Polyfoto Vintage Style Photobooths

How cool would this be at a wedding , I just found these in an old family photobox. If you cant read the red text there is a great line of ' Polyfoto is the only system of photography giving natural and truly characteristic portraits, SINCE THE SITTER can move and converse freely whilst 48 photographs are being taken' oh the boy is me.

Polyfoto, a portrait service offered from the 1930s in many British department stores. For a standard fee the sitter would have 48 photographs taken in various head-and-shoulder poses in rapid succession. The impressively large camera actually used unperforated 35 mm film, producing small square images, which were available within a day or two as a contact sheet from which enlargements could be ordered. The service continued throughout the Second World War, and later ventured into colour. But its operators were often poorly trained, and as photo booths became popular the system faded into oblivion.

IAN JOHNSON PHOTO votes for EARTH

As a destination wedding photographer Im voting for Earth.

Brides UK and Wedding TV

This past weekend Brides magazine had me go to Halswell House for a wedding in Somerset. I had photographed a wedding there last year,I was really excited to go back . Rachel a producer with Wedding TV so I knew this would be a special one and I was right. Lots of fun guests, It was also lovely to meet Elizabeth Haigh who now is running Halswell House.

Whats Hot Ian Johnson Photo

Whats hot in weddings Im starting something new now a visual guide once a week of what is hot in weddings here is a preview for the first PhotoBooths, Signature drinks and a great read a book of the week

Pink Wedding in Hampshire

Pink weddings, well there was a lot of pink here at this weekends

Destination weddings Provence,Santorini,Tuscany

There are always destination weddings on www.ianjohnsonphoto.com go to best 15 under the wedding section. For summer destination weddings in Sweden you can always look at Stockholm weddings

Destination wedding tips and trends

Destination Wedding Link Publishes its Top Destination Wedding Trends for 2009

Destination Wedding Link (http://www.destinationweddinglink.com), the ultimate source for wedding planning tips and destination information for the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii, has unveiled its list of top destination wedding trends for 2009.

* Everything old is new again: This is especially true for classic lace sleeveless wedding dresses, which have been seen from the beaches of Jamaica to the villas in Mexico. The hot style is to have a modern lace over a very light beige underlay, making the lace subtle and fresh.

* Vintage save the date postcards: Brides are frenzied over anything vintage and save the date postcards are no exception. Vintage Hawaiian postcards announcing a Maui destination wedding are particularly popular, as are old world maps announcing the wedding location.

* Creating a custom monogram: Many websites allow brides to create custom monograms. Destination couples are using these on everything from the invitations to the favors and cake toppers. Custom monogram labels and tags offer an easy way to personalize every wedding detail.

* Shipping your luggage in advance: Destination couples are choosing to ship their luggage ahead of time to their resort rather than taking it with them on the plane. Most resorts offer free luggage storage and some luxury resorts even offer unpacking services. With airlines increasing their baggage fees for overweight and additional checked bags, we predict this trend will only continue to grow. Make sure you think ahead when preparing for your destination wedding.

* Eco-friendly wedding favors: Many couples are deciding to forgo wedding favors in lieu of an environmentally-friendly option: carbon offsets. Couples offset everything from guest flights to rental cars. Websites such as carbonfund.org make it simple for couples to estimate and offset their guests' carbon footprint.

* Bringing in the local flavor: Savvy destination brides incorporate local elements into their wedding and reception. Some common ideas include indigenous flowers for the centerpieces (orchids in Hawaii), a band playing local music (steel drums in the Caribbean), or a dessert table with traditional sweets (flan in Mexico).


