Cementing Anglo-French relations in this Rudding Park June wedding

Rudding Park has seen many weddings, but there is a special and poignant sentiment in the air when the occasion marks the formal entwinement of a couple who have seen 11 years and three beautiful children together.

Laura is British. 11 years ago in a night-club, she bumped into the tall, dark, athletic figure of professional footballer, Tou. If he wasn’t imposing enough on sight, his French accent swung it. The Afro-Parisian hunk and the English rose fell in love. Their commitment endured and flourished, and has led them through over a decade of their lives together. During this time they have grown a magnificent family, and in 2018 they decided that the time was now right to seal the deal on paper.

Bridal prep was busy. Hats off to Laura for keeping her cool when two small girls are wanting the one thing they cannot have - mummy! Hair and make-up was a team affair, and meticulously executed by the super Evangeline (MUA) and Caroline (Hair) from Your Bridal Team. Somewhat confined to quarters due to unforecasted rain, there were a lot of bodies in a small space, but pretty things soon emerged as even more beautiful, in their capable hands.

The bridesmaids all wore soft rosy pink with which they were furnished by Walsall based bridal shop Jeneve Bridal.

Laura’s waist-hugging gown by Suzanne Neville was elegant and traditional, and provided by The Bridal Collection of Harrogate. A cathedral length veil framed her face and soft, wavy hair. Her shoes were from Dune and the wedding bands were both selected from Ernest Jones.

The Follifoot Suite looked stunning for the couple’s relaxed, civil ceremony, with giant floral displays filling the room with soft rose and cream colours. Hurricane lanterns burned softly all along the aisle and the couple’s eldest daughter Nevaeh scattered petals before mum walked in with her father, Steve. The bride’s bouquet was full and weighty, but beautifully crafted. All the flowers were created by the incredibly talented The Rarified. The whole of the proceedings were skilfully orchestrated by The Angels Events team, and, of course the wedding coordinators at Rudding.

I think I’m right in saying that this was the first official meeting for the two families from different continents. Little English is spoken by the groom’s relations, but love is gesture that crosses all boundaries.

Tou waited nervously whilst still managing to cut a handsome and suave figure in his custom tuxedo, crafted by tailors Crown to Cuff.

The best man was also the smallest, in 9 year old son Zayden. No dramas, just quietly dutiful all day long. Baby sister Amiyah took the occasion in her stride too and slept through it all.

There is no more picturesque estate to wander with a bride and groom for portraits than that of Rudding Park. We took a stroll, Tou gallantly helping his new wife with her ample skirt (and trying not to stomp his size 12s on her epic white veil).

A tremendous 5 course meal was followed by a short speeches from the bride’s dad, and an off-the-cuff tribute by the groom-who-claimed-he-was-rubbish-at-public-speaking’s Mike Drop.

This sparkly, edible beastie of a wedding cake was conceived and created by the epic brilliance of Poppy Pickering of Ilkley. I never did get a taste!

When the party commences, I usually take my leave. No-one needs theses moments on a public gallery. DJ Mark Green led the festivities, and the beautiful duo kicked things off in traditional style with a song that has been the backdrop to their enduring courtship.

My one regret? Next time, maybe insist on getting this many people into a group shot BEFORE the Prosecco runs out. #carnage #herdingcats

Contact me for more info on wedding photography, or check my other pages for more wedding photos!

2018 wedding gallery

As always, 2018 was a year of select weddings.

I don’t do many, but actually it rather suits me to keep a nervous edge. I still feel the need to prep every single wedding and I also reserve the right to lose sleep the night before. It’s just who I am.

We all care deeply about our clients, of course, but my need to balance family life with a brood of 6 kids ranging from 6 to 30 means that keeping the numbers low is partly essential, but also allows me the capacity to work with the luxury of time and attention, and to never lose the thrill.

Here’s a round-up.

Denton Hall wedding shoot

Denton Hall is a 2500 acre estate in the beautiful Wharfedale countryside near Ilkley, North Yorkshire. I was chuffed to be invited to capture some images to represent both the epic-ness of this place as a potential wedding venue, as well as the work of a number of local wedding suppliers who were gathering for a day of nuptial creativity.

The first of these clever peeps was hair and make-up stylist Chrys, whose transformation skills are legendary, and who carefully and lovingly embellished the already-exquisite face and hair of model bride, Christy.

