Andrea Ellison Photography

~ Kevin the Horse ~

2012-01-29T17:52:00.002Z

I met up with Jane and Sos the week before their wedding and we enjoyed a lovely relaxed shoot at the stables....well they were relaxed I was having an internal meltdown because I only took my brand new camera along for a run out and not my normal spare body as well...so when I pressed something weird and broke it I had to shoot the whole thing in manual focus.....eeeeeeeep !

One phone call later and the legend that is Warren Millar sorted it out...that's what happens when you don't read the manual and confuse your spot metering for your focus buttons... *slaps head*

Anyway...they laughed at me the whole way through and were chilled in the extreme....we got on like a house on fire...I flippin LOVE these two x

Sos is super cool..... like seriously slick....I could shoot him all day...he has the perfect face for a camera....so it was no surprise to find out that's what he used to do....he has appeared doing horse stunt work on music videos and TV

Jane is just gorgeous....funny....warm....instantly connecting and engaging ....I felt I had known her for years...she is a riding instructor and is passionate about her horses....when I posted this photo and one of the two of them together on my Facebook page she rang and said " I flippin love that photo of Kevin it's fab " ...I had a panic because I was sure Sos's real name was Dave and that was what I had put....I didn't realize she was on about her horse :)

Last time I got this close to a horse it took off....jumped a six foot fence...threw me off and then danced on my head ! ...I thought I better make my self a bit more visible so I wore my new hat......made especially for me by Boo Marshall ...I always look a bugger in a hat.....but I especially like this one ...even though she said she mucked it up and made it look like a certain lady bit....but I don't know what ever she meant ! :)

Anyway.......I shot their wedding yesterday and I can't wait to show you when I catch up with my blog posts...it was a beautiful...warm...almost Spring like day ....I knew Jane was secretly longing for a snowy wedding........but when your best mates are Hollywood stunt men...and Granada studios happen to have a spare snow machine....the love of her life even managed to sort that..... eeeeeeeeeeep !

Jane & Sos (Dave) thank you so much for letting me share in your day....I can't wait to catch up with you both again

Love
Andrea x

~ A Time To Think ~

2012-01-17T14:53:00.000Z

2012....a time to think

So...here we are.....dashing headlong into this a brand New Year...it's hard not to get excited at the freshness and possibility it hold's...a clean page to write upon our dreams and wishes... the days seemingly endless ahead...waiting full of hope to make them come true... I know I am inspired by what this year already holds for me

It is also a time when I find it hard not to reflect... peeking back on what I have achieved..the wonderful people I have met.....that have helped and inspired me...I have had quite possibly the most exciting year ever for my little photography business.....

But it was also a year that will for ever be coloured with sadness ....I lost a true friend...a supporter...a secret ally...a listening post....someone who inspired and inspires me still to try to be a better..more patient ..kinder me

Margaret...this is for you x

Welcome to the wedding of Helen & Duncan...they are both Doctors....and I am in awe !

They help bring life into the World....keep it precious...and offer comfort and care in the end of our days...I can not find word's enough of thank's for the job you do

and so...this is their wedding... it was beautiful...snowy...filled with buckets of love...fun...laughter and just pure brilliance

I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed shooting it...it was quite simply a joy <3

Dear Helen's Mum...if I had a bigger camera bag...I would have stolen that cushion !

I was sooooo very lucky....Vicky Sudberry ...my friend and fellow Click collective member came along and 2nd shot for me ...I love having a second shooter... I love to see how we see the World through a camera with different eyes....these freezing snowy captures are hers...whilst I was in the warmth of mum's house...thank you sweetie I loved having you along xxx

ahhhh..."stick it to your head"...got to be a firm party favourite....and the "after eight" game....its the chocolate stain on your forehead that cracks me up every time

Mum's...you are adorable......

...the first dance....sigh...
It started off so beautifully....elegant... graceful ....and then .....well.....hilarious does not cover it ......cue "Mr Whiteside" and we all watched...cheered and whistled as the choreographed wonderment progressed..it was just brilliant...these two sure know how to throw a celebration

Helen & Duncan

Thank you for allowing Vicky and I to be a small part of your amazing day

Love

Andrea x

~ Love Is All You Need ~

2011-12-19T12:52:00.000Z

Rich found flights...too ridiculously priced to pass over ...the need to escape the Christmas rush and just chill..was overpowering....so we did it....threw some things in a bag and just flew off for the weekend..... leaving a dark...grey....cloud covered England and landed into a clear..cold...just as grey France...but here ...the grey just doesn't seem to hold the same icy shades...they are lighter....gentler somehow...and your shoulders don't seem to carry the full weight of the season

It's here that I have my biggest secret pleasure...our tiny house holds the biggest of hearts....a huge open fire.....always left banked and ready for a single match to ignite the flames and fight off the chill......one that roars and crackles with hissing logs.....filling the room so full of radiant wonder it invades you to your very core...warming every corner.....and I simply love it

and so...we stole one whole weekend...and filled it full...in the afternoons...crisp...hardly a soul in sight...riverside walks...Olympic standard poo sticks...leaf throwing ....a grateful winter sun fighting off the clouds to reward our bravery ...warming us through enough to sit outside the cafe with hot chocolates (well the kids anyway.....my hands will always generate enough internal heat to hold a lunch time ...rare ..outside...glass of wine while the World goes by)

Even enemies will call a truce for shared warmth!

