July 19, 2014
Shooting to a theme
Once in a while I get asked to photograph a wedding that has been designed with a prominent theme in mind and these can be challenging but are always a huge amount of fun. So when my best friend Kelly, (also my assistant who is often to be found hiding behind a reflector!), and her now husband Mark were planning on a themed wedding, I was so excited to be involved. I was to be assisting her this time with some of the design and styling of the outfits, but mainly I would be providing the photography of course! The 1920's was the theme and I couldn't wait!
Capturing the couple in theme took a combination of careful styling and considered use of original retro props, all in the grandeur of an amazing venue. I had planned to utilise all these constituents carefully, whilst employing a few lighting techniques and composition arrangements that would reflect certain elements of the chosen era. I couldn't wait to create what was to be a very special and unique album.
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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!
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June 18, 2014
Wedding, portrait & commercial photography
Over the last few months I have very much enjoyed the variety that my job can offer and with that, the challenges that present themselves through such a mixture of tasks. In this blog I just wanted to give you a little snapshot of my approach to some recent, more unusual projects with different aims and subject matter, but with a common incidental and unplanned theme: my brother's legs!
Two years ago this month I was privileged to be shooting a very special wedding in the stunning venue of Upwaltham Barns (Happy second Anniversary to Ricky and Kelly!). I was delighted that the image you see below was awarded a credit at the MPA Awards (Master Photographer Association), and it remains a firm family favourite from the day.
The stark green corrugated iron backdrop we were shooting against was the antithesis of everything 'weddingy' and this is the sort of irony that I love in photography, it helps inspire my creativity. What I felt was needed was a strong composition of the subjects with an element of humour to make the backdrop work in favour of the beautiful bride in white. So after some quick thinking, my brother Ricky ended up flat on his back with his legs up in the air!
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