13 more sleeps and not sure what to get?

As I write this, there is less than 2 weeks until Christmas (13 more sleeps my kids tell me) and I'm glad to say that we have sorted all but 1 or 2 presents, so no mad dashes in to town for us this year, fighting our way through all those other Christmas shoppers.

Of course you could avoid the shops altogether, this year records are being set for the numbers of Britsh shoppers now buying online, with a 15% increase over last year and an estimated 350m hours spent shopping online for Christmas presents.

So for those of you that don't want to venture out, or have missed postal deadlines, or perhaps have someone you need to get a gift for, but you want something different and something they don't have, here are a few solutions from us:

Give them a Family Lifestyle Portrait shoot
This is prooving popular this year, a great gift to give your family members, not just a photo, but a great experiance
Click for more info

Have a Photoshoot Party
A great gift for someone with lots of children or maybe a younger member of the family, who would like to invite a few friends around for a bit of a photoshoot. This is also great for those ladies who want to get a few friends together and have some fun over a bottle of wine or have a pre hen night shoot.
Click for more info

And for the Teenager that's hard to please
Lights, Camera, Action - Teen Fashion / Model Shoot Experiance.
Click for more info

Send them on a Photography workshop
We have a number of Photography workshops to choose from, with more being added, so why not treat them to a Workshop Voucher

Help them get the most out of their camera
For those that need a little more individual tuition, then our 1 to 1 training is ideal in helping them to use their equipment.
Click for more info

Buy them a book or two.
Here are a couple of my recomendations for this years stockings:
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 21 - Edited by Rosamund Kidman Cox

Nadav Kander: Yangtze - The Long River - Jean Paul Tchang

What ever you decide to do this year, happy shopping

Have a great Christmas

Andrew

Photo Shoot Giveaway

Your chance to Experience one of our exciting photoshoots

We will be launching a new web site soon, so to start the celebration early, we are giving away 5 portrait photoshoots.

At your photoshoot, you will have a relaxed unhurried portrait session, either on location or in the comfort of your own home.

Your package includes:
Professional and unhurried Photo Shoot
Choice of "On Location" or "At Home" Shoot
For individual, couple, family or new mums
10"x8" Mounted Print included
Online Gallery or Private viewing
Option to purchase additional prints

You can also choose the style of photshoot you want to from any of the following:

Expectant Bumps
Newborn
Kids
Family
Couples
Pets
Boudoir
Model Folio

How to Enter:
Send us an email to andrew@ajwphoto.co.uk with "Free Photoshoot Comp" as the title and the following information:
Your Name
Your Phone Number
Your Email
your choice of shoot Style

or visit our website at http://www.ajwphoto.co.uk/portraiture/index.php and use the form to send us a message. Make sure you mention "Free Photoshoot Comp" and tell us what type of shoot you want (Expectant Bumps, Newborn, Kids, Family, Couples, Pets, Model Folio or Boudoir)

All shoots will either be on Location around the Bristol and Bath area, or in the comfort of you own home in the same area. Shoots to be taken by Sept 4th 2011. Under 18's must be accompanied by a parent. Up to 5 shoots to give away.

Don't forget to tell your friends, there are 5 to give away

See you at the next shoot

Andrew

9th Aug - First Winner is Toby Martin of Bath
13th Second Winner is Hannah-Kate Davies Near Bath
20th Third winner is James Petter of Bristol









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Shooting runners in the Keynsham 10k Road Race 2011

Keynsham 10k Road Race 2011

It was great to see all the runners out on the 10k run last weekend here in Keynsham. Although I was not covering the event for a magazine (I have previously covered triathlones and duathlones for magazines such as Triathlete's World), this road race was on my doorstep, so had to get out there and get some photographs of the runners in the race.

The race took place on Sunday 22nd May 2011, starting at The Sports Ground next to the former Cadbury's factory, Somerdale, Keynsham.

From here, after doing laps of the field and grounds of the factory, they headed up to the High Street and then into Charlton Road, which is where I first caught up with them. The runners the headed out of the town and then down Redlynch Lane to the small village of Chewton Keynsham, before heading back towards Keynham.

Once they had all passed me, I decided to switch from the road to the park, to get a different look to the images. I had my six year old apprentice with me too, so she planted herself on a bench, applauding every single runner as they passed.

With the runners back in the town, the course took them down Steel Mills, over Dapps Hill bridge and into Keynsham park. Avoiding Ducks on route, they continued through the main park, exiting the other side before then heading down Cadbury’s main drive to the finish.

I don't know how they felt, but I was tired just trying to keep up with then and take photos around the course. I was great to see lots of smiling faces as they noticed the camera, dispite having just run 9k out of 10.

