Over the Summer and Autumn months we’ve been very busy with our Fashion Photoshoot Experience sessions that we launched back in May with a special promotion we ran alongside Groupon. This was a bit of a marketing trial for us, but it has been very successful, so we are going to continue the Fashion Portrait shoots as a key part of our business alongside our very successful Wedding Photography services. With Christmas now only a month away we believe they make a fabulous Christmas Gift Idea for your significant other, a loved one, or a special treat for a teenager.

We photograph all of our fashion shoots on location in and around the Stirling area. We believe they offer something very different from a typical family portrait shoot and our aim is to create fashion inspired images that you would associate with a magazine style shoot.

The fashion portrait shoots also give us the opportunity to experiment with new lighting setups which often then find themselves feeding over into our Wedding Photography – once of the key reasons why we believe our wedding photography looks just a little bit different and sets our work apart.

Here are a few images from a recent Fashion Photoshoot we did with Francesca – wouldn’t this make a great Christmas Gift Idea for one of your loved ones?:-

And just to prove it’s not just for Girls! – Here’s a shoot we did for Robbie who wanted to incorporate his hobby into the shoot – wouldn’t this make a great Christmas Gift Idea for a budding musician?

With Christmas fast approaching we believe our Fashion Portrait Experience will make a fabulous Christmas Gift for a  loved one.

Our Fashion Portrait Experience normally costs £195 but for a limited time only, we are offering Gift Vouchers for a Fashion Photoshoot Experience for just £59 – a fantastic 70% saving off our normal price.

This includes a one hour shoot and a stunning 8″ x 10″ framed image of your favourite photograph from the shoot PLUS a Facebook-sized digital copy of share with friends and family.

To Purchase A Gift Voucher for a Fashion Photoshoot Experience – Click Here

On your wedding day, we do have time constraints obviously and we also have to factor in the intangible elements such as the Scottish Weather. Fortunately we’re used to working fast and I am happy to report that all of our brides have always been delighted with the end results.

However, sometimes it would be great to spend even more time with you. That stunning wedding dress probably cost a small fortune, so wouldn’t it be great to get it back on for just one more time and really celebrate the dress?

Introducing our “Rock the Frock” Post-Wedding Photoshoot

If you would love the opportunity to get your wedding dress back on and really take time to work with us to create some knock-out fashion-style images, then our Rock the Frock sessions are for you.

Designed as a “Post-Wedding” photoshoot – we’ll spend a couple of hours working with you with much more elaborate lighting and location setups and we’ll incorporate elements that would be impossible to entertain on a wedding day.

From the session you can select your favourite image for a free 9×6 print and we’ll give you a set of Facebook images to share with your friends. Then if you really like the results we can show you a range of enlargements and framing products starting from just £19.95 with no obligation whatsoever.

To let you get an idea of the type of work we can do, here is a selection of images from a recent Rock the Frock shoot we did with Gillian Kirkland.  Gillian won a Rock the Frock shoot with us in a charity raffle prize that we donated to the Hitched.co.uk website.  Gillian wanted something completely different from her original wedding photographs, and wanted to achieve a vintage fashion look. She was delighted with the results – here’s what she emailed us when she selected her favourite image, which is the final one in the set shown below:-

“All the images are fantastic which has given me a real tough time to choose.  Anyways, I’ve finally decided on the image I would like for my 16×20 print. I love, love, loved the images at the front door and the colour of the ivy but this image, I think, really says “Rock the Frock”.  Its totally removed from a wedding day picture which is what I really love about it.”

This shoot was done at Gean House in Alloa and believe it or not was on a rather wet day – the “frock” was not harmed in the making of these pictures LOL

Our Rock the Frock sessions are priced at just £125 for a 90 minute photoshoot at an agreed location. If you are interested in discussing a photoshoot give us a call on 01259 210299 and we can chat through ideas on location and the style of look you are hoping to achieve.

It’s Christmas – Look out for a little something special in the post!

We’ve just sent out Christmas cards to our fabulous clients and Six lucky brides will find a Gift Voucher for a Rock the Frock shoot inside their Christmas Card – Good Luck and Have a Merry Christmas!

Still thinking of what to buy your loved one this Christmas?

How about pampering them with a gift that will delight for generations?

Our special Portrait Session Gift Certificate costs only £95 and provides the lucky recipient with a one hour portrait session and includes a £45 print credit toward any of our photography products (enough for three 8×10′s ready for framing).

