Teen Model Photo-Shoots

Introducing our new Teen Model photo-shoot experiences!!

With prices starting from as little as £50 these sessions make fantastic Xmas and birthday gifts for any girl.

A great photo-shoot which also includes the services of a professional make-up artist to apply your make-up for you  before the photos start. Bring along a change of outfit or two for some different styles and become a teen model for a couple of hours. We will use a selection of lighting techniques and poses which will bring out the true model inside.

Gift Vouchers are available to purchase with various packages offered.

Give us a call TODAY and give your daughter the treat of a lifetime!

Christmas Is Coming!!

With Christmas fast approaching we are introducing our specail offers for November and December portraits. We have a range of offers available with further details to be found on our website.

Our most popular offer last year was for our Print Package so with that in mind we have decided to run it again this year.

For only £99 you can get a 60 minute portrait experience and then choose 6 of your favourite images to be printed in colour or black and white. You will get 2 at 10"x8" and 4 at 7"x5", each will be mounted in a soft white mount.

Portraits make fantastic presents for any loved one, whether family or friend. How about a natural fun image of the grandkids playing, or get everyone together for a fantastic family portrait?

Whether its a picture of the kids, the family, a new baby or even the pets we can capture some fantastic images for you to treasure forever.

Don't leave it too late to book your Christmas portrait, get in touch with us now to secure your appointment. We can offer sittings during the week or at weekend, day or evenings but bear in mind some times are more popular than others and we may need to operate a waiting list for some weekends.

If you don't want a portrait of yourself but know someone who does then why not consider a gift voucher!

You can purchase vouchers for family portraits, baby watch-me-grow packages, pet portraits, make-over or boudoir packages with all being valid for up to 6 months. To make this even better we will also include a complimentary 8"x6" mounted print with every voucher purchased before Christmas. Vouchers start at £35.

 

Sineads Photo Party

Sunday 17th October brought Sinead and her friends to the studio for a photo-shoot party to celebrate her birthday.

Whilst mum and dad sat downstairs during the party we got all the girls having a mini photoshoot each discovering which were the natural posers and who was a little shyer (not many!). The party finished with the fun shots and a floor full of plastic balls and feathers but I hope the girls went away having enjoyed themselves.



Vanessa and Andrews Wedding

Vanessa and Andrew celebrated their wedding on Saturday 16th October with a civil ceremony at the gorgoeus Egerton House Hotel on the outskirts of Bolton.

A fun wedding with all their family and friends surrounding them and the sun coming out for the afternoon allowing for lots of informal pictures of the guests to be caught whilst they enjoyed canapes and drinks on the lawns. 

 

Shannons Party

A busy day of portraits on Sunday 26th September was finished in style with a photo-shoot party for Shannon.

Shannon and her friends joined us from Wales for a party to celebrate her 14th birthday. A quick change into their party clothes and the photo-shoot began. I think they were all a little self concious to begin with while they posed for their individual shots but they soon got the hang of things and by the time they changed into some fantastic tutus later on they were all enjoying things and asking for more shots to be done.

Have a look at the montage below!

 

Alison and Tony's Wedding Day

Another small and intimate wedding. Alison and Tony were married on 3rd September 2010 in the Ladys Chapel of St Laurences Church in Chorley.

 Only a select few family and friends were present for a lovely ceremony. After a few photos at the church they all headed off to the Pines Hotel for a quiet lunch. 

A evening reception was held the following day to which all their family and friends were invited.

Rhiannons Party

The 11th September brought another photo-shoot party to the studio. This time to celebrate Rhiannons 8th birthday. This was the second party here that most of the girls had been to so it was great to see the familiar faces again.

A mini make over and hair curling was available to all the girls if they wanted it before we started the photos - Rhiannon chose the order that all the girls would have their pictures taken in then they took it in turns to stand behind me while pulling silly faces at their friends which created some great smiles from them all.

Rhiannons mum and dad had brought along a lovely chocolate cake so after doing a shot of the candles being blown out we finished the party with the last fun pictures including throwing all the coloured balls around (I'm sure they aim them at me!).

Liz and Darren's Wedding

Sunday 29th August saw a sunny but breezy day for Darren and Liz who were married at the Inn on the Lake at Ullswater, surrounded by their family and friends. This was a slightly different wedding for me as the groom is my younger brother - have to say it was great to tell him what to do and have him actually do it!!

The day started in Liz's room with pics of the mornings preparations for her and her two bridesmaids. It was a busy room with friends and mums popping in and out throughout.