My Jessie is a whiz at cards.......she beats her Dad at chase the ace every time...and I am sure it is entirely coincidental that her luck increases when I am sat next to him....and I genuinely did have something in my eye...honestly !

on the last morning...the bank of cloud that had shielded the mountain top from our view lifted and we saw our first sprinkling of snow.....so we drove....clinging to the mountain side to eat our picnic lunch at the table of the Gods....and the view was simply breathtaking

A rare grab shot of Jim....wise now to me and my camera antics

so we arrived back in England to the madness of the Christmas build up ...refreshed...chilled and content...ready for the festivities ahead...all thankful for our stolen hours of togetherness...

our little present to each other and the kids.. wrapped up tight with the warmth of family...and laced together with a ribbon of love...

..the nicest of gifts...can sometimes cost nothing at all

Wishing you too the happiest of precious family time this Christmas

Love always

Andrea x

~ Let Your Love Grow ~

2011-11-30T15:03:00.000Z

This is Belinda...and she is one very special Lady.....we met up again just one week before her wedding to Alan....a wedding that lots of people never thought would actually get to happen....and if it did... then nobody thought for a minute that Belinda would have the strength to actually walk down the isle unaided ....but she did both.... straight into the waiting arms of the man she loves...miracle's do happen x

This is Alan....he drives the biggest reddest tractor I have ever seen....and he is a farmer...a proper dig in the earth...plant..nurture and grow things farmer....we had a blast at the farm...I can honestly say I never stopped laughing ...these too have been through so much together...and if laughter is the best medicine then Alan should come on prescription for Belinda...he just knows instinctively how to make her giggle...and it's obvious to anyone they are besotted with each other ...

We walked around the farm ...Alan giving us a tour and explaining what everything did...passionate about a job he clearly loves...I love that too...when someone is so excited about what they do.....so involved...that a little seed of their joy takes root in your soul...I swear I wanted to come home and plant things

While we walked Belinda and I chatted about her love for Alan....."he is so lovely you know" she said...." I have been so poorly..in and out of hospital...operation after operation....and he has hardly left my side....poor thing...he didn't sign up for this when we met"

On those words...after the time I spent with them here..and on their wedding day....I see a couple so suited and perfect for each other....so full of joy and laughter even after all the pain....a couple so very much in love.....Belinda....you both planted those seeds to start your life together...and your lovely Alan did what he does best...he helped to make it grow.....I think he would have signed anywhere x

Belinda & Alan...I can't wait to show you your wedding day.......thank you so much for all your support this last year...you and your family are just truly lovely lovely people x

Love Andrea x

~ Ink and Serendipity ~

2011-11-23T13:30:00.000Z

Isn't it funny how everything in life is subtly intertwined. .....tiny twists and turns in your day to day...flow seamlessly one into another...bringing with them a new path to tread ......karma....the cosmos..... chance...serendipity...I don't know or understand the why or how...

but of one thing I am certain....I know that I like it !

Rachael from the fab Marry Me Ink wedding blog commented on a wedding picture I had posted....one little comment..... that turned into a conversation...... that turned into this shoot...and I loved it

We got chatting and I knew I had to photograph her...just for the hell of it ! ...and there is nothing nicer than that...the complete freedom of turning up and seeing what the day brings...no real plan...no fixed shoot ideas...just Rachael....an amazing dress....made especially for her by Kate from The Party Frock in the fantastic venue that is Affleck's Palace in Manchester ( they gave us the run of the place).....and girls if you want to look amazing on your wedding day..then you NEED Victoria in your life...this girl is the most talented make up artist I have had the pleasure of working with...just inspirational!

We had fantastic & funky accessories sent to us by Diablo Jo's and Dolly Cool and the most intricate paper creations I have ever seen from Anissa Lee ......

But to top it all....I got to have a girly day with two of my bestest photo buds ... Claire Penn and Maria Bentley ....one half of the fabulousness that is Studio 1208 ....Photography is such a social past time ...if you want it to be !...You can guard your shoot....fearful to let others share your creation ..."stealing your thunder"...OR...you can open the door and let the fun begin.....everybody has a different eye...a different take on things and a different set of skill's to bring to the table...we are all unique in our own way....I learn so much on shoots like these and I have never laughed so much....and I for one am excited to see what others come up with !

I have met the nicest of people on this mad train that is my life now...just by offering the hand of friendship and sharing my passion for photography with others

Who would have thought that very first day when I picked up my Dad's camera and carried on where he left off...doing the thing he was so passionate about....the many amazing way's my life would change...what's that saying? ..."find a job that you love and you will never work a day in your life!".... it's so very true...I know I am blessed ....I hope you all get to follow and find the passion in your life too

Love Andrea x

I flippin love that I get to just have fun with these pics.....to edit them in any way I choose!...this ain't work !......I am just in LOVE with this inky black & white and think it suits the whole inked feel of our shoot.....I threw in some vintage for the Affleck's vibe.....and Rachael's amazing tattoo's screamed for some colour popping vividness too...so you even get some of that for good measure...we had a scream around the streets of Manchester...hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed shooting them x

~ The Girl Next Door ~

2011-11-17T00:45:00.001Z

Meet Tracy & Dave...I shot their wedding....and I loved it !

