Nick & Jo - Bucklers Hard

A little thank you to Nick & Jo for allowing me to share in their special day...........and what a super day for a wedding. The sun shined, water glistened as friends and family arrived to share in what was to be a very personal service. The perfect day for a wedding..............but not quite such perfect weather for the photographer!

I enjoy sunshine as much as the next person but sunshine on this level can cause some serious issues. I must have seemed barmy hunting for any patch of shade that I could find.........and this was no mean feat in itself! Wall to wall sunshine was the order of the day. For the picture above, I was actually stood in the sea sludge of the receding tide. Luckily, on this occasion, I managed to stay upright!

A little photo to make Jo smile. Thank goodness for differencial focus eh Jo ;)

The speeches proved to be more than a little emotional, not a dry eye in the house (Ian included) Young Josh did a super job and is officially the youngest person to have made a wedding speech......well, at a wedding I have been to anyway.

Congratulations to the happy couple and a special thanks to Josh for all his chasing around searching for people for me...........you did a grand job!

Food Miles

Do you know what a food mile is? I certainly didn't on Monday when I was asked to go along to Front Lawn School, Havant & Middle Street School In Brighton on Monday. My task was to photograph the students learning about food miles on behalf of Kenwood ( you know, those people who make all the wonderful kitchen gadgets)

First stop was Front Lawn School. Lovely bunch of kids and oh how clever! I was amazed as they answered all the questions thrown at them with such involved answers. There was me, standing in the corner, feeling like the class dunce and hoping against hope, that I would not be expected to know the answers! Should I point out that these kids are only yr 6....perhaps not!

So what is a food mile?

Taught through smoothies, the kids had to calculate how many miles their smoothie had travelled to arrive in their cup. They were amazingly clever. They knew all about buying local produce or if they didn't, the effect it would have on local farmers. They understood how global warming affected crops and why some had to be imported because of climate............they were really REALLY clever!

Off to Brighton for the afternoon. Traffic was pretty abysmal, parking was even worse. I drove round the block 4 times, gave up and ended up parking a 15 min's walk from the school., only to find upon my arrival, the school had it's own car park!!

I managed to throw pineapple juice all over the floor.......don't think I was popular for that! Why is it that is doesn't matter how much you wash the floor you still end up with shoes sticking to it? This time we had less room to work in........there were 29 kids and 4 adults shoe horned into a shoe box! That aside, once again the kids were great. I am amazed at how much is now being taught in school about our environment and how this generation can make a difference.......and they are really grasping the concept. They are all far cleverer than me!

Want to check out what its all about?

kenwoodcookforlife.co.uk

Mothers & Daughters

Mothers and cameras.............mmmm, now there is a combination. Now I am sure the majority of mothers are happy to live in blissful ignorance as to how they work. They click the button and, hey presto, there is a little image on the back of the camera. Not all images are perfect, but none the less, there is an acceptable image for the family album.

Then there is my mother. My Mum is a little different to most. She likes to live a little dangerously. She paraglides, bungees jumps, and has even been know to indulge in a little white water rafting. Meet my Mum!

I love my mother dearly........she's fab. She came to visit me this week..........camera in hand...........and a request for a little lesson on how to use it. It seems her latest challenge, is a college course on digital photography. Great I thought, they will teach her all she needs to know. Great in theory, but it seems she now needs to know how to use her camera before lessons start. Here is where I come in.

My daughter has also started her As level photography this year..........and also needs to learn how to use a camera. So me, in my wisdom, decided to spend a little time out and about teaching them both a little about camera shutter speed Meet my Daughter.

My daughter has a wicked sense of humour and delights in laughing her head of as Gran Gran attemps to errect a tripod. Tripods at the ready, time to get them learning a little about shutter speeds.........unfortunately that means me being the model.

Here is me kicking a ball. Easy peasy. With a shutter speed of 1/15 the ball is nicely showing some movement, the building is sharp, not a bad picture. Just as ordered!

Next lesson was to take the camera off the tripod and take the picture again........exactly the same.

