I am slap bang in the middle of the busy season right now, I have so much to blog but so little time!

I used my day off yesterday to squeeze in a little bit more shooting for videojunkie.co.uk This time unfortunately without Stef on set with Kasiuss for their new Rock Video of their awesome track Wonders Prevail. They had an impressive crew and wanted to document the whole process, it was fantastic to be a part of it.

I know it’s going to be a few weeks before I get the chance to see the final video and edit together my Behind The Scenes, so here is a little preview to wet your whistle…

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow as I’ll join Dannish and 2nd shoot at my first Sikh wedding. Sunny (the Groom) is a most excellent photographer in his own right, so no pressure then!

As this is something totally new to me, even though I’m only 2nd shooting I went to meet Charanjit & Sunny to discuss their wedding and go over some do’s and don’ts. While I was there is seemed silly not to quickly go out and take a couple of shots, made even more interesting with Sunny’s interest in how I work and what I do…

Here is my take on this location, it was very interesting to be able to hand the camera over to Sunny and see what he saw, as you can see it was very different…

This image was taken by Sunny on my camera, using the same lights and settings. I’ve edited in my own way but I still amazed by how differently we saw the same location. I don’t think there are any wrongs or rights, but differences like this fascinate me, and leave me wondering what else was there that I didn’t see ???

Just around the corner from the first location we found a lovely field with access which meant we didn’t have to cause any damage to get these shots. As the light was dropping the sky behind gives these pictures almost a studio feel I think.

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. It should be a very interesting day, although I not so sure the 5:30am start is so interesting! I’m especially looking forward to forgetting I am supposed to be on a diet and tucking into my first curry in what feels like an age!!!

3 weeks ago we joined Melissa & Matt at Bolton Abbey Priory Church to capture their Wedding Photography. It turned out to be the perfect day in the most perfect setting. It has to be one of the most perfect places to get married.

After the Wedding itself we all headed over to Ilkley Golf Course where Melissa & Matt had laid on a Marquee on one of the greens for their reception. The weather was perfect and the mood was all set for a night of eating, drinking and dancing.

I always try and keep my blog posts quite short, but this is was a big wedding so deserves a big blog post, here are just a small selection of the images we captured on the day…

Now here is a shot that took some guts to shoot before a wedding, luckily no stag night pranks were pulled

Another shot for my collection of people taking pictures, I seem to be fascinated with that these days!

Here is my long term pal Alison, not seen her in what feels like an age. It was so nice to catch up with her. I was really please when I saw this shot, it says pretty much everything about Alison in a picture. Best smile ever, well maybe apart from Nicola’s

It’s always nice to be allowed to take pictures during the actual signing, we just caught Melissa & Matt relaxing while the two mothers did their part.

Back at the reception everyone started to enjoy themselves…

Trust me, it tasted every bit as good as it looked!

Michael Kernall Catering did a really fantastic job

It was too difficult to decide which first dance picture I preferred, so I picked 3…

Helter Skelter front man Graeme giving it full on Bono for the first dance. Great band and a great bunch of guys to chat to, highly recommended!

On to the evening party, the lack of flash in these shots really allowed me to capture some atmosphere without people really knowing I was there…

Although some people spotted me

Looks like the staff were having a good time too…

Best Father of The Bride picture ever ???

Friends and family can now see the full selection and an extended selection in a slideshow over at Melissa & Matt’s wedding website  www.melissaandmatt.co.uk. If you don’t know the password just drop me or Melissa & Matt a line.

A massive thank you to Melissa & Matt as well as their friends and family for making us so welcome. We had a fantastic time. It was the best kind of wedding, a really nice relaxed feel to the whole day, everyone had a great time and I think it really shows in the pictures.

I have used Melissa & Matt’s pictures in a new sample album from the most fantastic Folio Albums. So be on the look out in the next few weeks for a blog update on that! If you’d like to see it in person just give me a call to arrange a time.

Wow, what a busy week so far!

I’ve spent 3 days shooting for NG Bailey Offsite on a project they are working on in Penrith. I was shooting a corporate video for their website which involved starting at the factory in Bradford and chasing the trucks up the motorway to Penrith to watch the installation at a new Morrisons store.

We were booked in a hotel right next to the lake at Ullswater which I have to say is one of prettiest places I’ve ever seen in the UK.

The last time I was up in the Lake District I was playing the part of Wedding Photographer, in such an amazing location its a real treat to come up and work for any reason. I’m not normally one for landscapes but I gave is a quick go for fun…

And here is the real reason we were there, it was a great crew onsite so we took a quick snap for them.

Some of our crew members were a little more reluctant to b filmed

I’ve got a couple of days editing to do and I’m looking forward to the pre-wedding shoots coming up this weekend as well as the Pan Asian Awards on monday. Mmmmm free curry!!!!

Sometimes as a photographer its good to just go out and take pictures you want to take, not for anyone else just yourself. It’s a chance to experiment with new ideas, places and people. I am lucky enough to know some really great people who are ever willing to help out and muck in. Fellow photographer Mike Galley joined me for the day along with models Charlotte, Stef and her sister Natalie. Zaiba Rafiq joined the team for the first time on Hair & Makeup. We spent the morning shooing vintage wear inside the house and moved outside later on for some totally different stuff.

Debbie kindly lent us the use of her amazing home for the day. As a thank you I shot a couple of family portraits with a difference…

A little bit more traditional for this one, but still a little different I think.

Having never modelled before, I think Natalie really pulls it out of the bag for this shot.

This will give you an idea of the setup I was using. These lights are very powerful and allow me to control even full on direct sunlight which is what makes these shots look so punchy.

We moved round the back for some more shots. The boys look like they have given up their “revision” for the day, I can’t say I blame them

I love this shot of Stef, it’s currently my favourite picture in my portfolio.

I almost threw away this shot, but when I went back through the collection I did a quick B&W conversion and changed my mind.

Colour or Black & White ??? I couldn’t decide, I love both of these shots.

So that was just a small selection from the day. I think practice is so important if you want to keep on improving. I am a big F1 fan, I can see that like in that sport things keep changing and moving forward, photography is just the same. You have to keep practicing and trying new things, not every works but it sure does feel great when you get something right! I have a studio session booked for next week so expect some shots from that in the coming weeks.

After a very brief tourist’s guide to Liverpool, and by brief I mean driving down Penny Lane with some most excellent pointing by Geoff, we headed over to Sefton Park to have a walk, a chat and to take a few pictures. Louise had already pointed out that Geoff loves having his picture taken, but she was a little nervous herself. Without reason I have to say.

“I call this one Blue Steel…”

Straight of the magazine pages, gorgeous!

It was difficult to capture this one without giving Geoff the blond wig look

The Palm House was just closing to prepare for a Wedding but we snuck past security to snap the last couple…

After we left Louise & Geoff at the park we headed over for a quick peek at their venue. Stunning is not the word, can’t wait for the big day!