Photography Award: Highly Commended, National MPA awards

So pleased to have won a “Highly Commended” award in the national Master Photographer Association awards with this portrait of Candida from her beautiful Signet Library wedding.
The image was captured in the lower ground apartment where she was getting ready. A skylight provided the light in the living room area, so I used this to illuminate Candida’s face. She loved the back of her dress and her veil, so I asked her to turn her back to me, to show these off.

Candida’s beautiful dress came from Anna Sully, her bespoke veil was from from The Secret Dress House and the beautiful Lily of the Valley bouquet was created by Planet Flowers.

Loretto School Summer Wedding – Eila and Tom

Eila and Tom first set eyes on each other across the aisle in the chapel at The Loretto School, in Musselburgh, East Lothian. Tom, who is from Australia, was spending a year at Loretto before returning back home.
“He sent me a winky face text on my siemens C45 electronic telephone and I went weak at the knees. Sadly he had to leave but promised we’d see each other one day.”

 Jump forward a decade-and-a-bit to a beautiful day in July, Eila and Tom’s friends and family were able to watch them say “I do” to each other in that very school chapel.

Celebrations followed in the grounds of the school, with lots of lots of laughter as the Scots showed the Aussies how to ceilidh and the Aussies showed the Scots how to drink (as if they didn’t already know…)

I’m pretty sure the story of Eila and Tom’s cross-continental school romance has one of the nicest “…and they lived happily ever after” endings imaginable.
We wish you both a lifetime of happiness, love and intercontinental travel together.

Elia and Tom’s wedding suppliers included:

• Venue – The Loretto School
• Caterer: Hickory
• Videographer: Sole Productions
• Hair/ Makeup: MadeUp Team
• Flowers: Annie Douglas
• Band: House of Lairds
• Stationery: Eila Moffat
• Marquee: Greenfield Marquees

Senior Graduation Photography | Edinburgh

Leavers’ Portraits, Senior Portraits, High School Prom Photography, South Queensferry and Edinburgh

When we have children we tend to capture them incessantly as babies and toddlers, but then, somehow, we stop. Once the milk teeth start falling out, the portraits stop (other than the obligatory school photos and the selfies, of course).

I’m so glad that we are starting to see more and more requests for what the Americans call Senior Portraits (or Leavers’ Portraits as they are known here, photo sessions done when young people graduate from high school). When those well-photographed babies are suddenly all grown up, about to fly the nest, the senior portraits are there as a “book end”, to mark the end of their childhood, and the beginning of a big, new chapter. Isn’t that what photography does so well, mark beginnings of new chapters?

I tend to do Senior Portrait sessions on the eve of high school graduation parties, when hair and make-up has been done and the suit or dress been chosen. Sessions last either 20 minutes (Quick Session) or one hour (Full Session).
Senior portrait sessions can either be done in your house/ garden, or we can choose a location nearby.
Whether parents and siblings are allowed in on the act is completely up to you!

If you would like to find out more about EdinburghProm Photography in our Senior Photography packages, please drop us an email

Elie Summer Wedding- Elizabeth and Gregor

I’ve been so looking forward to sharing this beautiful Scottish/American wedding! As well as having stonking weather, this wedding ticked all the boxes for an incredible day.
Elizabeth is American, she married Gregor in his beautiful hometown of Elie in Fife. We were lucky enough to photograph Gregor’s brother’s wedding the year before, so we had met them both, and already knew it was going to be something out of the ordinary.

Elizabeth told me before the day that it *never rains* when she is in Scotland. Every time she has visited here, the sun has been out. Amazingly, this sunny spell continued for the whole time they were in Scotland for the wedding!
She has some kind of magic charm surrounding her and I begged and begged for her to stay here, to keep the blissful summer weather…
However, they went back to the States after their wedding, and I’m now typing this while the rain clouds are gathering outside my window. Grateful to have these images to remind me that summer might come back.

Elizabeth and Gregor, we can’t begin to tell you how much we loved photographing your wedding!
Thank you for being so welcoming and lovely to be with – and for bringing the gorgeous weather with you!

We wish you both a lifetime of happiness and fun together.

