Morgan and Rose

Kerry & Barry’s e-Shoot

admin — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:05:01 +0000

Kerry & Barry are a fantastic couple I first met last year – immediately what struck me about them was their humour and great connection. They were obviously good together, but when I found out they had actually been together for 14 years and getting married was the last thing their families expected them to do… I knew this was going to be a good story.

They both love adventure and surprises… even their wedding location was going to be top secret until just before the big day. I loved hearing about all their plans leading up to the big day and the choice of the beach by North Berwick to have their engagement shoot where Barry first proposed, was perfect. I think places that hold some personal connection make the photos that much better.

Enjoy their sweet and playful e-shoot!

M&R x x

A Yurting We Will Go…

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:35:03 +0000

Two weekends ago we all packed up the car and headed up north for the weekend. Our destination was a yurt just outside of Fort William with the good people of Great Glen Yurts (www.greatglenyurts.com) who gave us a warm welcome and some absolutely unbelievable weather. Like everyone else about to go on a trip involving the great outdoors, I was pretty much glued to BBC weather. It said it was going to snow. And rain. And be very cold. Which would from a purely academic perspective might have been quite pretty – but the idea of a non-camping boyfriend and two children stuck in a yurt for two days while it pelted hailstones and dropped to below zero… well, lets just say I was feeling a bit apprehensive. I (as usual) shouldn’t have worried, the weather was amazing. We later found out that the first weekend in May in the Highlands is almost always nice, you can apparently set your watch to it. So we got lucky. Really lucky.

Our new home, charmingly called “Wild Cat Yurt” was actually not as rustic as Stuart had feared (this is the guy who if, it isn’t 5 star and have a flat screen telly, he really isn’t interested) and he was very brave to agree to go along with this little glamping trip of mine. (That’s glamourous camping… obviously.) There was a super comfy double bed, great bunks for the kids and a cosy little wood stove to keep us toasty warm. What else could you possible need? And my favourite part, absolutely no telly. Bliss. The yurts (they have four in their field) are all built in the traditional fashion using wool as insulation and a strut construction. I decided that I would quite happily live in one, herding sheep and foraging for my dinner… for the summer months anyway.

We spent the three days exploring our little corner of the highlands – our absolute favourite part was discovering a beach just outside of Mallaig, where they filmed part of Local Hero, which we didn’t find out until afterwards. It was miles of the whitest sand we’ve seen outside of the Caribbean and not a soul in sight. It was heaven. Stuart slept, the kids played and I snapped away. Something for everyone.

After an entire day driving the famous Road to the Isles and exploring, coming home to “our” Yurt was bliss. I’m pretty sure that you don’t get the same sort of satisfaction coming back to a tent on the ground, but I could be wrong! Ben Nevis in the background was absolutely spectacular. Seeing it over several days, I can see why so many people get trapped on top of it, the weather moves incredibly fast. One second it’s dappled in sun and the next, huge white clouds are creeping over the top of it and falling into the valley. It’s pretty spectacular. And just so BBC weather wasn’t totally wrong, it did actually snow very briefly on our first morning.

This was such a lovely mini break for us – something totally different and really enjoyable for everyone. The kids had never really done anything like this before (and for that matter, either had we) so it was new for everyone but we loved it.

Anyone want to get married in a yurt? I know that giant versions of these exist and I think that one in a field with dozens of candles and fairy lights would just make for the most memorable and incredible wedding venue. Think on it! I highly recommend the experience and if you are looking for a relaxing break, contact Julie and Sophie at Great Glen Yurts. You won’t regret it.

M&R x x x

A Foggy (but beautiful!) Wedding – Kirstin & Graeme

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:35:21 +0000

There’s always something extra special about a wedding where the couple are blessed with children. Little Rhianna and Mckenzie were serious show stealers at this family orientated water-side wedding.

The feeling of the morning of the wedding was total and utter calm. An impressive feat considering there was approximately 32 children all getting set for the big day! Kirstin radiated happiness, hair and makeup done, her mum helped her into her stunning strapless dress. A total show stopper, it was perfectly suited to her gorgeous curvy shape.

Rhianna has the most amazing eyes – and she was a proper princess in her black and white flower girl dress, with her hair up she looked just like a little ballerina. It may have been Mum & Dad’s big day, but she certainly captured some hearts! Speaking of eyes, her brother Mackenzie had the same amazing huge brown ones. All the boys looked adorable in their matching kilts!

When we got to the Quay in Musselburgh, my heart sank a little. I had visions of gorgeous sunset images out on the Quay by the boats, romantic notions of watching the sun go down, Kirstin & Graeme bathed in a lovely orange light… however, this is what we were faced with:

It was really foggy. They call this the haar, the thick rolling mist/fog that comes off the water and just blankets everything. (For my non-scottish readers!) And man, there was a lot of it.

What to do? Sun drenched images of bride and groom were quickly being replaced in my head with moody atmospheric shots… black & whites with hints of colour. Did I have a choice? I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out! But you know what they say, when life throws you lemons, make G&Ts. Everything worked out beautifully.

The beach was entirely deserted. Had it been the sunny, glorious day I was hoping for – the beach would have been packed. The shots would never have been this atmospheric!

