Archive for May, 2012
Hannah and Gary at The Priory
Posted by: | CommentsIt was one of those roundabout recommendations. You start off thanking the Bride and Groom (in this case Peta and Philip from a few years ago) and then realise it had nothing to do with. Well…not true…it had everything to do with them. But ultimately it was the photos over the should of a colleague at work (thanks Tim) which got this all started. The world moves in mysterious ways.
Hot. That’s a nice easy way to describe the last few days. Hot hot hot is probably the way the boys would describe Saturday. Three layers and 26 degrees C isn’t the finest combination. But I bet no one would have turned it down. Its funny…if its hot the boys suffer a bit…if its cold the girls suffer. Venus, Mars, Tomatoe, Tomato…let’s not call the whole thing off. Saturday was hot (you get that) but what was more challenging was the cloudless sky. No respite at all. It makes it challenging for me (and any photographer really). But its a nice change to the challenge of trying not to get wet. So I’ll take it.
Hannah takes the cake for the most nervous bride in a while. The word beautiful was banned…it was a trigger word. I resorted to exceptional average. I hope she got my comedy.
This was an adventure to a new place. Not an unfamiliar setting but a new place. The Priory near Stevenage is a delightful little barn (hey…you know me and barns) with some beautiful (sorry, exceptionally average) grounds. Despite the heat the barn itself was a cool retreat. I was rather at home in its confines. However, its worth mentioning that whilst it was a delightful barn and well lit … it was lit with fluorescent bulbs. Cue fluctuating colour waves, variable output and general oddities. Hence why just about everything inside the barn is in black and white.
Due to package choice there won’t be an extended Facebook gallery this week.
Finally, some of you camera heads may be interested to know that some of the images included in the gallery were taken with a Fuji X-Pro 1 body with 18 and 35mm lenses. I will simply mark them with an (x).
Exceptional average dress (x)
Exceedingly average shoes (x)
Stupendously … oh forget it
The bridemaid bootcamp hazing was far more intense than I was expecting
You are the sunshine of my …
The dress goes on and the crowd of neighbours begins to build


Not from Arabia…his is an English guy…probably never fought the Turkish
Nope…not nervous one bit



bottom left (x)


colour oddities can be eliminated when choosing to take a path through (parklife) — or 1/30th of a second
Hannah lets her feeling know on the subject of formals
Babe-a-licous
Now wondering if my fly was down?
(x)

7 people…all with someone different on their minds
yeah…I see you…don’t worry…oh

Going for the sweet bomb (x)
(x)
Everybody was kung fu fighting
Dreaming of hot salsa (they ARE going to South America for honeymoon)
Posing next to the Ark


Upon learning neither of us were wearing pants

That’s the problem…as soon as one wants one, so does everyone else
Pimms O’Clock
Beer O’Clock
Cake O’….forget it


Whilst Darren did come, I was unable to get any images on today…sorry D (and his adoring fans)
Famn Damily
Posted by: | CommentsMan…its been a while. I often just post images on my Facebook timeline of the kiddos. But its been so long and since I didn’t have a wedding this weekend its seems the perfect opportunity. So here’s a few of my growing brood.
FWIW, she selected that ensemble of clothes. A eye for something I’m sure.




