Meonshore Studios - Diary of a Fareham Wedding and Portrait Photographer covering Hampshire, West Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey, Dorset and beyond

Sun - August 31, 2008

The Pre-Wedding Shoot of Rachael and Simon at Portchester Castle

I have known Rachael and Simon for some time so it was an honour to be asked to photograph their wedding and today was their pre-wedding shoot.

The castle at Portchester is the dominant landmark, and encloses the lovely church of St Mary's where Rachael and Simon will be married. We started with some classical poses infront of the impressive castle walls and tower and then moved into the keep over the drawbridge for some more contemporary portraits before taking a tour of the castle and perimeter wall to get some lovely images, even venturing down to the sea at Simon's suggestion and discovering another amazing gate and spiral stone staircase.

After some photographs outside the walls we headed over to Port Solent for a hot drink, and a short meeting about the details for the day.

Here are some of the images - I'm really looking forward to this Fareham wedding, and keep an eye on the blog in a few weeks for the wedding photographs...

Rachael and Simon infront of the imposing castle

Just inside the keep the light is amazing, and the texture of the walls sets of this relaxed portrait

Simon looks lovingly on at his bride to be.

This gate is down by the sea, and is a myriad or bricks, stone and archways perfect for photography

Rachael happily jumped up onto these steps at this doorway on the outer walls of the castle.

Posted at 06:02 PM Read More

Fri - August 29, 2008

The Pre-Wedding Shoot of Amanda and Jamie at Mottisfont Abbey, nr Romsey

Today I photographed the pre-wedding shoot of Amanda and Jamie at Mottisfont Abbey one of my favourite wedding venues here in Hampshire.

With another wedding taking place later in the day we started outside and walked around the impressive grounds of this lovely building and after photographing some classical wedding couple poses to get warmed up we then explored and found locations for some more contemporary images. After a short while we were met by Sue from Mottisfont and escorted inside where we were able to look at the ceremony room, wedding breakfast room, and also plan some places for images inside, one of which is shown here along the amazing hall.

Having completed our look inside we managed a couple of images in the Cellarium and then to the back of the house before leaving for a quick drink and covering off the final details for the day.

Amanda and Jamie's wedding is in a couple of weeks so if you are thinking about getting married at Mottisfont Abbey then keep an eye on my blog !

Some images from the session are below...

The main hallway at Mottisfont provides an impressive backdrop and some lovely lighting

Just so many places like this little chapel or folly tucked away at the edge of the garden

And some very cool statues lining the lawn

I love this avenue of trees, wonderful in the summer which is the only time I get to see them - but I'd imaging they have a lovely colour in the autumn as well

The rear of the house, which I have not had much chance to photograph before with the croquet lawn next to it

and finally a view back to the front of the house from one of the raised patios on top of the Cellarium

Posted at 08:02 PM Read More

Fri - August 15, 2008

Joanna and Graham at Marwell Hall

Last Saturdays wedding was the third and final of three that week, and unfortunately it had the worst of the weather. Not to be deterred both Joanna and Graham had a wonderful day.

An early start ensured I was at the house of Joanna's parents just before 9am, and in time to get some images of the dress, shoes and introduce myself to the family before Joanna arrived back from the hairdressers ready to have her make-up done. Protecting the identity and most importantly the colour of her wedding dress from her father we carefully opened curtains, shut doors and got some soft diffused light coming in to make for some lovely getting ready images. Just before I left we got some family portraits in the garden as I knew that by the time Joanna arrived at Marwell the rain would have settled in. In fact it arrived as I was driving back down the M3 and on arrival I got out my studio lighting fully prepared to have to cover the family groups indoors with some professional off-camera lighting.

I met up with Graham, his best man and the toastmaster Roy Austin and got some of the guys photographed, before checking some details with the venue's excellent wedding coordinator Izzy, and ensuring that with the harpist in my normal position at the front of the long room I could still get great ceremony images from the other side next to the registrars table. With all of this preparation complete I had time to shoot some documentary images of the guests before Joanna arrived and was ushered in to the the officiant.

After a lovely ceremony we made our way to the front of the hall and I photographed the family groups in the large porch which was dry despite the weather, no worries about harsh light and with the porch giving shelter the groups were done outside and are great - and in my mind much better than doing them inside with studio lighting. Thanks to Roy though for some interim sheltering of Joanna with a brolly from the occasional spot of rain and wind and for his support through the day - an excellent toastmaster and highly recommended.