Wedding details come in many forms. In this case, many of the artistic accompaniments were created and curated by Natalie, a local wedding stylist who showed her flourish with this set of delicate stationery and table settings, as well as a fabulously charming ladder altar. See more of Natalie’s work on Instagram at HandMaid.

A short photographer’s ‘reccy’ stroll around the immediate surroundings of the Denton Hall estate presented a number of appealing spots for photographic opportunities; none more eyesome (see what I did there?!) than the frontage itself. I’m a sucker for symmetry, so I was practically cock-a-hoop when I saw the proportions of those great stone columns on offer.

“What are those CAKES?” I hear you cry. Pretty huh? All crafted by the uber-talented Gayle from Where The Ribbon Ends. Check out her mad, mouth-watering creations and fabulous handiwork, you won’t regret it.

Our groom was suited and booted by the trendiest menswear store in the Dales, Jenson Samuel of Skipton. Modern, mix and match check suits with beautiful details and complementing waistcoats/accessories, spoiling groom George for choice.

The elegant autumnal florals were all created and designed by Leeds-based wedding planner Gillian from Planned with Gill.

Amongst some of Denton’s lush features is a pretty, winding staircase - a florist’s dream for embellishing. It’s customary during Denton Hall weddings to host the cake cutting ceremony underneath the staircase, and guests have been known to gather up, over and around, in order to observe and throw confetti. Epic.

The epitome of elegance, this beautiful crossover lace-and-bead gown is from Rachel Allan Bridal’s Lo’Adoro range. Fitted to the hips, it then spills down into a soft tulle full length skirt with a lush train.

One of Denton’s most elegant features is the enormous stone carved fireplace, in front of which the team set out the table with all its settings. Burgundy, green and orange were the perfect tones to usher in an early autumn, complementing Natalie’s hand-crafted menus and name cards to a tee.

The delicate rose gold jewellery pieces worn by Christy were all created and provided by So Belle Jewellery of Skipton. Stunning.

If you haven’t found your photographer yet, 2019 and 2020 wedding dates are still available. Contact Helen at eyesomephoto@gmail.com or on 07957627217. Tell me a little about your big day and we can go from there.

Quintessential couple portraits - getting past the awkward

Saudade - nostalgia; the love that remains; a desire to be near someone or something distant....

I have photographed quite a few couples now, often in wedding attire and high on life and love. What fascinates me most, however, is the first ten minutes of the shoot. Without exception, both parties are feeling self-conscious, looking awkward and generally asking 'what do you want me to do with my hands?'

To be fair, that's a great question. There's nothing worse than a dangly arm or spatula fingers, yet a couple who are thrust in front of the lens for the first time often suddenly lose the ability to snuggle, or even walk. Exit gorgeously relaxed couple, enter Pinnochio and friend.  

I find that couples who are attracted to my photographs are looking for (and I quote) 'natural shots'. They want their images to reflect the beauty of their romance but they don't want to be 'posed' or have to gaze into each others' eyes in front of 200 wedding guests and the passing postman.

Let me tell you a story - it relates to my own wedding day and, rather embarrassingly, the making of the very mistake I am now advising against. It was a very informal wedding and even more embarrassingly, it was not my first. (I should emphasise that the shame relates NOT to the fact that I've been married more than once, but to the multiple opportunities I have had to get wedding photos wrong). Our reception party and back garden were littered with close family and friends, where folk mingled and kids played. I asked our photographer for 'natural stuff'. Candid shots of the fun, the chatter, the love, and the sunshine, please. Ask and ye shall receive. All very sound until I received the digital files and realised that my husband and I had spent the entire day separately - wandering, networking and satisfying our guests, resulting in not a single photograph of the two of us together. D'oh.

I can also tell you that (sshh, it's a secret), if you come to me for couple, engagement or wedding photos then you WILL be posed. You WILL be directed and I WILL ask you to gaze occasionally. Creating romantic, organic images of love takes work and orchestration. If I were to pass the buck and leave you to it, we would probably end up with a hot mess of awkward stances and grooms holding brides in half-Nelson headlocks. 

