Newcastle Wedding Photographers

Top reasons to get an Engagement Photography session

1. I think the most important reason to book a photographer who will do an engagement photography session with you is that you’ll get the chance to see whether you get on with the photographer or not… which is important, because you’ll get to know whether they are a strong, formal character or a chilled out, relaxed character – both of which which are fine for different couples.

2. Its also a great opportunity to get used to having a camera around…. some photographers use big lenses, and at first it can seem like the paparazzi has turned up… or some (me!) use small lenses so not to draw attention to myself… either way you’re still going to have a camera around, and if you’re anything like me, that’s not a day to day occurrence!

3. You’re engagement photography will help you see how you look on your pictures, I’ll gently guide you in posing, but you might like a particular angle of your face more. An engagement session will help you get the best out of your wedding pictures.

4. I really value an engagement photo session, because it helps me see how you, as a couple act. It really helps me connect with you both, and that is crucial when it comes to the wedding day, because i don’t want to be some random dude walking around with a camera – I want you to feel comfortable with me!

How to use your Engagement Photos

You can totally use your engagement pictures for a whole host of things:

• use them for your invitations or save the date cards
• make a photo wall at the wedding reception, and mix in with loads of Facebook pictures, to tell the story of your relationship
• put them on the wall, or give them as a gift to your parents!

Matt

I love Jesmond Dene house! I first visited this great {Newcastle wedding venue} when I shot {Charlie and Gilengs} awesome wedding there back in June 2011, check out that post for more pictures of their day.

Set in the amazing, and seriously picteresque Jesmond Dene, Jesmond Dene House is the perfect wedding venue (we’re blessed with loads of them in the North East!), Now, Charlie and Gileng had gotten married over in Holy Trinity Jesmond… which is amazing in itself, we nearly got married there too… but you can also use the Great Hall, situated deep within the House to actually get married, and then have it turned around for your reception guests. I reckon you can seat around 100 guests.

There are tonnes of great places to relax too, with all sorts of mini restaurant/bar areas and chill out spots.

The whole place seems to be wood paneled  (which to be quite honest makes my job more difficult!) but gives a really nice warn atmosphere. And check out that crazy fireplace! Its huge!

Jesmond Dene House – Wedding Venue

Obviously your paying for great quality here, so if you’re after something on the cheap, Jesmond Dene House may not be for you… Its worth the money though, the management are great, and they staff too. My best man proposed to his fiance there (in front of the fireplace… very nice…) and the management bent over backwards to make it special for them, even knowing that they weren’t going to get married there. That’s great service!

Jesmond Dene House has accommodation for a large number of guests, so you can have your guests stay there. I guess this would be really useful if any of your guests are traveling a long way to get to your wedding! Rooms are really first class, with a selection of amazing suites you could use for your first night together…

The Restaurant staff are really good, just for being the photographer they served me with some amazing food just to keep me going, so I’m sure the guests would have been in for a treat!

And check out the attention to detail on those table layouts! service staff are really efficient, discreet and helpful… pretty much everything you would want from them really!

And not only that – but Jesmond Dene House is set in fantastic grounds, Jesmond Dene, which is an amazing place for images, and especially good in summer to go for a stroll, maybe even have your guests go out and mingle!

What I’m trying to say is that most articles on this subject are completely skewed because they’re by wedding photographers – even this one!

As an example, do a quick search on Google “how to choose a wedding photographer”, I came across this Channel 4 article (what channel 4 has to with wedding photography, I don’t know…) which states that you should get a photographer who doesn’t rely on Photoshop gimmicks to sell their pictures. Then immediately underneath is this post from Rock my wedding… the first couple of pictures are a bit ‘gimmicky’, pee stained images of feet (notice my hypocrisy…! Lovely wedding photographs of shoes!).

I guess what I want to say (trying to distance myself as much as I can from my profession, and putting myself in your shoes) is that you really should trust your instincts on the type of thing you like in images. Is the shabby chic thing something you adore? Then go for it. Is wedding photojournalism your passion? Then go for it. If the photogrpaphy style you really like went out of fashion last year (or ten years ago for that matter!), well who cares?! Get what YOU want!

Do be prepared that your images may feel dated if you go for an ‘in-trend’ photographer (although, I’m not completely sure I agree with that) in a few years. And do be prepared for some expense, it can be a good two weeks solid work for a wedding photographer.

Having said that there are some photographers who seem to hardly charge anything but with great pictures – but see my post on Wedding photography – the good, the bad, the ugly.

I guess I also don’t think the choice is made purely on the pictures in a wedding photographers portfolio. I’ve heard of a local photographer who’s pictures are better than mine but is (I’ve been told by different people) rude and impolite to clients and their guests. So I personally wouldn’t hire that photographer.

We hired Ed Peers for our wedding – great guy, and we became friends in the process! If you can, meet a photographer for coffee and a chat and get to know them.