After an extended visit to feed the giraffes we returned and were in plenty of time for some room shots in the marquee and then the receiving line, and the entry of the bride and groom for the wedding breakfast. I got a short break during dinner and then was back in for speeches after which Joanna and Graham took the opportunity to get some relaxed photographs around the inside of this magnificent building, and ventured out for a photograph with the car.

The evening reception was still 30 minutes away and I used the time to good effect getting lots of great relaxed images of the guests and bridal party enjoying themselves in the marquee and then it was time for a first dance followed by a short set from one of Joanna's bridesmaids after which I made my way quickly to the car, dried and packed my kit away and returned to back up everything !

A selection of images from the day follow, and I hope you'll agree the photography didn't suffer because of the weather, although it took all of my experience to get this wedding to the same standard as one done in good conditions......

Joanna prepares for her wedding day with make-up applied in the window light

Graham and best man David before the ceremony

Joanna arrives in the Long Room, Marwell Hall accompanied by father Nick as everyone looks on

Joanna's parents in a family group shot under the porch at Marwell Hall. It's raining - hard - but under shelter and with good light this image hasn't suffered

Yes you were right - it's a lovely red wedding dress, and a window lit portrait of Joanna between the wedding breakfast and evening reception taken in the Library of Marwell Hall

Graham gets the window treatment as well but this time the image is converted to black and white

Something a bit more dramatic on the staircase at Marwell Hall

Kudos to Joanna and Graham for braving the weather and getting an image of them in front of the venue with their car suitably protected with one of my umbrellas

First dance inside the marquee

Joanna's bridesmaid Laura in her short set just after the first dance, fortunately for me I wasn't bound by the usual "3 songs, no flash" rule !

Posted at 01:07 PM Read More

Thu - August 14, 2008

Philippa and Alistair at St Barnabas, Dorking and The Gate Street Barn

Friday last week was 08-08-08 the luckiest day of the year to get married, if you are Chinese, and no doubt Philippa and Alistair felt pretty lucky as well despite some drizzle for their lovely wedding.

The day started at Philippa's, getting ready with her two bridesmaids and of course me getting some images as hair was done and make-up applied before the short trip to St Barnabas to take a look at the interior (it had been locked when I did my pre-wedding visit), and speak to the verger and vicar to organise a complex manouver at the start of the ceremony. Shortly after the guys arrived and as usual we captured a mixture of formal and contemporary images before allowing them to mix with the arriving guests and to await the arrival of the bridesmaids and then Philippa herself.

The weather held with only light drizzle and after capturing Philippa's arrival I made it down to the front of the church with the vicar, as arranged, and got some images of Philippa and her father walking down the aisle before swiftly exiting out of the side door and out round the church the the rear where my tripod and longer lens were waiting to get unobscured photographs in this tight, and candlelit church without disturbing the wedding ceremony itself.

After a confetti tunnel we made our way to the Gate Street Barn , beautifully decorated with floral arrangements from Gill Pike , for the reception and completed the family groups and formal photographs before stealing 10 minutes to get some relaxed portraits in the secluded garden area before returning to the barn in time for dinner to be served. With the speeches captured, and some wonderful food from Just Jane caterers inside me, the weather picked up and blue skies came out allowing the happy couple and their guests to go out into the garden and enjoy themselves whilst I picked off some documentary images of the laughter and smiles, and making sure I got images of many of the guests who didn't make a formal group, or who had just arrived for the evening reception which began with a rehearsed and well performed first dance !

As usual a mixture of images from the day are below.

Alistair and best-man John using the architecture of the church to give a more contemporary feel to this portrait

Philippa and Alistair steal a moment as Father Stuart Peace completes the signing of the register

Time to leave the church, and acknowledge some of their guests on the way

Philippa is helped into the wedding car by one of her flowergirls as guests look on

The happy couple at the Gate Street Barn

Philippa with her two bridesmaids and two flowergirls. Set-up with the full intention of getting a nice triangular shape to this classical group photograph

Some time alone before the wedding breakfast for this intimate, and natural image

The two flowergirls distract pageboy Sam, allowing me to get this lovely candid moment during the gap between the wedding breakfast and evening reception

And another documentary image - it's not about snapping everyone quickly - but getting great expressions that show everyone enjoying themselves

And now time for the first dance, and some concentration as they confidently dance through the routine to cheers and whistles

Finally a food shot, included this time in the main blog entry. A lovely warm goats cheese and parma ham starter.

