A NEW BEGINNING
For those of you who have followed the progress of my business from the beginning, you will know how open I am to change and growth. I am no stranger to a rebrand and have rebuilt my site a number of times, because although I have great belief in a strong brand, I also believe that no brand is immune to changes in trends...
For those of you who have followed the progress of my business from the beginning, you will know how open I am to change and growth. I am no stranger to a rebrand and have rebuilt my site a number of times because, although I have great belief in a strong brand, I also believe that no brand is immune to changes in trends. (Okay, no brand except maybe Chanel!) In a business of my scale I feel it important to constantly keep things fresh and to try and reflect where I am in my business at any given time.
Those of you who have been here since the beginning will also have noticed other changes. For example, what started out as a passion project for me alone soon changed when my lovely husband came on board as my assistant. It has been a couple of years since we began to shoot as a husband and wife team and I think it is about time James was recognised as the vital part of my business that he truly is. I also need to do a little housekeeping to touch base on what this corner of the industry has now become for James and myself.
FILMMAKING
So, let's tackle the elephant in the room first and foremost. This, for approaching three years, has until now been solely a photography business. What you may or may not know is that for the last year, James has also been expressing his passion as an amazing filmmaker, recording our travels in a new format as well as building up a portfolio of amazing editorial pieces, a number of weddings, music videos (the first one being broadcast live on National Television!!) and many other incredible films for the charity work we are involved in and other business projects. He has been flying under the radar as a filmmaker, wanting to progress and refine his new art form, quietly working away in the background so as to bring something to the table that had strength alongside our photography, so as to bring to our brides something that they would truly love. I may be biased, but I have to say I have been absolutely blown away by James' talents. I think my highlight so far was being stood in a room full of people whilst we showed a bride and groom their wedding video shot in Tuscany for the very first time in front of all of their loved ones and hearing the gasps of amazement and the tears of joy as those that were unable to attend felt transported to the Tuscan hills, whilst those who had been present were able to relive their precious memories. The emotion in the room was overwhelming and for me it was the moment I knew that it wasn't only me that saw James's incredible talent. From now on we will be offering Photography and Films both for weddings and other project - you can find our pricing and enquire here. Look forward to seeing lots more videos on this site and our social media, we have so much already to share and can't wait to create even more with you!
THE REBRAND
When I first started as BStanley Photography, I was in a different place. Trying to establish myself as a photographer meant, for a time, it was necessary to have the word photography slap bang in my business name. Soon, I decided that now people knew what I was, I wanted them to know who I was, so it was time to start using my full name and simply going by Bethany Stanley. At this point, James was really only involved in second shooting weddings, so it made sense to make myself the brand so as to avoid confusion. When we started thinking about offering filmmaking alongside our photography however, it no longer felt right for me to carry so much of the credit. We pondered business names but decided that simple is always best and therefore landed on just Bethany & James. No nonsense simple branding so that you know exactly who you are getting in contact with. We have also established ourselves as Fine Art photographers & filmmakers, something that I have hesitated to do in the past as, although it was where I saw my photography style heading, I wasn't certain I was achieving a high enough standard or clear fine art style. Now that this year is coming to an end and I am shooting with more and more fine art vendors, weddings and businesses I find that I now fit comfortably in this niche section of the industry.
tHE SITE
My main aim this time with my site was to find a style that was timeless, something that would last me a little longer, that truly represented the fine art, minimal style that you are used to from my work and social media platforms. I wanted to make the site more informative whilst keeping a simplistic style, and giving as much information to clients as possible. I am truly proud of this site as a portfolio for my work, a place that represents my style, and a representation of the growth and change of my brand and business. I hope you love it as much as we do!!
A SHIFT IN FOCUS
You may also have noticed that, along with the change in branding & the changes to the site, there has also been a slight shift in focus. Previously, my business plan revolved mainly around weddings but as my experience has increased I have come to realise that I have a passion for editorials, working with brands to help create imagery and films to help build a visual experience for their clients to go alongside their product or business. We have had the pleasure of working alongside a number of businesses this year and you can read more about that here. Although we are still very much in love with photographing beautiful weddings, we thought it best to highlight this change, too.
So, there we have it. Another rebrand, another rundown of where we are and how we have grown. We cannot wait to hear from you!
