Nancy & Phill’s Wedding Album from the Crazy Bear, Oxford

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Paul

Ah, we’re at that time of year when the finished albums are now coming through and being delivered to our clients. I love this bit. Everything about photographing someone’s wedding really culminates in one of our beautiful albums and it’s always exciting to hand them over! I love it when our clients open up the box and there’s the smell of the leather and the and first glimpse of the images they’ve chosen all stunningly printed and bound by our suppliers.

OK, so that does sound a little ‘sales-y’ but it’s really true! We get just as excited as our clients! We’ve spent a long time finding albums that WE love (this is kind of important – if we don’t love them then how can we expect our clients to?) and the guys we’ve picked really do produce the most beautiful albums in the world. At least in our opinion. Feel free to pop by the studio and have a look!

Anyway, here are just a few spreads from another lovely wedding album (Nancy & Phill’s) at The Crazy Bear near Oxford. Can’t wait to give them the finished product!

Take care
Cheers
P.

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Sammie & Gareth’s Wedding at Burnham Beeches Hotel, Buckinghamshire

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Paul

We’ve never worked at Burnham Beeches before – and I can’t help thinking the next time we do, it would have a lot to live up to: this was a great wedding.

Sammie and Gareth are a truly lovely couple and we had a lot of fun on their day (with a copious amount of heckling from the crowd – why is it that someone ALWAYS shouts ‘Health and Safety’ the minute I climb our steps to take the big group shots?!) Just as well it was fantastic really as we’d had it booked for a couple of years – and we were pretty excited about it from the minute they rang us!

Burnham Beeches is a great venue for a big wedding like this as there is plenty of room to play (and loads of locations for photography – not that we really worry too much: we just need a nice patch of light and we’re happy!)

Executive Summary? Lovely couple, gorgeous venue, beautiful weather, friendly crowd (with the odd safety-conscious character for good measure!)

Can’t wait to show them the full set of pictures!

Now, where are my hard-hat, mask and safety glasses. I guess I’d better take them next time…

Take care
Cheers
P.

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Paul Wilkinson AMPA

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Paul

OK. Here’s a formal warning. The following post is nothing more than a little blowing of our own trumpet. If you are at all of an anti-self-patting-on-the-back disposition, then please re-tune your blog for the next few minutes. It won’t take long.

Yesterday I was awarded my Associateship qualification with the Master Photographer’s Association (MPA). And I am very VERY pleased about it! It’s a good thing. It means we do actually take some great pictures. I’ve always thought we take great pictures but when 7 (or maybe 8 or possibly 6 – frankly the judging process was all a bit of a blur) of your peers say you take great pictures – and are sufficiently convinced to let you stick another set of letters after your name – then great our pictures must be. And I am, if I may be a little candid with you here, very pleased about it! I may have mentioned that already.

Anyway, that’s it, a short blast on a little self-promoting trumpet. I promise to shut up again now. At least for a while. Feel free to tune back into our regular blog!

Take care
Cheers
P.

PS. These are the pictures that we used in the qualifying panel. Enjoy!

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Nicola & Alex pre-wedding photography in Instow, Devon

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Paul

Normally to me, Devon is a place of family, camping and cholesterol. And not, necessarily, in that order. I love that county – notwithstanding the fact that The Devon Cream Tea is a thing of awe and wonder (who thought, “I know, let’s see how much lard can reasonably be piled onto a small piece of fruit-enriched bread product to be served with a hot infusion of dried leaves” I wonder) but because it is also the birthplace and home-county of my utterly lovely (and long-suffering) wife, Sarah. It really feels like a second home. Though one that, eventually, will fur my arteries to a complete standstill.

So it is with a great deal of excitement (I know, I know, I get excited about all weddings but nonetheless) that we’re photographing Nicola and Alex’s wedding down there. It’s a truly beautiful part of the world – and I couldn’t ask for a nicer couple to be photographing in it!

This was a pre-wedding shoot which we did at their wedding venue and down on the beach at Instow. Ah, it was just like being on holiday. I had a camera, sunshine and a beach – and, unusually, some people who were actually willing, nay paying, to be photographed. OK, I admit, it was a bit weird not having two small(ish) children asking for ice-creams or somewhere to charge their iPods, but momentarily at least, it didn’t feel like working! Still, sand is no respecter of professional status and proceeded to get into every single available part of the camera. How does it do that? I have just cleaned some grains out of the inside of the view finder! How on earth…?

