4Ever Photos

Trash the Dress Photo Shoot

everphot — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:52:17 +0000

Trash the dress photo shoot at waterfall in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Theresa loves photographs and wanted something very dramatic and different for her wedding album. On her wedding day, we got some wonderful images but we have not designed her wedding album yet because she had pre booked a Trash the Dress Wedding Shoot. Her dream was to have photographs taken around a waterfall. After lots of research on waterfalls around Northern Ireland, we decided to go to this one in County Antrim near the Antrim coast. Theresa wanted funky and dramatic images that could not be taken on her wedding day. She was married in Donegal in an area where there are no waterfalls. Thank God we got a bright beautiful day in February for this photo shoot. We all ended up very wet and cold but I think it was worth it.

Trash the dress at waterfall

Fallen Angel

Wedding waterfall northern ireland

Wedding shoot at waterfall

Couple at waterfall wedding photo shoot

Passionate wedding photograph at waterfall

funky wedding photo shoot

Amazing wedding photo shoot

Northern Ireland Photographic Competition Finalist

everphot — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:06:56 +0000

We have reached the finals of the PPANI (Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland) Competition Finals in 7 out of 8 Photographic Categories.
On Sunday 5th February 2012, the Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland held their annual photographic competition. There are 8 photographic categories in the competition – Classical Wedding, Contemporary Wedding, Storybook Wedding, Under 5′s, Family, Open Portraiture, Pictorial and Fashion. We entered images into all of the categories and were thrilled to be announced finalists in 7 of the categories.
The judges for the event were Paul Callaghan who is a Fellowship photographer with vast experience of judging. The second judge was John Ryan from Dublin and the third judge was Glenn Norwood. Before the finalists were announced, the judges gave a 2 hour critique on the images that were entered into the photographic competition. They were the best mix of judges as they each specialise in different fields of social photography and could bring their experience to the judging. Everyone who attended will have picked up some relevant hints and tips which will help improve their photography.
So here are the images that have reached the finals. All the staff here will have their fingers and toes crossed between now and 25th March 2012 when the winners will be announced.

First Category – Contemporary Wedding. This image was taken in the Slieve Donard in Newcastle. Anna and Connor were a beautiful couple to work with and we loved Anna’s dress.

PPANI Contemporary Wedding Finalist

Second Category – Storybook Weddings. This compilation of images were taken at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast at the wedding of Liz and Gareth Maybin.

Liz and Gareth Wedding in Merchant Hotel

3rd Category – Under 5′s – this is the baby photographer award. This is one that I would love to do well in as I adore this photograph. This was taken at one of our fairy days when little girls under 8 arrive to the studio dressed in the beautiful costumes and we set up a fairy scene. They decorate fairy cupcakes, have tattoos and all in all have a little fairy day out.

Mystical Fairy Portrait

4th Category – Family portrait – We take alot of family portraits. All the images of families are special and precious. For the competition, you just have to pick out one that is a little different. This shot is all about the little hand on Dad’s face and the baby’s expression.

Father and Daughter - Family portrait finalist

5th Category – Open Portrait – this image is taken of Stacey Haskins. Stacey made it to the finals of Britain and Ireland;s next top model. I did Staceys original portfolio and from then she has gone from strength to strength. Check our blog for further image of Stacey from our most recent shoot.

Stacey Haskins Open Portrait Finalist

6th Category – Fashion Portrait – This image was taken at a shoot in the studio last year for a Punky type shoot for Getting Married in Northern Ireland magazine. The shoot was styled by Dawn Hamilton of Getting Married and this image from the shoot has reached the finals of the Fashion Category.

Fashion Finalist

7th Category – Pictorial – This is a little shot taken during a portrait shoot of a little girl. I just liked it and so it seems did the judges. It is a cute shot but there is an image in this category from another photographer which is spectacular. So I do not hold high hopes for this little shot.

Pictorial Finalist

Justine & Marc’s wedding in Downpatrick and La Mon Hotel

everphot — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:36:11 +0000

Northern Ireland wedding photograpehr Annette Burke photographed the beautiful wedding of Justine and Marc who were married in the magnificent cathedral in Downpatick and later held their wedding reception in la Mon Hotel in Belfast.

