PRIZE

If you are getting married between 1 April and 31 December 2012 in London, you could have your wedding photographed by me for free. This includes my standard full-day coverage (from your bridal preparations up until at least your first dance) and a copy of all digital high-res images so that you can print them/create your own album/put on Facebook/share with your family or just look at them on your computer. And it costs nothing. That means you pay nada, zilch, ingenting (that’s Swedish btw – see you learn stuff here too!)

You only need to pay any expenses I might have, such as car parking charges or congestion charge.

To check out more examples of my wedding photography, have a stroll through my portfolio on my website.

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance to win this prize, all you need to do is comment on this blog post below, making sure you include the following details:

1. Yours and your fiancé’s name.
2. The date of your wedding.
3. Your reception venue.
4. A maximum of 50 words telling me why you deserve to win this prize.

I’m not looking for a sob story, or details of how elaborately detailed your wedding will be. I just want to see that you would really appreciate winning this epic prize, whether you’re having the smallest, most low key of weddings, or going all out with a huge, elaborate celebration.

Without all of this information, your entry will not be valid and will not be counted.

DEADLINE

This competition is open now and closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 29 January 2012 (UK time). The winner will be announced on this blog on Wednesday 1 February 2012.

RULES OF THE COMPETITION

1. Only one couple will win this prize.
2. Each couple may only enter this competition once. If they enter more than once, only the first entry will be considered.
3. The winners’ wedding date (date that the photography occurs) must be between 1 April and 31 December 2012. If, at the closing time of this competition, I am not available to photograph on your wedding date (due to another booking or previous commitment), then unfortunately you are not eligible to win the prize.
4. The winners’ wedding reception must take place within the M25 motorway.
5. The winners must be prepared to set aside some time (about half an hour) for some creative portraits during their wedding day.
6. The winners must agree to their wedding photographs being used for publicity and marketing purposes (for example, being blogged or featured in a wedding magazine).
7. The photographic coverage includes coverage over one day. If the winners’ wedding celebrations are over more than one day, then my standard rate will apply for any additional days they wish photographed.
8. The value of this prize is £1,600 and no cash or other alternative will be offered.
9. You must have internet access to enter this competition.
10. The competition winner will be chosen by Tamara Kuzminski. The judges decision is final.

So in 2012, I am going to find time to also go back to my first love, landscape photography. I’m going to make time for personal projects, which enable me to continue finding my own voice in my work. To search deeper into my own artistic motivations and desires, and to not be influenced by others quite so much. To find out who I am as an artist, and to enable me to be my creative best for my lovely couples who want their wedding to be photographed in a way that really speaks to them, and really is them.

But to celebrate all the wonderful couples that I was lucky to photograph in 2011, here is a selection of some of my favourites from 2011. I look forward to continuing the journey during 2012.

I did a mental walk-through of my portfolio when I got home, and realised that I have far too few images in it that really show authenticity, that perhaps come a little way towards the emotion that were in my friends’ images. They’re not perfect, nor award worthy images, but they are perhaps some of my most honest. Ones that capture people as they really are, where their emotion and personalities shine through the images. And it’s from these that I’m going to move forwards; to hopefully make images that will make you smile, laugh or cry.

It’s the time of year to reflect, start over and make promises, so I pledge to all my current and future clients that I shall strive to create photographs that really make you feel.

Suzie grew up in the heart of the Chilterns, in a wonderful old house with beautiful views and majestic, towering trees. So it was a natural choice for both Suzie and Rich to get ready for their wedding there. In separate areas, out of view from each other. Occasionally some tantalising words would waft through an open window, like a game so each other knew they were both around but remaining just out of sight. And the occasional “close the door!” as one or the other would pass through the corridor. It was like the celebrations had already started, with the whole family present from the very start. And this was the way it would continue.

Suzie and Rich opted for a “first look”. Instead of having their wedding portraits taken after the wedding, they decided to see each other for the first time, for a first look, before the wedding, allowing them more time to relax after their wedding with their guests, but also providing an intimate and special few minutes together, with just the two of them, to anticipate their new life as husband and wife together.

After their ceremony, they broke tradition again. Arriving at their reception, Suzie and Rich decided to cut their cake and everyone enjoyed a slice with a cup of tea while spending the afternoon in the autumn sunshine.

Suzie and Rich are also not big fans of dancing and decided that they wouldn’t feel pressurised into having a first dance because really it just wasn’t them. A non-traditional wedding, but a perfectly Suzie and Rich wedding. They couldn’t have celebrated their new life together any better.

Some suppliers worth mentioning for their excellence and/or friendliness…

Venue: The Crown Inn, Pishill, Oxfordshire
Wedding Dress: Ian Stuart
Flowers: Stemtation, Henley-Upon-Thames
Jazz duo: The Groove Company

A big thank you goes to the amazing and talented Antonina Mamzenko, who asked me to second shoot for her at this Highclere Castle wedding.

If you would like to see the full exhibition (including my 5 wonderful models), then you can catch it at The Knitting and Stitching Show at the Harrogate International Centre between 24th-27th November (they also broke the record for the world’s largest knitted bunting!)

My wonderful ladies – Gwen, Colleen, Daphne, Vida and Hazel.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Catherine Connor for giving me this experience by recommending me to Woman’s Weekly.

Thank you also to the beautiful and wonderful My and Marcus, whose Swedish wedding is featured in this album.

Date: Sunday, 6 November 2011 (10am to 4pm)

Location: Woodland on the Hertfordshire/Buckinghamshire border, near Tring

Cost: £50 per person (as this is my first workshop – in future, these will be more expensive)

Maximum number of participants: 6

Who the workshop is aimed at: Have you got a DSLR camera but never got round to properly learning how to use it? Or perhaps you have already grasped the basics but would like to expand your knowledge and take your craft to the next level? Or maybe you just want a fun day out with like-minded people? Whatever your experience or motivation, you’ll be welcome along, just bring your camera and your enthusiasm. There’ll be some time of one-to-one guidance and advice for each participant, as well as group tuition, where needed.

What you need to bring: Your camera, whatever it is, and a tripod if you have one. Warm, waterproof clothing, shoes for walking (we won’t be doing anything strenuous) and a packed lunch.

Follow-up: After the workshop, if you send me your 3 favourite images from the day, I’ll give you feedback on the images, letting you know what you’ve done well and how you can improve further.

How to book your place: If you have any questions or would like to book your place on the workshop, please email me at hello@tamarakuzminski.com and I will send you details.

To see more of my landscape photographs, visit my Flickr page.