Is what you see what you get?

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:38:59 +0000

You’d think that when you viewed promotional material for photographers you’d actually be seeing the photographers work wouldn’t you?

A recent post on The Consumerist website seems to show you need to be careful and not take for granted that the photographs in ad’s for photographers are always what they seem. It is alleged that Groupon promoted a photographer using another photographers work, and then when it was pointed out they replaced with a stock photo. A stock photo is one purchased from a library. It’s not one necessarily taken by the photographer who’s advertising.

And here’s some inside information for you. A well know Italian Album manufacturer provides sample albums for photographers. (I know, I have one – and it stays in it’s box in the office!) I can’t count on both hands the number of times I’ve exhibited or visited Wedding Fayres and seen these sample albums on display – full of beautiful images taken in Italy by a different photographer. I think there’s a fine line between displaying a sample album and crossing the line to the customer believing it is your own work in the albums.

Here’s a link to the Consumerist article.

So the moral of the story is always to ask – is this your work, and as always – buyer beware!

Wedding Album

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:33:56 +0000

Each Wedding album we produce is individually laid out. We don’t use any templates. Each album works with your colour scheme and the photographs you choose to provide a lasting memory of your special day.

Here’s a slideshow of the album from the Wedding of Abilgail and Craig in Leeds on 12th January 2012.

Top South Wales Wedding Facebook Pages

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:10:06 +0000

Facebook is a fantastic resource for everything Wedding related. If only there was a list of the top places and people to visit on Facebook to find info about Weddings. Well there is. It’s here. My favourite Facebook Wedding Related pages. Being based in South Wales these are mainly local to South Wales. Maybe someone can post me a link to resources for the rest of the UK or I’ll just have to do some research!

Top Facebook Wedding Resource Pages.

Embrace Wedding Videography. Top Quality Videography from top quality blokes!

The Wedding Clinic. The opportunity to go through your Wedding Plans with experts. At a price everyone can afford.

One Stop Wedding Shop. Aberdare based business aiming to be a one stop stop.

Book Your Wedding.co.uk National site with hundreds of suppliers of everything Wedding Related.

The Welsh Wedding Directory. For Welsh suppliers and Bride’s.

Maes Manor Hotel. The Facebook page for The Maes Manor Hotel at Blackwood.

Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa. The facebook page for one of our favourite venues in South Wales.

The Welsh Bride Guide. A fantastic page of suppliers. Welsh Bride Guide will be hosting a Wedding Fayre at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, also known as the Vale Resort this spring. Check out the page for details.

The Welsh Wedding Directory. Does what it says on the tin. Tons of suppliers.

Richard Hobson Photography. Well, I couldn’t finish without listing our own facebook page could I? Visit and hit Like for me!

Hotstuff Entertainment. A highly recommended disco, cabaret and male artist for your party.

We’d love to know of more pages so we can feature them and build this page, so comment below if you know of more!

£35 Home Photo Shoot

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:07:45 +0000

The £35 Home Photo Shoot offer seems to be going down very well. I’ve had lot’s of enquiries and bookings for it. I thought I’d share a few of the questions I’ve had about it so that everyone can see the answers!

Q. Where are you based?

A. We’re based in Caerphilly.

Q. Which areas do you cover?
A. For the home photo session we cover Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport, Cwmbran, Merthyr Tydfil, Blackwood, Bargoed, Barry, Pontypridd, Tonyrefail, Abertridwr, Machen, Llantrisant, Pencoed and I’m sure lot’s more areas I’ve missed out names for which are close to the areas already listed or of an equivalent distance. If in doubt then drop us a line!

Q. What backgrounds do you use?

A. Usually for the home photo shoot we bring along our white background. If you have a space of a patio door it will fit in your home. We can also bring along green screen if you have a little more space.

Q. How long does it take?

A. I usually find an hour is fine to capture loads of great photo’s, however I’m always flexible and depending upon the amount of people there it may take less or more time. I don’t book another session straight after yours so don’t worry.

Q. How much are prints to buy after the session?

A. Usually prints start at £5 for a 6×4 print, however for the £35 Home photo shoot deal I’m halving the print prices! See our regular prices here. So when I send you your link to your on-line gallery I’ll also send you a voucher code which can be used to give you 50% off any print and other product purchases!