I believe in Destiny.....sometimes she is so delicate that you miss the gentle signs....all the intricate twists of fate until she ties them all together with a bow and gift wraps it for you...but...sometimes....sometimes...she see's a match so perfect she can sit back and simply watch.....intrigued to see just how and when the inevitable will develop..

They were born next door to each other...through the years...growing into the closest of friends....just a boy...just a girl ....and all the while...she patiently.....waits...

Until...New Year....on the stroke of midnight....two friends share one kiss...Destiny stokes the embers.... ignites the fire ....and then gently warms herself on the glow......

I learned 3 things that day.....boy's DO marry the girl next door.. true love does exist...and that Destiny always has a plan

enjoy.......

" They say it's lucky if it rains on your wedding day" I said....

"I don't need luck...I'm already the luckiest man alive"..he said.."I have Tracy" ....{sigh} x

St Mary's in Hale Bank is just one lovely church..it's one of my total favorites....made even nicer by a fabulous vicar...

When she heard that Tracy & Dave were struggling to find a venue for their drinks reception....she offered up the use of St Mary's...and it was brilliant ! ....champagne...canapes and a chilled out afternoon in the warmth of the church...just fab...what a brilliant vicar she is !

The best man reading the messages of love...showed a very special one...from their friend's at the tattoo parlor to much hilarity....lot's of Tracy's family and friends didn't even realise she had so many tattoos ....she looked truly ace....and I must admit it rekindled my burning little urge to get one....just one....maybe....one day ! lol

ahhh....this is why I love photography...a permanent record of a life lived...and these of Tracy & Dave together on the first day of school will be treasured by their children in years to come I just know it .....I love looking at all the old photo's of my Mum & Dad still....so these are definite's for the memory box

I know these two will have a very happy future together...I have never been more sure of anything...they fit like a hand in a glove ......Tracy & Dave...thanks so much for choosing me..

I love you guys x

Love

Andrea x

~ A Village Green Wedding ~

2011-11-03T21:46:00.000Z

Far From The Madding Crowd

"Her love was entire as a child's, and though warm as summer it was fresh as spring."

Thomas Hardy

How chilled out can two people be...

I had driven down to Dorset to meet Rowan & Baris for the first time on their wedding day... the first one !

Rowan & Baris live in London and had arranged the whole weekend from there...amazing

We met for the tiny ceremony before the "official" Wedding the next morning...with just a few precious family members present to witness their hand written vows...nothing prepared any of us for how special that service was going to be..

Sweet and heartfelt....their vows composed in secret...shared for the first time on their wedding day....touching in the extreme...so very beautifully spoken..the reasons for their love.. promises to each other and dreams of their future life together .. so incredibly meaningful everyone trying to hide their tears ....including me...a weeping mess with my camera..I was honoured to be a witness..I will remember the love in that room always.

With the warmth still in the air..it seemed such a shame to waste the remains of the day... with the sun setting we headed to the beach ...you can read more about that by clicking HERE

Next morning with the sun peeping through for wedding number two..it was off to Greenwood Grange to meet all the guests who had traveled from all over the world to be there...its a stunning location...right next to the famous Thomas Hardy house .....a collection of tiny stables converted into gorgeous cottages all in a square around a green...the whole wedding had a tiny village feel... that is the only way I can describe what happened next...it was as thought a whole Dorset community had turned out to celebrate a wedding of one of their own..

Bunting abound......Vintage Dorset turned a village green marquee into a tea party like no other ....tiny cups in the most delicate of china each blessed with a teeny silver spoon.....Grandma's vintage cake stands resplendent and waiting for the wonderfulness to follow...folded napkins in every possible shade and an army of tea pots steaming next to sugar bowls sweeter than their contents....{{sigh}}.......I LOVE details...and I am not afraid to admit it.. I have a photo of every single cup.....I think I went a bit mad....

Like an episode of "friends" ..

the guests were agog when one of them stood to conduct the service...nobody knew of our secret service the day before in the gorgeous little registry office ...it made for one of the truly funniest and happy ceremonies I have ever had the pleasure to shoot...and no service would be complete without a rousing rendition of that famous hymn... "I would walk 500 miles" by The Proclaimers....mucho hilarity ensued

And then.....THE most amazing thing happened...all the guests wandered back to their chocolate box cottages and returned laden with food.....

platters of butterfly cupcakes....olives....cheese boards...stuffed peppers...pates....flans...quiches....tiny rolls...apple pies...food and more food flooded into the marquee ..each bearing a tiny flag telling of the contents within and complete with messages of love ...all the ladies gifted sweet and all the gent's brought savoury......such a nice thought

I have never seen anything like it..and it was just bloody marvelous !

