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May 2, 2012 by admin

Wedding Packages 2012/13 Update

Wedding packages and prices

Just a very quick note to advise everybody of some changes to my wedding packages for 2012/13 season.

I am responding to a number of requests for my customers to offer half/day or 4 hour wedding photography packages. The four hours can commence at any point during the wedding day, but must run sequentially i.e 1PM-5PM or 10.30AM – 2.30PM.

If required you can also purchase additional hours to top up your coverage, this must be purchased prior to the big day.

All of my usual photography extras are available for the two new packages I have created, so if you want to add in a pre-wedding shoot, or a slideshow of images or a signing board these are all still available.

Please took a look at my amended wedding packages for all of the detail and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or want to book me to photograph your wedding.

Please have a read through some of the lovely recent testimonials I have received.

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April 26, 2012 by admin

Portrait photographs of newborn Gwen

This a beautiful Gwen.

It is also a lovely story of a couple who’s wedding I photographed a few years ago, getting in touch for new photographs of their first addition to the family.

The weather was a beautiful sunny morning, so we took full advantage of Adam and Claire’s conservatory and used the available natural light for some beautiful newborn photographs of Gwen and family.

We also shot a few close ups of Gwen and the couple have a lovely Sepia canvas of their wedding day on the wall, so I processed these in a similar style to the wedding canvas I had photographed a few years earlier.

Shooting photographs like this is a delight, naturally shot, no flash photography at all. Patience, patience and patience is the key to good newborn and child portraits. I spent the entire morning and photographed in between feeds and sleeps to ensure the baby and parents were comfortable and relaxed.

If you wish to commission me for a newborn, child, family or portrait shoot, please get in touch. Alternatively like Adam and Claire did, if you have a up and coming wedding please give me a call and we can talk through all the available options.

Finally, I am still offering Spring vouchers for purchase, if you wish to buy a lifestyle portrait session as a present or treat a family member or close friend.

Keep smiling,

Neil

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April 18, 2012 by admin

Neil Mansfield Photography Cardiff Life Advert

I am absolutely delighted to see my magazine advert in print this month. You can see the ad in this months Cardiff Life and take advantage of the offer* if you quote the following NMPAD*

wedding and portrait photography by Neil Mansfield

The offer can be used against any wedding or portrait base package and also can be used in conjunction with the Spring Portrait voucher promotion.

Please click the following links to see examples of my wedding, portrait or landscape work.

Watch this space for some very exciting news on a new project coming soon!

I have to say a HUGE thank-you to a certain individual who shall remain nameless, he knows who he is! Massive thanks for helping with the design and styling of the advert.

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March 21, 2012 by admin

Radisson Blu Cardiff as a wedding venue

Situated in a skyscraper the Radisson Blu is Cardiff’s tallest hotel with 21 floors. The hotel boasts 215 rooms which have been designed in three themes, fashion, chic and fresh , ranging from warm and classic, to daring, contemporary and unconventional.

The location is perfectly placed for any wedding guests considering a quick break away from celebrations for some last minute shopping with the new St.Davids II centre less than two minutes away. In fact the squeeze between the new library in Cardiff and the sharp edge of the John Lewis store is exactly where you find the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Radisson Blu weddings Cardiff

It’s sharp exterior is matched by the slick, contemporary interior design.

Radisson Blu wedding interior

Brides wedding portrait Bridal preparation at the radisson blu

The junior suites offer fantastic morning light that streams into the rooms and is ideal for wedding preparation and photography portraits. The grooms have plenty of room in the space on the 1st floor to chat or if required steady those pre-ceremony nerves with a beverage at the bar!

Best Men and ushers portraits at the Radisson Blu

The function rooms are huge and offer allot of design flexibility. This particular wedding had nearly 250 guests.

Wedding at the Radisson Blu

Wedding photography at the Radisson Blu

The staff were very accommodating and kept the photographer informed throughout the day.

Bride and Bridesmaids at the Radisson Blu

Careful time planning really allowed me to make the most of the morning light that shone into the suites on the top floor. These wedding portraits are just a few examples of many lovely photographs made on the day.