Sessions can include other family members (5 maximum) and photography sessions can be undertaken in the comfort of your own home or at a local venue of your choice.

To order your gift certificate, simply click on the Buy Now button below and you will be taken to our Payment processing page which will collect all your details. You will then be sent a gift card which you can customise with your own special message before giving to the recipient. the card also includes full details and instructions on how they can book the session.

If you want us to ship the card with a message directly to the recipient, simply let us know in the comments field when checking out.

Family Portrait Gift Certificate : £95 (includes £45 print credit)

We recently enhanced this package by replacing the mounted print with a brand new offering that is designed to showcase the best images of the day and to present them in a truly unique manner.

The Wedding Guest Book is a customised product designed to showcase the images taken of you both on your pre-wedding shoot and incorporating lots of space for your guests to write their messages of congratulations. This is a wedding guest book that is truly like no other.

What better way to start of your wedding preparations than to get out into the Scottish countryside and take some wonderful images. Although we are based near Stirling, we can actually organise a pre-wedding photoshoot almost anywhere convenient. So whether its a favourite haunt in Glasgow, or a beauty spot in Edinburgh, (or even your marriage venue itself), we’ll find the perfect backdrop to the start of your wedding preparations.

Featured in these images is the Wedding Guest Book we created for Alicia and Paul who are getting married in July. This photoshoot took place at Glamis Castle in Perthshire.

The free pre-wedding photoshoot offer must finish at the end of this month. So if you have a date set and have yet to book your photographer, give us a call.

So to help with your decision-making process, I thought I would suggest some sensible questions, and at the same time give you my response. Kind of like talking to myself really (but don’t tell anyone).

1. How would you define your style?

I personally shoot mostly with a photojournalism (or reportage) style, but I mix this with a blend of contemporary posed images. I also try to work in some “wow” high fashion style photography as well.   Ultimately however, I work with you to get the final “mix” just right, but I aim for a contemporary rather than traditional look.   I want to be able to tell the story of your day in pictures, and ensure everyone has a relaxed and fun time doing it.

2. I have certain ideas I would like – can you do these?

Of course – I love to hear new ideas.  I’ll try anything and work with you to get the look you want (Within reason – just don’t mention parachutes).

3. Can you show me a complete set of recent wedding pictures?

On this website you’ll find some examples of my work. However, when I meet you both face to face to present my photography, I will show you examples of a number of completed weddings – so you are seeing what a final finished album would look like, rather than just my favourite images.

4. Are you insured?

Yes, I am fully insured for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity and all our equipment is covered for loss damage, flood, plagues of locusts etc.

5. Are you a member of any professional photography organisations?

Yes. I am very proud to be one of only twoScottish photographers to have attained membership of the prestigious Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (AG|WPJA).  Membership is extremely tightly controlled and less than 5% of all applicants are actually accepted.  I am also a fully Qualified (LSWPP) member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Professionals (SWPP).

6. What happens if you fall ill on the day?

I take an aspirin and plough on. On a more serious note, being a member of two professional associations, I have access to their “SOS” systems to help out in a crisis.  I also maintain reciprocal relationships with a number of other photographers who offer standby support if such an event were to occur.

7. What happens if your camera develops a fault?

I have backups, and I have backups for my backups. Basically I have a huge range of professional camera equipment and I duplicate everything. So if a camera or lens were to fail I have another to hand.

8. What happens if it rains?

We all might get a bit wet and I love a good challenge!  Unfortunately in Scotland, this does tend to happen quite frequently, so I always plan for it and will discuss a “plan B” with you before the big day. I also carry a couple of very handy large umbrellas and my cameras can withstand a lot of rain – basically it won’t stop you having stunning pictures.  (One of our best ever weddings was shot in Monsoon rain conditions on a dark November afternoon.)

9. Can my other guests take pictures?

Of course they can.  I positively encourage them to get involved and can quite often be found handing out little titbits of advice to fellow photography enthusiasts.

10. Can you take a picture of my favourite Aunt / Uncle /  Cat etc and how long will all the family group shots take?

Yes, yes, and yes – if there are any “must-have” pictures on the day, just let me know. All I do ask is, that if there are a lot of “formal” group images to be taken, then please allow me a little more time within your planning schedule.  When working out the time required between the Ceremony and the Reception I always suggest allowing 5 minutes per formal family group and if you are doing a group shot of all guests then allow 15 minutes.  Then add 15 minutes for the general congratulatory hugs etc after the ceremony. Then think about how much time you want to spend your two selves on your Couples shots – the longer you spend the better results, but on average we spend about 30 minutes with a couple on their own.