Elizabeth and Gregor’s wedding suppliers included:

• Church: Elie Parish Church
• Venue: Davaar 
• Photography: First Light Photography
• Brides dress: Reem Acra
• Brides shoes: Scotland Shop
• Make up: Eyecandy
• Hair: McKenzie Hair Design 
• Flowers: Red Petal Co 
• Catering: Wilde Thyme
• Marquee styling and decor: Get Knotted
• Band: Jam Hot

My top 7 Wedding Proposal Spots in Edinburgh

Over the last few years I have been extremely lucky to witness a number of beautiful wedding proposals in Edinburgh. Capturing the surprise, joy, love and happiness two people share in the moments they agree to spend the rest of their lives together is utterly wonderful.

Having lived and worked in Edinburgh for two decades I have come to know of so many wonderful places that offer an incredible setting for wedding proposals. Whether you would like a full Edinburgh Cityscape as your backdrop, or would prefer something a little more intimate, there is something to suit everyone here.

Here are some of the most romantic places to propose in Edinburgh

1 – Calton Hill

Historical and cultural landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh’s Old Town and Princes Street can all be seen from the top, creating a fantastic backdrop for a wedding proposal.
Calton Hill also offers fantastic views over Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags, if the city backdrop isn’t your thing.

2 – Arthur’s Seat

Want to have all of Edinburgh as your backdrop when you ask your partner to marry you? The views from Arthur’s Seat are unbeatable!
 An extinct volcano, proudly situated in the heart of Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat is one of the most beautiful places to propose in Edinburgh, and if you’re willing to put in the legwork, offers some amazing views, too.
If you and your other half aren’t keen walkers, then you can get to (near) the top by car (not on Sundays though, when all vehicle access to Holyrood Park is closed off).
If this is a little too wild and windy (there is little to no shelter), or hill climbing isn’t your bag, then I’d recommend looking at option 1 again (see above)

You can see some more images from Arthur’s Seat here

3 – Circus Lane

One of Edinburgh’s most charming streets, Circus Lane has become popular with the Instagram travellers and anyone looking for a beautiful backdrop. With its cobbled street, quaint little houses and Edinburgh’s New Town setting, it works brilliantly as a backdrop for a wedding proposal.

You can see some more photographs from a recent wedding proposal I photographed in Circus Lane here

4 – Ross Fountain, Princes Street Gardens

The newly restored Ross Fountain makes an incredible backdrop for wedding proposals!
With one of the best and clearest views of Edinburgh Castle behind it, settings don’t come much more impressive than this.

5- Lauriston Castle

If you aren’t restricted to Edinburgh city centre, then a trip to Lauriston Castle in Cramond could offer a beautiful private setting with lovely views over the Firth of Forth.

6 – Edinburgh Castle

If you’re looking for a historical setting with added grandeur, then it doesn’t get any more impressive than an Edinburgh Castle wedding proposal. The castle offer a wedding proposal package, which allows you exclusive access to the Minstrel’s Gallery in the Great Hall.

7- Edinburgh Botanical Gardens

Beautiful landscaping, ancient trees, colourful plants… Edinburgh Botanics is stunning year-round. I have done many photographs there over the years, and two shoots are never the same.
Added bonus, if it does rain the Glasshouse offers a Plan B to escape the rain!

If the Edinburgh weather decides that somewhere slightly covered would be a better option, then I often suggest opting for somewhere in Edinburgh’s beautiful Old Town, such as City Chambers, Parliament Square or any of the the closes (alleyways) on the Royal Mile.
If it’s even worse, and we can’t do it outside at all, then Edinburgh has a plethora of museums, galleries, restaurants and bars that would make a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding proposal.

8 – The Rain Plan (Plan B)

If you would like to talk to me about photographing your wedding proposal, then please get in touch – I would love to be there to capture the moment for you!

Scottish Summer Wedding – Alice and Robbie

..The one with not one but two Jenny Packham wedding dresses…

As a wedding photographer it’s rare to have repeat wedding clients. After all, most people only get married once…
However, it’s not unusual for us to meet couples again at other weddings, as we are lucky that many of our couples recommend us to their friends.
And every now and then a really special wedding comes along, where we are asked to come back to the same family to photograph another sister/ brother/ parent/child’s wedding.
It’s always a great feeling to return to the same family for occasions like this. You know the family liked what you did and trust you to create images, albums and memories they will treasure. It feels like walking into the house of friends.

Having photographed Alice’s brother Will’s wedding two years earlier, it was a joy being back at Prestonhall to capture another Callander wedding, this time Alice’s wedding to Robbie.
They had planned a beautiful wedding day at Crichton Church and in the grounds of Prestonhall, which (despite a little rain) was one of the best weddings we’ve attended.

