Just a quick reminder that we will be using Twitter to promote competitions, wedding tips, portrait ideas and generally “stuff” about Andrew Jackson Photography. Please follow us at AJP_photo. We’ve quite a few wedding shows coming up, plus some new training workshops so sign up and we’ll promise not to be dull. Or tweet too often. Or tweet about dinner plans. Unless they are very exciting dinner plans. Thank you.

This year, I’m on a mission to get everyone I know to have some portraits taken. I don’t mind if its me shooting or whether its a DIY shoot, on a rubbish camera, that produces pictures that as a pro would make me weep! That’s not the point – having pictures, capturing those memories, that’s what this is all about.

I’ll be offering some great portrait opportunities throughout the year; in the countryside, some at the beach, some very urban & gritty and maybe even shoots with cream teas to help sweeten the process! Shoots will take place in Bristol, Bath, the Cotswolds and beyond. But if you don’t want to book me, at least promise me that you will dust off that camera and capture some memories of your own – there – a New Year’s Resolution you can actually keep – Happy New Year!

As we near the end of November, I don’t feel quite so bad using the ‘C’ word. A portrait shoot makes for a great Christmas present: the experience itself is great fun & the pictures will be fab. Forget all the “I don’t like having my picture taken” nonsense – even the most camera-shy relax when in front of my camera. I prefer to shoot on location and straight away that makes the experience much softer and easier to enjoy. And the great experience is just the start, because the framed pictures arising from the shoot will be on display for years – there are not too many Christmas gifts with the longevity of a beautiful picture!

Vouchers are available for family portraits, couples / engagement shoots and Viva Boudoir – please ask for details. I’m also really pleased to say that star make up artist Vicki Waghorn is available for all the shoots, so for that touch of hollywood glamour, we definitely recommend booking Vicki to ensure hair and make up is perfect throughout the shoot… do please contact me if you would like to know more.

Struggling to think of the perfect Christmas present? We may have the solution… Our ‘on location’ family portrait shoots are a great experience; forget intimidating studio lights, we think its much better to make it an adventure for the youngsters. Favourite ‘friends’ – including teddy bears, Buzz Lightyear and Peppa Pig – can come along too, clothes can get muddy and basically kids can be kids – it makes for amazing, unique pictures!  We have stunning countryside and green spaces to play in around Bristol & Bath, so its very easy to find an interesting place to discover.

If you would like to book in a shoot before Christmas so that you can send pictures to grand parents as presents, etc we might be able to squeeze you in – but call me sooner rather than later – the last shoots will be on Sunday 9th December. More likely, at this stage, you’ll want a voucher for a post-Christmas portrait session. We offer two: The first is “shoot only” and costs £50.

The second is a very special offer: £125 which includes a framed 12×16 print, ready to hang on your wall. These special prices are only available until 20 December 2012, so call us now if you would like to buy a voucher.

On Sunday, 22 July the stunning Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe is opening its doors for an amazing fund raising afternoon in aid of Childline (www.childline.org.uk). The day will offer something for everyone; cooking demonstrations from the Michelin- starred team, plus tours of the kitchen gardens; activities, competitions and traditional games, all set to the background of live jazz – for full details of times and activities look up www.manorhouse.co.uk.

We’re delighted to support the fund raising by offering an on-location portrait shoot, worth £245 for the raffle. The price includes the portrait shoot, plus your favourite image printed on fine-art paper and presented in a hand-made frame, ready to hang on the wall. To have a chance of winning, simply head along to the Manor House on Sunday 22 July and buy some raffle tickets… good luck! For full ‘t&c’s’ send an email to us here at Andrew Jackson Photography.

It is almost Valentine’s Day and the pressure is on to find the perfect gift. Something romantic but original (and not flowers / chocolate); something fun but ideally something that lives beyond the moment. In fact, something very much like one of our champagne portrait sessions! We shoot in the best hotels in Bristol, Bath & the Cotswolds and can offer a great experience, even for the most camera-shy. We offer vouchers so you are very welcome to book a date now for when the weather warms up (although winter portraits are beautiful; it is all to do with the gorgeous light at this time of year) or simply buy a gift-wrapped voucher for when you are ready. Contact us today for more details.

We’ve thought long & hard about this and we think we have THE perfect gift for Valentines Day this year. If you’ve just exhausted your present-giving creativity at Christmas and you are looking for something new and original to give to your partner, then our “Champagne Couples” portrait offer could be just what you need to score maximum brownie points. After all, what says “I love you” better than a portrait shoot (well, diamonds or a rolex obviously, but besides these…). We shoot at the most beautiful hotels and can promise you a wonderful experience. Vouchers are gift-wrapped and ready to present to your loved one. For more information complete the contact form and we’ll send you the options available.

This makes a great gift for those with children in tow and can easily be adapted to a fun family shoot; do ask for details.

This is such a fab time of the year for child portraits: kids look super-cute wrapped up in coats and scarfs and with crisp autumn leaves on the floor to play with, the time just flies by. Ana was having a ball discovering the horses close by, the crinkly leaves under the trees & the wonderful lavender beds – but it was still the rendition of ‘Wheels on the Bus’ that was the biggest hit!

Andrew Jackson Photography offers on-location portrait sessions in Bristol, Bath and the Cotswolds. Please contact us for more details.

A cascade of autumn leaves makes for a wonderful patchwork backdrop to a fab family portrait session. And although I feel a little guilty praising the beautiful autumn colours quite so soon in September (although since the summer sunshine failed so miserably perhaps we need something to get excited about?), now is the time to start thinking about an autumn portrait session… For children, its a chance to run through the woods, jump off tree trunks and throw leaves around; its a time for wellies, scarves and lots and lots of fun. For adults, its a time to behave like kids (see above!). Portrait sessions are on location in local woods in the Bristol & Bath area, so if you would like to talk to us about portraits do please give us a call (the number is at the top of the page) or fill out the contact form, and I shall be in touch. Sessions are limited as most will need to be at weekends and the golden colours won’t last for ever, so book your space now and we’ll look forward to seeing you later in the month.