JLawrence Photography

18/11/2024

I had an incredible time earlier this year at the for a styled destination wedding photoshoot. I love to travel, and it was a great honour to be involved with some incredible suppliers. This shoot is published in check out my styled shoots highlight for the link.

Venue
Planner/Concept
Venue Styling & Florist
Photographer
Videographer
Cake Maker
Hair & MUA
Dresses
Suit
Stationery & signage
Model
Model
Local wedding planner
Rentals Loc 49

16/11/2024

Feel fabulous on your wedding day

13/11/2024

Looking forward to the wedding showcase at this Sunday... see you there?

01/11/2024

Today we said goodbye to Paulie.

Most people know of Paul as the person who's larger than life, louder than most wildlife, and for his very public career, whether that was in the theatre, working for other companies or running his own businesses, especially in the end with a podcast and his public speaking career.

Throughout his life Paul has achieved many great things that we all know about (you're welcome…!) from on stage to working behind the scenes, to doing great things in business most recently publishing is book and also being a runner up for a British podcast award, amongst many other things.

The number of times I’ve heard someone who hasn't seen him in a while say they didn’t get a chance to see him but they're feeling the sorrow. I thought about this a lot, and I have come to realise that this is because that when your light shines as strongly as Pauls did, you don't have to be in the same room as him to feel the glow, because that light was so abundant that anywhere outside of the room, anywhere in the world, his light would shine through those windows and you could FEEL it shining and feel the warmth of all the love that he gave everybody.

I know it's very difficult for everybody now that this light has gone out and there's a darkness left behind. But we all shine a little bit brighter because of him. And while at the moment its raw and it feels right to be sad, Paulie would want us to be happy, moving on and living our lives to the best of his memory.

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I might say to people. The mix of knowing how the devastation of his passing will feel and the fact that so many of us knew him through the wedding industry, it seemed obvious to quote the words of another splendid bu**er: W.H. Auden, a la Four Weddings and a funeral. But the more I thought about it, Paulie would never want us to stop All the Clocks.

Instead, I feel these words by Jack London are much more fitting for how Paulie lived his life, and how he would want us all to live our lives.

"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."

Here's to Paulie

28/09/2024

We are really sorry but this is going to be quite a tough message to read, so if you're not somewhere that you can deal with bad news, stop watching and look at this later.

A short while ago, my best friend Paulie was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This episode of the podcast is an announcement of what is going on. (link in my stories) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkCDY6HRkwk

Paul's family are fully aware of what's going on, but are aware of how loved Paulie is and are worried about being inundated by messages. They are being extremely well looked after and doing well considering the circumstance, but please respect their privacy.

The businesses: This will be the last Newton's nuggets episode. MentalTheft will still go on, we have plans to make use of its name and partnerships we have to offer a different type of service than the public speaking - this has been going on for a while now anyway.

Paulie: he has been an absolute trooper, the incredible person who we all know, acting with dignity whilst still retaining his sense of humour and making the nursing team laugh at every opportunity. He is continuing to fight this as long as he can, so if you message him please make it positive, full of love and support. He will read them, but if he doesn't answer its nothing personal, he's just using up every bit of energy to fight at the minute. To that end, he is also not having visitors other than his family at this time.

I know this is a lot to take in, and I'm sorry that its come to you like this today, we're just doing the best we can.

From my personal point of view, this has been devastating. I'm in the hospital every day, so I am behind and slow to respond, but I will get to you.

Lots of Love, from me and Paul's team.

13/06/2024

Well, it has been the busiest 3 weeks of the year, with a short break in the middle where I had hurt my foot and couldnt walk 🤦‍♀️So with all of that in mind, I haven't been posting, but I'll be doing a bit more as I deliver photos... I am in full edit mode for most of the next few weeks until the next things happen, so watch this space!

25/05/2024

I do get in the habit of showing all the big showoff posed couple photos, but the reality is that those are about 20 minutes of the wedding day!

I'm normally at a wedding typically 11-15 hours, taking thousands of photographs, which is why I tend to deliver on the region of 1000-1600 photos.

So what are the rest? Well they are story telling all the moments of the day. This is typically natural shots, with people not realising they are being photographed, that will help you remember your special day!

19/05/2024

*Trigger warning* Last year was a build up of so many things in my life. On the outside, I was doing well, my photography business was gping great, customers were happy, all things work related seemed to be going swimmingly. Most of my family and friends saw me as my usual smiling self. The reality was I was really struggling, and it had some pretty serious consequences on my mental health, & subsequently my actions.

