Yesterday I photographed my last wedding of the year! Alex and Grace had a wonderful day, and we took some amazing photos. I still have to show you Tom and Anita's pictures first, but here are the cool and ultra-original table favours Alex and Grace provided for their female guests.
I always find it hard to get into the Christmas spirit until I've bought and wrapped all my presents. So last week I got the last of them, and since then, I've loved walking round town, looking at the lights and Christmas trees. But I didn't have a lot to do to get ready - I'm spending Christmas with my wonderful family. I am cooking stew for lots of people on Christmas eve though (with adult supervision, of course.)
Christmas is a funny thing. Especially with news of recession, fears of poor high street sales and household names going bust, it reminds me not to focus too much on the material things. I enjoyed these words from the cheesy Christmas CD that's in my car stereo right now (I still believe that anything that rhymes must be true)
What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary
If you're struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, go to a Christmas/carol service. Singing with other people is a brilliant way to get the oxygen going, and feel like a part of something much bigger. Most churches have notice-boards outside, or websites you could look up, and they'll be expecting a ton of new folks to come along. I'm looking forward to midnight mass at St. Alphege in Solihull on Christmas eve, and I can definitely recommend it. Shout if you'd like some friendly folks to go with!
As for the promised reindeer, I have to confess, they weren't laid on especially for you, but were snapped on honeymoon in Finland by my dear friends Andy and Sarah, who I went to visit last week.
I'd just like to wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas. Especially to those 58 super-fabulous, glamourous, handsome, beautiful people who are spending their first Christmas together as husband and wife! But whoever and wherever you are, and whether you have particular reason to feel happy or sad during these holidays, I pray you'll have peace and love, and know all of God's blessings in 2009.
Andy and Sarah - SNEAK PREVIEW!!
Added Tuesday 9th December 2008
OK, I can't keep them to myself any longer. I just have to share with you the best wedding I ever shot. Apart from being generally amazing, it's the best because I love these two wonderful people so much. Sarah and Andy are such close friends, and it was a joy to spend their special day with them.
I probably can't even tell you how great it was. But I'll try soon! I haven't been able to get near these pictures without smiling like an idiot. So here are a few, and there will be more to come soon!
By the way, these are what the pictures look like, straight out of the camera. I haven't yet done anything to them!
There's my gorgeous one. Check out those hot curves. Ahh, the Yamaha APX-4A in flamed-sunburst, with fresh martin strings.
And what kind of lovely people serve cups of tea after the ceremony on a cold day?!!
Andy being formally welcomed into the family by Lesley, Sarah's lovely Mum.
Ah, now. Here is my partner in crime. Kyle's been busting to get onto my blog for a while now! Wedding video is only his night job. By day, he's a kind of Uber-Webmaster. Kyle doesn't just make websites, he makes websites that make websites. His company, Created Media, did the clever bits of my site, including the guts behind this very blog! If you're in the market for a church website, you already know about Church Edit, just book them. But you might not yet have heard of Plus Edit for your business and ecommerce websites. Give them a try!!
Chris and Donna
Added Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Chris and Donna were married on the 22nd of November at the Ramada Jarvis hotel in Solihull.
Donna's room was awesome, complete with spiral staircase and balcony, expertly modelled here by Amy and Chloe.
With Dad, ready to go!
What do Nicholas Cage's 1967 GT500 and this group have in common? Both 'gone in sixty seconds'. It was absolutely freezing that afternoon, so Chris, Donna and I were grateful to everyone for nipping out and back in again quickly for a photo. I think it's fun to have one shot of absolutely everyone.
And what's even funner? Group hugs to keep warm! To the left of this cosy group is Michelle, Donna's sister and chief bridesmaid. Michelle was married in this same venue ten years ago. Doesn't quite seem possible, actually.
Just look at them! I love this photograph. Once you airbrush out the goosebumps, you're left with a beautiful moment, with the wind just catching Donna's hair and the autumn leaves, as the happy couple share a kiss.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"
Chris and Donna, your wedding day was special, warm, and friendly. I enjoyed every minute of it, watching you make your vows and move amongst your family and friends. I wish you every happiness this Christmas and ever after!
The greatest wedding camera ever
Added Monday 1st December 2008
I know I may be stretching your interest ever so slightly, but I couldn't help but tell you about my new best friend, the Nikon D700. I took a trip down to Grays of Westminster, a lovely old camera shop full of the finest range of Nikon gear you can see. The shop is frequented by everyone from pros like me, through to classic camera collectors asking each other whether this "digital" will really catch on or not.
The D700 has plenty of killer features that make it in my opinion, the finest wedding camera you can get. But by far my favourite is the larger, FX digital sensor. This gives a far better signal-to-noise ratio at high ISO sensitivity. Put simply? This camera can practically see in the dark!
Unfortunately, the FX sensor required me to upgrade some lenses, so the 70-200mm f2.8 joins the 24-70 and a couple of prime lenses in my (bigger) camera bag. This thing's a beast - I'm still ever so slightly scared of it! But it's absolutely stunning at shooting from far away, in the dark, with a beautiful perspective.
The new kit got it's first live run at Chris and Donna's wedding on the 22nd. Their pictures will be online soon, but here are a couple, taken in all ambient light, no flash.
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