Evan and Holly’s Dad’s Blog

Hi and welcome to my blog. Filled with images from my recent weddings, engagement shoots, portrait sessions and corporate work. Most importantly its a window into my world...a world where family takes an upper hand and I have the images to prove it. Hopefully you'll take a few minutes to browse and once addicted set the blog as a bookmark. If you have any comments please feel free to add them or just get in touch.

For The Record: The images that I put on the blog from recent weddings may not always be the best or even ones you might expect. They are things that I saw, that I like that I want to share. Sometimes they are part of a quirky story or show a tender or ironic side to a wedding.

Archive for Hampton Court House

Pippa 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.

hampton court house wedding 001 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HousePink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Shoes

hampton court house wedding 002 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseI took this because I was amused at the Empty Nest article.  I’m sure Chip was bemused at my interest in the fridge.

hampton court house wedding 003 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 004 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 005 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseShe’s gonna love me for this…no…honest….BUT!!!!!

hampton court house wedding 006 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House….she’s going to love me even more for THIS!

hampton court house wedding 007 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 008 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseSee no evil

hampton court house wedding 009 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 011 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 012 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 013 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 014 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseI love the caricature on the left

hampton court house wedding 015 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 016 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 017 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 018 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 019 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 020 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 021 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 022 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 023 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 024 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 025 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 026 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 027 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 028 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

 

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!

hampton court house wedding 029 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 030 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 031 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseA Farmer and His Wife

hampton court house wedding 032 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseTrue Blood Red

hampton court house wedding 033 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

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

hampton court house wedding 034 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 035 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseYour country needs YOU!

hampton court house wedding 036 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 037 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseWith darkness comes some light

hampton court house wedding 038 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 039 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseCheck out the animal shapes…nice.  The cake layers were made in Kenya by family and brought to the UK in 3 separate suitcases

hampton court house wedding 040 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 041 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 042 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 043 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 044 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

 

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

hampton court house wedding 045 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 046 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 047 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House

hampton court house wedding 048 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court HouseI totally LOVE this!

hampton court house wedding 049 Pippa and Alec   Merton Park and Hampton Court House
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.

 

Comments (2)

It 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

hampton court house wedding photographer 01 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimNumber 437 on the list of things you don’t expect to be doing on your wedding day — emergency sewing on your dress

hampton court house wedding photographer 02 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimSaying that, it seems to have done the trick

hampton court house wedding photographer 03 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

hampton court house wedding photographer 04 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimThe Bridesmaids’ flowers.  The sweetest, softest, most gentle yet alluring flowers ever.  If Carlsberg did flowers….

hampton court house wedding photographer 05 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimMinimalist shoes?

hampton court house wedding photographer 06 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

hampton court house wedding photographer 07 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimDown pub (very Yorkshire)

hampton court house wedding photographer 08 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

hampton court house wedding photographer 09 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimTim dishes the duties with no one coming forth to lead on this week’s task.  These ushers are destined for the Boardroom

hampton court house wedding photographer 10 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimSo 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 :)

hampton court house wedding photographer 11 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimLet’s play guess the number of stops difference between the outside and the inside

hampton court house wedding photographer 13 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimIt was fandabydozy to return to the ceremony room with the best light in the world!

hampton court house wedding photographer 15 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimJames had been…told them all to ‘Sit Down’

hampton court house wedding photographer 16 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimLike most folks, Steph also found the empty hand trick too much to take in

hampton court house wedding photographer 17 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimGrot-oh.  Find the flash

hampton court house wedding photographer 18 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

hampton court house wedding photographer 19 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimSmitten

hampton court house wedding photographer 20 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

hampton court house wedding photographer 21 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

wedding photography hampton court house 22 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimRunaway bride — My Just One

wedding photography hampton court house 23 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimWalking tall

wedding photography hampton court house 24 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

wedding photography hampton court house 25 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim“Ohhh” says Rob.  “Yeah, but … um…there’s a filing cabinet and stacks of chairs and random tables” says Step.  “And?”

wedding photography hampton court house 26 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimTime to receive some guests

wedding photography hampton court house 27 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimThe rather fetching meal room at Hampton Court House — weather balloons extra

wedding photography hampton court house 28 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim“yeah….and there were filing cabinets and stacks of chairs…the lot.  It was AWESOME!”

wedding photography hampton court house 29 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim“Damn!  Why couldn’t we have filing cabinets” or English Julie Kim

wedding photography hampton court house 30 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

wedding photography hampton court house 31 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimEven after clearing the air there was a still a sense of coolness between Vettel and Webber

wedding photography hampton court house 32 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimThe runaway bride keeps her options open during the speeches

wedding photography hampton court house 33 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim

wedding photography hampton court house 34 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimSymmetry

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…

wedding photography surrey 351 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim
wedding photography surrey 361 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim
wedding photography surrey 371 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and Tim
wedding photography surrey 381 Hampton Court House Wedding Photography   Stephanie and TimMessage 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

Comments (3)

I’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).

hampton court house wedding photographer Hampton Court House Photographer   Stephanie and Tim   Just One

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May
28

The One That Got Away (TOTGA)

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Last 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”

vincent 133 The One That Got Away (TOTGA)

I suppose the reason I overlooked it is that it not actually the shot I wanted.  This is a difficult focusing situation and I would say that my camera didn’t exactly do what I wanted it to do.  But, fate has ways of showing you things you never knew worked.  In this case the rim-lit usher makes the image along with the worried “what’s behind door number 1″ look that Sarah has — even if she is out of focus (or rather, wasn’t the subject that actually made it to focus).  So .. there you have it.  TOTGA.

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Yes…its very late.  Nicola is staying over with the kids at her sisters tonight.  I’ve come home and decided to get today’s blog on the site ASAP.  I’m taking tomorrow off and as we’re away 3 days next week I felt it was best to just get on with it.  The only thing I don’t like about blogging so fast is that I’m forced to pick my images from either memory or small thumbnails.  Invariably I always find a few in the next stage that I wish I would have put up instead.  But with so many images to choose from it made sense to find the ones I like and get on with it.

Today I made it back to Hampton Court House.  Its hard to believe when you’re there that this is actually a working private school.  It almost seems made for weddings.  I first visited HCH last year and the time away did nothing to convince me how much I love working there.  It easily ranks in my all time top civil ceremony rooms in respect to fabutastic light.  My other faves are Cain Manor and Clandon Park.  Some of you, if you look close enough, may actually recognise Sarah.  If you don’t…tough noogies :)

026 174 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Just a photo of the Jenson Button-holes (we call that foreshadowing in literary circles)

026 175 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Somewhere…over the Rainbow (that’s kind of an in-joke amongst us photographers)

026 176 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Dad practices his speech 3 floors down…brides dress in the foreground

026 177 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
See…there’s the answer to the foreshadowing…if all brides could kindly put the F1 qualifying on for me I would be grateful

026 178 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Kung Fu Curlers

026 179 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael

026 180 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Well..it had to happen sometime didn’t it

026 181 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
On the way down the stairs…a mirror…(said like that nodding dog advert)…Oh Yes!

026 182 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Meanwhile, over at HCH (the ushers/best men) closed the door and locked me in.  So this is the only thing I could get of the brides-mates arriving

026 183 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Sarah had told me “yeah, um, Mike…he blinks..A LOT…in photos”.  So I took a brave yet sensible decision and decided that I would simply omit his face in every shot.  As you can see from the example above, problem solved!

026 184 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Dad (FYI)

026 185 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
(The smarter amongst you will probably already realise this)  Mum

026 186 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Its (fabutastic) light Jim…but not as every venue knows it

026 187 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
All you need is some clay and Patrick Swayze and you’ve got a scene out of ‘Ghost’ (this wee bridesmaid — and BTW, I only use words like wee when I get Scottish guests…they love that stuff…no, honest — was into everything and fodder for all of us with cameras)

026 188 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
I did ‘occassionally’ break the ‘No Mike/Face’ Rule

026 189 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
No posing…just set her off down the stairs — snap, snap, snap

026 190 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael

026 191 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Without Mike, Sarah seemed freakishly small

026 192 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Crikey…I can hear the Traditional Wedding Photo cops knocking on the door…I’ll grab the ammo, you lock the door

026 193 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Speech!

026 194 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Dancin’ in the Ceiling

026 195 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Just look at his eyes…he looks like Daniel Craig

026 196 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Not what I would call a keeper…but check out the big head on the dress.  The challenge with off camera lighting is sometimes knowing when to get out of the way…I look quite dashing in silhouette, no?

026 197 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Electric Light Orchestra

026 198 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Throw the dog a (trom)bone

026 199 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Night, night

And  A Few the Boy Wonder — Darren, The Tenacious (5) D (perhaps some of Darren’s best I might add)

026 200 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Yet another one for Mumm

026 201 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Great shot D

026 202 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
I left him to his own devices and he organises a Flower Tattoo

026 203 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
This may well be…my most favourite shot Darren has ever taken.

026 204 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
From the balcony

026 205 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Again…just snap, snap, snap.

026 206 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
I find this image a hoot…sorry if not everyone does

026 207 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael

026 209 Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
Crackin’ stuff Mr D

Got Something to Say? –

pixel Surrey Wedding Photography   Sarah and Michael
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