In the morning Tina took her mum to have her hair done.  The other sisters stayed at the hotel decorating the room and welcoming the guests arriving.  It was as lovely as a wedding with a harpist playing, a photographer hired tables with beautiful centre pieces, a bouquet for mum, a seating plan, gift table, champagne, cake and lots of absolutely gorgeous framed old black and white photographs from Martin & Gaynor’s original wedding day decorating the room.

The tables where named after all the places where Martin & Gaynor have lived over the years as they do not like to stay in one place for too long!

The girls all gave a moving and funny speech for their parents.  Dad then did really well giving a great speech too considering he had no time at all to plan it.

Below are some of my favourite images from the day.  I have included lots of images of  Martin & Gaynor’s expressions as they walked round the corner to find all their close family and friends all waiting.

I must say looking at these again makes me feel very guilty on my parents as I only got them a card on their ruby anniversary.  I will make it up to them though.

The whole wedding party where fantastic to work.  I enjoyed photographing all the preparations in the morning.  Below are some of my favourites images taken in the room that Vicky shared with her daughters, parents, best friend, sister & her family to get ready in.

Despite  there being so many people getting ready in one area the rooms where calm and happy.  I did not manage to get many images of Vicky getting dressed as she was rushed off into the bathroom as the hotel staff told Vicky that the registrars where waiting downstairs for her and she needed to hurry into her dress.

Ben was pretty relaxed and chose some fantastic music for Vicky to enter the room too (The Beatles).  Ben had his two best friends as his best men and Vicky had her their two daughters as her flower girls.

Vicky looked stunning in her dress and her new husband looked handsome in his suit too.   It was very beautiful to see them with their daughters such a beautiful young family who where all a pleasure to photograph.

The reception was held in the old chapel. The chapel is a stunning room and is a unique venue for a wedding reception with intricately painted high ceilings.  I was very happy to set up the Clear Moments Photo booth  in the room as requested.

The guests queued up to have their photographs taken at the Booth.  Some of those evening images with Clear Moments Photo booth can be seen here

The dance floor was packed all night with lots of guests on the dance floor gettin’ down.  Heres are a few images from the day.

Heres some images from a recent wedding that I photographed at Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor, Berkshire.  As a documentary wedding photographer I enjoy taking photographs of the wedding as it happens in a story telling style so setting up the photo booth is a completely different style of photography.  The contrast from the day images to the evening images offer the bride and groom the best of all worlds I guess.  They receive the natural reportage wedding images followed by lots of fun and posed family photographs from the evening reception.  I also get a chance to go off and take images of people relaxing and enjoying themselves in between shooting at the booth as well as the very important first dance!

At this wedding I photographed a few weeks ago the bride bought a selection of props along with her and I have to say the guests loved this and it made my job very easy too.

Heres a few favourites from the evening.

I have to admit the boy had to jump about four times before I captured him in the air!The bride and groom The grooms sister and her family – It was great seeing this family again as I had photographed their friends wedding a few months ago too.  I love it when I bump into brides, grooms and guests from past weddings. The men loved the props the most I think
The ladiesThe flower girl was the first at the booth

The Photo Booth can be set up in a corner of the wedding reception

They picked a beautiful wedding venue.  The ceremony barn, parish church and reception venue are all just a few minutes away from each other & it has one of the best honeymoon suites I have seen, it is always a real pleasure to photograph the bride getting ready in the morning in this room.

Stephanie & Mathew married in the ceremony barn and the service was followed by a blessing in the church of St. Nicholas.  As Stephanie & Mathew exited the church there was the longest the queue I had ever witnessed of guests waiting to throw confetti over the happy couple.

Mathew had two best men but despite this Stephanie decided to make a speech and I have to say she nailed it.  She was funny and a natural.

Stephanie & Mathew are a fun young couple and they just wanted everyone to have a relaxed and happy day.  I love the way they made Mathew’s children a large part of the wedding day and even surprised all their guests by including the children in their first dance.

Below are a few images from their very special day.

I decided to get into London early on my own and take some images on the street for a few hours first.

This was good as I got to test my new lens in all different lighting conditions throughout the day before I used it on a wedding.

Going out and taking images like the ones below are good for me in many ways.  It is good to enjoy different types of photography as it keeps you excited and passionate about your job always.  After doing photography for sixteen years I am passionate about documentary photography and going out on days like these help me observe people and guess what there next move might be.  As a documentay wedding photographer it is important to observe and listen and wait for the right moment.

I cannot wait to get a fuji x100 soon so that I can head out with a fantastic little camera rather then carry round a heavy digital slr.

Below is a small selection from some that I took.

Lunch time in a London Park near South Bank with some visitorsWalking towards Oxford StreetLooking out for interesting reflections and find this rather yummy one
I was actually lost at this point too and waiting to ask directions Easter Time in Oxford StreetLooking at reflections, lines and shapes at the underground stationBeautiful and full of tourists – South bankSome evening images around London

The weather included sleet, wind and rain on our way and was generally rubbish.  I though it was because we where up north but turns out it was the same down South too. Once in Focus on imaging me and my friends split up and did our own things until lunch time.

First stand I see as I walked in was Canon.  I see a queue and asked what it was for and was really pleased when the lady said it was Jeff Ascough talking so I jumped in the queue – Great start to the day!  Last time I was here all those years ago I actually attended one of Jeff’s seminars.  His images where stunning and really inspiring and his talk on documentary wedding photography was really helpful.  I left the talk feeling like I had learnt quite a lot.

I then thought I’d have a look at Jacobs stand as have had my eye on the 24mm lens and wanted to purchase one very soon.  Another surprise – I found myself purchasing it right there and then  Not planned to make such a big purchase there, however there was a show offer and I could not resist!