Wedding in Downpatrick Northern ireland

Justine and Marc were married in Downpatrick in September 2011. Justine was a stunning bride and a pleasure to photograph. As both bride and groom were from Downpatrick, we decided to go to Inch Abbey for their photographs. It was a sunny but with our strange weather systems here in Northern Ireland, it was also very blustery.

Father sees his daughter as a bride for first time

Marc’s grandmother was ill on the day of the wedding and between the church and photographs, we all stopped off at the local hospital to pay her a visit and get a few photographs. Unfortunately, gran passed soon after the big day but thankfully, Marc and his family have photographic memories of her on his big day. After the photographs in Inch abbey the beautiful couple headed for their reception in la Mon Hotel just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Luxurious chocolate maleaser wedding cake

When we entered the room where they were to hold their reception, there was a definite aroma of chocolate. By the time we reached the cake which was made by Jenny’s cakes in Bangor, our mouths were salivating. This cake had most mouth watering aroma ever and apparently it tasted every bit as good as it looked. The room looked magical. Flowers and room decoration were created by David McConkey florist. David has a nack of pulling together a very sophisticated wedding.

Reception room at la Mon Hotel

Bridal Party at Inch Abbey in Downpatrick NI

Flowergirl with bride at Inch Abbey

Bride and Groom with parents

Bride and Groom at Inch Abbey in Downpatrick

Bride and Groom with Grandmother

Most Amazing Beauty Product

everphot — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:07:30 +0000

Norhern Ireland Wedding Photographers 4Ever Photos is a huge fan of this product.
We would recommend everyone who has a portrait taken, opt in for a dose of photoshop. Remember though, that in the hands of an amateur, the results can be detrimental to your looks. In the hands of the professional photographers, it can help with many areas of your life. Confidence, beauty, inner strength.
Use carefully. If in doubt, contact a professional.
4Ever Photos, Northern Ireland Wedding and Portrait Photography studio in Belfast.

Bridal Night at Belfast Wedding Photographers

everphot — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:05:41 +0000

Northern Ireland Wedding Photographer 4Ever Photos are hosting a Bridal Night in the studio on Thursday 2nd February 2012.

We have hand picked a host of leading wedding specialists from around Northern Ireland to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. We have music, champagne, canapes and cupcakes served on the night so that you can party while you plan. This is a very informal, relaxed night with lots of ideas and special offers to those brides attending. We have already had lots of girls confirming they will be attending, so remember to put the date in the diary. Check out this space over the next few days for more information, but in the meantime, get the date into your phone.

Wedding photographer northern ireland

It is our 10th Anniversary this year and we are starting off the celebrations with this bridal fayre. On the night, we will be be offering one of 10 gifts to anyone booking on the night. Each of the gifts will be valued at a minimum of £200. We have Northern Irelands leading suppliers attending this special event and each will be offering something special. So come along and flick through the albums while you listen to some beats, have a few glasses of bubbly and chill out. Organising your wedding does not have to be stressful. With a night like this, you will be able to party while you plan. The only problem we have in organising this event is that we know so many creative wedding specialist and cannot fit them all in. The ones we have selected are amongst the best in the industry and will help you create something unique and special for your big day.

Northern ireland room designer Fairytales

Fairytale Weddings are the most creative design house in Northern Ireland, helping you to create the wedding of your dreams. If you have a theme or idea, Barbara will work with you to bring it to life. The main room where your meal will be served and you will dance the night away should feel special to you and your guests. If you want to create the WOW factor, you should look no further than Fairytale Weddings.
From entrance drapes to fairy light backdrops, table centres, chair covers, funky perspex chairs, table linens, posing tables, room furniture and much more. If the carpet in your room does not suit, they can change it. If you can visualise it, Barbara can make it happen.

Northern Ireland wedding florist

House of Elliott florists are based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland and are known for their masterful creations. Karen has decorated the homes and venues of the rich and famous. Her experience whilst she worked in London was to create masterpieces for celebrities and royalty. King Hussein loved her work so much that he commissioned her decorate his palaces for his meetings with dignitaries general functions. She was flown to the middle east as part of this role and with an unlimited budget, her creativity was allowed to blossom. She returned to Northern Ireland 18 years ago and opened her shop in Lisburn and has specialised in Wedding Floristry. Her Wedding bouquets, wedding table arrangements and general wedding decorations are truely stunning. Having worked at this level, Karens’ portfolio is spectacular and she is at the top of her field. Karen of the House of Elliott will be showing at the bridal fayre and will be available to help you with styles and designs.

