Janine Walker's Photo Blog

Janine Walker's Photo Blog http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/ Janine Walker's Photo Blog en-us emma & jonny http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=389 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=389 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:53:00 GMT

Last weekend I shot Emma and Jonny's stunning wedding at Emma's parent's home. Wow, I cannot express to you how much detail, work and love went into this wedding. Everywhere I looked there were special, meaningful things to photograph and if I could bottle the happiness that radiated out of both families I'd be walking on cloud 9 every day :) It was magical, and I'm sure all the guests will agree with me, totally worth all the hard work. Not only did Jonny and Emma beam all day, both their parents did too - I loved this.

So I'll begin their story with Emma getting ready, and this beautiful Caroline Castigliano gown hanging in the bedroom.

Sparkling, vintagey Ginas. Divine.

This was the very vanity that Maxine, Emma's mum, used as she prepared for her own wedding.

Emma wore a vintage necklace that Maxine wore on her wedding day. So lovely.

Little Blue Boxes for the bridesmaids.

Emma got a bit emotional when the veil went on...

...so like any good bridesmaid would do, Laura talked her out of ruining her makeup. She really was deserving of that little blue box :)

Jonny and Emma surprised the guests by driving away in one of Jonny's dad's vintage oil tankers. I loved this!

Caught these two having a sneaky break from their BM duties :)

It was so fab getting to catch up with Lyndsay and Scott, who have just welcomed baby Oliver to the world! (You'll meet him here soon!). I also got a shock when I saw how big Lexi has gotten - I photographed her as a newborn a few years ago!

There was a little tree and we all had to write down a wish for the bride and groom and hang it on the tree. This was Lexi's wish.

Because Emma and Jonny had me stay on for the reception I have almost double the photos I usually have and I feel like I can't do this wedding justice without showing you a small snippet of the fun that was had. So, without further ado, here is a little slideshow of happiness :)

]]> phil & ruth http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=388 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=388 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:25:00 GMT

I shot Ruth and Phil's engagement session in a little orchard beside her parent's home. It was heavenly. The soft summer evening light, the gorgeous greens as a backdrop and the most adorable couple ever.

Ah - young love :)

Ruth really reminds me of Scarlett Johansson.

This is Wilbur - Ruth's mum's puppy. He is so so cute, I could have just popped him in my bag and brought him home. Look at that wee face!

]]> andrea & gerard http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=387 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=387 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:34:00 GMT

I'm behind with my blogging...but I'll make it up this week, this blog will be bursting at the seams!

Last weekend I shot Andrea and Gerard's lovely wedding in Hilltown. I was so nervous about the weather because we had planned to do the photographs at Castlewellan Forest Park and the forecast gave rain, rain, rain. Typical! On the way to Andrea's in the morning it was raining so hard that I was driving at 30mph and could barely see the road! But you know what? As soon as we arrived at the church the rain dried up and the sun came out and it shone brightly all day long. Just like Andrea, who was one of the most radiant brides I've ever seen.

Wee Jimmy getting dressed by two women and photographed by another - it's hard work being this cute :)

Runaway veil!

]]> Caolán, Alannah & Clodagh http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=386 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=386 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:31:00 GMT

Last week I had the most adorable portrait session with Caolán, Alannah and Clodagh. Absolutely gorgeous, funny, cute and photogenic children. I loved that they had all their favourite toys to show me - they made my job so easy :)

This is Caolán and Alannah, the owners of the perfect freckles.

This is baby Clodagh.

What in the world did kids do before the invention of the DS?!

This Hello Kitty book is all about fashion and there's actually a section on Christian Louboutins. Love it!!

Love seeing kids - especially boys - reading. And enjoying it.

This is Peanut the Shetland Pony. She wanted apples.

]]> michael & stephanie http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=385 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=385 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:48:00 GMT

I shot Stephanie and Michael's engagement session last week and I took them to a very grotty location that looks amazingly pretty in photos. So grotty, infact, that I had to run and change into my UGGs as my feet were getting tore up!

Stephanie and Michael are getting married in 5 weeks!! They are at the exciting part with the hen and stag parties and last minute organising. I loved that time...I always tell people to really enjoy it because it goes so fast.

]]> the answers http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=384 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=384 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:19:00 GMT

A list of answers to questions I am asked frequently!

• I did an HND in Photography in 2003. It took me 3 years part time.

• This is my third full wedding season.

• I use Canon 5D Mark ii.

• I use fast primes - a 50mm 1.2L, a 35mm 1.4L and an 85mm 1.2L. In my bag I also have a 16-35mm 2.8L incase I need to go wider for family portraits. I love my 45mm 2.8 Tilt and Shift lens too.

