Clara Lou Photography

07/01/2025

“I can’t even begin to say how wonderful this lady is! Clare is the most professional, talented and amazing photographer, but she also has this brilliant ability to put you at complete ease on one of your most important days. She came in and instantly knew what to do and where to go, every photo you could imagine and wish for was taken and more! Clare wasn’t just a photographer on my wedding day, she was really like one of my bridal party, she helped me into my dress, made sure my drink was full, calmed my nerves and had a fan on hand at all times to keep me cool.. We laughed all day and had such fun with the photos and all the guests really felt comfortable with Clare! I can’t recommend her enough and am so happy and blessed we had this amazing photographer to capture our special day!
Thank you Clare.”

Morgan & Richard.

04/01/2025

“Clare was not only a master behind the camera but also a true professional. She arrived on time, maintained a friendly and approachable demeanour and made us feel at ease throughout our wedding day.
Her ideas for certain photos were perfect, she also patiently listened to our ideas and incorporated them seamlessly into the overall shoot.
We have been very pleased with the final photographs and would highly recommend Clare to anyone looking for a wedding photographer... She's worth every penny!

Rob & Anastasiia.

03/01/2025

Abbie and Steven had the best day at The Ashes in the summer!
They said their “I dos” in front of all their closest people in the West Barn before heading out into the courtyard for the party!
It’s not often I do this, but I’ve added a lot of portraits to this gallery, as we got so many at their wedding!
Even though we weren’t away from their guests for long, we managed to even get some pictures with the famous resident Highland Cows!
After being so lucky all day with the weather, I can’t lie when I said I was happy when we had a bit of rain in the evening so I could make the most of the new festoon lights that the Ashes have added to their courtyard this year!
This was the last shot of the night after I’d photographed the dancing!

✨ Amazing Suppliers ✨
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Venue: The Ashes Barns Wedding Venue & Country House Accommodation
Wedding dress shop: WED2B
Flowers:
Suits: Suits Direct
Hair: Bridal Hair by Lindsay - Staffordshire
DJ: chamberlain_events
Caterers: Jenkinsons Caterers
Rings: H. Samuel Jewellery & Ernest Jones
Registrar: Staffordshire County Council
Magician: Jester Styles
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02/01/2025

New for 2025!
We will be offering corporate video this year as a first!
These will be stand alone package or including our new Brand Photography sessions as an add on!
Do you want to re-brand or give your business a fresh look for the New Year!
Here’s one we did for the launch of the Regent Theatre Pantomine launch last year!
Contact us for details!
M3 Branding Photography - A Clara Lou Company

01/01/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I have been going through last years' wedding photographs to choose my favourites (I am down to 400), so still a bit of work to do!
But going through them always makes me realise (and I say this all the time to my brides and grooms), that weddings are always about the moments!
This is my favourite thing to capture - being at the right place at the right time, knowing what to look for!
The best feedback I get from my couples is the candid photos! They love them!
These are the images that will transport you right back to the moment.
And will also capture things you didn't see that will make you smile!
Everyone you love, right there, in that moment of time that you will all share forever!
That to me is what wedding photography is all about!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025!
I am off to finish all my chocolate before I start back to work on Friday!

Best of 2024 to follow...... who knows when! 😆

30/12/2024

Jade and Luke got married in glorious sunshine at Standon Hall in the summer!
I’ve known Luke and his family for a long time, so it was lovely to see him marry beautiful Jade in front of all their friends and family.
Their wedding preparations were so much fun!
As they both got ready at Standon, it was easy for me to get to them both for some pictures!
Jade had an army of ladies helping her get ready and enjoy the morning, and Luke and the boys had drinks before heading down to the ceremony which was held in the gorgeous gardens!
Before the evening entertainment got underway, we headed out for some relaxed evening portraits!
Always my favourite time to get couple pictures as they are so relaxed after the days formalities are over.

✨ Amazing Suppliers ✨

Venue: Standon Hall
Wedding dress shop: Haarlem Bridal
Wedding dress designer: Astra Slater
Bridesmaids dresses:
Flowers: Buttercup and daisies with love & Lawrence Mirley Floral (LM Floral)
Venue dresser: Little Events
Videographer: Vision Wave Weddings
Suits: FORT Formalwear - Ripley
Hair: English Rose (Jessica Hayward)
Make-up: Sophie Ede MUA
Cake: Amerton Wedding Cakes
Band: The Burgundys
Caterers: Olive Tree Catering
Registrar: Staffordshire County Council
Ice Cream: Jenni and ice-cream. vintage ice cream bike hire
Photo Booth: Sterlings Photo Booths & Events
Love Letters: Vintage Lane Wedding & Party Hire

27/12/2024

I don't know about you guys, but I am unsure what day it is! 😆
I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and Santa brought you everything you wished for! 🎅
Ours was a quiet one with our family round for lunch! 💞
Making the decision not to take on many winter weddings this year has made sure I could enjoy this festive time with my family without worrying about what was left to edit! 🎄
So here's to a wonderful time with your loved ones and to a very happy, health and prosperous new year! ✨

20/12/2024

Zoe and Danny had such a great wedding at The Foxtail Barns in the summer!
The lovely relaxed bridal preparations set the scene for a perfectly chilled day!
The grounds at The Foxtail Barns are outstanding and I’m so pleased that they decided to take some time out to go for some pictures further into the gardens.
We made great use of the woodland area and the folly!
Such an amazing and vast space!
We then headed back to the drinks reception before they headed in for the speeches!
Zoe and Danny had a fantastic night with their family and friends! They knew how to party!
And Danny got to watch England lose in the World Cup Final between dances! 🫣
A quick dress change for Zoe was timed perfectly for some evening shots outdoors in the walled gardens before I left!

