Emma is a known quantity.  She and my wife have been friends since ‘grade’ school (I don’t know what ya’ll call it here).  She’s in some of my own wedding photos from 16 years ago.  So in my head, I had Emma all summed up.  Sure, Uni and work meant that my wife hasn’t seen her as much as she used to but if pressed I could give her a character reference in a BBC News interview if she was held up by a group of Nigerian pirates.  Darren on the other hand.  He was the mystery.  The unknown quantity.  The man we all wanted to meet.

I got the first opportunity when I met up with them a week or so before the wedding.  We share the same hair cut so I knew he couldn’t be all bad.  I was right.  What a wonderful chap.  Emma…you done good now, ya’hear.  I reckon the combination would win the coveted Gene Burress “my kinda people” tag line.   That’s good enough for me.  Add Ollie and Harrison and you’ve got the unstoppable team.

I had heard about the Compleat Angler.  Even driven by a couple of times.  This was my first visit.  We seemed to visit on a day not best suited.  First, the infamous Marlow Bridge was being renovated.  What a bummer…I suppose since the bridge was the model used to Budapest’s Chain Bridge I could simply Photoshop in some of my recent photos from our mini break back in March.  Second the weather…it wanted to be warm, but it couldn’t.  It did rain briefly but only during the meal…so there was some good luck.  By the time the sun came out, the wind got up to a good force so only the hardiest took in the wonderful location by the Thames.  These things though….they don’t really matter.  People worry about weather, spend ages finding vintage cups etc etc…all great things I suppose.  But in reality its all about the people.  Follow the people, follow the light.  That’s my motto.  In 10 years I don’t care about a ribbon on silverware holder…I care about my friends, family and how that day made me feel.  So despite the weather, its all good!

After the images you’ll be given the chance to a) be notified and get a 20% discount on reprints and b) get a link to even more images on my Facebook Business page.  But for now, enjoy this small selection in the knowledge you can see more later.

BTW, Emma and Darren are really keen on Black and White.  So I’ve honoured that.

I’m trying to remember why its only Emma who isn’t smiling

Wholewheat

The Fullbrook Crew – Jo, Debs, Nicola, Lisa with Ben and Tariq on the wing — AKA Table 9 (plus me)

Ollie provides some wedding photography gold!

Normal service resumes

I tried to make a feature of the light…but for most of the day it was more than a little tricky

I don’t often include Signing O’The Register Shots…but I like this one

Digging deep for the Pimms gold!

There they are again!

Lesson 13 – Why its essential to hire a professional.  Can you guess which image wasn’t taken by me but rather by Jo (of course the fact that I appear in one should be the clue)

It was all going so well until Emma’s mum (hot pink on the right) decided to do a Glee Slushee on them…poor souls never knew what was coming!

For the Best Man…its all about the hands

I’m guessing that was something they would have rather have not been made public

Blue are you (blue, blue)

Darren admits to having ‘one move’.  Which he used rather well!

If you want to see more you can visit my Compleat Angler wedding photography gallery on my Facebook Business Page

ALSO…if you want to be notified when the full gallery goes live and get a 20% discount code for reprints, please get in touch!

Related posts:

1. Emma and Darren – The Compleat Angler – Fab 4 + 1
2. Pembrokeshire Wedding Photographer – Emma and David
3. Tithe Barn Wedding Photographer – Emma and Gavin

This was a special one for me.  Emma and Nicola have known each other since school…quite when I’m not sure (and she’s not here to remind me).  But safe to say at least as long as boys have been interesting.  I could really make Emma gasp if I scanned a photo from my own wedding album where you can find her and the rest of the girlies standing outside a church near Guildford nearly 16 years ago.  But I won’t — at least for now.  So Saturday, whilst a full on working day, was also a day for seeing a few old friends and meeting a few new ones.  I sat at a table with my wife and perhaps shot more dancing than I ever have.  Of course I also enlisted the help of 3 different assistants.  The first being Darren (my Darren, not the groom), the second Darren’s (this time the Groom — how very confusing) son and the mad Jo (of Jo and Vicki fame).  In fact, I seem to recall a few taken by Debs as well.  Royalties are going to be difficult!