The Result


Nothing is sharp. Bacause the camera was being held, there has been a little hand trembling. The shutter speed was too slow to hold the camera.

Now Idon't want to get all technical and bore you, but this concept, I believe, has now been grasped by all..........some a little faster than others (mentioning no names) but, by the end of the session, both Mum and daughter were doing well.

As I say, My mother is no ordinary mother. She would shoot me if I gave away her age but I must point out that she is a pensioner (sorry Mum) My lesson was obviously boring her as, when I said I would like them to freeze the action of me jumping, she decided she would join in the jumping rather than the photography. I was a little worried about hips n things but I wouldn't dare tell her she wasn't capable!

CRACKED IT!

The Strangest of Places

Through my job, I meet people from all different walks of life, and some relationships are struck up in the strangest of places. Lisa comes from this category. Many months ago, I got chatting o Lisa whilst sitting in a hospital waiting room. We hit it off and, my number was duly input into her mobile with a comment of ' you never know when you i'll need a photographer' To be honest, I never expected to hear from her again, but true to her word, she called me a couple of weeks ago and booked a studio session.

All studio sessions are carried out in my house.........and it isn't very big but it is amazing how versatile it can be. All these images were taken in one session.

Most of my portrait sessions are working with children or families............I love it! Lisa was stray from the norm and was an absolute pleasure to work with. The picture of the head on the bust was a little fun idea I had on route. I thought of stately homes with their static heads on columns and thought I might create one of my own. A bit different don't you think!

Thanks Lisa. I hope you like the images.

The American Ganster Hits Gosport

I don't think I have told you yet, but we have booked out our 'Shoot Ur Guests' service out to Cams Hall Golf Club for the Christmas festivities. Cams Hall are running their parties under the theme of 'Gangsters & Molls' so it is only fitting that we provide a suitable backdrop for the photographs.

Sourcing something unique has been a bit trying. I approached my usual backdrop supplier........he was too busy. I approached an art student neighbour..........I think he has now gone into hiding. I spent hours on the net looking for something suitable...........but got quotes between £800 - £1500! This left me with a dilemma! It seems the Uk is sadly lacking in this department so with trepidation I headed abroad. I had an idea as to what I wanted so emailed a picture to an American Company, parted with my money and delivery was expected one month later.



This week was D Day..........notification that I could expect it Monday. I was torn between excitement and nervousness, what if it had all gone horribly wrong? Fed Ex knocked the door, I opened it expecting to see my large box..........but it was tiny! It must be the wrong size backdrop. I opened the box, and out of the small carton, came a full 10ft x 20ft backdrop.



Next stop was the fire station to put it up to see what it would photograph like.



What do you think?


Just the Job!

Congrats to Nicola & Andrew!

The Moorhill House Hotel is a fantastic setting for wedding...........everything under one roof, no charging around from venue to venue, and the location for Saturday's Wedding.

I started my day by meeting up with Andrew and Jonny for a few shots before heading up to the Bridal Suite in search of Nicola.

Now I must admit, I do not usually lose a Bride but, on reaching her room, she was nowhere in site! It crossed my mind that maybe I had got the wrong room.......but a quick dash to reception confirmed I was right, we tried phoning the room........nothing. The Best Man tried her mobile.........still no reply. Where had she disappeared? Now time is at a premium at a wedding and those last precious moments fly.......they move at light speed when you can't your Bride!

Why does everything happen at once? The receptionist phoned the bridesmaid's room as the Bride phoned the Best Man and at last.........I had tracked her down!

A quick dash back upstairs and I had found a very relaxed, chilled out Bride and we headed back to the Bridal Suite for a few snaps.

Nicola and Andrew had a fab bunch of people to share their special day. Now, as this was such a lovely bunch of people, after the ceremony I decided to try a little something different that would involve everyone for a group photo. Now this was to prove no mean feat.

For a while now, I have had it in my mind to step away from your standard 'everybody' shot, where faces are hidden or spots in the distance, this was the perfect location to give something new a go! I thought for a little added romance, I would group everyone into a heart shape, and shoot from above (well it might work!)