Anyway, a truly lovely session that involved a lot of chat, some stunning locations and, yup you guessed it, a very good cream tea. All is well with the world!

Let us know what you think.

Take care
Cheers
P.

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Sophie & Tom’s Wedding at Ashridge, Hertfordshire

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Paul

If ever you wanted to photograph a wedding in a venue simply dripping with history, then this is it. Ashridge, sitting high on the Chilterns above Berkhamsted, is where, I am led to believe, Queen Elizabeth The First found out she was Queen. That’s quite a bit of news. I am guessing it may have taken the courtiers a while to find her in the vast expanse of this place (and that’s assuming she was inside the building!)

Ever since our first encounter with Tom and Sophie in a bar in Tring (a meeting at which, I should point out, we spent more time laughing than we did going through pictures!), we’ve been looking forward to this day. And it was spectacular to put it mildly.

So many funny moments from the day there are too many to mention – when you bring together a large English family and an equally large Irish contingent, it’s always going to be funny (notice the flying of the Irish Colours above the door – the first time this has ever happened in the building’s 800-year history!)

So a huge thank you to everyone for making this one of those weddings that we will remember for a lifetime – and a particular thank you to Sophie for, even on her own wedding day, cooking possibly the best scrambled eggs we’ve ever had! Apparently the secret is fromage frais. Make of that what you will!

Take care
Cheers
P.

PS. I had to pop back quite late on to pick up some of our kit and found a very exuberant (and pretty decent!) rendition of Irish Rover (I think) being energetically delivered by none other than Tom, the groom, who appeared to have staged a bloodless coup as the band’s lead singer! Brilliant!

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Kim, Cara & Jenni Lifestyle Photography at Stourhead

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Paul

I have to be honest, I have never worked at Stourhead before. Shame because it’s glorious in it’s location, it’s gardens and it’s sheer scale!

This session had been in our diary for ages as a surprise for Kim and Cara’s mum, Jenni. I really hope she wasn’t disappointed when I turned up (I think the girls may have been winding her up about what the surprise was) but we had a really wonderful couple of hours messing around in the most stunning locations.

I’ve worked with Kim quite a bit (she is the manager at The Cotswold Grange in Cheltenham – runs a very tight ship!) and it’s always a pleasure to see her. She’s one of those people who you just can’t help liking and enjoy working with. And, having met her mum now, I can see where she and her sister get it from!

A very entertaining, relaxed session resulting in some very beautiful (and very funny!) images.

Can’t wait to show them the rest of the pictures!

Let us know what you think.

Take care
Cheers
P.

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Hannah & Ralph’s Wedding at Taplow House Hotel

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Paul

Some weddings have everything – the location, the weather, the bride and groom (yes I know that’s obvious) and a large family from across the border in Wales. Brilliant. It’s a long time since I’ve laughed so much with the guests at a wedding – one of whom, it turned out, went to the same school as me in North Wales (the Alun School in Mold in case you’re curious!)

I always feel a little guilty when we have such a good time working at a wedding – our client is, after all, paying for our services. However, everyone was absolutely lovely and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day!

The only slight glitch was one very small page boy who really did not like being in front of the camera. And no amount of distraction tactic could change that. In the end Kate, our ever-hard-working second camera, had to go on a long run to see if we could gently get a shot of him with the wedding group in the background (something she did pretty well!)

Let us know what you think!

Take care
Cheers
P.

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Tory, Stuart, Eleanor and William: Lifestyle photography in Wendover Woods

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Paul

Perfect. A lovely family in one of our favourite locations. Wendover has everything: myriad locations, stunning light, a decent playground for the kids (and, er, the adults) and, most importantly, a coffee shop. You should never underestimate the importance of a good coffee shop, I feel, and besides, we almost always get some beautiful shots while simply sitting having some refreshment!

This shoot was absolutely perfect. The weather, the location and, of course, a fantastic client. We chilled, chatted, meandered and captured little bits of magic with the family. Beautiful. My idea of a good day at the office!

