Britain's first toy-shop co-operative

Win a £25 voucher to spend at Chorlton’s Busy Bee Toyshop with our very special competition, just for children.

We desperately need some art work to brighten up our studios so we thought it would be a good idea to ask some fantastic young artists to help us by creating some pictures for us to frame and put on the walls!

If you are under ten years old we would love you to draw us a picture, which much be at least A4 in size. You can either drop your competition entry into Andrew Wood Photography in Chorlton, post it to us (full address here) or ask Mum and Dad to scan it in and email it to us using the email address here. The closing date for this competition is May 31st 2012, so be sure to get your entries in to us before then!

Terms
There is just one prize on offer which cannot be substituted for anything else. Final entries should be received by us before 31/05/2012. The winner will be notified via email/telephone before 30/06/2012. Only one entry per child. Entrants must be under ten years of age prior to 31/08/2012. Entries may be used for marketing/publicity purposes by Andrew Wood Photography and Busy Bee Toyshop.

There’s much more to Andrew Wood Photography then family portraiture. We undertake all types of photography including weddings, events and commercial photography. Recent product shoots have included larger items, for which we have tailored our studios in order to effectively manage the reflections that are so crucial in producing good product images.

Back in February we were asked to photograph a range of coffins and caskets by a company supplying them to funeral directors and undertakers. This shoot certainly ranked as one of our more unusual commissions! The client delivered and collected the various products from our studios in Chorlton, South Manchester. We worked with the client to ensure we fully understood and agreed upon their brief and to also ensure we photographed and dressed the products in-line with their very specific requirements. We happily turned the shoot around in under a week, which included supplying the client with a range of fully re-touched and processed images ready to use on their website and in their marketing material.

An oak veneered coffin with panel sides and a raised lid

A woven wicker coffin - environmentally friendly

Another more unusual recent request was the shooting of some toilet and sanitory units. This represented quite a big job in terms of labour involved in assembling the units and preparing for each shot. Again, the shoot was turned around very quickly and efficiently in order to meet a client’s deadline.

WC, Cistern, Basin & Pedestal Product Photograph

We have a commercial photographers working with us, not only on product photography but all types of commercial shoots including interiors, exteriors and PR photography. If you have any requirements for commercial or product photography, why don’t you drop us a line today?

Although we undertake all sorts of photography, family portraiture remains the heart of our business. And that includes family pets! It’s great involve the family dog or cat in a photo session. Not only does it prove to be a novelty with the children, but it also makes a good focal point for adults by helping them to relax and enjoy their studio photo session. Don’t worry if you have not got a pet; bringing a family dog, cat, rabbit or hamster is not obligatory – we would just be glad just to have you along! Our expert photographers will always work to set you at ease and help you enjoy your photo shoot.

Here are some of our latest pet pictures. A pet portrait gallery could possibly turn into a regular feature in the blog, and the also our email newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber, you can join the distribution list by clicking here!

We work hard to capture your pet looking their best.. even if they don't stand still!

We were delighted to have this gorgeous Pug dog along for a family photo shoot

This pooch looks like he is trained to pose

In the studio at Andrew Wood Photography, we specialise in Family Portraits. What we mean is that we are more than happy to photograph the whole family. And that includes (within reason) family pets!

Last week we were really pleased to have the Parker family along for a photoshoot. And they brought with them their pet house rabbit, Flo, a first for Andrew Wood Photography.

Most pets are welcome at Andrew Wood Photography

Flo the house rabbit takes prime position in this portrait as both subjects eye up the camera

Photographing the rabbit made our female photographer Nicola’s day. She’s particularly keen on animals of all shapes and sizes.  We are quite accustomed to having dogs come into the studio and, by prior arrangement, we are happy to have most house-trained animals along.

We can even offer tailored pet portraits. There are some restrictions with larger animals such as ponies and horses but only due to the logistics of getting them into the studio. For that reason, we will more than happy to tailor an on-location package for those of you with larger family pets.

Next week we actually have a pet-portrait booked in with two cute and fluffy shih tzu’s. If we are able to publish a couple of snaps, we sure will!

Please see the website for details on how you can arrange a shoot today or have a look at our current range of special offers.

