Can’t even hardly remember how to operate my camera, let alone blog, but it’s time to get back on the bicycle.
Why don’t we catch up with the last official client shoot I did before we were confined to barracks again?
No great philosophical message here, just ‘it’s gonna be great to get outdoors again’, and enjoy the pix.
When Emma & Richard asked me to photograph their wedding, I was thrilled. I knew it would be understated and intimate, since both halves of this couple are shy and uncomfortable in the limelight.
So, when they said ‘Rudding Park’ I thought I had mis-heard. Rudding is a behemoth of a wedding venue. It is a beautiful stone country pile with its own chapel building and golf course, and dozens of acres to romp in post-nuptially. Many an impressive occasion has graced its elegant halls, often with a no-expense-spared approach to the decorations, food and floral displays. This did not sound very ‘Emma’ at all.
It soon became clear that, whilst the wedding ceremony was to be held in the main house, the newlyweds had every intention of then escaping from the grand corridors and pruned box hedges of the front of this famous Spa Hotel, in preference to an intimate celebration with just close family and friends at the Deer Park pub which lies nestled within the gardens of the Rudding estate.
The walled kitchen garden was fully laden with roses and apples, and as such offered plenty of opportunity for us to take full advantage of the autumn harvest as a backdrop for some bride and groom moments.
Emma had kept everything perfectly simple. The flowers, the rings, the dress, the make-up. All typically classy and elegant, but without ostentation. Even the feet were a heel-free zone.
These gorgeous little gingerbread newlyweds were crafted by the cake maker, Jane Emma Fisher. The flowers were created by Colette at Flowers by Colette at Rudding Park.
This fabulous assortment of gentlemen belong to the Harrogate Harmony male Barbershop choir. Having appeared as faux dessert waiters (pulled off easily thanks to their white waistcoat uniforms) they proceeded to serenade guests with a medley of magnificent old standards. A proper treat.
And THESE gorgeous gentlemen below were thoughtful enough wear matching socks en masse, so it would be rude not to photograph them!
Emma’s firm and longstanding friendship with the Rudding Park owners Simon & Judy added an unexpected further depth of emotion to the occasion. Simon insisted that the bride and groom be conveyed by the best means possible from their wedding ceremony to the reception, and what better way than to drive them himself in his vintage Model T Ford. A short turn about the golf course in the open-topped classic car eventually brought the ecstatic couple to rest just steps from the confetti-ready crowds.
This was a sweet, heartfelt wedding day in beautiful surroundings, as understated as the two stars of the show.
Rings by I’Anson Jewellers of Harrogate.
Bride’s dress from the Bridal Factory Outlet, Northallerton.
Bride and bridesmaid’s hair & makeup by Fabienne Moon and Danielle Alexandra Reading, respectively.
Venue decor by Funky Muppet of Leeds.
Wedding slots are still available for 2019 and 2020. Please get in touch to chat about your needs.
So, when I met E to discuss the prospect of photographing her forthcoming wedding, she told me it would be colourful. Hands up, I completely underestimated the degree to which she would be drawing upon her own personal creativity for the event.
It didn’t take long for me to realise that artist, E and her American fiancé S are major fans of the crowd-pleasing Pixar movie, Up. The touching love story between curmudgeonly octogenarian balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen and his childhood sweetheart/wife Ellie, has a simple and heart-wrenching innocence. How could artist, E, resist tapping in to the fictitious couple’s lifelong promise of adventure? “You and me, we’re in a Club now”, says Ellie, as she pins the Grape Soda Club badge on Carl’s chest. What more poignant or appropriate talisman for this bride to replicate for her husband-to-be and to present to him on the morning of their nuptials? He rightly wore it with some degree of pride.
The theme did not stop there. Trinity church, no doubt not unfamiliar with the sight of the occasional stunning floral display, was instead utterly festooned with foil balloons, giving an air of celebration and joy that I have never before experienced in a serious building such as this. The wedding cake didn’t disappoint either.
The bride held an indiscreet bouquet as quirky and colourful as the church decor. The flowers were paper; in the brightest, most vivid colourful combinations imaginable; lush and screaming ‘Hey, over here, don’t look at her, look at me!’ All provided by Dandie Creations.
E’s wedding gown was sleeveless and lacy. Feminine and elegant without any ostentation whatsoever.
