THIS BLOG HAS MOVED!

Thank you for visiting my Lifestyle Photography blog . . .  this blog has now moved . . . PLEASE VISIT my latest website and blog

If you would like to book online you can still do so by visiting this direct link: Wendy's Lifestyle Photography online booking form

You can also reach me on my mobile ~ 07815 542 253 or
leave a message with my office ~ 01604 779 020 and I will get back to you.
Thank you so much for your patience :)
Wendy

wendygrantphotography.com

An Alternative Christmas Story {Wendy Grant Photography}

Every family has its own way of celebrating special events and occasions such as Christmas. We always like to have a 1,000 piece jigsaw on the go during the festivities and visit the cinema on Boxing Day; and it's become a family tradition to buy a Christmas decoration for the tree each year, recounting the stories behind them as we put the tree up. One of our very special decorations is a little wooden basket complete with stocking that we bought long ago when visiting Father Christmas at Clearwell Caves. A truly magical place that the children remember fondly.

Some of my favourite tree decorations include a jewel star from a visit to the Tower of London with my two sons; a beautifully delicate jester bought for me by a dear friend whilst visiting a Tate exhibition; a chunky Santa from the Fishmarket Gallery chosen by my youngest son whilst sharing a hot chocolate and brownies, and a pink metal lamb bought from our local chemist Jeyes, to also celebrate my grand daughter's birth. Many of the decorations are handmade by my children ~ from simple foil card stars to intricate hammerbead ones. We've even got knitted snowmen!

This year, for the first time in ages, I forgot to buy a Christmas decoration but my daughter thoughtfully remembered, and brought a beautiful bead heart from Namaste House to adorn our tree, proudly hung by four year old Elm. How lovely and very reassuring it is, that as the years roll by and our children grow, they take on the mantle of our family's history.

NEWS! Give Some Photo Love This Christmas {Wendy Grant Photography}

Why not give a little photo love this Christmas and buy a gift voucher? Your voucher is valid for 6 months and is a truly wonderful, lasting gift to receive. For more information about my services please visit my website, call me on 01604 779 020 or 07815 542 253 or complete my online booking form selecting the GIFT VOUCHER option.

Bump & Baby Photographer ~ Milton Keynes {Wendy Grant Photography}

Just a very quick sneak peek from yesterday's maternity session with A and R and their lovely family. They are expecting their third baby in December and I can't wait for the newborn session!

Opening Doors ~ From Hurt to Hope ~ Inter-Action MK

Thank you to Inter-Action MK for inviting me back to photograph the final set of doors created as part of their Opening Doors project. Working towards breaking down barriers that come between people who experience domestic abuse and the support that is available to them, doors have also been created in conjunction with Moving Forward, a prevention project for young people. Not only do the doors represent the stigma that is attached to open discussion about domestic abuse, they also signify as artist Sarah Wright said '. . . the presentable face that the outside world sees, on the other side isolation'. All too sadly domestic violence is more common that we realise and it can be difficult to ask for help. If you are experiencing domestic violence I urge to you contact MK ACT on 0844 375 4307 Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 5.00 or email them at info@MK-ACT.org. Alternatively please get in touch the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

This project is supported by: MK Community Foundation, BPHA, the Open University, Adams Moore, MK Domestic Violence Open Forum, MK-ACT, Relate MK, MK YOT, Inter-Action MK and MK Gallery, Thames Valley Partnership

Bump & Baby Photographer ~ Milton Keynes {Wendy Grant Photography}

Are you expecting a baby? Or do you know anyone whom is expecting one? If you're thinking about booking a bump and/or newborn photo shoot, or giving a bump & baby photo shoot gift voucher,  there's still time to see my Bumps & Baby work close up at Milton Keynes Hospital! I'm exhibiting in the MK Arts for Health changing exhibition space, very appropriately, by the Maternity Ward on level 2 above the main entrance reception. This is one of the photographs that has been selected for permanent display in the Parents' Rest Room in Maternity Delivery. I'd like to take this opportunity to say a really big thank you to my clients and the MK Arts for Health team!

What Do I Do Whilst Waiting For 'My' Baby To Arrive?

Many photographers have primary or secondary jobs to support their creative work. I'm not talking about 'hobbyist' weekend photographers but people who are dedicated to providing a professional service. I've chosen to be a full time professional photographer ~ concentrating on my business 110%  ~ but there's a lot more to running a full time photography business than the shoots. Apart from all the usual aspects of running a small business, there is the booking, editing, ordering, follow-ups and so on. And after the maternity shoots have to wait for the babies to arrive so that I can schedule those beautiful newborn sessions!

So what do I do whilst I'm waiting for 'my' babies to arrive? Well one third of my work supports Disability & Community Arts and this can involve documenting events or running workshops, working to help raise the profile of local organisations. Rarely do I get a chance to disappear with my camera to shoot purely for myself, so yesterday was an absolute joy! I spent the day at Westbury Farm with some of my fellow Catchlight Collective members ~ a group of the best photographic artists from MK and the surrounding area. With no clients to capture I was out of my comfort zone initially, but soon got into the flow and had a brilliant time exploring this fabulous space. These are some of my favourites . . . in management speak the experience was professional development at its finest!

Live At Home's 10th Anniversary Project

Oh my goodness ~ the exhibition prints look fabulous! This is one of my favourites  . . . Since the Pictures & Pancakes Day back in February I've been working on a project to celebrate Live At Home's 10th anniversary this month and it's all come together and looking gorgeous! Usually I work on my own but on this project have been mentoring an emerging photographer, without whom I wouldn't have managed to complete it on time. Thank you Lene!

