Milton Hill House Spring Engagement

I met Angela and Lee when Lee was best man at Laura and Alex's wedding last year.  They not only loved my photography but booked me soon after for my relaxed style of capturing the wedding without too much fuss - they didn't want a photographer who was going to boss them about but who would photograph the day with a mix of informal and formal shots from the day.

They picked spring for their engagement shoot  in the grounds of Milton Hill House where their wedding will be held this weekend.  Here are a few from that session.

If you're planning your wedding or are newly engaged and already thinking about your photography as an important part of your day do get in touch as I'd love to discuss more about my wedding services with you.  All packages come with a complimentary engagement session which includes a fabulous printed 8x6" photograph of your choice and I have some gorgeous albums to show-off your wedding day photographs.  More information about my packages and further examples of work can be viewed online or call 07535 613606 to arrange an appointment for an informal chat.


Judi x




Judi is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Oxford working mainly in Oxfordshire,  Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds but will consider commissions throughout the UK.  Working on location using natural light and countryside landscapes, Judi focuses on capturing beautiful relaxed images of you and your family using a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. 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.

More information is available on the website www.judicheckettsphotography.com or contact Judi via email

Friday Foto - why I love this image

Here's the second of my new blog feature on the story behind the images. This week's image is from an engagement shoot.

Engagement photos need to be romantic - they are after all portraying two people who are about to promise to spend the rest of their lives together.  Capturing such an image that is both romantic without being overly posed  - or worse just plain cheesy - requires a couple to be comfortable with both their environment, their photographer and each other (yes, I have done shoots with couples who barely wanted to touch each other!).

This shot of Emma and Mike captures them both in a loving moment at Faringdon Folly, a place that is special to them both.  I had noticed the sweeping tree shape while I was checking out the location before they arrived.  It creates a beautiful frame for the image and I shot it from both sides - but preferring this image not just because of the light falling on them so flatteringly but also the foliage and purple flowers in the foreground which adds extra dimension to what otherwise could be a flat one dimensional shot.  Its tempting to concentrate on close-up headshots with couples but using the location, especially when its a place with great meaning to the couple, creates a more memorable and meaningful image.

All my wedding couples get a complimentary print from their engagement shoot and Emma took a while to decide which image to select but I was pleased this ended up being her chosen one.


Techy Stuff

Camera:  Canon 5D II
Focal Length:  70mm
Aperture: F5.6
Exposure:  1/640
Iso: 250

Shot in manual mode, no flash.



Judi x



Judi is a wedding and lifestyle 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 a mix of reportage and fine art style photography. 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.

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!

Engagement Shoot at Friars Court, Oxfordshire: Tom and Kat

As the wedding season gets into full swing here's Tom and Kat's engagement shoot from last summer.  Friars Court (Clanfield, Oxfordshire) was looking lovely for this shoot and I had a great time catching up again with Tom and Kat for their pre-wedding shoot. Such a lovely venue with so many different parts to the gardens to shoot in.  We made the most of taking in the best of them as you can see in the images below.

Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding Tom and Kat - really looking forward to be there to photograph your Wedding Day at Friars Court in July.

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. With Judi as your wedding photographer, you can relax and enjoy your day knowing it will be beautifully documented with a mix of natural and carefully directed images and presented in a fabulous Fine Art Folio Album.

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.