Let us know what you think.

Cheers
P.





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Jay & Kirsty Blake: Family photography in Marlow Bottom, Buckinghamshire

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Paul

It’s always a pleasure when old friends come to be photographed as was the case with Jay and Kirsty and their family. We first met them at a wedding fair way back in the dark years when we still attended such things (in case you’re wondering, we don’t go to wedding fairs any more – I’d rather be out on location taking pictures!) Jay and Kirsty run a very successful video company – Ichthus Video where they produce some pretty amazing work, particularly if you’re looking for a commercial or promotional film!

Anyway, the last time we photographed their family was a few years ago and Grace and Martha were significantly smaller (though no less willing to play to the camera!) and we had an autumn session in the golden leaves of Wendover. This session, however, was on a sultry summer’s Sunday afternoon – even up in the expected cool of the woods above Marlow Bottom it was still sweltering – but the speckled light drifting down through the canopy was beautiful.

A really gentle sociable session with a family who are lovely to be around (even the pet pooch was laid back!)

Let us know what you think

Cheers
P.





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Tiffany & Iris: Lifestyle photography in Hampshire

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Paul

This has been such a stunning season that it’s all a bit of a whirlwind really. Mind you, if you’re reading this in the Northwest where, if my parents are reliable witnesses (they usually are, especially where the weather is concerned) you’ve had a pretty rubbish summer then I do apologise. Profusely.

But, down here at least, it’s been, well, one of the nicest summer seasons I can remember.

And it’s not just the gloriously atypical weather that’s made it so good for us – though, clearly, it has helped just a tad – no, it’s been as much the variety of lovely clients and locations that have made it such a ball. I realise I sound like I’m on some kind of ‘happy pills’ (I always feel like we have the best clients ever) but I do think this year will be a classic for us!

This session was a case in point. Tiffany is the sister of Shaun, the groom whose astounding wedding we photographed in the Dordogne last year but who, sadly, couldn’t attend the ceremony as she was very heavily pregnant with her first baby, Iris. So it was with some excitement that I made my way down to deepest Hampshire to capture some images of the two of them.

The weather? Scorching (as it had been all week) which makes it a little more of a challenge with small babies as you can’t simply plonk them out in the middle of a sunny lawn and hope for the best. Not that we would anyway, of course, as this wouldn’t create the most interesting pictures. Luckily Tiffany’s garden was full of walkways and shady avenues that we could work in – as well as a gorgeous country house that was simply full of the most resplendent light.

And, as if things couldn’t be any better, both mother and daughter (and faithful mutt for that matter!) were supremely chilled and happy to be photographed as much as I was thrilled to be there!

If the summer continues like this we’re going to have an absolute nightmare picking out images for 2010′s portfolio!

Life couldn’t be better!





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Emily & Friends: Lifestyle session in Haddenham

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Paul

You can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends (so the saying goes) – and what nicer way to remember your friends than to get some beautiful images that you can keep for the rest of your life?

Emily came to us last year for her work experience – she’s a very good photographer – and this year she wanted to capture some pictures of her group of mates before they go off to various sixth forms (why, by the way, do we now have years 1-13 at school but somehow have retained ‘sixth form’ as a title. Most odd.)

Anyway, this session was a real laugh – the guys were very funny! And the photos tell quite a story I think!

All photographed within about 400 yards of our studio, Haddenham is a fantastic backdrop for us (which is lucky I guess) and it’s helped create some really lovely images, though one day, they may have to explain the Land Rover, the bull, the sofa and the umbrellas. All good fun!

Let us know what you think!

Take care
Cheers
P.





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Chandima & Mark’s Wedding at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Paul

Once in a while a wedding (or lifestyle shoot for that matter) comes along that takes your breath away. Maybe it’s the location, maybe the atmosphere, maybe the weather, maybe the guests. Sometimes it’s, well, everything.

Welcome to Chandima & Mark’s wedding ceremony at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons!

I’ll be honest here (aren’t I always?), I have never photographed an Anglo-Sri Lankan wedding before and consequently wasn’t as sure as I normally am about what was coming up next (or what it would look like through the viewfinder!) And the images I did have in my head didn’t even come close to predicting the beauty, energy, joy and emotion of this particular day!

