A Happy Wedding Ending

in ,

Delivering Wedding Photographs One Year Later!

It was never my choice and I certainly never would advocate for something like this but I’m afraid we do have some bad apples in the wedding industry.

Luca Giorgio is blown away by the beauty of his wife Sonia walking up the aisle to meet him,

I was hired by NJA Media in 2022 to shoot several weddings and there was always some difficulty in getting payment but I remained professional and kept the work flowing.
I arrived at Hanbury Wedding Barns in Derbyshire for the marriage of Luca and Sonia.
Their wedding was so fantastic and full of entertainment, with plenty of action for me as a photographer. I made some of my best work at this wedding and loved the opportunities.

Luca and Sonia share their first married kiss.

The lady that ran NJA Media was slowly crashing behind the scenes and her business was becoming unable to deliver their services and stopped paying their suppliers, which included myself. I’d done all the work and only been paid a small deposit.
I was contacted by Chris who created their wedding film to ask if I’d managed to get paid, as he had experienced the same situation but Chris did give me the contact details for Sonia.

I wasted no time by texting Sonia to let her know that I was the photographer and I had her photographs safe, so not to worry.

The confetti tunnel

Sonia and Luca were so relieved because Nyala from NJA Media had completely disappeared and wouldn’t even answer the courts following the Giorgio’s case against NJA Media.
In the end Sonia and Luca won their case but Nyala had disappeared and now rests with a CCJ, which is a shame because she had a good opportunity with NJA Media.
However, the case was settled but no financial compensation could arrive for the estranged couple.

Luckily NJA Media had hired a good photographer with a good moral compass! In I fly to the rescue and arranged to give Sonia and Luca their long awaited wedding photographs.

After waiting for a whole year to get their wedding photographs, they finally received them yesterday and I was so happy to be able to give them their sweet memories and now they can live happily ever after.

My New Film for my 1:1 and Group Photography Workshops is Released Today

1:1 & Group Photography Workshops Film Sept. 11th 2023

As the popularity grows for my photography workshops, I’ve collected footage and photographs and created a film.

Today on 11/9/2023 my latest workshop film is published and released in to the world wide web.

Here it is…

1:1 and Group Photography Workshops in Burbage, Leicestershire.

I’m able to take on complete beginners with good cameras and show them how to understand them, set them up and shoot manually using the exposure triangle.

This gives you the ability to concentrate on the creative side, making the photographs and have complete creative control over the photographic process.

You’ll get a better idea and insight in to my workshops through watching this film.

For anyone wishing to learn about photography and the creative side of it, please get in touch.

My currently available courses are listed here.

Also subscribe to my emails for updates…

Beautiful Brand New Studio Wedding Album Reveal

in

The reveal of my brand new wedding photography album!

Featuring a mixture of my favourite photographs from weddings that I’ve shot over the past 11 years.

I specialise in documentary styled wedding photography and filmmaking, creating candid storytelling images that show the fun, romance and atmosphere from you with all of your family and friends.

My brand new designer wedding album reveal for Paul Hands Weddings

Look out for my next blog that I’m in the middle of writing, which reveals what the best course of action is for any couple that have got engaged to be married.
Most of the time it’s difficult to know which way to turn or where to start when organising a wedding. Well in my next blog I’ll reveal information about choosing your wedding venue, how to chose your wedding photographer, choosing your rings, decorating the venue, sending out invites, ordering flowers, the wedding dress, suits for the men and…. there’s so many things to consider.
I will address those things in my next blog.
For now here’s my video revealing the new wedding albums that I’ll be offering to new clients from now on.

Group Photography Update

in ,

Photography classes, courses and workshops based from

my studio in Burbage, Leicestershire.

Ideal for beginners to intermediate photographers.

Astro Landscape Photography

I’ve got several available courses currently bookable via my online shop.

Here’s a selection of my own photography to give you some ideas…

On my workshops I teach the following:

  • How to use your camera in manual mode (if you need it)

  • How to see, read and measure the light using your on board light meter

  • How to focus where and on what properly

  • Designing a professional composition

  • Framing your shots

  • Photographic approach

  • What makes a good photograph and what doesn’t and how to break the rules

  • I also answer any questions and work on specific difficulties that you have.

