Matthias & Kerstin

I was contacted recently to do a portrait session with a couple from Germany. This was the 4th time they had visited Ireland over a 15 year period and it was to be a pretty special trip for them both, more on that later.

One of the requirements was to find somewhere that was romantic and we all know that we are not short of a place or five here in the west of Ireland. The other reason for this request was that Kerstin did not know anything about the portrait session as it was a surprise present for their 25th wedding anniversary they had celebrated just before coming to Ireland.

Here are a selection of images taken.










































































Now this last one is really special to me especially in light of what Matthias & Kerstin did after the session. The last shot of the day was taken on the bridge as you can see below.














However a little while after these were done I had a surprise email from them both with a couple of photo's attached. As part of their wedding anniversary celebrations, they had a party with family and had the images printed to show everyone their fantastic time here in Ireland. One of the images taken at the party was them holding one of the shots and you can see the result in the last image shown.














I just hope that my wife and I will be in love as much are you are after 25 years of marriage!!! More images are on my web site - www.mikepatterson.com

Trash the Dress

I hate the term "Trash the Dress" as it really gives the impression that the session is about ruining your dress for the sake of some unusual pictures. It clearly isn't about that but more about having a set of images that are done after the big day and it also gives you the opportunity to wear your dress again. I would also like to add that I seen some great work where it is both bride and groom, so come on guys, why not give it a go...

There were articles written in the New York Daily News and also in the New York Times recently about this phenomenon which is very popular in countries including USA, Australia and in the UK too. It would seem the brides of today are also a little more adventurous and this would explain the recent examples of this trend here in Ireland. I think that is more down to brides seeing shots posted on-line whilst doing research and planning for their own weddings.

I am sure there are a few brides out there that would like to try it and we have some great locations in this country. If you are up for a fun session then please get in touch with me at info(at)mikepatterson(dot)com.

Something from the weekend

If every portrait session was like this, I would be such a happy bunny. I have never met such an amazing family and all the kids were just brilliant. The day started around 10.30-11:00am and finished around 3.30pm and then having to get back to show the images at 8pm. What a long day, but it was sooooooo much fun!!

The nice part was that not once did anyone complain especially as the day was a typical winter's day. The the images from the day are so varied, ranging from railway crossing/tracks (where I nearly electrocuted myself but thats another story), forest and beach to name but a few.

Thanks again Zoe!! ;-)))))

What to do on a cold winters evening??

I had the pleasure of taking my first kiddy pictures a few days back - thanks for helping Anne!!

Now keeping in mind its winter, it's also fairly late in the day as it was raining all morning, it's cold and I am at the mercy of two little girls. I was trying to remember all these wonderful secrets I had read by other photographers as to keep them amused and to get them to pose. Well that all went out the window on the day. With it being so cold, it wasn't easy to keep them amused long enough to get the shots needed but hey I don't think I did too bad in the end.

Nicola

Recently, I was able to grab some time with Michelle, a good friend of mine along with her daughter Nicola. We went to a park area close to where I live that has a castle with a kids play area, stacks of fields as well as a wooded area. Everyone uses this place to go walking, strolling or taking the dog out and now and then someone on a bike too. I would probably say it was more a case of the dog taking the owner(s) for the walk. I shall miss coming to this idyllic little spot when I move in the near future (more about that later).

I wanted to try something different and I have to say I had a great day. Nicola is a real poser and has no trouble putting hands and legs wherever was asked - very professional considering she has never done anything like this before!!!! Up until that session, I had never worked with children either so it was truly refreshing from that point of view.


The other highlight of the day was having Galway's only "Lion Dog" running around and chewing my reflectors, my ear and anything else he could get his razor teeth on.

One of my favourite shots of the day where Nicola is looking like a real young Puff Daddy, veeeerry cool!!