A magical village feel to a simply wonderful day.....

Rowan & Baris...you brought so many touches of you to your wedding day..your heart shone through... what made it even more special was the role you allowed your lovely family and friends to play ... they did you proud....a mix of Scottish and Turkish ...brilliantly fused together in one perfect eclectic mix

Baris....I just love your gorgeous Mum

nothing like a good Ceilidh to get a party jumping ...even the rain couldn't dampen the fun...just brilliant!

At the end of a wonderful day...I drove all the way home to Cheshire one very happy smiley bunny... marveling at what a weekend it was....thanks so much for inviting me all the way down to Dorset...It was like a dream...just perfect

take it away Thomas....

"Bring me here again!

I am just the same as when

Our days were a joy..

and our path's through flowers"

love

Andrea x

~ Little Black Dress ~ UK & Cheshire Wedding Photographer

2011-10-27T11:28:00.000+01:00

Little Black Dress

Every woman has one in her closet,

Although some are loathe to confess.

It’s perfect for many occasions.

It is known as the little black dress..

For Women who seek to entice,

or have men they want to impress.,

There is nothing terribly virginal

concerning that little black dress.

Its of Spidery inspiration and,

oh, what a web they can weave.

They use it, some say, ensnaring their prey.

It comes out again when they grieve.

In wedding

our Ladies wear white.,

A Little black dress when they keen.

They dress in subtler shades of grey

on all of the days in between.

John F McCullagh

Kayley & Stu are getting married ! ....I'm so very happy they asked me to shoot their wedding..

I spoke to Kayley on the telephone first of all when she rang to find out what days I was free before she even booked her venue !...THAT'S what I like...a girl with priorities

The photography is so very important to both of them ....and I am so happy they realised that before they got married and not afterwards....when the cake is eaten..the dress is packed away..and all that are left behind are fading memories and throw away snaps.

When Rich and I got married I didn't book a wedding photographer ...choosing instead to put some of my budget on other things I felt were more important at the time....after all...Dad had a camera and liked photography...so he could do it ...right? ...so I begged him to shoot it

It was a beautiful day..full of sunshine & laughter ...with the most hilarious family filled party afterwards..I even made my own cup cakes (150 of them...well Victoria baked..I decorated..but we wont talk about that bit!... I put an icing heart on every single fluffy butter cream badly topped one of them) they rocked !..wish I had a picture to show you.

My dear old Dad worked so hard with his camera to try and record our day...he did a lovely job too..the best he could... whilst also trying his hardest to enjoy his little girls wedding.
I now know how incredibly pressured he must have felt...trying to get me the pictures he of course knew I would want afterwards ...he worked all day bless him..he didn't even get to enjoy the day as much as he should have

I do treasure those photo's now he has gone....every single precious piece of them....even though he isn't even in a single snap.

Kayley gave up her hen weekend in the sun so her budget could include me in the plans for her wedding....choosing instead to have a fun night out with her girls and a lifetime of memories of her wedding day instead....... smart girl

I LOVE Kayley...she is vibrant and funny and you can't help but like her....she comes to my slimming class with me and has done an amazing job...losing over 3 stones and getting to her target...she looks simply gorgeous ...and I love that she doesn't even know quite how much...

so I was thrilled when Amelia from the Blue Velvet Vintage Store offered to style her for their engagement shoot in a stunning vintage Little black dress ( you should defo pop along and check out her store..be warned...its fabulous!) ...Kayley looked just perfect

and I know Stu couldn't be more proud of her...he simply couldn't put her down ...they are made for each other....just like that dress was made for her

Sweetie...you look amazing x

~A Lulworth Engagement ~

2011-10-22T13:25:00.000+01:00

I met Rowan & Baris in Dorset on the morning of their tiny secret wedding...we had exchanged countless emails and telephone calls before we actually got the opportunity to meet....I was in on the hush hush plans....and so excited I could burst...it was everything I expected and more.... just perfectly perfect

A tiny romantic civil ceremony with just a few precious family members present..the legal wedding before the big celebrations to follow the next day.. I think everyone there was surprised by just how beautiful and intimate it was...

A service full of love and the most heartfelt vows I have ever heard...lots of happy tears later (I cried..everyone cried...even the registrar cried) they emerged man & wife relaxed and happy...ready for the next day...it seemed too beautiful an evening to waste so we went to the beach for a walk.....I'm so very glad we did

So...here are their "Engagement" photo's....hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed shooting them....oh and all that stopping off to admire the view on the way back up...well that wasn't really so I could catch my breath

I am so thankful I got invited along to record all their Wedding weekend...it was jam packed full with wonderfulness I will always remember .....so pop the kettle on ready and watch out for part two of this blog...their amazing...vintage china...home made family picnic (mega wow)...Scottish ceilidh..Turkish infused..tepee weddings (plural!) phew...now that sounds nearly as tasty as all the food

~ Two by Two ~ { Cheshire & UK Wedding Photographer }

2011-10-08T11:12:00.001+01:00

"The only thing that separates me from the animals

is a lot of words,

so when I'm not talking much,

the gap closes really quick."