On my 121 workshops, you can book a private class where I’ll tailor a course to you and if you want, you can share the class and the costs with a friend on a 122 workshop.
Ask me for more details, paul@paulhands.co.uk

Astro Landscape Group Photography Workshop in Leicestershire

Fancy an alternative Saturday night out shooting Astro Landscape Photography in Leicestershire?

Join a group of like minded beginner to intermediate photographers, standing in the middle of a field in the dark!

Saturday 26th August 7:30pm - 02:30pm

On this incredible workshop, I'll teach you everything you need to know, including:

  • What settings to use and how to change them on your camera

  • Professional compositional techniques and how to apply them in the landscape, in the dark!

  • Exposing the image correctly and focusing your camera at night

  • How to see, read and measure the light

  • A post production taster session, seeing the magic of astro landscape photography come alive in front of your eyes!

I teach much more than this on the workshop and can answer any questions as we go. This is a fun, welcoming and very friendly group photography course with only 4 places available (keeping it small to ensure you get my best attention). For more information, to book or buy as a gift for your loved one, visit my website ------->>> https://www.paulhands.co.uk/shop/astro-landscape-aug-26th

Here's £5 from me to you for free

in ,

Would you like to get a discount on my photography workshops or a Leicestershire jigsaw puzzle?

I’m giving you £5 as a thank you for buying from me and supporting my little business.

Use this code: THANKS5

Here’s a link directly to my online shop.

At the checkout, once you’ve chosen what to spend your free fiver on, insert the discount ode and simply get £5 from me as a thank you for your support.

As a bonus, here’s my latest film about my photography workshops…

Thanks again!

Burbage Parish Council Artwork Commission

in ,

The story behind the commission from Burbage Parish Council.

Burbage Parish Council contacted me to ask if I could supply them with canvasses of my photographs from the project Hinckley, Burbage & Bosworth Photographed.

They wanted to brighten up Millennium Hall in the village, a public space used by the community for get togethers, parties and all kinds of meetings. In Meeting Room 1, during the recent renovation, the builders forgot to put the sound proofing tiles in the ceiling, which has caused an auditory echo, making it uncomfortable for people using it.
This commission was for canvasses featuring my artwork around Burbage and big enough to fit sound proofing tiles behind and will help contribute to reducing the echo in the room.

I’ve also made a short film about the commission, touching briefly on how the artwork has been made.

Enjoy…

This commission has inspired me to look more deeply at my archives and I’ll be curating all images that would work as wall art for a new artwork sales and rental part to my business.
I plan to provide unique local photographic artwork of the Leicestershire landscape to all residents and businesses, where you can choose to rent for a low monthly subscription and having the ability to swap the artwork around at 6 and 12 monthly intervals and also with the options to purchase.

This idea will suit any offices and workspaces, cafe’s, bars, pubs and public buildings and also in your own homes. Currently this idea is in it’s infancy, where I’m curating the work that is suitable and designing a route to market. This will launch in 2023.

If this is something you would be interested in, then please by all means subscribe to my emails, which I only do a few times each month but always with new information about services and big things that are happening, like this amazing commission from burbage Parish Council.

April and May Group Photography Workshops

in ,

Current Available Group Photography Classes and Workshops in April and May 2023.

This year my group photography workshops have for some reason exploded! Every course I run is getting maxed out and it’s amazing to know I’m creating a world where people can immerse themselves in the one thing I absolutely love doing, photography.

I guess it may be because my work is becoming more popular and more people know about my workshops and photography courses now. Also I bet the word is getting around about how good they are. I’m not boasting as such and certainly not suggesting my workshops are amazing but my students do say things like that. Look, here’s my latest review:

“This was without question an amazing course, well presented, we were made to feel welcome, I just wanted to know how to set my camera up, but I got a whole lot more from it, Paul explained everything in a manner you understand, nothing is to much trouble for him, he makes time for everyone, and if you don’t get it (as I didn’t) he just explains it again, I highly recommend him if you want to get more from your camera, I definitely booking another course.
Thank you Paul”
— Mark Bennett, Bald Creations
Photography Workshop Classes Leicestershire

I’ve currently got a few workshops available with limited spaces, see below:

  • April 1st 2023 - Low Light Night Time Group Photography Workshop. This is a fantastic opportunity to be deeply creative around a beautiful fishing and boating lake at night time with expert tuition and with a group of like minded people. Only 2 places left.
    Book now ————>>>