About Destination Wedding Link
http://www.destinationweddinglink.com was founded in 2008 to provide couples with the best tools and resources available to help them plan their dream destination wedding. Destination Wedding Link has deep expertise in wedding locations, such as the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. It also offers destination planning tips, expert advice, and beach wedding favors. Destination Wedding Link is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Magazine Tearsheets

This weekend i had the task of going through ten years of published wedding magazines.
Im only half way through them , I have photographed my tearsheets as i have progressed. Wedding Day magazine, now that was a great wedding magazine. My first wedding published in then ' Wedding and Home'magazine was a destination wedding for an american couple in Stockholm Sweden. I remember the art editor back then Carol Herning saying well we normally only feature english couple but we have to use this one , it will be our first none UK couple.

Great Ideas for your wedding photos

The Knot a bible on the web and Stephanie Emma Pfeffer has some great suggestions for weddings photos before and after your wedding.

A wedding photo is meant to preserve your fabulous day for the rest of your life -- it's not just your new profile pic on Facebook after all! But nuptial shots can look stiff and boring if you're not careful -- or worse, just like everyone else's. How can you make them unique? Here are new photography ideas that'll take you from pre- to post- "I do."

Before the Reception...

1. Become the Center of Attention: Instead of flowers, fill photo cubes with different shots from your dating history or world travels and then use them as table centerpieces. It's a great conversation-starter and a nice way for guests to learn more about the early stages of your relationship. And unlike fresh blooms, you can decorate your home with these afterward.

2. Be the Favors: Have your photo imprinted on cookies and leave one at each place setting. Opt for a black-and-white, vintage-looking image so it doesn't come out cheesy. Wrap the cookie in wax paper and tie with a ribbon. Then let guests eat their hearts out -- and your faces off!

3. Head to the City: Engagement cityscape shoots are popular because of the iconic quality of posing by recognizable landmarks. No skyline? Shooting against an urban brick wall can convey the same message. Use your favorite image in your save-the-dates or, for instant reception decor, blow up one of the pictures, mat it, and set it on an easel near the escort cards. Display other shots in your table cards.

During the Reception...

4. Ditch the Formality: Try some casual shots, like the bride sitting on a staircase right after the ceremony, breathing a sigh of relief, with champagne at her feet. Or consider finding an "unofficial" setting. If your reception is at a country club, take pics on the golf course. Ask your photographer to get candids of your group making their way there. It's those between-the-moments photos that always turn out best.

5. Go Behind the Curtain: Rent a photo booth and a technician to troubleshoot. Have guests tape wacky shots next to their messages in the guest book. Or create a DIY photo studio in a section of the reception room. Hang a nine-foot-wide seamless paper for a backdrop and bring a printer so guests can take photos home.

6. Let it Slide: Run a slideshow of images from the ceremony and cocktail hour from your photographer's laptop and project them on a screen during dinner. Guests will love looking at what they just experienced, and they'll have plenty to talk about at the tables.

After the Reception...

7. Go Digital: Instead of mounting a few photos on a wall in traditional frames, display a bunch in a single digital frame. Upload multiple images from a memory card or your computer and watch a slideshow of your day. You can even add music. It makes a great gift too.

8. Book 'Em: Skip the traditional album (the one with thick-as-cardboard, single-photo pages) in favor of high-quality coffee table books, like AsukaBooks. The images are printed on paper, and the layout is more like what you'd see in a magazine. Opt for a leather-bound or Lucite-covered book for a classic look that's less stuffy than a traditional album.

9. Learn to Preserve: Enlarging some final prints on museum-quality, fiber-based, silver paper will definitely be worth the purchase down the road when your precious memories are still intact. "A photograph on this paper could last for several hundred years," says Jen Kroll, a photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When archiving your photos and negatives, choose acid-free boxes, negative-sleeves, and binders. They're pricey, but the absence of acid prevents your photos from yellowing or deteriorat

Photos published in Swedish magazine

Green and Retro wedding giveaways. Just recieved my copy of a Swedish wedding magazine to see some of my favourite photos from some of my favourite weddings this year.



