Archive for Hampton Court House
Nikki and Ross – Teddington and Hampton Court House Wedding
Posted by: | CommentsOK…I know its nearly Christmas and this is a wedding from the first week of September. But you have to trust me here. I sort of had to drop the blog posting for a bit. It killed me to do so, but in the end it was the only way to get out the summer and fall madness. Surely I get something for posting now. And for that matter, in a time when not a lot is going on anyway it will nice to take ourselves back to warmer times and see some happy faces. So that’s what is going to happen over the next few months. Eventually we’ll get all caught up just in time for the season. So think of this as ‘on demand’.
Our first ‘Back to the Future’ post is from Nikki and Ross’ wedding. Starting at the Richmond Gate Hotel, then moving to Teddington (which was fun because it appeared that my SatNav was stuck in Olympic cycle race mode and showed ALL roads as closed) and finally to the chic Hampton Court House. I will also post the Facebook gallery that was posted at the time at the end of these images. So if you haven’t seen the extended set, do take the time to have a look.
(photo by Darren)
missed a bit… (photo by Darren)

Weetabix — a staple of the Bridesmaid’s diet


Nikki…our gorgeous Bride
Roger Wilco
Like many Brides, Nikki was keen to prove she could put in her earrings with one hand…RESULT!
Proud Dad
Suspicious minds



Just like one of those fancy Japanese steak houses
Confetti death hand



BOLT!


….AND a gentleman



window seat

I love a good receiving line
Champagne is the great equaliser




It seemed an odd time for a game of Bingo









As promised, there are more images on my Facebook business page…to view them go to Nikki and Ross’ Hampton Court Wedding on Facebook.
Francesca and Mike at Hampton Court House
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to Francesca and Mike’s Fully Vintage Knickers Wedding at Hampton Court House. Its the bulk food aisle of vintage weddings with mason jars, imported heather, stale sweets, out of context signs and pee stained images. Or..not.
Rain. After all its just water. What’s the big deal? It happens nearly every consult. “So Rob…what do you do when it rains?” I smile, take a moment to pause and answer with two distinct points. The first is that I treat it like a winter wedding. Most January weddings see very little activity outside. So I’m used to the idea. Second. “In over 300 weddings I only ever had one wedding where it rained ALL DAY.” Well, starting at my next consult the answer is going to be “In over 301 weddings I only ever had TWO weddings where it rained ALL DAY.”
Boy did it rain. Ye of Biblical proportions. But did it dampen the spirit of Francesca or Mike? Heck no. Like Andie McDowell said in Four Weddings and A Funeral. “Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed” (which, was voted into the top 10 of the worst lines in a film BTW). The one thing that’s true…I really didn’t notice. I was having too much fun on Saturday. Great times with great people. Even Dominic :)
Thanks to Francesca and Mike for having both myself and Darren along. Some days you just feel so privileged to be a part of a one off occasion. This was one of those days.
BTW. Hampton Court House. Seriously people. Its one of the coolest venues around. Yes, I know its a school during the week and the walls in the dining room are blood read. Yes I know it has palm trees and a grotto. But c’mon. This place rocks. Its chic, its cool..by golly its almost VINTAGE. Oh no Francesca…what have you done!
As with most every wedding I do there will be a link to more images from their wedding on my Facebook Business Page. First you have to look here, enjoy the many ‘Robisms’ and then at the end, I’ll share a link to the gallery. Enjoy.
Only major cards accepted
We got a thing…goin on
Touch the dress and I will take you down!
As Joey from Friends said….”get in the map”
Even at this point I didn’t realise it was one button out!
YoBro
This post has a lot of pussys
“did he just say ..”

Inability to focus or crafty art…you be the judge
Inability to focus for the win






“the wrong button…hahahahaha!:

The confetti might be uncomfortable but not any more than Mike’s fist…WTH?
John shares his skillz
Happy pills
Cluttered classrooms DO make great studios!
All we need now is Greg and Marcia and we’ve got the Brady Bunch opening sequence (oh…and don’t forget Alice)

Meet Dominic…my new BFF. He can’t smile and ruins every photo. But wait…what is that there in the middle. I WIN DOM!
I once read another photographers comments saying that red room was a disaster and impossible to work in. What a load of old cobblers! I love it!
A receiving line…it in the right position, with the right light and the right people. Pure gold!
What? Us…cheating on the B&G quiz? No way!