Posted at 07:02 PM Read More

Tue - August 12, 2008

Beata and Justin at St Edmunds in Southampton and then onto Chilworth Manor

Thursday saw the first of three weddings this weekend in the busiest of our year ! Beata and Justin who met us at the De Vere Grand Harbour wedding fayre in January had planned a lovely wedding and were not disappointed as a poor weather forecast turned into the most beautiful day of the weekend.

The day started at Chilworth Manor for hair and make-up provided by Michelle Crosser from Bridal Hair in Hampshire and Orchids Hideaway with Diana Berry. Beata was in fine form really enjoying herself and looking forward to the day, and it really shows in the images I have managed to capture. With hair and make-up completed and some images of the dress, shoes, jewellery and perfume captured I went and got some images from the outside of Chilworth Manor and then intial images of the room laid ready for the wedding breakfast where I met up with Louise and Annie from The Floristree - Beata and Justin's florist.

After this it was the short trip down to the church where after some relaxed portraits of the guys, and a check with the priest I awaited the arrival of the bride. Beata looked stunning in her dress, and I know Justin thought so as she walked down the aisle and after a lovely ceremony and nuptial blessing we got some images outside the church before returning back to the hotel.

Beata's mum Christina greeted the happy couple with some salt and bread - a Polish custom and we got the family photographs completed in an area of open shade before moving to the back of the manor house for a group shot on the steps and some relaxed images of Beata and Justin before making our way to the wedding breakfast. Speeches were first and emotional and funny they were and I left shortly afterwards leaving Beata and Justin to enjoy their meal and the evening.

Here are some images from the day.

Beata gets her hair finalised at Chilworth Manor

Just time before leaving for a window lit portrait of the bride

As bestman Kevin and Justin concentrate on the order of service Beata steals a quick glance at her new husband

Ceremony over Beata heads straight over to her mum Christina for a hug

The stunning bride just outside the doors of the church

Salt and bread - Polish style as Beata and Justin arrive at Chilworth Manor

Beata and Justin together during some relaxed formal photographs

A detail of her necklace captured during a lull in the family groups

Beata hands her mum Christina some flowers looked on by Justin and Beata's sister and chief bridesmaid Daria

Posted at 04:05 PM Read More

Wed - July 30, 2008

Albums and framed prints delivery

We have just delivered the Albums and framed prints to one of this years couples from their wedding day, and wanted to share some of the images.

This was our first wedding of the year on a bright day in February at the Tithe Barn in Ditcham. After their honeymoon they returned to be greeted with a front cover and featured wedding in Your Hampshire Wedding magazine (we got approval via email while they were away), and we then worked through from our intial design to a finished album which is simply stunning.

This 15x12" panoramic album is finished with a metal cover, and black leather spine handmade in Australia and finished with prints from one of the best print labs in the world also from Australia. The couple also ordered two framed prints to accompany their album, a desk frame of 11x14" and a wall portrait at 16x20" with a black and white image. The frames have a modern silver finish and come with deep fine art mounts and conservation glass to protect the prints from UV rays.

We are very proud of the book, and framed prints, and we know that they love them as well, and we hope this gives you some insight into the work we produce and products we can supply.

16x20" wall portrait

11x14" desk frame - these are the also frames, and size we use for our complementary pre-wedding shoot image

The dress and shoes and hair/makeup

Using some of the industrial buildings in the location for some funky portraits

And the blue garage doors - the image on the left-hand page is similar to the cover in Your Hampshire Wedding

The cover shot from earlier this year

Posted at 01:44 PM Read More

Sun - July 27, 2008

Lolly and Matt's wedding at St Peter's, Bishops Waltham and Bishops Waltham Palace Ruins

Yesterday was one of the hottest of the year, and more importantly the lovely wedding of Lolly (Rosalind) and Matt at St Peter's Church in Bishops Waltham and the Palace Ruins a short distance away.

