Bianca - portrait photography session, Oxford

Soon to be seen in Vogue (yes, really)

Hello.  Sharing some favourites from my shoot with Bianca at her home back in February.  I'm particularly excited about the shot above, love the soft light of the window on her face as she pauses to look out at the garden over a cup of tea and it has a kind of classic feel that I dig.  It's the image chosen to appear in Vogue when I'm in the 'Oxford vs Cambridge' article next month.  Exciting: now I can say '... as featured in Permaculture Magazine and Vogue' ;)

Bianca was after some informal portraits for professional use, and we worked together at her garden flat on a cold winter's morning, experimenting with a range of poses and positions, and two types of lens (my new 35mm f/1.8 prime and the 24-70 f/2.4 zoom for longer shots).  The location was a photographer's dream, with it's high ceilings, big windows, great decor and beautiful light.  A great space to work, and a fun shoot.  Thank you Bianca!

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Georgia getting ready - wedding photography at Hawkwell House Hotel, Oxford

Beautiful bride: Georgia

2012 was a wonderful year for weddings and partnerships at mimsaxl.photography.  I worked with a number of lovely couples through the year, creating images for them to treasure, using a mix of informal reportage-style photography and more formal posed group shots.  I met some great individuals, all nicely loved up.  I haven't blogged about many of the weddings, so thought I'd catch up a bit now, as we head, full speed, into the 2013 season.  I've decided to start with the last wedding of 2012, that of Georgia & Gerry, in December at Hawkwell House in Iffley.

I don't always cover the couple getting ready, and it is a treat when I do.  You can get some really atmospheric and personal shots, particularly of brides, in the often highly-charged hour before the guests arrive: moments of pause and reflection, last-minute nerves, laughter and warmth between close friends, all there to be captured.  Yum!  Georgia was really pleased with her getting ready shots, as that time was a bit of a blur and her friends look gorgeous.  Here are a few favourites.

Enjoy,
Mim x

Last minute adjustments

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Civil partnership photography Oxford

Toast and telly - portrait photography study of my little Beee

Favourite feet

A little study of Bee watching telly and eating toast. 
I was hoping to head out into the sun that day, but Bee didn't feel great, so we curled up on the sofa with some toast.  Perfect opportunity for some new shots of her and always a good exercise in creativity to pay attention to what is right in front of you, especially when it is so lovely.

Love the light

Wanted the shadow of her profile on the cushion - tempted to try emphasising it more in post-processing

Transfixed

Lashes

Beautiful Bee

Toes

Tummy

Toast!

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Dog fun in South Parks - event photography, Oxford

My favourite from the day

Comedian Miranda Hart was in Oxford today as part of her Comic Relief 'Five Challenges', her task for the day to find some beautiful beasts in the city for a dog show on the Beeb tonight.  With hound, daughter and camera, I pitched up and took a few snaps; here are a few of my favourites.

Woof!

Contestants checking the paperwork whilst their 'lookalike' hounds look on

A contestant from the 'dogs that look like their owners' category

Successful candidate phoning home

Looking dapper

'Smile!' - typical doggie photo

Obviously been interviewed on telly before - look at the posture!

Patient waiting

Beautiful colours

And the other side of dog glory - my Ses, responding to not being chosen to compete in any category

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