Wedding photography at the Radisson Blu

The design of the entertaining rooms allows the wedding to flow flawlessly, the celebration and reception area are linked with a small corridor leading towards the bar area which overlooks the hotel reception from the first floor.

Weddings at the Radisson Blu Cardiff

If you are looking for a venue that offers an elegant, stylish finish, then the Radisson Blu Cardiff can certainly offer that. It is complemented by friendly and helpful staff. The location is perfect with all train and transport links within walking distance of the hotel.

If there was one small downside it would be it’s lack of outside space and car parking. We made time to take the bride and groom to a nearby park for some intimate wedding portraits.

If you are considering a wedding in a city centre location the Radisson Blu should tick allot of the boxes. From a photography perspective there are endless opportunities to make wonderful photographs. I have received some lovely comments from a recent wedding I photographed at the hotel.

Please get in touch if you want to book me for your wedding.

Photography at the Radisson Blu Neil Mansfield is a Cardiff based wedding and portrait photographer who offers elegant and affordable photography throughout Cardiff and South Wales.

All photographs are copyright of Neil Mansfield Photography and cannot be used without prior permission.

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March 20, 2012 by admin

The Aurora Borealis, Tromso, Norway

Having recently returned from a wonderful trip to Tromso, Norway to see the Aurora Borealis, I thought it as more than appropriate to share a few of the photographs I made.

Photographing the Aurora is not as easy as you might think, so I will be producing a guide over the forthcoming weeks, just in case anyone is thinking of visiting in the not to distant future.

As for the lights themselves, words cannot really describe the Aurora Borealis, you just have to see them for yourself. I do hope that the following photographs go some way to persuade a few to visit Tromso and hunt the green light.

The Northern Lights Tromso, Norway

The Northern Lights II

Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway

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February 28, 2012 by admin

Ladies and leap day proposals

If you are ready to tie the knot and your man hasn’t asked the all important question yet, according to an old Irish legend; St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men on one day only 29th February – every 4 years……so instead of waiting, pop the question instead.

For a limited time only, we are offering a 25% reduction in our base wedding package to happy couples who get engaged on the 29th February 2012. This is a fantastic opportunity to secure a terrific photographer at a truly unbelievable price.

Leap Day Wedding Photography Offer

In the first instance, please get in touch here to book your wedding consultation.

Some small conditions do apply:

*The offer runs from the 29th February to the 7th March 2012
*It applies to new bookings only.
The promotion applies to our base wedding packages only.
The promotion only applies to wedding booked for 2012 or 2013

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February 21, 2012 by admin

Miskin Manor as a Wedding Venue

Miskin Manor hotel, Cardiff, offers something a little different to your wedding. It is a Grade II listed, AA four star hotel set in a massive 25 acres. The distance to Cardiff and Swansea are both a reasonable 20 minutes and with the M4 less then a 5 minute drive it makes the location perfect.

Photography at a Miskin Manor Wedding with the bride and Groom

The grounds with the manor are well presented. It even has a helicopter landing pad!

This shot is taken from the grounds at the side of the manor. The reception spills onto the patio area and made a superb canape and champagne reception.

The manor itself has a variety of entertaining rooms which include a wood panelled lounge. The bedrooms have four posters and the views are tremendous, looking out onto the extensive grounds of the manor. There is plenty of on-site car parking space and for the wedding party looking for some pampering, there is a full health club and swimming pool. In 2011 the grounds of Miskin Manor won the Wales in Bloom award for the gardens.

Wedding Day at Miskin Manor, nr Cardiff

The layout for most ceremonies held in the Minstrel Hall looks similar to this, the wooden trusses and wedding chairs are fabulous and the room requires no marketing, it is beautiful. The photograph below shows a typical set up for the wedding breakfast in the Cedar Room, it makes a really terrific venue; warm, cozy and accessible.

Miskin Manor Photography Wedding

There is plenty of natural light for good photographs during the wedding ceremony in the Minstrel Hall and also reasonable light in the Cedar Room. Later in the day you will most likely need flash, if, as expected the speeches run on later, as the only natural light comes from a bank of windows at the back of the room.

