Wedding day tips
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?
Notley Abbey wedding photography
Saturday, August 8th, 2009Quite a story on this one. If I had a penny (etc etc), the most popular question asked about wedding photography is; “What happens if it rains?” Seeing that we don’t seem to be constantly bathed in sunshine in the UK, it does present an issue a few times during the year, though my ‘It can’t rain forever’ mantra rarely bites me on the proverbial. And so the Saturday just gone I was Thame bound to photograph Sean and Laura’s wedding at Notley Abbey. Despite the weather forecast not being the kindest, I thought we’d entered Sunshine valley as I drove up the impressive tree lined drive that leads to Notley’s front door.
You know me, sucker for a window lit shot. And there was plenty of sunshine around during the morning to provide it.
We had a lot of fun on the prewedding shoot, the ceremony followed the same line. The reason for their smiles? It was an outdoor ceremony and as one of the ushers started his reading, a horse started to join in in the background.
And then, the clouds started to gather!
We got through the ceremony before the heavens opened. This is probably one of my favourite shots from the day and it shows something very important. If you accept the rain as part of your day, embrace it and enjoy the occasion, you get magic all day long.
Being a headlining dancer on the Take That tour, the evening studio brought a few surprises…
“Greatest Day” the first dance.
Cantley House Hotel wedding photography
Sunday, June 21st, 2009Pastures new this weekend as I photographed at Cantley for the first time. Well done Steve, well done Sian, fab day, and one of the most original evening mobile studios yet! I know that by the time you get a chance to read this, you’ll more than likely have returned to your hotel for some early evening R&R following a day supping island cocktails on a beach under a sun umbrella in Hawaii. As much as it’s a great honour to photograph at familiar venues where as a company we’re a preferred photographic supplier, it’s equally good to tackle new locations. If you’ve read the blog or taken in the kind of thing that inspires me as a wedding photographer through my images on the main site, you’ll know that I much prefer available light to napalming a scene with heavy flash work. When I started photographing weddings, a strobe would be attached to the camera pretty much all day. I’ve become subtle in ‘me old age…’ (cue comments on how kids have no respect these days and how in my day you had to climb up inside chimneys for pocket money.) And so, it was a delight to see a venue with some large windows to throw shafts of light on to various scenes. I look forward to going back one day.
Oh, and as for the mobile studio, we moved outside for the first time in a long time, and invited guests to embrace an Hawaiian theme. What is it about grown men with grass skirts and inflatable sharks? Loved it!
Why I shoot weddings…
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
This one’s for the photographers; those thinking of lifting a lens towards a bride and groom! When I started shooting weddings, like most ‘togs’ who shoot them, my reasoning was part challenge (a close friend had insisted I shoot his brother’s nuptials) and part financial; there are wolves to keep from one’s doors. Actually, those elements stay true to this day, but a third ingredient has become the ultimate reason; professional, even emotional purpose – knowledge that I’m doing something important in the World, that I make a difference for the split second my finger hovers over that shutter button. The most important side of my photographic work in wedding terms is to document moments. It’s easy to romance and wax lyrical about forms of capture like photojournalism and so on, but for me it’s really very simple. Wedding photography offers an opportunity to make a difference to someone’s life. I whole-heartedly believe that. But in case I stand accused of presuming that I’m solving World issues through a lens, as a colleague from my previous existence in the heady world of broadcasting said; “It’s only radio love, not brain surgery.” Ultimately I still subscribe to that philosophy. I’m not saving lives – I’m only taking pictures, hopefully very important pictures none the less. As a stranger, you’ll rarely if ever get invited to be a part of someone’s most hallowed private moments. When I shoot a wedding, I am witnessing the very essence of a couple’s intimacy. I’m sharing instants that are unfeigned once only, catch it now, you’ll not see this again moments. Pity the hardened heart belonging to a snapper that only sees pound notes and awkward relations to deal with. When I call for the witnesses during a register set up, I sometimes wonder whether it would be deemed a little comedically insensitive and over enthusiastic to pop the camera on a tripod, set the timer and run round to spread eagle myself with all the panache of David Brent upon the signing table. But witnessing a wedding is surely one of the most privileged parts of this job. It’s moments like the one above from Adam and Donna Robert’s recent Newbury Shaw House wedding where I freeze just momentarily before the capture. The ceremony had concluded. The guests in the room were quietly chatting amongst themselves and Adam, sat at the head of the room with his wife, removed his ring. He sat studying it, taking in what had just happened and for that one moment, the room may as well have been empty, bar him, his wife and the circle of gold. Away from all that Hollywood jazz, that, is what I call a real ‘complete moment.’ And that, is why I shoot weddings.
Silchester with The Slatterys
Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Boy does it feel good to return to the venue that hosted our own wedding reception; Silchester House in Berkshire. It always feels like we’re returning home and that’s a special emotion. So it was a real pleasure to follow Jennifer Newport and Martin Slattery through their day, from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Saturday morning, to the reception at S.H.