You can check out some more of the photos on my Flickr site Here

And with lots of events happening over the year, I hope to be out there again soon, so if you see me, don't forget to smile.

Andrew



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10 Things to do with the kids this Half Term

10 Things to do with the kids this Half Term in and Around Bristol, Bath and the South West

I actually heard one of the mums at our kids school say the other day "I can't wait until Half Term". Now I don't know about you, but it's not a phrase I or a lot of parents use. True, you do get to spend time with the kids and it is an excuse to go out, but for many, it's juggling jobs and child care or worse still, struggling to find them something to do.

I'm guessing by the way, that the mum in question was more stressed over getting the kids to school and the long walks four times a day, given that one of the children is in my daughters nursery class and so only does mornings.

So, with half term approaching fast, we are already putting our thinking caps on to how to entertain 2 young kids, without spending a fortune and thought I would share this with you. Do feel free to add your own suggestions on twitter

1. Visit Wells
   OK, so it is my surname, but that's not the reason. The smallest city in England, location to Hot Fuzz the movie and has a lot of history. My 6 year old loved the cathedral, which only asks a donation for entry, so doesn't cost the earth to go in. Get there on Market day and Bag a bargain, plus don't forget the Fudge Shop on the Corner.
   Visit Somerset tourism site for Wells
   
   
2. If you go to the woods today...
   There are so many different things to do in the woods, from going for a simple stroll, spotting wildlife or even meditating or painting/photographing the ever-changing scenery. The Woodlands trust even have some activity packs on their web site for the kids, along with a searchable Database so that you can find your local woods.
   Go to Woodland trust Web Site
   
   
3. The Roman Baths
   We have recently been back to the Roman Baths in Bath and they have made a lot of improvements, so you can spend a lot of time there, including detailed audio commentary by Dr Alice Roberts for the adults and special characters for the Kids. The great thing too if you are a resident of B&NES, you can get in FREE with the Free Residents card
   Roman Baths Website
   Discovery Card Website
   
   
4. Royal Victoria Park, Bath
   I have always loved this place and love taking the kids there. The Botanic Gardens are beautiful, the Dell a nice quiet stroll, The Children's play area, which keeps on getting better, the Fish and duck pond and several geocache's to guide you around.
   More Information on The Royal Victoria Park
   
   
5. Go Geocaching
   If you are stuck with somewhere to go or something to do, Geocaching often takes you there. My Kids love it. What is it? Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache. Best of all, it's Free and most modern smartphones have a built in GPS to use
   More details on Geocaching Website
   
   
6. Visit a Museum or two
   There are lots of Museums out there, most are now free and most are also interactive, so great for the kids. Here are just a few I found, but a quick search on Google will bring up more.
   Bristol Museum and Art Gallery - Queen's Road
   At Bristol - Harbourside, Bristol
   The Georgian House - 7 Great George Street, Bristol
   Fashion Museum, Bath (Free with Residents Discovery Card)
   
   
7. Discover Bristol's Pirate Past
   Discover Bristol's pirate past with a tour around the city's ancient harbour. Discover Bristol's famous people, places and buildings which are said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to pen his classic tale Treasure Island. You can walk at your own pace with their free MP3 audio tours. These are a unique way of exploring Bristol where you can save the tours to your MP3 player or smartphone and let them guide you through our incredible city. The kids will love it
   More details and other Tours with Free MP3 download
   
   
8. Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol
   An historic park of romantic splendour and intrigue. You can catch a glimpse of the folly castle, have a picnic on the grasslands or explore the dramatic gorge and woodlands around Hazel Brook. Blaise Castle House Museum is also open at weekends in the winter months, plus is Free Entry at the moment.
   View Blaise Castle Estate Web Site for more details
   
   
9. Monkey around at Bristol Zoo
   Step into an amazing world of exotic and endangered animals where you can enjoy a safe, child-friendly environment. There’s always something new to see, and plenty of undercover exhibits for a great day out with the family whatever the weather. This Half term, the meerkats move into their new all-weather exhibit, so see it first. Yes, there is an entry fee, but it is a great day out and is on my list of places to visit (armed with camera of course)
   Bristol Zoo Gardens Website
   
   
10. Lifestyle Family Portraiture
    The great thing about many of the above locations, they are as ideal for some lifestyle portraiture. This half term you can take advantage of our limited time offer: Save over 50% off our standard Lifestyle Portrait Sittings, plus receive a complimentary 10" x 8" mounted print. Prices start at just £45.00
    View details of this offer

I hope you have a great half term, but what ever you do, have fun.

Andrew

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Please note that this is just ideas that I have put together and would do with my family. I have no affiliation with any of the above companies apart from AJW Photgraphy, who are Fab :)