum and Art Gallery’s The Art of Industry exhibition this spring would have come across two incredible modern-day versions of Joseph Wright’s painting of Sir Richard Arkwright displayed on the walls.

These photographs – showing local business leaders Liz Fothergill and Robert Kirkland as the 18^th century industrial tycoon Sir Richard Arkwright – are the work of local photographer Simon Mackney, who has built up his professional career in photography in the county for over 20 years.

Originally from Essex, Simon moved to Derbyshire with his family in 1987 aged just 10, when his father was offered a job with the chemical company Lubrizol. They have stayed here ever since.

Some of Simon's earliest work was shooting images for Lubrizol and the industrial genre became a key style of Simon's work. However, after three years of working there, Simon decided to start a photography company in his own right. “I applied for a grant from The Prince’s Trust and was lucky enough to receive it. With the grant and match funding from the bank, I was able to buy my first ‘proper’ camera, a Canon 10D - only 10 megapixels but plenty to worth with – plus a set of studio lights and travel pack for location lighting. As far as I was concerned back then, I was all set and ready to go ” Simon describes. 'I moved back to live with my parents, and set up a bedroom office. I remember sitting by the phone waiting for work to come in, but it didn’t, and I soon realised that I had to get out there and show my portfolio, which I did. This way of working – introducing my work around the region – soon paid off and I ended up working for most of the design studios around the Midlands. After a few years I missed my portrait work, especially photographing people, so I started to set up a portrait business, hiring out village halls in the locality'.

The business took off and with the help of the Channel 4 flagship programme Location Location Location in 2007, Simon and his wife and business partner, Wendy, were filmed trying to find a house that they could convert into a home studio. This scenario never materialised, however by 2012, Simon and Wendy had established one of the most stylish photographic studios in the region, based in the historic Darley Abbey Mills complex.

Roll on another five years and in 2017 Simon and Wendy opened a second state-of-the-art photography studio, also located in the Darley Abbey Mills, which focuses on the commercial and digital editing side of the photography business, simply named ‘Mackney Creative’.

'I am so proud of where we’ve got to in the past decade,' declares Simon, who alongside Wendy, heads up a 15-strong team of photography professionals. “The Simon of 15 years ago, just starting out with basic kit and loads of ideas, would be bowled over if he saw what we do today! I owe it to the great team we have working with us, as well as support and leadership from Wendy and the encouragement of my family.”

But hard work plays a huge factor, with Simon and Wendy both putting in sometimes 12 hour days to get jobs finished; trips across the region to do shoots, and attending many shows and events to get the Mackney brand out there.

A tour around either of Mackney studios shows the high quality of these workspaces. They are the standard of a top London art studio located here in a village just outside Derby. The spaces are stylish and original, with areas offering various purpose made sets, including a fairy woodland scene, ‘winter’ as a backdrop, and a cosy space for newborn baby photos.

Baby portraits form a huge part of the studios business, with babies as young as two days old coming for their first photos to be taken. There are rooms for make-up and costume changing, full catering facilities as well as a wood-burning stove which burns bright as clients relax on large leather sofas, sipping fresh coffee, herbal tea or a glass of wine while they discuss the images they are looking for.

'We want to create a really relaxed space for people to enjoy their experience with us' explains Wendy, who worked as a successful fashion designer for over a decade in London, Hong Kong and New York before joining the business as partner in 2012.'

'Many people are nervous before a photoshoot. We break down these barriers, allow people to get in to the process. The results always come out better.' Wendy brings an extra dimension to the business, not offered by regular photographic companies; advising and supporting clients for a makeover shoot or fashion-led portrait, creating portraits that are as much an art piece as a photograph.

Simon and Wendy continue to pick up national awards for the business as its success grows. Last year they won a national retail award for their Pop! cinematic portrait business and achieved gold at this year's British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) awards.

The recent Joseph Wright project between Derby Museums and Mackney Photography saw Simon's work in a major exhibition for the first time, something he hopes to continue and build on: “One day I would love to have an exhibition of all my work. The recent exhibition offered a superb opportunity to collaborate. It would be great to work on more projects with Derby Museums,' Simon remarks.