David Andrew Northern Ireland Wedding Car specialists

David Andrews is the largest supplier with the finest selection of vintage, classic Rolls Royce, traditional Daimler limousines and modern wedding cars in Northern Ireland. Their stunning range of Bridal cars are available in a wide variety of attractive and toning colours. As you will see all Bridal cars are perfectly matched with a colour co-ordinated 7-seater, providing plenty of space for Bridesmaids and Best men. The effect can be further enhanced with matching ribbons and a spray of flowers. All drivers are professional, uniformed, friendly, helpful and courteous and are there to help you relax and enjoy your journey David Andrews car company has grown to become the market leader in wedding car transport. Three times they have been voted, by the general public, the “Best Wedding Transport Provider” in Northern Ireland.

Direct Dresses Bridal Northern Ireland

Direct Dresses is based in Belfast and Derry. They have designer dresses at affordable prices. Their ethos is to bring the best quality at the best prices to the brides of Northern Ireland. Shauna who graduated in marketing, knows what brides want and that is why she came up with the concept of the Brideal. For only £1195 she has pulled together a package for the 2012 bride. It includes wedding dress, tiara, veil, and 2 bridesmaids dresses. The word of the bridal is out and Shauna has had to bring a larger selection of dresses in this year to ensure that all their brides have a huge selection to choose from within the bridal package. If you did not consider Direct Dresses, you will be surprised at the names they stock (including Dessy bridesmaids), quality and style. Direct Dresses is one of those little hidden gems.

Wedding cakes and cupcakes Northern Ireland

Lizzies Wedge Cakes is Northern Irelands creative wedding cake designers. They specialise in the design and creation of exquisite wedding cakes. Customer service is their number one priority and they work to ensure each customer enjoys the taste sensation and they surpass all expectations. Their wedding, birthday and occasion cakes are made in Lisburn and delivery is available throughout Northern Ireland and beyond on request. Lizzies Wedge Cakes specialise in perfect sugarcraft decoration for all styles of cakes for your special celebration.Wedding cake designer Mariane Murray established Lizzie Wedge Cakes in 2011. Mariane studied the art of sugar flowers and, combining these skills with her extensive knowledge of baking, she designs and creates cakes renowned for their quality and detail. Mariane is committed to ensuring that her cakes taste every bit as good as they look and is dedicated to using only the finest quality ingredients.

Kerry Moore Professional Wedding Make Up Artist

Kerry Moore is a professional photographic make up artist own runs the by Kerri make up studios. Her make up is in great demand for both brides and fashion shoots as she is an expert in photographic make up. She will talk you through your wedding make up step by step to ensure you are comfortable with the amount and styling of the make up. You want to feel and look yourself on your big day but you want to look the best you can possibly be and that is where Kerry excels. She was trained by Oonagh Bowman where she received her accreditation but it is the work she has been involved in since opening her first make up room that has made her the sought after make up artist around Ireland. Kerry will be doing trials on the night on a first come first serve basis, so get to the studio early and be the first.

Northern irelands wedding disco

20/20 Disco has been established for over 20 years. Harry is a professional in his field and can read the audience to get the party in full swing. At weddings he will cater for all ages and tastes. AT your pre wedding consulatation, he discusses the type of event you are aiming for. So if it is fun and party tricks, he has quite a few of them up his sleeve. If it is sophisticated, relaxed and chilled out, he can create that atmosphere or if it is party central with floor fillers he will be in his zone of the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s. No two nights are the same. Harry is passionate about what he does and works with you to create the party of the year for your and your guests. Harry will be pumping out some beats at the bridal night and is looking forward to chatting with all the happy couples.