Story People

Jill & Paul got married in the zoo..zoo..zoo

they want you to come too..too.too

I am in awe of all these men...........

All serving and ex-serving Air Force .....I have never seen so many medals in one place..

I have huge respect for our Armed Forces ...I remember as a teen.. Dad raising a huge flag pole with a Union Jack flying proud in our garden for the World to see....It flew for every single day of the Falklands War until my Uncle and the rest of our boys came home...the lucky ones at least

All of these guys have seen conflict....seen things I can only imagine....it takes a special sort of person to do the jobs they do.....each and every one of them a hero in the truest form

I tip my hat to you guys x

and as the gates closed on the Zoo...and the sun went down...we had our very own private safari......the keepers leading the way...full of information about the animals they care so much about.....Jill & Paul are passionate animal lovers and all the proceeds from their wedding go towards animal conservation projects around the World....everyone at Chester Zoo were just brilliant...I can't sing their praises enough ...

just a brilliant brilliant day !

Jill & Paul.....I had THE best time shooting your special day...

I am so glad you chose me to capture your memories

wishing you a lifetime of happy

much love

Andrea x

~ Me & My Boy ~ { UK & Cheshire Wedding Photographer }

2011-09-25T19:12:00.003+01:00

Dear Son,

OK.......so when did THAT happen ?.....when did I become so old that I can now shoot the weddings of your friends......

I shot a wedding a couple of weeks ago and it was like the land of the beautiful people....all gorgeous...skinny....leggy...and young....just legs everywhere...very long legs ...it was like being in the giraffe house at the zoo....

I feel sooooo old ...like a Grandma with a camera.....so this is it...I'm on a health kick and the diet started proper this week ...and I figure if I try hard then pinot noir can still count as one of my 5 a day.......and one day...I too can be leggy again

your 23.......23!!!!!....and when I look at you now and again.. I can still catch tiny flashes of my little boy in the lovely man that you have become....all grown up.....living in the beautiful house your Dad built from the shell out just for you...and that you and your lovely girlfriend have stamped your own mark on and turned into a stunning home.

I know you are happy and you are not coming home...and a little piece of my heart splinters every time I step into your old room and see it empty of your things...I could have a lovely office..instead of my little spot by the dog's bed on the kitchen table but I just can't bring myself to do it...just in case you both decide you miss me enough to come home ....and fill the gap with dirty washing and noise.....a mum can dream

Son....you amaze me every day...and I couldn't be prouder of the beautiful..gentle...calm..caring..funny....man you have become......I just wanted you to know that....

even if this embarrasses the pants off you...it what we do best!

love always your Mum x

This is the wedding of Mel & Rich ....Rich is one of my son's friends...(he has the nicest mates does my boy!) ...and it was a pure pleasure to shoot his wedding...even if I did feel old x

This is the face that got me....look at that little face...he pulled his best "cat from Shrek" eyes at me and I knew I couldn't let anyone else shoot his wedding..... trust me....he is just lovely ...and so is Mel ...simply perfect together x

look at her! ...their gorgeous little girl......ahhh bet her grandma just loves her to bits....are you reading this Son !

anyway for what it's worth...I lost 4 pounds this week...oh and coloured all the platinum blonde out of my hair.......oh well...at least it's a start

Love Andrea x

~ We will remember them ~ {UK & Cheshire Wedding Photographer }

2011-09-07T13:05:00.003+01:00

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say..

For Their Tomorrow...We Gave Our Today"

Mum asked me if I would help..."can you pop along and take some photo's for the British Legion of a special service they are giving ?" .....I am so glad I did...what a spectacle it was....

The Frodsham branch of The Royal British Legion is one of the oldest branches in the country....threatened with closure due to lack of members...a small group of ex-service men and women stepped in and have worked tirelessly to turn it into a thriving branch again.

Fundraisers...bingo's...bucket shaking.. weekends and evenings they give up their time freely...raising money for all our serving and ex-Service personnel and their families. Not just those who fought in the two World Wars, but also those involved in the many conflicts since 1945 and those still fighting today.

This service was of celebration...after flowing life back into the branch they set up a special fund to help buy a new standard, and they achieved their goal...then..they found out that an old tradition states that unless the old standard was placed for safe keeping in a Church it would have to be burnt as only one standard can ever be in use for civic duties...

That's where Fr. Michael stepped in .....he offered the old standard a new home in his Church.. and now it is displayed with pride in St Lawrence Church for all to see

That service will stay with me forever..it moved me in ways I can not put into words....so I will let the pictures tell you their story...

Furled and ready..the new standard waiting to be blessed

On the stroke of three the honour guard stepped into place..and two standards...side by side for the first and last time...where marched into Church and a gentle hush fell...for The National Anthem

The Last Post sounded out from a lone bugle

and suddenly..I was beside myself...

I don't know why I cried ...maybe it was the pomp...the ceremony...the uniforms..

Stood there in silence with all the "Old Boys"...Gentlemen every last one of them..... their medals remain the only outward trace left that these men had seen and experienced the horrors of War....I felt suddenly thankful for what they gave away for us and what they still give today... I had no words left to express quite how much....