A bright an early start saw me at the hair salon - Madeline House, where Lolly and her bridesmaids got their hair done and then back to her fathers house for make-up. An 80's fest of music passed the time as Lolly's sister Jo did the make-up - it was fun and relaxed and the time flew. Next stop was the church to see the guys and get some portraits and to be ready for the arrival of the bride in a light yellow Morris Minor. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers by Lynda Robson of Exclusively Weddings , and the bouquets were matching with an exquisite mixture of soft pinks, creams and greens.

The touching service was filled with laughter and emotion, with some amazing readings, and singing and after some family photographs outside the church under the flower arch, and with the car we made our way to the Bishops Waltham Palace Ruins where a marquee awaited us.

With the family photographs out of the way, and with some time with their guests everyone sat down to a tasty meal from the caterers Wright Choice , and then a series of speeches from both fathers, groom, best-man and the MC James which were again emotional, informative, and hilarious with Matt taking the butt of most of it.

Now with some time before the first dance I got 30 minutes with Lolly and Matt to have some time alone for some fashion inspired contemporary wedding photographs around the ruins which we made the very most of the soft warm light and architecture - and then it was on to a Grease track for the first dance with all the actions to match.

I know they had a wonderful day, as did I - and so here are some images from the day.

Sweet Dreams are made of this.....

Lolly and sister Jo get their bridal hair pinned up

Lolly sees the funny side of make-up

Matt "Ice Man" Kirby at the church

Matt, Joseph and the Ushers

Matt checks the woman he has married is indeed Lolly !

Just about the most fun bridal car I have photographed

Lolly and her bridemaids

The bridal party showing off the lovely caramel and creme theme for the wedding in this relaxed group portrait

Joseph reflects on "poster child" Matt

Lolly was prepared to do anything - even in her 4" heel Jimmy Choo strappy sandals

I just love the warm light for this fun shadow shot

One of my favourites from the pre-wedding shoot, recreated on the day with just a little more fashion in the pose.

And finally Lolly and Matt at the finale of their first dance

Posted at 02:29 PM Read More

Mon - July 21, 2008

The Pre-Wedding Shoot of Joanna and Graham at Marwell Hall, Colden Common

Sunday's shoot was for Joanna and Graham, who will be getting married in Marwell in August. On a bright, and warm day we ventured up to the lovely Marwell Hall and got some lovely images in preparation of their wedding photography and then headed back to the Marwell Hotel for a drink and a talk through the details for the day.

Like Fiona and Rob earlier this year Joanna and Graham are having a giraffe feed as part of their day, and so we walked over to the enclosure to take a look, and also to get our final images from the day against the new African enclosure brightly painted in a jungle green !

A key focus of their day will be capturing natural and relaxed images of the two of them enjoying the day with their families and guests and so we expect to be shooting a lot of documentary wedding photography, but even so it never hurts to have time infront of the camera for the formal images, and also some contemporary portraits on the day.

Here are the images - I hope you like them.

This alcove has an amazing texture as a backdrop, and an intimate shaded feel to the image

With an almost overhead sun the front of the hall gave some nice shade with the dramatic backdrop of the Marwell Hall entrance

The next two images also use the entrance area but with two completely different feels, and taking advantage of the Wisteria, currently in bloom

Some relaxed portraits of Joanna and Graham alone

and something a little more contemporary to finish with.

Posted at 06:31 PM Read More

Fri - July 18, 2008

The Pre-Wedding Shoot of Beata and Justin at Chilworth Manor, Southampton

On Wednesday evening I spent some time with Beata and Justin at Chilworth Manor in Southampton for their pre-wedding shoot.

This is a lovely venue, and one I haven't been to for some time, which of course will change in a few weeks when they hold their reception there. Twin that up with a lovely wedding venue, and this is a day I'm very much looking forward to. As usual this is a great time to get to know my couples better and try out some images. We covered a fair amount of the grounds and then retired inside to check out the lovely gallery about the bar area before getting a drink and going over the details for the big day.

Here are some of the images.

Posted at 10:52 PM Read More

Website Move

Just to let everyone know that we moved meonshoreweddings.co.uk over to a new server on Wednesday this week in preparation for our new website which we hope to launch in the next week or so.

We had a few minor niggles but it looks to be all migrated over and fully working. If you do have any problems accessing the site, and in particular any of the client area galleries then please do let us know and we will fix them ASAP.