Darren, his best man and the ushers were all found in the bar at midday so before too many drinks were had we went out to do a few pictures of them all on the terrace at the back of the hotel.

The service was followed by drinks and canapes during the group photos which we managed to finish as the clouds began to roll over the lake.

A lovely meal was had by all, and the wine was drunk - by ME!

A stunning location overlooking with lawns flowing down and overlooking the lake which shone a glorious blue and made a fantastic backdrop for a few pics after the meal.

The evening party was held in the Ramblers bar and side marquee and everyone got up dancing throughout the night.

I had a fantastic time and I hope Darren and Liz enjoyed every moment of their day.

Congratulations to both of you and welcome to the family Liz - there's no escape now!!

Gemma and Sean

A small and intimate civil ceremony for Gemma and Sean was held at Mere Hall in Bolton on Saturday 28th August. We managed some lovely shots of the couple and their families despite the rain.

 Good luck guys and all the best for you and baby!

'Krazy Kidz Summer'

We've been kept busy the past few weeks with all the 'Krazy Kidz' mini photo-shoots we have been running during the summer holidays. Here are a few of the pics we've done.

We will be running this promotion again during the October half-term for one week only!!!

Book early to avoid dissappointment and remember, portraits always make great xmas pressies.

Michelle and Mario in Barcelona

Last year I received an email from a bride looking for a photographer for her wedding which was to take place in Barcelona - I jumped at the chance and was happily surprised to discover that Michelle and I used to be next door neighbours during our teenage years (my married name threw her off as we haven't seen each other for years). I think we spent the first wedding meeting chatting more about old times than the wedding itself!

Having never been to Barcelona before Michelle and Mario sorted out all the accomodation and flight details and provided me with a city guide with all the venue locations marked out. It had been decided that myself and my second photographer, Ilona, would travel out the day before the wedding to settle in before the big day - it's  a good job they sorted out additional backage allowance for us on the flight cos with all the additional camera equipment taken we wouldn't have had room for clothes! Not that we actually needed most of the things we took but better safe than sorry!

Friday 6th August dawned glorious and sunny with temperatures in the mid 30s. We had most of the day to explore the city since the ceremony wasn't set til 6pm so we wandered around seeing the sights before heading across town to meet Michelle at her hotel. It was great meeting her family again and everyone was laughing and smiling - I know it seems a strange thing to say about a wedding day since all are happy, but this was a truly HAPPY occassion and Michelle didn't stop smiling throughout the day, she was a fantastic bride and was going to enjoy every moment of the day.

Another taxi to the church which was located in the parc de la ciudadela, fortunately we had scouted it out the day before since the taxi driver didn't know where it was! Mario arrived with his best man and ushers followed by the bridesmaids shortly after. At this point everyone was moved inside before Michelles car turned up.

A beautiful service was held in a stunning church, the confetti was thrown as the couple left the building and then we headed across the park to a fantastic fountain where we did a few shots with the bridal party and Michelle and Mario before all getting on a bus to head off to the reception.

Drinks and canapes were served to all and with the early evening sun the temperatures were pleasant and not too hot. Speeches were done before the meal to allow the guys to relax and enjoy the food. The best man and the brides father had everyone in stitches with their speeches and I've not laughed as much for ages- you think you've heard them all before but some still surprise you.

A spanish wedding cake was cut then the first dance followed - nothing slow and smoochy for these two as they let loose with a fun and fast dance together which got everyone else up and joining in. We finished the night off with some shots of the two of them outdoors with the vine covered venue lit up behind them. The party finished at 1am when we all headed back to hotels in taxis.

This was a spectacular wedding and I hope Michelle and Mario had as much fun as everyone else did - they certainly looked like it. An extra day to explore the city on the Saturday and then we were all on the same flight home on Sunday afternoon - where it's done nothing but rain since!!!

Here's a sneak peak at some of the pics from the day. Enjoy!!

Stacey and Justin's Wedding Day

Stacey and Justin were married on Saturday 31st July at the gorgeous Mitton Hall.

Beginning at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in the morning I captured the preparations and was surprised to find things running so smoothly and calmly, there seemed to be a very peaceful atmosphere and everyone was soon ready to leave. The wedding car collected the bridesmaids first who I soon followed up to Mitton Hall to meet the second photographer, Charlie, who had been with the Justin and the men as they prepared.

The weather was a little touch and go but seemed to be starting to clear as we all waited for Stacey to arrive. We waited .... still no sign of the wedding car. The wedding car had gotten a puncture on the way and was on the side of the road about 5 minutes away where the driver was hurriedly trying to change the tyre.