Q. Do you do weekdays?

A. I can fit you in during the day or evening, weekdays or weekends. This is what I do full time so I’m not going to need to dash off to work or arrive straight from another job. So you get the choice of when to have your shoot. Ideal to fit around your own work or baby maybe!

So there we go. I think I’ve covered most of the questions I’ve been asked. But if I haven’t simply drop me a line.

Portrait Photography Special Offer!

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:55:52 +0000

Book an in home photo shoot for only £35. It includes a Pro DVD Slideshow to watch on your TV, a free 6×9 print, two free keyrings, free facebook photo’s of any photo’s purchased and an online gallery.

Call 02920 860 100 to book your session now!

When is a Photobooth not a Photo booth?

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:18:39 +0000

When is a Photo Booth not a Photo Booth?

When it’s a Photo Studio!

Photo booths – like the vintage site, flash and print booths of yore are becoming more and more popular at events and Weddings. We looked long and hard and thought, “hold on, we already have a photbooth”. Our photo booth comes with a pro photographer to capture the photo’s perfectly!Our Photo Studio can capture the atmosphere at your evening reception. We set up our white, black or greenscreen backdrops. Your guests can take away photo’s on the night! You receive all the photo’s taken on your DVD Rom or Memory stick along with the rest of your Wedding Photo’s.

Our new unlimited option provides you with 3 hours of photo booth coverage with unlimited 6×4 prints for you and your guests. We print your guests a copy and then we print a copy for the guestbook for your guests to comment on.

All this for only £475. It’s in line with the “booths” but with the personal touch. Take a look at the slideshow below to see some examples of our Photo Studio in action at recent Wedding Receptions.

Weddings at Maes Manor Blackwood

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:34:32 +0000

Maes Manor, Blackwood is a great venue for a Wedding. The venue has a licence for conducting Weddings and with the spectacular grounds Maes Manor is perfect indoor and outdoor. I’ve put together a selection of photographs into a slideshow so you can see how Richard Hobson Photography can capture your day at Maes Manor, Blackwood.

Portrait Special Offer

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:17:23 +0000

Wow!
We’re really pushed the boat out on this special offer for portrait photography in your own home.

For £35 we’ll attend with our portable studio. We’ll take photo’s and then send you a complimentary 9×6 photo in a mount, two keyrings, and a Pro DVD Slideshow of the photo’s from the session to watch on your TV. We’ll then upload the photo’s to our web gallery for you to choose any further prints or products.

Offer runs until end of February 2012 for any future date booked. Payment at time of booking.

Check out a sample of a slideshow from a recent shoot.

Top 10 Bride Resource Sites

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:54:45 +0000

I keep looking, and looking around the internet for resources for Bride’s and for inspiration for myself. So here’s my top 10 internet resources for Bride’s to be. They include details about the Wedding Cake, Wedding Dress, Shoes, Venues, Cars, Flowers, of course Wedding Photography. There are so many more resources out there so if you know of any great ones please post a comment and I’ll list them in the next update!

1. The Knot. Ok, so it’s an american site, but it has so much information. From the top 50 Wedding Cakes to the first 10 things to do when you are planning to get married.

2. Ukbride.co.uk A social network site for brides. Chat and work with people in the same situation as you!

3. DirectGov site. The official word on how to book your ceremony. It doesn’t get more official than this.

4. Guides for Brides A place to find vendors of all descriptions around the UK.

5. Celebrity Bride Guide. I love to look at what the celebs are doing to see what inspiration can be drawn from it.

6. Speaking of inspiration check out Wedding Inspiration for great ideas.

7. Hitched.co.uk Venues – over 3000 of them, Suppliers, Dresses, and Wedding Mood Boards.

8. The Wedding Guide. Venues, Wedding Fayres, News, Articles and Photo Galleries.

9. Confetti.co.uk An online forum and shop along with features and articles.

10. One for the Groom – The Groom Guide! – don’t be left out chaps!

I’d love to have your suggestions on site’s you’ve found that are great resources for anything to do with your Wedding Day. Drop me a line or leave a comment.

If it seems too good to be true it probably is

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:26:03 +0000

Imagine a videographer and photographer for £399. What a great deal.

Almost too good to be true isn’t it?

In this bride and grooms case it was. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. The amount of work and investment that goes into producing quality photography should not be under estimated. And that’s what your paying for. A cheap deal may lack either.