If you look real close, you can spot me up on the balcony trying to organise everyone. Now, if I had had any fore thought, I might have been a little more organised and marked the ground for people to stand in the right shape, but, this after all, was a little spontaneous moment. The only tools at hand were Mr Best Man Jonny ( thanks mate) and my rather large mouth.

After a bit of jiggery pokery, between us we managed to rustle up this!

Not too shabby eh!

Some of the old wedding traditions seem to have fallen by the weigh side......tossing the bouquet seems to be one of them. This wedding not only followed with tradition.........but also added it's own little twist. Andrew and his mates belong to an ultimate Frisbee team. Need I say more!

A new bride in the making?

A possible new Groom?

Uh oh, it must be fate.......the same Guy catches the boys Frisbee toss!!

Video Albums

Thought it may be a nice idea if you could take a peek into the world of Story Book wedding albums. I have been pondering how to get around showing them on my blog and the best solution I have come up with so far, is to produce a video in a software called 'Proshow Gold' and upload using the video button. This does seem to be quite time consuming so if anyone knows a better way, please let me in on the secret!

I have been having a little play (this blogger thing isn't the easiest thing to get to grips with) and changed a few of the setting and I reckon it all fits a bit better now.

This is an album have produced for ( yes you've guessed it) David & Natalie. A couple of minor changes to make and the album will complete.

Take a look and let me know what you think by posting your comments.

Come Forth Southsea Common!

This last couple of weeks has been a tad busy so this is the first time I have managed to pop in to update my blog. So what has been happening?

It's been a funny week. It seems Southsea Common came fourth in the Warburtons National Picnic Awards so off I went to photograph Councillor Terry Hall accepting the award from a Warburtons representative. Can't say the day was a perfect picnic day...............there was hardly a soul in sight let alone any picnic baskets!

Well, if you want to check out he plaque, rumour has it that it will be placed by the play park.

Well done Seamus & the boys!

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head!

Blue Skies, Fluffy white clouds...............my sun dance had worked! Saturday morning and, as I opened my curtains in preparation for the days wedding ahead, I was greeted by a beautiful morning. Whooping with glee, I set about gathering my gear in preparation for the day's festivities. Now my childhood girl guiding has had it's uses. It taught me to be prepared. Now, no matter what the weather promises, I always load the car with my little ' wet weather kit' and boy oh boy, was I glad I did on this occasion!

First stop of the day was The Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea. A quick stop off to drop all the studio equipment for the evening's 'Shoot ur Guests' service. What a fantastic hotel. The staff were helpful and friendly and the suites are stunning.....a place where your every need is accommodated (which is not always the case for photographers)

Check out those chandeliers! Wouldn't fancy cleaning them but they really are spectacular.

This was just a quick pit stop as we were due with the Bride at 11.30am.

Although windy, the weather, up to this point, had stayed dry. It was as if we were being watched from above. As soon as we arrived the heavens opened. This put paid to any ideas I had had of taking photographs in the garden, and no one was volunteering to go out in wellies with umbrellas (me included I hasten to add as my hair really doesn't cope too well when under attack from cats 'n' dogs!) The weather needing beating into submission. I was not about to let it get the better of me. It was time to re group, gather my thoughts, and come up with a counter plan.

Ah ha, the bedroom. Claire's Mum & Dad have a beautiful home and the bedroom seemed the perfect place to shoot some bridal portraits. Not enough room for full length shots but plenty of room for close ups. The few requested groups to be shot at the house could be tackled in the lounge. The rain had stopped but the garden was sodden and not a place you would want to be in a beautiful white bridal gown............and boy was this one a picture! I think I would have been strung up if we had headed for the garden.

Forever the girl guide, studio lights were retrieved from the car and set up in readiness. All systems go!

Time flies and before we knew it, it was time to make a dash to the castle to meet up with the boys for a bit of fun.