If you’re still looking for someone, its worth checking out a list site, the best one I know is Find a Wedding Photographer, but bear in mind the photographers listed are not all professionals!

Have you got any thoughts or advice on how to choose a wedding photographer? Let me know in the comments!

Matt

I’ve posted a bunch of images below, first as a slideshow, second as a list. Let me know which one is better because I can’t decide!

We’ve got big changes coming up this year, and 2012 is shaping up to be very full, so its going to be really busy This Newcastle Wedding Photographer can’t wait!

Some of the most important changes are to do with our active support of Compassion and the A21 campaign… keep your eyes open for how you can get involved – and check their sites out!

Every year, I like to make sure I can give something back to all my amazing clients, so at {Matt Ethan Photography} we’re offering you the chance to win your entire wedding photography.

Are you getting married between February 14th-September 30th 2012?

How to Enter :

Send me a picture of you both, and give me a little sentence/few words about why you guys should win. Use the contact button above, or email at info@mattethan.co.uk

You’ll get your own individual blog post right here on the Matt Ethan Photography Blog. Then you just have to get as many of your Friends, Family, Acquaintances, and even Enemies (hey, its your wedding, even they should be helping you!) to VOTE for your blog post. They do this by COMMENTING on your blog post.

I’ll give you a shortened URL link for use on {twitter} and {Facebook}, so get out there and keep reminding people to comment on your blog post!

What’s up for grabs :

1st place : At Matt Ethan Photogrpahy, we don’t bother with that package stuff, your wedding photography will be all inclusive. Which means you get everything from pre wedding consultations to all your images on a disc. Check out the {prices} page for more details

Runners up : I want to reward you just for entering! This competition doesn’t lie in chance, if you get enough comments (votes!) then you win. But if you don’t happen to get the most, you’re still in luck. If you get yourself more than 100 votes you have the unique opportunity to book Matt Ethan Photography with a massive £100 reward saving!

Terms and Conditions :

 The winning couples images will be posted on this blog as a ‘real wedding’ to share with the world! Have a scan through the blog, and you’ll see plenty of couple’s weddings the types of image that will be posted. If you have any problems/queries with this, please drop me an email.

Fairly obviously, only one entry per couple.

{Albums} are at an extra cost.

I regularly travel all over the UK, so please enter even if you’re not in the North East area, however travel and overnight accommodation costs may apply… get in touch, and we’ll sort it out!

No purchase necessary

At the time (pre-wedding) Sally was writing for the {English Wedding Blog} as a guest bride to be, which was fantastic. Claire at EWB has guest brides to be always writing, which is something i think all wedding blogs should do. Check them out.

The Empire down in ‘Borough is really special for these two, we had to go round the back of this beautiful building to take photographs because of the teenager infestation at the front!

Sally is an amazing {Teesside Wedding Photographer} and you neeeed to check her out! I keep telling her to put her prices up, so get her while she’s still such a bargain!

Her friend (Sally, if you’re reading this can you comment and remind me…?!?!) owns this amazing tea shop in the town centre. It really is amazing, I’d happily drive 40 mins from Newcastle to take SJ!

Thanks for reading!

Matt

Hi all!

This is a quick post to let everyone know about our Bridal (and Groomal) Drinks Reception on December 3rd (this Saturday!)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Matt Ethan Photography are hosting their festive drinks reception on Saturday 3rd December for brides in the North East, and we’d love to invite you.

You’ll be treated to a relaxing free manicure curtesy of www.gentlehands.co.uk, also a free facial is on offer from Mary Kay consultant, Wendy Chan. Also, an amazing offer for grooms (and brides too!) of a free WEEK trial of Spidercise personal training!

Not to mention mulled wine, home-made mince pies, advice from North East brides who married this year and a chance to chat and exchange ideas with other brides-to-be (every brides needs to meet new friends who would like nothing better than to talk weddings all night!) and all within the festive hospitality of Matt and SJ Ethan’s beautiful home.

Also, very excitingly Matt Ethan Photography will be giving details of how to win the amazing opportunity to get your entire wedding photography package for FREE! It is a competition with a difference though; YOU decide if you win! Even if you don’t win, you will be rewarded just for taking part!

We would really love to have you there. The evening starts at 7pm at 155, Bosworth Gardens, Heaton, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE6 5UP.

No need to bring anything other than yourself and some festive cheer and we’ll have a great evening!

Please RSVP to Matt Ethan on 07988 628133 or info@mattethan.co.uk and we’ll warm up a spot by the fire for you!

Hurry though! Only 10 spaces left!!

Look forward to seeing you!

We’ve got some exciting news and special offers that we’re introducing especially for the event, so be sure to get yourself there, or comment below to be included!

Here’s some extra info:

Details of an amazing competition we’ll be running over the next few months will be unfurled at the Bridal Gathering, you’ll need to check back NEXT WEEK on the blog for details if you can’t make it to the fair…!