I was lucky to have people around me to catch me as I was falling and I spent a lot of very difficult months working through the struggle, working through therapy and on myself. Most people didn't know, because frankly I prefer to stay professional and am not one to share. But I learned who I could lean on, and I can thank them no end.

Having a studio, one time I just set my camera to taking pictures... I didnt know why, but when I posted them, a lot of people came together, some of whom it helped to get them speaking. I'll be honest, I wasnt yet strong enough to handle the outcome and all the lovely messages at the time, but I was so glad that I had shared them.

However, since then, around me other people haven't been so lucky. I have been thinking a lot this "Mental Health" week how I follow on from that.

Firstly, I think that its important to share the message again. We lose too many people, and there are too many suffering in silence for us to not to take the time to just say something. So I have shared the pictures I shared before.

Secondly, I wanted to share a picture of me now. I'll be honest, I hate pics of me, and it feels very self indulgent, but it comes with a very simple message. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. However hard things are, how ever dark the world is, it will get better. I can tell you for a fact that a year ago I would have never thought I'd have a genuine smile on my face. Life is still throwing things at me, but I can honestly say that I'm ready, and I'm still standing here with a smile. So while I can't go back and tell past me, hopefully someone who is struggling now will see that they too can chose a path to a smile and a better place.

18/05/2024

This was an absolute honour to help Gift of a Wedding to help this lovely couple celebrate

SATURDAY NIGHT SMILES 😊

We are sharing images that we've absolutely loved over the years on a Saturday evening. These are images that have put a smile on our faces and created some special memories for our couples.

It was our absolute honour and privilege to be asked to plan the vow renewal of Trevor and Nicola English on Friday 19th November 2021 at St Mary’s Church, Southampton followed by an evening reception at The Double Tree, Southampton.
Trevor sadly passed away on Monday 13th June 2022.

Trevor and Nicola's first dance was truly special as you can see. We love this wonderful shot captured by the photographer as Trevor sang to his bride in the middle of their first dance. Thank you J Lawrence Photography you truly captured a special moment.

If you love the memories we create, please text the word GROOM3 to 70085 to donate £3. This donation will cost £3 plus your standard message rate. You can also make an online donation by clicking on this link - https://gift_of_a_wedding.donr.com/socialmediadonations

Thank you,
Team Gift of Wedding 💜

18/05/2024

Want to meet me in person? Why not come to the Balmer Lawn wedding showcase tomorrow between 11am and 4pm?!

09/05/2024

Photographing for my favourite charity Naomi House & Jacksplace

08/05/2024

I was doing some charity work at the other day and it reminded me of when we did this stunning wedding

01/05/2024

Firstly, that reaction says it all! 8 years ago I met at my first professional gig. We got on straight away. Over the years, we worked together, set up businesses together, did a podcast that was a runner up to a British podcast award, wrote and published a book, and all round created many a mischief.

More recently, he and his lovely family have been there for me over some very difficult times, and I have become part of the family, partly because if he's with me, he isnt annoying them 🤣😂.

Scroll to the end for the first picture I ever took of him, which he loves and I think is awful... I have gotten better 🤣😂

Happy anniversary Paulie!

30/04/2024

Just reflecting on a couple of wedding industry events which had me at the beautiful (where I'm a recommended supplier btw, brag) and what an incredible industry we are in. So many people working together with one main focus, giving couples an incredible experience.

27/04/2024

I've got to say, I absolutely love being a wedding photographer! So a massive thank you to every time I get to do something, whether it's getting booked by a couple, being involved in a styled shoot, going to wedding fayres, or wedding industry networking.

I genuinely feel privileged to be a part of this world! It's not for everyone, it's an insane amount of hard work and full of the ups and downs of owning a business whilst trying to do your craft. But I frickin love it!

Here's to all of you, because I'm feeling very grateful to be a part of it 🥰🤘🔥

06/04/2024

Yes I stay unlimited hours at your wedding day. Yes, this is why 🔥🌛📷

01/04/2024

Happy Monday! Here is a cute vw camper in front of a cool building. You're welcome!

31/03/2024

Firstly, how stunning is that view 😍😎. Secondly, how cute are these two?! And finally, look at that second picture to see how much fun you can have on your wedding day, even when someone is pointing a camera at you!