Friday 27 December 2013

2014 Goals/Photography Bucket List!

I always think that setting goals for yourself is really important, as it allows you to think of where you really want to be and then you can work out how to get there. It makes sense really, how can you get there if you don't know where you want to go? 

In 2013 my business developed significantly in terms of specialising in weddings & portraits (& just the very occasional 'other/event' which is always lovely. Learning to say no to requests and pass on things to other photographers who specialised more in other fields helped a lot too. My new years resolution to blog more definitely happened. I do love writing my blog :) 

So where to go from here! Well I am already nearly full with weddings next year as I have always wanted to limit the number of weddings I take on. This is to make sure everyone gets great service,  so that I can also photograph some other things during the year, and also so I don't turn up frazzled and overworked. 

I have an overall photography goal that I've been dreaming of for almost ten years already, and have decided that 2017/2018 is the time that I will be winding down the wedding side of business (still doing some weddings hopefully), limiting them so that I can take on my other exciting project, which shall be kept under wraps until a later date ;-) 

I am writing down some personal and professional goals on paper as well as sharing some on this blog entry.

But as for now, I absolutely love photographing weddings, each one is unique and I enjoy the challenge of the fast pace and capturing such important moments. I am thoroughly looking forward to 2014 which will see me photograph awesome events such as : a wedding in a museum (complete with dinosaur replicas!), a humanist ceremony in woodland, one in a lighthouse, my first civil partnerships,  a couple in the Lake District, returning to my favourite venues for some weddings and exploring new ones for others. Three of my couples for next year are flying in from overseas (Australia, New Zealand and China) and so I can't wait to meet them. 

I also hope to squeeze in a wedding abroad, fingers crossed! 


(See Emma & Dermot's French wedding here!)

Some other things that I will be doing next year are family mini sessions for Mother's Day and also some in October half term again - I love Autumn light!

What else am I keen to do in the near future? Here are a few things, a sort of photography bucket list if you like!

- A wedding (or pre-wedding shoot) in central London .. love this venue (The Asylum)
- Photograph a PROPOSAL!
-I would love to do a pre-wedding shoot in Paris/similar European country (for my couples I'm willing to do this - time dependant - only extra costs should be travel & accommodation!)
-A wedding on/near a loch in Scotland (Eg Here - The Lodge at Loch Goil!)
- A male civil partnership (Or indeed a legal same-sex wedding when they come in in March!)
-A totally alternative wedding like one in the sea/on a boat/in a cave/in a zoo/on a bus/submarine etc...you get the idea!!!
-Have another feature in a national magazine..I'm a big kid going to the shops and buying 10 copies!
-My first shoot for the Butterfly Wishes Network that I support.
-To do some more photography for charity - Thinking of running some mini sessions specifically to raise funds for charities close to my heart. I also support the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation which I would be honoured to photograph a wedding for, should the opportunity arise.
-Do some more personal work in a slightly different field of photography eg. landscape/portraits/etc/
-I would love to photograph a camping themed/outdoorsy wedding, especially one at the Bivouac in North Yorkshire, or Pot-a-doodle-do near Berwick.
-Another elopement/secret wedding (See Lewis & Laura's little big day from 2012 here. )
- A themed/fancy dress wedding - why not! I love a bit of craziness!
-More weddings with animals in attendance please! (See Jenny & Lee's wedding here!) 


I think that's everything for now but my interests are not limited to the list above! 

I hope that you all have a fab New Year and hope 2014 brings you loads of luck and happiness whatever you choose to do!


Monday 16 December 2013

Katie Byram Photography 2013: What a year - A round up!

Well I made a New Years Resolution I actually kept this year....... to blog more! 
I didn't meet my goal of twice a week, but hey I blogged more than twice the amount of last year and it's something I really enjoy doing and something that's helped me reach out to more people, excellent stuff. 