We will be announcing the new site when it goes live - an updated design, and new images, with more information on our products.....

Posted at 10:44 PM Read More

Wed - June 25, 2008

The Pre-Wedding shoot of Philippa and Alistair at the Gate Street Barn, Bramley

I made the trip to both the church and reception venue for Philippa and Alistair's wedding today with a view of getting a good look around as both of the venues are new to me, and then also to meet up with Philippa and Alistair for their pre-wedding shoot and detailed planning meeting. Both were stunning, and after a good recce we shot some lovely relaxed images as well as running through the classical wedding photography images to give them both the confidence that they will look great on the day and to get some practice at having a camera pointed at them.

The Gate Street Barn is a wonderful venue - lovely mature gardens and some great barn buildings to give variety and colour to the images and I can't wait to shoot their wedding in August !

Here are a small selection of the images from the pre-wedding shoot !

Posted at 08:18 PM Read More

Tue - June 24, 2008

Venue images from Kate and Steve's Wedding at Berrydown Barn

As promised here are some images showcasing the interior of Berrydown Barn for Kate and Steve's wedding last Sunday. Featuring the design work of John Meyburgh of Hugo Skucek Flowers and also the starter of the wedding breakfast from County Caterers - I only managed to get a photograph of this as the main course was served at the table and I'd eaten the dessert before remembering to get an image (it was lovely !)

Berrydown Barn is a stunning venue, and filled with flowers as it was just transformed it.

I hope you like the images.....

The ceremony room resplendant in ivory, cream and green.

Bowls of Hydrangea's and these magnificent urns filled with Hydrangeas, Roses, and Gladioli

These were the feature vases on the four outer tables and the table place settings

A view of the barn from the caterers end set up for the wedding breakfast

And a view of the room from the point of view of the bride and groom

Close up of the top table, a surprise for Kate and Steve

The cake - simple but truly stunning

And the starter - gala melon and pineapple topped with a strawberry.

Posted at 07:11 PM Read More

Mon - June 23, 2008

Kate and Steve at Berrydown Barn, Farley Chamberlayne near Romsey

Yesterdays wedding was at Berrydown Barn near Romsey, a quite stunning venue made even more so by John Meyburgh of Hugo Skucek Flowers , for the wonderful wedding of Kate and Steve.

I had initially met Kate and her mum at Yvonne De Mellow's wedding show at the De Vere Grand Harbour in Southampton in early January and was delighted when she booked us for her wedding. Both Kate and Steve are lovely people, and this extends right through their family and friends who were welcoming and accommodating on the day. As is fairly usual I started coverage with Bridal preparations at Kate's mums house and was delighted to find that Helen Spenser was busy with Kate. Helen and I have worked together several times, most recently in late May at Rhinefield House, and I knew she would do an excellent job. Make-up and hair covered, and with the details of Kate's lovely dress, and stunning pink shoes captured I paused briefly to partake of a cheese roll kindly provided by Kate's mum and left for the barn.

When I arrived John was finalising the flowers and I quickly captured the ceremony side of the barn, the cake and some of the place settings whilst I awaited Steve's arrival. I'll add a post dedicated to the venue, flowers and food later this week to showcase the wonderful designs.

The guys were quickly photographed and this allowed time to record the guests arriving and then getting the vantage point to see the vintage Rolls Royce come down the sweeping drive to the barn. What followed was a very moving, funny, and wonderful service with an incredible reading and some lovely moments which I am pleased to say I captured from a great vantage point at the front of the room.

Ceremony over we quickly covered the essential family groups and then took a short walk to the cornfield at the back of the barn to get the photographs we had initial trialed during our pre-wedding shoot the week before and then into the barn for a quick fake cake cut shot before returning Kate and Steve back to John for their receiving line bang on the 4pm time slot !

Catering was provided by County Caterers , who did an excellent job as usual, and I was fortunate enough to sit at a table with John, and some of Kate and Steve's family and friends for dinner. Whilst this is unusual (I do normally get some food but usually eat elsewhere) it was very lovely, and it made it easy for me to time getting ready for the touching, memorable and funny speeches. I have to commend Adam who's best man's speech was a credit - especially for a young man - and he suitably embarrassed Steve but without long drawn out stories.

