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David and Carina's engagement photos

Added Monday 31st August 2009

Last week I met with David and Carina for their engagement session. They are to be married in February at St. Michael's in their lovely home village of Aynho.

Some cool photos in the grounds of St. Michael's church.

The reception is to be at Bicester golf and country club. It seems like every time I come here they keep building things!

David and Carina have a fun, informal, joyful wedding planned, with lots of laughter and happiness, and even the odd surprise! So I can't wait!

God is in the details

Added Friday 21st August 2009

My friends, let me tell you something I've learned while witnessing so many weddings up close:

"God is in the details" (Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)

A little while ago I tagged along with a good friend to shoot a wedding she had booked. Her regular helper was unavailable, and I just fancied a 'ridealong'! So there I was!

These shots, rather than covering the whole story (which wasn't my job) are my pick of the details. And I'll tell you as we go, what I saw when I took them, and what I've seen since viewing them. Oh, and I've COMPLETELY abandoned my usual alphabetical twenty six letter limit here and chosen forty one pictures! If you want to see shots of my friend at work (another good reason for a photographer to bring a second shooter), you'll have to add me on facebook.

This is just a room waiting for its guests, and a dancefloor waiting for some dancers. I like how the black squares reflect the room more than the white ones.

I take this shot a lot, and I'm not sure why! I like the wood and the stone, I think.

A nice, maybe new watch, and a bare finger.

Doing his job.

Ah, the smiley-est wee kid in the world!! This adorable little one was grinning at me the second she saw my big camera, and didn't stop!

Even waving at me!

And the other little angel. These have to be the happiest pair of flower girls I ever saw.

The support of a great friend, who's been here before (he's wearing a ring).

Is that a glistening tear, ready to fall?

Happy families

Beautiful girls

A perfect spot for a portrait, and WHAT a portrait?! Smouldering, absolutely smouldering.

Some lovely light, and a little grin at something or other.

Details, remember. The necklace, the hair...

Yummy light.

Dum dum da-dum

Yummy is the word!

You give me butterflies...

Stretching out that ring finger

First kiss

A glance, and a private grin

Involuntarily grinning from ear to ear!

Joined.

Baby smelling the flowers like the big girls were.

Another look at that finger.

Wind

A private look

REAL kisses

I guess she doesn't really understand what this is all about. But she understands one thing alright. Her Mummy looks like a princess, and so does she. What more do you need?

Haha, my take on the formal group photos!

Crazy-beautiful light, and a walk in the golden hour

Kisses on the head

Soft evening light, blurry wobbly purple stuff and a happy couple.

Bingo.

A very handsome - and may I say lucky - fellow.

Andrew and Rowena

Added Thursday 20th August 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the wonderful world of Andrew and Rowena! It was so fun to share this public glimpse into the cute love-life of this lovely young couple.

Here we start with Rowena, or Ro, as she'll now be called and her flower girls Esther and Ruth. Back when we met, Ro explained to me that she would be wearing the most awesome pair of shoes ever, and to be sure to get loads of pictures of them. So I did. The customer's always right.

Here's Ro, sporting the sparkliest pair of shimmery diamondy shoes you ever saw.

And getting prettified. Ro had an unusually calm air about her that morning. It was as though I was just hanging out with her at points, which is nice!

Did I mention that this bride chose the sparkliest pair of shoes you ever saw?!

And all laud and honour to Laura, greatest maid of honour in the world. Ro was telling me how much this wonderful friend means to her as she arrived in the room to lace her up.

Andrew and his best man, his brother Matthew, at Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church. It was fun to see Andrew and Ro at their home church, where they worship regularly. There was just a great atmosphere there.

Now, this is something brides and politicians have in common. Kissing babies is a very good thing. It's like a photographer's reflex - half an eye on the bride at all times and then "WOAH, there's a baby!"

The Moor Hall Hotel has the most excellent 'secret gardens' for some lovely photographs.

Andy and Ro shared their first dance to the awesome, room-swelling sound of a big band. Really stylish, I can tell you. It was a pleasure to share this special day, and our faith with you guys and to document your love. Wishing you every blessing!

Trevor and Cheryl's wedding

Added Tuesday 4th August 2009

I celebrated my birthday with Trevor and Cheryl this year!! They made me feel very welcome and at home throughout all their wedding celebrations. Here's Cheryl, being beautified.

Isn't she gorgeous?

The Church of the Ascension is one of the easiest churches to photograph I've ever been in! 360 degree skylight windows, white walls, beautiful glass and best of all, space to get all over the place without disturbing anyone!

You know, I've heard the words of 1 Corinthians 13 a thousand times. But they never get old! One of the things I love about the bible is that whilst it's an incredibly complicated book that better scholars than me spend their entire lives trying to unravel, you can also dip right in and get the WHOLE message in just a few lines.

Preachers are very fond of explaining that 1 Corinthians 13 is not just about romantic love, but about how we should all love one another. This is true, but it's still a pretty good recipe for a healthy marriage. I know for a fact that Trevor and Cheryl ground their relationship in these principles, which made it all the more special for me to see their marriage so close.

Just beautiful.

Trevor's a big guy! The sort of guy that men look up to. So it's very touching to see his emotions get the better of him as his lovely bride walks up the aisle.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man...

with this ring, I thee wed...

those whom God has joined together, let no one divide.

The wedding reception was held at the Abbey Hotel in Redditch, where guests enjoyed good food and drink, and so much laughter!

Some awesome light here!

Trevor, obviously being very very funny.

And I have to say, there was a lot of really great music throughout the reception and evening. This happy couple even gave us all a CD of their favourite tracks to enjoy on the way home. An oh-so-cool end to a really great day!