Wedding general
« Previous EntriesThrumpton Hall wedding photography – Andy and Fran
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Photographing for photographers is somewhat of a ‘focusing’ prospect and I’ll admit to a jangle of anticipation when proposed by an associate in this industry to shoot his nephew’s wedding. Here are some posted results as I go head to head with the full edit. Thanks Fran, thanks Andy for giving me the artistic licence to be documentary led, with an emphasis on monochrome. Nottinghamshire isn’t a county I photographically visit often, but I’m glad I topped up a few more Nectar miles to visit Thrumpton; what a venue!
Highcliffe Castle wedding photography – Alex and Arielle
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Labels seem somewhat important in my industry at the moment. When asked what style of wedding photography I practice, the phrase ‘editorial’ springs to mind. It’s not widely used in my industry and usually the terms ‘photojournalist’ and ‘documentary’ are adopted by those who have thrown off the shackles of ’smile for the camera!’ It would be true that much of my work embraces a documentary path where observation has replaced scenario set ups. A thousand pictures of ‘man drinking beer’ does not maketh a photojournalist however. Much of my day is spent waiting and watching for something a mite more magical. Within a typical wedding presentation post the date itself, I would imagine two thirds of a returned portfolio would identify as naturally captured documentary moments. The other third? A mixture of softly posed instants; I’m not afraid to ask someone to turn into the light again, or just repeat what they had been doing a second earlier. If it works, fine, if it doesn’t, it meets a delete keystroke briskly. Family portraits; an essential record for most weddings. I do ask that couples consider the necessity of tenuous family groupings, but otherwise, they’ll be in there. Food photography (if Chef is willing;) it’s become part of my repertoire. And bridal portraiture. For most brides and grooms we’re back to soft posing. I’m not a great fan of the dipped bride, but if I see a scenario, a prop or as below, an interestingly lit service corridor used to link kitchen with conveniences, it interests me. So yes, I am documentary, but more-so, if a label is required, editorial. I get a great deal of editorial freedom to deliver a story of someone’s day, naturally and otherwise. Some images from the weekend just gone and the fabulous coastal wedding venue; Highcliffe Castle.
Bay Tree Hotel Cotswolds wedding photography – Amit and Laura
Sunday, June 20th, 2010
Those predisposed to disparagy about this Sceptered Isle have clearly yet to visit Burford in the Cotswolds. Sure I drove into the town kissed by a morning sun burning through wisps of Constablesque mountains of rising cumulous (it’s impossible not to feel poetically inclined when writing about the Cotswolds), but it could so easily have been a dowdy grey undramatic day symptomatic of the emotion you’re left with after watching our national football team play Albania for 90 minutes. Burford is just beautiful, whatever the weather. What a place to shoot a wedding. It’s surely only one step away from being able to claim Arcadian status, although it does have traffic wardens. Some images from yesterday’s wedding between Laura and Amit at the fabulous Bay Tree Hotel.
A word, about football, and the World Cup
Friday, June 11th, 2010
I’m treading carefully, so very carefully. Particularly since a selection of weddings I’ll be photographing this year fall on the day of an… England match, or if progression through the group stage becomes reality, a possible England match. This has been mooted by a few brides to be and interested parties, venues included. “What happens Neale, when England play in a World Cup match?” You see, I’ve been here before, a number of times. So, I thought on the eve of England’s opener, I’d share what I’ve witnessed. This isn’t designed to shape or change forthcoming nuptials, as much as anything I hope it becomes a place for people to leave comment, particularly for photographers and suppliers to leave feedback or suggestions. If it helps couples decide how to deal with this cyclic phenomena then it will have done it’s job.