Him upstairs obviously thought things were going too swimmingly ('scuse the pun). As soon as we arrived in the castle grounds new drops began to hit the windscreen. Sheltered spots are few and far between in castle ruins but the castle does have a little covered area in the entrance. Problem with the entrance is, that although you can stay dry, it is like a wind tunnel. Battling the elements was challenging but a challenge I was willing to accept. Nothing was going to dampen my spirits.

I think 'him upstairs' was humouring me, having a little game. No sooner had I finished fighting with the wind to get individual photographs of the Groom and his Groomsmen, when the rain stopped. Totally stopped. Not even a drizzle. GREAT! Time to have a little fun with the boys. All were very
relaxed...............especially Nathan, the Groom. I had heard rumour that he was laid back but hadn't realised quite how laid back. He was an absolute pleasure to photograph and altogether a lovely bloke.
Time for the serious stuff...........wedding due at 2.30pm and the Bride was expected, complete with horse and carriage, any moment. Rumour has it that there was a last minute change of carriage due to the weather. Think the Bride and her Father would have got soggy in the original one planned so thumbs up to the carriage company who looked after them so well.

The rain held off until the minute the Bride stepped into the church and resumed again 5 minutes after leaving the church.

Confetti was not an option! The rain hammered down but spirits remained high. No mumbles or grumbles, moans or groans just acceptance that what would be would be(and I resigned myself to the fact that it was going to be a bad hair day!) All umbrellas up, and a quick route march to the castle in search of a roof.

I have to say, Claire and Nathan were fantastic, they never stopped smiling all day. All group photographs were captured in the keep and I would like to thank everyone for their patience. Rainy day photographs take a little longer to sort out. Once again the weather favoured Claire and Nathan and the rain stopped briefly, long enough to shoot some special images within the castle grounds. A quick last minute detour to the hospital to visit Nan (special moments like these are always accommodated) before heading off to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the festivities.

Still smiling

I had a lovely day ( even if the waiter did call me 'Sir' grrrrrrr) At least he had the courtesy to blush lol.

NOTE: If anyone stumbles across my white umbrella, please can I have it back. Ta

To Nathan and Clare.

May the sun always shine down on your marriage (you've sure had enough of the wet stuff to last a lifetime!)

Best Wishes for the future

Tina & Ian

Charge.........it's Full Steam Ahead

Good morning.........well I had hoped it would be but looking out the windows it seems the weather has other ideas! Not that I had planned to venture out today, today is the day before Nathan & Claire's big day so for me, it's prep day. Now you might wonder what a photographer does the day before a wedding? Now I can only speak for myself as I am sure all photographers do different things to prepare...but I am sure that we all begin with the same....that wonderful cup of morning coffee. Kettles on so now it is full steam ahead into the great battery charge.

It seems I have accumulated quite a few now. Why nobody makes a multipurpose battery is beyond me!

Nikon D3 = Two
Nikon D2x = Another Two
Nikon D100 = Another four
Nikon WT4 = At least three as it eats them
Pocket wizards = 8
3 x SB800 = 12 + 12 backups

Forty three batteries! Now that is where my morning will vanish and the national grid can expect overload!

Next job is to clean all lenses, put my camera kit together, gather the wet weather kit, (make a mental note to self to include spare trousers for myself , but that is a whole other story!) Sort out all studio equipment for evening ' Shoot Ur Guests' service, prepare the shooting list for the groups, phone the Bride and last but not least.....decide on my own wardrobe for the day. This can be a challenge in itself. What can a girl wear to a wedding, that looks smart, allows you to run a marathon, weight lift, climb ladders and walls, roll on the floor, dries quickly when wet...but doesn't make you overheat if sunny, and still looks good come 6pm when you can finally switch to casuals for the evening studio session. I don't want to even think about the shoes that will do the job.........leave no blisters..........and match the outfit!

Nathan & Claire are marrying at St Mary's Church in the grounds of Porchester castle, a beautiful venue. The weather is looking a tad shaky at the moment so I will be doing a little sun dance for them with both fingers and toes crossed.

Good luck for tomorrow!