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. 

An al-fresco engagement session in the Lake District with John & Sophia

An engagement or pre-wedding shoot poses an interesting dilemma for a lot of couples. On the one hand it has the advantage of familiarising them with their photographer, and also extends the period of anticipation and excitement in the lead up to the big day. On the other hand, it can add a lot of pounds to an already overweight wedding budget.

A relatively new phenomenon from across The Pond, the engagement shoot isn't really what it says, as most couples are engaged well before this event takes place. Rather, it is a 'let's-have-a-practice-before-the-wedding-day' shoot, and this, for me, is the greatest advantage of all. It offers the couple the chance to both 'warm up' in front of the camera, and also to extend their wedding collection with photos that are a little more reflective of how they behave in real life (i.e. not carrying flowers and being followed by a bunch of girls in matching frocks).

John and Sophia could not have been more cool about being in front of my lens. There were so many kissing stops that I almost called the fire brigade at one point. Man, was it hot out there!

Amongst other 'game' things, John and Sophia thought nothing of walking through the odd cow pat or mud bath to find a decent destination for a portrait. Love is like that.

We chose several different locations, including the picturesque town of Kirkby Lonsdale, with its cafes and pretty streets. A couple of refreshment breaks provided the perfect opportunity for our couple to catch up over a cappuccino. 

Rarely more than an inch apart, I was left in little doubt that this couple will have an amazing life together. Their comfort in each other's company was clear for most of the residents of the Lake District to see, and even the passers-by (who were intrigued enough by the public posing to ask whether there was a celebrity in town) commented on how freely John & Sophia gave and received affection with so many eyes upon them.

The long grass (and thistles) is always a great spot for kissing, even if you have to stand up.

There was public canoodling at the public house, kissing in doorways, snogging against the railings, and I LOVED it!

Major thanks to the adorable, perfect subjects that are John & Sophia, and here's to many long years of love and lust. Wherever.

If you like kissing, try more wedding posts!

Thanks are due to Aspire who found John and Sophia and these awesome locations.

A 'little knights and princesses' shoot in leafy Harrogate for grandparents' birthday gift.

Usually, if someone asks me to do a family shoot in their garden (unless I know this garden to be estate-sized in proportions) I think 'dull, dull, dull' and basically say 'no, no, no'.

On this occasion, however, I knew that the preparation by grandparents Joanna & Paul would be second to none, and that I would be able to create them a fairytale keepsake of their four grandchildren as part of their joint 60th birthday celebrations.

Firstly, the garden has a fort. Yes, you heard me right. An actual wooden fort. And the children were all ready to charge upon this castle in appropriate attire. Two boys with wooden swords hurtled across the lawn at me in St. George-like fashion, hotly pursuing two gorgeous princesses in pink. The girls were both sporting the kind of hat that I used to draw in wax crayon when I imagined myself as Rapunzel back in the glory days of my own childhood in the 1970s - pointy and mediaeval, with a chiffon veil dangling from the tip. Epic. 

If the living re-enactment of the War of the Roses wasn't enough, then plum and apple picking in the sun-drenched orchard corner was the cherry on the icing on the photography cake. Four children, four baskets, an avalanche (literally) of plums, and some very grabby fingers later and the trees were stripped of their harvest. Empty branches, full camera.

A few family shots to round things off and the shoot was over. Thank you Paul & Joanna et al for a delightful morning and for all wearing remarkably (and unintentionally) coordinating outfits!

A Tithe Barn wedding in York

It's quite normal as a photographer to NOT get any sleep the night before a wedding. On this occasion, however, I found that the pressure was off as I was playing the role of 'second shooter' to my friend and co-photographer genius Caroline Johnston. 

Spending the day in a semi-relaxed state was a real treat. It meant that I could actually enjoy the wedding, look for the details, and try out angles that a lone photographer would not have the luxury of time to play with. This was a church wedding, followed by a wedding breakfast of roasted hog (yum) at a venue to die for.

It was a very relaxed day, reflected by the choice of Reception venue which was the Tithe Barn at Nether Poppleton in York. A truly beautiful venue, nestling beside a duck pond and open fields, the interior was almost magical. Open beams and twinkly lights were complemented by beautiful table settings and low hanging bunting. Breathtaking.

The bride wore a romantic gown with loads of tulle around the skirt and shoulders (you can never have too much tulle!) It mingled and frothed as it combined with the fallen confetti petals, making for an irresistible moment.

The church balcony provided an opportunity to get above the action for a change. What a view, and what a ceiling!

The organist was a bit surprised to see me appear at the top of the stairs as I joined him up 'in the gods' on the balcony, but he didn't miss a note!

Knaresborough, a bride and a lot of long grass - styled photo shoot

Issy is a friend's daughter. Her perfect brown eyes and youthful skin are priceless material for a wedding photographer seeking a model for a bridal shoot, and thankfully she agreed to my demands.

I had been in nearby Knaresborough recently with the kids for a summer picnic beside the river. On that day, I had happened across a 'perfect' spot whilst walking the dogs down a side path. I knew immediately that I wanted to come back with a bride, and since I don't have a Knaresborough wedding booked, I thought I'd better get on with it myself (before the grass gets cut!)

So, model - check. Flowers - check (donated by a friend). All I needed was a dress and a make-up/hair artist. The latter were both provided, with spectacular finesse, by Chrys Spaulding-Chapman, using Laura Mercier cosmetics. The dress, my own, dusted off for a fresh outing, and looking damn fine if I may say so myself.

Issy's easy quality in front of the camera made this shoot a breeze. The water lovingly offered up a reflective surface for a reflective portrait, and the evening sun just did its thing without any fuss.

