A significant 'first'
July 03, 2014
My first ever wedding shoot
Back in April 2003 early in my career, I was training with one of the UK's leading photographers who gave me the opportunity and privilege to shoot my first ever wedding. The lucky couple (!) were Tammy and Barry who I'd met a year before when I'd photographed them on their engagement, so I was honoured to be able to capture their special wedding day too. The ceremony took place at St John's Cathedral, followed by a reception in the Royal Sailors Home Club (now Royal Maritime Club) both in Portsmouth, and needless to say it was a fantastic day that has gone down in history for all of us!
Nearly 11 years later I had a lovely surprise when the phone rang and it was Barry explaining that he was trying to arrange a surprise birthday present for Tammy. He asked if I'd be available to do a portrait shoot as it turned out that in those eleven years he and Tammy had produced two beautiful children who needed to be photographed while they were still young, sweet and innocent! The portrait shoot of five year old Isabella and Benji (nearly two), was to be the perfect surprise for Tammy. Barry was careful to arrange the finer details with me.
We chose the location of the woods as it was a winter shoot, and I love the colours and textures of the forest on a winter's day, they are so magical. I also find that children are often at their best being able to run about in a natural environment. The freedom that a bit of space offers, seems to help bring out their little characters as they navigate the likes of leafy pathways, fallen branches and muddy puddles.
So, Barry had strategically booked Tammy a hair appointment to get her out of the way whilst I got set up in the woods ready for the shoot. Having then picked Tammy up Barry encouraged her to have a little nap in the car on the journey home to which she helpfully obliged, so when he pulled up to the spot where I was in the woods, she was asleep! Poor Tammy literally opened her eyes to me waving at her through the passenger window, I probably gave her the fright of her life! Suffice to say, she was definitely surprised!
Thankfully Tammy quickly learnt the reason and purpose of this rude awakening and we were soon having a lovely time capturing some precious memories of Isabella and Benji playing together in the woods. It was really special for me to see this couple having now become a family and I really enjoyed spending a little time with their little ones.
Having been such a big day for me as well as them shooting their wedding 11 years back made this portrait shoot a very significant one and I am so grateful to have been a small part of this family's journey together. Thank you to Barry, Tammy, Isabella and Benji and here's to many more 'firsts' that become big contributions to the significant moments in our lives.