Amanda & Beth - Couples Photoshoot in the Snow - Jesmond Dene & Newcastle Quayside

So this week, it's snowed A LOT!!!

A lot a lot, schools are closed, people are struggling to get out and about and kids are having a whale of a time building snowmen and going sledging.

On Friday, I met Amanda and Beth at Jesmond Dene House which is situated within the lovely grounds of Jesmond Dene, Newcastle. It was extremely snowy and the flurries were on and off. Now usually, when I go to shoots, I try to dress practically but smartly... this time it was just practical. I had to wear walking boots, about 5 layers of thermals and my bright pink waterproof coat. Added with the kit and the umbrellas and the snow, it was a challenge!

Amanda & Beth wanted to capture some relaxed photographs of them together, showing their personalities and just having a fun afternoon out in the snow.

We went into Jesmond Dene and first off went for the waterfall. It's a place i've photographed a bride & groom wedding photograph here before, but it looked completely different in the snow...a snowy wonderland...

I shot this on a fairly slow shutter speed - can't remember it now but think it was around 1-2 seconds... just to get the flow of the water... and wow was there a lot of water compared to the summer time... ! I had to explain how I wanted the couple first as they couldn't hear me shouting from the bridge.. there was a bit of me waving my arms around looking a bit mad to ask them to change into the relaxed poses we'd planned.... but it was all worth it for the pic - this one has had lots of attention on Facebook and Twitter this week.... :-) 

Amanda's lovely red hair and Beth's fabulous orange scarf stood out amazingly well in the snow.. I had asked them to wear something bright, and they decided to implement this in their accessories, which worked so well!! (Beth actually took up the offer of borrowing my beloved Cath Kidson wellies for the shoot too!) 

We walked around the park and got the last of the light, plus had some fun with a mini snow-ball fight. 

 I loved getting creative with the snow! I love the photo above on the left where the snowballs are in focus and they are out of focus.. just think it's a bit different :)

 I haven't really done a lot of close up looking straight into the camera type shots on my couples shoots.. as normally try to keep them as natural as possible... staring into the camera is not really my style... however I've found that once people are into the photoshoot and a bit more relaxed, it's always nice to get a photo like this, and plus, the snow here made a fantastic reflector!!

It started to snow again, very heavily, so we cracked out the umbrella (I carry a range of umbrellas and chose this purple one for the shoot as it went so well with their colours and stood out well in the snow too! 

We took shelter in the park building, and had some fun with props

Love the red brick!! As you can see it was snowing so heavily at this point I could hardly see them! (Lots of other photos are just white!) So we decided it was an appropriate time for a coffee and cake break...  At the Sage, Gateshead, which has a lovely cafe with homemade goodies, and also a fab gift shop! 

 We hung out and chatted for a bit until it was dark, then we ventured outside again (much colder now!)

We had fun taking some portraits outside in the dark and snow, which was a bit of a challenge, but I thin they turned out well!

I love the Quayside as it does look wonderful all lit up at night, these were shot on the Millenium Bridge, with the iconic Tyne Bridge in the background. I used video light to light these portraits. 

I absolutely love the Baltic Art Gallery so had to grab a shot with this in it.. just love how there's the silhouettes of another couple walking in..

Amanad & Beth have to be one of the sweetest couples i've had the pleasure of working with. they were extremely lively and fun, and sooo happy together... 

Thanks to them for braving the cold weather and trusting me asking them to do a few crazy things in the snow!

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If you're interested in fun, quirky and relaxed photography for your civil partnership or wedding, anywhere in the UK (Or world for that matter!) Please drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you. 

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