I have had my eye on this lens for a month now & thanks to lots of  recent wedding bookings I felt ready to treat myself

I watched  a few demonstrations that where of interest to me including the ones on studio lighting below.  I really enjoyed watching a demonstration on some software that has been on my wish list too.  I must say I did not carry my main camera I just took my trusty handbag Canon S90.  Not sure why so many people walk round with their big cameras round their necks with flashes attached??  Unless they are using them to film the demonstrations maybe.

I enjoyed watching a few lighting demonstrations here 

It was an excellent day out my only disappointments where the lack of freebies and not managing to see everyone.  If I lived nearer I would have gone back for another few hours another day.

Good bye Focus on Imaging – See you in 2013 xx

Running a full time business and being an almost full time mum (minus 1-2 days a week of childcare) left little time for me to socialise with other photographers over the last five years.  My youngest started school in September  & although I really loved being with her as much as possible, I also looked forward to having more time to spend on the business so I was surprised when I started crying the moment I reached my front door after dropping her off on her first day.  Despite the tears it has obviously been the best thing that could happen for my business & for Sienna too – as she loves school and was totally ready for it.

I am now attending seminars again which are a breathe of fresh air. I love learning anyway so really appreciate having the time to go and listen to some really inspiring documentary wedding photographers such as Jeff Ascough and Kevin Mullins.  I also now have time to meet other mummy photographers on my days off.  The emotional support and laughs are great therapy and the coffee is not bad too

Every January I go to see my good friend Neil Palmer with a few bottles of  something to say thanks for always being there for me.  Neil is a lovely, talented local photographer who has helped me out right from the start and if I have a question he is always there.  In return I have recommended Neil for jobs over the years.  I hope to see him more and maybe goto more seminars with him again now life is calming down a little.

This weekend I went to a photography exhibition called Focus on Imaging with some photography friends who I have not seen for years and it was so good to have a laugh on the way up to Birmingham and have a good old chat about equipment and work

As well as the emotional & inspiring benefits from having friends in the industry. I have also just booked two weddings this week as a result of my fellow photographers recommending me to their clients as they are unavailable on the requested dates.  How excellent is that?  I feel pretty honoured about that and as with all weddings will do my very best on the day.

I find twitter brilliant for meeting great photographers and keeping up to date with loads of really cool information and courses.  I am looking forward to meeting face to face with some friends that I have met through twitter this weekend as we go on a London night walk with out cameras, shooting for ourselves and trying some new stuff.

I am also looking forward to sharing a beer (well glass rose) with some other friends I have met though twitter next month when we attend Jeff Ascough’s two day seminar in Watford.

Hannah together with her brother and sister wanted to treat their parents on their ruby wedding anniversary.   Hannah asked her parents what they would really like and her mum chose a family portrait session at home.

So we got a date in our diaries one day in December I loaded the car up with all my gear and drove down to the parents home  in Hampshire to be greeted with a lovely happy family and their big cat who also joined the family in a few shots too.

What lovely children to think and plan such a lovely  wedding anniversary present?  This made me feel really guilty as my parents had not long had their ruby wedding anniversary and all I got them was a special card!

We took lots of different images indoors then moved in to the garden for some winter shots too.

Heres a couple of my favourites.

Location family shoots and home shoots are very popular as people can get ready in the comfort of their own home and have the studio come to them resulting in natural images.

So if you want a photographer taking over your living room or meeting you in a beautiful, favourite location to shoot your family where they feel most comfortable please give me a call or email for a quote.

Ok lets start with some fun facts this valentines day.

• In medieval times girls would eat some bizarre foods on St. Valentine s Day to make them dream of their future husband.
• In 1537 King Henry VII declared February 14th the holiday of St Valentines Day.
• In the 1800s Physicians commonly advised their patients to eat chocolate to help them stop missing their loved ones.
• 73% of flowers bought on valentines day are bought by men.  Leaving 27% being bought by women.
• The red rose was the favourite flower of the roman goddess of love – Venus

I just wanted to write a short personal post to wish everyone a really happy valentines day. What are you doing today?  I hope whatever it is you are happy.

I hope everyone gets to do something a little bit special for their loved ones today even if it just making a little extra time to spend time together, making an extra cup of tea, doing the washing up, putting the kids to bed.  I think it is the little things that you do today and every day, that do not have to cost money that is important and any presents are a bonus.  Saying that I always love to get a card on Valentines morning.

My husband has took the night off his hobby tonight which is a lovely surprise as life been pretty busy and  and I am looking forward to eating dinner and chilling together with a film or watching something from sky plus later whilst sharing his chocolate.  My husband really spoilt me this year & treated me to a small box of  chocolates (I have already eaten most of them!) and ugg boots this morning – I am soooo happy as I really miss my old ugg boots (which pretty much fell apart!) and did not dare treat myself to a new pair for quite a while.

If anyone has been proposed to please let me know I would love to write a feature about you and maybe photograph your wedding too.  That would be great.

I am off now to make some heart shaped biscuits with my little girl for daddy. She has really spoilt her parents today with cards, paintings and heart shaped models.  So cute.

Luke & Jen are such kind and relaxing people  to be around and truly deserve all the love and happiness in the world.

It was back in October  last year that I photographed Jen & Lukes wedding.  It was a really sunny day (see all the photos outside the church) & a lovely local wedding for me starting off just 5 mins down the road from me.

Jen attends the church weekly so it was a beautiful personal service with lots of laughs as well as beautiful words of course.

I always enjoy photographing the Crowne Plaza too which is a great venue for any reception by the Thames.

Jen, Luke all their friends and family where a pleasure to photograph.  Ollie behaved brilliantly.  Jen and Luke are a made for each other and the wedding ceremony & speeches where beautiful with so much emotion and love and laughter.