Susan & Family – Bucks Herald Competition Winner
Posted by Paul in For Website, Lifestyle on June 28th, 2009
You never quite know what the outcome will be when you run a competition. After all, you really don’t have any control over who will win and what it is they are looking for in a shoot. You hope that the winner will be thrilled with the prize and will be a really nice person to work with. But you can’t be sure.
So it was, with naturally some degree of apprehension, that we ran a competition with the Bucks Herald – the prize being a session with us and a not inconsiderable quantity of prints/frames of the winner’s choosing.
And then we waited to meet the winner.
We should not have worried. It was with a great deal of satisfaction that Susan, the lucky winner, turned out to be another wonderful client. I know I bang on about this all the time, but I can’t stress enough how proud I am of the client base we’ve built up over the years. This is an utterly people-oriented business and it only works because we have a lot of very personable clients that make my job the pleasure that it is!
We held the session at Susan’s family home in Chilton on the most gorgeous day. You have to say that the weather this season has been stunning so far – albeit with the odd serious storm thrown in (we arrived back last night during the most monumental thunder storm to discover water pouring across the floor of my office from one side to the other – no idea how it got in and absolutely no idea how it flowed out again!).
Anyway, on this particular day back in April, with glorious sunshine and a stunning location up on the hills, how could this be anything other than a wonderful session?
And it was exactly that. A wonderful session.
Three generations of the same family and a set of pictures that will be treasured for a lifetime. Oh, and a mental note that competitions are definitely a good thing.
Just perfect.
Let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
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Catharine and Jon
Posted by Paul in For Website, Pre-Wedding on June 28th, 2009
Ah, for the eagle-eyed out there, you may have spotted that we photographed Catharine and Jon’s engagement party last year – and we’re thrilled to say that we’re going to be photographing their wedding later this year.
There’s something particularly magical about photographing a couple’s pre-wedding images partly because it’s such an honour to be involved in the build-up to the big day but also because I think there’s a real emotion to the images we capture. And this seems especially evident in the pictures we captured from this session!
I’m not sure why, but you can really feel the excitement and romance between them both. And how nice is that?
Just brilliant.
And if this is just the pre-wedding session, you can only imagine the images we’ll capture on their wedding day in September. And I, for one, can’t wait!
Cheers
P.
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A lovely thing to hear
Posted by Paul in Chat, For Website on June 27th, 2009
A short post this one but something was said to me the other day by a long-standing client – I shan’t be naming names of course but it’s a commercial client who I just love working with – who’d been forced by an agent to use a couple of incumbent photographers for some images. Now I always hate to know that I’ve missed an opportunity for a piece of work but hey, it happens and there are always going to be times when another photographer’s style or experience (or availability of course!) is more suited to a job than ours.
Anyway, my client ultimately wasn’t happy with their work – though I think they paid an awful lot of money for it – and I was booked for the next session. When I talked to them about the other work they were disappointed in what had been delivered by the other photographers and had subsequently insisted to the agency that from that point onward they would bring their own photographer – someone who they had worked with previously and trusted to get the images they wanted (their words not mine.)
Ahem, obviously on hearing this I reacted in a very professional manner and said a huge ‘thank you’ but, underneath my normally cool, suave, sophisticated ney handsome business persona I always portray (OK, OK, I admit that I may be stretching the truth just a little… Oh OK, maybe a lot…. OK, maybe an awful lot – particularly around the suave, sophisticated and handsome bit, but one has these ideals!) I have to admit I felt unbelievably flattered and very proud to be considered in such terms – it was all I could do to stop myself giving them a big hug. Something (apparently) that you really shouldn’t do to your commercial clients.
Still, it was such a lovely thing to hear!
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Wow, what a week!
Posted by Paul in Events, For Website on June 26th, 2009
I know people think that photography is a pretty glamorous way to earn in a living and, in some senses, possibly that’s true. At least, if you view being out in all weathers on hilltops, inside darkened studios and sitting in front of a whining computer at all glamorous, then glamorous it most certainly is.
