Holiday

Just a few snippets from Greece. One of my favourite places on earth.

Eliza

Most of the time I do prefer to produce bright, colourful images but there is just something about the texture of the wood and all that long grass that it simply had to be in black and white.

This is my little niece having fun with her mummy and daddy and her cousins, of course.

Mr. Sleepyhead

Sometimes it is fabulous to stage a big photo shoot, to roam the countryside looking for the perfect spot but sometimes the very smallest moments can be the best. Henry woke up this morning at 8.30. That really is a long lie-in, believe me! He came downstairs in his PJ's (no top as he 'wants to be like daddy). His hair was like a dandelion clock and he just looked so super-cute. A lovely impromptu photo session.

I WON!!!!!!!

I am so delighted to announce that I have won the 2010 Annabel Williams Bespoke Course Competition!!

I can't explain just how much this means to me and what a HUGE deal it is.

I was first made aware of the Annabel Williams Contemporary Photography Training a couple of years ago when I went to see a seminar by Catherine Connor. Catherine's passion, drive and expertise completely won me over and I have been a huge fan of everything they do since that time.

A few months ago I received an email from the training centre regarding a competition to win a place on the incredible Bespoke Programme. I spent a long time considering the entry and choosing images. Anyway, the deadline was a couple of weeks ago and a few days later I received a call (whilst out shopping) to say that I was one of the final six people. This completely blew me away and for a few minutes I was in emotional melt-down and just so stunned to get that far.

Yesterday I attended the interview at this stunning location in the Lake District. I was really, really nervous on entering the building but the minute I started chatting to the lovely Jane Breakell and Catherine Connor all those fears melted away and I quite honestly enjoyed every second of the interview... which is a first for me!

Anyway, to cut an already long story short, I just had a call from Mel at the studio and I have only gone and won the blooming thing!

No doubt I will re-blog this at some point as I really am in a state of shock. The implications this will have for my future career are utterly mind-blowing and I can't really take it all in at the moment, truly I can't. So I am going to go and have a cup of tea and stare out of the window in a really happy, over-awed, proud, teary-eyed daydream.

The blue sky photo is to remind myself that daydreams are so important and they really can come true.
L x

:)

Cute as a button!

Sometimes I do photo sessions on-location with huge meadows or rolling hills. Sometimes I am asked to do garden sessions (which I love equally) and whilst the end result is often very different it is also really lovely to see children happy and playing in one of their very favourite places in the world. This lovely garden has a little bit of magic in it, I'm sure (OK, that's the soft side of me coming out) but the grass is greener than green, there are little hidden corners here there and everywhere...oh and just to top it off they have their own fluffy white rabbit hopping around the place freely.

Three adorable little sisters.

Poppy Field

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.” - Elizabeth Lawrence.

Katie

Oh to be 19 and this pretty.......

Izzy & Amelia

This was an impromptu mini photo session but well worth carrying the chair in to this beautiful meadow for. Such sweet little sisters in a heavenly setting on a beautiful evening...

My Christmas Present

When Ed gave me my Christmas present last year wrapped in a beautiful box I opened it expecting pyjamas, perfume or something along those lines but inside it was a little stuffed toy, a tiger. Underneath this was a voucher gift for a photography day at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent. I'll be truthful when I say that although extremely grateful for this sweet gift, particularly as it was photography related, I was a little dubious about the whole thing.

In all honesty I envisioned being thrown in amongst a huge group of photo-geeks who would be talking endlessly about metering modes and wearing all sorts of big cat related fashion wear. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, all cats, big, little, domestic, wild but most of all (well, after Rolo, Molly & Ziggy at least) tigers. That said, I have never once owned a tiger tea towel, a tiger coat or a tiger pullover as I was sure that the entire rest of the group would do. Anyway I was very grateful for the considerate gift but I just wasn't sure what I was going to do as I am not a wildlife photographer and I don't have a clue about that field of photography.

The day came and we drove in to the beautiful countryside of Kent. On arriving at the centre it really seemed nothing remarkable from the road, in fact I didn't even notice a sign. This place is strictly off limits for the general public unless an appointment/ event day is booked. From the car park I could see one or two enclosure type structures and a main, wooden building, again, pleasant but nothing to write home about.

When I walked in to the building that's when things changed. Yes, there was a little area in the main building with shelves of little toy leopards and lions, some lovely fine art prints and photos but nothing tacky to be seen anywhere. I met the rest of the group, who were all lovely and eager (no tiger-related fashion wear in sight!!) and off we went.

I won't go on too much about this but as you can see this is already the longest blog post I have done and I am sure I will be posting at least a dozen photos form the day. It was fabulous. The whole thing from start to finish was professional, informative and entertaining. The chap who showed us around, Andy was so knowledgeable and the sincere passion he has for his job just shone through.

