Guest Lecturer at International Conference

Well the panic mode is now officially setting in .


I am really busy at the moment trying to finish the design work for 5 wedding albums in addition I am putting the final touches to my presentation for the SWPP Conference.

Having been invited as a guest speaker last year I am more than delighted that I was asked to take part again in 2012.
The convention runs from 10th-15th January 2012 in London and attracts delegates and lecturers from across the globe.I am heading off to London for a few days and have been invited to give a masterclass .

This is the biggest photographic convention in Europe and I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to take part last year on the first occasion, but to be invited back for a second year running is even better.

The Societies’ CEO Phil Jones has described the agenda as ‘truly world-class, the quality of our speakers is unsurpassed anywhere' ..with comments like that I have to admit to feeling more than a little nervous and intimidated to be taking part especially when you look at some of the world renouned speakers .

I am also very concious that this year I will be the only Wedding Photographer in Northern Ireland who will be lecturing this year so feel a little extra pressure to put on a good show .

Wedding Photography Northern Ireland

Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

After some recent articles in the press and television about some people who have been dissappointed with their photographers I thought It might be an idea to write an articlegiving some advice on my tips for choosing a wedding photographer in Northern Ireland
OK so you have got engaged and have decided on your location, you need to find a wedding photographer. Most importantly you need to find a photographer that suits you. Your wedding day is a unique event and one of the most important days in your life. Your wedding photographer is out there somewhere and there are lots to choose from. Some are part-time, others full-time; some come with professional accreditation others do not There is also a huge variation in fees and charges. How do you decide?

Here are some general ideas to help you choose :-
Choosing a date is just the start of what will likely be one of the busiest periods of your life. Your wedding can take so much work and planning and then it's over in a flash, the day can whiz by so quickly that it is easy to miss many things. That's why choosing a photographer is a crucial part of your plans as it is their job to capture the essence and spirit of the day in an enduring set of images that will last forever. No matter who you choose it is vital to feel relaxed and at ease with your choice

A good photographer will make you look like a star, but still capture the real you.

1. What should I look for in my photographer
Most importantly, when choosing a photographer you should choose someone you feel comfortable with and who produces photographs in a style you like as they are going to photograph one of the most important days of your life.

A photographer who is a member of a professional photographic will be able to produce work to a high standard in any situation. Always ask to view a complete wedding album from a recent wedding, and not just look at the photographers best photos.

Meet with your photographer prior to the day, and ensure they knows the type of pictures you want

2. Photographic Style
Over the last few years, there has been a great change in the range of photographic styles available from the classic traditional posed shots of groups of family & friends, signing the register and the cutting of the cake, etc to totally journalistic shots. In reality what most couples want is a mix but where even the ‘posed’ shots are relaxed and enjoyable.

Black & white images which are well composed and taken have a great timeless quality. Good photography should be about capturing emotion, expression, and of course story telling.

I will continue with some more later
Northern Ireland Photographer
Colin Turtle is a wedding and portrait photographer based near Ballymena covering weddings across Northern Ireland.
He is an award winning photographer and lecturer at The Societies Photographic Convention in London which is the biggest photographic convention in Europe.

Engagement and Pre-Wedding Photographs

A pre wedding or engagement shoot is a great way to get to know your photographer better. It is a chance to have a bit of fun and try out a few things so it builds a rapport and really helps you to relax in front of the camera, and have fun!
It also allows your photographer to get a feeling for the type of shots you enjoy and it also allows us to experiment a little and find out exactly what works best for you
Lifestyle shoots are very casual & relaxed and fun. It is a great chance to get out in the fresh air go for a walk and get great pictures!

Normally these would be scheduled as a weekday or evening session.

The location of the shoot is entirely up to you. It could be a garden or park. It might be somewhere that holds special significance to you. There are also a multitude of beautiful locations in Northern Ireland. It might be somewhere you go simply to walk the dog or ride your horse (if you have one) . On that front pets are also welcome (though I draw the line at lions and tigers).
Belfast Castle, Carrickfergus Castle, Dunluce Castle, Glenarm ,Various Beaches, Glenariff, Crawfordsburn, Roe Valley, Mussenden, Bishops Gate, Botanic Gardens, the list is endless.

In terms of what to wear my advice is always to wear what ever you feel most comfortable in and something practical. Casual outdoor clothing. Jeans are great, and sensible shoes. Stiletto heels and forest paths are not a good mix.
Dress according to the time of year and the weather we dont want anyone getting frostbite, it should be fun and enjoyable and it wont be if you are freezing.

