On Sunday, Mark and the wedding team were out in full force, photographing Dawn and Mark’s wedding at Alexander House Hotel, our first wedding of 2010.
We arrived at the hotel to meet the groom and his best man for some shots with the rings, and the rest of the grooms ‘A’ team in the bar before the ceremony to get some informal photos, before heading up to the brides dressing room, where Dawn was getting ready for her big day.

With hair and make-up artistry in full flow, the room was filled with cheer and laughter as we photographed away, capturing those precious moments, intricate details from gorgeous Tiffany jewellery, the beautiful bridal gown,  the bouquet and not forgetting the shoes!

(Read on …)

This time we are driving along the Gold Coast from Cairns to Sydney, as it is Jackie’s (my better half) special birthday this year. Whilst we are away the studio will be open as usual so contact Jane if you need any help.

Cairns our first destination .

Our journey started with an eleven hour flight to Hong Kong, then a further eight and half hours to Sydney, followed by a mere three hours and some change short hop to Cairns. After travelling for 34 hours door to door we finally made it!

We are spending the first couple of days here just getting over the travelling, before picking up our hire car and beginning the drive back to Sydney. I’ll post as and when I can get access to the internet.

Cairns is a lively and vibrant town and is used to get access to the Great Barrier reef . There is no beach here, so they’ve built a pool and beach on the Esplanade. There are lots of trendy bars and clubs and the nightlife is fairly hectic! Late nights are followed by lazy mornings with street side coffee bars abound. This is in total contrast to the expensive looking boats and luxury hotels around the very pretty marina. Cairns I would say is a town of contrasts!

Tomorrow we are exploring Kuranada, so hopefully will post some photos from our trip!

Kuranda

Today we took the skyrail up across the rain forest to Kuranda, where we visited a butterfly sanctuary and wandered around the small town before returning to Cairns on board a real steam train.

(Read on …)

We are well into the busy season now for our Christmas Portraits. This year we have a special Christmas offer, which is proving highly popular (see below for details) So if you are thinking of booking a family portrait for Christmas now is the time to do so!!!!

Christmas Special – Family portrait & complimentary print for just £55!
Limited availability – contact the studio now on 01883 344852 to book your place!

(Ps Stuck for an idea of what to get for Christmas? We have gift certificates available to buy now for Fashion Makeovers and Family Portraits the make a great Christmas present)

For further information contact Jane at the studio on 01883 344852 and quote Christmas Special / MPA

We are offering you the opportunity to become a member of MHP Studios wedding team!

We are looking for a keen, enthusiastic person who is not afraid of hard work, to assist Mark on next years weddings. If it all works out, you will be second shooting (with Mark) and potentially shooting weddings for the studio in 2011!

What we are looking for is somebody who loves weddings, is keen to learn and can get along with people. No technical or photographic skills are required as we will provide all the equipment and training.

Please remember that most weddings take place on a Saturday (and more frequently Sundays these days) so you will need to be available most weekends.

All you need to do is send an email to; office@mhpstudios.co.uk
NO LATER THAN the 30th OCTOBER 2009
with your contact details and outlining why you would like to be considered for this opportunity.

Yesterday the National News is full of how one photographer has been (rightly) sued for truly dreadful work.

Just one of the multitude currently giving true Professional Photographers a bad name. Many are new to the profession, many are unqualified, untrained or even part-timers, doing a full time job in the week just earning a bit of spare cash at the weekend.
Think about it, every wedding takes us 30-40 hours of work and uses skill level built from many years experience and on-going training, let alone the thousands of pounds of photographic and computing equipment and back-up spares that are needed.
MHP Studios (Mark Hughes) is a member of the The Master Photographers Association the only Association for Full Time Professional photographers,

Do ask questions of your Photographer, are they insured, are they a qualified Members of the MPA or BIPP can you see THEIR work, do they have testimonials, do you like them as a person, are they passionate about what they do or
is it just for that bit of extra cash?

Price is important, but don’t spoil the wedding!

Question why somebody would offer to do photography AND video for under £1450?

This Saturday Mark and Graham photographed the wedding of Michelle and Andrew at Alexander House

Set on 170 acres of stunning private gardens and parkland, Alexander House is both a boutique retreat and an unsurpassed destination spa in the heart of the Sussex countryside.

The weather was amazingly hot as was Michelle and Andrew!

This Friday Mark and Claire photographed the wedding of Susie and Matt at Langshott Manor.

Despite the changeable weather of late, Friday was a gloriously sunny day which allowed the bridal party and guests to enjoy drinks and canapes on the terrace.

Susie and Matt make a great couple and both looked stunning on the day.

Mark is the recommended photographer at Langshott Manor which is a beautifully restored 16th century manor house set in a secluded country lane and surrounded by three acres of stunning gardens and an ancient moat.

Mark has photographed numerous wedding at Langshott and knows how to make the best use of the elegant interiors which feature exposed beams, polished oak panelling and glowing log fires.

Congratulations to Susie and Matt

We got a bit over excited and wrongly stated are achievements at the MPA South East Region Awards!

We only won Overall Portrait, Open Portrait and Commercial categories and was Runner up in the Fashion Category!

Ah well maybe next year!

The Master Photographers Association South East Region, held their annual print competition on Monday 15th June at Rowfont House.

We were lucky enough to win three categories; Open Portraits, Fashion and Commercial category.

Open Portrait Winner

Commercial (Shot for Toni & Guy Knightsbridge)

Fashion

Fingers crossed for the National Awards at the end of October

Sobia and Matt were married this Saturday at the Alexander House Hotel & Spa. Despite the looming clouds the weather stayed fine for Sobia and Matt’s day.

The room for the ceremony was stylishly decorated for the day and provided a stunning backdrop for both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.

Mark has photographed numerous weddings at Alexander House where he is the preferred photographer.