See more of my work and contact me at www.ianjohnsonphoto.com Ian Johnson Photo

Great for weddings new from polariod

I have always loved Polariod on my site Ian Johnson Photo I have polariod images for weddings, now I have heard about the new Polariod Pogo.
Today Polaroid announces the launch of the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera, the first digital camera and instant printer combination available in the U.S. and Europe that is portable enough to take anywhere. With the push of a button, consumers can select from among the digital photos on the camera, crop or edit them and in less than 60 seconds, print full-color, 2x3-inch prints – all with a single device.
“This is the digital version of our traditional instant camera, which consumers have loved since the 70s,” says Jon Pollock, vice president and general manager, Digital Imaging. “With this product, Polaroid will bring the magic of instant photography to a whole new generation. It’s what consumers have told us they want – a fun, easy way to use a digital camera to print photos and share their memories instantly.”
The Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera is the second product in the Polaroid PoGo™ family of products. Like the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer, which hit store shelves in July 2008, the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera uses the same ZINK Photo Paper™ and ZINK™ Zero Ink™ Printing Technology from ZINK Imaging. ZINK™ Zero Ink™ is an ink-free printing technology which replaces ink cartridges or ribbons with ZINK Photo Paper™ – a composite material that has embedded, heat-activated dye crystals. Before printing, ZINK Photo Paper™ appears white like regular photo paper. Once the pictures are printed, they are immediately dry to the touch, durable and smudge and water resistant.
The Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera offers a full-feature digital camera with 100 percent inkless printing, 2x3-inch sticky-backed photos with or without fun borders and the advantage of reviewing the captured photos on a three-inch color LCD screen before printing. The instant digital camera measures 4.7-inches wide by 3-inches tall and weighs only 10 ounces.
“Unlike traditional instant film, photos from the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera emerge fully developed,” Pollock says. “While many of our most passionate customers tell us ‘shaking’ a Polaroid photo is part of the fun, with any Polaroid photo, the ‘shake’ is totally optional.”
The Polaroid PoGo ™ Instant Digital Camera will be available beginning in March 2009 at major retailers for a suggested retail price of $199. Ten-packs of ZINK Photo Paper™, which can be used in both the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Digital Camera and the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer, retail for $4.99 and 30-packs for $12.99, and are widely available at national retailers everywhere.

Patrick McGoohan Danger Man has passed away.

Whilst photographing for the TV show Wedding Day in New York last week I heard the sad news of Patrick McGoohan had died. I had my studio in Santa Monica on 6th and Broadway, anyone will know it, it was close to a Winchells Donuts,always in this place you would find some very colorful homeless characters.On one trip to grap a cup of coffee, sat at a table was Patrick McGoohan ... my childhood hero, I loved Danger Man. He looked a bit down on his luck blending in with the rest of the homeless gang there.
I walked up to him offering my business card and told him I was a great fan I would love the opportunity to photograph him.


Alertly he said actually Im looking to do a new headshot. Days later he came by banging on my studio door, I thought it was someone unwelcome, I opened the door only to knock Patrick for six across the alleyway.
During the shoot ( the photograph above) I expressed my surprise at seeing him at Winchells, he told me although an actor, he loved writing, so listening to some of the far fetched tells and conspiricies of ex vets and homeless, was a good source.
Then I thought of 'The Prisoner'.Did that come from Winchells donuts ?
Patrick insisted that he should pay me for this invited session I bluntly refused, later that year at Christmas, Patrick arrived at my studio with the biggest box ... there was a thank you note and a box full of Portmeirion china where he had filmed 'The Prisoner'
My thoughts and condolences go out to the McGoohan family at this sad time.

I came across a great site today if you remember Danger man click here

Weddings in New York City

New York City weddings v Las Vegas weddings CBS news last week reported New York is trying to tie the knot with more marrying couples particularly those who are eloping to supplant Las Vegas as the world's weddings capital. Just walking around three days I saw three brides in the big apple.One in the middle of 5th avenue

The Big Apple spent big bucks to try to lure more such couples, and the tourism dollars they bring with them. Vegas is generally thought of not only as a gambling mecca, but one for quickie weddings.