Don’t mess with the natives


The tooth fairy has a permanent base here at number 62
Alice and Cliff at Nettlestead Place
Posted by: | CommentsI love it when clever people with a keen eye for creativity get in touch. They just book me. No hassles. You know they dig you…what you do…how you do it…and let you do it. Welcome to the wedding of Alice and Cliff at Nettlestead Place. A sensational day at a sensational place with (and you’ve got to be pretty lucky this year for this last part) sensational weather. What a day…that’s all I can say. Good times…and that’s an understatement I can assure you.
I had worked at Nettlestead Place once before a few years ago. It must be the location because they were pretty darn cool too. This was the first time I got to experience the ceremony and bridal preparations in the main house. Pretty special. Strangely I’m a loss for what to say. The day was just that amazing. Alice is simply stunning…and later I found out why she had that ‘glow’. Delivered in Cliff’s speech was the news that they are expecting. Talk about seeing a room full of women melt (and a room full of attached yet unmarried men going “damn you…married and expecting in the same day…I’ll get you for this Cliff!”. I can’t thank you all enough for making us so, so welcome and having a perfect day for us to capture. Totally…totally loved it!
There will be more…lots more…to see on my Facebook Business Page. But first you need to look through these then at the end you’ll find the link. When you visit don’t hesitate to tag yourself, make comments and ‘like’ the page. It doesn’t hurt! Promise!
After an entrance like that I’m wondering where the queue for Space Mountain is
Here’s the haunted house…the only thing left were her shoes
GrooveJet
ear you go
Snack time (at the Oasis)
What fluffy slippers you have Grandma

Now…what was Alice’s maiden name again?
….is the RIGHT answer

With this (onion) ring, I thee wed

Just a little bit of wee
the classical photography police are waiting on my doorstep to take me away
My patented bum squeeze






Ladies…please





Nuttin’ beats a bit o’bacon
I don’t want to say I see a Doppleganger…but my oh my you have had an excellent season for United haven’t you Wayne
Nope…its Jason Statham now

Aunt Mabel
Errr…umm….I have no idea
Giggles
ROAR!




HeeHaw
cheap seats
They announced they’re pregnant during Cliff’s speech. Tissues EVERYWHERE!

Umm..dude…its just a cake! Slowly steps back to a safe distance


And now a few from Chuck Norris — AKA Darren
I have no idea if this is posed…and frankly…I don’t care



You’re a legend D!
As promised, you can see a few more on my Facebook Business Page gallery of Alice and Cliff’s Nettlestead Place wedding.
Gemma and Peter (Dave) at Stoke Place
Posted by: | Comments“You are my wife now DAVE!”
That line may mean nothing to you. In fact, a few short months ago, it meant nothing to me either. Then Gemma and Pete met up with me for a pre-wedding shoot and enlightment began. I kind of just stood there, listened, admired and shortly put it out of my head. Then, bless her, Gemma sent me some YouTube links from ‘The League of Gentlemen’ and I entered their circle of comic trust. Pete (Dave) had told me he found the entire skit disturbing. After 2 minutes I was firmly in the Pete camp. The mind of a comic is truly twisted. I wonder what that says about Gemma?
We move on. Sunday. What a day. I started the day in 3 layers of clothes, two pairs of socks, a sleeping bag and in a tent. Yes, it was Beaver Camp and I had slept in a tent for the previous two days. Sounds classy I know. After that I couldn’t take on the world. But who ever expected such cold weather in May. On my way home my car told me it was 0 degrees C. Zero…as in freezing…zilch. Its May for goodness sakes. I digress. For Gemma and Dave (sorry…Pete) it was a bit disappointing that for the most part everyone stayed indoors. Stoke Place is a gorgeous venue with some stunning grounds. On the plus side, with everyone inside they could hear ‘tinkering’ on the baby grand piano of a number of guests as well as Pete himself. What a smoothie you are Peter!
For me the day simply flew by. I love days where everything flows so well. Thank you so much guys for letting me join you. I had a fantabulous time!
There will be, as almost always, more on my Facebook Business Page. Before that though you get to look at the images below. The link will be at the end.
The warning was issued!
I want one of those ‘caution : hot’ signs for my loo!
As a quick sign of reassurance Gemma lets me know there is a bit love for me from her. Bless!
Pete’s first ‘smooth operator’ move of the day



Mum hugs are always the best
Some chill time — a bride…ready early? Surely not!
He’s not so keen
“I’m keeping my eye on you Kowalski” (cute and cuddly boys…cute and cuddly)


Today’s Doppleganger : The Bridal Suite Ornamental Soft Pillow and Captain Caveman!