PHOTOBOMBER!
“Damn photobombers”
Mum was close with the quiz…the song was in fact ‘Seven’ by Prince…sadly the follow up ‘Eight’ was less compelling


Mike suddenly realises how his best man does cheat at Words With Friends…
…whilst Francesca giggles at the double entendre of a big word score
He finally sees the light…well…not really, its actually BEHIND YOU!
Angry Bird Dancing
Another few from DaWg (no I don’t ever actually call him that BTW)




Truly inspirational stuff Darren!
As promised…more than a few more on my Facebook Business Page. Its all great fun…easy to tag yourself (I think you have to Like the page first…but TBH I can’t keep up with Facebook rules). Its free, you’re good looking and you get great karma…so why not!
Mike and Francesca’s Hampton Court House Wedding Gallery on Facebook
Pippa and Alec – Merton Park and Hampton Court House
Posted by: | CommentsPippa and Alec. Bless. Sometimes a couple really make you smile. There’s a warmth about them that perhaps may just come through a little brighter than others. For me it all came together at a red light. Eh? Yes, a red light. As the wedding car pulled away I raced back to my car and began my journey back to Hampton Court House. I figured I would catch and pass them and I was right. Just before we merged to the A3 south we were both stopped at a set of traffic lights. Their Jag pulled up next to me. I looked left to see them both laughing, Pippa eyes transfixed on Alec. She was facing me so I could see exactly what she was thinking. I sat there, staring at them, feeling a bit giddy. Pippa eyes briefly left Alec and drifted just a little to the left and basically right at me. I smiled. Pippa knew nothing. I didn’t even register. Her eyes returned to Alec and she smiled even bigger. I think that about sums them up.
It was great to get back to one of my favourite venues in Hampton Court House. Its got a certain feel that you won’t find anywhere else. Its kitsch…its old school…its unique. That’s why I like working there. Here’s to getting back there again this fall! Hopefully sooner.
Finally a big thanks to Pippa and Alec…to Ally and Chip (Pippa’s Parents)…Alec’s parents and all the family and friends for welcoming Darren and I into this amazing day. If you’re on Facebook you will find a link at the bottom of this post to more images from the day. Do visit and if you like what you see, why not follow my page. So have a look, scroll and later click for more on Facebook.
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Shoes
I took this because I was amused at the Empty Nest article. I’m sure Chip was bemused at my interest in the fridge.


She’s gonna love me for this…no…honest….BUT!!!!!
….she’s going to love me even more for THIS!

See no evil




I love the caricature on the left














I often bang on about not repeating myself. A gallery of unique images. But sometimes a sequence is worth a good look. I’ve included two this week and this is the first. Lovely light and space!


A Farmer and His Wife
True Blood Red

Here’s sequence two…I just love the story being played out

Your country needs YOU!

With darkness comes some light

Check out the animal shapes…nice. The cake layers were made in Kenya by family and brought to the UK in 3 separate suitcases





And now a few from my most trusty assistant…the dazzling Darren



I totally LOVE this!

Darren’s great isn’t he!
OK…as promised, some more on Facebook. We had such a fabulous day there is so much to see. Here is a subset of the final images (not to be complete for a few weeks). But now, enjoy my Hampton Court House Wedding Photography gallery on Facebook.
Hampton Court House Wedding Photography – Stephanie and Tim
Posted by: | CommentsIt seems like every year, in the fullness of spring, I find myself at Hampton Court House. Its a wonderful venue, in a wonderful location with some of the most unique features a venue could ever have. Its not in your face and its never going to compare with some soul-less 5 star venue but its quaint and very English. During the week a day school and at the weekends a A+ wedding venue. I was pleased that Steph and Tim could see the value of it and embraced it wholly. There are some interesting contrasts. The ceremony room, which seems to double as a community area during the week, has the most amazing window light for ceremonies. In my mind it nabs ahead of Clandon Park and Cain Manor for great window lit ceremonies. I have a feeling that Rivervale, a new venue in Hampshire, may also have this but I won’t know until November. Then there’s the 19th century feel of the furniture and adjacent rooms. Add a Miami Vice style patio complete with palm trees and secret shell grotto and you’ve got what you can only described as a tequila fueled brainstorm of what makes a great venue. No matter how you slice it…it works. Lots! As for Steph and Tim…well they were lovely. He never stopped smiling and she can cry on queue…just play a flourish from Cinema Paradiso. Hope you are having a great honeymoon.
Also…if you are interested in being notified when the entire gallery goes live and get a discount code for 10% off an online order do get in touch
Number 437 on the list of things you don’t expect to be doing on your wedding day — emergency sewing on your dress
Saying that, it seems to have done the trick

