The end of the night...

My new portfolio arrived this week, hurray! I'm thrilled with how it looks, especially when looking through the pages at full size (my wee Mac can't quite view it at 100%!!) at all the details and the photos I've chosen to put in it.

For the first time, I've also included a double-page spread with engagement shots as more and more I'm discovering those sessions as not only being incredibly good fun, but also an excellent way to get to know a couple better. So I thought it would be nice to have a few pictures available to show at meetings and the like.

Having shown the portfolio to a few people the past few days, I've been amazed how many have pointed out the final picture to be one they really like, which is the night-time view across Edinburgh through a window high up in Edinburgh Castle...

At the time I think I was trying to capture the glow of the day, the candle-light and of course that amazing sight from such a privileged position - after hours access to some of the best views in Edinburgh, from its most famous landmark.

Looking back now, I notice things I didn't see at the time, like a single light still on in the building opposite or the window wedged open slightly to allow a little fresh air to seep into the warm room. What I also realise is this is one of the final shots I took of the wedding, rounding off a fantastic day. Behind me as I took it, there was ceilidh dancing in full swing. A few people were sat chatting at tables, bottles of Grolsch or a glass of champagne in hand. There was an atmosphere of celebration and merriment.

I like that this picture conjures up a lot of happy memories in my head, the end of the night after a lovely wedding day :)

Jen x

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Hands... 2011

Mr O and I have a badly kept ritual (badly kept as Sundays often turn out to be too busy to stick to it religiously...). Every Sunday we get the paper and together we sit and read, with our breakfast and coffee, through each supplement and section. Sometimes we draw each other's attention to a particular article, or perhaps a snippet or quote, but more often than not, it's a photograph.

Towards the end of last year, The Observer printed 'The 10 Best Photographic Portraits'. It was one of these ritual Sunday's that we discovered the article. Amongst the images of iconic sportsmen, musicians etc., it was the Anton Corbijn photo of John Lee Hooker's hand (which I've since discovered is the main image on Corbijn's homepage) that jumped out at us as being special amongst a pretty striking bunch of photos.

It came up in conversation a week or so later, and again at Christmas. With the welcoming in of 2011, we thought it could be a fun and interesting project to take a photo once a year, every year of Mr O's hands so that in decades to come we can place them all side by side and see how his hands have changed over the years.

So, inspired by Corbijn's photo, here's our first effort. Can I just point out that I in no way think these even come close to Corbijn's incredible work (I'm not trying to be modest, I'm just realistic), but instead, here's a personal blogpost of photos of my Mr O...

And the man himself. Couldn't resist a few portrait shots on this chilly January day...

{Rachel & Neil} Engagement

What a wonderful start to the New Year! Despite Tuesday being windy, chilly and down right grey, it was brightened up by the lovely Rachel and Neil as we took an engagement shoot wander through Edinburgh's Meadows.

Following a warm-up brew in the fab Victor Hugo Deli on Edinburgh's Melville Terrace (my first time venturing into the bright red building - I will be back) we braved the cold and had a good giggle competing with the wind for control over my umbrella! Not a good day to forget my scarf and almost lose my gloves, but at least the mood was warm and full of laughter.

I can't wait to shoot Rachel and Neil's wedding next month, not just because there's a very special element of the day I'm looking forward to seeing (more on that after the wedding!), but because I have no doubt it's going to be one of those fantastic days that will be remembered for a very long time.

Jen x

www.jenowensimages.com

Farewell 2010, hello 2011!

First off, sorry for the silence. The past month has been one of those blink-and-it's-gone ones whereby I woke up this morning (following a very relaxing, yet ill-spent Hogmanay) realising it was not just January, but 2011! Where did December go?! And while we're at it, where did November go as well?! While my updates have been quiet, it's been quite the opposite at Jen Owens Images towers where I've been busy-ing away behind the scenes trying to get my head around all this business and paperwork stuff.

When I set out on my wedding photography quest I had an inkling that I would find my calling... all these taking photos for years and years, drumming up experience, spending time with professionals, watching them act out their trade, learning, learning, learning, thrown in with my (let's face it) pure love of all things wedding-related... when my first wedding came round in 2010 I just knew it was going to be the best day ever. And it was.

Looking back over the past 6 months or so at all the preparations, subsequent editing and general wedding photography wonderfulness I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams just how amazing it all turned out to be. Being part of these weddings, being welcomed in as part of the team and having the most intimate view of the most special day in a couple's life is quite an overwhelming experience.

