I met up recently with Michelle and her family for a family portrait shoot. Having postponed it once for the rain we all braved the high winds this time round to get some lovely shots of daughter Naomh at play – it’s great to see kids just being kids and to see the joy of parents Michelle and Dean as they interact with the little daughter
Megan and David were recently married at Brampton Church. This is actually the first time that I have photographed a wedding in my village church and it should have been very straightforward but, right on cue the infamous A14 road ground to a halt – it’s the main road between Megan’s home (where I was!) and the church. The old saying ‘get me to the church on time’ rang in my head as I followed Megan’s mum through the single track route to the church. Happily I was on time with breathing space provided by a fashionably late Megan. Their day was a lovely intimate family affair enjoyed by all
I first met Kirsty and Colin when they booked me as their wedding photographer a few years ago. Since then they have become good friends as well as fantastic clients and it gave me immense pleasure to meet them and what seemed like the whole of Kirsty’s family for a family portrait shoot as they prepare for the birth of their second child. Here are a few favourites from the day which I think reflect their closeness as a family – I wish them all the very best and look forward to seeing them again soon
Kristen and Martin will be marrying at the beautiful Spains Hall and I met them there for their pre-wedding shoot. Very relaxed in each others company they got the chance to have a quiet stroll as I photographed them enjoying the lovely grounds of Spains Hall, before finishing off a great morning with a coffee in nearby picturesque Finchingfield to talk about the finer details of their day
I met with Peter and Claire at the venue Orton House Hotel for their pre-wedding shoot recently. Claire is very natural in front of the camera and the ease with which she approached the shoot was quite infectious and helped to allay Peter’s initial nerves! We got some great shots before a great deluge of rain arrived and I look forward to their wedding next month hoping the rain stays away!!!
What a great evening I had at Hilton Village Ball! Quintessentially English with a Venetian twist – as the sun set people arrived in beautiful gowns and dinner suits cutting a dash in their Venetian masks ready to enjoy an evening of dancing, dining and of course a little drinking. The ‘Venetian Gondola’ added to the glamour providing a great prop for portrait shots and much enjoyed by everyone. My thanks to everyone at Hilton for making my evening so enjoyable!
48 hours after the scorching heat at Hedingham Castle I was braving the wind and rain in Derbyshire. Set in the wild landscape of Hope near Edale, Losehill House Hotel was the venue for this intimate wedding celebration. Kim and Michael walked down the ‘aisle’ together to exchange their vows against the backdrop of the Hope valley in the company of close friends and family. I got some great shots of the day taking advantage of the lull in the heavy rain to do some outdoor work – although the local sheep seem to have run for shelter so my idea of them being a backdrop to the shots had to be modified and we used ‘ornamental’ sheep brought by a guest – great fun!
Still hot weather and what a day this was! Natalie arrived on a beautiful Arab horse looking elegant, natural and composed in her vintage bridal dress (not easy to do when you are riding side saddle!). The setting of Hedingham Castle added to the sense of timeless low key glamour as Natalie and Richard exchanged their vows in the ancient Keep, the only remaining part of the original castle and afterwards mingled with their guests in the stunningly landscaped gardens (recently featured in The Landscape Man on Channel 4). With the exception of being stung by a wasp as I was taking a shot it was a fantastic day and we wish Richard and Natalie all the very best.
It was the start of the hottest week in summer so far when John and Amy tied the knot. Amy is really fun and arrived at the church in a big red London Bus and, notwithstanding the drivers dubious road skills it was a great “prop” for the day and in a departure away from my normal style I indulged Amy’s “passion for fashion” with “posed” reportage shots around the bus and the beautiful grounds of Hinchinbrooke House. I really enjoyed the day and importantly so did Amy and John, making the most of the day with their family and friends. We wish them well as Mr and Mrs!
I love working with couples as they prepare for their wedding. The sense of expectation and delight for what is to come is often captured in the pre wedding shoot. As they begin to relax and enjoy what is probably a rare intimate moment together between all the frenetic activity of planning I feel privileged to be able to give them a preview if you like of their day. Hanako and Roger looked very elegant and completely at ease with each other during their shoot this week at the elegant and dare I say fabulous Hengrave Hall. I know that Roger and Hanako are going to really enjoy their day!