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MALLORY COURT HOTEL & SPA
Mallory Court was our third invitation from the wonderful people over at the Eden Hotel Collection and honestly it was the one that I was most excited for; Mallory Court have just opened their brand new Elan Spa, situated in the stunning Orchard house, and it was a truly indulgent experience from beginning to end.
“It’s okay to stop doing and just be”
Mallory Court was our third invitation from the wonderful people over at the Eden Hotel Collection and honestly it was the one that I was most excited for; Mallory Court have just opened their brand new Elan Spa, situated in the stunning Orchard house, and it was a truly indulgent experience from beginning to end. We were welcomed with champagne and were guided through a sitting room of velvet sofa’s, crystal glasses, fireplaces and bay windows out onto the terrace of the award winning grounds. The grounds at Mallory court are a true masterpiece, with rose gardens, an orchard, ponds and bridges, landscaped to appear as though it was a wild and natural occurrence, it really set the tone for the relaxing atmosphere that they have endeavoured to create for their guests.
After a brief tour of orchard house, we were introduced to our room - with all the luxury and attention to detail that we have come to expect from the incredible Eden Hotel Collection. The neutral colour scheme was instantly calming, and the beautiful marble clad bathroom was truly to die for - we felt instantly spoiled from the moment we entered, from the huge cosy bed to the mini fridge packed with an array of treats for us to enjoy.
Once we had had a little time to get comfortable, it was time for our treatments: a 55 minute back massage and express facial using the amazing Elan Spa range. We were cared for by two amazing beauty therapists who were both clearly experts in our trade, analysing our skin, asking us what we wanted to gain from the treatment and really tailoring the whole experience to us as individuals. We were both instructed to inhale the fragrances of the oils and choose which one we enjoyed the most, as this would theoretically tell us which essential oils our bodies needed most. We were asked whether we wanted to feel relaxed or restored, the type of pressure we wanted, and if we had any areas of concern that we wished to have worked more than others. During the facial, the therapists inspected our skin under UV light in order to select the correct products for our skin types as well as being able to give us the best recommendations on how to look after our skin thereafter. We both left feeling completely relaxed, with the same sense of wanting the massage to last forever.
Next it was time to go and take advantage of the incredible spa facilities - what I loved most when looking around was the attention that the Eden Hotel Collection had put into the detail of the spa, this is something that is ever apparent when staying with them and Mallory court was no different. The spa was a beautiful haven of neutral tones, beautiful tiling, comfortable lounge chairs and a truly relaxed atmosphere. The spa was small but this did not mean it wasn't as indulgent an experience as you would hope for from a spa day, boasting a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, steam room and mud chamber, as well as an outdoor hot tub. The gardens at orchard house were still being landscaped, but I can imagine that the hot tub will be a stunning place to relax once they are complete. Their is also an outdoor sauna and shower which is a real treat and I imagine would be amazing during the colder months
When it comes to food - Eden never fail to amaze us. I would say the two best meals I have had in my life have both been eaten at one of the collection's hotels. They pride themselves on their in house ingredients, award winning chefs, and incredible service. Every meal is crafted to not only taste but appear beautiful and you know that whatever dish you order, no matter how many other versions you've had in the past, this meal is going to take that idea and completely overhaul it with a new idea of what that food should taste like. On this occasion, I decided to absolutely ruin my relationship with any other Pork belly I will ever have by ordered the most exquisite take on this dish you could possibly imagine. Each course was an almost magical combination of ingredients, making you savour each and every mouthful. We were also absolutely spoiled, as always, with a wonderful breakfast spread complete with a view of the spa and an array of beautiful decor.
Our stay at Mallory Court came at a time when we needed a break from reality, a true haven to rest and recover, and Eden truly pulled through on giving us the experience we really required. The attention to detail was stunning, the gardens in themselves are enough to make you feel as though you have been carried away from the stresses of daily life and placed in an environment so far away from your normal routine that you feel instantly refreshed. Each visit to any of the Eden Collection's establishment takes your breath away but, for now at least, Mallory Court takes its place in my heart as a firm favourite.
Lara & Chris's Farm House Wedding
Although we have the pleasure of travelling all over for our wedding season, it was lovely to only have to drive ten minutes for a local affair for the wedding of the wonderful Mr and Mrs Dixon, who had travelled from London to marry in the local church of Lara's childhood village...
