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.

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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.

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! 

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. 

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.

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.

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..... 

(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.