Now don’t get me wrong here – as anyone who has had the misfortune to be within chatting distance of me will attest – I absolutely love my job. I’m just saying I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as glamorous. Not in the ‘OK Magazine’ sense anyway.
However, this week does pretty much qualify.
It has been our great pleasure to provide the photography for this year’s Thames Water “Love Water Ball” in support of Water Aid – a notable charity providing the means for developing countries to have clean and safe water (something we take far too much for granted in this country I reckon.)
The ball was awesome. Now I’ve been to a ball or too but this was way out there. For a start, The Old Billingsgate in London is a magnificent venue with it’s Victorian facade, it’s huge gallery and a wonderfully atmospheric arched basement. Then add on that some unbelievable interior and exterior designs and two A-List acts (Michael McIntyre and Will Young) and you have pretty much a guaranteed atmosphere in which to raise money for an excellent cause. And so it proved to be!
We couldn’t have asked for a nicer client in Thames Water (one thing I’m extremely proud of is our ability to attract and work with some of the nicest people you could wish to meet and the guys at Thames Water – and at their production company for this event, Crown Business Communications – are absolutely amazing!)
For this job, we needed more than just me to be capturing images and so I was really thrilled to be able to add two hugely successful pro photographers – Dan Richards and Kay Young – to our regular team of myself, Kelly (my ever-patient assistant) and Sarah (my even more patient wife and business partner!) And, with 5 areas to cover and 1000 guests, we needed all five of us (and radio headsets – which, as Mr. McIntyre encouragingly pointed out, made us look somewhat like airline pilots!) working flat out to cover everything properly!
And, quite literally, we had a ball!
Though of course, the reality afterward is that we have just spent the past two days, battling the inevitable sleep deprivation, working through the 3000 or so images that we captured to sort them in time for all of the guests to log in (during their coffee-break of course) when they arrive back at work on Monday morning.
So, here just a few images from an absolutely amazing evening in London – enjoy!
Cheers
P.
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Presentation to the Metropolitan Police Photographic Society
Posted by Paul in For Website, News on June 14th, 2009
I know. Came as surprise to me too! Didn’t even know there was such a thing. But there is and – and I say this with much relief – it’s a hugely vibrant and friendly society!
I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I arrived at New Scotland Yard to present to the society. I’d had a couple of phone calls and emails in the months leading up to me going over there and both Steve (who had initially approached me out of the blue) and Chanon (their ents coordinator) seemed really really nice. But still. The Metropolitan Police Photographic Society? What would they make of a portrait photographer?
Shouldn’t have worried. You could not have asked for a nicer crowd. As it turns out, they’re a mix of police and ‘civilian’ enthusiasts and pros with a hugely wideranging interest in photography. You couldn’t ask for a nicer crowd to present to and, as usual, I enjoyed every second of it!
Now, I do have a slight admission to make here. And that is, I rather enjoy showing my work to people. Can’t help it. I’m immensely proud of what we do and, based on the feedback we get, we make a lot of people happy doing it. I have the best job in the world and I am always happy to talk about it. Possibly a little too happy given the glazed-over look that people who’ve been around me for any period of time develop.
Still, in this particular instance I had been asked to go and talk about our work so I hope it wasn’t a great surprise to the audience that I bounced, laughed and generally chatted my way through two hours of photography and stories. Some of which were actually on-topic!
So, a huge thank you to a group of really nice photographers who took the time to listen to me drone on in their auditorium and then (as if that weren’t enough) bought me a beer or two – which is never a good idea given my ability to wax lyrical about all things photography!
I can only hope they enjoyed it as much as I did!
All the best
Cheers
P.
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Emma, Oliver & Henry at Wendover Woods
Posted by Paul in For Website, Lifestyle on June 14th, 2009
I love this time of year – though, yes, I do freely admit that I probably say that throughout the year. Can’t help it. Every season – and particularly the changes between the different seasons – seems to bring a new perspective on the photography and a whole new set of interests for us.