I figured that Chandima and Mark’s families would be lovely – they are, after all, responsible for Chandima and Mark (you couldn’t wish for nicer clients) – and I figured that it would be a very vibrant and colourful affair (I, too, have access to Google so it didn’t take much to find some suitably enlightening pictures online) but I had no idea just how beautiful!

From the initial moments of Chandima getting ready to the Kandyan dancers to the ceremonial lighting of the lamp to the emotional speeches to the gentle but uplifting Budhist ceremony in Oxford… The list goes on.

And on top of that Kate, our new assistant, is proving to be every bit as skilled with the camera as we predicted and has captured some absolutely stunning images from alternative viewpoints!

Simply perfect.

Can’t wait to show everyone the full set of images but until then, here are a few.

Enjoy!

Take care
Cheers
P.





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Victoria & Samuele’s Wedding: Kettering Park Hotel, Northamptonshire

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Paul

I think you can tell the character of a wedding from the character of the couple. I know that sounds obvious but it’s true – and you must remember that we can meet some of our couples two years ahead of their big day! So it was no surprise at all that Victoria and Samuele’s wedding at the Kettering Park Hotel was simply lovely.

The sun shone (possibly a little too much given we’re running around with cameras and bags!), the crowd were funny and both Victoria and Samuele looked like they were having a truly wonderful time.

This was also a wedding with lots of stories to tell – the usher who had cut his head while shaving it, the beautiful flower girl who didn’t want to be photographed (but then had an epiphany and became the most photogenic flower girl in the history of, well, flower girls!); the somewhat enthusiastic guest who provided enough dance-floor energy to power a small town the size of Barnley; the sudden (and alarming) appearance of a notably loud megaphone in the hands of the best man (I kid you not) and the registrar that seemed to rather enjoy making photographers’ lives as tricky as possible (as far as I am aware, taking pictures of the congregation at a wedding – whether or not the bride and groom are sitting at the register – is a fairly well accepted part of the day. Clearly this was not something that coincided with Northamponshire’s view of the world. Still, we got our shots, quietly and politely as always!) Oh, and a very lively nan who gave me a proper run for my money – in the nicest possible way!

Such a lovely day. Such lovely couple. Such a fantastic crowd. So many photos!

Take care
Cheers
P.





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Rachel & Leon’s Wedding: Haddenham St. Mary’s Church

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Paul

July 3rd? What’s so special about July 3rd? Well, apart from being the day when all our American friends prepare to celebrate their anniversary of chucking our tea in the Boston harbour, it was Haddenham’s Real Ale Festival 2010. And that is exactly where we would have been had it not been for the fact we were photographing Rachel & Leon’s wedding!

Good job, then, that they’re one of our nicest couples – particularly as we went to the Haddenham festival to capture some images of the lads ‘warming up’. One glorious hot, sunny summer’s day and we’re photographing other people enjoying some rather fine beer and cider. It’s a good thing that I love this job!

And in spite of the date, I would still always rather be photographing a wedding like this one. It was beautiful in every measure – from the weather to the setting, from the bride to the bridesmaids, every single aspect was perfect!

And who can say better than that?

Enjoy!

Take care
Cheers
P.





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Haddenham and District Rotary Club Young Photographer Competition 2010

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Paul

Unusually tonight, I’m posting a whole load of other people’s images. Excellent, interesting, exciting, beautiful, challenging, creative and alarmingly high quality images – and all created by young photographers aged between 6 and 18.

It has been a real privilege to be a judge for the Rotary Club competition – and a real challenge. The standard of the photography (and the volume of entries!) has been completely overwhelming and, if I’m honest, it was one of the toughest jobs I’ve done to help judge them.

So a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who took the time to enter or support the competition. Every single image submitted had real merit to it and each photographer should be hugely proud of the photographs they’ve created. For the winners a big ‘congratulations’ and to those who, this time at least, did not walk away with a prize – please try again next year as, on a different day, with different judges, you might just have made it.

Whatever happens, if this standard of photography in the UK can be continued, the state of the industry going forward will always be of the highest calibre!

And that can ONLY be a good thing!

Let us know what you think
Cheers
P.





PS. The copyright on each of these images remains with each contestant – thank you for letting us show them!

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