I rest my case.... (click on the photo for a full dose of these fabulous deliberately awkward engagement pics)

So, think again as you browse those Pinterest boards filled with elegant, atmospheric, love-filled couplegraphs. It is highly unlikely that they were achieved by a photographer who was lucky enough to be recruited by a couple so confident and skilled in front of the camera that they were able to drug, take a day off and let them loose with a command of "just smoulder for me". 

Once the lens cap comes off and the moment arrives, my advice is simple - take a few deep breaths, look your baby deeply in the eyes, remember how you love him/her, pull them close and follow your photographer's lead. If you got this far because you are a fan of their work, the chances are you are already in very safe hands. Embrace your SAUDADE!

Engagement and couple shoots can be booked independently, or as part of a wedding package. We can shoot pretty much anywhere, but I highly recommend reconnecting with a place that has special meaning for you; it will make all the difference. 

Please get in touch by phone, via email at eyesomephoto@gmail.com or via my social media pages.

Helen x

Inner City Pretty

If you're into alternative and atmospheric wedding imagery, then this one is for you.

Last week was my birthday. Some people might treat themselves to a new frock on such an occasion, or a pair of shoes. I took a slightly alternative route and spent my birthday money on a full day's photo shoot with Photography Farm. This is my personal idea of fun. Me time. Utter selfishness. A day with myself, my camera and a delightful bunch of strangers in the inner city of Sheffield.

Our venue was a the Abbeydale Picture House, 100 year old semi-derelict cinema. Magnificent in its shabby condition, the peeling walls were nothing if not an asset for the photographer's eye. We were spoiled by the addition of two professional (and totally sublime) bridal models from J'Adore Models and the experienced and thoughtful styling of Erica at Mr & Mrs Unique.

Once I had overcome my fear of the dark (not, you understand, because I believe in ghosts, but because I know that to make photographs one requires light), and explored a bit, it became evident that the old picture palace (venue organised by Inner City Weddings and which is, incidentally, available for hire for weddings) was littered with pockets of natural light, eeking in to the building through tiny cracks and pores, and little port-hole windows. Perfection.

The shafts of light which pierced the darkness provided just enough drama to prove that you can make a beautiful bridal portrait just about anywhere. In the case of the image below this happened to be on an ill-lit, crumbling stairwell with wonky steps and splintered windows. The ancient walls retained just enough paint to add urban interest, complementing the softness of the incredible bridal gowns provided by the fabulous E&W Couture and Bowen Dryden. 

The faces of the two beauties in frocks were both naturally magnificent, but were enhanced by the skills of professional Make Up Artist, Jenn Edwards. Further details and embellishments were contributed by Campbells Flowers of Sheffield, Halo & Co (jewellery), and Faber Novella (shoes).

It was our privilege to be led by four aspirational pros for this romp in self-indulgence. It was as fascinating to watch and talk with them as it was to snap away in this masterpiece of a venue, so thanks indeed for the patience and tolerance of the following:-

Lisa Devlin, Jo from Enchanted Brides, Lee Allen and Lisa Jane.

If you are interested in my wedding photography, please get in touch via email or my social media, or by using the contact form. 

Horseshoes for luck

I do not generally consider myself a lucky person, but I have been very fortunate where wedding photography has been concerned.

Some stunning brides, idyllic locations and as yet I've never had to battle with torrents of rain or wild disasters disrupting the nuptials (that's the kiss of death right there, eh?)

Maybe it's a coincidence, but the brides I seem to attract are uber-relaxed and unconcerned with pomp and detail. I LOVE this. Frankie, however, took 'carefree' to a whole new level, leaving the lion's share of the wedding planning to groom, Dickie. I have never seen this before but what a refreshing change!

It became quickly obvious that by posing detailed questions to bride Frankie about the format of their wedding day, I was on a hiding to nothing, as she deferred one decision after another to the (super)man in her life. I came to see quite early on that Dickie is a real keeper.

This was a wedding without transport, without hotels, without enormous floral displays and without stress, yet it had everything Bohemian summer nuptials should have, and more.

The bride was walked to the church, just 100 yards from her parents' home, by her dad. After the ceremony, the newlyweds strolled back in the June sunshine, followed by their congregation.

The reception was held in a field behind Frankie's parents' house, where a large Yurt awaited. Simple green and white bouquets and olive trees complemented the rustic Italian-themed details, and the bridesmaids got sunburned whilst they mingled with guests seated on hay-bales.