The Bridesmaids’ flowers. The sweetest, softest, most gentle yet alluring flowers ever. If Carlsberg did flowers….
Minimalist shoes?

Down pub (very Yorkshire)

Tim dishes the duties with no one coming forth to lead on this week’s task. These ushers are destined for the Boardroom
So I walk into the Hampton Court House as I arrive from the pub. I find only a handful a people. This chap says “hey, you wanna take me picture?”. Like a kid sticking his fingers in the bars at the zoo, I reckon he won’t ask that question again :)
Let’s play guess the number of stops difference between the outside and the inside
It was fandabydozy to return to the ceremony room with the best light in the world!
James had been…told them all to ‘Sit Down’
Like most folks, Steph also found the empty hand trick too much to take in
Grot-oh. Find the flash

Smitten


Runaway bride — My Just One
Walking tall

“Ohhh” says Rob. “Yeah, but … um…there’s a filing cabinet and stacks of chairs and random tables” says Step. “And?”
Time to receive some guests
The rather fetching meal room at Hampton Court House — weather balloons extra
“yeah….and there were filing cabinets and stacks of chairs…the lot. It was AWESOME!”
“Damn! Why couldn’t we have filing cabinets” or English Julie Kim

Even after clearing the air there was a still a sense of coolness between Vettel and Webber
The runaway bride keeps her options open during the speeches

Symmetry
And now a few from someone completely different
On Saturday at Charley and Matt’s wedding the Groom’s mother invited along a young chap (18 in fact) to shoot some pictures for practice. Will, that’s his name, has no real interest in wedding photography but is a keen film maker. Following in the footsteps of a director he admires, that being Stanley Kubrick, Will has seen the value of how being a creative photographer can help you immensely in being a better film maker. Of course, I could have gone all prima donna and insisted that I was the only photographer (oh, and Darren too) at the wedding but I’ve found this to be a rather counter productive position. Instead, I had the opportunity to assist and mentor him (even if only a little bit). First thing, get rid of those 3000000mm zoom lenses. “Here…have a 50 1.4″ I knew that Darren couldn’t make it on Sunday so I thought it would be a good idea to invite Will along for a bit more experience and to keep me company :) So here are a few of the images that I like from Will…



Message to Will…how strange that all of the shots above are shot on the 50mm :)
Remember…if you are interested in being notified when the entire gallery goes live and get a discount code for 10% off an online order do get in touch
Hampton Court House Photographer – Stephanie and Tim – Just One
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve managed to barter with Evan and Holly is asleep. Its half term you see and I’ve got both of the kids today. But I really needed to get this out. So whilst Evan is playing Labyrith on the iPad I’ve ducked out quickly to share this. Much more to come on Wednesday (Charley and Matt) and Thursday (Steph and Tim).

The One That Got Away (TOTGA)
Posted by: | CommentsLast night we were watching “The Apprentice: You’re Fired” and something hit me. We love “The Apprenctice” and have grown to love the follow up show on BBC 2 just as much. In fact, is there a funnier man anywhere than last nights comic guest, Rufus Hound? Anywho, the thing that hit me was the concept of “The One That Got Away”. That being the once other candidate who could just as easily got the swift finger from Sir Alan but didn’t. I then thought about the shots that I select for the blog (remembering that the blog happens within days of the wedding and the remainder of the images aren’t dealt with for a week or more) and how some shots are better than those on the blog. If pushed, and I could do a Wayne’s World style ‘do-over’ what one image would I select with the benefit of hindsight. So in light of that, here is my first “The One That Got Away”