11. When will I see my pictures and when will I receive my Album, oh and do I get digital copies of my images?

My objective is to have your images ready for viewing by the time you return from Honeymoon (14 days generally).

I initially layout the draft album design and will then sit down with you to approve the final layout. Once finalised I then allow two to four weeks to get the album back from the printers and into your hands.

We provide a disk of digital images with all of our wedding collections – in this modern age of electronic communications we believe it would be ridiculous not to provide you with these.  Please note that these are not provided copyright-free – copyright remains with us as the photographer, however we grant you a license to use the images for personal use.  We also provide an online gallery where friends and family can order copies of any prints.

12. How can I actually be sure that you’ll be any good and that we’ll get along?

Well I’ve won numerous awards and last year I won the SWPP Members Choice Wedding Photographer of the Year award – the SWPP is one of the worlds largest associations for professional awards – the award was voted for by my fellow professionals.  On our album collections we also include a complimentary pre-wedding photoshoot, so you’ll have a chance to experience our photography skills first hand before the big day.

13. Being Wedding Photographer of the Year doesn’t that mean you’ll be very expensive?

Our prices start at just £995 (midweek weddings start at £695), so we can provide you with award-winning photography whatever your budget. Apart from the Wedding Dress and the Wedding Rings, your Wedding photographs are most likely going to be the only tangible items you will have left after the big day – memories are precious, so you deserve the best of quality for your wedding day.

14. Who will actually take my photographs?

That will be me, Alan Hutchison.  For busier weddings my wife and business partner, Morag, will also be on hand to assist me during the day and will also be taking photographs, but I will be the main photographer.

15. So if we have two photographers on the day – will that cost me more?

No. For our weekend weddings, you will normally have two photographers on the day, but we don’t charge you for an extra photographer, as the bulk of the photographs are taken by me.  At smaller, more intimate weddings I would typically attend that wedding on my own, to ensure that the intimacy is maintained.

16. Do you cope well under pressure and what about any emergencies on the day?

Yes I’m a fairly relaxed individual, so I find I cope well with pressure – just last year we photographed the Wedding of Wimbledon Doubles Champion Jamie Murray. His Best Man was his brother and World number 4 Andy Murray, so the wedding was surrounded by the World’s media – that was a very high pressure situation as we also had to release a formal photograph to the Worlds press just 30 minutes after the ceremony – not something we normally have to handle at a typical wedding.  For emergencies we’ve found that keeping a sewing kit to hand  is fine for 99% of all wedding emergencies.

17. How far ahead do I need to book?

That is entirely down to you. I only shoot one wedding on any one day, so to avoid disappointment you should try to reserve your date as soon as possible.  However, in these modern times a lot of couples plan their wedding in a relatively short time period, so I can and do get bookings at relatively short notice. So the upshot is, book early if you can. But if you do have a last minute booking just ask – if I can’t help you, I can perhaps help find you an alternative photographer.  Currently we are booking weddings up to two years ahead.

18. My Wedding is not in Scotland is that a problem?

Not at all.  Firstly we do weddings throughout Scotland – for more remote locations we may ask for a small travel or accommodation supplement if a trip would require overnight accommodation.  We can also do weddings anywhere in the United Kingdom and also Overseas – again we would add a travel supplement but this would be just to cover our expenses at cost. We have a vacation home in Florida so I’m used to working in very hot and very sunny conditions, so we wouldn’t have any problems photographing a Wedding in any location – just ask.

19. Wonderful. How do we take this forward?

It’s very straightforward. Why don’t we arrange an initial meeting, you can tell us all about your wedding plans and we can show you some more of our work?  We are based just outside Stirling and have a purpose built viewing gallery so that we can present our work to you in the best way possible.  If you are contacting us from a distance or are based overseas we can arrange a telephone conference call and present our work to you over the Internet.

20. Great. How can we get in touch?

Easy. Complete our enquiry form by clicking the Contact menu at the top of this page or give us a call on 01259 210299 or 07887 835431.

Right.  Just one more question.  Can I get a coffee?

Of course, the coffees are on me.

So there you have it – if you have any other questions not on this list, please feel free to ask me directly or stick them into the comments and I’ll come back with an answer.

If you would like to view our Portfolio you can do so here.

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss your own wedding photography requirements, then please complete our contact form or give us a call on 01259 210299 or 07887 835431.