It wasn't too much longer though when the car appeared on the driveway and we were all pleasantly surprised to see a still smiling Stacey get out - obviously nothing fases her!

A lovely ceremony where the couple had written their own vows was followed by drinks and canapes outside in the sunshine whilst the photos were taken. They decided not to go for a drive in the wedding car afterwards - didn't want to tempt fate a second time!

A brightly coloured bouncy castle was up on the lawns at the back of the hall which provided some fun shots of Stacey and her bridesmaids jumping around and the gorgeous grounds offered some stunning backdrops for the intimate shots of the bride and groom.

A very tasty meal was had by all followed by the fun and laughter of the speeches before the evening guests started to arrive and the party truly began with Stacey and Justins first dance. Messages were recorded for the happy couple by the videographers - Abbey Video.

We ended our coverage with shots of 50 chinese lanterns being set off on the back lawns of Mitton Hall as the couple watched them float up into the air and over the building. This was a fantastic day for all and we wish Stacey and Justin all the best for the future.

Holly's Birthday Party

Another photo-shoot party this time to celebrate Holly's birthday. The girls all came with a couple of outfits having already sorted out their own make up and hair styling, they were all fantastic models and made full use of all the feathers, hats and props available. We all had a break between outfit changes to eat a gorgeous chocolate birthday cake they brought along before the party dresses were put on for the last part of the party.

Check out a few of the pics below.

Louise and Garys' Wedding

A nice local wedding for Louise and Gary on Saturday 17th July 2010. Very local infact as the brides house is within sight of my own front door - no worrying about where to park!

The weather, unfortunately was not the best - we all spent the morning watching for the promised clearing of the rain, but alas although it held off for a short time the heavens opened again after the ceremony at Mere Hall in Bolton. The original plan had been to stop at a local park for some pics of the happy couple but when the passing shower didn't pass we decided to head straight over to the Reebok Stadium for the reception - typically as soon as we arrived it stopped raining!!!

The sun came out bright and warm for a few shots with the car at the hotel entrance and allowed us enough time to get some lovely pics of Louise and Gary. The rest of the afternoon was spent dodging the showers whilst waiting to go down for some bridal party shots on the hallowed turf of BWFC.

An informal drinks reception followed by the arrival of the evening guests and the first dance before the buffet and everyone had a great day despite the rain - which cleared off for the late afternoon and evening.

Here are a few pics from the day.

Julie and Ians' Wedding Day

Saturday July 3rd saw us at Bartle Hall with Julie and Ian for their wedding. They celebrated with their family and friends with a lovely ceremony at the hall followed with drinks and canapes served on the lawns in the gorgeous sunshine.

With bubbles, confetti, music and laughter a fanatstic time was had by all. An informal BBQ started the evening off before Ian led his stunning wife onto the dance floor for their first dance.

Here is a sneaky peek!

Here come the girls!

Close on the tail of Emily's party we hosted our first grown up party last Saturday evening. Gemma was celebrating her birthday with some of her closest friends so after some fun group shots done in their jeans and t-shirts they then got on their glad rags, or in Gemma's case her wedding dress, for a few more pics.

With the bubbly flowing the party moved along well with the ladies getting well into working the camera by the end of the shoot.

What a fun 2 hours - I hope you all enjoyed it ladies.

Emily's 13th birthday

The second party of the weekend brought yet another Emily to us with a group of friends and sister Charlotte to enjoy a photo-shoot for her 13th birthday. What a crazy group of girls they were - we had a great time photographing them and they were up for anything - doing the splits, leapfrog, the can-can. With it being such a hot day we got the fans going to get the breeze blowing their hair so they really felt like models for a couple of hours.

Here's a few of the pics.

Emily's 12th Birthday

Last Friday evening saw Emily and a couple of her friends come to us for a photo-shoot to celebrate her 12th birthday. The girls were great and I hope they all had a good time.

Amy's 12th Birthday

Well, Sunday was a BIG day - not only did England play against Germany but Amy celebrated her 12th birthday by joining us for a photo-shoot party at the studio. The main difference in these two events was that our results were much more satisfying!!

Amy brought along her firends and sister for the party and after they all had their individual pics done they got changed into hot pink tutus for the group and fun shots -  they looked spectaular against the black background!

A gorgeous group of girls and I hope they all enjoyed the party.

'Krazy Kidz'

During the summer we will be offering a fantastic mini photo-shoot for your child.