“Seeing my work on the walls of one of our most important cultural spaces in the county - and more importantly hearing the positive comments from people as they study the pieces, is what all the hard work is for.”

In the meantime, Simon and Wendy continue to pick up national awards for the business; winning gold at this year’s British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) awards, last year winning a national retail award for their Pop! cinematic portrait business. It’s safe to say that Mackney Photography looks set to go from strength to strength.

from start to FRAME...Multi Award Winning boutique portrait studio makes the front cover!

2018-07-06T16:56:00.001+01:00

It's so lovely to be recognised for the all the hard we do at Mackney Photography - we've made the front cover and the "star" of a national online photographer's magazine: The Big Photo Ezine

In the feature, it talks about the trials and tribulations of running a professional portrait studio, the everyday tasks of keeping customers through the door, whilst upholding the high standard of photography work we produce. If you want to read our founder's Simon Mackney's background - read on here or download here

https://thephotographeracademy.com/big-photo-ezine

www.mackney.com

www.poppowboom.com

Vets and Pets

2018-05-08T12:00:00.000+01:00

Vets and pets

We have some news... Mackney Photography and Scarsdale Veterinary are launching an exciting adventure to provide you with top quality care and gorgeous images of your beloved pets to treasure forever. What more could you wish for?

Who are Scarsdale?

Scarsdale are the largest based vets in Derbyshire, first established in 1940 as a small agricultural practice. They have become one of the largest providers of veterinary care in the Midlands, delivering the highest quality veterinary care for pets, horses and farm animals, with having a veterinary hospital in Derby and a further 8 practices throughout Derby and Burton On Trent. In addition, they also have a dedicated farm and equine practice based in Derby, however it covers the whole East Midlands! An emergency out of hours service with vets and nurses is also available 24/7 with staff who have further post graduate qualifications. In 2015 Scarsdale celebrated 70 years of providing excellent care to Derbyshire!

Who are Mackney?

We, Mackney Photography are an award winning boutique studio based in Derby, specialising in portrait photography. Simply, we create beautiful portraits that last a lifetime! We want to design your perfect image and tailor them to you and your pets! Not to mention, we have won a SWPP gold award in pet portraiture and quite frankly, we love pets. We have our very own star of the show here at the studio, his name is Mackney... Trigger Mackney...miniature schnauzer extraordinaire :)

Why are we partners?

We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Scarsdale, in conjunction with their VIP club (did I mention, Trigger has been a VIP for 7 years!)

When you sign up to be a VIP member you will receive a £60 voucher booklet to use at Scarsdale, and a complimentary pet portrait worth £265 courtesy of Mackney Photography

You will also be automatically entered into Scarsdale's VIP (Very Important Pet) of the year competition, with a chance to win £1000 of Mackney vouchers, and a deluxe pet hamper from Scarsdale!

VIP members of Scarsdale vets receive benefits such as:

- Exclusive discounts and offers on some veterinary procedures, retail purchases and at their pet resort

- £60 voucher booklet to spend at Scarsdale

- Annual cost savings and the ability to spread the cost of the treatment

- Added benefit of discounts at your local practice

- Additional FREE health check

A donation:

For every complimentary pet portrait session that is used, Mackney Photography will donate £10 to Scarsdale Vets' chosen charity. We have built a lovely partnership with Scarsdale and believe in who we support, after all, we are a Scarsdale customer ourselves. Trigger is a very happy miniature schnauzer who is healthy, happy and loving life!

Everything at Scarsdale is simply impeccable, a 5* service from the warm and friendly staff and of course the love and care for the pets and animals. They are everything we believe in and we are so proud to be partners in this new adventure!

