Evan has been settling in to his Christmas toys.  The Playmobil Pirate ship has been the one thing that has captured his imagination most.  Clearly the Grandparents know best.  It has led to more than a few pirate accents around the house.  The best is Evan’s incorrect phrase of ‘ahoy me hair trees’.  It gives him satisfaction and makes me giggle everytime I hear it.

The first wedding of 2009 kicked off on Saturday.  We’re now in the depths of winter and boy don’t I know it.  Although bright on Saturday, it was just too cold to go outside.  It made the family group shots interesting…and actually quite different.  With the wedding being so close to the baby it made sense to take along a little support just in case I got ‘the call’.  It was probably a bit overkill to have two photographers there (and to the guests I apologise) but its difficult to have someone there and place him in a glass box which says “Break Glass in Case of Contractions”.

My support came in the form of Simon Kemp from Hyde-End Studios.  Simon and I have worked together before.  Some may remember it was Simon who stepped up to help me in August when I was rather poorly.  I was truly grateful for him taking a Saturday afternoon out to help.  Like a bonehead he refused to be paid for his time.  Whilst gracious I can’t just let it ride…so a little top up to his iTunes account seems in order.  Check your email Simon.

Simon has threatened to post a few of his favourites on his blog later this week.  So stop by again and have  a look.

Sally and Noel — The Elvetham — Saturday, January 10, 2009

Seats were at a premium…perhaps not on the same scale as the Obama inaguration…but close

Winter weddings, with no bridal prep and a B&G not particularly fussed about ‘couple’ shots means lots and lots of people watching…hug?

A patented technique…honest!

“Oh me so….” — I think I’ll stop there

As Midnight Oil once said…”the time has come”

Each week…its either one or the other…but not usually both

Submit your captions now

Now I see where she got ‘that look’ from

A vain attempt at redemption (see the image a few ticks ago)

I like images with lots going on…and not a single person blinking

Between Eric (the fab Elvetham toastmaster) and I, we did convince them 3 minutes of ‘couple’ shots wouldn’t kill’m

Orange slice

“I like to move it, move it”

Multi-generational imaging

Noel went walkabout

Still perfecting ‘the look’

Handwritten….nice

What two photographers get up to whilst you eat pudding…here I’m saying “Simon, you da man”, Simon replies “No…you da man” and so it goes

More than just a pretty face, Simon assists me in setting up the lights

Related posts:

1. Manor Barn Wedding Photos – Gabrielle and Simon – Just One Sorta
2. Wedding Photos at Tithe Barn – Sarah and Simon’s Slideshow
3. Let’s Have a Chat

Sing with me “itsy bitsy teeney weeney yellow white polka dot bikini boxer shorts” — doesn’t have the same ring to it

Tom…this is the shot when my camera meter went nuts…see why I use RAW!

And this is what the exposure shoulda been

Jodie…I know the feeling

James and I use the same hair gel…no…honest!

She blurry because she bouncing with vigor…the things you find when you wander around!

Had she not mentioned she had no shoes on, I probably wouldn’t have noticed

Self explanatory

Box-O-Flowers

Its not just men who forget to put the seat up

People ask me why I like wedding photography…I can give 5 reasons right off the top of my head

A Bridesmaid practices her reading

Sorry to cut your head off…but it really is all about her

Totally bizarre composition…but I like it

Buying Merryl Lynch for a fiver!

The formals rolls smoothly…then its the bridesmaids shot and its like a Bobbi Brown convention…as you can see Eric, my other favourite Toastmaster, doesn’t know quite what to make of it

Warning to future guest of the Elvetham.  Study your wine glass etiquette!

This ain’t no Bridezilla!

James stature is one that you would like to have with you on a dark night in Portsmouth

Some people just can’t take this whole wedding thing seriously

Every course, they all toasted the centrepiece…don’t ask me but they found it hilarious!

FOB speech goes down well

I love it when it gets a bit emotional

The BM used more than a few props…all to perfection

Asked to take a photo of 4 brothers I reeled a few great candid shots of ‘the boys’…just wanted to share

After a lost battle with a bonfire, this chap is forced to keep his arm about heart height.  I then found another use for my monopod.  Clever, don’t you think?

Dancing with the Stars

One of the lucky accidents

Related posts:

1. Kristin and James at Philipps House and Dinton Park
2. Manor Barn Wedding Photography – Lucy and James
3. Hampshire Wedding Photography – Catherine and James, Lainston House