Becky & Andy are an absolutely lovely couple and Durham Riverside has lots of precious memories for them. So we decided that was the perfect place for their pre-wedding shoot.  Their two beautiful daughters came along too for some moral support and to poke fun, all at the same time - as daughters do :0)   Here are a couple of shots..... can't wait to see them for their wedding at Doxford Hall on Friday.  x

Craving To Be In It To Win It

I Crave lots of things in Life, above all special time with my family, chocolate, fine cakes especially those made by my girls (including said chocolate), Irish Cream Coffee, a walk along the beach, a full moon and the sunlight at the end of a beautiful day.  However one of the things that continually inspires me are the love, light, colour and emotion captured in photographs, particularly of children.   A huge inspiration to me is Crave Photography - I just adore her composition, use of colour, love, light and emotion.   Crave is currently running an unbelievable give away of an all expenses paid 2 full day private workshop here http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/world-wide-giveaway-2012/#comment-50916 So, fingers, toes, legs, arms and everything else crossed that I win (I'll even plait my hair!).  x

Family Shenannigans at Alnwick Treehouse and Gardens

We recently had an extended family day out at the gorgeous Alnwick Gardens including a scrummy lunch in the Treehouse.   Unlike today (it's very cold and been raining heavily for the past 3 days solid!) we were wearing t-shirts and bathers!  Here's a few of my favourites. x

Sunny water play

Garnish

Patiently waiting.....

Miranda's Girls

It's strange how things happen and the situations you meet people in.  A photographer I met once called it the butterfly effect.

I met Miranda at a Christmas Fair I was exhibiting at, where she asked me to take some pictures of her two horses, Saffie and Molly.  We arranged a date and I drove over to the farm on a freezing cold, but very sunny day.   As soon as I got out the car to put on my wellies, memories of my days spent horse riding and being in stables came flooding back.  Miranda's girls were just adorable and a pleasure to photograph.   Here's some of my favorite shots...... x

Lesley & Simon....

When Lesley and Simon met, it was with a bit of drama.... their first date wasn't your normal meet for a drink, it included a long walk, a drowning sheep and the fire brigade!   Ever since then they have been inseparable and I was thrilled to photograph their gorgeous wedding at Crathorne Hall.  They have also recently expanded their family with their little puppy, Oscar. x

Making the front page...

I had the huge honor of being asked to photograph the front cover of the 2nd edition of Darlington Weddings magazine.    Many thanks to the people who made it possible...... our beautiful model Sophie, MUA Toni Baker, gorgeous dress courtesy of Miranda Marie of Yarm which was closely guarded by Sarah of Coo Chi Coo Cards and flowers by Claire Metcalfe x

Red Roses or Blue Violets?....

No, but we saw some gorgeous flowers on our trip to Alnwick gardens and The Tree House today.  We decided to have a family day out to celebrate Valentine's Day. I haven't got green fingers, indeed I tend to kill plants but know that the first are snow drops and answers on a post card for the purple ones!   Happy Valentine's Day.  x

Hearts... Curves.... & Lace

Tis February again, the month which is symbolic of, and filled with celebrating love (even our love of food on Pancake day, yum).    It's also a great time to brave the colder weather by going to a gorgeous location, taking the thermals off and putting on something sensual and special, having your hair and make-up professionally done and tying it all together with a boudoir shoot......     Contact me at claire@burnsrowattphotography or 07962 393664 if you'd like more information.   Happy Valentines Day.  x

Wedding fairs I will be exhibiting at

I have listed below the wedding fairs I will be exhibiting at this season.   If you need a wedding photographer come along and say hi, see some of my work and I can answer any questions you have about wedding photography.   There'll be lots of other gorgeous exhibitors there too for great ideas for your special day.....

Sunday 19th February 2012 - Redworth Hall 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11th March 2012 - The Bowes Museum 10am-4pm
Sunday 1st April 2012 - HM Bark Endeavour Ship in Stockton 10am-4pm
Sunday 22nd April 2012 - The Newcastle Civic Centre 11am- 4pm
Sunday 13th May 2012- River Tees Watersports Centre 10am-4pm

Hope to see you all there.  Claire x

2011 Highlight

Happy New Year!

I'm excited to do my first blog of the year and thought I'd share a highlight from 2011 with you all.

I had the honour of being asked to be part of the Womans Weekly Centenary Portrait Exhibition, Infinite Variety, in London.  The exhibition was to celebrate, along with Dame Harriet Walter, the lives, experiences and marvellous individual beautry of their readers.  Women whose lives are reflected in their faces. Women who have experienced happiness and sadness, raised families and cared for others, loved and been loved in return, embraced and experienced life and all it has to offer – good and bad.
So I met up with 2 lovely local ladies, Brenda and Hazel to take their pictures.These were to be included in the exhibition, which toured Britain and at the Women's Weekly HQ in London.

It was a great opportunity to work on an important project, one where I could use my skills to highlight that there is beauty in the ageing female face......

Brenda is a wonderful lady who, despite having her own health issues, volunteers every day at her local Sheltered Housing Scheme, Oakfield Court in East Herrington, Sunderland. She was nominated for the portrait by Scheme Manager Janine Proctor as she is an invaluable member of the team with an abundance of energy, vitality and a lust for life. Her smiley face and sunny disposition is valued by all. The Scheme has a lovely homely atmosphere and I was made so welcome by Brenda, all the residents and staff at Oakfield. Thank you so much. x

Hazel is a lovely lady who has had MS for 7 years but that doesn't dampen her passion and enthusiams for gardening. Her grandfather was the head gardener at a local Hall, from which she has inherited her green fingers. To celebrate her love of gardening we decided to do the photo shoot in her garden with her gorgeous purple flowers, which she is so proud of. Thanks for the stories and looking through your modelling photos which you've treasured over the years. x

Claire