“In case you ever foolishly forget: I am never not thinking of you.”
Although we have the pleasure of travelling all over for our wedding season, it was lovely to only have to drive ten minutes for a local affair for the wedding of the wonderful Mr and Mrs Dixon, who had travelled from London to marry in the local church of Lara's childhood village. This was a wedding for a couple who were incredibly loved by everyone involved, and it was a true pleassure to be a part of this beautifully thought out occasion.
The Morning
The entirety of the celebrations were to take place in Lara's beautiful family home in the quaint Shropshire village of Morville. We had visited the gorgeous farmhouse back in July for their engagement session, which you can look at here - so we were super excited to photograph the morning preparations in this stunning establishment. The girls all wore amazing matching gowns from this adorable etsy store - which I always appreciate as a photographer! Lara's bridal details oozed elegance, including these wonderful Kate Spade shoes and beautiful A-line lace number and a classic elbow length veil. Meanwhile, Jamie photographed the marquee and then joined Chris, his ushers and a few of the guests at the Acton Arms just opposite the church. The garden marquee was being beautifully prepared in the morning, too, so we were able to get a sneak peak before the guests later in the afternoon - it was so wonderful to see all of Lara's plans from months before springing to life before our eyes.
The Ceremony
The quaint ceremony took place in the beautiful 12th Century St Gregory's church, and was packed full of adoring friends and family. Adorned with floral arrangements, the church hosted a low key and traditional ceremony, complete with the sound of wedding bells. Set with a backdrop of hills and surrounded by beautiful architecture, this was a quintessentially British affair, with more love and romance than my heart could handle. Chris was as dapper as could be in a top had and tails, with his ushers in a lovely mustard palette.
“May the way I look at you, the way I speak with you, and the way I treat you, reflect the truth that I have loved you since forever.”
The Reception
The reception was a true reflection of Lara and Chris as a couple and as humans. Lara had spent tireless hours selecting the perfect vintage penguin book for each guest's place setting, Lara's mother had made her own (delicious) raspberry gin for every single table, there were beautiful individual glasses collected for the drinks, and Chris had even designed the bar himself. The party truly reflected the love that all of the guests had for Lara and Chris, it was clear that every single person present was so truly thrilled to not only be there, but to witness the marriage of their two friends.
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Visiting Arden House
When we first made our way down the main road and entered Stratford-upon-Avon, the architecture was exactly what you would imagine from the town where William Shakespeare was born and reared, his presence still very much felt, from the various posters boasting Shakespeare tours and exhibitions to the 'Ghost of Shakespeare' who is somewhat of a local celebrity amongst the townspeople. There were a myriad of picturesque town houses, lined up so neatly and perfectly on one side of the road, and on the opposite a park of green and late autumn shades of red and auburn. Stratford-upon-Avon feels as British as can be, and as we pulled onto the drive of Arden House we were met by the exact beautiful, symmetrically architecture you would expect from such an establishment. It doesn't boast or shout in your face, it is exactly how it is described on their website, a home from home. Familiar with a touch of luxury. Comfortable, but completely decadent.
“Aim for casual sophistication, cozy elegance, laid back luxury.”
The Rooms
Arden house is an original Victorian Town house, and the designers have managed to balance the modern luxuries you would hope for from a hotel, whilst maintaining the original charm and class of the building. Each room is unique in its design, but the whole house maintains an obvious theme, with delicate textures, beautiful fabrics, and that je ne sais quoi that makes the experience of staying in a luxury hotel truly special. Each room has its own beautiful en suite, with a marble theme throughout and all the extra touches you could possibly need for your stay. In some ways, it is like traveling back in time, with the gallery staircases leading off to each side of the house so you can access your rooms, the original victorian flooring in the hallway and the meticulously selected pieces of furniture in the lounge area, yet it manages to maintain the things I love about staying in a modern establishment, the clean white bedding and the carefully curated decor.