Visit www.vipoftheyear.co.uk for further details

Reviews:

Scarsdale reviews:

"There are no words that do this place justice... Our boy is currently being treated for a liver shunt and they have been absolutely amazing. Their knowledge and compassion knows no bounds and I can honestly recommend this surgery to any/all people that have the misfortune of going through what we've been through with Harris. Just amazing..." - Dale Beeton

"Always friendly, always professional. Our dog had to go for a small op on his leg, they kept us informed all the way through the procedure and reassured us all the way, very sympathetic and understanding, the staff know your pet is part of your family and never make you feel rushed or that your in the way, we were worried about this with it being a chain but we needn't have the staff make the place and there simply amazing. We've been part of the VIP program for a few years now, very pleased with the price, saved us fortune on booster shots for our dog!" - Steve Frost

Mackney Photography:

"Amazing service! The photoshoot was a lovely experience and kudos to the photographer for getting such good shots of Lily (our dog) when she was running around all over! Pictures were amazing and the viewing experience was really good- can’t wait to get them!" - Beckie Dennis

"We have been to view our photos today... wow what can I say? The whole experience has been magical. Lola the photographer and Lottie helped make the shoot go so smoothly with our wayward Labrador and Labrador puppy! They were so professional, patient and fun. The viewing with Lucy was such a magical experience. We enjoyed it so much and laughed at the fun images Lola had captured. There was comical pictures and some were so beautiful, more like artwork. As dog lovers we found it hard to whittle down to only a couple. We really believe the pictures are worth every penny from the effort that goes into creating the pictures, to the magnificent studio and the wonderful staff. Now to wait (very impatiently) for the prints. We cannot wait and would highly recommend Mackney to others. We will be back in the future and really can’t wait to see our pictures when they are ready. Thanks again from Bobby, Georgie, Lily and Rhubarb" - Georgie May

We can't wait to welcome you and your wonderful pets very soon!

Love,

Mackney Photography x

Amy's story

2018-05-04T16:20:00.003+01:00

Amy's story

Hey guys!

I am so, so excited to be back on the blog and writing all about this particular lady for our La Femme series. I first saw her images around this time two weeks ago and absolutely fell in love with her story and her personality.

The lady I am talking about is Amy:

Amy came into the studio for a makeover photoshoot, and I must say the images look fantastic! As I mentioned previously, I came across Amy about two weeks ago, and I was intrigued as soon as I got to one image in particular. I had been flicking through and admiring her gorgeous images, and was surprised when I saw that Amy had a bag…

I had absolutely no idea that Amy had a disability until I came across this one image. I had to find out more about her and what she had gone through! I almost couldn’t believe my eyes, that this gorgeous woman on my screen had such a story to tell; she came across so strong like nothing could phase her.

I turned to Kiran, who was the photographer for Amy’s makeover, and started asking her a few questions. She informed me that Amy had Crohn’s disease – defined as “a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially the colon and ileum, associated with ulcers and fistulae”

Our photographer Lola also has Crohn’s disease, and I couldn’t believe how little I knew about it. All I really knew is that it affected your intestines, your diet and therefore what you could eat. That was all I knew, and I know many of you will feel the same. I had a sit down with Lola and asked her about her experience.

She was diagnosed at 12, and underwent 2 major operations at 14 to have part of her intestines removed. As Lola is our head photographer, she eats the same things at lunch time each day, as she knows this will not upset her responsibilities at work. Something which she says is extremely boring, but it has to be done so she can carry out her job role. Lola knows what foods she can and cannot eat but admits it has been trial and error over the years.

Crohn’s disease affects every single person differently, as I found out when I started speaking to Amy.

How old were you when you were diagnosed with Crohn’s and how did it effect you?

“I was diagnosed 31st Oct 2016 I was 24 (a month before my 25th birthday), although I have had many symptoms since I was 16 years old. The doctors never considered Crohn's (despite it being hereditary and it’s in my family) and told me "I was fine". Eventually rapid weight loss (a stone within a month) spiked concern and I was referred to the hospital for various tests. I remember receiving a letter with the results of my MRI scan stating that I had Crohn's disease. I just read the letter and cried. I was relieved that I finally had and answer and was being referred to specialists but I also knew that this disease currently has no cure and I've seen how it has affected my Nanna over the years. Following the letter I had an appointment with the IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Nurse who explained everything really well and confirmed my diagnosis and we spoke about medication, again this was a lot to take in and I remember going to my university lecture straight after (which is a blur) as this is when it all became real but I was determined not to let this define me!”

How long have you had the bag? Kiran mentioned you might be having an operation in a few months time?