This session was up in Wendover Woods, possibly one of our favourite haunts. It works for us on so many levels – the light, the woodland, the freedom etc. (oh, and you can get a nice cup of tea at the end!)
Oliver and Henry seemed to thoroughly enjoy the shoot from start to finish and we have an absolute bucket load of gorgeous images of them having a great time. I lent them one of my cameras to have a go with which, inevitably, means I also have quite a few pictures of me taking pictures of them!
Loved this shoot. Lovely client, (eventually) fantastic light and ultimately, great photos. Oh, and a nice cup of tea. Perfect.
Let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
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Rachel and Philip’s Wedding at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons
Posted by Paul in For Website, Weddings on May 29th, 2009
You know sometimes when you have to pinch yourself? Just a little pinch. Just to remind you that this is actually work? Well, this was one of those days.
I’m stood in the familiar surroundings of Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, camera in hand. And I have the nicest group of people to photograph. Oh, and the sun is shining – at least momentarily.
This was Rachel and Philip’s gorgeous and intimate wedding at Raymond Blanc’s famous venue. And it was everything you could wish to photograph in a wedding. Except for a little rain. Actually, quite a lot of rain, but it didn’t seem to matter too much. Besides, pictures of kids with umbrellas always look fantastic!
Rachel was particularly insistent that we captured a lot of images of the younger members of the wedding party and that the images overall were relaxed and informal. Given our approach, I suspect that’s exactly why she chose us to take the photos in the first place!
I reckon I have fulfilled the brief and I had a fantastic time doing it – and I suspect that Rachel, Philip and all of their guests did too judging by what I saw unfold in front of my camera. We have loads of images of the kids running around (with and without umbrellas!), a chilled groom, a stunning bride and a newly-married couple looking, well, like they’re unbelievably in love!
Is there more you can ask from a wedding day? If there is, I am not sure I know what it would be! Except, just maybe, a little less rain. But hey, that’s just nitpicking.
Let us know what you think of the images.
Cheers
P.
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Waddesdon School Prom at Bicester Golf Club
Posted by Paul in Events, For Website on May 19th, 2009
It is true, you do need a lot of energy for this job. Particularly when you photograph a school prom.
This was the leaving prom for Waddesdon School which was held at the Bicester Gold Club. And it was awesome.
I’m always blown away by the job that the organising committees do in putting these things together – even ignoring the fact that the committee is formed entirely from the guys themselves which means that not only have they had to deal with the pressure of A-Levels and interviewing for universities – which would clearly be enough for most of us – they’ve also taken on the process of creating, planning and delivering a ball for 150 or so eager guests. Awesome. Seriously, this was a brilliant evening and that’s all credit to the guys that pieced it together.
We’re very lucky in that when we’re asked to cover something like a ball (which is not something we specialise in) we’re usually left to do it in our own inimitable fashion. Which is to say, VERY chilled. Actually, I wouldn’t take a ball on if that weren’t the case – the idea of static lifeless photos would drive me nuts. I know, I know, we do still have a huge white background but that’s just to give us a well-lit predictable area in which to mess around. And mess around we do!
The photos from this ball are fantastic. At least, I think that the photos from this ball are fantastic. The guys at Waddesdon were are really nice crowd – excited (who wouldn’t be?! It’s the end of school for good!), enthusiastic (possibly a little overly so in the case of one guy in particular – Sarah couldn’t stop laughing as she filtered the images out as he kept appearing. And reappearing. And then appearing once again. And once more for luck) and hugely amiable which actually makes the job of getting cool images really easy.
Nice way to spend an evening 
Let us know what you think!
Cheers
P.
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Presentation to Princes Risborough Photographic Society
Posted by Paul in For Website, News on May 19th, 2009
Last night I had the greatest pleasure of presenting some of our work to the Princes Risborough Photographic Society.
We’ve been asked to do quite a few talks and presentations this year and I have to admit I love doing them! Can’t help myself: a room full of interested or, at least, captive photographers is always going to bring out the worst in me!