The response I've received has been simply amazing and I'd like to thank with HUGE MASSIVE BLOG THANKS all those people who have helped me this year, from advice, to feedback and beyond. The support I've had from my family and friends while I stressed over the smallest worries has been incredible. Mr O has witnessed me head off to the day job Monday to Friday, fill any spare evening and weekend with wedding photography related activities and still kept me fed and watered (read: wined) and done the cleaning while I've felt ready to drop! Best. Husband. Ever. Thank you xx

Here's to 2011! Words can't describe how excited I am! Looking at my diary for the next 12 months, none of these wonderful days I have ahead of me would have happened if it weren't for the fantanstic weddings that took place in 2010. Happy New Year to my brides and grooms and thank you for letting me be part of your special days.

Jen x

Z is for...Zzzzzz on a Folksy Friday

That's it! All done! My 26-week (not counting that week around U-time that I failed to post a blog, shame on me) journey through Folksy with the aid of the alphabet is finished. Slightly disappointed that Sesame Street didn't call to offer me some sort of hosting/guest spot, but hey ho, their loss!

What theme to do now? Numbers? (Crikey! That could be endless...) Months of the year? Days of the week? Or perhaps I could get some Zzzzzzs...

It is slightly fitting that I'm at the end of the alphabet, as next weekend will see me attend my last craft fair for a while. I did intend on booking more in the New Year, but decided that as my wedding photography diary is filling up nicely for 2011 (and partly for 2012 as well! Exciting!), I thought it was perhaps time to focus my attention on the photo side of Jen Owens Images instead of the collage side for a while. Do not fear though! As my prints are available to purchase at the wonderful Curiouser & Curiouser on Broughton Street in Edinburgh and you can always check out my website to see collages online.

So, if you are free next weekend, I'll be at the Assembly Rooms (on George Street, Edinburgh) Craft Fair from 10-5.30 on Saturday and Sunday. Come buy some Christmas gifts!!

And that's not all! Here be my final alphabet-themed Folksy finds beginning with Z (sniff...)

Zen Earth Square Giclee Print by Dig the Earth

Zip Pink Flower Brooch by Rachel's Special Lil Bits

Zoo Animal Finger Puppets (how cute?!) by With Hugs and Kisses

Ziggy Stardust Owl Print by Lizzy Lee

Happy Friday :)

Jen x

Y is for...Yep! It's Folksy Friday

Here we are at the penultimate week of my all things A-Z and Folksy-related and, having sat down to write this blog, it's only just struck me how positive the letter 'Y' is. Yippee! Yes! Yehaa! Not to mention Yellow, which has brightened up my day (see Yellow Mellow print by Pink Burlesque, below) and added some warmth to the afternoon. So what if it snowed for the first time this winter in Edinburgh today (just briefly, but it counts)? So what if it's dark at 4pm and the wind is swirling through us all with an icy chill? So what if our hats and gloves and scarves and extra socks and tights under jeans and hot water bottles have been unpacked from above the wardrobes?...It's 'Y' week! Yippee again!

I've found a fantastic collection of Y-themed Folksy goods...

Yes or No Love Spinner Heart Pendant Necklace by Bijoux Divine Jewellery

Yellow Purse by Binky & Billy

Yoda Star Wars cuff links by Pink Burlesque

Yellow Mellow print by Nezumi

Next week is the last of my alphabet Folksy journey (sniff), see y'all then :)

Jen x

X is for... XXX on a Folksy Friday

I knew this would happen. 24 weeks ago when I set off on my alphabet-themed Folksy Friday blogpost quest, I thought "Crikey! X is going to be a tough one when I get to it, but I've got aaaaages!"... did I prepare? No. Did I spend the last week trying to find some X-words to better describe the past few days? No.

So, in a last-ditch attempt to somehow relate this blog post to all things 'X' I'm going to totally cheat. Yep, you guessed it: X is for xxx-ing: kissing!!

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of shooting the engagement photos for Alana & Peter, photos in which they are kissing *grabs at straws*...

I can't wait to shoot their wedding in Belfast next year. Not because it'll be my first wedding outside Scotland, but because they're one of those couples who you just know are going to have a fantastic day. I guarantee you now that it will be packed full of fun, laughter and some fab photo opportunities! You heard it here first.

My X-themed Folksy find this week...

X-Ray Vision Tee Shirt by Eilidh

X MEN Meercat Cyclops by NiftyKnits (pure genius)

X for X-Ray Brooch by Kates Makes

Xmas Factor Christmas Card by Dear Colleen

Happy Friday everyone!

Jen x