Rain is not a problem as we can usually find some shelter and can always use an umbrella. Admittedly if there is a force 10 gale and it is blowing a blizzard we might have to reconsider our options. Dont work we wont do anything unsafe, unless YOU fancy your shots abseiling down a cliff!

Sometimes we also use a picture from your pre-wedding shoot and get a 'signing board' made. This can be taken to your wedding and all the guests sign the mounting board and the result can then be framed thus you have a totally unique picture for the wall with all your guests names etc.


You are under no obligation purchase any photographs from a pre wedding shoot -
unless you are so delighted you just cannot help yourself!

The pre wedding photoshoot is the perfect ice-breaker - and a great deal of fun!


Colin Turtle
Northern Ireland Wedding Photographer
http://www.colinturtle.co.uk/

Fun -Lifestyle Kids

Kids generally get a bit intimidated and dont enjoy a formal portrait session so I love to simply let them go out and enjoy themselves having fun and then they really do not even notice the camera. Here are a few shot taken 'at play' in the Roe Vally Country Park.








































Photographer in Northern Ireland
Colin Turtle
http://www.colinturtle.co.uk/

About - Colin Turtle

Even at school I was interested in photography and like most boys - cars. So I loved going to see car rallys and trying to get shots with my little camera. The I moved to SLRS and began to take people and landscapes (they did not move as quickly).

But it was really just a hobby until I got asked to cover a relatives wedding. That then led to being asked to do some others and it has progressed over the years from there . I now cover weddings and portraits as well as having a decent portfolio of Fine Art Landscapes.

All the information is available on my website www.colinturtle.co.uk

I live near Ballymena, Northern Ireland though I am happy to take work throught N.Ireland and beyond.
A wedding is a unique event and every wedding id different .It is a family day and all about the Bride and Groom so I try and make the photographic experience fun and enjoyable for you and your guests. So while a bit of structure is essential to ensure that your get the pictures you want I try and work in a fun and relaxed style and not to take too long. I also try and blend in a lot and take those candid shots that people are often not aware of. The result is a mix of photographs that capture the flow and emotion of your day.

Your albums can be either a traditional type album or one of the modern 'Storybook' style albums however in either case I design each album individually
so that every wedding album is unique.

You can find out more about my Wedding Photography Northern Ireland Wedding Photographer

I am a qualified member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) and am fully insured.

I also love doing portraiture shots particularly 'lifestyle photography' sessions . This is where we go out on location and take a series photographs in a fun an relaxed manner . These are particularly effective for children where the formaility of a studio can ne a bit intimidating. Let them loos in the park or a woodland setting and they can have a ball resulting in some great images. Colour or the classic Black and white is your choice.
I also have a studion wher eI can undertake classioc portrait shots.

We all love to get out in the country and I love nothing more than heading off with the camer and tripod for some Landscape shots , the weather often does not accommodate. But when you get the right lighting and conditions the rewards can be some stunning fine art landscapes.

My Fine Art Landscapes are available to buy either by contacting me directly or via the website http://www.colinturtle.co.uk/group4783.html

All the various links to my site are as follows:

Northern Ireland Wedding Photographer
Northern Ireland Portrait Photographert
Fine Art Landscapes
Northern Ireland Commercial Photographer

Your wedding Day - Relax and Enjoy

You will most likely have been planning your wedding day for months (if not years) and everything will have been planned and replanned so It is important to realise some important things.

Murphy's Law states 'Anything that can go wrong will go wrong' ...Now it is very unlikely that this is actually the case .However it is worth bearing in mind that there is a chance that something will go wrong at some point . The important thing is top relax and enjoy the whole day...there is nothing that can be done at this stage to change anything so dont worry about it. If someone forgets their lines or one of your flowergirls etc does not want to wear the dress simply take it with a smile and enjoy the day.

The weather can rarely be depended on but your photographer shoudl be able to get great shots whatever the weather and no-one can control the weather.
It is important to have contingency plans in place so taht if you have decided to go to a lovely Rose garden which is now under 6 inches of rain you have an alternative.

BUT DONT PANIC

This is one of the most important days in your life and it is usually a really busy day, so It is imprtant thay you take time to relax and enjoy the experience.
It is all about the bride and groom so let everyone else worry about things and simply enjoy the experience.

Your Northern Ireland Wedding Photographer will be more than hapy to discuss your requirements and options for your wedding photography


Colin Turtle
Northern Ireland Photographer
e-mail: info@colinturtle.co.uk
WWW.COLINTURTLE.CO.UK