Thank you Alice and Robbie for choosing us to capture your wedding, we wish you happiness and joy in your life together and hope our paths will cross again.

• Wedding dresses: Jenny Packham
• Photography: First Light Photography
• Videographer: Bowery Productions
• Florist: Thomas Maxwell
• Marquee: Arc
• Catering: Gingersnap

Photography shoots on Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh is such a great location for couple shoots, engagement sessions, wedding proposals and outdoor portraits.
For most of the year, and six days a week, the road that winds up the hill means it’s possible to access many parts of it by car. If you’re more adventurous and outdoorsy by nature, a wander up on foot is possible.

Please note, a photography licence is required for wedding photographs and bigger photoshoots.

Here are some photos we have captured on Arthur’s Seat.

Signet Library Spring Wedding – Megan and Callum

Ad infinitum: Forever, without limit of time

Signet Library Wedding Photography

What makes a perfect wedding? I guess we all have various ideals and standards of what would be the perfect wedding for us.
My idea of a perfect day is all about the celebration and honouring of the love a couple have found for each other, and found to be so strong that it will sustain them through hard times, boring times, long winters, wet summers.

If by the end of the day you are married, then it was a perfect wedding.

Megan and Callum’s wedding was *perfect* in every way. The weather was glorious, the service was moving, the guests were laughing and crying, the venue was jaw dropping, the food sublime. And yes, by the end of the day, they were married.
I love everything about this day, and hope you enjoy this little taster of what went down.

Megan admiring her make up by EyeCandy.

Every bride needs a loyal team of bridesmaids to help her with put on THE DRESS!

Something old…

The magnificent setting of the Signet Library has to be one of the most spectacular wedding venues in Edinburgh. The elegant cream and green floral decorations were created by Planet Flowers.

Thank you Megan and Callum for choosing us to capture your wedding day, we have loved every moment of being part of your wedding journey.

Megan and Callum’s wedding suppliers included:

• Venue: Ratho Parish Church
• Venue: The Signet Library
• Bride’s dress: Rachel Scott Couture
• Florist: Planet Flowers
• Photography: First Light Photography 
• Bridesmaids dresses: Pretty Woman
• Hair/Make-up: EyeCandy
• Kilts: MacGregor MacDuff
• Caterer: Heritage Portfolio
• Stationery: Lovat Press
• Car: Majestic Cars
• Band: Callanish
• Cake: Heather’s Cake

She said Yes! – Edinburgh Wedding Proposal Photography

Wedding Proposal in Circus Lane, Edinburgh

I love photographing wedding proposals! From the early emails with the proposer (usually the boyfriend) planning the details of the shoot, to the day of the proposal and even the editing – wedding proposal photography gives me goosebumps and butterflies and all the happy feelings!

Sean contacted me a while back, telling me he was planning to propose to his girlfriend. We discussed possible settings for this – Sean was keen to have an quiet, charming setting for his proposal, so we decided the beautiful Circus Lane in Stockbridge would be the perfect setting.
We were able to plan it for a weekday midmorning, which meant there weren’t too many other people around, so we had a quiet setting, just as we had hoped.

When it came to the day, Sean had it all perfectly under control. He had told Rachel he had heard of a beautiful part of Edinburgh where he would like to take some photos of her, so Rachel arrived in a great outfit, with beautiful hair and makeup.
As they looked at the street together (while I did my best to look like a tourist), he asked her to turn around so he could take a photo of her looking at the street, and when she turned back round, he was on his knee, with a ring in his hand! And she said Yes!

Those first few moments were a firework of emotions. Lots of “Really?? Really!!” moments, laughing and realising Sean had been planning this for months and a heady, wild delight that this was not a dream.

We then spent a little time capturing a few photos along the beautiful Circus Lane, interspersing some posed pictures with a whole heap of genuine bursts of joy and laughter.

Have a look at some of the photos from our lovely shoot below.

Is it any wonder this makes me happy?

Thank you Sean and Rachel for letting me capture this beautiful moment in your story. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and a marriage full of love and adventures.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding proposal in Edinburgh? Get in touch and let’s start planning!

Scottish MPA Photograpy Awards

We are feeling a little fuzzy around the edges this morning after a fab night at the The MPA Scottish Region awards last night. 
This was my first time submitting photos into the awards – I had submitted six photographs and was super pleased to have five of those nominated for an award!

Here are the images that won awards: one Award of Excellence and four Merits!