A 15-20 minute studio sitting and 7"x5" print for only £10.00!!!

The best 12 images will be edited for you to choose your favourite a week after the sitting. Should you wish to purchase additional images then special packages will be offered. Sittings are only available Tuesday- Fridays during July and August and are a great introduction to our studio.

The £10.00 charge is payable on the day of the sitting with any additional purchases paid in full when you order them.

 Give me a call to find out more or to book in for this fantasic special offer.

Joanne and Martin's Wedding

I've been looking forward to this wedding since it was booked - partly due to a night away from the kids!

 Joanne and Martin have been into the studio a couple of times for portraits of their two children - Ryan and Olivia - so I have gotten to know them a little better which meant that this wedding felt more like photographing that of a friend and they both seemed much more relaxed and at ease on the day.

They were married on Monday 14th June at the Gailes Hotel in Irvine, Scotland. A four hour drive up on the Sunday afternoon gave me a night at the hotel to check out the venue and reassure them both that I was there on time. Monday dawned just as bright and sunny as the previous few days with a glorious blue sky.

Pictures began in the spectacular penthouse suite as Joanne got ready for the day - once she managed to remove Martin from the room that is!!! Make up and hair styling done I nipped downstairs to get some pics of Martin and his brother along with the fantastic best man - Ryan.

The ceremony took place on the garden terrace attached to the penthouse suite with only an intimate gathering of thier close family. Whilst the couple enjoyed their champagne and posed for photos in the gardens the room was changed round for their wedding breakfast.

This was a great wedding and a fantastic couple.

Samantha and Neil's Wedding

The second visit to Mere Hall this week when Samantha and Neil were married on Saturday 12th June. As with all registry offices during the summer season there were several weddings being hosted at Mere Hall this weekend - but they all seemed to be running smoothly and on time. 

The weather was glorious - really hot and sunny- we stayed at Mere Hall just long enough to do a confetti shot and for Samantha and Neil to speak to their guests before we got into the cars and headed up to Samanthas parents home for the reception where a large marquee in the garden hosted the informal wedding breakfast consisting of a hog roast - which smelt great!!

A very relaxed and informal wedding as wished for by the happy couple - but planned with all the style and elegance of a traditional wedding.

Check out a few of my favourite pics.

 

Nicola and Nicholas's Wedding

It's been a busy few weeks here at the studio with the wedding season well and truly underway.

Thursday 10th June saw Nicola and Nicholas tie the knot at Mere Hall registry office in Bolton witnessed by both sets of parents. A very small and intimate group it was but a great couple and a beautiful day. With no reception planned they headed home after the photos to drinks and cake before jetting off in the early hours of the morning for their honeymoon. 

Here are a few pics from the wedding.

Racheal and Ross's Wedding

My last wedding of the Bank holiday weekend and what a beautiful day it was too. The sun was shining for us and it got hotter throughout the afternoon. Racheal and Ross were married in a civil ceremony at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Blackrod. They celebrated with their family, friends and young children on Sunday 30th May.

The small garden area at the front of the hotel allowed us to get the family groups and bridal party shots done while the views of Winter Hill and Rivington Pike from the back of the hotel provided us with gorgeous backdrops for the photos of the bride and groom.

With a late afternoon wedding an informal buffet of sandwiches and drinks was enjoyed before the party moved into the evening room for toasts and the disco.

Here's a sneaky peek at some of the shots.

Teresa and Daniel's Wedding Day

Teresa and Daniel were married in a civil ceremony at Kilhey Court Hotel on May 28th 2010.

A small and intimate ceremony with close family was followed by drinks on the lawns at the hotel. Kilhey Court is a beautiful setting for a wedding with sloping lawns and gravel pathways leading down into the woodland areas at the bottom.

We enjoyed a hot and sunny afternoon while Isabella and Dylan played together on the lawns while Teresa and Daniel posed for photos.

I hope you both had a great day and that your evening party was full of fun for you all.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the photos.

Wedding Photography Offer

Check out this fantastic wedding photography package.

A £150 deposit will secure your date so call me now as this is a limited time offer only.

'First Steps' Baby Club

This month we are launching our new baby club.

'First Steps' is a watch-me-grow scheme open to all parents with babies under 6 months of age. By becoming a member you will receive a complimentary series of 3 photo-shoot sessions during the first 18 months of your babys life.

Sessions are usually undertaken at 4 - 6 month intervals and will help you to record some of those special moments that will become treasured memories as your baby grows. We will capture those first smiles, the first giggles, when they start to sit up or crawl and of course those first steps.