"We hope people will come from all over the world and that New York City will become the wedding capital of the world," observed First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris.

So the city has created a $12 million, 24,000 square foot downtown palace of wedded bliss: two chapels, a photo wall, mirrored bathrooms, fresh flowers, and a store with related items that could rival Vegas. There are 16 computer kiosks where couples can register online for their marriage license. Brides and grooms can have as many as 30 people there.
"It's authentic. It's the real deal. It's fabulous. And it costs $25.

In 2008, the New York City Clerk's Office issued 66,000 marriage licenses. Now, New York is hoping a little glitz and glam will make more couples decide to elope in Manhattan.

Weddings are big business. New York officials hope the tough economy won't stop love, and couples will go on with their plans.

Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot, told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez she thinks New York really does have a shot Vegas' unofficial title.

"We live in the most romantic city in the world. People all over the world saw that 'Sex and the City' wedding and this is our opportunity," Roney said. "We have great restaurants, great shows, and now we have a fantastic, easy process at City Hall and a glamorous wedding to give people."
"People actually are having small ceremonies and saving all the money for the reception" now, she added.

Brides on top of New York City

After photographing my New York wedding I had three days in the city. New York really is becoming the new Vegas. Bumped into a wedding photographer shooting on 5th avenue which i will post later, then going to the Rockefeller I saw Brides are celebrating their 75th anniversary.
Brides magazine will celebrate its 75th Anniversary by creating the Brides Mile High Honeymoon Suite at the Top of the Rock
The Brides Mile High Honeymoon Suite will be open to the public during daytime operating hours of January 27 and January 28.




Brides was launched in 1934 by Conde Nast Publications as the first bridal magazine. In 75 years of publication, it has become the leading bridal book in the United States and the country's foremost authority on engagement, weddings, and marriage.

New York City wedding

Flew in to New York City yesterday, then went directly into the city to take these shots, wow I love New York. At five at night driving through Korean town a bride walked out of the church, I didnt see their wedding photographer, but traffic is crazy in New York stopping the car wasnt an option.

Wedding News Trends

Bible of the Wedding world The Knot give us there predictions for Trends in 2009. Trend 8 is the 'Photo Booth' wow I have been doing this since my first wedding on Malibu Beach 17 years ago ... wedding guests love it so do wedding photographers.

What's hot now? Are trumpet skirts in? Will candy and dessert bars still be as popular in 2009? Here's our forecast.

Trend 1: Rustic homespun details

Outdoor weddings -- on a farm, in a vineyard, or even in the backyard -- are huge right now, and we'll continue to see a lot of them in 2009. It's really no wonder: An outdoor setting makes for a fun, laid-back vibe and the decor options are limitless. So what kinds of details are in store? Vintage vases filled with fresh-from-the-garden flowers, mismatched china in bright colors, and homemade wooden signs to direct guests. Even catering is in on the action with in-season ingredients paired with local wine.

Trend 2: Jewel tones

Say good-bye to pale pastels and bright poppies. Rich gem colors like navy, plum, and amber are going to be hot. And instead of chocolate brown, look to a soft creme brulee hue, bronzes, coppers, and black. Yes, that's right -- black is back too.

Trend 3: Patterns that pop

Gingham, checkered, polka-dotted, paisley, toile, damask -- you name it, colorful patterns are in and in a big way. Add patterned overlays to your tables to instantly perk up the room, find an off-the-rack patterned dress for your bridesmaids, and have your invitations and envelopes lined with colorful designs. The best part about this trend is that it lets you throw around a lot of different hues and still keep a cohesive look and feel.

Trend 4: Ball gowns are back

From a full A-line gown to a very over-the-top design, this silhouette will make a huge resurgence down ceremony aisles this year. And you don't have to have a ballroom wedding to pull it off either -- the key is in the fabric. Find one with layers of airy tulle or even cotton for an outdoor spring or summer wedding; get a silk satin ball gown for a more formal wedding; or go for ultra-soft suede for a wintertime wedding.