So what a year it's been. I still have one more wedding left of 2013, at Matfen Hall at the end of December, but this year overall I have had the pleasure of photographing 23 weddings with the furthest away booking being 19 months before the wedding, and the shortest being booked 18 hours before the wedding, stepping in when another photographer let the couple down. My furthest away wedding was the South of France, with the closest being 3 miles away.


jesmond dene, snowy photoshoot, couple in the snow, same-sex couples, katie byram photography

york pre-wedding shoot, katie byram photography




bamburgh castle wedding, bamburgh pre-wedding shoot, katie byram photography

danby castle wedding, duck bride, danby castle, katie byram photography

farm wedding, farm engagement, katie byram photography

couple kissing, love quote, katie byram photography

I have had the opportunity of experiencing my first wedding abroad, at Chateau De Lacoste in the Dordogne, South of France. (See Emma & Dermot's wedding here) . That was the opportunity to get creative in a truly amazing and unique location, and the memories I will treasure for a long time. 

chateau de lacoste wedding, sarlat wedding, french wedding, british photographer in france, katie byram photography

I have also had the opportunity to work at Danby Castle , which is a place I've been wanting to shoot a wedding at for a long time, and I'm thrilled I also have two future bookings there as well. Other new venues for me were Blackfriars restaurant, Ramside Hall, Kirkley Hall, Lumley Castle and Crook Hall, and in my home town of Huddersfield, Bagden Hall. 

pets at weddings, katie byram photography, danby castle, dalmatian, horse at wedding, dog wedding

lumley castle wedding, blowing veil, bride and groom kiss, katie byram photography

crook hall wedding, off camera flash, gazebo wedding, outdoor wedding, katie byram photography

blackfriars wedding, newcastle wedding, katie byram photography

langley castle wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

I have had numerous helpers this year including Vanessa, Karen, Louise, Kate, Michelle, Debbie, Sara, all of whom have been fantastic support. 

northumberland wedding, katie byram photography, high house farm brewery,

northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

alternative wedding photography, wedding moustache, high house farm brewery, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography


matfen hall wedding, matfen wedding, wedding car north east, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

ramside hall wedding, summer wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

I have also become a recommended photographer for Hotel Du Vin Newcastle, Copthorne Hotel & Ellingham Hall, Sunderland Masonic Temple, and continue to be recommended by the team at High House Farm Brewery, where I have shot six wedding there this year.

I continue to exhibit at and be part of the team at Just Perfect UK near Cramlington, a particular thanks goes to Wendy who runs the gallery & her business By Wendy, as her support and friendship has been priceless.  I have had work featured on Whimsical Wedding Wonderland, Plans & Presents, Belle Bridal website and several pages in their printed Autumn/Winter Magazine.

ramside hall wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

northumberland wedding, katie byram photography, high house farm brewery

northumberland wedding, katie byram photography, woodland wedding

In February I took place in Qwest's  Crathorne Hall showcase, where it was a pleasure to meet Becci (from Hair By Becci), the funny story was that I had a blonde moment and dropped candle wax all over my iPad just as some couples were coming in the door. She grabbed it and helped me sort it all out even though she had her business to attend to and we'd just met, what a top lass!!! We've since worked together and attended the Brides up North & Wedding Affair Halloween Networking event together. 

same-sex wedding, female wedding, lesbian wedding, femme lesbian couple, same-sex couples, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

paper pom poms, wedding pom poms, charlotte balbier, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography, ellingham hall


poppy fields, poppy photos, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

bagden hall wedding, red bus wedding, vintage bus wedding, yorkshire heritage bus company, red bus days, huddersfield wedding, katie byram photography

In March I travelled to FOCUS exhibition for the first time, with fellow photographer Debbie, to find some new wedding albums and have two days indulging in geeky photographer stuff.

sim imaging, focus on imaging, birmingham


In April I was so happy to work alongside some amazing North-East suppliers at new wedding venue Vallum Farm, on a styled shoot that I organised in conjunction with Karen from Sweet Pea Events. It really was a great start to the beginning of the main wedding season, and it was there I met Dani, a fab make up artist who live nearby. I've since hired her for a shoot I did on behalf of Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery , and then recommended her to several of my brides as she is really that good! 
We've also found time for meet for lunch and a natter, so nice to make a new friend and I hope one day I can have a good excuse to have her give me a makeover! 

