4th and Final Shoot – Charlton House, Somerset Thursday 3rd March 2011

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It was with both sadness and excitement that I set off through the Cheddar Gorge on the way to Charlton House for the final photo shoot. The sun was out again and it was a beautiful day.

I arrived at the stunning Charlton house to find Kim from The Wedding Community, Elspeth Hardie, Rich from FX Films and Henley from Lime Leaf were all there to greet me. So it was time for a drink while we waited for the rest to arrive……the lack of our photographer was my main worry!!!

But as everyone started to arrive I began to relax….then everyone was there! Once we got sorted, we made our way up the 2 flight of stairs to the Pigeon Loft, our room for the day.  It was always going to be a squeeze with 6 models, a makeup artist, a photographer and his helper, 2 film crew and me! This was a standard double bedroom in the attic!

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Greg from Thurtle Power Photography and Ian Hamilton, his helper for the day, decided to do the sensible thing and went for a look around the hotel while the girls and I started to prepare. But the boys from FX Films braved the girls and set up the cameras!

It was Kim from The Wedding Community and Suzie Wheat that were getting ready first. The beautiful Trish Rawlins from Makeup By Trish was our hair and makeup artist for the day and made a start on Kim’s hair followed by Suzie’s makeup. While these two were being made to look even more gorgeous, the rest of us started to go through all the undies and decided who was wearing what.

Kim and Suzie looked terrified the closer they got to being ready, but their minds were taken off things as the girls tried on different underwear.

In no time at all the first 2 were ready, so we ventured downstairs in search of Greg to start getting the first shots done. While upstairs Georgina from Ruby Weddings and Elspeth were next to start getting ready.

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Downstairs, Kim and Suzie still looked like startled rabbits in headlights as they had a slight audience from some girls doing manicure training…..but they shouldn’t have worried, they both looked fab! It wasn’t long till Georgina was ready and joined the girls….just in time for an outside shot! I am sure she was very pleased to be dragged outside in the freezing cold. But Ian was the first to brave the weather….wrapped up in a jumper and coat!

Elspeth managed to time it perfectly and come down just as we had finished the outside shots, so she got to stay in the warm. So with a film crew filming and a photographer photographing the day was coming along nicely!

At this point we decided to take a break for lunch, as several people stomachs were telling me it was past lunch time. So I ordered some sandwiches and chips for all which were lovely, but should have been as they cost the same as a 1 night stay for 2 at the hotel!!!

This was when Rich and Henley decided it would be a brilliant time to interview me for the film! OMG……I was nearly sick I was so nervous!  I had 2 cameras pointed in my face and a microphone attached to me…I don’t do public speaking never mind being filmed. I had to get rid of the giggles and come across professionally…or as professional as someone can be with a Geordie accent!

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With that out of the way it was time to get everyone else finished off. So Sarah from Boho Bride and Denise Ward, Celebrant and Toastmaster where then ready to go! Greg was doing some individual shots in one of the lounges so we all gathered in there. It is fair to say that Denise had us all in stitches laughing with her quick wit and charm! She really did lighten the mood and stave off the nerves.
We were doing another outside shot, so the girls stayed in the warm next to the fire while the boys set up all the equipment outside. I think the guests who were checking in for the night were wondering what was going on! The girls were looking a bit anxious about going outside, but when the moment came to take off their dressing gowns they practically threw them at me! The outside shot was such a laugh, Greg took the photos and Rich captured it all on film while a business meeting indoors looked on with bewildered faces. Another shot down and a few more to go!

Greg had found a few little nooks and crannies to take photos in, so we were all marching down the hotel corridors past the spa and to a small corridor! Yes, I know….what were we doing in a hotel corridor? Taking some amazing shots, that’s what! Greg has an amazing eye for a good photo.

To round the day off, we got some photos on the staircase of all the girls. It was a stunning location and all the girls looked so amazing thanks to Trish Rawlins.

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It was the end of the day and of all the photo shoots. I can’t believe that they are all over.

So what now???? What am I going to do with myself……well let’s just say that the work has only just begun. Please keep checking the blog as we have lots more to come. And to repeat myself again, I must say what absolute pleasure it has been to meet all these amazing people who have given up their time and skills for free! Without every single one of you this calendar would not be happening and I am greatly indebted to you all.

Please remember that all of this is to raise money for Help for Heroes and PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation. We still need to raise the money to print the calendar and every penny counts. If you can spare even just £1, it would be greatly appreciated and you can donate throughout our website.
Gina xxx