Wedding Fayre Season

Martin & Charlotte

This week I have been putting the finishing touches to Martin & Charlotte's wedding album.  It was a big honour for me and Bob to be asked to photograph Charlotte's wedding because we've known her since she was about three.  I'm getting all teary eyed just thinking about it!

So, sniff,  (pulls self back together). The wedding ceremony was at St Peter's church in Darwen, What a fantastic church it is.  We'd never been in this church before, even though I live in the town,  and I was stunned that a little town like Darwen has such a beautiful church. Someone told me that it's  known as 'The Cathedral of Darwen' and I can well see why.

Charlotte arrived, her usual bubbly self, looking gorgeous (oops, there I go again, sniff).

I'd managed to get myself in the balcony for the ceremony, just in the right spot to capture this moment.

I love the juxtaposition of the all the serious faces at the back, respecting the solemnity of the occasion and all the smiling faces at the front, sharing a special, funny moment.

Funny word, juxtaposition, no one ever uses it in real life but photographers us it all the time. It's like having a little language all of our own.

Here's Charlotte with her Mum.

We can see you, you know!

It was a fabulous warm, sunny day. We couldn't have booked better weather. The bridesmaids and pageboy seemed to enjoy it.

The groom's brothers got in on the act as well, in fact everyone just went out of their way to have a brilliant time. Formal pictures?  Not for this crowd, they just wanted to have fun. Just the way I like 'em!

The wedding car was fantastic. I thought it suited a bit of the old 'Top Gear' treatment to make it look a bit more dramatic. What do you think?

We went for a stroll round the gardens at the Swallow Hotel in Samlesbury. The staff were amazing.

The wedding Fair season starts again next month, as long as we aren't snowed off again.  Dates at the moment are:

Foxfields Hotel, Whalley.  7th Feb

Haighton Manor, Preston. 10th Feb

Sparth House, Clayton le Moors. 21st Feb

Dunkenhalgh, Clayton le Moors. 7th March

Why not pop down for a chat?

A change is as good as a rest

It's a funny time of year , January for a wedding photographer. That little lull when the wedding season finishes, the albums are all (mostly) printed and sent to their rightful owners. The Christmas print and frame rush is well and truly over, the wedding fairs haven't yet got under way and the planning for the coming year is in full force.

It's time to recharge our batteries and make the most of any crisp, frosty days and get out and about for a spot of recreational photography.  The gorgeous snowy weather we've had over the last few weeks has been brilliant for that. I think me and the dog were the only ones who absolutely loved the snow and didn't want to see the back of it. We walked out little legs off.

 I got a call from Ist Choice Bedrooms asking me if I'd go to their showroom to photograph the room layouts for their new brochure. That was a surprise as I'm  known best as a social photographer. Always up for a challenge though I jumped at the opportunity.   I was made very welcome and given free reign in the showroom to set my studio lighting up as needed.

They asked me to go along during the day ........

and at night so we could show how beautiful the furniture looked with the lights on, isn't it pretty?

They do lovely children's bedrooms

As well as office furniture.

 I've done lots of studio pack shot work but this was a whole new experience for me. It was almost a zen like experience, calm, quiet, relaxed and with no time constraints. Polar opposite to a wedding, in fact and they do say that a change s as good as a rest, and it was, I thoroughly enjoyed my little self.

So, will I be looking for a change of direction with my photography?  Nah!!  Once a wedding photographer, always  a wedding photographer. You can't beat weddings and the excitement, buzz and emotion that comes with them. I thrive on the  the fact that the unexpected can, and very often does, happen at any time but most of all I love working with people.

 Bring on those weddings, I love 'em!

Love this weather!!

Ok, I know it causes chaos but you just have to love this weather.

Bob and me should have been at the first wedding fair of the season at Haighton Manor this evening but it has been cancelled due to, you've guessed it, the weather.

Oh well, there is nothing else for it, grab a camera and get outside!