vallum farm, vallum wedding, farm wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

vallum farm, vallum wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

I also photographed Mr & Mrs Burton's surprise Diamond wedding anniversary celebrations at the Copthorne Hotel, and it was a real honour to be there and also to present their daughter with the finished album afterwards. 

storybook wedding album, sim imaging, diamond wedding anniversary, katie byram photography
diamond wedding, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

At the beginning of summer I was blown away when I was booked by three wedding related businesses, almost simultaneously to photograph their products & services for their website & promotions. It was a pleasure to work with Master Cakesmith, Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery & Music Newcastle, who were all happy with the finished photographs to show off their fabulous work.

kirkley hall, bridal designs wedding jewellery, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography
kirkley hall, bridal designs wedding jewellery, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography
master cakesmith, ellingham hall, katie byram photography

I also had the privilege of photographing two christenings this year, for the families of Harvey & Peter. 
Two of my families also booked me twice in a year, which is a huge compliment, and I also enjoyed organising and photographing some mini photoshoot sessions at High House Farm Brewery, as well as several other family photoshoots. I also photographed two large corporate events, again for repeat clients. I also shot the publicity photographs for a new wedding venue in association with Beckwith Events, which was Sunderland Masonic temple. which was published in a two page spread in Belle Bridal Magazine.

sunderland masonic temple, sunderland wedding venue, katie byram photography, masonic hall sunderland


professional christening photographer, kirkley hall, bridal designs wedding jewellery, northumberland wedding, katie byram photography

family portraits newcastle, high house farm brewery, katie byram photography

family portraits newcastle, high house farm brewery, katie byram photography

family portraits newcastle, high house farm brewery, katie byram photography

family portraits newcastle, hardwick park, katie byram photography
family portraits newcastle, hardwick park, katie byram photography

family portraits newcastle, hardwick park, katie byram photography, jesmond dene

christening photographer, family portraits newcastle, hardwick park, katie byram photography

jesmond dene, dog family portrait, katie byram photography

In July I took part in a Brett Harkness workshop all about improving flash techniques for weddings. I had a lot of fun & also definitely picked up some new skills. It has been great developing these as the year progressed.


Special wedding & pre-wedding highlights of the year for me were - capturing a couple see each other for the first time as bride and groom with just me present, a wedding where the couple brought their horse & dog, eating ice cream whilst watching wedding guests dance the night away after one of my most fun & laid back weddings, getting to spend a warm summer evening with a couple on their farm, riding through the hills on a quad bike trailer, photographing a loved-up couple in freezing cold snowy weather,  seeing lots of Dads see their daughters as brides on the morning of their wedding, and seen them wipe away tears (& me often wiping away mine!), swimming in the pool the morning after the french wedding, photographing a couple dancing after being married for sixty years, watching two couples crack out their surprise choreographed first dance and twirling with bridesmaids in the summer sunset..... 

north east wedding photography, katie byram photography

dad crying at wedding, high house farm brewery, katie byram photography




(This post has become rather long so I will write my goals & plans for next year in a separate entry)

Wow. Again as I said this time last year, being able to look back on reflect on the year makes me realise how much i've experienced, grown, learned, and how much fun I've had. I do truly love my job and I am so grateful to each and every person who i've worked with and who've supported me throughout the year, including my brides, grooms, families, amazing staff at venues, vicars and registrars (Northumberland County Council registrars.... you are amazing in particular!!!)  fellow photographers, other wedding suppliers..... you are fabulous and my work would be nothing without you.  THANK YOU!!!! 

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas & a fab New Year and I will raise a glass to you all! 

Here's to another fab year ahead to come, bring on 2014!!!!


All photograph copyright Katie Byram Photography and must not be used without permission.