So I donned my tux and switched on the cameras, the rest was laid out before me to record. What a great job this is...
Read moreWedding Photography at Loseley Park...
"...A lovely day with good people - it's why doing this job is a pleasure..."
Read moreWedding photography at Royal Hospital Chelsea...
The reality of shooting weddings, or any function which includes outdoor activity in the UK, means for 365 days a year you’re exposed to a potentially grumpy British climate. I guess it’s the fact that there's no control that leads to the constant concern over the elements, but I’m going to try and show why it needn’t be that way...
I can recall days in mid-November which felt warmer than those in June, and by the same token viewing forecasts which never mentioned rain, but soon after became a little soggy. We've all been been there, it’s all part of it. In my opinion, though, it really shouldn’t affect the proceedings too much if you have a good team on-board. Just such wedding days are really rare, trust me - they are, and when the skies close in all you can do is roll with it.
Introducing Lucy & Graylyn, who just laughed at the skies and got on with it. What massive credit they’re due. More to the point is Lucy knew it was coming, all the apps called it correctly, but even then she smiled and just focused on the fact she was getting married, the joy of which cancelled out any negativity.
After the lovely ceremony the State Apartments of Royal Hospital Chelsea, we all set off (senses of humour intact) for the short walk through the Ranelagh Gardens and the reception. The rain just kept coming, but RHC’s Sarah Preston and her team kept the day perfectly on-track and in such a situation how could anybody not have a blast.
Thanks to Mr & Mrs Loomis for allowing me to use some of their shots. I love working at the venue and always look forward to going back wearing either my wedding or corporate hat. It’s a little slice of idyl amid the streets of Chelsea…
(Click any thumbnail to view)
Wedding photography at The ICA...
"As soon as Becky and Nick rocketed around the dance floor like complete pros, I was unsure whether I could capture the movement and energy of the routine..."
Read moreWedding photography at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel...
"With drinks over, I shadowed the wedding party all the way to check-in for Paris..."
Read moreWedding photography at Kew Gardens...
"... Kew Gardens and a sunny August day, the perfect match. It’s an interesting location on any day of the year, but switch on some lush, bright light and the place just buzzes..."
Read moreLa La Land... fun and dance
"... This is a film that I think will forever change my approach to shooting dancing at weddings..."
Read moreWedding photography at Fetcham Park...
Characters aplenty, a chocolate box country church, even the vicar was a great guy – shooting this wedding was like falling off a log. Plus, it was my birthday.
Read moreWedding Photography at The Ace Hotel...
"Ros and Greg’s laid back Christmas week wedding at the Ace Hotel will act as a fitting opening chapter when I pen my Manual Of Hip…"
Read moreCool stuff: the work of Herbert Ponting
"Ponting's work is a masterclass on why monochrome is effective, evocative and yet so strikingly simple - the images transport the viewer into the scene..."
Read moreObtaining stills from High Res video... The future? (video)
"If the production crew on movie or advertising shoot can record footage and then go back later and extract a publishable, high-end still frame from whichever section of the take they wish, then by and large the unit photographer's role will diminish considerably..."
Read moreWedding photography at Kew Gardens...
"This church has a truly fantastic heritage. It is said that flames from London’s Great Fire of 1666 came with 100 meters of the building before the wind changed direction..."
Read moreFrom the archive... #21
Sometimes a memorable photograph is all about what you can't see. And what nobody can view in this shot is my sheer relief, because I'm on the cusp of a brief sit down and bite to eat following 8 hours solid photography at a shoot in central London the day after Boxing Day.
As the guests seated in the ICA's stunning Nash Room for their wedding breakfast, I just loved the way the light hit the walls and overall quiet nature of the shot. Of course, wander back into the room and you would be hit with chat, music and atmosphere - but from only a few feet outside it's a much calmer scene.
About 90 minutes later the room would erupt to the sound of applause and laughter during the speeches - but by then I'd had my sandwich and espresso and all was once again right with the world...
Wedding photography at The ICA, London
I love The ICA. It’s a crisp, clean canvass on which to paint. Shelley and Alex obviously felt the same because their extremely laid-back wedding could easily be pictured in the Oxford English Dictionary under “cool”.
At every pre-wedding meeting, we would usually spend about 45 minutes chatting about stuff in general - then fill the last 10% of our time actually speaking about ideas and timings for their day! These guys are stylish: their main brief was that there was no brief.
After half an hour or so at the stunning St Martin’s Lane Hotel shooting the preparations it was a short walk across to the ICA in Carlton House Terrace to catch up with Alex and record the final few moments before the ceremony.
I always revel in the countdown nature to this part of the day. It goes from quiet, to a few people, to everybody - and then that wonderful wedding day tension reaches its climax with the arrival of the Bride. Suddenly there are pictures everywhere and it’s like trying to keep plates spinning.
I’ve been working in London for over twenty years, but every time I walk under Admiralty Arch and down The Mall, it hits me what an amazing city this is. This point is surely never lost on family and friends attending a wedding at The ICA, located at the very epicentre of our famous capital. Buckingham Palace five mins down that way, Churchill’s bunker and war rooms across the road, Horse Guard’s Parade behind that - all with Big Ben and London Eye watching over the scene. Amazing.
This day just flowed. Everything gelled happily and, departing mid-evening, I felt I’d seen a wedding exactly as it should be done. As little fuss as you can make it and as much enjoyment as you can pack in. Good for them.
Below, as usual, are only a few from the overall commission. Click any thumbnail to enlarge...
From the archive... #19
Kids at a wedding: honest, unpredictable and always great value for a photographer.
This little fella was getting itchy pants awaiting the bride and simply wouldn't keep still. I hesitate to use the word 'stalk', but I did track him around the church in a weird game of 43 year old cat and 4 year old mouse. The old cat won...
This image is also a perfect example of where monochrome really brings more to a shot than colour. A bright background and low-light foreground emphasise contrast, and in this situation colour would soften the effect and lessen the moment.