Everything was bathed in the nicest flat diffused light. Bright sunlight is great and all, but sometimes a little curve ball can create the most unexpected results, and amazing images that will last their lifetime.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch! The staff at the Quay are great, very organised and professional. The super observant with recognise this lovely couple – Ross & Maria tied the knot a year ago in Roslyn and I took the photographs. Ross and Kirstin are brother and sister so it’s lovely that I’m getting to know the entire family!

The entire day was lovely, touching and very memorable. Are you planning a wedding? Get in touch, I’d love to discuss your big day.

Sarah xx

It’s album season…

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:07:46 +0000

Gone are the days of massive thick wedding albums with motifs of doves, wedding bells and glued in photos. (No? Just my parents then…) Now there is a huge choice of online photo companies that for a modest fee, will bind your memories and make your wedding day coffee-table worthy. You can of course create your own album; but if you are the type of person who knows that the images might end up living on a disc and not living up to their full potential, then that’s where I come in.
If you choose the album option with your package, I cast my professional eye over your photos and together we choose the ones that best represent the biggest day of your life. I take care of the layout of the album for that polished, professional look, and you get to enjoy a lifetime of beautiful art of the most personal kind.

This album shown here is gorgeously covered in the softest ivory leather – it absolutely shouts “look at me! In here is the nicest wedding you’ve ever seen! It’s that perfect mix of traditional and elegant. A great sophisticated choice from Luba & Mike; some of the highlights of their big day can be found here.

Album prices start from £150 in linen, check out the gorgeous colour and fabric options below!

Email me to start your own love story.

M&R x x x

Kicking off the Spring Wedding Season…

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:27:24 +0000

So it’s nearly spring. No really, it is. I swear it. It’s partially sunny today at the very least, I’m sure the warmer weather isn’t that far away. I’ve included these images of Esther & Jonny’s really quite beautiful (if I do say so myself) engagement shoot at Corstorphine Hill because I needed to remind myself what a truly beautiful day looked like. If you’re in the middle of wedding planning, take heart – these gorgeous days in Scotland DO exist.

An engagement shoot (or e-shoot) is such a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other a bit better. The wedding day can be hectic and you’re pulled in all sorts of directions – your engagement shoot is just about the two of you. It’s chilled, it’s fun and it’s great to have some great “couple” shots at the end of it. Why not use them on your save the dates? Or on this year’s Christmas card? Totally up to you. They’re your photos, feel free to go a bit nuts with ‘em.

See more e-shoots here.

Book in January or February 2012 and get 25% off your wedding photography for any available date in 2012. How great’s that?

M&R x x x

2011 was a very busy year

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:14:01 +0000

This is perhaps a bit late, but I’d like to wish everyone a very happy new year! Christmas is always a busy time of year and it feels like I haven’t the time the sit down update the site properly and concentrate on what’s really important – the photography! But it’s a new wedding season coming up and the emails have already started to come in, I’m guess there were a lot of engagements over the festive period! Congrats to all you lovebirds who are taking the plunge in 2012 (or if you’re really organised, 2013!)

I’m always available to sit down and go through my portfolio with you. Stay tuned for a rundown of 2011, it was full of wedding brilliance!

Zara & Chris’ Engagement Shoot

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:54:15 +0000

I had a great e-shoot with Zara & Chris on Monday evening – a fun, bubbly couple who are getting married this November at Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh city centre. They chose this “secret garden” location at Lauriston Castle for their shoot and it was a really good call! Chinese themed gardens wind their way through waterfalls and rocky bridge paths. It’s a lovely garden. At the bottom, the gates bring you out to a wooded lane with big trees and tall grasses, a photographer’s dream. It may have been cloudy but the light was actually very soft and flattering. A perfect way to spend the evening! Look out for Zara & Chris’ wedding photos sometime after their brilliant wedding date, 11/11/11. Chris will never forget that one! (At least, he’ll have no excuse.)

If you want to have a chat about your wedding, I’d love to hear from you!
sarah@morganandrose.com

Gail & Rob (and Chloe!)

admin — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:50:46 +0000

Gail & Rob tied the knot at the beautiful Canongait Kirk at the bottom of the Royal Mile – the future location of another certain low key Royal Wedding currently in the works! But this was the wedding that truly mattered, with guests arriving from as far away as the USA and their daughter Chloe as flower girl; this was a day to remember. As usual for a fine Scottish Summer day, the rain was non stop all morning, leaving me slightly dubious as to where we were going to shoot the morning’s group shots! I shouldn’t have worried, the rain did stop in time and although the sun never made an appearance – we were left with the most beautiful soft grey light. Very flattering and surprisingly bright for photos. Brides take note, sometimes bright and cloudy is much better than harsh bright sunlight. Everyone isn’t squinting into the sun! Chloe loved having her photo taken and the all the girls that morning were in high spirits when they got back from the salon. The church service by the Rev Neil Gardner was lovely and touching – and the kirk was looking stunning as well with a fresh coat of paint.

The day was concluded with a fantastic meal at the Edinburgh Capital Hotel and the sounds of Iain Hunter, otherwise known as the “Singing Butcher” – a dead ringer for Sinatra. Really talented performer, you may have heard him on the Real Radio Breakfast show a few weeks ago. He had everyone up dancing in no time! All in all, a gorgeous wedding day, brilliant people and amazing memories at the end of it!

If you’d like to speak to me about your wedding, please don’t hesitate to email me sarah@morganandrose.com