Trend 5: Two-tiered wedding cakes

While cupcakes and dessert bars have been popular for the past few years, wedding cakes are making a comeback -- but not in tall towers anymore. Now it's all about having just two tiers. Order several small cakes and put them on each table as a centerpiece, or set up a table of tiny wedding cakes mixed with desserts, cookies, pies, and more. And vintage cake toppers are in too. Find one online at a site like Etsy.com, commission one from a local artist, or borrow your parents' or grandparents' to make your cake extra-memorable.

Trend 6: New centerpiece vessels

The classic floral vase has given way to mix-and-matched clusters of vintage pitchers, vases, jars, and galvanized buckets. Other ideas: apothecary jars with colorful rocks, sand, or even candy; uniquely shaped glass vases featuring fresh fruits like raspberries and blueberries; and mason jars loaded with fresh flowers like daisies and dahlias. To throw extra color or texture into the mix, line your flower-filled vases with patterned paper or even fabric. For a wintertime fete, get knit and sweater-like coverings to line your vases and complement a cozy decor.

Trend 7: Chandeliers and creative lighting

Lighting designers are turning out impressive designs, projecting chandeliers, large trees, flowers, and even city skylines right onto the walls. When it comes to your space, hang chandeliers in different sizes, add colorful lamps and shades to the tables, line the room with strands of twinkling lights, and don't skimp on the candles.

Trend 8: The updated photo booth

Renting a photo booth has been growing in popularity over the past few years. The updated version? Entire photo sets with fabric backdrops and props. Set up a photo area at the reception that's big enough for a group shot. Drape the background with fabric and add couches, chairs, and plenty of props (think easy-to-throw-on hats and scarves). You may be able to have your photographer or an assistant man the station, or ask a trusty friend to be on hand with a digital camera.

Trend 9: US honeymoons

This year, newlyweds will prove that you don't have to travel halfway around the world to find an amazing honeymoon spot. Many will be looking to book a honeymoon right here in the US. And there's no shortage of domestic honeymoon-worthy options -- from a romantic winery in Sonoma County, California, to a hot hotel in Miami, Florida, to a cozy lodge with a stunning view in Juneau, Alaska.

Envy Post

A wedding fours years ago at Newick Park in sussex, it was Dave and Natasha Cadles wedding, they now run Envy Post. Voted the best post editing house in London. I have been doing their websites photos since Envy started. Here is their third building in three years and what a view. Take a look at their website you will love it and their showreel. Envy post click here

Wedding in Wedding

Essex weddings are always special to me. This month in Weddings magazine I have one featured on their photographers Real life weddings pages. John and Beckys celebration at Castle Hedingham really had a fashion edge to it.


Contact me always at ianjohnsonphoto@gmail.com or at my website www.ianjohnsonphoto.com

Nutfield Priory Wedding New Years Eve

My New Year Eve's wedding at Nutfield Priory went very well. I wish I could of spent an hour photographing the bride Jo Anne but this is what we did in 10 minutes after the ceremony.Jo had worked with fashion photographers in the past. Nutfield Priory is a fantastic wedding venue for a Surrey wedding.



Jo Anne had a choice of two hats, Im so glad she chose this one , with the white gloves and red shoes the result became a very French Vogue look.

Wedding at BURGH HOUSE, Hampstead

Wedding in Hampstead this weekend was Maria's and Peter's. The wedding venue was Burgh House in North West London. Tucked away just off of Hampstead High St, Burgh House is a Queen Anne Grade I listed building, erected in 1703,It is also the home of the Hampstead Museum of Local History.



We had some time just before the ceremony to do some very simple wedding portraits through the local streets. A local couple commented wow are you still here, this was three in the afternoon, I had arrived at Burgh House at 9 in the morning doing all my prep work.