Here’s a few — a Fab 4 +1

Half moon

Serbia’s finest :)

More on Thursday

Related posts:

1. Emma and Darren – Wedding Photos at The Compleat Angler
2. Just One – Emma and David – Pembrokeshire
3. Tithe Barn Wedding Photographer – Emma and Gavin

Aloha!  OK, so that’s not what they say in Barbados but I’m guessing as you are there and I’m here you’re probably ready to laugh that one off.  First off Krissie…would you believe its been cloudy all day today.  Its just not fair!  Regardless of those facts I hope your trip to sandy beaches has been a good one.  I wanted to tell you both ‘thanks’ for having both Darren and I along to your most fantastic wedding.  I wanted to recall some of things that stuck in my mind.  Krissie’s messy room.  Your words, not mine.  I couldn’t bring myself to post the picture but I’ve got it.  Dr Dresslove..aka the one in the rubber gloves.  Pure class when adding a bracelet…divine idea.  That choir…oh that choir.  Someone call Piers Morgan NOW!  The love bug…thankfully it was convertable otherwise who knows what you would have got up to.  Those lovely details…cookies of Cookie, love hearts (yes, I have a photo of Darren chowing down…I told you he couldn’t resist) and the flip flops.  I really hope it was a flip flop only affair on the dance floor.  Speaking of chowing down…thanks for the cupcake.  Phwoah…that was amazing.  Krissie as the melting Bride…for sure never to see the light of day on the website but a good laugh.  Ben…you never once asked a silly photo question.  You let me down.  :)  Finally to the Bear.  You’re not all that!  I’ve got so many photos of you and photos never lie…all I can see is a tender side.  Quiet…stoic…but never grizzly.  Perhaps I’m lucky to never see the Bear when he’s not in hibernation.  To family, friends and even George, thanks for having us.

Also…if you (family, friends, guests) are interested in being notified when the entire gallery goes live and get a discount code for 15% off an online order do get in touch

Uno, dos, tres

We asked Paul the ‘Psychic’ Octopus to pick a winner and he called it a draw

“would you like to stroke my Cookie?”

Professional criminals are often prepared but not generally so stylish

Ahem!

I heart heart heart heart heart heart heart heart heart heart you

I’m guessing Ben has a message

Why the tongue?

EXIT (see, most great shots in this HSE world are runined by ‘signs’.  Not so here so I felt compelled to add to it)

No doubt the coordinator at Stoke Place will be falling over his/herself to get a hold of this one

Kimi….?  Kimi?  Geez.  Just know that any further comments will be delivered in a mono-syballic tone whilst looking exceedingly disinterested in tandem with my straight brow gangster style baseball cap.

Ham-hock

Ladbrokes has them 7/2 for the next to tie the knot

Sorry…just went up to 14-1

Ben gets sincere whilst Krissie’s mum just dares me to read her poker face

Dear (sic)….headlights

How very American

And now a few from Darren – Naughty by name, naughty by nature

Some people let a little bit of wee out when they get excited (Apprentice 2009) – Ben deals with it in other ways.

Pretty simple list

Wiping a tear away or preparing to go into character as Capt Jack from Pirates of the Carribean – you make the call.

Kiss Kiss (bang bang…great film BTW)

Great idea D!

Remember…if you are interested in being notified when the entire gallery goes live and get a discount code for 15% off an online order do get in touch

Related posts:

1. Nettlestead Place Wedding Photography – Natasha and Joe Slideshow
2. Hampshire Wedding Photography – Sam and Dean, New Place

Nope…that’s not Jess

And neither is this…

The fetish continues…here combining two in one

Ahah! Jess!  Telling her mum how lovely she looks.  Bless.

Kanye…no…Nelly…no…USHER!

Random

Jason marries big wall…ok, not really…but this was a tough church to work in.  Granted I could have stood at the back (and that is, in fact, what Darren did), but there was always going to be something more emotive if I could get to the front.  Look for things and they are often there…

Like this…

…and this

..but my reward came in a wonderful unobstructed view of this..WHICH…

put me in pole position for the first hugs…

…and a happy mum of the groom

Teaches me to say cheese

Cruel and unusual

One of the Polo club

My Just One

5 short but still rather Magnificent

The following is a public service announcement

The use of Benadryl and shotgun shells is strictly forbidden!

What’s wrong (or perhaps right) about this photo?  They both have2 drinks…possibly?

Mambo No 5

The FOB picked an odd time to pay homage to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Before you ask…totally normal

The bonus of imaginary drinks is that
a) you never have to queue at the bar   
b) your drink never gets warm in the summer sunshine  
c) the paracetamol you take in the morning is strictly for placebo purposes

Jason has an endearing (yet chronically late) personality.  He had all the women and half the blokes in tears…all because he consistently misses birthdays, anniveraries and holidays.  Smooth operator!