With the 22nd being so close to the longest day the evening was light, warm and ideal for the guests to go back outside and I continued coverage gathering candid images of the guests relaxing and talking, enjoying themselves at this lovely wedding.

As the evening drew on I covered the first dance, and some of the party before slipping off home to back up the wedding, and prepare the images for this blog entry - some of which follow...

Helen applies some lip gloss to Kate during her bridal preparations

The vintage Rolls-Royce come down the long road to the Berrydown Barn

Steve just outside the barn

Kate waits patiently in the back of the Roll-Royce while I shoot her last portrait before she becomes Mrs Robinson.

Meanwhile in the ceremony room Steve is reminded by the Registrar to turn off his mobile phone

and then he gets the opportunity to see Kate enter the room

At several times the service broke into laughter, Kate here asking the Registrar to just repeat that last sentence

Steve and his friends

A cornfield, a bride and groom and some lovely summer weather - well you just have to really.....

A peek at the room, lovely cake and the only real opportunity to get this shot without being trampled in the guests rush to make sure they record it as well !

One from the receiving line, as Kate gives a hug

After dinner we got some fresh air and as we waited for Steve I grabbed another portrait of the lovely Kate

And finally a shot in front of Berrydown farmhouse right next to the barn

Posted at 08:00 AM Read More

Thu - June 19, 2008

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing at Hill Head

This evening I managed to get out and grab 20 minutes to shoot some of the guys taking advantage of the windy weather windsurfing and kitesurfing off the beach at Hill Head in the Solent

I haven't been able to do this as much as I'd like recently as I have been busy with weddings and portraits. Regular readers will know that shooting sports, especially motorsport and watersports are a love of mine - and a fair amount of my personal photography is taken up with this.

As the tide went out I got out to the edge of the water and braved the gusty winds to get some images - made all the better because unusually there was a nice blue sky and not grey overcast clouds.

Here are a couple of images from the session...

Posted at 10:47 PM Read More

Wed - June 18, 2008

Photographic session - framed print delivered for Fathers Day !

We delivered a lovely framed print to a client this week, in time for the arrival back from duty of the children's father. This was not just a homecoming present - but also a belated Father's day gift.
This lovely 16x14" framed print will take pride of place on one of their walls. In an off-silver with a fine art deep mount this print looks stunning, and it really justifies the quality materials we use to frame the prints our clients buy.

Posted at 09:27 PM Read More

Featured on the Canon Professional Network website - review of the Canon flagship camera

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to use one of Canon's top of the range digital cameras for some of our weddings and portraits and the article and images from that time has just gone live on Canon's website !

Currently selected as the only Wedding & Portrait photographer across Europe to review this camera I have been working closely with Canon, who sent me the camera over from the HQ in Amsterdam, over the last few months to review it in detail in a road-test that saw me shoot several weddings, portrait sessions and a "trash-the-dress" shoot. The Canon Professional Network website is designed to be an informative site for all of the professional photographers who use Canon's cameras, and covers the whole of Europe.

As a technical article I can't recommend it for any brides, grooms, and potential clients - but if you are another photographer then feel free to take a look. Suffice it to say it is a bit of an honour to have been asked - but despite this the review is an honest and accurate representation of my feelings. I believe I am correct in saying that I am only the second wedding photographer to have been featured on the Canon Professional Network site, with one of the top ten wedding photographers in the word, Jeff Ascough, being the first and other.

I don't know how long the article will remain live, it is also due to be updated with a part II review - but for now here is a screen grab of the page as it stands, and a link to the article itself.

Posted at 08:13 PM Read More

Fri - June 13, 2008

Another beach portrait session @ Hill Head

We photographed another beach portrait session at the beach in Hill Head this week for one of our regular clients.

Having photographed her children, and a family session in our studio setting with the white backdrop our client wanted something slightly more informal and relaxed to give to her husband on his return from deployment. We met at the beach and got a wide variety of images - groups of the three of them, as well as some individual shots of the two children. The session lasted about an hour from start to finish and the images are now up for review on the web for the client to select some for the gift.

As this is a surprise 'm not going to reveal their identity by posting any images, but I might get a photograph of the resulting framed print to put up at a later date once the gift has been received !

Beach sessions are available throughout the summer in the Hill-Head, Lee-on-the-Solent, Alverstoke areas as are park and woodland shoots. Whilst the studio is great for the white backdrop look, we also love shooting families and kids out in the open air for relaxed portraits. If you'd like to find out more please contact us for our location photographic session fees and packages and also availability.

