We busy preparing for the forth-coming bridal fashion shoot.

The shoot will be on Tuesday 10th March (just before Mark heads off for Vegas for this years WPPI convention) and will showcase the designer gowns from White Dresses and Tiaras who are based in East Sussex.

The models are supplied from Toni and Guy in Knightsbridge - who will also be taking care of the hair and make up. Many thanks go to Shona who is organising this side of things.

The venue for the shoot is the recently refurbished Felbridge Hotel nr East Grinstead, East Sussex.
Look out for some of the photos on the blog later on in March.

Pam spend a wonderful couple of hours at the bridal shop ‘White Dresses and Tiaras’ in Crawley,East Sussex last week.
The showroom is spacious and modern, with the fitting rooms well designed. The seating area was sumptuous with plenty of space.Also there was a special area where all the bridesmaid dresses were displayed. The staff were very friendly and helpful and special thanks go to Rachel for looking after us so well.
Claire,the owner, also designs and makes the beautiful tiaras that are sold in the shop.
If you are looking for your wedding gown, or a tiara, or shoes or a veil, I can recommend this business to you .

This week has been extremely busy with photoshoots and online orders from previous clients.
Mark spent a couple of days at the Focus exhibition at the NEC. He was impressed with the new acrylic prints so look out to see these soon at our studio. Also there were some interesting canvases that caught his eye.
Pam, in the meantime has been to Olympia to the National Wedding Show. There was everything there from teeth whitening to glorious wedding gowns. Cakes and novelties, the best being a chap dressed in a Roman toga. Not quite sure what he was selling but it was something to do with mosaics.

After Mark and Jackie’s successful trip to Australia last October, they are getting their bags ready again to jet off to the annual international event for photographers held in Las Vegas.

WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) is attended each year by more than 6,000 photographers from all around the world.

Conferences, lectues and seminars are held over a four day period, usually starting around 8.00am and finishing at 10.00pm. Exhibitors from around the world use this conference to showcase thier latest products to the world and it’s important that we attend to keep up to date with the latest products and techniques available.

The print competition allows us to compete against the leading photographers in the world - and to date we have fares well - fingers crossed for this year!

Pam was delighted and surprised in January when her daughter, Bethany, became engaged to her boyfriend of 3 years , Brendan.
They plan to marry in September 2009 with the church being Emmanuel Church in Normanton Road, South Croydon and the reception being at Coltsford Mill in Oxted.

Pam and Bethany have been enjoying going to the various fayres, particulary the Designer wedding Fayre held at Battersea Park on 15th Feb. This week the fayre at Olympia will be visited.
White dresses and Tiaras in Crawley is booked for a session of ooh’s and aah’s as Beth tries on their beautiful gowns. Also Amante of Reigate is a must to visit as they have exquisite wedding dresses.
Of  course the wedding photographer has already been booked……….thanks Mark!

January is normally a quiet month when we take stock of last year business and see how we can improve our service to customers during the next year.

However, this January has been very busy. Mark has worked every day (yes including Sundays!) since we returned to work after the Christmas and New Year break.

We have been shooting a lot of portraits in the studio, as well as model portfolios for which we have had to “call in” our favourite makeup artist from Toni and Guy in Knightsbridge.

We have also been needed by our regular corporate customers for PR shoots.
All this together with the wedding fayres, seeing new clients and the general day to day work has made for a very busy month.

Mark acts as a mentor for photographers from time to time. One of his recent photographers called ‘Big Al’ visited the Studio to shadow Mark and to learn some new photoshop techniques and imagery.

Big Al’s visit conincided with have attended the SWPP convention in Hammersmith during January so as part of his visithere accompanied Mark to the trade show.
Many new suppliers were there who are offering new acrylic albums and frames with different styles and designs.

Al has now returned to the west country and is putting into practice some of the new techniques!

In January Mark was asked to photograph a birthday party held in a large Marquee in the grounds of the clients house. It was a 50th birthday celebration and was a themed affair. From the Ice Scupture to the mime artists the occasion was great fun and the event was organised by AB Fab with extravagance and quality.
Many of the guests have ordered photographs from the evening which we were placed on our online gallery on our website for them to view.

As the New Year descended on us, so did the Wedding Fayres for this season.
We have been extremely busy exhibiting at K2 at Gatwick, the Aerodrome in Croydon and The Hawth. All these fayres were held throughout January and we received many enquiries for our wedding packages. Clients are booking into late 2009 so it is never too soon to visit photographers to make your choices.
During March we will be taking MHP Studios to The Felbridge Hotel in East Grinstead and the beautiful venue of Eltham Palace. If you are interested in visiting us at either of the sites, please call Pam at the Studio for the dates 020 8688 3972

We have been fortunate to find and use a new florists based in Warlingham.
The name of this business is Son-Florist and has taken over from Petals.
Sonny, the owner, has a flair for contemporary design and has been the prefered florist for weddings at Oaks Farm, Oaks Lane, Shirley, Surrey.
He designed two stunning arrangements at a local Church for a wedding ceremony last December and the guests were highly appreciative of his flair.
Recently we have joined with this florists in our Valentine’s day promotion.
At present Sonny’s new website is still under construction but we at MHP Studios highly recommend Son-Flowers to you.