Snack time

Wood? (could apply to both of the above pictures really)

A special surprise video presentation…this time from the bride to the groom

Lilly makes a guest appearance

And a few from my very much missed and trusty sidekick…Darren

I love that in the time I’ve worked with Darren I’ve developed an implicit trust of his work…

When asked if they could play Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tuba-lar Bells’ my joke was met little response.  I wonder if they had the blue M&M’s removed from the green room as well :)

‘Cause this is Thriller….’

Seems a fitting way to end this today

Related posts:

1. Jessica and Kavian – Swanmore and Tithe Barn
2. Cambridgeshire Wedding Photographer – Jessica and Robert
3. South Farm Wedding Photographer – Jessica and Robert – Just One

Related posts:

1. Buckinghamshire Wedding Photography – Jessica and Jason

• I have Christmas themed family photos…but I’m slammed with stuff to do so I haven’t done it
• The conversion is nearing completion (hence being slammed)
• Notley Abbey is lovely, but purple lights means purple people
• The eagle flies at midnight

Cara and Alex — Notley Abbey — Saturday December 20, 2008

A rather grand entry to Notley Abbey

Oh look…a pair of shoes, just sitting delicately on the corner of the bath

More ‘tubbed’ themes…I need a shower

Bridesmaid in FlyVision

Work it baby, work it (his words, not mine)

Bride and Grooms…they get younger every year!

For once the expression “need a hand” wasn’t really appropriate

Yes, I know everything wrong with this photo…but I can’t beat that look!

5000ISO at F2.  Damn I love technology!

4:15 — 2 days before the shortest day of the year — I’m impressed!

Inside the reception there was a big screen with a slideshow of family photos throughout the years

Most, however, gave up after seeing Alex’s fro

That is one fine cake!  And now you can see the purple haze.  It was fine where the spotlights overpowered it.

Christmas Cracker!

Oh yes!  The ‘Speech Lottery’ rides again!

“WhatyoutalkingaboutWillis?”

Alex grins, the lovely lady behind laughs, no one can see his hands….hmmm…coincidence?

Is he at it again?

Busted!

In the words of Father Jack…”Drink?  Oh Yes!”

Its not only the Tories getting arrested at inappropriate moments these days

5000…AGAIN!  I’m feeling faint here!

In all honesty…I totally blew this shot.  But when I looked at it against the ‘proper’ one and realised its potential, I reckon it was a fortunate accident

In the shower…and I’m not making that up!

Lit by a closet.  Can’t say that everyday

I wonder what that could be?

There’s a hint here!

As he said “he is Jewish after all!”

And a few from Darren…Who I call Tenacious D…or perhaps now Tenacious 5D!  Why…well, now I’ve been able to give him a 5D to use I suddenly got about a double return rate on his images.  I always said there were better images but his camera let him down — yes, that’s right, the £2500 camera I used to let him use.

The Tenacious 5D

I saw him set this up from the window.  I screamed “BOY BAND” — what he didn’t realise was…..

….he had already gotten the money shot 5 minutes earlier!

Wasn’t just me who loved the cake then?

How does D always find these great picture caption competition moments?

I just love the texture…dad, granny, Alex…sweet

No related posts.

Oh dear…my son…the navigator.  So we’re heading towards Farnham on Saturday.  We hadn’t told Evan where we were going, only that we were going to buy his new bed.

About 3 miles down the A325 we get:

“Daddy…this is the way to Farmum”

“Yes, Evan, this IS the way to Farnham.  You are a very clever boy”

(Short Silence)

“Daddy…this is the way to Alice Holt awell”

“Wow, Evan…you’re right…this IS the way to Alice Holt.  You are such a grown up boy…well done.”

“Daddy…this is the way to Poo awell” — massive giggles

Right…well, at least he proved he’s still 3 and 1/2 years old!

Tooting One’s Own Horn

Back in September I shot the wedding of Sarah-Jane and Jonathan…last week, I got this:

“The photos are incredible and had me in tears watching them! (Tears of happiness of course) As for the music you chose… its as if you know me?