The House
The tiled floors echo your footsteps as you step into the lounge area, a vision in gold, marble and navy velvet. The glass tables strewn with an eclectic mix of magazines, a platter of fresh apples to take whenever you fancy, a bookshelf stacked with board games, a perfect fireplace surrounded by comfortable yet beautiful chairs, the high ceilings boast geometric light fittings and the textured wallpaper gives a slightly french chic vibe, while the real marble surfaces of the sideboards scream luxury. Each corner has been designed with clear intent, to create an almost fantasy like environment whilst keeping the feeling of being at home. Every step reveals another perfect touch. Enter the dining area and you are greeted by a room filled with light, an array of places to sit and enjoy your afternoon tea, the huge victorian windows looking out onto the park so you can watch the world go by. One of my favourite little corners of Arden House was the tiny conservatory on the end of the dining room, a little haven of light with a beautiful white bench, perfect for quiet moments reading. The sideboard in the dining area are stacked with complimentary snacks: olives, biscuits, popcorn, all carefully selected from small run businesses. The coffee machine is also a help yourself affair, meaning you can take a drink whenever you fancy.
The Experience
When the people at the Eden Collection contacted me about a visit to Arden house, they described to me less of a stay and more of an experience. They described sideboards stuffed with afternoon tea, a selection of delicious gins for the taking, a luxury weekend in a homely atmosphere. This experience is exactly what we received and more. We were treated like royalty from the moment we set foot over the doorstep, with a house host there to cater for our every need. We were never hungry and our glass was never dry, yet we felt truly relaxed and at ease in this other worldly environment. It was a hotel experience like no other, a home from home, except a truly exquisite version.
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Print Shop By Bethany Stanley
If there is one thing I have learned from spending the last two years as a professional creator, is that growth is an eternal thing. It doesn't stop or peak, really. You just keep creating, discovering and growing. Sometimes it is more gradual, sometimes there are jackpot moments, but the real secret is to stay inspired. It was at the dawn of spring earlier this year when I realised a new desire, to create for both myself and for others. Let me explain; when you spend your life capturing the lives of others, there is a definite thrill. It makes you feel like you have a purpose, and importance. You add value to peoples lives through the work you design especially for them, and to an extent you do so in a way that satisfies your own creative thirst. However, there is a definite desire to create work that is personal, precious, and inspired for and by you. You need to have a collection of personal work, whatever art form you work in, so as to inspire the work you do for others, to prevent your creative process becoming stale and routine. It was in the spring that it struck me, how rewarding it would be to truly combine both sides of the coin. I wanted to create something personal, for other people to enjoy, therefore adding value to both my life and the lives of others. This is when I first imagined up my special project: Print Shop by Bethany Stanley.
So what is so special about my selling my work as prints? Here are a few things that I love about the little corner of the internet I have created.
1. My flagship product - The Gallery Wall Collection.
The Gallery Wall Collection was the idea that really drove me to work on creating these products for others; a selection of 9 beautiful fine art prints, accompanied by a gallery curation guide, carefully designed and written by myself to help you hang the prints in your home alongside your own photography and artwork, all packaged up and ready for you to hang. We currently have 5 collections in the shop, which can be found here, that were shot in Paris, Disneyland & Switzerland.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
“When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear.”
2. The classic roots
I shot all of the imagery for my shop entirely on film. Shooting on film is my favourite way of connecting with my most creative side, as I have no lcd to rely on, and I have to shoot entirely based on my knowledge of my camera and my vision, which truly helps me to achieve my best work. I also believe that it gives each image an authentic, whimsical feel that just cannot be achieved through digital photography. It is something about the grain, the colour palette and the way it translates light that truly makes it special.
3. The quality
One thing that was of utmost importance to me whilst choosing my suppliers, was that my prints be supplied on the highest quality, archival standard papers with the most beautiful textures to ensure that not only would you receive something that was beautiful to look at and hold in your hands, but something that would also last you a lifetime. You will notice this quality as soon as you open your prints, the cotton rag gives the paper a fine, textured feel, something that you imagine you would find in a fairytale book, or as the background of a beautiful watercolour. These prints are more than just basic prints for your office, I believe that they can be treasured as artwork for your home.
4. The Subjects.
Anyone who knows me, will know how much I love to travel, and as a photographer I have fallen more and more in love with travel photography, so making my shop consist of travel pieces was really a no brainer. Of course, I have plans on extending the subjects out in the future, but sharing with you the places I love the most, captured in what I feel to be a new and inspiring way, really feels like the perfect place to start. Paris is home for me, Disneyland is my happy place, and Switzerland is where all of my dreams came alive. I know that you will connect with them in the same way that I do.
“Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures.”
I have been so excited to share these prints with you for such a long time, and I plan on posting on here from time to time to give you more background on how I shot each collection and print. If you want to browse and purchase, please visit my shop!
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My Little Wedding Shop - Doone Valley Collection Shoot
The Shop
My little wedding shop has a special place in my heart. It was the place I purchased my own wedding dress from and so every time I have the opportunity to work with Jenny or one of her dresses my heart is full. (I have written about my experience with Jenny here if you'd like to read more about it.) My Little Wedding Shop is as whimsical and personal as the name denotes, with Jenny creating beautiful bespoke gowns for all of her brides and offering a gorgeous and unique collection every year and making each dress to her Brides requirements. Georgia is also on hand to create the most beautiful selection of veils, perfect for each and every bridal look.
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it...”
The Collection
Each and every one of Jenny's collections is inspired by her love of great literature, her label itself being named Jane & Edward. This collection was inspired by one of Jenny's favourite pieces, Lorna Doone, therefore gaining the name the 'Doone Valley' collection - with a Gold, Blush and Ivory palette, delicate laces and a particular emphasis on movement and flow. Each dress is beautifully designed with different types of bridal looks in mind and each gown has its own look and feel, whilst remaining consistent within the style of the collection. Every one of Jenny's dresses is to be worn effortlessly, with the beauty of the quality fabrics, impeccable design and incredible workmanship speaking for itself. You can browse the whole collection here.
The Shoot
We opted to shoot the collection in the shop in order to put emphasis on the fact that the dresses are entirely handmade in store, whilst incorporating the literature aspect using Jenny's treasured edition of Lorna Doone and a selection of beautiful fabrics, dress makers dummies, vintage sewing machines and a beautiful sewing table as props for the shoot. The shop is often flooded with light due to its huge bay window which was converted into a backdrop for the day, as the cosy little store with its usually quaint atmosphere was a turned into a hive of activity as the room was packed full of vendors, dresses, makeup, camera equipment and our stunning model.
“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.”
THE VENDORS
There is nothing more exciting than working alongside a group of like minded creatives to create something beautiful. We found ourselves really bouncing off each other all day, with lots of laughter along the way. Our model was the fiery haired Ash Millman, whose professional attitude in front of the camera (making my job all the more easy) was complimented by her fun personality and humility on set. She was an absolute dream to work with and her beauty was truly astounding. She was made all the more beautiful by the insanely talented Omie, who seemed to know exactly how to compliment each individual bridal look with the perfect makeup - I want her to do my makeup every single day as she seems to have nailed the balance between striking beauty and a natural, effortless look! The hair was masterfully finished by the amazing Natasha Caldecott and we were provided with headpieces by Kate Slater and Gilly Page.
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Switzerland Part One: Welcome to the most magical place on earth.
“Before you came along... we never had any adventures or did anything unexpected. ”
From the moment I met Jamie seven years ago, he has always talked about his favourite part of the world, a place that held his best childhood memories and seemed to be constantly coated in a film of magic dust whenever he spoke of it. When he talked about Switzerland, his eyes were filled with stars, and his words were filled with nostalgia and love that I could never understand. The frustrating part about finding the love of your life is that you often have already missed the building of that person, the experiences that made them who they are, and the memories that you can never share. For the longest time I have known that if I could visit Switzerland with Jamie, I could find a slice of him and share something with him that would help to connect me to his past, which is important to anyone in love. I wasn't prepared, however, for how much this place would impact on me. I couldn't have imagined how breathtaking this place would be. I photographed it so that I could share a piece of it with everyone else, and hopefully inspire you to see it with your own eyes.
We visited the village of Grindelwald, nestled in the Swiss Alps with views of the the peaks, the Eiger stood in all of its glory right in front of us, so beautiful and yet equally terrifying in their vast size and intimidating stature. The sky in Grindelwald is filled with mountains, and all of the surrounding areas are just as breath taking in this respect. Here are a few of my favourite photographs from Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, the Brienz Rothorn, lake Spiez, lake Thun, and the beautiful Oeschinensee from the first few days of our trip.