Wedding in the Minstrel Hall Miskin Manor Wedding Photography with bride at Miskin Manor

If you need a photographer for your wedding, please get in touch. I’d love to photograph your wedding at Miskin Manor, or any other venue, so please do get in touch with me at www.neilmansfield.com or click the contact buttons below.

Groom speeches, kisses bride at Miskin Manor Wedding

If you are looking for a wedding venue be sure to visit Miskin Manor

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February 16, 2012 by admin

Cardiff Castle as a Wedding Venue

Cardiff Castle is one of the most sought after wedding locations in Wales, it offers wedding clients a huge variety of function rooms for hire and from a photography perspective has plenty of stunning backdrops to utilise on your special day.

The ceremony can be held in the 15th century undercroft or the guest tower (which can only hold a small number of guests (30 in total I believe) The evening reception can be held in a number of locations; the beautiful Banqueting Hall for a wedding breakfast, the Undercroft or the new Interpretation Centre and its roof top terrace and panoramic views across the city.

Photography opportunities are plentiful. The spiral staircase which adjoins the library and banqueting hall stands out for me, but there are many other rooms and vistas for the bride and groom poses.

Bride and Groom, Undercroft, Spiral Stairs, Cardiff Castle Spiral Staircase, Cardiff Castle, Bride, Wedding, Photographer

The Norman keep, banqueting hall, library and a host of alternative locations in and around the large grounds of the castle ensure it is a popular choice for weddings large and small.

Library at Castle for photographer Neil Mansfield Wedding Breakfast Cardiff Castle photos

The city centre location offers great access to local hotels and B&B’s for overnight stays. Cardiff Castle is very well managed, each wedding I have photographed has always been given the personal level of attention it deserves making this a must consider venue if the very reasonable rates are within your individual budget.

If you want Neil Mansfield to photograph your wedding at Cardiff Castle or you’d like to discuss this or many other venues then please get in touch.

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February 10, 2012 by admin

My new website design at www.neilmansfield.com

I am delighted to be able to launch my new website design at www.neilmansfield.com

My new wedding, portrait website by Neil Mansfield

This has taken a little while to get the design and build right for me and on top of that it’s been an interesting journey of discovery, lots and lots of new skills learnt and new contact made.

So what is different?

New logo: I really wanted to design a logo that is recognisable and tells people instantly what I photograph. I looked at all sorts of clever graphical plays on letters from my name but in the end focused on a simple and clean approach to the design. I have shortened the pixel length and added a number of photographic disciplines that I shoot. Colours and font type have remained the same for consistency.

Focus: This site is now entirely focused on my weddings and portraits business. I have a few small extra items to add including lots of lovely new photographs of my albums for 2012/13. There are also some very exciting times ahead for my landscape photography. I will be launching a new landscape dedicated website over the next month. Watch this space for more detail.

Wedding Albums: I have been to a number of trade fairs in order to find new album suppliers that fit in with my wedding style. I offer a traditional mounted album with hand printed photographs or a digitally bound and printed album, both are exquisite products that will happy sit on any coffee table for years to come.

Portraits: This has become a rapidly expanding part of my portfolio over the last 12 months and I have just tweaked the pages to explain a little more about my products in particular the studio and lighting elements.

Wedding prices and packages: These have been tweaked and renamed for 2011/12 with a view to making it very easy to add on extra products or tailor a specific package for your special day.

Blog: This will now become a regular feature on my site and I am very, very excited about talking about wedding, portrait shoot, equipment, styles, shooting locations, wedding fairs and so much more.

So head on over and take a look, please pass on any feedback you may have. I am always interested to here your views, good, bad or indifferent. I am always learning and keen to keep it that way.

I cant wait for this year to unfold, if it ends up being anything like 2011 it will be a terrific year.

Very best wishes,

Neil

www.neilmansfield.com

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January 13, 2012 by admin

I have been working rather hard over the past few weeks in the office, to create a new website for 2012.

Watch this space for a full launch….