South Causey Inn Wedding

We started 2018 with a bang, a lovely wedding set in the fantastic South Causey Inn

We starter our coverage with Laura getting ready, a good chance to get to know everyone and warm up the camera finger!

We then had a look around the South Causey Inn and took some detail and scene setting shots, this is the ceremony room all ready for action, note the purple sashes - the colour is important

The cake was amazing, the couple have great danes, which explains the decorations on the front and are big comic fans, and chose agents of shield as a theme for the tables - which explains the superheroes exploding from the back of the cake

Gav had some amazing purple shoes, hand dyed and engraved with the wedding details

There was a lot of love and emotion on display at this wedding, with two lovely sets of families coming together to celebrate the wedding, this was the moment when Gav first saw Laura. The hand on the shoulder from his brother was a moving gesture that symbolised family support

There was time for some lovely romantic portraits in the grounds before the wedding breakfast

It was then time to party, with Gav getting ready to throw some shapes on the dance floor

We finished off the day with a nighttime portrait outside the Inn, and nearly got frost-bite, but it was worth it

The importance of training

Even though I have photographed many wedding and umpteen family shoots I still strongly believe in attending training events at least a couple of times per year. It's good to talk over technique with others and I always learn something that I can apply to my own business.

In early December I attended an evening photo-shoot organised by Phil Punton of Phil Punton Wedding photography, with several other like minded photographers in the really quite lovely St Mary Magdelene church in Medomsley Consett. I was a bit concerned as I left Newcastle in light snow, that I would get stuck in the wilds of county Durham, but it was fine in the end.

Phil had organised a wonderful real-life couple to act as model bride and groom, and also enlisted a church friend to be our vicar.

Here are a few shots from the night

  This was our set up with Phil kindly being the VAL (voice activated light-stand)

We ran through the normal process of a wedding, including an insight into Polish wedding customs from our couple that were a nice touch, as it was evening in December we mixed using an off camera flash with the church lights - the off camera techniques are really only for the post-ceremony shoot with the couple as this would be too disruptive to the service.

This did result in some lovely shots, the one above with the cross was lit with a single light behind the couple and the reflected light from the white dress and veil was picked up by the polished cross, (this was not added in photo-shop)

I also converted a number to black and white images as I liked the look and it helped bring out the details in the dress.

These images were all taken on the night and show the variety that can be achieved - I have a few good ideas to try out on my next few weddings once the 'safe' shots are in the bag. Hope you enjoyed looking and reading.

Doxford Hall Wedding

We were back at Doxford Hall near Alnwick in Northumberland last year for the Wedding of Lauren and Karl.
What a wonderful family occasion.

The best way to start the day with a bit of fizz

The boys also calmed their nerves, with matching hip-flasks

Olivia was a star on the day and amused herself when there was chaos all around

Doxford Hall staff were helpful as always, making sure the beautiful wedding dress was in pristine condition

Last minute preparations with Mum and bridesmaids

A bit of fun with the groomsmen whilst setting up the family photos, we had to move these inside as the weather was not good

The brides dad could finally relax after he gave a thoughtful and emotional speech

When the weather cleared up a little, we had to quickly pop outside for a picture in front of the hall

The rain came back in the evening, but we still went back outside (that's what umbrellas are for after all)

We have now photographed several weddings at Doxford Hall and on each occasion the venue was perfect for the couple. 

The staff are very friendly and ensure the whole day runs smoothly. 

If you would like us to photograph your Doxford Hall wedding please get in touch.

Bamburgh Castle Wedding

July saw us at one of the most outstanding ancient buildings in Northumberland, the magnificent Bamburgh castle

Bamburgh Castle with the majestic wedding car provided by Alnwick Wedding cars

The wedding was a wonderful family affair that had been long in the planning. The main hall at Bamburgh is a spectacular setting which looks so special, it almost looks like a stage set, except these items are real

Groom and best man waiting for the arrival of the Bride

Bride and Groom in the main hall at Bamburgh castle

There was also a special guest of honour at the ceremony, Lucky the West Highland white terrier who was so well behaved

Lucky with his bow tie and button hole

 Music was provided by the always excellent musicians Andrelli, and the classical approach was such a good fit in the setting

The Andrelli duo

 We had to dodge the showers a bit (despite it being July) but we did manage to get a small break in the clouds when the sun lit up the castle for about 30 seconds, we were so lucky to get this one

Bride, Groom and Bamburgh

Then it was on to the Pavillion in front of the castle for the reception and party

We couldn't resist one last shot of the castle as we left in the late evening

Practice, practice, practice

I am a strong believer in training and practice if you have ambitions to excel at things.

To that end I try to go on several training events each year, to not only learn from the the trainers but also other photographers attending the event.

I recently attended a training day at the fabulous Wynyard Hall near Durham, with Pete Bristo (a many times qualified photographer with just about every organisation going), with a working title of Chasing the Light.

We had a model bride and groom couple, who gave us something to photograph when we found the light, and made a believable looking couple even thought they only met each other on the morning of the course.

Sheryl, Pete's wife and second shooter made sure things ran on time and kept Pete on track when he wanted to wander 'off-piste' so to speak

There were seven photographers on the day and we all had ample shooting time.

We were coached in posing and finding the good light, we also had a play with a new light source, which had the added bonus of looking like a light sabre!! - Mine is on order obi-wan.

These are a few pictures from the day - can't wait to put some of what I've learned into this years weddings

Qualified wedding photographer

I have recently achieved Licentiate status with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (LSWPP) and can now use the Qualified Logo on my web-site

This is achieved by submitting a panel of 20 images from real weddings (no model shoots or study day images) for review by a a number of highly qualified and experienced wedding photographers who mark each image and decide if you have reached the required standard.

 For my submission I decided to show a variety of images from throughout the wedding day to showcase the coverage that we offer (the we in this case is my wife and I who work together on a wedding day - me photographing and Leigh sorting the dress, lights etc)

The first set below are all pre-wedding, the essential getting ready shots that set the tone for the day

The next set are ceremony and immediately post ceremony, the tension and nerves are suddenly released and the new married couple can ease into married life

Then of course, after the wedding breakfast and the speeches, it is time to party, we love to photograph the first dance and also will always try to take a parting shot as the light fades to round off the coverage

 

I hope you enjoyed this brief flick through some of my wedding photography, now I need to start thinking about the next level of qualification (Associate)