The field of incredibly long tufty grass is completely surrounded by enormous banks of trees, creating this incredible 'enclosed' atmosphere. Isolating Issy from the background using a long focal length helps to emphasise her delicacy against nature's backdrop.

We shot for two full hours, and the sun breathed its last as we finished our final images. There were gnats buzzing about our heads like fireflies as it grew darker, whilst the low sun highlighted and accentuated the tulle outer skirt on Issy's gown.

A passer-by reminded us (helpfully) that we were standing in a pig pen, which seemed fitting in an expensive wedding dress! Made us smile though!

The vintage sapphire and diamond engagement ring nestled amongst a handful of eucalyptus leaves - the details at any wedding are all important.

As the day came to an end, some veil adjustments became an opportunity for playful portraits. A partially concealed bride is, traditionally, the way every good wedding begins, so why not re-create the moment even if the groom has not yet met the bride?

Natural light and babies

When I booked this newborn shoot at the client's home, new mum V was anxious to let me know that her house was not roomy or spacious. Tiny, in fact, she said. She helpfully sent me photos of the living room and bedroom, which confirmed her concerns about space. What she may not have realised was that I was only looking for good light, and the bedroom had a gorgeous bay window. 

After a fair bit of sweat and jiggery-pokery, the iron bedstead was manoeuvered 90 degrees to remove the headboard cross-bars from blocking the light, and I borrowed mum's perfect ready-made backdrop of a hand painted apricot-coloured bi-fold screen into position. All we now needed was a quiet baby and yes, you've guessed it, she screamed the place down! Food, food and more food please mummy!

It was definitely a case of feed, rock, burp and lay-her-down-quickly-so-we-can get-a few-shots on this particular shoot. Very little prop work or accessories were appropriate with S being so unsettled, but I think we managed to do her justice.

Twins & more twins

During a week filled with six rainy days (hello, British August), the seventh day was appropriately biblical as the sunshine poured over Ripley All Saints Church for the baptism of 11 month old twins, H & W.

Shoeless and rocking a comfortable 10.0 on the cuteness scale, the boys were dressed in traditional white blouses and sky blue shorts, with little chubby rolls of baby lusciousness on display for anyone who cared to take a pinch. Both boys have incredible blue eyes and fair hair, and clearly preferred a natural division into 'daddy's boy' and 'mummy's boy' camps.

Mummy and daddy sensibly took a 'one each' approach and grabbed both a twin and a bench in a quiet corner of the churchyard for a few snapshots before the ceremony began. The vicar was apologetic about the 'atmospheric' (aka dark) corner of the church where the Font was located, but managed to punctuate his entertaining narrative with some audience participation, which both parents and children appreciated.

Once the deed was done, the magnificent backdrop of Ripley Castle offered a chance for the guests to let their hair down and enjoy the clement weather. The children were kept busy with games on the lawn whilst the grown ups tested the champagne and readied themselves for a glorious afternoon tea.

It is rare to go to a Christening event these days, but this one was relaxed and enjoyable and made all the more interesting by the presence of not one, but THREE pairs of twins in two generations of the family. Dad's older boys, pictured here with their little brothers made up the second set, and mum and her sister completed the trio. 

My family (and other animals) on holiday

The annual tribe-on-tour event has taken place. This year's destination - South Western France.

A mercifully brief (but paradoxically expensive) flight to Toulouse was how it began. Land of sunflowers, mediaeval hilltop towns and above all else, apples. Apples everywhere. Hectare upon hectare of the bloody things. A veritable Scrumper's Paradise and I didn't even pack my cider press. This countryside provided us with a glorious vista from the comfort of our sunbeds, with the grape as our preferred fruit of choice on most evenings. Everyone admired the view.

I love my family holiday. I love my family, of course, and they are 50% of 'family holiday' after all, but the actual 'holiday' part where I get to read a book and not wash up is, without contest, a very close second.

The camera is never far from my side, and since this area of France has more mediaeval bastille towns than one can throw a stick at, it was easy enough to capture the atmosphere as the sun went down and the corks started popping.

I was struck by the sense of community here. A festival of light in Lauzerte required the co-operation of every single village resident to plunge themselves into darkness at dusk. If one stubborn ex-pat had refused to turn off Eastenders or close the fridge door, the whole event would have been a write-off. 

But what of the animals, I hear you cry? Well, our ever-present lifeguard came in canine form. This adorable but highly strung beauty was our constant companion. She was the seeker-out-of-food-scraps-that-she-was-allergic-to and saw her most important role as pool intervention - woe betide the child that attempted to effect a dive or jump in without her consent as she formed a canine shield with her large body between the offender and the pool.

Tradition dictates that no vacation pass by without a visit to the local 'Accrobranche'. Our 6 adrenalin junkies can't get enough of the high ropes harness hell, and this year the added attraction of a nearby close-contact monkey sanctuary proved too much to resist. See? Animals! The hand-feeding of the monkeys, which roamed freely amongst the visitors, was very much encouraged. They will happily take popcorn from you without so much as a by-your-leave, but there was no sign of a Multiplex anywhere.

Lest we forget that homosapiens are animals too, too many late nights will bring us back to earth....

104 things to photograph

Truly the most interesting birthday present I've ever received, and only £12.99 according to the book jacket!

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I am busy making a start, but every time I'm out and about with my camera I seem to struggle to get my brain to hold on to the 104 things that grace the list. I've posted them on my Facebook page in case you want to join in (find that here), and this Blog post may also inspire you to have a go.

Here's the list itself, and my first handful of offerings. I'll update regularly here as the book gets filled. (Hey, just noticed there's an item called ' a list' on the list! Got that covered then!)

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stripes?

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or stripes?

a view from above?

or a view from above?

a blur

disappointment!