When I walked in the room where Tara was getting ready I could hardly believe the stunning red dress that was hung up ready for her to wear. We have photographed some stunning dresses over the past few years, but to get two dresses so different within a week was very unexpected. Tara’s was totally different to the one Danielle wore just a couple of days before but just as stunning. I knew at that point we were going to have a fab day.

Tara & Sam had enlisted the help of a wedding planner, Linda Abrahams, to help organise everything at Oulton Hall. This is sadly not something that common here in the UK, but having someone who’s job it is to make sure everything runs to time and is organised to perfection can really take the stress out of a wedding day. So everyone was free to sit back and really enjoy a fab day…

Wow!

This picture was taken at 15:52, officially the sunset at 15:49 that day and I think this goes to show what is possible at winter weddings. The winter light whilst short lived can be beautiful, if you add a bit of luck and a stunning bride into the mix that is.

Just after 16:00 and it’s dark outside now.

I took this straight after the ceremony whilst the guests were enjoying a drink and I was setting up for the group shots…

There is always room for something new in the formal shots

I’ve seen this in Jewish ceremonies before, and it’s a great idea. Why not make a song and a dance about your entrance? Tara & Sam did and it really got the room going.

Don’t worry, that ceiling was higher than it looked!

Sam’s brother did an excellent speech, ending in a fake proposal to his girlfriend. A classic moment that left quite a few open mouths in the room, this is the reason I love Best Men speeches

A bit of a twist on the first dance shot, I think Tara’s dress needs to be seen in colour.

Oulton Hall certainly is a fantastic place to have a winter wedding, the interior is so nice that you wouldn’t really want to go outside anyway! You can see some more moments in Tara & Sam’s slideshow…

Danielle & Mike’s wedding at Peckforton Castle was quite a long time coming, they booked me ages ago and then there was a delay of a year after the birth of their little boy Jake. But is was definately worth the wait! I’d been keeping the secret about Danielle’s special dress all that time, and it was finally time for the world to see it…

Peckforton Castle is hidden away on top of the hill, it’s quite hard to get an external shot.

Yep! That’s a Castle alright!

Danielle’s dress is made by Hollywood Dreams, pretty stunning !!!

We snuck into the Chapel for a quick shot too

One of the most impressive rooms we’ve seen. A lovely feel and just the right size. Danielle had spent ages on the decorations too!

Here we have Steve the Toastmaster for the day. In all the weddings we’ve done there has never been a Toastmaster present, but I have to say Steve did an excellent job at keeping the day running and I hope more people use them in the future as it is well worth the little bit extra. You can book Steve via his website.

Peckforton Castle is a lovely place to get married, now one of my favourites. Danielle & Mike had such a special day, you can see even more pictures in the slideshow below… Friends & Family can order prints via Danielle & Mike’s Wedding Website.

It’s always a massive privilege to be asked to photograph a new born baby, and especially so when we also photographed the wedding.

Sarah & Chris got married a couple of years ago, and Nicola & I have always felt very very lucky to have been there. In fact you can still see their wedding slideshow here…

At just over a week old Lily was perfectly behaved and very patient. I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking, she is gorgeous…

Flash?

No Flash?

Deffo no flash for uber-cuteness

Winter weddings can be great fun! I have a few to blog and we kick off with Lauren & Pete’s Scottish wedding at the wonderful Barony Castle!

Nicola has played hockey with Lauren for years, and has been looking forward to this day for a while The drive up was lovely and we couldn’t wait to get started. The weather was just perfect, lovely clear skies if not a tab bit freezing!!!

I have no idea! Don’t ask

It wouldn’t be Scotland without a band!!!

The grounds are superb, and it gets better!!!

Like a Photographers wet dream !!!

We did a photobooth for Lauren & Pete, I love doing them and it’s always a great laugh, I can’t share all the pictures (this is a family friendly blog!!!) here is a taster….

Ummmm, like I said, family friendly blog !!!!

I always find some people like the photobooth just that bit too much

Yep, I’d look worried too!!!

We loved Barony Castle, and are so happy for Lauren & Pete too. There was a great feeling to the day and the walk in the grounds really made it for me.

Lots more winter weddings to come over the next week, and a lovely new born shoot…

It has been an amazing year, the busiest ever! Never quite happy that I am busy enough some of you will know I am setting up a professional firework display company with my brother, part of that is gaining experience in such matters. A couple of weeks back we were asked to go and help set up PDC Fireworks Charity Christmas Display in Peterborough. We were more than happy to go along and see how a pyromusical is set up and run.

So to spread the festive cheer here is the video I shot of it, with the kind help of Justin Bedford who provided and extra angle

Enjoy the festive season and I look forward to an even busier year ahead…

Video by Justin Bedford, Nick Matthews and Me
Soundtrack supplied by PDC Fireworks
Pyromusical Firework Display by PDC Fireworks

The very best thing about being a photographer is that I get to work on some pretty cool projects. While I really love doing weddings it’s always nice to work on something different. Last weekend I was asked by Ben @ Vida Media if I could bob over to Harrogate for a couple of hours to shoot a couple of studio sessions with the amazing Kasiuss.

Kasiuss had gone away for a little while, you may remember I shot a Behind The Scenes for their last rock video Wonders Prevail. Well now they are back with 2 brand new tracks and a new line up too. Things were kept really simple for this shoot, Ben sorted out the location (a Church Hall normally used by the Brownies – Rock’n'Roll !!!) and the lighting, I just turned up and shot what I saw happening during the session with Ben to an excellent job on the other camera.

You can see our simple set up in some shots Ben took on his point and shoot…

I’m really please with the results from just 2 hours filming and an edit turnaround of under 24 hours…

At the end of the session we shot a quick promo still for the release, taken with just one light in a spooky graveyard, it was freezing…

Here we have from left to right Joe (Drums), Biz (Vocal, keyboards & acoustic), Dan (Bass) and Adam (Lead Guitar). Great chaps to work with and I think they have produced their best work to date with these two new tracks. Keep an eye on their website for live dates etc…