Then Len's voice .....solid and calm

" They shall not grow old , as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them"

This year Remembrance day has even more poignancy 11/11/11

on the 11th hour ..of the 11th day ..of the 11th month......
We will remember them

When you see the poppies...please throw the cost of a coffee into the pot...

I will remember them...will you ?

~ Summer somewhere ~ { UK & Cheshire Wedding photographer }

2011-09-01T17:08:00.000+01:00

I heard them before a saw them...a hurrying clatter of geese....carving a determined V through the sky....looking up...I watched them fly over...heading South...stealing Summer with them before it's even begun...

Have we had a Summer ?...did it forget to call ?

I remember the thrill... when we were small... the endless school holidays....sunny and humid...sitting on the pavement's digging up the hot inky tar at the side of the road with the stick off your lolly....Mounting up your Nana's wall with a welcome mat saddle and washing line reigns for your gate post horse...urging National Velvet first past the finish post......attaching Dinky to the front of Andy's chopper...yeehaa-ing his toy poodle legs into a begrudging tow around the block....turning chemist and brewing jam jar rose perfume...the smell so much sweeter with stolen petals.

Maybe it lasted so long because we filled it so full.....

and so.....little geese....as you follow the sun....leaving us one last fleeting day behind....I try not to feel too blue...I remind myself I can find the warmth of Summer still...if I search... in a multitude of places

A blog post....just because

love
Andrea x

~ I feel the need...the need for speed ! ~ { UK & Cheshire Wedding photographer }

2011-08-31T08:33:00.000+01:00

" When you're in love you never really know whether your elation comes from the qualities of the one you love, or if it attributes them to her; whether the light which surrounds her like a halo comes from you, from her, or from the meeting of your sparks."

Natalie Clifford Barney

He danced over in his flight suit...the tune to "you lost that loving feeling" lilting softly from his lips..She threw a snooker ball at him....and it was love at first sight...

Both in the R.A.F. and on down time between missions...they met in the mess....she brushed off his advances....and he was smitten....she played it cool.....so he carried on chasing bogeys.. working thrust to weight ratio's and head to heading MIGs... pulling high speed passes over the control tower...only able to show his love by carving vapour trail love hearts in the sky..

Until one day...she walked back into the bar...put "you lost that loving feeling" on the juke box......and the rest as they say is history !

OoOooOoh I just love a good love story.......{SIGH}

I swear....that's what happened....Well....it was something like that anyway....but Jill defo threw a snooker ball !

They are throwing another kind of ball this weekend when I shoot their wedding.......and it's going to be AWESOME

The wedding is being held in the ZOO !..how bloody marvelous is that

I just know I am going to love it...these two seriously rock....I feel like I have known them forever

Jill & Paul live in a chocolate box house...right in the middle of the Forrest...I'm so happy for them and not in the least bit jealous of their gorgeous spot *bitesknuckles*

see you soon guys......I can not wait !

love

Andrea x

~ British and Proud ~

2011-08-11T10:33:00.001+01:00

I was catching up on posts in our group......our lovely supportive...wonderful photography group...The Click Collective...and I read this....

"you are on the crest of the new wave of wedding photographers... not only can you take a cracking shot but your photos are very 'now' in a natural, cute, fresh style - not JUST that though (I'm not done yet) but to me what stands out about you is that the cherry on the top of the cake is that you have a distinct and quite British flavour to your photography. Like a style me pretty wedding but with a sweep of red lipstick and a cheeky tattoo. You can't fail."

It made me cry...in the nicest possible way...

You see....I have been thinking about my style...about what direction I am trying to go in...and for someone else to see it too....well that blew me away....so thanks "L"

I can honestly say...that the day I stopped trying to "be" a Wedding photographer and to just shoot ...what I love... in a way I love....to shoot things the way I see them....to just BE me..well that's when the phone started ringing and it hasn't stopped since...

Sometimes the pressures are higher than others...when I have a queue of patient brides waiting for Albums...when I am trying desperately to get discs out so that families get to re live their day while the memories are still fresh and warm...day's when I work late into the night or creep down early as the light sweeps across the carpet and I step across.. choosing to ignore that was the only sweep it has seen for a little while.....

and then...when I find a tiny spot of calm nestling in the chaos I just sit...quiet.. and count my blessings...

I can sit at my own office (read :kitchen table) hot coffee in hand...still in my jammies sometimes until shockingly late in the day with the radio on.. an edit underway ...I get to take my kids to school and pick them up most days... I am there.. climbing the walls during the Summer holidays when I still have to work but they get to stay home and I don't have the nightmare that is childcare...I know I am very lucky.....and that photography has been my blessing...my Dad always used to say..." the harder you work the luckier you seem to be "

If my work feels British...well that's fab... because it's a piece of the real me....a piece that I am proud to be....even during all this mayhem...I know the rest of the World is looking on...but what they see isn't the real us...

The real British are the ones that sweep across the pavements as the light of day rises ...brush in hand....cleaning up the mess that these thieves in the night leave behind....so that WE The true Brit's can carry on..... working hard...lucky to call this OUR home.... lucky to be British ...and it's very much ...