All the pictures were perfect and even better than we ever imagined! And believe me … we imagined great things from you Rob! :0)
Thank you so much for everything! I am SO pleased we found you – your Wedding pictures are one things you should splash out on, they are for always after all :0)

We have also had so many people by the way asking for your web site address as so impressed…. future customers without a doubt! :o)”

Naturally I replied and in Sarah-Jane’s reply back it just kept on coming :)

“It is a glowing endorsement Rob, but I mean every single word! Both Jonathan and I were speechless as we sat watching the DVDs……. I cried, Jon even welled up, ha-ha, In a manly way of course ;o)

“Beautiful” is a word I’d like to use to describe the pictures, however this still doesn’t do the pictures justice! Somehow the word beautiful… isn’t enough to explain how we feel about each photo you took!

You truly are such a talented man, with an eye that captures the most natural and purest of memories… that I am in awe of your talent!
Thank goodness we found you! And your family are lucky to have you!

Please do use the enclosed to post on your blog… its the very least we can do for you, after all you have done for us Rob!!!

Thank you so very very much!

AMAZING!”

Sarah-Jane and Jonathan

So…what about my cryptic blog entry title.  Well, Nicola is in cloud coo-coo land at the moment.  Pregnancy hormones do wonders for the brain.  On the way home the other night Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much” came on the radio.  Nicola professes that she doesn’t understanding why there is a line “I bet you kiss your carving knife…I mean, how stupid is that”.  To which I really tried hard to convince her it was not about a knife but rather about kissing his car good night.  But she wasn’t convinced.  Even on hearing it she still believed she was right.  It wasn’t until I mentioned the lyrics before the line that she (begrudgingly) conceded I was correct.  For the record:

You’re one of those guys who likes to shine his machine
You make me take off my shoes before you let me get in
I can’t believe you kiss your car good night
C’mon baby tell me-you must be jokin’, right!

Sorry for being so quiet lately.  I’ve been enjoying a bit of slack time.

No related posts.

Sarah and Jonathan — Shot by Darren (aka The Big D and Boy Wonder)

I told him to shoot this…then he said “I already did”

Clearly he hates shoes as well

Ickle moments

He had a thing for Yule as well

This was one of 4 or 5 included in the On the Day presentation

Ahh…I see myself a few years ago in that shot

Gettin’ brave and shootin’ at 1.8….I like it!

I love this…its so random yet meaningful

When I first saw it I said, “but dude, you’ve blown it out” to which he said “I was going for their faces”.  OK, I’ll shut up now.

Same here…smarty pants

I bet her hair was lovely after an hour of this

So…I’m in processing the On the Day and Darren says “should I got out to rest of the receiving line”.  My first thought was “this should be interesting”.  But clearly his story that he looks at the blog every week rang true.  I shed a small tear :)

Magic, Magic, Magic!  For this you’ve earned an extra can of V next time out!

See…he’s got the ‘eyes’ thing going

This is far better than anything I got during SJ’s mum’s speech

Its all about timing…did you buy a watch?

Nice one D

2 great shots from the first dance

When Darren first started coming out with me (November last year)…there was a certain randomness to what he took.  I wouldn’t say I’m the best mentor.  I pick him up, we shoot, he carries, I drop him off and his only bit of tutoring comes in a) my blog and b) a few choice one line nuggets of info.  But each week there’s something better, something more insightful in his images.  Thanks again BW!

Related posts:

1. Emma and Darren – Wedding Photos at The Compleat Angler
2. Emma and Darren – The Compleat Angler – Fab 4 + 1
3. Hey Junior!

Apologies for my senseless jibe towards my brother in law…it has to be done.

I really need to boogie so I’m just going to post some images from the weddings this past weekend.

Sarah and Jonathan — Lane End, Buckinghamshire — Saturday, 27 September 2008

On Saturday I did an ‘On the Day’ presentation.  So the guests and B&G have seen a fair few images.  However, I wanted to still blog a few for everyone else.  In some instances I’ve selected different images than I selected Saturday night.  So there’s something for everyone.

Also…a big thanks to Cheryl and Pascal who recommended me to Sarah and Jonathan (and I suppose Darryl and Sioban who recommended me to Cheryl Pascal…I’ll shut up now)

First…yes, she’s seen it and yes, she thinks its funny

Sometimes I even wonder how I get out of the reflection

My new image branding clearly doesn’t work on every image :)

Go on…just one verse from ‘The King and I’

My name is Michael Caine…and I am a nosey neighbour

Funny…I don’t remember everyone being so serious

One of my favourite shots of the year

The problem with getting ready too early…you can’t stop fiddling (her words)

Folks often look to me for advice on tying a crevat…at which point I feign an illness and excuse myself with great haste

I hate to use the same joke as a few weeks ago…BUT….Y-M-C-A

“Count to 10, then come find me”

Splitty arrives

Sadly the ride from the house to the church didn’t provide enough time for a fry up

As a final test the girls from FYEO arrive but Jonathan has none of it

Casper is escorted down the aisle by Dad and Pa

The Best Man, sadly, failed the FYEO test

I don’t often get a view point like I did on Saturday…interesting but not always unobstructed

Making a mad dash to the VeeDub

Had it been legal Sarah would have had a tough choice on her hands

Granny gets giddy

Ye Olde Daughter-Father Look

Smiles all ’round

Bagel!

