New boutique opening: Rachel Scott Couture, Edinburgh

New boutique opening: Rachel Scott Couture, Queensferry Street, Edinburgh

The name of Rachel Scott has long been regarded as the go-to-boutique for those after an uber-stylish and jaw-droopingly gorgeous wedding gown in Edinburgh (and across Scotland). And now the team have brought this unique passion and innovation to the formalwear couture market in a brand new Rachel Scott Couture store.

You can find this shiny new beauty in the west end of Edinburgh (Queensferry Street to be specific). Buzzing to have had a sneaky preview of this new location…

Hitting the headlines – The Herald

As a commercial photographer, the last 20 years have been filled with capturing moments in time that tell a story for a client. But even after all this time, there’s still something special that comes with seeing our imagery published in a news article.

It’s not just about blowing our own trumpet and showcasing our skills as a professional photographer; it’s about the power of visual storytelling in the media and the endorsement that the imagery is good enough to appear in print and online.

We recently received an email telling us that an article on The Herald’s website about Direct cremations: the good the bad and the ugly featured one of our photographs – (and actually credited me as the photographer).

Why is this interesting? Well, it’s rare for us to be credited when our commercial images are used – this is just something we’ve learned goes with the digital word that we live in. More often than not, images are stated as (“UGC” – user generated content or “supplied”).

I’ve learned to see past this because I can see the bigger picture (if you excuse the pun).

One of the most interesting aspects of this is the connection between the written word and visual storytelling. Newspapers are known for their ability to inform and engage readers through words, while photography adds depth, emotion, and context to the story.

When my images are chosen to complement an article, it’s a testament to their ability to convey a message and take beyond a flat article – in this case, show that Tim Purves of William Purves Funeral Directors really exists, is a really nice guy (which he is!) and helps to convey human emotion when talking about a subject that’s rarely (if ever) talked about – dying and death. 

The reach of newspapers is vast (and more so now with online readership and syndication of stories and articles across the UK and the world). Seeing photographs in print means it’s being shared with a wide audience, from avid readers to casual passersby.

From our perspective, it’s always interesting to see how our commercial images have been used by clients and how these help them tell their story and help them gain trust, recognition and profile in their given field. 

The use of strong commercial photography in a news article reaffirms the power of visuals in communication. It reminds that photography is not just about a moment; it’s about influencing and inspiring, and there’s nothing quite like seeing that come to life on the pages of an article.

DIY Family Photography Ideas

Whether it’s holiday season, or you just love photographs, taking regular time out for  a DIY family photoshoot helps you capture your kids as they grow up. I know I’m bias, but it’s definitely worth putting a little more time and effort into this than simply snapping a quick photo on your phone every now and then.

Photography can be a great way to practice your own creativity, as well as getting those all important recent family pictures so I thought I’d share some of my favourite tips on how to photograph kids.

Whether you’re struggling to get your toddler to stay still for even a second or coax your teenager in front of the camera, I’ve compiled some of my favourite tips and tricks below to help you take some great family photos of your kids.

1. Choose your time wisely

As a parent, you’ll be aware of the ways your child’s mood and energy levels can fluctuate throughout the day. The best time to photograph your child might be after nap time or a snack, especially if they’re still little. 

When you’re dedicating some time and effort to capturing photos of your children, it’s best to limit your photo “session” to under an hour so that they don’t get bored to tears. This way, they’re likelier to be willing to play along with your family photography sessions in the future, too.

As professional photographers we’re always alert to the fine line between getting the photographs and the kids still having fun. It’s a real skill – especially with multiple kids of different ages. The phrase ‘less is more’ is one we use in our house and I think this applies to photographs too – better to get a few great ones and call it a day rather than over-snapping and getting everyone (yourself included) cranky.

Why & How to Create a Baby Book for Your Baby Photography

In today’s digital age, when everyone has a smartphone, it might not feel necessary to have a physical baby book that takes time to compile. After all, you can fit hundreds of shots in a Facebook album or your Instagram stories where they can be enjoyed by all of your family and friends.

However, there’s still something very precious about a baby book that’s hard to replicate with anything else. In today’s blog post, I thought I’d share five reasons why I think baby books are still worth the hassle. I’ll also give some tips on how to make yours into a unique keepsake you’ll love to flip through. Let’s jump right in…

1. It makes memories feel more special

Imagine your child reaching adulthood and scrolling through your Instagram timeline for baby photos versus sitting down and going through their baby book. 