Business as usual !

Here are the real reason you are here....a STUNNING Wedding...for a STUNNING bride....she is a member of our group and she asked me to shoot her wedding and it was a pure and simple joy

Sue & Chris got married...and even better.. I got to shoot it with my besty photo bud Claire Penn by my side...and I bloody loved it .....enjoy

Sue said "nobody can get a pic with both the twins on it... it's mission impossible " ......well..I sort of did....and she was right...it was a nightmare...even if they aren't facing the camera...it's one of my favourite pics...ever

Mum....you looked glorious

this makes me laugh out loud ...Chris...your face is a picture

Matt at Red Floral Architecture amazed us with the flowers and all the tiny details.....I think I am in love

If Carlsberg did first dances...........yes...yes it is ....STAVROS FLATLEY

Sue.....thanks so much for being so fabulous... always...you know how much I love you....keep going with your camera...you have a natural eye and i can't wait to see what you shoot next and for our next editing session..I will bring the wine !

Love

Andrea x

~ In the Eye of the Beholder ~

2011-08-03T11:51:00.001+01:00

" Someday perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us all, and then we'll need no other light." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Susanne has an inner light....Chris sees it....I see it....and if you met her...you would see it too.... what makes it even more beautiful is that she doesn't realise just how brightly it shines.

Sue is naturally gorgeous... calm...funny... and simply joyful to be around and mad keen on photography just like me. So I was more than a little excited when she asked me to shoot her Wedding.

Susanne is a member of a photography group I am in called "The Click Collective"...it's a small group of 30+ women photographers from around the UK and Ireland and it's just awesome ! We all share the same passion for photography and it's a haven of help and support and I love them all to pieces.

Anyway...I met up with her and Chris to have some fun with a pre-Wedding shoot...I love these...they are fab...especially if your like me and don't really like having your photo taken as they really let you see that its not that scary after all.

What was even nicer was that Claire Penn Photography got to come along too...she was helping me shoot the Wedding and it is always fun to throw ideas together on session's like these. I can't wait to help her second shoot some of her Weddings this year as we just have a ball when we work together....every tog should have some photo bud's ! I highly recommend it.

And so...here we go...a selection of images from our shoot...hope you like them x

I bloody LOVE Susanne's laugh !

Chris ...giving me his best "Grant Mitchell" ...sorry Chris...I couldn't help it ...you shouldn't have humoured me lol

{sigh} ....told you.....just beautiful !

Oh and erm...Chris....about that "little bump" on your brand spanking new car...neither Sue or I saw the bloody big rock before it jumped out on us ...honest guv !

Thanks so much for letting me show these...and for choosing me to shoot your amazing wedding (coming up on the blog next this week)

It was all kinds of fabulous !

Love

Andrea x

~ A Myriad of Colours ~

2011-08-01T15:20:00.002+01:00

Just friends..... they connected....slowly....gently...they turned into more...and then she had to leave.....and he realised his World had grown dark

So he followed her to Australia......back together they traveled..... in the middle of an Opal mine...surrounded by gems of colour you can only imagine... swirls and flashes in the depths......peacock blues and emerald greens...tiny bursts of brilliance and sparkle...he knew his World was brighter again simply because she was in it ....so he asked her to marry him....right there... she said yes...right then...and he bought her a ring...an Opal in a myriad of rainbow colour...an Opal as bright as their love

Louise.....Peter could have chosen no better gem for you..it fits your personality so beautifully...you simply sparkle and I am so glad you asked me to photograph your Wedding....I just loved it !

Here are just a small selection from your day...hope you like them as much as I enjoyed shooting them

Love

Andrea x

One day boys...this image will be used against you...I'm sorry ...lol x

~ We are going to need a bigger boat ~

2011-07-17T18:01:00.001+01:00

Why am I surprised...it's July....it's the weekend...and it's raining! ....has it always been like this ?....I got to thinking...and do you know what....I think it has..

On rainy Sundays like these.....we had a ritual....me and Mum.....we would sit...side by side ....the click of her needles keeping a steady heart beat as she knitted.....and we would watch old movies......seven brides for seven brothers....twelve angry men....anything... colour or black and white.. it didn't matter....what mattered was that it was just what we did....our mother daughter ritual.....and then afterwards...hot buttery potato cakes straight from the oven..

Now I have a new rainy Sunday ritual.....my little family and I....we sit and enjoy together time...me quietly editing on my knee keeping the heartbeat click of fingers on the keys.. while Jim and Jess watch an endless stream of Disney wonderfulness....until bath time and bed...and then Rich and I grab our grooves on our marshmallow couch....turn on a film and just relax with a warm glass of red....

mmmmmmmm.......I wonder if my Mum has got any potatoes in !