• My favourite lens of all time is probably my 50mm 1.2L.

• I don't have a studio. I don't do studio work. I work from a home office and do all my shoots on location.

• I use a Shootsac lens bag as it's great for people who shoot with primes and therefore change lenses a lot. The only thing I hate about it is how sore it makes my shoulder :(

• I shoot in Raw and I shoot manual. I tell absolutely everyone who emails me asking for advice that they need to learn to shoot manual. I taught myself by shooting household objects over and over!

• The blurry effect in the background of my photos is called bokeh. It can be achieved by using a wide aperture.

• I do all my editing in ACR - have done since I started. I've tried to get into Lightroom a couple of times but I just don't have the time to dedicate learning it. One of these days...maybe. If something needs retouched or some special treatment then I'll open it in Photoshop.

• I'm a Mac girl :) I have 4 external hard drives - two are 2TB and two are 1.5TB. I like lots of space and I back up like crazy.

• A company called Infinet Design made my blog. You can find their details by clicking on the link at the bottom of the blog.

• I don't 'Photoshop', 'airbrush', 'action' or mess with eyes! Everyone asks me this! To get nice sharp eyes with catchlights you need to find good light (north facing window, soft sunlight filtered through the clouds etc), use a good quality prime lens (50mm 1.2) opened wide. Make sure your focus is DEAD ON the eyes! This is all you should need - once the file is resized and sharpened for web the eyes will pop. Also, sometimes when I make a photo black and white the eyes will stand out even more.

• Good light is nature's airbrush! Stop with the Photoshop actions that make people look like aliens. It's just weird.

• I am obsessed with finding good light. It makes or breaks a photo. I get depressed sometimes because Northern Ireland doesn't get 'good' light very often. Knowing light will take your photography to the next level.

• My dream come true would be a summer evening's wedding - just before golden hour. Your photos would be stunning.

• My daily mantra is a Coco Chanel quote "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different".

The end :)

P.S. I couldn't decide on a photo for this post so I decided to put on a selection from a folder I call "Where's Janine" - photos that I am in but didn't know it when I was taking it :)

P.P.S - I know I don't hold my camera correctly all the time :)

]]> nik & claire http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=383 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=383 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:40:00 GMT

Last week I had a lovely engagement shoot with Claire and Nik at Queens University. It was such a great location and the soft summer evening light was perfect. My favourite kind of light :)

Claire rocked a very high, very sexy pair of heels :)

]]> gillian & aaron http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=382 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=382 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:47:00 GMT

Gillian and Aaron's wedding saw a first for me - I went to the groom's house before going to photograph the bride getting ready! Gillian had hired some cool sports cars for Aaron and the groomsmen to drive for the day and it was a big surprise so I went out to photograph their arrival! When I got to Aaron's house he was in the shower so I had them get him out and pretend I was there to photograph him putting his suit on. He was horrified...but he actually went to go and get it. Bless! Anyway, he was totally delighted when he saw the cars, much much better surprise than being photographed getting dressed at 9:30am!

Gorgeous :)

They had their service in Brownlow and the room was gorgeous.

A sweet little moment between Caroline and Jay. He's getting so big!

Why hello foxy Gillian :)

Me: Awww Caleb - you are gorgeous!
Caleb: Yea, I get that a lot.

Tip: can't get a kid to smile for a photo? Tell them you love grumpy faces. Tell them to give you the grumpiest, meanest face they've got. It will always turn into a smile :)

]]> cara & gareth http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=381 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=381 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:13:00 GMT

I'm blogging slightly out of order, so I apologise for that! Aaron and Gillian's wedding is coming next, I promise :)

I absolutely loved shooting Cara and Gareth's engagement session. Contrary to what they firmly believe, they are exceptionally easy to photograph. I also got to use my new 45mm Tilt ... Shift lens, which made me happy, and then to top it all off, the sun came out for around 4 minutes so I got a little bit of flare in too. It's the little things.

The first few frames of every single session I do are either really stiff or really giggly. These were the first 3 frames from their session :)

Gareth is 6ft 6in. I'm definitely replacing my lost step ladder for their wedding!

Mmmmm....flare :)

]]> annabelle http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=380 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=380 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:53:00 GMT

I was so delighted to receive an email from Anjanette to tell me that her and Andy were now parents to a gorgeous little girl called Annabelle and would like me to photograph her. I love getting to catch up with past brides and grooms and especially to see them growing as a family. I've another two brides with baby bumps who have already booked in for their newborn shoots (newborns, in one case!) and I can't wait.

