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Michael and Amy

Added Saturday 23rd May 2009

When I arrived at the Falcon Hotel in the morning, at first I walked straight past Amy. Her back was toward me, and by the way she was dressed i assumed she was a rather early guest. I was looking for a frantic girl in a dressing gown, but Amy looked very pretty on the morning of her wedding, even before she got ready.

Here are just a few photographs from Michael and Amy's wonderful wedding at the beginning of the month. But from the start, I just have to say that I had the most fun with these two, and took so many lovely photographs, it was really, really hard to choose a few for the blog. You'll have to go and check out their featured images gallery!

Amy's makeup was handled by maid of honour (and birthday girl) Katie, while Amy hums Dolly Parton songs quietly to herself, and doesn't think we notice.

The boys, assembling in the very grand St. Peter's Church in Raunds. I've worked here before, and I just love the dramatic wide aisle and grand stained glass windows. With so many floral arrangments too it looked really beautiful for the wedding.

I'd like to thank the lovely Reverend Shena Bell for allowing me to take these wonderful pictures of the wedding ceremony. It's so great when a minister understands that my job is to document real emotions and provide a permanent memory for the bride and groom. I was truly honoured to stand so close and see these two lovely people commit their lives to one another.

Michael and Amy pulled away from the church in style in a specially outfitted VW love-bug! And I laughed out loud when I saw Michael himself drive into the Falcon, with the chauffer lying down on the back seat. This hub-cap shot was I must confess, the idea of a guest. Just... be careful with your angle when you photograph people in a convex curved mirror, ok?

Crazy in love, huh? Such a sweet couple. Amy told us here that Michael is her lobster. And look at him grinning like a cheshire cat!

You're an ANIMAL! Grrr baby!

Just check this bride out. Amy you're very beautiful, and looked absolutely classic all day.

After a brief romantic dance, the evening really kicked off. Clare is wearing the infamous headband and rocking it out. Words can't describe. Well, maybe one word is greater than or equal to.

At the end of the evening (the end of my evening I should say!) Michael and Amy launched these lanterns, which were covered in all the guests wishes and prayers for their future life together. Did I mention that the D700 can shoot in the dark? What's that you say? three or four times? Oh, ok. It was a beautiful and romantic end to what I always knew would be a wonderful wedding. Since meeting Michael and Amy last year we've really hit it off and I've been looking forward to working with them. Thank you guys for everything, especially the place at a table with your crazy Cambridge friends. Let's hang out soon!

Andrew and Krystal

Added Tuesday 19th May 2009

Last week I met with Andrew and Krystal to recce their wedding venue, Henley golf and Country Club.

Here's Krystal, working it!!

We had one heck of a windy day to compete with here. It was raining on and off too, but the club has a lot of nice spots for photos in all weather, so I'm not at all worried.

It was fun to see you two and take your pictures! Let's meet up soon? Prints will be in the post soon!

James and Charlotte

Added Thursday 7th May 2009

Earlier in April I was privileged to photograph the most impressive and beautiful wedding of James and Charlotte. Penshurst Place in Kent is a perfect venue, absolutely full of wonderful places to shoot. We barely scratched the surface!

Charlotte getting dolled up! Makeup was expertly handled by the talented Laura Jane Dexter

Georgie and Julie lacing up Charlotte's gorgeous Margaret Lee dress.

And the boys, looking good. Rishi was James's best man, and flew in specially from the USA.

Charlotte's top-flight bridesmaids (left to right) James's sister Felicity, and Rebecca and Georgina, Charlotte's sisters. I mean, these girls were elite! You really can't help falling in love just a little bit!!

But seriously, it was so much fun to be amongst these two lovely families for the day. They made me particularly welcome, and I was therefore able to get all the natural, genuine emotional images I wanted. Here, Michael is ready to walk the first of his three lovely daughters up the aisle.

The church was only a couple of minutes walk from the house, and all set in the beautiful old village of Penshurst, with lovely old beams, passageways and scenic views.

Don't they look really, really happy?!

Vintage cars provided by local firm AJM.

The Baronial hall dates back to the 14th Century and can only be heated by the log fire in the centre of the room. The staff at Penshurst were excellent, and cater for weddings with extreme professionalism. Thanks and happy birthday too to Mary, who looked after us for the day!

Charlotte's lovely Mum Julie, who I've very much enjoyed corresponding with by email in the run up to the wedding.

As I said, there are so many great places to shoot at Penshurst. I hope James and Charlotte will let me take them back there some time for a post-wedding shoot!

Georgina, enjoying the stories that Michael was sharing about his daughter's childhood!

I love Charlotte's look of surprise! I think James's idea in hiring a best man who'd been overseas a few years was that he wouldn't have any of the latest embarrassing stories to tell. But Rishi found them alright!

Enjoying their first dance together as husband and wife. James and Charlotte, your wedding was just perfect. One of my favourites. And you're such a sweet couple, it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for choosing me as your wedding photographer!

Emma and Craig - a fairytale romance

Added Tuesday 5th May 2009

A few short years ago - once upon a time, in fact - a beautiful girl (and aspiring princess) met the man of her dreams. In her handsome Craig, Emma found a true love, and naturally wanted to celebrate their forthcoming wedding in keeping with the theme she felt in her heart - a fairytale romance.

We walked around the beautiful gardens of Somerford Hall and talked about their plans, stopping here and there to take some great photographs.

Emma's a deeply beautiful girl, and took to this posing business right away. Under Craig's adoring gaze she went from wallflower (ahem, supposedly!) to model in under sixty seconds!

Just loved this crumbly old pagoda. Apart from being suitably 'fairytale' for our purposes, it's so cool to juxtapose something old and rugged with something young and pretty.

Of course the other thing you notice about Craig and Emma is how affectionate and romantic they are with each other. When they kiss in photos, they don't just kiss, they kiiiissss!! And they laugh out loud like no-one's watching. It's so much fun to shoot.

I'm really excited about working at Somerford Hall in June. We didn't even spend much time indoors, we were having so much fun outside, but it's a wonderful old home with some lovely architecture and features. We're going to have to work fast to do everything we want to on the wedding day! We'll probably end up having to come back!

Thank you guys for showing me this little glimpse into your relationship. And we haven't even started yet!! You're so clearly in love. I can tell because you can't keep your hands off each other! And it will all only get better with marriage. It's going to be a wonderful day, indoors or outdoors, and I can't wait to celebrate with all your adoring fans, family and friends.