Anyway....I am using my rain time to catch up on some of my backlog...and I get to show you just a small selection from Jemma and Steve's Wedding day....they live in Germany and organised the whole thing from there....and for once...the sun broke through... it stopped raining and it was perfect ..........so watch out for the post you two....."den braunen Umschlag ist auf dem Weg"

~ Just Because ~

2011-07-09T12:25:00.002+01:00

We went to Alicante....for a day !

we woke in England jumped on a plane and hours later enjoyed breakfast in Spain....sat by the Sea ....the morning already warm

Orange juice that minutes before was still in the fruit, hot bread with tomatoes that tasted of sunshine...sat outside with the waves so close you could nearly touch them...such a special treat...

Poor Rich in Spain to work......so I had to enjoy the tiny streets of the old town enough for the both of us

when it got too hot to put one foot in front of the other I found some shade on the terrace of a tiny little cafe....the "plain white T's : Delilah " playing inside while I drank an Ice cold wine and watched the World go by.........

My camera battery gave up the ghost...my spare at home....typical when there was so much wonderfulness to see...so you will have to take my word for rest of the day....

The tiny square...shade umbrellad by the biggest tree's I have ever seen......the barley twist collumns on the old town hall in stone the colour of honey...and when Rich returned ...a swim in sea warm like bath water...and the exact same shade as the sky so you couldn't see where one finished and the other began....two tiny egg cup aperitifs that arrived on our table before our meal...and the view from our hotel window onto the town square and the fountain with swallows swirling in circles above....just a lovely lovely day... filed and stored in the memory bank under "good times".......and shared with you....

just because......

love

Andrea x

~ One Day ~

2011-07-04T14:41:00.000+01:00

I love it when we play "One Day".......My lovely Hubby and I ....he doesn't even know he plays ... it's my secret game....on the rare balmy evening, glass in hand...or cold Winter nights with just music for company ...and it goes like this....

I start...."wouldn't it be lovely if one day we......."

did this...went there....visited that..

went to Disneyland....bought a house in France....visited the Grand canyon.....hired a motor home and did route 66...and on and on ...

and the conversation twists and turns as we each add and delete the dream until it fits us both...our way of touching base and making sure that we are still on the same page...with hopes and dreams that tie us together as a couple

last week's one day was different....Rich took up the baton

"wouldn't it be lovely if one day...we lived on a boat?" and then the conversation ran...and we decided that yes....it would...

one day

not now.....not yet...but... one day.......it's funny..it never feels like we are wishing away the now to hurry in the future...just laying a gentle foundation of togetherness...and I like it....it fills me with an aching warmth and reminds me how lucky I am to have found him.

Who knows...one day...if we are lucky enough we may get to live on that boat....but isn't it funny... the harder we work on our dreams.....the luckier we always seem to be

This is Jemma...and this is Steve ....I met up with them to shoot some pics before I shot their wedding...they live in Germany so it was great to actually meet them before their big day...(pics for that to follow next week!)...we had a ball and I got to secretly check out some boats..eeeeeeep !

I felt like I had known these two for years...and then we discovered that even though they live so far away that we share a whole host of mutual friends, so it was lovely at their wedding to catch up with everyone and they made me feel so welcome the whole time.....I simply loved it

Jemma you are just beautiful...inside and out

Congratulations on your wedding I can't wait to show you those pics....especially the madness that was the "fun booth"

love

Andrea x

~ I ask quietly ~

2011-06-29T13:15:00.002+01:00

" You don't take a photograph....you ask.....quietly...to borrow it " Anon

It's such an honour to do what I do ......sometimes little things happen that reinforce how precious what I do is to me and how fortunate I am to have found something that fills me with pure joy.... it took a random Facebook status to remind me just how much I am a lucky lucky girl

"I am very jealous of the way that some people live their lives but the person I am most envious of is Andrea Ellison."

" C " is funny, beautiful, has a great and very happy life....but she is also a mad photography nut just like me...we met when she was a guest at a wedding and we hit it off instantly chattering geekily about all things camera...she would love to be a photographer too ..... I know that the twists and turns that fell my way mean that I got lucky enough to be able to stop dreaming and I got to start doing .......so to " C "...keep dreaming until you find the moment to jump.....we can build your wings on the way down........ x

So here I am ....a Wedding photographer by accident....an old romantic with a camera.... what's not to love?
A whole day... filled to the brim and overflowing....the nerves..the laughter...even tears...both of joy and sometimes melancholy remembrance ......you know what a soppy soul I am.....I get swept along in every emotion and I couldn't be happier or feel more alive........I love to slip away into the corners and just observe.....let everyone forget I am there.... waiting and watching as moments unfold .....whilst I just....quietly click

Donna & Andy.....I had a ball shooting your Wedding...it was warm...relaxed....fun filled...the kids were simply brilliant and you made me feel like an old friend ...thank you so very much for choosing me....

(not in small part due to THE best florist in town thrusting my cards at you ! ....thanks About Flowers )

here are just a tiny selection of moments I clicked....some memories for your future

" If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. " Lewis Hine

when your five and you need water to flatten your fringe....even a font will do !

When your Vicar is such a legend......giggles will ensue..... a Mexican wave of jiggling shoulders

sometimes even an imperfect capture can capture a perfect moment

and he utters the words..."My Wife" for the very first time......{{sigh}}

I hope you had an amazing time in Australia ...I can't wait to show you the rest

Love

Andrea x