Each sitting can last up to 1 hour and a variety of images will be taken throughout to give you some stunning pictures to choose from a few days later. From each session you will be able to select your favourite inmage which will be printed and presented in a triple winged folio at the end of the series.

Additional prints can be purchased from any or all of the sittings if wished, but, there is absolutely no obligation to do so. We don't believe in high pressure sales and prefer for the images to speak for themselves. Should you decide to place an order however then as a member of the 'First Steps' club you will receive some fantastic discounts and offers only available to you.

To register your details or for more information please conatct us now.

Call: 01204 413459

or Email: lashtonphotography@hotmail.co.uk

Emily's Party

Last Sunday saw us with another photo-shoot party at the studio. This one was for Emily who was celebrating her birthday with us. A rather shy group of girls to begin with we decided to start off with some group shots before they each had a chance to go it alone. Partway through there was a change of outfit for them all from the casual to the glamorous. The party was finished with some fun shots of the girls posing with the various hats, boas, flowers and fairy wings! When they left 2 hours later there was no sign of the shy, quiet group that had first arrived.

Here is a small selection from the many images taken. 

Fashion Shoot

A few months ago I was asked about the possibility of undertaking a mini fashion shoot for a university student whose degree was in fashion design and technology. I agreed and last Sunday was the date set. All the garments had been designed by Lyndsay-Jayne Allen as part of her degree course and she brought along a friend to model the outfits for her.

First time model, designer and fashion shoot - but we all had a blast and here are a few of my favourite images from the session. Let me know what you think!

Prom Time

Yes it's that time of year again - PROM TIME!

Over the next couple of months many of the schools and colleges will be hosting their Proms and to celebrate this we are offering FREE studio and location sittings so we can 'Shoot the Dress'.

You can book in alone or with a couple of friends for a free photo-shoot to show off that gorgeous dress before you stick it back in the wardrobe (or onto ebay for next year). Fancy something a little different then why not think about a location sitting in the local areas of Rivington, Smithills, Belmont or Chorley and we can get you sitting in the fields or woodlands or even paddling in streams if you want.

To compliment this FREE sitiing we also have a unframed print offer available.

Choose your favourite 3 images to be printed and mounted for you.

That's 1 10"x8" print and 2 7"x5" prints for ONLY £55!

This Prom Offer will only last during May and June so book soon to take advantage.

Sleeping Angel!

Darren and Liz brought their gorgeous new baby daughter, Freya, into the studio last week for her first portrait shoot. At only 5 days old, she is officially the youngest baby we have had in the studio. But she didn't let that fact go to her head, instead she remained asleep throughout the whole session.

Here are a couple of my favourite pics from the sitting.

... you're beautiful, it's TRUE!

Introducing our new Make - Over Portrait shoots!

These make fantastic pressies for your the special girl in your life whether it be your wife or girlfriend, mum or daughter - or even as a treat for yourself.

A session at the studio which will include having your hair and make-up styled by  professionals before your portraits are taken.  Bring along a couple of outfits - possibly starting with something more casual followed by a glamorous evening or party dress - this allows for different styles to be achieved so we can produce some stunning images of yourself which you will remember forever.

A 90 minute shoot and make-up artist costs £40.00

A 120 minute session with hair stylist and make - up artist is £60.00

Gift Vouchers are available.

All the images will be edited ready for you to view a few days later back at the studio and you will be able to purchase your favourites from them. Your chosen portraits can be presented as fully framed prints, canvas wraps, acrylics and albums to name a few, with prices beginning at just £40.

Rivington Walled Gardens Portrait

As promised a small selection of the images captured up in the walled gardens at Rivington this week when we had a photo-shoot with Ilona and Matt. A fun sitting with a great easygoing couple on a few days break from uni in Carlisle. Knowing them both to be students on an outdoor leadership degree course I was quite relieved to find that I wasn't the only one out of breath by the time we had walked up the hill - (note to oneself to remember to take a drink with me next time!). A stroll through the gardens and using the surrounding countryside as backdrops we managed to get some lovely shots of the two of them and I hope they love them too!

Location Shoot!

Well the sun is shining and it's not too windy so today is going to be great for a location shoot up at Rivington Pike and the gardens with a lovely young couple who are always up for a laugh. Keep tuned as I'll post some pics in the next day or so.

Springtime Fairy!

We took little Maddie out for some pictures in the beautiful daffodils in all their bloom. With a gorgeous fairy dress on she really looks like a little flower fairy and was fantastic. The bright sunshine helped to really bring the colour of the daffodils out and Maddie braved the cold wind for long enough to get a few stunning images of her.

