I know it must seem like I go on about the weather a bit (or perhaps a lot, come to think of it) but when you have a business that somewhat depends on having sufficient light for your subjects (whoever they may be) and it being dry enough that the bounce doesn’t go from your bungee, you may – perhaps – understand why it gets a regular mention in the current climate. Which is, to say, wet.

Luckily yesterday, much against the predictions of the BBC’s finest (their opening line was “Here’s the National Floodline Number”. ho hum) the rain held off. The wind, it has to be said, was another matter altogether which, without the regular inconvenience of heavy rain to shovel into faces, under doors and through not properly closed car doors (and I speak from experience here), it proceeded to bump us around with no small degree of gusto.

Now I have to admit, much to my chagrin given we’re based only about 25 minutes away, that I’ve never been up to Hughenden Manor (technically, I still haven’t as the church is on the way into the grounds but still) and it is clearly worth some time invested. And we did manage to squeeze a really lovely shoot into the relatively short time between stepping out of the car and frostbite setting in.

Lucy and Steve (and Rosie – one very exuberant puppy!) valiantly fought off the cold and buffeting for us to get some really cool and interesting shots. The flat light lent itself more to the black and whites I think rather than colour but what we’ve captured are great! Luckily I really love a little movement in the hair…

We’re shooting their wedding at the end of this week at the same church which will be fantastic whatever happens (the inside is absolutely stunning!) and it promises to be a fantastic occasion. Can’t wait.

You have to admit, there’s something quite special about having the family around over Christmas – the general mayhem, the queue for the loo, the never-ending washing up (even with the assistance of Hotpoint’s best), the reminiscing over things only a family would remember and/or care about, the arguing over BBC1 or ITV (the clash of the soaps), but, most importantly of all, the closeness and familiarity that a family get-together provides.

I was asked to go and photograph Molly and Gordon’s family while they were all together during the festive season – four family units, one flash head, one sofa and a little grey daylight. Oh, and a Christmas tree of course. Just lovely,a little tight on space maybe, but lovely. Add the fact that everyone was really nice and I can’t think of many better ways to while away an hour or two!

We caught some nice shots of the whole family together – though Lillie (age 3) had quite a clear view about how much time we were allowed to shoot before she needed a break for wardrobe – just fantastic! She has a wonderful character about her – though it meant I had to work pretty quick!

We also captured a few images outdoors. Anyone reading the blog regularly will know I’m always a big fan of shooting in natural light – though we’re also extremely well set up with artificial lights. I don’t know why that should be, maybe it’s the fact that I’m outdoors or maybe it’s the fact most people seem more relaxed without the technicality of a studio setup around them. Either way, in a tiny amount of time, we caught some really beautiful images, particularly of the four cousins.

Here are a handful from the session. Enjoy.

Well, it’s 2008 and we’re off to a flying start! January is traditionally a quiet month – at least photographically speaking, particularly given the UK’s traditional grey, misty and generally sodden skies at this time of year – however, it looks like this is going to be a busy one!

This studio-based shoot was really good fun and has kicked off the year in the right sort of vein – nice clients and plenty of entertainment. The boys (Jonah & Eliot) were full of life (as they should be) and I spent a good deal of time trying to keep the camera focused on them as they hurtled around the studio. Thankfully, they were also more than happy to stop and pose for a while so we have some great shots of them “working the camera”. Bring on that modelling contract.

Although most of the shots are destined for colour, I’ve switched a couple to black & white. Call me old fashioned, but there is still something magical and timeless about black & white images that seem to amplify the emotion perhaps a little more than colour does. I think these shots work really well with the neutral tones of the outfits and the grain in the wooden flooring. I love the energy and life you get in the colour images – particular wherever there are strong colours such as the red t-shirts or the speckled gold in an autumn scene but I also love the emotion you get in the black & whites.

I love the shots of Andy & Sarah – particularly Sarah leaning on our gate just as they were leaving. I love impromptu shots like this as they feel almost like an afterthought and are often more relaxed and natural. I always try to catch these if I can – often, I am sure, to the frustration of our clients who are trying to leave. Still, you can’t fault me for always working to get “that shot”!

Well, let’s hope that 2008 continues as it began. Brilliant.