Wedding Fayre in Belfast Castle

everphot — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:13:37 +0000

4Ever Photos will be exhibiting at Belfast Castle’s Wedding Fayre on Sunday 14th January 2012 from 12-5pm.
Belfast Castle is a superb wedding location and is perfect for wedding photography. There are many varied photo opportunities. It works well for wedding photographs on both a wet and a dry day.
The outside of the building speaks for itself. There are lots of little archways, turrets, gates, walkways and of course the famous spiral stone steps at the back of the castle make the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs. Because of the mixture of locations, we have created both funky and classical images around the Belfast Castle Grounds.

The function room itself is light and airy and a great space for indoor photography along with the internal staircase and upstairs rooms.

As we are based in Belfast, we can offer to come back to the castle in the evening for a night time shot when it is lit up. It is a joy to photograph weddings at Belfast Castle and we look forward to the Bridal Fayre this Sunday. If you are planning your wedding, call in this Sunday. Many top exhibitors from around Northern ireland are showing this Sunday. What a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon.

Wellies needed for wedding in The Welly

everphot — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:24:07 +0000

Lisa and Kevin were married on a wet windy day in December. They held their reception in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland.(or aptly known as the Welly). Wedding Photographs were taken in Botanic Gardens, belfast

Lisa had a large wedding party of girls and so the hairdresser arrived at the house at 6am to start the hair.

Bridal Snow Baby

The girls from the Boudoir Rooms came to the house to do the make ups for all 7 girls. We have photographed a lot of weddings with Roisin from the Boudoir Rooms and love their make up.

Men bridal party reservoir dogs

Groom at window

Beautiful Bridesmaid

Lisa had a stunning dress from Angel Starin Carrickfergus. It fitted her to perfection and suited her personality.

Place Settings for wedding guests

The pageboys

Winter Wonderland Table Settings

Lisa and Kevin are genuinely lovely people, so it was nothing to do with them that I had a few hesitations about their wedding day. They were getting married in St Pauls Chapel. I have nightmares about my last wedding at St Pauls (LOL). If you know the chapel, you will know that it is notoriously difficult to get parked at. I left just ahead of the bride to catch her getting out to the car. The nearest parking space was about 5 minutes walk away. I parked the car and started to walk but it turned into on one of those cartoon scenes where the skies seemed to open and pour buckets of water over me. When I had left the house, it had been a lovely day and forecast for nice weather so guess what…I had no coat with me and was wearing a cream coloured top. By the time I got the chapel, it looked like I had entered a wet t-shirt competition. As a photographer at a wedding, no matter how discreet you work, standing in a wet top with water running down your face is not a pretty sight.

Luckily this time, I was a little more prepared and had coats and umbrellas to protect myself, but the weather was very similar and even windier.

Lisa had arranged for soft top beetles and camper vans to transport the bridal party. We had arranged to go to Botanic Gardens for the photographs. The very brave bridal party gout out for one dry but very blustery shot. We had to call it quits and get to the hotl where there was heat, tea, music and a much more relaxed atmosphere to have some photographs taken.

Bridal Shoes and Flowers

The Wellington Park hotel in Belfast is not a popular location for us to cover weddings, but it has a lot of benefits for girls getting married in Belfast as it is a city location. The trend is for brides to get married in Belfast and then drive at least 45 minutes to their location, so it was lovely to have everything so close. They were married at 1.30pm and by 4pm they were chilling out with their 280 guests and by the time we left, the party was well under way. I have a feeling that may have ended up a crazy party night. Congratulations to a beautiful couple.

Bride and Groom at Stained Glass WindowBeautiful Bridesmaid

Engaged in December and Christmas

everphot — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:08:17 +0000

The month of December is the busiest time of the year for engagements. It is looking like this is a record year for engagements according to local jewellers. Engagement ring sales are up which means when Christmas is over, there will lots o couples in a frenzy to look at venues and wedding suppliers. On 29th December we are going to open the studio as a general open day for all you couples who are getting married and would like to come in a discuss the options for the photography at your wedding. We have had a few requests from girls who are living away and are home for Christmas who would like to come into the studio over the holidays. So to make it easier, we are going to have a general wedding open day. We will be serving champagne and canapes. Bring along the mums and or bridesmaids and get excited about your wedding plans. Check through our albums for ideas on venues, locations, dresses, flowers, table arrangements, chair covers, room decoration, cars and much more. As we have photographed hundreds if weddings, we have a alot of experience of weddings and thousands of images. So if you have an idea, we may be able to show you something similar or give you other options.
So that we do not have everyone arriving at the same time, give us a call or drop us an email to let us know you will be attending and what time between 11am and 3pm would suit you best.