The daffodils will only be at their best for another week or so, so if you fancy getting your little angel out into the countryside give us a call now and take advantage of the special offer still available - 2 10"x8" and 4 7"x5" unframed prints and free sitting for only £95!

Bluebells will be coming out in the next couple of weeks too and again will only be at their prettiest for a matter of 2-3 weeks at most. 

Tel: 01204 413459

Final Chance!

An unframed print package for only £95!!!

For a limited time only you can purchase an unframed print package consisting of 2 10"x8" and 4 7"x5" prints for only £95!! But that's not all - if you book during April then we will also waive the sitting fee which gives you a combined saving of £220!!!

You can choose a studio or location shoot and the prints can be 6 different images. This is the only time this fantastic package will be available at this amazing price so give us a call now and book in before you lose out. A great opportunity to get Fathers Day presents sorted out early.

Tel: 01204 413459

April Special Offer

                                                                                    

Family Portrait Session and Framed Print for only £40!

Throughout April 2010 you can book in for a fantastic studio session for your family. A selection of poses will be taken throughout the sitting which will last up to 1 hour.

25 minutes later you will be able to view the images in the studio and from these you can select your favourite which will be presented as an 8" mounted and framed portrait.

This amazing offer is only available at this price during April and there must be 2 generations of family in the portrait. There is NO obligation to purchase anything else.

A great opportunity to get your family together and by booking during April you will be getting a stunning portrait at a spectacular price. The combined studio session and 8" portrait will usually cost you £100!

So call or email me now to make your booking.

Tel: 01204 413459

Email: lindsay.ashton@ntlworld.com

The studio is closed for the Easter Weekend but there are still a few appointments available during the school holidays if needed or at weekends.

Spring is Here!!

Spring finally seems to have arrived and not a moment too soon - it feels like it's been a long winter this year.

With the temperatures starting to rise and the days getting brighter it's great to get outdoors and enjoy the springtime. The flowers are now coming into their own with daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses putting in an appearance.

With a carpet of flowers creating a stunning natural backdrop for location portraits why not come along for a sitting whilst the blooms are at their best. Bring your kids down and we can get them playing or sitting amongst the daffodils, or what about the bluebells during May! If you have a little girl who likes dressing up we have a selection of fairy costumes which could look fantastic used outdoors in the flowers.

Our special print package of 2 10"x8" prints and 4 7"x5" prints, is still on offer at £95 and your sitting is free of charge and who knows if any of the shots are suitable for competition entry then there is always a chance of you winning £1000 as well!!!

The flowers will only be at their best for a couple of weeks so we'll have to work fast to take advantage of them. Give me a call at the studio to book in.

Tel: 01204 413459

Princess Party

Natalia, Rebecca and Jessica all celebrated their 7th Birthday with a combined Princess Party at the studio last weekend.

With all their friends they had a photo-shoot party including a mini make over for each of them. They were all fantastic little princesses for the afternoon and a fun group to work with. With a great birthday cake provided by the parents we sang 'Happy Birthday' to each of them in turn at the end of the party, by which time the floor was covered in feathers, glitter and coloured plastic balls, hopefully they all had a great time and are looking forward to seeing the images later today.

Kodak Photographer of the Year Competition

I have decided to enter this years Kodak Photographer of the Year competition which is one of the biggest professional photographer competitions around.

Over the next few months I will be looking for any willing volunteers to come in for a free photo - shoot to work on my portfolio of images. The competition has several different catergories so each month I will be concentrating on a different subject ie: pets, babies, children, family groups and couples.

This month I am looking for children under the age of 5 to come into the studio or out on location (if the weather is nice). There is no charge to you, unless you decide to purchase anything after the shoot, and you will have the chance of winning £1000 and a camera if yours is the winning portrait - I get a certificate from it if it wins!!!

If you are interreseted in booking in for a free photo-shoot and a chance to win top prize please contact me asap to arrange the sitting.

Tel: 01204 413459

Mothers Day Offer

With Mothers Day fast approaching us this month we have a fantastic offer for you to treat your mum (or yourself if they don't do it for you!).

Throughout the whole of March you can book in for a studio or location portrait shoot and receive a stunning 8"x6" desk acrylic or framed print of your favourite image.

This special offer is available for only £40.00!!! (That is a saving of £55)

What mother wouldn't be thrilled with a portrait of their children? If you can't get into the studio before the end of March then why not consider a gift voucher to ensure you don't miss out on this fantastic deal.

