A visit to Chester Zoo

I was visiting my eldest daughter in Liverpool as the weather was so good we decided to visit Chester Zoo (top tip: buy the combined rail, bus and zoo entrance ticket from the Merseyrail ticket office for a discount and to bypass the queues)

As you enter the zoo, the first animals you see are the Elephants.

This young one was touching the large elephants tusks with its trunk as they were standing face to face

We then had a walk around to the Giraffe enclosures, where the family group were enjoying the sun

The younger Giraffes were racing around the area like spring lambs (2.5m tall ones!)

In the butterfly house there were a wide range of beautiful butterflies, but this one that landed on one of the walls really caught my eye

After this we took a stroll along to the land of the red ape and saw some of the magnificent Orangutan, these lovely animals radiate an intelligence and serenity that is a privilege to witness - I took a few portraits of them, both of these are females, the larger one had a babe in her arms - due to the crowds I couldn't get a clear picture of the babe but it was lovely to see

The big cats were magnificent and I loved the male lion who was walking around his compound 'gruffing' whilst the lionesses just watched looking rather bored

We finished our visit by the Rhino, it was amazing to see a mother and young one playing chase running around the compound, in and out the having fun in the sun, the mother was amazingly agile and light on her feet considering she must weigh a couple of ton

I would highly recommend a visit if you are at all interested in animals and conservation

New Year Eve

We normally have a quiet new years eve at home, but this year we went out for the evening. We were invited along to the Plough Inn in Alnwick to hear a family friend Tom Wyllie sing (check out his web-site  http://www.tomwyllie.co.uk/) and have a lovely meal.

Alnwick looked lovely in the clear evening light (although they needed one or two bulbs replaced)

The Plough in was very welcoming and in a great position on the main road, only a couple on minutes from the car-park.

Tom did a sterling job providing background music whilst we were dining (leaving the more up-tempo tunes for later)

 

 

After dinner, Tom helped with the party atmosphere, singing right through until the new year with barely a break, including serenading a  newly engaged couple

 

 

 



 Audience participation was welcomed and invited

 

 

Then of course there was the conga around the restaurant, with Tom as leader

 

 

Finally a group shot of the diners and ringmaster, all in all a great way to finish 2013 and welcome in 2014. (ps the food at the Plough was really good)

 

Not only weddings

This last couple of weeks have been varied to say the least, we have been booking weddings for 2014, photographing a charity event run by NUCAS bootcamps and shooting babies who are also cousins - love the variety

First up were a photo-session with Jack who was about 8 weeks old when he had his shoot, mum and dad loved the black and white versions the best and picked a framed 4 image composite for their wall

Then we called in at the NUCAS bootcamps (look them up and see Chris for a serious workout) charity event - over £600 was raised for children's charities, and the kids had a great time playing loads of games, conducted by Chris

 

A relatively new girl group (+ 1 guy) THE SWEETS were providing some live music and very good they were too, keep an eye out for them (unfortunately they were one member down due to work commitments). Below is Chris from NUCAS Bootcamps with the sweets (-1)

 

 

My daughter has also been helping Santa by working in his grotto at Manor Walks in Cramlington, and will be the next two weekends

We then had another baby photo-shoot, this time of little Leo who was only 8 days old when he made his debut in front of our camera (he is Jack's cousin)

Then in the afternoon we were off to Whitley Bay for my niece Chloe's 2nd birthday party

We can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy weekend

We had a busy weekend photographically, first on Friday we got to shoot little Jack, who was the son of a couple who's wedding I photographed almost a year ago to the day.

This is mum and dad at their lovely wedding at Doxford Hall near Alnwick last October

This is Jack who found the whole thing very tiring this November

So tiring that he went off to sleep for a while

 

 

Then on Saturday night I went along to the last night of the King and I by Whitley Bay operatic society (I have been taking photographs for the company during the rehearsals) and they put on a great show - This is one of the well known moments - 'Shall we dance?'

 

 

We finished the weekend by exhibiting our wedding photography at a wedding fair held at the Newcastle falcons rugby ground, in a new event arranged by count me in events. We had a great time talking to many future brides, and giving out a lot of flyers.

 

 

Wedding Fair

It's wedding fair season again, they seem to come around faster than ever.

We will be at our first fair of the season this coming Sunday (3rd November) at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby ground in Kingston Park

This is the first time we have attended one of Count me in events fairs, and we are hoping for good things from it - the fair is also supporting the wonderful St Oswald's Hospice (funnily enough I ran the great north run in 1986 to raise money for the same place)

If you are looking for vendors for your wedding please come along and say hello (especially if you want a photographer)

Lucky weekend

We actually won a competition this year (or at least Leigh did), we won a long weekend at Beadnell in one on Mansons self catering apartments

What beautiful place and a lovely apartment, in the centre of the village right next door to the pub

On our first evening a walk down to the harbour and we were greeted with a fantastic sunset

The light was changing rapidly and I knew it wouldn't last long so it was a quick dash round the corner to the harbour for the next shot

This really captures the feeling and set me up for the weekend. Leigh was controlling the doggies at this point.

Next morning I thought as we are already nearly there, the dogs I and I were up early to go to Bamburgh for sunrise - I wanted to capture the castle from the North beach, but unknown to me there are now massive floodlights installed above the top of the castle which made the photo impossible (nice one Bamburgh castle !!!!)

Instead the next morning we went to Dunstanburgh castle and walked along to the boulder field to the north of the castle

This was a view I have wanted to photograph for ages, so was really pleased to finally take it.

As the tides we favourable we also had a trip onto Holy Island and spent a very pleasant afternoon walking around this lovely place

This is one of the boat sheds down by the harbour (don't often get skies like that) we also went around the famous priory of course and just absorbed the history of the place

We also of course walked up to the castle, which is impressive from many angles

All in all a great weekend and a lovely way to recharge the batteries

Wedding with Dinosaurs

Terri and Aidan were married in Croatia and held a party for friends and family on their return at the Centre for Life in Newcastle.
The centre is a fantastic place for science and runs regular exhibitions, at present there is a Dinosaur exhibit run in conjunction with the Natural History Museum.

So we thought what a chance for some unique pictures (no photo-shopping in fake backgrounds here)

This is one of the beasties

It was very dark in the exhibit so it was necessary to use some off camera flash units, one to light the Dinosaur and then one to light the people.
Here are the Bride and Groom and some of the wedding party

Aidan comes to the rescue when Terri gets left behind

Thanks to all concerned for getting in the spirit of things and making it a fun shoot.