Website Re-Launch Offer

To celebrate the launch of my new website I wanted to come up with something that people could get excited about. Something that gave new clients a great deal but also allowed my current and existing clients a nice treat as well...

I am offering all new clients a £250 voucher towards any part of their wedding photography if they book before September 1st 2012. 

All existing and past wedding clients, for every couple you recommend, who then book their wedding photography with me gets you a cool £50 cash. It really is that simple...

For full terms and conditions please email me.

How the new website was born

At long last. 

Many moons ago I decided it was time to make my website stand out from the crowd. It is the window to my world, the way I work and the images on it are there to give people the best impression of me. So of course it needs to be good. For three years I had been using a template website which I had tweaked and fiddled around with, but it was never quite right. With the added goal of driving my photography to new heights, I needed some help getting the job done properly. So I started shopping. Not an easy thing to do with so many options... 

I finally came across Nige and Jamie at the SWPP Convention in January. Their company Freebird design some of the best websites I have seen and after a chat and showing them my work I knew these could be the guys who could pull it off. 

The first stage of design was the logo. Back and forth we went with ideas and sketches finally deciding on the simple but elegant one that you see below. It is balanced, stylish and unique. The birds? Well you can decide what they represent, but I think they could symbolise love and companionship... and what are weddings all about?

So the next stage was coming up with the overall look and feel. I wanted something that was reminiscent of a wedding. Appeal is aimed to be universal with small details for the keen eyed, but at the same time it should make the viewer feel comfortable with how to navigate and discover what I am all about. This is how the landing page looks...

There are links along the bottom of every page to Facebook, Twitter and this blog. With social media taking such an important role regarding exposure and reach, it is vital to have these incorporated. The Portfolio page is there to show off my photographs so we opted for a 'dim the lights' effect to reduce distraction. There is also a 'Watch Me' link to view a recent video slideshow.

Accessibility is key and being able to get to various parts is generally only one or two clicks away, for example, the side bar allows you to navigate to various sections from every page. 


Really really pleased that it is now built and up for the world to see. I have to thank the awesome team at Freebird for their hard work and patience dealing with all my changes. I also couldn't have done it without the support and advice from my gorgeous wife. Thank you. :)


If you haven't seen the website yet then do head over by clicking here and if you like it, spread the word!

Cheshire Wedding Photography | Kim & Chris

The first of two Jubilee weddings was this one in Cheshire for Kim and Chris. Equal amounts of laughter and tears meant a very emotional day for all involved. From the traditional church ceremony at St Oswald's Church, Lower Peover to the grand marquee setup at nearby Nether Peover, the Bride and Groom couldn't have been happier all day. The amazing bond between father and daughter was clear and there was not a dry eye in the place after his heart-felt speech. The party went on well into the night with the Essex crowd showing how to really celebrate in style! A fabulous day for a fabulous couple, congratulations Kim and Chris! Click to enlarge photographs...

If you would like Simon to take stunning photographs at your wedding please phone 07414977696 or email info@simonbiffenphotography.co.uk. 

Visit www.simonbiffenphotography.co.uk to see more weddings or alternatively find me on Facebook.

St Donat's Castle, Wales | Wedding photography | Rachel & Eugene

The second of two Jubilee weekend weddings, this time for Rachel and Eugene in The Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. A quaint church ceremony in Llandow then off to St Donat's Castle for the reception: a stunning veune with tiered gardens and access to the Bristol Channel made this very unique for some contemporary images of the Bride and Groom. They were clearly made for each other as they couldn't stop smiling all day! It was a delight to capture the love between them and share the day with all their family and friends. Here is a preview of their day, click to enlarge photographs...

If you would like Simon to take stunning photographs at your wedding please phone 07414977696 or email info@simonbiffenphotography.co.uk. 

Visit www.simonbiffenphotography.co.uk to see more weddings or alternatively find me on Facebook.

The Beauty of the Wedding Album

Bellissimo wedding album

Nowadays we are so used to seeing images on a screen, whether that be computer, phone or tablet we lose the joy of handling actual photographs. Wedding photography can fall into the same trap. Many photographers offer images on disc making it all too easy to keep them in this 'digital' format. Imagine what technology there will be in ten, twenty or fifty years time... will a disc really be handed down through generations or will they be forgotten about? A hand crafted album is a magical and special way to treasure these moments and it will tell the story of the day as beautifully as you remembered it.

Album with genuine leather cover

Albums come in all shapes and sizes. I use Bellissimo Perfetto albums which have many different design options including genuine leather and numerous cover options. They also allow for full page flush-mounted design and have lay-flat pages. Sizes range from 6x8" to 16x12" and you can even have downscale duplicate albums made - perfect gifts for the family.

A wedding album is a little piece of history

Having an album designed with an experienced and professional eye is really important. I believe in letting couples have a say in how the end album will look. After discussing the best number of pictures in relation to the size of the selected album, they go away and make their shortlist. I then come back with bespoke layouts and if all is signed off it is sent for production. It is important to have this two-way communication to have an album that is  perfect for you.
 

There should be a balance of colour and tone.

The best designs are clean and fresh.

The story should flow from one image to the next.

The ability to design across a spread is visually stunning.

For those who like a more traditional and luxurious feel to their albums, matted or 'aperture' albums are a great option. I offer the stunning Jorgensen Pro Line which are individually hand-crafted and imported all the way from sunny Australia before being assembled in the West Country. There is great scope for design still and although you can't design across the spread, it makes up for it in sheer quality and style.

Presentation box, Buckram linen cover and metal corner edges.

Laser cut apertures with in-laid photographic prints of the highest quality

A beautiful album that never fails to impress

Would you like to see these storybook wedding albums for real or have your very own? Head over to my website or email me to find out more. I design wedding albums for everyone, not just the weddings I have shot, album delivery can be made worldwide so if you're interested do get in touch.

Sequences Part 2

Here's a few more examples of when having a sharp eye and quick reactions pay off. It is the ability to see this moment as a sequence that you can appreciate what is really going on. Documentary wedding photography relies on observing and recording events faithfully... whatever happens! Capture these moments by making sure your camera is set to a fast shutter speed and use continuous focus so that you can track movement. More importantly be aware of what is going on and be ready to pounce! 
If you missed part one click here: Sequences Part 1.

The loving bride carefully administers suncream to her husband's face:

A hilarious story about childbirth was told with great acting skills from the storyteller in this unforgettable sequence (I still don't know what he was doing with the fork!):

The reception antics got even more out of hand here after these chaps accidentally set fire to their napkins... step in sensible usher with bottle of water to the rescue!

And finally something a little more romantic... the newly weds making their way back down the aisle. I adore the elation from her and the pride from him:

 

Sequences Part 1

Today I thought I'd find some cool sequences of events, because sometimes one image is not enough and you want to know what happened next! These images are all within a few seconds of each other and are great for expression changes and movement.



First off is the bride cracking a joke at the alter much to the amusement of the groom...

Next we have the bride and groom on space hoppers racing each other. Just amazing!

Finally, wedding guests get it wrong in giant jenga...

Stay tuned for part two soon...