Call me now to book in: 01204 413459 and if you book before 14th March you will also receive a DVD slideshow of all the images free of charge (usually £45.00).

March Special Offer

A special offer for weddings booked with me before the end of March 2010!

Book one of the set wedding photography packages: Traditional, Reportage or Contemporary before the 31st March 2010 and you'll receive a 10% discount.

Contact me for more information or to check availabilty, there are still a few dates free for this year!

Tel 01204 413459

Jodie's Photo Party

We did our first photo-shoot party of 2010 last Friday when Jodie came to celebrate her 15th Birthday with her friends.

With a fantastic group of girls we had a 2 hour photo party where they each had a selection of shots taken individually followed by a quick change of outfits before some fun group shots were done.

Hope you all enjoyed it girls and don't forget to choose your favourite picture for us to print for you.

With lots of parties now being booked for this year we hope the rest are as good. To book a party for yourself either for a birthday, hen-night or just a ladies night call us at the studio on:

01204 413459

Wedding Fair

On Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th February I will be attending the wedding fair at The Pines Hotel in Chorley. The event begins at 5:30pm both nights and finishes at 9pm. Various companies will be in attendance so you can view all your wedding needs under one roof. At 7pm on both nights there will be a catwalk show showcasing some gorgeous dresses etc.

Wedding fairs are a great opporunity for you to look around at the various options available for todays couples and many companies will have special offers available for any bookings made at the time.

I offer a fully bespoke service as well as set packages for your wedding photography needs to suit all budgets. With enquiries for 2012 and many bookings now being taken for 2011 it is never too early to start planning. Being a relatively new studio there is still chance that this years date may be available.

So come along and see me and check out the special offers available.

Beautiful Twins

Well they do say that good things come in twos!

Alfy and James were brought down to the studio for their 1st portrait sitting last week. At only 2 weeks old we weren't expecting smiles but a chance to start capturing all the little details of the first few weeks. Tiny as they were a little manouvering of positions helped to prevent them kicking and smacking each other in the faces during the session. We even managed to persuade mum to come on a couple of pics with them where the babies kept tight hold of her fingers to stop her getting away no doubt! Not that she needed to worry, to look at her you wouldn't have guessed she'd just had twins!!!

We'll see them again in a few months time when they return for the 2nd shoot in their Baby's 1st Year package and it will be great to see the changes as they grow. Here are a few pics from the shoot.

Baby Portraits

I love doing baby portraits! Capturing all those little details and cherished moments from the first smiles to the first steps as toddlers. The majority of the sittings I undertake at the studio are involving these precious bundles and as a result I offer a varirty of watch-me-grow packages to help parents record their memories of this exciting time.

I am now introducing a special sitting and mini baby book which make an ideal gift for new parents or as christening presents. You will receive a studio based portrait session during which a variety of shots will be taken of your baby (and you if wished). About a week later you will be able to view the images back at the studio and select your favourite 10 to be printed and presented in a baby blue or pink mini book. The prints are approximately 6"x4" and are mounted behind overlays in an album with a bonded leather cover. The album is supplied with a matching box.

This special Baby's 1st Portrait sitting and mini book is available for £95.00

Gift Vouchers are available if you are purchasing this as a present for someone.

Location and Studio Portraits

A special offer for all studio or location portrait sittings booked before April 30th 2010.

Book in for a fun portrait session either in the studio or at a favourite outdoor location as the weather begins to improve. We will aim to capture those special moments between you and your loved ones with a selection of images which help to create the memories that will last a lifetime.

A location photo - shoot can result in some stunning images which are totally unique to your sitting. With beautiful locations available in the local area why not make the most of them and wrap up warmly for some early springtime fun. Before long the first of the spring flowers will begin to emerge which can produce gorgeous backgronds to the pictures. Shooting on location gives a much more relaxed feel to your pictures and are a great option for younger children with plenty of energy as we get them running, splashing in puddles, skimming stones etc. Or how about a nice romantic stroll with your partner through the chinese gardens at Rivington or the moorland near the Blue Lagoon at Belmont. 

Location sittings are a fantastic option for all and if everyone is dressed for the weather then they can still be undertaken in the snow and rain - and lets face it it's usually wet if we arrange to do something isn't it!

If the weather was really unsuitable though there is always the option of retreating back to the studio for a photo-shoot instead. 

When booking your location portrait we will have a discussion about possible locations and the type of images you would like capturing on the day. It is advisable to allow up to 2 hours for a location sitting or 1 hour for a studio session.