Annabelle was quite happy to stay put in Anjanette's tummy - she was 8 days late and then took 36 hours to make her grand entrance into the world. But she was well and truly worth the wait :)

Annabelle was 13 days old when I photographed her - this is around the time that they start to figure out they can stretch out and move those little arms and legs around. Annabelle was a wee 'squiggler'!

Remember Elvis - one of the cleverest dogs I've ever met?! Well, his cleverness has gone up about 100 notches since he officially became a hero. A few months ago Andy and Anjanette's house went on fire and Elvis the smart pup woke them up. Thankfully they escaped unhurt and everyone was OK - thanks to our little doggie hero here. The Littlest Hobo has nothing on Elvis :)

]]> maeve & colin http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=379 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=379 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:27:00 GMT

Maeve and Colin's wedding is certainly one that I'll remember for a long time. The service was so amazing, like a lovely day out instead of a job. Maeve is a music teacher and her school choir performed during the service - there was a harpist to greet the guests arriving, a wonderful soloist, amazing choir and very talented musicians the whole way through. It was a real treat and they did Maeve proud.

I also very much loved her choice of gold sparkly Jimmy Choo peep-toe sling-backs. Gorgeous! And her Jenny Packham dress...well I did gasp...as did everyone who saw her for the first time. She could not have picked a more perfect dress for herself - and I am going to be honest. I'm a little bit sad that I am already married and will never experience how amazing it must feel to walk around in a Jenny Packham floaty, sparkling dress all day.

Emily and Ellen's faces say it all :)

Black bridesmaid dresses with powdered blue bouquets. LOVED!

And since Maeve was ultra-organised we got the chance to do a few portraits of her in her parent's lovely garden.

Don't you love that Colin's mum is looking at him to see his reaction? So sweet :)

*sidenote* If the girl in the red dress looking at her camera reads this blog post could you please please please tell me where your dress is from?! It's divine and I simply must have one.

Loved the little archway outside the chapel.

The car driver found me this sweet little spot for some bridal portraits. He rocks and I'm so glad I know where this place is now.

85mm 1.2L bokeh. It's heavenly :)

]]> erin http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=378 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=378 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:24:00 GMT

Wee Erin is absolutely gorgeous. I cannot get enough of her - her big blue eyes, mop of brown hair or her content little face. She is a happy girl and very easy to get smiles out of. How lucky am I that I get to meet all these sweet, amazing little babies?!

This is Bobbi - she is the original baby...

...and still very much doted on :)

She's like a professional dog model!

Cannot get enough of those big blue eyes.

Have you ever seen anything as sweet as this face?

Erin rockin' the bed head!

A lovely wee family - thanks for having me :)

]]> aaron & gillian http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=377 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=377 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:48:00 GMT

Just a wee Happy Friday blog post for you all! I'm mega pushed for time today but I wanted to get Aaron and Gillian up before tomorrow because they get married next Saturday! So exciting!

Gillian is one of my best clients - she recommends me to everyone and I've had so many referrals from her. She rocks!

Couldn't resist this one - Aaron is 6 ft 3 and Gillian is only 5 ft 2. She is so petite!

]]> molly http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=376 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=376 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:51:00 GMT

A wee quick blog post before I head off to shoot Maeve and Colin's wedding!

Remember wee Molly who was born the day after her mummy was bridesmaid for Cheryl? Well, Molly's mum and dad invited me back to see how much she has grown and take some updated pictures of her. She was wide awake this time, and full of smiles and giggles. Such an easy baby to photograph, a beautiful little girl!

This shot was actually a mistake but I kinda love it!

She was giggling because Dolly's hair was tickling her face :)

Molly is NOT going to like us for this one...but I think it's adorable!

Molly's friend Ellie was visiting so I couldn't resist taking a few snaps of her too!

Cute with and without her glasses :)

]]> kyle & lisa http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=375 http://www.janinewalkersblog.com/index.cfm?postID=375 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:38:00 GMT

Kyle and Lisa tied the knot this weekend and I was there to document the whole thing. It was such a happy, colourful day, and Lisa's amazing attention to detail really paid off. There was so much for me to photograph and everything tied in to perfection, right down to the stripes on the cake matching the very wallpaper in the Grand Ballroom at Loch Erne Golf Resort. If weddings were A Levels Lisa would get an A* for sure :)

Lisa owns Beauty By Lisa in Cookstown so it was only fitting that she did her own makeup and her girls were on hand to get everyone else looking glam.

One of Lisa's clients bought her these gaspworthy Jimmy Choos as a wedding gift. Just putting it out there - for, erm, future reference - I'm shoe size 7 :)