My luck endured as this perfect day went without a hitch, and my love for shooting weddings of this type continues to grow.

Congratulations gorgeous couple.

Love, reprised in these super sweet wedding images from Hipping Hall, Lake District

Andy & Becky are sweethearts. Any fool can see that.  They sealed their devotion in a wedding ceremony on the idyllic Greek island of Corfu in August of this year. Now home, with the nuptials all complete, they decided to dust off their marital outfits for one final time with a post-wedding photo shoot.

favourite bridal portrait

Thanks to the artistry of local hair and makeup genius Lucy Pearson, bride Becky looked as pretty and youthful as the day she met her beau, with loose blonde curls and a sweet, natural look to her makeup. To complement her understated floral arrangement, Katie at Made in Flowers had created a stunning hair adornment for gorgeous Becky, who wore it with class and elegance. I adore how Becky's bluer-than-blue eyes stand out here against the dark brown wood pile in the background. Wowsers, Andy's a lucky guy!

venue highlight

Although not quite competing with Corfu, the English weather played nice on this super joyful day and bathed our newlyweds in glorious early autumn sunshine. We took to the fields and gardens around lush Hipping Hall near Kirkby Lonsdale in the southern Lake District, where the grass was long and the sun was helpfully low in the sky, adding an unsolicited breath of romance to our bridal portraits.

the best moments

Pretty much the final shot of the day, when Becky reached up her face and looked at her new husband, moments before a kiss, there was pure, unchecked adulation in her eyes. Marriage is a seriously intense experience, but the joy of re-enacting it purely for photographic pleasure allows a couple the chance to REALLY savour the time in front of the lens and relish in each other's affection. Just look at that smoulder!

Little details

Nervous grooms may not always show their apprehension in their faces, but if you know where to look there is inevitably some sign that they are jittery in other body language. Even though Andy had already been married to his gorgeous soulmate twice (yes, TWICE - once in Corfu, once in Blighty!) there was little doubt that he was still feeling daunted by the prospect of reliving the experience for a third time. His hands, never still, were in a constant state of agitation, undermining the calm expression on his handsome face.

Hand in hand all the way for this adoring couple, who barely lost contact with each other's fingers the entire time we were shooting, across two different locations. Lingering for a while to chat, the bride removed her silvery shoes and dangled her bare feet over the edge of the stream next to what looked like a former mill. Details such as this show the degree of comfort that the newlyweds feel in each other's company, as well as giving off an unceremonious air. This is a couple whose life together will be unpretentious and honest, surely a winning combination with which to begin a marriage.

If you enjoy wedding posts, try some of these. You can find the wedding 'details' which went with this photo shoot by following this link, as well as lots of other lovely stuff.

This shoot was made possible by Aspire Photography Training, who run marvellous courses for professional photographers.

Details, details, details, my love.

A marriage will survive any storm if lovers pay attention to the details. It is always a great sign, in my opinion then, when the wedding day itself is a display of the couple's attention to the small details. Those perfect peripheral items which enhance the wedding and capture the guests' interest.

Whether it's the matching stationery, the flowers, the bride's choice of footwear, or the table settings, it is the job of the photographer to freeze these items in a moment of time so that they will always be remembered. I still have in my possession the original box from my parents' wedding day in 1957 which contains the traditional black cat and silver horse shoe with which my mum was presented for good luck. Her luck endured for 50 years before she was separated from my dad by the only thing which they had pledged would ever render them asunder, her death.

In these modern times, wedding breakfasts are increasingly adorned with (P)interesting touches; decorative items which add to the ambience of the event and make bridal dreams come to life. It is small wonder then that wedding budgets have to stretch further than Elastigirl's knickers these days. 

For me, the best details are those which come from the heart, not necessarily a wealthy pocket. A hand crafted bunting display says more about the soul of the bride who requested (or indeed crafted) it than a gob-smacking chandelier. Even if they both give us clues about the brides who bought them, I know which one I'd rather have as my BFF.

It's not about the DIY necessarily, it's about the romance. A great deal of effort goes in to sourcing the items that replicate the look that a bride desires in any situation, but a great deal more passion goes in to creating something that reflects who you are and what you believe in. It is a manifestation of your personality.

Details, my love, are therefore paramount. I will always do my absolute best to do yours justice. 

For more wedding type stuff, try these blog posts. If family is your thing, here are some others.