“On the 5th April 2017 I underwent a 5 hour surgery for ileocecal resection, ileo-sigmoid fistula repair and sigmoid colectomy with stoma formation. They was talks around a reversal this coming summer, however due to other health issues and medication risks surrounding these, the hospital have decided to postpone this until at least next summer.”

How does having the bag effect you in day to day life? E.g. Work, hobbies, eating, clothing, going out?

“I try not to let my stoma bag effect my day-to-day life too much, as I want to still do and achieve everything that I did before. However, it often gets a little tedious with the forward planning, making sure I have enough change of applications with me for the day. I am often conscious in the clothes that I wear and I am concerned that people can see my bag through my clothing, but wearing my medical support bands or supportive t-shirts, helps me to feel more relaxed and I am beginning to wear tighter fitting clothes on days when I'm happy with myself. Technically as I have an colostomy rather than an ileostomy I don't have food restrictions although some foods can change my output so I just avoid them.”

Kiran mentioned you are a dancer/ gymnast - how does Crohn's disease effect your job/ hobby?

“When my shifts allow me to I take adult tap and ballet classes. These classes have been good to strengthen my core again and gives me a few hours to forget about my illness and just enjoy what I've always loved doing. I currently don't train in gymnastics anymore but I coach classes from pre-school, under 8's and I have display team, although I shall be joining in sections of the routine we shall be performing at the London Festival of Gymnastics in October as its the biggest display these girls would have performed in but also my little ones it shall be their first ever performance. I can find it hard to support them in training with their tumbles, lifts and bar work as often it requires lifting, especially with the older girls I have to be careful that I don't increase the size of my hernia that is starting to form at my stoma sight. The club have been amazing and supportive through this journey post surgery to support and work alongside me, supporting the children on my behalf when I find it more difficult.”

How has having Crohn's effected your confidence as a woman?

“I do worry about having leaks especially in public and whether people notice my bag or can hear it but I try to push past these worries otherwise I would never leave the house. Although my confidence was initially knocked backwards, with the support and encouragement from everyone around me I have become stronger and more resilient and determined to no let my illness define me.”

The photos with your bag on show, how do you feel about those particular images?

“I remember walking around to the viewing room and before I even walked in I saw a photo of me on the screen with my bag out. I smiled, got excited and felt a mix of emotions that I can feel my eyes filling up. Yes I saw my bag, but I looked past that to my face and how confident I was. For the first time I saw myself as pretty and strong and how I used to feel before this whole journey began. All of these emotions and seeing myself with my bag gave me the confidence on the day that marked a year since my initial discharge to post brief outline of my journey with a photo with my bag out, there is a lot of people who know me that wasn't aware that I have crohn's let alone that I now live with a bag.”

How did you find your experience at La Femme by Mackney? From the calls beforehand, the photoshoot and the viewing appointment?

“I saw a post on facebook for complimentary makeover and photo shoot and to follow the link to fill in a form. It took me a few days to decide if I was going to and share a breif over view of my story but I finally found the courage and did! I received a lovely email asking to ring and make an appointment. During the whole process everyone was so incredibly supportive, considerate and understanding of my condition and aware that I was nervous about my stoma. I can not thank Kiran enough especially! She made sure that I was constantly feeling comfortable to feel at ease, despite knowing I was thinking about having a photo showing my bag she never rushed me and reminded me that this was my choice and would support me whether I chose to or not. During the shoot I needed to change my bag and i wasn't made to feel pressured or rushed to change it quickly, I was allowed to take my time knowing that this wasn't impacting on the time I had to take photos. I have received lovely compliments about my images during the process which has helped to build on the confidence I was looking to find again. Mackney is such a warm, caring, loving and passionate environment that always sees the best in individuals, especially those who don't see it in themselves. They invite you into their family with open arms, making you instantly feel comfortable and at home. Nothing has ever been too much. They have been very accommodating right from the first phone call, which made me feel so excited and counting down the days to my appointment.”

What do you think about the public knowledge of Crohn's disease?