✨ Amazing Suppliers ✨

Venue: Foxtail Barns Wedding Venue & Woodland Lodges
Wedding dress shop: Wedding Dresses Of Manchester - Victoria Rogerson
Wedding dress designer: Allure Bridals
Bridesmaids dresses: Coast Fashion
Flowers & Venue Dresser: Arch in a Box
Videographer: NJP Videography
Suits: Moss Bros.
Hair & Make-up: Hannah Gill Makeup & Hair
Cake:
DJ & Photo Booth: Wedding Sounds - Specialist Wedding DJs
String Quartet: Northern String Quartet
Caterers: Jenkinsons Caterers
Rings: Beaverbrooks the Jewellers
Registrar: Staffordshire County Council
Love Letters: Lilberts Event Hire

17/12/2024

Feeling the love tonight 💕

13/12/2024

Crystal and Andy had the best day at Standon Hall in the summer.
Crystal was desperate to see Andy’s reaction when she walked down the aisle and he didn’t let her down it was so lovely!
Their preparations were lovely and relaxed.
I was treated to photographing not one but three dress reveals!
And we got some great reactions too!
After some great speeches and the wedding breakfast were over, Crystal and Andy treated their guests to an Escape Room as they are massive fans of them!
After they busted out we headed to the front of the grounds to catch some evening light and get some relaxed portraits!
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✨ Amazing Suppliers ✨
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Venue: Standon Hall
Wedding dress shop: Robertas Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses:
Flowers:
Venue dresser: Finishing Touches Wedding Hire
Suits: Ted Baker
Hair:
Make-up:
Cake: Doughnotts
Harpist: Madeline Kirby Harpist
Caterers: Ridgway Caterers Ltd
Registrar: Staffordshire County Council
Escape Room: Thegamelab

11/12/2024

11/12/2024

✨ We’re feeling festive and proud! 🎄

Look at this stunning photo of our Christmas tree captured by the incredibly talented Clare from Clara Lou Photography Isn’t it just magical? 🌟 Our tree is the heart of the hotel during the festive season, warmly greeting every guest who steps through our doors.

We’d love to see your moments with our tree! Share your photos or selfies in the comments below – let’s spread the Christmas cheer together! 📸❤️

03/12/2024

Was a pleasure photographing festive wreath making at The Oaks at the weekend!
Check out my pics on their “Oaks Journal” on their website…. Link in their status! 🥰

We've jumped straight into December with a fabulous festive kick!🎄🌟
We welcomed guests to our cosy countryside barn to create luxury Christmas wreaths, hosted by local floral extraordinaire Wildlings & Aster 🌿🎄

We've posted pics from our afternoon tea & wreath experience over on The Oaks Journal, captured by recommended supplier Clara Lou Photography 🎄🌿
https://www.theoaksbarn.co.uk/the-oaks-journal/christmas-wreath-workshop-round-up-2024

Tag us in any pics of your beautiful wreaths on your door, we love to see 😍

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30/11/2024

📸🥰🔮✨

09/11/2024

It's so lovely when my couples take the time to send me wonderful words like this.....

"Clare thank you so so much for our wedding photography!
We are so glad we went with you for our special day! You honestly went above and beyond for us and all our guests and we couldn’t be happier with the results!
Working with you was so easy as your friendly and approachable personality put us at ease straight away! It’s clear you have so much experience and made it all go so flawlessly.
We now have a mix of both canid and posed photos of our day that we will cherish for a lifetime!
Thank you so much again, we will always recommend you for all Photography!"

Alex & George ###x

08/11/2024

Coral and Dan got married in the summer in the glorious sunshine at Upper House in Barlaston.
After a lovely chilled morning in the Bridal Suite where the girls got ready, it was time for the ceremony.
They got the outdoor wedding they dreamed of and said their "I Do's" in front of their friends and family in the glorious sunshine!
I must admit, I was in awe of these two, as they had a newborn baby (literally weeks old), but they had one hell of a good day (I was still in my PJ's at this point of having my son)! 😂
The sun shone all day and they got some gorgeous images around the grounds of this amazing venue! We also had a very special visit from their fur-baby too for a while! 🐾
As the evening approached, we headed out to the fields for some evening portraits before the party got started!
Coral and Dan are such great fun and are so relaxed so it's so easy to get great natural shots of these two!

✨ Amazing Suppliers ✨
Venue: The Upper House, Barlaston
Wedding dress shop: The Bridal Lounge
Wedding dress designer: Essense of Australia
Wedding dress alterations: Louise at Victoria Anthony Dressmakers
Bridesmaids dresses: .uk
Flowers: Parsley and Sage Florist Stoke
Venue dresser: Enchanted Venue Dressing
Suits: Aisle of Brides
Hair: Kerry Bellingham
Make-up:
Cake: Class in Cakes
DJ & Photo Booth: Wedding Sounds - Specialist Wedding DJs
Pianist: Karen Daniels - Wedding & Event Pianist
Rings: H. Samuel Jewellery
Registrar: Staffordshire Ceremonies
Dog Chaperone: That's Pawfect

06/11/2024

Three time slots left..... 🫶

05/11/2024

Happy 5th November! 🎆
Whatever you're doing, stay safe and have fun! 🔥