It's a real treat getting out and shooting just for fun.  I'm back in the office now so you can get in touch with me as normal.

The wedding fair at Haighton Manor has been rescheduled for 10th February.

Enjoy the snow while it lasts.

Goodbye 2009 - Hello 2010!!!!

Happy New Year everyone. I hope it brings you everything you wish for.

I've been having a look through some of the photos I shot last year. In common with most photographers I like to get out and about with my camera and shoot some personal stuff when I'm off duty. In 2009 I managed to shoot over 3500 images just for the sheer  pleasure of it.  Here are some of my favourites, not necessarily because they are amazing images, mostly  just because they bring back nice memories.  Hope you enjoy them.

 Photographer's Favourites

This was taken on a weekend away in the peak District. Poor Bob, I nearly walked his legs off while we were here.

Love, love love this image. It's like it's raining sunshine.  The effect was created by using my lensbaby. That's 'my lensbaby' - not 'my lens, baby.'  What do you think?  It's not a lens you'll see me using at weddings as the results are completely unpredictable - and that's why I love it.

Fairies, dragons, princesses and knights at Hoghton Tower during the summer. These little princesses are our grand daughters.

I think this one was hiding from the dragons!

Aaah, spring time.  In the woods on my hands and knees, covered in mud,  and looking for bluebells.  Found some!!  Odd? Me? What do you mean?

This was taken in the grounds of Chatsworth House. Bob and me went to a friends 'posh do' in Sheffield and decided to make the weekend of it.  Good times.

During the summer I joined a walking group. The Wednesday night 2 hour walk was always a bit of a challenge. Not so much a walk as a slow ish jog.  Some of the views were spectacular.

This exotic sunset was taken from - our front drive!   I was thrilled when this image was used for the cover of a glossy magazine.

Norway

In May Bob and me went to Norway for a weeks holiday. One day he'll get to go somewhere warm, sunny and touristy (or  possibly not).   I can honestly say we have never been soaked through and freezing cold so many times in one week - and we loved every minute of it. Norway is magical, you can point your camera in any direction and get a decent picture  - ahem. What I mean is that with my vastly superior camera skills and expert eye I got some nice images. (Phew, think I got away with that!)

 I didn't think you'd want to see all 650 of my shortlist so here are a few of my absolute  favourites.   If you enjoy looking at other people's holiday snaps then there are loads more of the Norway images on Flickr

This little chap made me smile, not so scary as trolls go but very, very cute.

This cross was in the grounds of a very beautiful and old church in Olden.

Briksdal Glacier

Bob was convinced I was trying to kill him, he's not used to heavy duty walking, especially in the pouring rain. It was worth the trek, the glacier, and this is only a tiny bit of it was awe inspiring. To give you an idea of the scale - can you see the teeny tiny little twelve person dinghy to the left of the glacier, near the rock face?

We saw a lot of street art while we were there, some of it was really interesting - some of it I daren't show you!!!!

This is what a waterfront village looks like from the top of a very tall ship if you use a fish eye lens.

These last two images are of the fjord as we sailed into Olden.  Can you hear Grieg's, 'The death of Aase'  playing gently in the background? Seriously though, it was very moving, I'd go again in a heartbeat.

  Meet The family

In common with most mothers I wanted a family portrait of my rapidly expanding family.   I wanted something that reflected our personalities so there was no way we'd be sitting all neat and posed for more than a nanosecond.  This was my favourite out of them all.

"Hang on' I can hear you thinking, 'how did you manage to take the picture if you're in it?'

Good question.

I asked my very good friend Sheila if she'd do the honours.

Didn't she do well?

So there it is, my 2009 round up. Hope you enjoyed it.

Merry Christmas to one and all

Bob and me would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas

and

a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year

Now it's time to play in the snow!!!!! YIPPPEEE!!!!

 (sings) Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock...........

In search of Narnia

icy, originally uploaded by lesley v.

To celebrate the snow that has landed just in time for Christmas I thought I'd share this picture with you from last year.