by Liz Baker Photography | Engagements, Portraits
All of my full wedding collections include a complimentary Somerset engagement shoot. Or we can head to the Dorset coast or a Devon beauty spot. If you don’t live locally then it’s the perfect opportunity to book a B&B and make a weekend of it in this beautiful part of the country.
As many of you know I am a total devotee of the traditional film format. If you want to see the amazing luminous tones and vivid colours then scroll down now! Add to that the fabulous grain… These scans from the lab are mostly un-edited. It’s really difficult – and often impossible – to reproduce these qualities in a digital image. This Somerset engagement shoot included quite a few black and white images at the couple’s request, and was shot entirely on film.
You can see the similar luminosity in this countryside couple session and this coastal session, both shot on film.
Rachel and Robin met several years ago but had since moved on in different directions in life. Last year their paths crossed once more and they have found love later in life. They had planned a blessing in St Paul’s Cathedral but it was proving tricky to arrange. For their engagement shoot we decided to visit the sleepy Somerset village where they enjoy Sunday church services together. We took a few shots around the little church, and wandered the lanes.
Then a lovely thing happened. A woman from the church recognised them and threw open the wrought iron gates to her beautiful garden and orchard – complete with rope swing and meandering stream! We captured some lovely images which really represent what this Cider county is famous for.
Rachel and Robin went on to reorganise their wedding to take place in the church you see here, with an English Cream Tea and Cider to follow for their guests. Their cocktail hour and evening meal then took place the following weekend at a London private members’ club on Pall Mall. I’ll be sharing their wedding celebrations later on, with lots of wintery colours and gorgeous English interiors.
Shot on Fuji Pro 400H and Ilford Delta 400 and processed/scanned by Exposure Film Lab.
by Liz Baker Photography | Anniversaries, Engagements
Joni and George celebrated 4 years of marriage with this anniversary session – a collection of fine art film images.
They have always loved to take a break together along the coast in West Dorset – a chance to get away and spend some quiet time together. It was almost as if they were retracing old footsteps in the sand as they wandered by the waves, talking together about these first years of their marriage, and their precious young daughter.
The coast is a great place to go for an engagement shoot or an anniversary session, especially if you can easily access both the cliffs above and the beach below. This kind of location offers both variety as well as beauty, drama and romance. I love to shoot at the coast whenever I have the chance!
Although there had been sunshine all day, banks of cloud rolled in off the sea as we began the shoot, creating some spectacular skies over the distant cliffs as the sun shone through, and a maritime feel to the images as the blue-green light bounced around us. This too provided a reflection of their marriage: it’s certainly not always sunny in such a close and demanding relationship and cloudy weather is all part of the package, yet that too is beautiful in its own way.
I believe that the actual process of the shoot – taking the time out, carrying a bouquet, reflecting on the exchange of rings to name just a few aspects – this process is in itself an encouragement to a couple, and an affirmation of their commitment. Grounded in the day-to-day reality of marriage, this celebration is so much more poignant than the original wedding.
For this reason I absolutely love these sessions and the images they produce, which declare to the world, “I still do.”.
by Liz Baker Photography | Branding, Inspiration
“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.”
― Henry David Thoreau
Stills taken at The Stone House and the beach, Charmouth, using a Mamiya 645 and Canon 5D. Shot on Fuji 400h and Portra 400, processed and scanned by Carmencita.
by Liz Baker Photography | Inspiration
“I write to beg that you will gratify me by taking a drive with me this afternoon. I shall call at five o’clock if that hour will suit your convenience…”
So began one of Woodrow Wilson’s messages to his first wife Ellen, penned in his own immaculate hand. Together they had three daughters and she went on to become First Lady. Sadly she died during the second year of his Presidency.
Wilson is famed for his ardent letters to Ellen… In another message he wrote:
“Please go to ride with us this evening, precious little girl, so that I can whisper something in your ear—something of my happiness and love, and accept this, in the meantime, as a piece out of my very heart, which is all yours but cannot be sent as I wish to send it by letter.”
These simple notes from the late 19th century inspired the following images, taken in a beautiful Georgian Somerset townhouse.
Luxury wedding photography portraits can be taken before or after the big day – enabling you to spend all day with your guests but still achieve beautiful bridal portraits. For example: the bride in the week before her wedding, or the couple on return from honeymoon. Would you like to know more? I would love to hear from you.
Shot on Fuji Pro 400H | Developed & scanned by Carmencita Lab | Florals and calligraphy by Callie and Bea
by Liz Baker Photography | Inspiration, Portraits
You are truly beautiful.
But sometimes it takes for you to stand in someone else’s shoes to see it.
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So often the people I photograph share with me afterwards how surprised they are that they can look so beautiful in their photos.
Then it’s my turn to be surprised!
Because to me the creativity of the human form and the beauty of the natural light on this earth are beyond doubt. The captivating lines of the face, the tones of the skin, the enduring sparkle in the eye. When these are brought to life by the connection of relationship and lit by the sun’s diffused rays… then something amazing happens!
“How did you make me look so wonderful?”
“Wow, thank you so much for encouraging me to model for you!”
Sometimes photographers talk about the “magic”.
I will let you into a secret. Actually there is no magic at all. It is all earthy, real, created stuff; the souls in love, their expressions, the light falling gently upon them. Then the chemical reaction as the reflected light hits the film in my camera, and again as the lab technicians develop the precious images.
When you invite me to photograph you, or your family, or your wedding, you can expect not just a collection of wonderful pictures, but also an inspiring, encouraging experience.
Be honest, when did you last pause completely for a couple of hours to relax and laugh, and have someone tell you how lovely you are?
It is always a surprise to me – but nonetheless such a joy – to know that self-esteem is being elevated through the process of the shoot and the images which come from it. To know that truly beautiful women are realising just a little more how truly beautiful they are.
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