Top 10 FAB moments of 2019
The celebs have a rundown of their most embarrassing moments, the charts have a rundown of the top tunes and the other day I watched the rundown of the greatest Christmas movies of all time…..I think it is about that time for me to have a rundown of my 10 fab 'whoop whoop' moments of 2019 because folks there have been a fair few.
Here are my top ten fab moments of 2019!
#1: Being on t’tele, naturally.
OF COURSE, this is a top ten fabby moment. I adore quiz shows and my absolute favourite is ‘The Chase’. I have watched for years and when Bradley Walsh looked into my eyes (through the television) and said ‘Come and have a go if you think you’re clever enough’ I bloody well did. I actually filmed it exactly a year ago (December 2018) and it was aired in September 2019. Series 13. IT WAS AMAZING. Did I win? Did I ‘eck, but it was a top moment regardless. It was incredibly tough to keep it all under wraps but I managed it. I’ve deffo got the bug and am incredibly tempted to have a go at a few more shows, but perhaps as part of a team. So let me know if you’re interested and want to team up! 100k drop anyone?
#2: Crossing two wedding venues off my bucket list.
Yes, I have a wedding photography bucket list. You can find it at the bottom of my Portfolio page on my website. And this year I managed to cross off two venues I have wanted to photograph weddings at. When I first started out, I’ll admit, I wanted to photograph really lovely venues….you can’t not get a nice photo at a pretty venue. However, I have learnt more and more this year that it is way more about the couple. And looking back at my photos you can really see people are my focus. I lock onto souls. So whenever someone enquires or if we ever get chatting I really don’t care where you marry…but it more that we value the same things. I ‘don’t get’ wedding favours, I ‘don’t get’ fruit cake and I don’t understand wearing shoes you can’t enjoy the day in. I love personal vows, I ‘get’ long strong friendships, I ‘get’ dancing, and you are my people if you are doing things the way you want them as opposed to a tradition that you think ought to happen.
#3: Building a community.
This is a biggie. Being self-employed can be a lonely place and so this year I continued to work on building my relationships within the wedding community and have met some fab people along the way - many of who I would recommend in a heartbeat. For 2020 you’ll find me listed as a recommended supplier for some local venues too!
I have also had the pleasure of meeting like-minded wedding photographers. They shoot (photograph, not kill) the way I do and value many of the same things as me. I have learnt from them and in turn, I have passed on whatever knowledge and support I have and can with them. I have also had the pleasure of working alongside them at weddings and can’t wait to continue with this next year. Big thanks to my homies - you know who you are!
#4: Finalist in the Muddy Stiletto Awards.
This year I had a go and entered a few awards and I did alright! I managed to be chosen as a photo of the day for ‘The Wedding Community’ and was also a finalist in the Muddy Stiletto Awards for Rutland and Leicestershire. A HUGE thank you to alllll of you who voted for me - there is no way I could have done it without you.
#5: I got PUBLISHED!
I worked alongside some brilliant local wedding suppliers to pull off a circus-themed wedding. It was an inspirational piece where we put on a styled wedding to show off just what could be done if you broke away from the norm. It took place at Castle View Farms & Stables, in Leicestershire, and I had the most gorgeous real-life couple who dressed up for me in wedding attire and had a blast. We even had stilt walkers and fire eaters! The photographs were published by ‘Unconventional Weddings’ an online wedding blog and was a huge success as a wedding inspirational piece. If you missed it, you can catch it here. It was actually one of the most read blogs of 2019 for Unconventional wedding blog...so double win!
#6: Having the BEST clients.
And ones I can hand on heart, call friends. Part of how I get those natural photos that people love is down to the fact that I get to know my clients - and they get to know me. It’s a two-way street. And if you do take that on board then you’ll feel super comfortable on your big day and won’t even notice I am there when you snog each other's faces off. In fact, I am still friends with my couples from last year and even had the pleasure of photographing their new bundle of joy that they welcomed a few months ago. Cue circle of life music right here.
I am also OVER THE MOON with all of my 5-star reviews my clients have left me. Huge thank you to you!
#7: My books are about to close.
Yep, before 2019 is even out I am close to being fully booked for 2020 and a third full for 2021. Wowsers eh? I only take on a limited amount of bookings a year so that I can give the very best service to my clients. I can be flexible with pre-wedding photoshoot dates, I can be there to answer calls/emails if you need help with supplier recommendations and even get your wedding photos edited within a short time frame so you’re not waiting for 3+months for them. This means I only have a handful of dates available a year. I am considering adding around 2 more possible dates for 2020 but if it’s a wedding between July-September (peak wedding season) I am booked!
#8: Get into the Groove...
I absolutely adore photographing dance shows and this year have done 3 performances this year alone, with more to come in the new year. I can not wait. I just can’t get enough of photographing dance performances. I did start another Instagram account with the intent to show off my images but it’s hard enough managing one. Perhaps I’ll make it a new years resolution?
#9: New CEO of Gina Fernandes Photography.
If you follow me on social media you would have heard about the recent changes that took place. Yep, there is a new CEO. A kitten: Gandalf Fernandes. He is currently wrapped up into a little ball next to me as I type this. For every spelling mistake, I make I have to endure a tap by his cute ickle itsy bitsy paws. Ahem. I HAVE A PET! Or rather, we. It’s so nice to have something small and furry back in the house (apart from the hubby’s beard! Hahaha!). He was abandoned at Rutland Water at around 8 weeks old but showed promising executive skills and was hired on the spot. He’s also a little shit who has wrecked the Christmas tree.
#10: All about the photos.
Finally, my top fabby moment has to be all the weddings I have photographed. Each and every one of them has been memorable and I have made a slideshow of the banging weddings I have shot at in 2019. This took me an age! Narrowing down the images was incredibly difficult as I had so many to choose from. Turn up the volume, hit play and ENJOY!
Bring on 2020!
Gina xoxo