So, I talked through everything we do, showed some slideshows, described what we do, tried to antagonise traditionalists and generally laughed my way through two hours of experiences and anecdotes.
These things are always just a little daunting as the collective knowledge in any good photographic society (and these guys are good – they’ve just won the Chiltern Camera Clubs print competition and having seen their prints I can absolutely see why!) dwarfs what any one person can know but, I am happy to say, they were pretty gentle with me (even the Canon users) and I think – or at least hope – everyone enjoyed it!
So a HUGE thank you to everyone who came to hear my idle musings – I had an absolute ball and loved every minute of it and I really hope it was at least a little useful
I am now thoroughly looking forward to the next presentation for the Metropolitan Police Photographic Society!
Cheers
P.
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Jane, Michael, Katie and Sophie in the Bluebells at Christmas Common
Posted by Paul in For Website, Lifestyle on May 16th, 2009
Well, it’s Saturday morning as I’m sitting writing this and we’re (gradually) catching up with ourselves on the blog front (it was the Waddesdon school prom last night and, having got back home in the small hours after shooting several thousand photos I do admit to typing this at a considerably slower rate than normal!)
Anyway, this shoot was a gorgeous session we had a couple of weeks ago over in the Bluebells at Christmas Common.
It’s always an ‘interesting’ place to shoot up there because it’s invariably crowded – particularly when it looks as pretty as it does at this time of year. But, with a little bit of scouting around, I managed to find a spot that had beautiful light and was really quiet.
Jane, Michael, Katie and Shophie were absolutely lovely to work with and I think, in particular, you can see the spirit of the two girls in the images. One of the reasons I love this job so much is that I get to meet so many different characters and personalities and I can happily report that, after a brief (and I do mean brief) moment of uncertainty, Katie and Sophie got right into it and probably suggested more images to take than I did! Fantastic! I really love it when that happens because it shows that no-one felt uncomfortable or under pressure in front of the camera. Just a lovely afternoon, great company, stunning light and a bag-load of beautiful images.
Life is good. Busy. But good!
Cheers
P.
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Helen, Alf, David, Joe and Naomi
Posted by Paul in For Website, Lifestyle on May 15th, 2009
Why is it that I always seem to be writing our blog at some ridiculous hour in the morning? The Mac clock is reliably informing me that it’s nearly ridiculous-o’clock and I really should be asleep. However, it’s been another full-on week and tomorrow we’re photographing the Waddesden ball so I just know I won’t get a chance to sit down and do an entry.
This shoot was an absolute ball. Helen contacted us a while back to arrange the session with her brothers and sisters. And then rearranged it rapidly when one of them (no names, no pack-drill) double booked and went off to some far-off climb. A holiday in Rome I believe. Some people have no sense of priority. 
So it was with some degree of anticipation that we eventually did this session – you know what it’s like: the weather was stunning, the location is the ever beautiful Haddenham, and all five of the guys were great company and easy to photograph. It was all well worth the wait! And so, as usual, I’m a very happy bunny. Ah, how the summer will simply sail on past!
I love these pictures. You really don’t need very much to create images like this – a good eye for light I suppose (particularly when the conditions are as bright this) and, crucially, a relaxed client. It seems, on this occasion, we had both. I know I’ve gone for black and white images here but I’m still having an ongoing love affair with monochrome. Even though the colours on this particular day were stunning, there is something about the simplicity of these black and whites that works so well!
Let us know what you think!
Cheers
P.
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Claire & Iain’s Pre-Wedding Session in Wendover
Posted by Paul in For Website, Pre-Wedding on May 8th, 2009
Or should I say, Claire, Iain, Joe, Saskia, Imogen and Heather’s session in Wendover?
I think you can see from the photos here that, well, we had a reasonably good time. Possibly. Just a little. Laugh? No. Not really. Oh go on then, I admit it. We laughed. A lot. Actually, I don’t think we did anything other than laugh.
Not a bad day at the office then!
I loved this shoot: lovely family, beautiful location, stunning weather. Best job in the world. And we have soooo many images to choose from it’s unreal.