  • Saturday 15th April - I’ve got a really cool day time / evening workshop designed to feature a variety of landscapes from an urban environment, rural fields and public woodlands during Bluebell season in Burbage Common and Woods. This is perfect for beginners and up to intermediate and includes a post production exercise back in the studio after the sun sets. Only 3 places left, book now ————>>>

  • Saturday 29th April - Beginners Group Photography Workshop, ideal for people that know almost nothing about shooting with a DSLR and especially for those DSLR owners that shoot in automatic mode. In this group photography class I will teach you how to use you your camera, how to set it up and how to understand the light, shooting in manual mode and even the basics of composition. Everyone loves this short workshop on a Saturday morning. Only 2 places available for this one though. Book here ——>>>

  • Saturday 13th May - The next group workshop available is The Urban Landscape Photographers Spring Group Workshop. This is a fantastic and very exciting workshop that gives you the opportunity to try Woodland photography, urban landscape photography and street photography all on one single course. If you’re going away on holiday this year, then I recommend this workshop to set you up ready with the knowledge of almost any environment you might come across on your jollies.
    Book here ————>>>

Above all these amazing group photography workshops I’m running and booking lots of people on to, I also take on 121 private clients that have specific needs or would prefer to have more tailored tuition. I’ve got 2 dates available for the 121 workshops as they’re more personal, I have limited availability, where you’ll need to get in touch with me directly to discuss these options, which come in half day and full day packages.

Here’s a selection of my work from an archive of well over ten thousand photographs.

“I contacted Paul regarding a photography workshop for my husbands 50th birthday and I can honestly say it’s the best present he’s ever had! With a keen interest in street photography, my husband already had a passion to take pictures but he lacked the technical knowledge and ‘tricks of the trade’, which Paul has in abundance. I booked a one to one, half-day workshop and Paul tailored the session to suit. He taught my husband so much and the difference it has made is unbelievable, his photography has come on leaps and bounds. If you want to enhance your skills or broaden your creativity then I would highly recommend Paul as an inspirational tutor.”
— Chelsea Cefai

121 and Group Photography Workshops

Learn More About Photography

Are you looking to improve your photography skills and learn new techniques in a fun and supportive group environment? Look no further! My 121 and group photography workshops are the perfect opportunity for you to take your photography to the next level. Led by myself, an experienced and professional photographer. My workshops cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of composition, exposure and lighting to advanced editing techniques. You'll have the chance to learn from me and work alongside other passionate photographers while exploring new locations and making good photographs.

Don't miss out on this unique and exciting learning experience – sign up for one of my group photography workshops today or if you’d like something more personal and tailored to you, contact me to discuss a 121 workshop.

I’ve currently got a few workshops available in my online shop or you can get more information from my photography workshop page.

What's so good about wedding photographers?

in ,

Why would anyone want to hire a wedding photographer when they could just give their mate a nice camera?

Tanzeena and Bilal married in 2020

Wedding photography is a special and unique art form that requires a great deal of skill, creativity, and experience. A wedding photographer is responsible for capturing all the special moments of a couple's big day, from the preparations and the ceremony, to the reception and the dance. The photographs that a wedding photographer creates will be treasured for a lifetime and will tell the story of the couple's special day for years to come.

One of the most important aspects of wedding photography is the ability to create beautiful and timeless images that will be cherished for a lifetime. This requires a great deal of creativity, as well as an understanding of lighting, composition, and post-processing techniques. Wedding photographers should also be able to work well under pressure and be able to think on their feet to capture the perfect shot.

Des and Naomi married 2021

Another important aspect of wedding photography is the ability to connect with the couple and create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. This is particularly important during the preparations and the ceremony, when the couple may be feeling anxious or nervous. A good wedding photographer will be able to put the couple at ease and create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, which will help to produce better photographs.

Finally, a good wedding photographer should be professional, reliable and have excellent communication skills. They should be able to work well with other vendors, such as the wedding planner, and be able to manage their time effectively to ensure that all important moments are captured. They should also be able to communicate effectively with the couple and provide them with a detailed timeline and plan for the day.

Wayne and Charran married 2021

Overall, wedding photography is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires a great deal of skill, creativity, and experience. A good wedding photographer will be able to create beautiful and timeless images, connect with the couple, and create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere to capture the special moments of their big day.

Alan and his best man an hour before their wedding in 2014