…are doing it for themselves
Which quickly turned to “The Avengers”
Back in the day BEFORE store bought frames came with photos of others peoples kids

Red Rum
Still cute and cuddly





Mum tastic
Shiny, happy, people
Far right…taking it all a bit TOO seriously
I loved Pete’s Mash Up of Clapton and Pachebel
Hats indeed!
A simple grab moment…I love it
Smoked Oak at Stoke

For a smiley, she can ‘burn’ really well!

“trust me”

Burn! Of course the hot water pipe helped!

Ahem!







Yes…the speeches were broken up into two parts






Now…I guess you’re interested in seeing more. I sure hope so. Hopefully you’ll pop on over to my Facebook Business page to have a look at around 100 more images. Whilst you’re there don’t hesitate to ‘Like’ my page. I don’t bite. Then you can tag yourself if you so happen to stumble across an image with you in it. Besides…you have to go on over just to see the very last image. Its a corker and as a result I’ll probably have a bounty on my head!
Grace and Adam – Chelsea and Surrey Wedding Photography
Posted by: | CommentsIts been a while…nearly a month in fact…since the first wedding of Grace and Adam in Chelsea followed by a reception at Horsley Towers in Surrey. Since they were also getting married in Chicago at the end of April and wanted to present a slideshow of images from the UK wedding it made sense to hold fire on postintg until after the US wedding. That way you wouldn’t have a room full of folks who have already seen the surprise presentation. So. Step back in time, to the end of March, when we actually had sunshine and warm weather (eh?), before the apocalyptic rain fall and my own holiday. In one way it seemed like yesterday…in others a lifetime ago (although I’m guessing thats to do with the weather).
Grace had an ambitious plan. Get ready at Horsley Towers just outside of the M25 and then bring her, the Bridesmaids, parents and a load of guests to Chelsea for a magical service at a truly beautiful church. What they hadn’t expected was the FA deciding to move the start time of the Chelsea / Tottenham match. Throw in an overturned car on the A3, a bus driver who ‘knew a shortcut’ and thousands footie fans and you’ve got Grace and Adam’s ‘first half’.
All’s well that ends well as they say and despite her wedding car not making to the first leg of the journey and a number of guests (and yours truly travelling with the aforementioned guests) arriving 30 minutes past the scheduled start time of the wedding and you’ve got that this wedding photographer isnt going to forget in a hurry.
We got the best of everything. A Mother of the Bride speech as well as Bride’s speech. Sparkling sunshine and a comfortable 70 degree day (Fahrenheit provided for our transatlantic visitors). Plus the coolest evening wear ever in traditional African dress
Horsley…NOT Fawlty…Towers
Technically this was slightly premature
Preparing for my secret career as a mother’s entertainer
That’s one seriously cool set of make up widgets
Google Bracelet View (about as well known and used as Google +)
Shortly finding out what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immoveable one

Image By Darren! – Sweet!



If Carlsberg did stairs…
“Trust me!”
Grace and her Father – this church is amazing. From the street you wouldn’t even know it was there. This is just the entry hall!
Umm…deep breaths
Top 40

Sorted
I love this!
Eventually the wedding car made it. Adam could actually see it stuck in the stationary traffic on the A3 just after the incident.
Damn logo!
Horsley was originally a family residence .. there’s a common architectural theme which runs throughout




Hi Five :)



Smashy AND Nicey











second week in a row ‘Hot’ came near a pair of shoes
Indeed!
Cockadoodledo
Did someone say BACON!
Tie me up takes on a whole new meaning
Nice…and totally unposed

My what a difference a couple of decades makes
Sam didn’t need to be encouraged to relax
Mario Wedding Cart



Amos hands her over…free. What was he thinking!?
Charley remembers she forgot to see the video for BGT

This is NOT a photo of confetti at Tithe Barn as its not allowed

“you pointing at me?”
Road Movie
Add bigger hair and you’ve got my Doppleganger … Ladies and Gentleman .. 
The 19th Hole was larger than I had expected



Go Wendy go!
Stop it you!
Now he strangely looks nothing like Lyle!

Rome wasn’t built in a day

Facebook blackmail!
Cracking images Darren!