“I feel that many members of the public are not aware of this invisible illness or that people have stomas that aren't visible either. I hate the looks I get when I access disabled toilets (even those that are RADAR key accessed) even though I am entitled to use them as people just think I am 'queue jumping'. Though Crohn's and Colitis UK are raising awareness of IBD, there are still many unaware but with the support of many celebrities and athletes (I know Dynamo has been in the media a lot recently explaining how is medication for Crohn's has made him gain weight) with these conditions hopefully more people will become aware, understanding and supportive. I know since I posted it on facebook (at the time I was nervous and felt sick) so many people including those I haven't spoke to since primary or secondary school have been so incredibly understanding, supportive and glad that I was able to share my story to raise awareness.”

Crohn’s:

I personally feel that not enough people understand the effect that Crohn's disease has on a person. Before writing this blog I had no idea. It truly is an invisible illness that not enough people know about. One of the things that upset me the most when chatting to Amy was that she gets “looks” from members of the public from using a disabled toilet which she is entitled to do, and even has a radar key to access. This just goes to show that not every person has a visible disability, and 99% of the time the people who use the disabled toilets are using them for a reason – they have a disability!

I know whilst writing this that there will be some of you will be thinking, “I could never do that, I could never come in for a photoshoot – especially not a makeover” But I hope that Amy has given inspiration to many of you reading this.

I try and think, how would having Crohn's effect my life? How would it effect your life? It would have such a huge impact on so many things, yet we're so naive to it. I want to hear about your experiences, whether you have Crohn's disease yourself, or know someone who has it - how does it impact you? What are you most worried about?

La Femme:

Mackney Photography launched La Femme by Mackney last year. We focus on who you are as a person and make you feel beautiful from the inside out! Makeover, Vintage Pin Up or Boudoir, you are going to look incredible. We want to empower you to be the woman you are!

If you would like to find out more about La Femme click here

Our Boudoir photoshoots are currently only £50 RRP £145 Get yours here

Collection:

Amy came to the studio to collect her stunning prints! I love seeing the reaction on everyone's faces when they come to collect, especially with the La Femme Ladies. It's an emotional rollercoaster, so when you see the final product and hold it in your hands it's such a special moment!

Thank you so much for reading, I hope this will have a positive impact and I'd love to hear back from you and your thoughts!

Love,

Debbie@Mackney x

#makeover #crohn's #crohn'sdisease #derby #blog #story #photoshoot #mackneyphotography

National award for innovation goes to Pop! by Derby’s Mackney Photography

2018-04-20T15:10:00.000+01:00

A national retail award, the Sceptre Awards 2017 for ‘Commercialisation Innovation of the Year’ has gone to Darley Abbey Mills’ based Mackney Photography, for Pop! - a personalised children’s photography pop up studio, enabling youngsters to have their picture taken in front of mind blowing props.

The brain child of Simon and Wendy Mackney, Pop! has been based in Derby city centre’s intu and has seen hundreds of children transformed in to superheroes, fairies, warriors, sports stars and characters from famous children’s fairy-tales.

The prestigious SCEPTRE award was presented to Mackney Photography in London last month, who attended the ceremony alongside intu Derby.

Pop! forms one arm of multiple-award winning Mackney Photography, and focuses solely on the creation of exciting, child-friendly, prop-based photos where children are turned in to their favourite characters with the expertise and artistic eye of Mackney’s team of photographers and art directors.

Founder of Mackney Photography, Simon Mackney, says: “We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to work with prop makers from major films like Harry Potter, Bond and Tarzan to creative innovative backdrops which children just fall in love with. What child wouldn’t like to be transformed in to a superhero or a character from their favourite book?”

He continues: “We are so excited to pick up a national award for this concept, which has taken off hugely here in Derby. We are able to create totally personalised artwork for children and their families, and using our highly skilled editing team, the final picture is something to be proud of…I know we are!”

The Pop! shop at intu Derby was originally scheduled to be open for just six weeks, but stayed open for double the time due to high demand. There are now plans to roll out Pop! more widely across the region.

Pop! at intu Derby greatly impressed judges at the national award ceremony, which celebrates the best practice and the best people in the shopping centre industry, focusing on management teams, retailers and suppliers that demonstrate real excellence.

Carly Salisbury, marketing manager at intu Derby, comments: “Pop! By Mackney is such an innovative idea, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for them – it’s truly well deserved.”