NEWS ~ Etsy Shop Opened! {Fine Art Prints ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

During the past couple of years I've sold limited edition large scale landscape fine art prints through my local gallery, however, am now also making smaller fine art prints available to a global audience through my new Etsy shop! This year I am supporting Count The Kicks Campaign ~ whom are working to reduce Stillbirth and Neonatal deaths ~ and will be donating a percentage of my Etsy sales to this worthy cause. If you love Brighton you'll love my beach series! Visit my shop at this link ~ www.etsy.com/shop/wendygrant

Fathers' Day Special Photoshoot {Wendy Grant Photography ~ Northamptonshire}

Do you want to pamper your Dad? To celebrate Father's Day this year I'm offering a complimentary 12x8 mounted portrait, which is worth £35, with all creative sessions booked before 30th June 2011. Facebook followers will also receive 10% discount on orders so if you haven't liked my FB page yet please go over there now and tick the LIKE button! To qualify sessions must take place within three months of booking. Get your gift voucher by calling  01604 779 020 or 07815 542 253 or emailing me direct at info@wendygrant.co.uk.

Count the Kicks Bump Photography ~ Bedfordshire {Wendy Grant Photography}

My Count the Kicks 'bump' session with H at the weekend gave me an incentive to get more creative than usual, but despite having sourced wings (a long story I won't go into here), I gave up trying to be cliche and we used H's own sea shell patterned wrap that she carried her beautiful 20 month old daughter in and her lovely 'brella! Count the Kicks are working to reduce Stillbirth and Neonatal deaths ~ please take a moment to look at their website and show your support. These are a few of my favourites . . .

Wishing All Mothers Everywhere a Very Happy Mothers' Day {Wendy Grant Photography ~ Northamptonshire}

Arts Bash 2011 {The Roadmender ~ Northampton}

One third of my work supports local Disability & Community Arts and I was busy at The Roadmender on Saturday capturing Northamptonshire Council's annual Arts Award celebration event. Managed and led by students from the Latimer Arts College working in collaboration with council staff, this year's event included workshops with Animation Station, Hedz Ltd and a truely inspirational poet. Thank you for inviting me back again!

Join Count the Kicks Campaign ~ Photoshoots for Charity {Wendy Grant Photography}

Thrilled to announce that I have a confirmed booking for a maternity shoot in May for Count the Kicks campaign. Count the Kicks are working to reduce Stillbirth and Neonatal deaths and have been awarded a grant from Bounty UK but they still need your help.  Photographers across the country are donating maternity shoots and a percentage of orders to the cause. Please share this via Facebook, Twitter etc. to help spread the word and join Count the Kicks Facebook Group to get updates and show your support. Thank you so much.

'Pictures & Pancakes Day' ~ Live At Home Northampton {Wendy Grant Photography}

I came across Live At Home during the second year of my fine art degree and have happy memories of photographing several of Live At Home members, especially Daisy, with whom I forged a very special friendship. Whilst I now specialise in maternity, newborn and family photography ~ the opposite end of the spectrum ~ I still really enjoy older people's company and am delighted to be working with Ray and his team on an exciting project to celebrate Live At Home's 10th anniversary in June this year! These are a few of my photographs from yesterday's 'Pictures & Pancakes' event that was sponsored by Barclaycard . . .

The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift {Wendy Grant Photography in Barton Today}

Many thanks to Lynne for showcasing Wendy Grant Photography in the March issue of my local magazine Barton Today! You can read the article ~ pages 14 and 15 ~ online or pick up a copy from the many distributors around Earls Barton.

March Madness ~ 15% off Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographs! {Wendy Grant Photography}

Well it's March and with Mother's Day looming on the 3rd April, I can't think of a better way of celebrating the arrival of Spring than giving my clients a 15% discount on their orders! Yes, that's right ~ everyone who books throughout March will get 15% discount on orders from my a la carte rates AND collections! This offer includes gift vouchers but your creative session ~ or first session if you book more than one ~ must take place within three months of booking. Perfect timing for an outdoors creative session! Book now by calling  01604 779 020 or 07815 542 253 or emailing info@wendygrant.co.uk.

Inter-Action MK ~ Community Arts {Wendy Grant Photography}

It was another busy day at Inter-Action MK last Thursday photographing lots of different artworks from the many workshops they run, as well as going back to Meadfurlong School. Some of the photographs will be part of the ever changing display in the local Community Garden at Peartree Bridge and we wanted to use bright coloured backgrounds for this. Those of you who are familiar with Inter-Action may recognise the background I used for the mask, which was the chicken coop. It was just perfect! I think the chickens are quite blase now about me going into their enclosure with my camera.

Artwork for Milton Keynes Bridge 2 {Community Arts ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

Everyone was so enjoying themselves on Thursday, creating collages with the photographs that children from Meadfurlong School took at our workshop the week before, that we asked the teacher if we could stay for an extra half an hour! We looked at the work of Damien Hirst, Van Goch, Monet and David Hockney's wicked iPad paintings for a bit of inspiration. I can't wait to see the finished results!

Artwork for Milton Keynes Bridge {Community Arts ~ Wendy Grant Photography}

The children from Meadfurlong School in MK worked hard at at their digital photography workshop last week and we got some great results! I'm looking forward to going back this week with Leigh from Inter-Action MK when we will be using the children's photographs to create some fabulous artwork that will transform the gloomy and dark underbridge in Fishermead and Oldbrook!