2011 was a monumental year in the short history of Andrew Wood Photography. Not only did we move to new premises in Chorlton, but we photographed over 200 families and sold over 450 products (DVDs, Frames & Canvasses). We would like to thank all of our customers for their support, all of whom have enjoyed our very high levels of customer service and professional high quality portraiture.

As we welcome in the new year we would also like to welcome you to the team and as part of that, we thought it was only fair to turn the camera on ourselves for some funky self-portraits. The four permanent team-members at Andrew Wood Photography are:

Nicola Docherty - Portrait Photographer for Andrew Wood Photography

Nicola Docherty – an experienced portrait photographer and a fabulous asset to the team. Nicola not only architects our incredible makeover shoots but she builds an excellent rapport with clients which in-turn makes them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Nicola has an encyclopeadic music knowledge, particularly folk music and also enjoys fashion.

Ruby Birks - Trainee Photographer for Andrew Wood Photography

Ruby Birks – a budding trainee photographer with natural talent and creativity. She joined us in August 2011 and is currently working towards her extended BTEC diploma qualification in photography. Ruby especially enjoys working with film photography and develops her own images.

Daniel Cadden - Commercial Photographer for Andrew Wood Photography

Daniel Cadden – the newest addition to the team, a commercial photographer with experience in wedding and family portrait photography. Daniel is very technically minded and is helping to improve the website as well as provide innovative ideas and marketing to drive the business forward in 2012.

Andrew Wood - Established Professional Family Photographer

Andrew Wood – a very highly proficient family portrait and wedding photographer himself, Andrew is of course the founder of the business and he ensures that all clients of Andrew Wood Photography receive the same high standard of service and quality of workmanship no matter who undertakes the work. Andrew has an inspirational vision for the business that will see many many more satisfied clients passing through the studio doors for many years to come.

Whether you are celebrating a new baby, an engagement, a significant birthday or just fancy making 2012 the year to finally have some quality family portrait photos undertaken, feel free to drop us a line via the website or drop-in to our Manchester Studios where you will be more than welcome to a coffee and a chat.

Hi, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Andrew & Nicola for my training session! My Uncle & Aunt bought me a voucher for this for my birthday and to say I was a bit “dubious” would be an understatement. Within minutes of arriving, Nicola made me feel really at ease, and from then on, I had a brilliant time. I learnt lots of “techie” stuff from Andrew, and was able to ask questions that I’d always wondered about, and then I spent an hour with Nicola learning that it’s not all techie stuff, and you can just experiment, be creative and find what works for you… The whole session was relaxed, enjoyable and I have learnt more in 2 hours than I could have thought possible. On top of that I got some great shots of my mum and son, and Nicola took a beautiful picture of me and my son which I will treasure forever. Thank you so much for a wonderful day and I will undoubtedly be back!! Thanks Helen xxx

More information on Andrew Wood Photography Training

Press Release – Andrew Wood Photography / Framing Manchester
25th October, 2011.
£50,000 EXPANSION FOR CHORLTON BUSINESSES
Two Manchester businesses are set to create up to six new jobs after investing £50,000 in new shared premises and staff on Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton.
Business owners Andrew Wood of Andrew Wood Photography and Andy Botterill of Framing Manchester have joined forces to create a new centre for photography and picture framing in Chorlton.
Both established in 2008, the businesses had worked closely together for a couple of years before deciding to look for a high street location in Chorlton where they could expand both companies and be more accessible to clients from across Manchester and the North West.
Andrew Wood said: “We looked around vacant shop premises in Chorlton and found that this was perfect for the two businesses to collaborate. There is enough space for both of us to have a ground floor shop front, plus plenty of room upstairs for our four new photography studios.”
With strong demand from clients and a new Metrolink stop planned for outside the new premises, Andrew Wood Photography has taken on two new people and Framing Manchester has employed one new member of staff so far, with more jobs likely to be created in the coming months.
Members of the public and other local businesses are invited to an open evening at the centre at 296-298 Barlow Moor Road from 6pm on Thursday 3rd November, where anyone interested in portraits, bespoke framing, studio hire or photography training can come and have a look round, see demonstrations and chat informally to the owners and staff.
Everyone attending the evening will be able to take part in a mini-photo shoot with copyright free images provided via email free of charge. There will also be a prize draw with an opportunity to win family portrait sessions, a photography makeover sessions, studio photography training sessions and studio hire sessions for amateur or professional use.
Tickets may be available on the evening but are limited. To register for the guest list in advance, please call Andrew on 0161 286 3311
For more details of events and timings please visit www.andrewwoodphotography.co.uk or www.framingmanchester.co.uk .
-ends-
Media enquiries: Andrew Wood, Tel: 0161 286 3311
Notes to editor:
The businesses have also collaborated in creating specialist products for the presentation of Portrait Photography. As well as offering standard picture frames Andy also offers a variety of other formats for both photographers and artists, plus other services such as mount cutting, glass cutting, exhibition framing, mirrors, sport shirt framing and so on.
The Andrew Wood Photography Centre was set up not only to provide studio photography but to create a place where photographers can meet and exchange ideas and new innovations. Both amateur and professional photographers are already using Andrew’s low cost studio hire service renting a fully equipped studio for an hour or a whole day.
A one-to-one beginner’s studio photography training package is also offered to amateur photographers encouraging all new digital SLR users to develop their photography to a new level.