A week after the sitting you will be able to view the edited images via the computer back at the studio and from these you will select your favourites. Until the end of April 2010 there is a special offer available as detailed on the above image where you can choose 2 10"x8" prints and 4 7"x5" prints for only £95 - these can all be seperate images if wished. Obviously there are other options available from framed portraits and canvas wraps through to albums and acrylic designs. Please note that there is no separate charge for the photo-shoot itself if in the local area.

Baby 1st Year!

The first year of a baby's life is one of the most important, they will grow so quickly that it is easy to miss some of those little changes.

I offer a watch-me-grow package for all new parents, helping you to capture some of those special times in your babys' first year - from those first smiles through to the first steps. Over the course of the first year I offer three separate sittings at the studio at 4 - 6 month interavls. At each sitting a selection of photos will be taken for you to view the following week. You will select one image from each session to be printed and mounted at a 7"x5" size. Additional images can be purchased if wished from any or all of the sittings, but there is no obligation to do so.

These watch-me-grow packages make ideal gifts for new parents. Gift vouchers can be provided. A Baby's First Year package costs £75. Additional options are avaialble on request to include the stages of pregnancy or the first 5 birthdays!

Contact me at the studio on: 01204 413459 to purchase.

You can see a sample of work on my website: www.lindsayashton.co.uk

Weddings

Your wedding day will be one of the most special days of your life, it is the beginning of a new chapter. With all time and planning that goes into the day you want to be certain that your photographs capture it all, after all they are the only lasting keepsake of your special day.

I offer a contemporary style of wedding photography combining a mixture of natural reportage shots along with the posed group shots and bridal portraits.  A couple of weeks before the wedding I like to meet with the couple to finalise your details and work through the proposed groups and special shots you wish to be taken. This meeting helps to ensure that things run smoothly on the day itself and allows you both to relax and enjoy your wedding to the full. I aim to make sure that the photography side of the day is not too intrusive and lets you have the time to chat and celebrate with your guests - after all that's what your day is all about!

A lot of my weddings have a second photographer in attendance which allows for a stunning selection of images to be taken and all those special moments to be captured. The amount of coverage on the day is up to you. You can decide whether you would like me to attend the brides house in the morning to record the fun and excitement of the preparations, or to stay for the speeches or even to stay through and photograph your first dance as man and wife in the evening.

Fully inclusive packages are available along with a bespoke option so you can choose the services and products suitable for your requirements. You can see a selection of images by viewing my website or by contacting me for a sample slideshow and price guide. Should you decide to book your wedding then a deposit of £150 will be asked for and the prices will be fixed at that time.

If you book your wedding before the end of January 2010 then there will also be an additional discount of 15% to celebrate the studios' First Anniversary.

Reopening

The studio will re-open on Tuesday 12th January at 10am. Hopefully the kids will be back at school and I will be off the crutches by then.

Been sat inside for the past few days unable to do much and starting to get a bit of cabin fever. It is typical that the first time we get some proper snow here and the chance of some stunning landscapes calling to be done I can't get around on the crutches. Can't even get out to have a decent snowball fight, but hope everyone else is enjoying it while they have the chance even if it is causing disruption.

Studio Closed

Well, it was supposed to be the first day back after the New Year but the weather has obviously had different ideas. The snow is falling thick and fast here at the moment and with the school closing for the day (much to the kids delight) and no chance of getting off the street the studio is staying closed today. I'll keep you updated on any additional closed days as they arrive.

But for the time being get out there with the kids and have some fun while it lasts - I would but I managed to break my toe last week and am on crutches for a few more days.

Happy New Year!

Well it's the start of a brand new year and I have high hopes for it being a great one! With wedding diary for 2011 getting busier all the time including trip to Barcelona for one things are looking up after a slow start last year.

Finished 2009 with a wedding on Christmas Eve for a couple having a secret wedding. Families were being told the following day - what a great Christmas pressie! The civil ceremony was held at Manchester Registry Office followed by champagne at The Old School House Hotel on Great John Street which is a beautiful and intimate location for a wedding. Donna and Robert celebrated with a couple of close friends as witnesses going on for a meal later in the afternoon. Hope you guys had a great Christmas together and wishing you all the best for the New Year and your honeymoon in Thailand! See you when you get back.

The studio is closed over Christmas and New Year and will reopen on 5th January 2010. It will be the first anniversary of opening and as a celebration I am offering a fantastic 15% discount on all wedding bookings and portrait sittings made throughout January 2010!!!