The Reception was held at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate. The large, open room was laid with round tables with simple white cloths, but the next level table trappings could only have been provided by an artist. The centrepiece for each table was a to-scale replica of Carl Fredricksen’s house. Remember, the one that he flew across two continents by attaching a gazillion balloons to the roof? Yep, that one. Utterly Upperly.
A dusk-lit stroll around the neighbouring 17 acre Grade II listed Valley Gardens sealed the deal, providing us with some quiet corners and lush autumnal backdrops for our bride and groom portraits. “We’re terrible in front of the camera”, they told me. Thirsty minutes of locked eyes and locked lips later, I’m not even sure they noticed I’d been photographing the entire time. And who can blame the groom, when his bride looked so ravishing, thanks in part to the handiwork of Chrys Chapman, hair & make up artist.
This marriage was made all the more tender and emotive due the fact that it signified a second union; that of two separate families, since both E and S each have a child from previous relationships. These four humans are so close and emotionally entwined that it would be impossible for an objective observer to recognise that they were not, up to the point of repeating their vows, already one single unit.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings, of all sizes, budgets and themes, but none have been more joyous than this.
E’s wedding gown was supplied by JJ’s House, whilst the fabulous boots were from Schuh.
The Up house table centrepieces were from Etsy and hand painted by the bride.
The photo booth and giant games were supplied by Sunshine Events.
The Grape Soda pin can be purchased from eBay.
Congratulations E, S & family. To quote Dug the dog, “I have just met you and I love you.”
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.
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
When the light is perfect and so are the family, then heck, yes.
We chose a day in early October for this family portrait session and headed off to the glorious gardens of RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate. Resolutely ignoring the cakes in the window of Betty's tearoom, I made my way through the crowds (note to self: check that I have not booked a photo shoot in the middle of a BEER festival next time) to find mum & dad, Helen & Paul, wrapped up for a leisurely stroll with their two cheeky boys in tow.
The first thing you notice about this family is their special affection for each other. There is something about their interactions which is so deeply gentle and loving, which I'm struggling to put my finger on as I write this, but which is not present in every family, and which is quite moving to witness.
The silvery trees in which we found ourselves here still had a lovely light canopy of feathery leaves, which were so delicate in the late morning sunshine. The boys got totally wrapped up in a game of 'where's the aeroplane?' which relaxed them in to a perfect state of ignoring my camera and allowed me to capture some happy, candid family shots.
Hoping for a shot of littlest bro, O, we stuffed a banana in his hand and managed to get a sitting still moment. Big brother A decided to get in on the act by helpfully assuming a nonchalant 'leaning' pose against a nearby tree, and so this became a 'two brothers' family portrait instead! Why not? The more, the merrier, say I!
Pixie? Gnome? Whatever it is that hides amongst the moss and greenery in the darkest corner of the Harlow Carr gardens, we found one. This one was particularly cute, with a mischievous grin and a half-wink. Definitely up to no good, but enjoying the attention more and more as the shoot went on.
As another aeroplane passed overhead, mum and littlest son, O both leaned back and looked skyward for a moment. I love how their tiny moment of accidentally coordinated movement was somehow harmonised, mum and son in perfect unity.
Do you see what I mean? Such a loving family, wrestling over the football in amongst the fallen leaves, gave us some rough and tumble moments, and expressions of pure joy on the faces of dad and his big boy. Bear hugs and chasing, followed by willful kicking of the ball down a (very) steep hill for dad to retrieve, followed by a bit of cheating and a lot of laughing. Lovely.
I'd love to tell you that I planned for the word LOVING to be centre shot when I made this photo, but it was merely serendipitous. A very happy accident. I asked Helen & Paul for a shot, so as I took this image I was balancing baby O against my knees (he has only JUST learned to stand up & walk on his own) and coaxing big bro A in to holding his brother from behind. Movement was impossible, for fear of unbalancing the wee man, who was gamely gripping my knees for dear life. Accidents were, thankfully averted, and the two boys were returned to the fold, unharmed. Phew!
That face. Frankly, being this cute ought to be illegal, but since it's not, let's capture it for mum and dad, forever.
It turned out that A was an excellent backwards walker, as well as being an expert in the traditional forwards method. I know this as I asked him to prove it to me for these shots, in an effort to slow down his pace a little!
This was no hardship - a beautiful day, an adorable foursome, and a leisurely stroll doing what I love. Epic.
For more family portrait stuff, go here, or visit my Pinterest page.