So as not to leave the evening guests out the Best Man’s speech, complete with colour coding, found its way into the bar

GeeQueue from the Gents Loo

Right…so, the timetable was never going to allow us to do the ‘couple’ shots before the meal.  I knew it would be dark but I figured we could do something.  Inside I found the Gent’s loo…cracking (pun unintentional).  But after that, well, doing the on the day presentation I hadn’t really had anytime to scope.  So we literally went outside in the pitch black.  I tried one thing and it bombed…I had seen the gazebo and when they mentioned I thought, “let’s give it go”.  First shot was 1/6th of the second.  I managed to get it down to 1/30th…but this would have been better with a bit of colour in the sky.  9:00pm at the end of September…no chance.  The lights were flood lights at the venue so there’s shadows being cast.  The story continues later on…

…there wasn’t much I could do for this scene to get rid of the banister shadow but…

….I could change the emphasis a bit…

So now we’re pretty well DOA.  Why I was being so thick I don’t know but then Jonathan suggested a light on the side of the building.  I don’t know if this is what he had in mind, but the second he said it I knew exactly what I wanted!

Yowza!

And this…well, I was in heaven!

DAMN YOU…NOT AGAIN!  Chesney Hawks I HATE YOU! (not really)

Nina and John — Meonstoke and New Place — Friday, 26 September 2008

I suppose this one needs an intro as well.  I first placed a card in a corner shop in Fareham in 2004.  ‘Wedding Photographer for Hire’.  Perhaps the most useless form of advertising going but within a few days I had a phone call.  Jo and Ben, brave as they were, took a chance and booked me for their wedding.  Clearly liking what I did I shot Ben’s sister’s UK blessing, a friend of Jo’s mum’s daughter, Helen and Dog (aka Paul), Vicky and Steve and I think a few more but its all got too complicated.  Figuring that there were none left I was delighted to get a call from John asking if I was available.  I saw so many familiar faces, not to mention Matt and his cool hat (he’s the dad of the little guy you’ll see shortly) — the hat is almost as famous as he is.  So…to the whole clan it was great to see you all again and who knows, maybe we’ll see each other again sometime!

How lucky have folks been these last few weeks with the weather?

A true piece of art…and the painting ain’t bad either

A new concept in shoe shots…get’m whilst they’re on!

Dress Noir

Seeing the dress for the first time…but hey, the Bridesmaids dresses were pretty cool themselves

Mr Black, Mr Orange and Mrs Green

The Best Man — apparently

Mum greets guests on arrival

Every time I got near him, he ran away…fine then!

It looked cool but it only a 1 horsepower engine

Ah…I do admire the effort that some folks make!

John gets his first glimpse

Now man and wife, the vicar stops a certain 6 with a leaping over head catch

Its always a bonus when the reader makes eye contact with the B&G

According to the EXIF data I’m something like 25 meters away…it made for, surprisingly, some of the more interesting signing of the registers shots this year

Off on the long ride to the pub…all 150 meters of it

Finally got him!

A pre-reception, reception at the Bucks Head, Meonstoke…check out the boozers bottom left

Now moving on to another form of transport I think they were a little surprised to see me

With time to kill before the guests arrived (and with John in the loo), I got to work

Having been to New Place before, I knew that would happen

The receiving line is now in full swing

As you can see, I’ve got a little somefink for the entry way…

I dunno

I had never seen a hornet in real life before…I’m just glad it wasn’t my beer!

Writing wedding wishes on the back of the placenames…hadn’t seen that before

Is that not Tommy Lee Jones in No Country for Old Men?

Clearly, its not just Evan who loves a bit of Van Halen!

I couldn’t quite get the best view during the speeches…but I reckon it worked out OK in the end

I wouldn’t want to watch Bambi with John’s mum I can assure you!

The cake stand reflection on the ceiling rather amused me

Related posts:

1. Hampshire Wedding Photography – Sam and Dean, New Place
2. Ode to Darren