Tuesday 17 December 2013

Christmas Wedding Ideas - A styled shoot at Stanton House Hotel by Judi Checketts photography

Recent years have seen both an increase in the number of weddings taking place and particularly winter weddings with more brides and grooms increasingly choosing to tie the knot at this time.  There is a special interest in Christmas weddings and with the large number of wedding venues available its never been easier to make your wedding look exactly as you want - or you can take advantage of the many hotels which will already be decorated for Christmas if you are looking save a bit of money.

Winter light is soft and flattering if you do manage to brave the cold for some outdoor images (and I strongly recommend you do!) while inside its cosy, warm with candles, roaring fires and plenty of festive spirit on offer.  

Inspiration for your Christmas wedding can come in many forms and together with Nicola and Foxgloves and Roses and Tessa of Daisy Cakes we have put together some styled choices for those planning a yuletide wedding with a twist on the more traditional christmas decor.  All filmed at the beautiful Stanton House Hotel which makes a beautiful wedding location any time of year and with its wonderful grounds and interior is a choice venue for those looking to find that perfect Christmas setting.  



























Additional images feature on Aspirational Bride Wedding Blog today 

Credits for the Shoot

Wedding Venue: Stanton House Hotel, Nr Highworth Wiltshire
Florist:  Nicola Roberton at Foxgloves & Roses
Specialty Cakes:  Tessa Edwards at Daisy Cakes 


If you are looking to book a wedding photographer for your winter wedding please get in touch for an informal chat about what I can offer you.



Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc. She is a member of both The Society for Wedding & Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Professional Photographers.











Wednesday 6 November 2013

Now available for booking: CHRISTMAS MINI-SHOOTS - the perfect opportunity to capture some great family images and give your family the perfect christmas gift!

Last year I offered mini-shoots for the first time.  My usual lifestyle shoots last 2-3 hours and are aimed at families looking to get a collection of images from which they select some wall art, albums or both.  I am aware however, this is not something every family wants to do each year. But that they do want to update their children's portraits and family images and not just rely on their own holiday snaps or a school photograph.  This is why the mini-shoot has become an important part of many photographers services - lasting just 30 minutes its long enough to get some great images to have as a family portrait and/or use as Christmas presents which are gratefully received by grandparents, aunts and uncles.

It also provides a great opportunity for new clients to try out my services for a limited investment and provides a little taster of a full lifestyle shoot.  While most clients choose to order just prints or framed prints, the full range of canvases and wall framed products are available.

This year I am offering mini-session shoots once again - this year they will take place on Saturday November 30th and 30 minute sessions will be available in Stanford or at the woods nr Faringdon (10 minute dive).  Session fee is £45 payable in advance and includes one 8x6" print plus 3x 7x5" prints.  The perfect Christmas gift!  Additional prints are available (as are larger print sizes).

Please call or email me or book your session:
t: 07535 613606
e: judi.checketts@gmail.com

Just to whet your appetite, below are a few images from one of last year's sessions.












I'm delighted to also announce that an image from this session received a bronze award  from the Guild of Professional Photographers monthly competition in July - the image is the B&W photograph of Ben jumping onto the log.


Judi x



Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Oxfordshire working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc.


Tuesday 22 October 2013

Family portrait photography in Kingston Lisle by Judi Checketts (Oxfordshire photographer)

Last year I had the pleasure of shooting some lifestyle photograph of a family with 6 six wonderful children, the eldest just entering their teens and the youngest, Ruby, just one!  Having resisted the urge to tear down curtains and do a Sound of Music themed shoot with doh-ray-me sing-a-long (for which Paula is probably extrenely grateful!) we started the shoot at their lovely Oxfordshire home and began with a few group shots in the house.  The children then changed and we went outside and spent a relaxed morning getting some great natural images of them.  I just love the colours from this time of year!  The family chose a large framed print of the whole family together for their wall as well as a stunning album to hold their family memories to celebrate the addition of Ruby to the family.












If you would like a family lifestyle shoot with at your home or on location please get in touch.  I am inspired by the changing seasons and the combination of you, your chosen location and the time of year will always ensure your images are unique to you and your family.

Judi x

Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Oxfordshire working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc.


Tuesday 15 October 2013

Emma & Dan's "Strictly" Wedding at Ashorne Hill by Judi Checketts Photography (Oxford Photographer)

We had such a lovely summer and Emma and Dan's wedding day was no exception.  Once again I had the pleasure of shooting with Warwickshire wedding photographer John Cleary.  If you're getting married in warwichshire do go and see John - a great photographer and lovely guy! As usual I took the boys while John covered the bridal peparations.  We have worked together quite a few times now and built up a good rapport and understanding which ensures we cover a wedding fully from all angles.  Some of my favourites I took on the day are shown below.  The details in the wedding were beautiful and Emma had spent alot of time coordinating the look and feel for their special day.  But the greatest surpirse for the guests was the first dance - they put on quite a show and had obviously spent some months practicing their moves!  To the music of John Denver they danced  to "Annie's Song" - such an amazing first dance we were all quite misty eyed by the end of it.  Even Craig-Revel Horwood would have been hard pressed not to score them a perfect 10!









 If you are getting married and are looking for a wedding photographer please contact me or visit my website www.judicheckettsphotography.com for further information. I'd love to chat with you about you're special day!

Judi x



Judi is a fine art lifestyle and wedding photographer based in Oxfordshire working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider comissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family. Using an artistic eye Judi will not just capture your memories but create a work of art which can be presented in luxury fine art albums or as framed art or canvases to hang in your homes. 

Judi also provides services for commercial businesses including headshots, nursery and pre-school portraits as well as special events such as birthdays and christenings etc.


Monday 23 September 2013

Natalie & Mark's Engagement Shoot, Stanton Park at Stanton Fitzwarren nr Swindon

Last week I posted a feature on Spittlebrough Wedding Fayre and announced the winners of the engagement shoot competition - Natalie and Mark.  We arranged their shoot at Stanton Park close to the Stanton House Hotel (handy for lunch afterwards!) in Stanton Fitzwarren just north of Swindon on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year this summer.  Fortunately there was plenty of shade where we could cool off and we got some great shots of the two of them.  I'm hugely excited to announce that following their shoot they have booked me for their wedding next year - I can't wait!