World Cup 2006. England versus Portugal. It was 0-0 after extra time. We’d played ten men for an hour without our talisman Rooney, product of Ronaldo’s artistry off the ball as a wind up merchant. Still, by the by. Penalties, again. I was photographing a wedding. Two fabulous people; Groom Pete, a Liverpool fan and football addict. And Cathy, American bride, dutifully patriotic to our cause, not necessarily in love with the beautiful game, but aware of how this event could leave more than a passing stud mark on their special day. So, a decision was made to set aside a room with big screen. This it was perceived, would stop men running for the hills and nearest Sky bearing pub and stem the flow of excuses where couples suddenly find they have phantom canape induced illnesses and need to leave before the wedding breakfast. Go with me when I use the analogy of rain. When it rains, those around often look to the bride as a barometric beacon. If the lady in white is floored by precipitation, guests feed off the sensitivity of the subject and an unnerving quiet can descend. If the wedding party sprout umbrellas and embrace the downpour, the party just gets better and better and better, subtle passing Motson-esque reference. It seems to me that football and the World Cup in particular can effect a similar reaction. Embrace it as part of the day – however that’s allowed or desired to occur and you may be surprised by how little the day is otherwise affected. So, back to the match. It’s 0-0, penalties. Simao steps up for Portugal. Scores. England’s Lampard has his attempt saved. We’re one down. Is history about to repeat itself? Viana for Portugal steps up, hits the post! Hargreaves for England… scores! We’re 1-1 and the photograph above documents the party’s emotion as that ball hits the back of the net. Petit pops up for Portugal, misses. Gerrard could be a hero, but not today – saved. It’s getting interesting. This is the fourth out of five. Up steps Postiga for the Portuguese, scores. It’s Jamie Carragher’s turn……..
He SCORES! As above, 2-2, we’re back in this and the room has gone mad, including our bride! With one penalty to go, all we have to do is… wait a minute. He’s being made to take it again. Oh. This time Jamie has his attempt saved. That wasn’t in the script. Portugal, one kick away from the semi finals, and up steps, Ronaldo. I think the next image demonstrates the outcome.
I didn’t actually see a single penalty. I watched and photographed it through the eyes of each wedding guest who sat in that room. Nine penalties and each time I received news via the faces of those gracing chairs that would be whipped away and placed around banquet tables just one minute after Christiano had showed us how salt can be uncomfortable to a wounded England World Cup dream. Now you may think that the party ended there and then. But no, the party just got better and better and better. Rain doesn’t stop play, not if you don’t let it. The World Cup doesn’t either. You can choose to embrace or you can choose to make this a football free zone. Some of your guests may even thank you for the latter. It’s more about knowing your guests. My own experience has seen a more positive result when the game is embraced. Even if England’s result doesn’t turn out so positive on the pitch. I’d welcome comments on this one. Experiences please?
Saxons Barn wedding photography – Matthew and Catherine
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Some may say rain on your wedding day is less than favourable luck. Being late to depart for the church at vintage speed carries a certain degree of fashionable attachment of course. If that wedding car breaks down, we’re back to less than favourable luck. The replacement car breaking down, certainly less than favourable. I blame myself of course. I think it’s because I commented upon how relaxed everything felt when arriving at the family home in the morning, that rain was sent along with mechanical mischief. But you know what? We all had a bloody good time!
Dumbleton Hall wedding photography – Alex and Jill
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Few briefs make me happier than the one received from Alex and Jill; ‘Follow the day Neale, the way you see, as a story.’ Marvelous. And so, armed with a short list of group portraits we’d agreed pre-wedding, I was Cotswolds bound to Dumbleton Hall Hotel near Evesham. A brief so open gives me an opportunity to stand back, think composition and really watch the day unfold around me.
Wasing Park wedding photography – Neil and Mel
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
Here’s an accessory detail you’re unlikely to read about in bridal magazines. Mel’s hen party had included life drawing classes. Wedding day table name cards may not have seemed the obvious initial opportunity to display their collective artistic efforts, but it did serve as a great ice breaker at the tables.
Swan Bibury wedding photography – Nick and Georgie
Sunday, March 28th, 2010A wedding in the Cotswolds. There are few places on our Sceptered Isle that possess the magic and beauty of this area. An adoptive Berkshire lad, three quarters of an hour’s drive delivers me safely into the arms of this quintessentially English domain. And if I sound loosely poetic about how I feel about the Cotswolds, it’s for good reason. You simply know you’re there. Every house carries the mantra of; “That’s what I’d do with my lottery win,” and you lose cellular connection with the World. Peace at last. Now is the time to be Jeremy Clarkson test driving a Ferrari Daytona through the steep and winding tree lined traffic-less roads leaving behind that place known as Swindon. So Nick and Georgie, you chose well. I’ve often driven past The Swan Hotel in Bibury; it was good to be working there. And ahead of a set of images from the day, another hearty round of applause for the inventive fusion of foodie underground table names; Kings Cross St Pancake, Maida Veal, Mornington Pheasant, Piccalilli Circus, Chutney Bridge and Fulham Broadbean.