We’re well and truly into our wedding season for this year and we’re having an absolute ball – but I can’t help but think that Claire and Iain’s will be one that might well be a highlight of the year!
I’ll keep you posted.
Let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
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Sir Roger Bannister for Oxfordshire Life Magazine
Posted by Paul in For Website on May 7th, 2009
An absolute legend!
There is simply no other way of describing Sir Roger Bannister of the 4-minute-mile fame.
We were asked to capture some natural portraits of Sir Roger to support an interview that had been done for The Oxfordshire Life magazine, so we popped around to his house in Oxford and spent a very happy half an hour in the presence of one of the most inspiring characters ever to walk this earth.
Even at 79 years of age, Sir Roger was everything you’d expect from someone who once obliterated the greatest athletic barrier of all time – which is to say hugely modest! A lovely guy who would, on the whole prefer to be known for his work in medicine.
And for the first time in my life, I was truly nervous about photographing someone. I don’t think it shows in the images though!
Let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
PS. Shameless plug – the magazine is on sale now
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Family Taster Session at Puddleducks Nursery
Posted by Paul in For Website, Lifestyle on April 30th, 2009
You need quite a lot of bounce in your bungee to this job. And on the annual family taster session with our friends at Puddleducks Nursery in Haddenham, you really do need it!
We do this session every year as a way of raising much needed funds for one of the best nurseries in our area. Our son, Jake, went there and I can’t speak highly enough of the staff there and the crowd of parents who help keep it running and funded.
The idea is a simple one. We provide an entire day of photography broken into 20 minute slots. On a first-come-first-served basis, the families with children at the nursery can book in and have 15 minutes of photography (I try and have a 5 minute gap to get my breath back!) to get a taste of what it’s like to have a full lifestyle session with us. There are no fees but if you like your photos you can buy them from us and we split the profits with nursery. A great way to help raise funds!
Weather permitting, we try to make the session as much like one of our normal sessions as is possible – only it’s much shorter! This year the weather was pretty much beautiful and we captured the majority of the images outside – something that I love more than anything. Particularly with young children as they just relax so much quicker and it all feels much more natural.
And, of course, we have a load of beautiful images. The kids (oh, and their parents too, of course) were brilliant and provided us with a never-ending supply of moments to capture. You can’t ask for better than that.
This is one of those instances where that old saying ‘never work with children and animals’ is at least half wrong!
Have a look through the images and let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
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Marc & Rebecca Pre-Wedding session in Regent’s Park
Posted by Paul in For Website, Pre-Wedding on April 30th, 2009
Oh wow, it feels like summer.
The daffodils are out (though I do have to admit to a secret and irrational dislike of them – something to do with them taking over your lawn every spring I suspect – and they’re not even particularly pretty. I am worryingly beginning to sound like an old git…), birds are singing, kids are guzzling ice cream like it’s gone out of fashion and the great British public has taken off a little too much clothing and is quietly going pink. Ah, the sound of sizzling and the smell of coconut oil.
And all of this in the middle of London.
I love shooting up in town; there is just something about it. The area around us here in rural Buckinghamshire is beautiful and tranquil and everything I’d ever want to live in but I still get a real buzz from being back in London, camera in hand.
This shoot was the pre-wedding session for Marc & Rebecca who we’re going to be working with in a few weeks’ time. And it was glorious. The weather was simply too good to be stuck in anywhere stuffy so we headed over to Regent’s Park. Bit weird, it has to be said, as it happened to be the G20 conference that week and it seemed like the park was the site of a Policeman’s Picnic. There were stab vests and blue lights everywhere (something to do with the American Ambassador’s place backing onto it) and it did feel a little weird being watched given I was clearly holding the terrorist’s weapon of choice – a camera. Sigh.
Still, this was an absolutely beautiful shoot! Marc and Rebecca were (are) great company and clearly very much in love. Ahhh. A great set of photos and the exciting prospect of shooting them again at their wedding back in London! Can’t wait.
Let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
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