Posted at 11:34 PM Read More

Kate & Steve at Berrydown Barn, Farley Chamberlayne, Romsey

Yesterday was the pre-wedding shoot for Kate and Steve at Berrydown Barn, near Romsey.

This lovely barn is the venue for their wedding later this June, which I have the pleasure of photographing. Having visited the barn earlier in the year I had some ideas about where to shoot but Kate and Steve came up with some more ideas, and information and we also all agreed that we should get into the field of wheat which has not yet turned.

Kate had seen an image from Hannah & Dean's wedding in July last year which I took in a field and loved it so I'm hoping this lives up to her expectations and whilst I like the B&W I also really like it in colour with the deep green. I can't wait to recreate this on the day with them all dressed up.

As usual more images from the day - and check back later in the month for their wedding images. I can't wait.

Posted at 02:03 PM Read More

Fri - June 6, 2008

Fiona and Rob at Marwell Hall and Marwell Hotel

Todays wedding was at the Zoo - well Marwell Hall and Hotel to be exact, a favourite location of mine as an annual pass holder a frequent haunt for me both shooting weddings and visiting with my family. Fiona and Rob's wedding was a wonderful day full of laughter and fun.

The day started early at Fiona's house and when I arrived Fiona and her two sisters were already having their hair done. After lots of banter and lots of photographs I left to find the guys at the Hall and managed to navigate myself and equipment inside. Wedding coordinator Izzy looked after me well and we managed to get the guys photographs and some extras covered very quickly allowing me to shoot the room, and make arrangements with both the registrars and the videographer, a family friend.

Guests arrived by Marwell train, and soon Fiona and her father, along with the bridemaids arrived in two lovely white wedding cars supplied by The Romsey Carriage Company.

The ceremony ensued in the Long Room, followed by a large group photo and some family groups in the shade at the rear of the hall. Fiona and Rob took some time out alone with me for some more relaxed images and then we took the golf cart over to the giraffes where they fed them before returning to the train for the trip to the hotel.

A fabulous hog roast feat was the wedding breakfast, and I'll post some food images from the day later - and then speeches before the evening reception and first dance, after which Fiona enjoyed her self and thew some shapes on the dance floor.

Just another wonderful wedding day with a lovely couple, and their families. Here are some images from the day....

Fiona's sister Alex puts on her necklace

The bestmen Mark and Jon get to display a ring each

Rob and his parents

Rob looks forward to seeing Fiona and getting married

Alex's moving poem gets a lovely reaction from Fiona and Rob

I asked Fiona to show me her bouquet !

Fiona and Rob relax at the back of Marwell Hall

Feeding time at the giraffes

It's time for the first dance

Fiona is the centre of attention on the dance floor...

Posted at 10:46 PM Read More

Mon - June 2, 2008

Trash the dress - part II

Yesterday we attended another Trash the Dress session, and this time we managed to get some images which are in line with our vision for what our paying clients should expect and would receive. As I have mentioned in my previous post on this topic we have attended these workshops to gain important experience in the safety and practical aspects of a shoot in water, woodland and urban environments as well as to get some reference images which we can show our clients as they consider trashing their own dresses for real.

DISCLAIMER: The image(s) shown below were taken at a workshop using a professional model. There were several other photographers present, and similar poses using the same model may appear on the internet. I have only posted those where I had some artistic input, and of course the combination of my framing, lens selection and post-processing are unique.

The workshop took place in Surrey and not by the sea this time. We had managed to ensure that the model would be wearing a contemporary wedding gown, in most of the locations by additionally sponsoring the workshop. The initial shoot was an urban TTD and featured a derelict building and then a short distance away to an already destroyed coca-cola machine at which I setup a concept image which I had pitched to the session organiser, of the bride with a sledgehammer and coke bottles.

The next location was some woodland nearby which had some amazing natural features, and light and then we finally made our way to a weir and bridge in a local village much to the amusement of the residents, and cricketers playing on the green opposite. This final location had a prom dress being trashed and I have not included it in this posting.

A very big shout out to Skye Edwards , our model for the day who was extremely professional and capable and is highly recommended to any other professional photographers reading this blog entry.