The place itself has an almost spiritual feel to it. That may sound strange but it's the only way I can describe it. The animals are cared for in loving but natural (i.e hands off when possible) way. They are truly respected, they aren't cajoled in to performing for the cameras and they seem completely at ease in this environment. This place really had an impact on me, not least for the animals themselves, so powerful, beautiful and enchanting but for the way the place seems to tick over with happy, enthused and caring staff. Just incredible.

As you can see form the following photos I am no animal/ wildlife photographer but as I am a portrait phtoographer I decided to stick to what I know best and I took their portraits! along with a few abstract shots too.

The WHF work to ensure that big cat species from all over the world are protected from extinction, they are a part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme and they help to educate people who share the habitats of these cats.

You can support the Wildlife Heritage Foundation by visiting www.whf.org.uk where you can donate, volunteer of sponsor a big cat.

Here are some photos!






We got to have a wander around the enclosures at our own pace later in the day. When I took this I was the only one near the lions and I swear he was staring right at me, it was moving and fairly terrifying at the same time.

My Family Magazine

I am a believer in having written goals in life, simple, straightforward goals. Don't think that by simple, I mean easy, not at all but I mean a strong simplified goal that represents other successes along side of it. By creating these goals, I believe that we welcome other similar opportunities along the way. One particular goal of mine is to have one of my photographs on the cover of 'Junior Magazine'.

Whilst this hasn't happened just yet I have been lucky enough to work with the lovely Karen at My Family Magazine. My Family is a free magazine circulated in and around the Midlands and, like Junior magazine is filled with interesting articles which are relevent to todays modern family.

It has been so exciting to see my image on the cover today, for the first time and to see how the magazine looks and feels. It really is informative and interesting so have a peek at the website and see where you can pick up a copy - there are lots of fantastic competitions too.

Here it is...

And the winner is...

Agnes Lengyl from Leamington Spa

LEAH & JASON TIE THE KNOT

Last thursday, in a quiet little corner of Northamptonshire, Leah & Jason tied the knot with their friends and wonderful family watching on. Hiding behind my camera I did get a tear in my eye, believe me.

Here are a couple of shots from a family and a pre-wedding shoot all rolled in to one. Such a gorgeous family, I think the images show just how relaxed and happy they all are. Thanks all for a lovely hour, fingers crossed that the sunshine lasts until thursday!!

WIN WIN WIN - THE BIG COMPETITION IS HERE!

Just incase you missed it in this Month's Leamington Express Advertiser

I am offering the chance to win an AMAZING prize including family photographic session, prints and other goodies worth over £500!!!



The reason? Well, SPRING IS HERE OF COURSE! My absolute, hands-down favourite time of the year. Colour is beginning to creep in to our gorgeous landscape, the cold is but a distant memory (touch wood!) the evenings are getting lighter and if that isn't a good enough reason, well I don't know what is.

Here are the details:

The prize will include a peak or off peak on-location photographic session (for details of what 'on-location' and 'natural light photography' involve, please see my main site).

The prize is for up to five people and to the location of choice must be within 25 miles of Southam, Warwickshire. Please feel free to enter if you live further afield but you extra mileage will incur a charge (allbeit a minimal one).

The prints package included is the 'Deluxe' package. This includes an 8x10 inch hardback, image wrapped photobook of your images from the session, 2 x 8x10 inch Wall portraits (mounted on card, not framed), two wall prints up to 12 x 16 inch (mounted on card, not framed), 12 5x7 mounted prints, 8 x wallet prints.

The session must take place within six months from the date of notification that you have won.

The winning entrant will be drawn at random on Friday 30th April and the winner will be notified before May 4th.

One entry per email address only.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SEND AN EMAIL including your contact details to Lucy@lucywoodrow.co.uk and put the word 'competition' in the header. Easy peasy.

Good luck!

1982

I have been meaning to post this photo for a while. Aside from my own photos this blog is intended to be a showcase of all things fun and inspiring. This is a photograph my dad took whilst on holiday in Penang in 1982 - it's me and my mum I just love this photo, one of my all time favourites.

Oh poor little blog. So much going on, it has been sorely neglected. BIG plans for 2010 including THE competition, I promise, it will come and it will be great.

For now, here is a collection of SOME of my favourite shots from 2009, some of friends and family, some of clients and one or two silly ones.

Enjoy.

Pink, Sugar, Sand

Just because...



P.S - this blog is going to get so much more loving care in the new year...promise.

3 Years Old Tomorrow!

...and such a cutie. The second photo just says 'Hey, look at me, I'm a big boy now!". Happy birthday for tomorrow x

Jamie & Hannah

Probably the quickest photo session ever but don't they look fab? Very natural and smiley!

Well, I have been so, so busy that the poor old blog has had to take a back seat for a while. I thought for a change I would post something a bit different. I made these for my daughters classmates when the school holidays began in July.




I think they are pretty cute and Ella loved them to bits!