Before and After

Hi Folks,

Our latest Photography Studio is now ready to go.

Not being the most creative wordsmith out there, for now, I’m just going to call in Studio Two, but the first few people to use it have come up with  ‘Manchester Makeover Studio’, ‘Shabby Chic Photo Studio’ (not sure I like that one).  ‘Vintage Vogue Studio’ and finally ‘Borderline Boudoir’ – so do let me know your thoughts!

Please take a look at the first shots taken in the new studio – credit to our model – Samio  http://www.modelmayhem.com/870328 and of course my favourite photographer – Nicola Docherty for taking these lovely pics! Need to learn how to use this blog as it seems to want to display pictures as square so keeps chopping heads off!  You’ll need to double click to open them, but its worth it!!!

Details of our studio hire starting at £10 an hour inclusive of all equipment are available on  http://www.andrewwoodphotography.co.uk/studio-hire-manchester.html (must update those pictures as of the old Studio One – but Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Hope you like the pics.  Half price first hire to any photographers out there giving us a ‘like’  & all your comments & feedback welcome.  Please visit us anytime to check out our new facilities.

Thanks to you all for your support.  Plans for an ‘opening party / celebration’ are coming together for the end of October. We’ll post details on our home page as soon as they are available.  http://www.andrewwoodphotography.co.uk

Tooooooooooo late to right a long blog post tonight.  This is the second night in a row we’ve had an 11pm finish here, but Studio Two is going to be fantastic.  Its looking great with a beautiful antique dressing table, some lovely vintage vogue wallpapers, and some very modern wallpapers too.  A lovely wingback leather chair and a walnut floor.  The perfect studio for anyone for a makeover session, boudoir or fashion photography.  Come and take a look, and don’t forget your first session is half price at just £10.  Yes £10!!!  You won’t find a quality studio for hire anywhere in Manchester to come close to that.

Sorry no photo’s to upload tonight.   Should be able to update this post on Monday with some soooooooper stuff.

Love to you all!

Andrew

Studio 3

Studio three (our makeover studio) is available to amateur and professional photographers.  Inclusive of all equipment, central heated & fully air conditioned, it is available for hire on an hourly, half day, or whole day basis, with availability 7 days a week.  Weekends are now very popular – please book early. 

Prices start from £20 per hour – (with 50% off for your first booking) through to a full days photo studio hire (inclusive of all equipment) for just £100. 

2 (minimum) x Elinchrom 400BX light radio trigger light units. 

2.8m backdrop papers in black, white and assorted colours

Portable wallpapered backdrops in a variety of styles.

Assorted fabric and curtain backdrops.

snoot, fan unit, assorted items of period furniture, err thats about it. 

Anything else – just ask, we can usually get it in!

I’m hoping to have details (and photo’s) of studio 2 (our vintage vogue / chabby chic / boudoir style studio) within two weeks so watch this space.  We already have a booking for it in three weeks so we have a deadline to work to!! 

Thanks for reading.  Andrew.