Charity Santa Day at 4Ever Photos 2011

everphot — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:11:02 +0000

Things have been busy this week at 4Ever Photos studio in Belfast. We are in the middle of the festive season and that means one thing at the portrait studio – Santa Claus is coming. As a professional photography studio, we use the festive time to give a little back to local charities. Our portrait studio is very busy and we have lots of lovely children who come each year for their annual photo and portraits of the special times in their lives. Each year all the children are invited back to the studio.
This year we decided to go for a sparkly christmas theme in the studio. Barbara from Fairytales -The Design House in Antrim came down and decorated the studio with fairy lights, drapes, entrance drapes and thrones for Santa. Thank you thank you thank you Barbara for creating a magical feeling for all the children.
Events like these with so many children arriving at the studio need to be organised with military precision at times. I have to thank the girls in the office and my mum who went out and got all the gifts for the children, my mum came in and wrapped them and then the girls allocated them to each child and made sure they were in order for Santa to distribute.
Now cupcakes are in fashion but Brenda excelled herself with the Christmas themed cupcakes – snowmen, christmas trees and christmas wreaths. We have video footage of these and I will post it next week when it is downloaded and edited. Thanks to Brenda for spending a full day getting the cupcakes ready and then helping all day with the teas and coffees and nibbles for all the parents.
Another big than you to Julie McLaren who is one of our portrait customers. Julie works for Diageo and donated lots of wine and champagne for the charity event. The mums enjoyed the little tipple.

The children got to draw a photograph for Santa Claus before they came into the grotto to visit him. They left him their picture and then had their photograph taken and printed off so that they can put it on the fireplace for santa to see on Christmas Eve night so that they know he has got the correct house. The children were very good this year. It must be a very frightening experience to see a big man with white beard and red suit and then be plonked on his knee. I think I would scream, but the children all sat for their photograph.
A lot of the children have been coming to our santa day since they were born or toddlers. You do not see time going by day by day, but something like this that happens annually really gives you the holt to let you know how fast time is flying by. There is one family in particular where we have attempted to get a photograph of the 5 grandchildren together for the past 3 years. AS the mums would tell you, it has been a little difficult as they were all so young. On Santa day, they waked into the room, sat on his knee and seats, looked at the camera and cheered santa….miraculous.
This year our chosen charity is Forest Lodge which is based in Musgrave Park Hospital. It is a respite care centre for children with disabilities. WE have a nephew Caolan who is blind and has Downs Syndrome. We also have a very special little girl in our lives Naimh Murray who is the daughter of our lifelong friends John and Angela. She suffers from Retts Syndrome (I will blog about that another time). Both sets of parents get a few nights per month respite from Forest Lodge. It is on these few precious days/nights where they can take their other children to do things that they cannot do as a full family. When you have a child with a disability, they need so much attention and care. As we all know, there are only so many hours in the day and the the other children know the needs of their disabled sibling. So it is lovely to be given the time to give the other children that one to one attention that is limited by the very nature of having a brother or sister with a severe disability. So we know the necessity of this facility and hence the reason that we chose Forest Lodge this year.
We also had a donation of lots of new toys to give to Forest Lodge from Ciara Farrell who is another customer. We will leave these down on Monday and I am sure they will be very grateful.
All those who attended the santa day put a donation in the charity box and we are pleased to say we raised over £660 for the charity.
Thanks to everyone who attended, helped out or donated on the day. It was most appreciated. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year. xx

Girls Fairy Portrait Day Vouchers

everphot — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:10:50 +0000

Children’s day out which stimulates the imagination and creates beautiful memories. Our Fairy Portrait days are very popular with mums and children alike. Today we have 7 vouchers available at a hugely discounted price of £39 as part of our 12 days of Christmas specials (7 vouchers available on day 7). Click here to find out more, see the video from a recent fairy day. Its a fun day out for you and your little fairy. Probably the best cupcakes in the world are served on fairy day ( I am a bit bias about this as my sister bakes them fresh for us on fairy day LOL)