With social media, it’s easy to scroll through photos and memories quickly – after all, these apps were designed for consuming lots of media, fast. But with a physical baby book, you take time to leaf through the pages. There are fewer photos, but each is carefully selected. And seeing your parents’ handwriting makes the experience all the more precious. 

2. They’ll always know where to find their baby pictures

With social media accounts, you might lose login details or simply stop using the platform. And who knows, the social media platforms we use today may not even exist in 10+ years! On mobile phones, pictures can be lost if they’re not backed up or if your phone gets broken or stolen.

Physical baby books are forever. They’re the kinds of things people say they’d grab if there would be a fire in their home – they’re truly priceless. By having a baby book, your child (and you) will always have access to precious baby pictures, whatever happens to your phone or social media accounts.

3. It’s for more than just pictures

A baby book doesn’t have to include just pictures and some text – it’s a place you can store all kinds of mementoes, such as your baby’s hospital bracelet, ultrasound pictures and perhaps a lock of their hair from their first haircut… 

As long as it’s relatively flat, you can include it inside the book. An idea I really love is including letters for your child to discover when they’re older and envelopes within the book work well for this. With a baby book, you can keep all your treasured memories in one place.

Following from the above, having a dedicated baby book also means that you document things you might otherwise forget about, such as their first food, first tooth, favourite toys and so on. If you don’t have a dedicated place to store these things, you may well forget to do so.

4. Helping your child make sense of their world

Going through the baby book together when your child is a few years older can be a precious thing. It can help them feel connected to family members pictured in the book who live further away or who have even passed away since. 

You can use the book when they’re learning to read or even earlier, reading it aloud to them to help develop their vocabulary. Going through the book together can be a very special experience for both you and your child.

5. A baby book becomes part of your family’s history

Baby books, alongside wedding albums, are things that can be enjoyed by your family for generations to come. Once your kids are old enough to start a family of their own, they’ll love going through their own baby book in preparation, and sharing it with their own children one day.

Family Photography in the Studio vs. Outdoors

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If you’ve decided to get some family photos taken, you’ll have to settle where you stand on the location vs. studio photography sees k debate. While you can get gorgeous photos whichever option you choose, there are differences between the two. 

To help you figure out the right one for you, read on to discover the pros and cons of each form of portrait photography.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer in Six Steps

As long as cameras have been around, wedding photographs have been valuable possessions, with many becoming family heirlooms over the decades. So the importance of choosing a wedding photographer well really can’t be overstated.

To help you find the right person (or people ????) for the job, I’ve put together some points below to help you better understand what you’re looking for and how to find your perfect wedding photographer.

Edinburgh Engagement Photoshoot Ideas

Once your significant other has popped the question, things start to happen fast: from early wedding planning to your engagement party, this time is as busy as it is exciting. 

An engagement photography session gives you a chance to slow down and focus on each other, while also allowing you to make lifelong memories. And as a bonus, you can also use this opportunity to strike off a few more things from your wedding to-do list.

In order for you to have an amazing engagement session, I’ve put together the guide below so you know what to expect and how to make the most of it.

#BigBlueSkyLove,

Alie xx

Newborn & Maternity Photoshoot - Memories from Bump to Baby

A bump to baby photoshoot allows you to capture one of the most beautiful and tenderest times in your life. This includes a maternity photoshoot with your bump proudly on display as well as a newborn baby photography session that captures your child’s incredible newness in the first few weeks of their life.

Together, these two photoshoots provide precious memories you can look back on fondly for years to come and that can become family heirlooms for generations to come. Today, I thought we could take a look at what to expect from photo sessions like this.

So if you’re looking for a newborn or maternity photographer in Edinburgh, you’ve come to the right place! Now let’s jump right in.

How to Pose (Even if You Hate Having Your Picture Taken)

So you hate having your picture taken? You’re far from alone! Seeing pictures of yourself is a bit like hearing your own voice played back to you. It just seems… Wrong. 

Like how we hear our own voice differently from other people, the way we appear in photos is also different from how we appear to ourselves in the mirror. 

First of all, your mirror presents an inverted version of your face. Second of all, without even being aware of it, we all pull a “mirror face” when gazing into the looking glass, maybe lifting our eyebrows ever so slightly or puckering up subtly to present what we feel is the best version of us. 

So relax, you beautiful person – and remember that we’re our own worst critics! If you’ve got a professional photography session coming up, whether that be for your wedding or some family portrait photography, a little preparation can help you feel more relaxed and, dare I say it, maybe even enjoy the experience!

So with that in mind, here are some tips on how to pose and how to get over your photography jitters, from me to you.

#BigBlueSkyLove

Alie x