Time at the beach

I've just got back from a few days away at the Witterings. Whenever possible we load up the car and travel down to spend some time by the beach and as it's half term it's a great way to keep the kids occupied. Sea air also seems to have a great affect in getting them to sleep on time too. No easy feat.

It's times like this when you start to look at your life in detail and more specifically to this blog, my business which is such a huge part of my life. After a very busy year shooting some wonderful weddings, it was a great time to look at what I offer my clients and how I can add to and improve this. So there are some changes coming and some new products to launch over the next few months too (the blog and the website will reflect this soon). It's been a great year so far with the AGWPJA recognition and being a finalist in a photographer of the year competition and hopefully this will continue through the rest of 2008 and into an even better 2009.

Just a couple of the shots I took during the break but these were two of my favourites.

The view from East Wittering to West Wittering and Portsmouth in the distance

Rheya caught jumping waves - it's amazing how high a two year old can get!

Yesterdays Wedding

Yesterday I shot the lovely wedding of Kirsty and Eduard at Oakley Court in Bray. They were married in the conservatory watched by a small and intimate gathering of friends and family. We then took a wonderful cruise down the Thames and back before they settled down for dinner.

Here's a shot of the flowers at the bow of the boat (couldn't resist this one) and their full wedding story will follow shortly.

Kate & Eddie at Norton Park

On a gorgeous summers day the equally gorgeous Kate and Eddie tied the knot at St Mary's Church in Old Basing with a reception held at Norton Park in Sutton Scotney. Kate got ready at Norton Park and then traveled to the church in an open top Rolls Royce whilst the majority of the guests were chauffered there in a red double decker bus. After a lovely service the couple and their guests enjoyed the sunshine, filling the day with happiness, love and photo opportunities galore.

All the girls getting ready at Norton Park

Kate gets a gift from her bridesmaids

The conga final adjustments line forms

Kate's mum helps her with her shoes

The beautiful Kate

I do like the bride coming down the stairs shots

I love the detail and light in this image

Eddie arrives at the church with his entourage

Kate arrives with hers

The service gets under way

The ring exchange

After the signing in beautiful light

A bridesmaid off on her own

The kiss

Lovely detailing on the back of the dress

There's something strangely magical about this shot

Fun and games

Some time together


I love the soft feel of this shot

Brides fan club

Kate's father kicks off the speeches in style

Now we shall dance

Catching Up

I actually had time on Sunday to sit down and go through my Mac and organise a lot of my personal image files, I even had time to catch up on some of my favourite blogs too - I'm sure your wondering where this is going - and I remembered that at the start of the year I set myself the goal of writing more posts. I've done that. But also writing more about myself and my family. Guilty of not doing that. And I even threatened to write up some photography related posts not about one of my weddings or portraits. Failed here too.

But as I said before, on Sunday I had some time to organise myself and as I looked at these pictures of what I call the Four Musketeers I realised that now was a great opportunity to try and make good on a few promises from the start of the year.

Summer is over but these pictures make me remember what a great summer it was, not only work wise but with the family too. Loads of trips to mine and the kids favourite place, the beach!

Dylan (left) and his best friend Josh get ready for some serious surf time.

Sam (my godson) taking it easy

and then there's my gorgeous Rheya

Hopefully this will just be the start of adding some more diverse posts into my blog over the next few months.

Melanie & Stuart wed at Wotton House

On a blazingly hot summer's day Melanie & Stuart were married in the beautiful grounds of Wotton House. Making the most of the sunshine, the wedding was held in the lovely hidden gardens complete with roman style pillars and ornate water feature. After the service the lovely couple and their friends and family had the freedom of the hotel to create a relaxed, fun and memorable wedding day.

Wotton House

Melanie gets ready


The rings await their new owners

Stuart and his best man before the service

I love the light in this shot as the bridal party make their way to the outdoor service

The service in full swing

All a bit much for one of the little bridesmaids

After the emotion some fun times

Taking a walk in the huge grounds

Portraits in the caves (yes caves)


A gospel choir started off the reception in style

Some time to relax in the early evening

A long walk...

...but the view was worth it

Melanie looking gorgeous in magic hour light

And the party begins

Carol & Iain wed in Cambridge

Carol & Iain tied the knot in Cambridge in a beautiful late afternoon service which continued on into an early evening barbecue in the grounds of the hotel. Carol was a bridesmaid at one of my previous weddings and it was lovely to see her transformation into the beautiful bride and enjoy a wedding full of love and happiness.

Carol's dress awaits

The boys arrive (Iain on the right)

Some final touches by Mum and Karen

A striking portrait of the beautiful bride

Carol's Dad looks after her sister during an emotional service

This is it!

Arm in arm

Love the light and the veil in this capture

The bridal bouquet was shared out between the kids


Confetti time

Romance at the gazebo

Carol looking gorgeous


A little help

This is the warmest place here!

Best man's speech

The You and Me Song

Hands up