After the speeches, Emma & Ian had a Ham Raffle, followed by Bingo.

No first dance, it’s a Barn Dance for everyone.

My first wedding photography of 2013 began on a farm in the middle of Essex. Krissy got ready with her bridesmaids and family not far from Maidens Barn, and around this point of the day it was bright, with a little bit of sun but it was freezing.

The cyclist said “you don’t see that every day”, and rode past us.

Saturday 29th December 2012, yet another rainy day in the year of the highest rainfall on record…

This is a test shot for the first look, to check my position and my assistants to the right. I’m shooting this with a zoom lens, so that I’m not standing near Andy (and Sophie when she appears).

I then went upstairs to the getting ready room, to see if Sophie was ready to see her Groom.

All set…

This is my assistant’s view.

We then had a short time to take some shots around the grounds, before guests arrived and the weather turned for the worse.

They all persevered really well considering how cold it was.

Andy’s speech took place before the meal began.

The other speeches were after the meal, and contained several very embarrassing moments for both the bride and groom.

On October 24th & 25th, in South West London, I attended the first Mnoo School with 9 other photographers from around the UK. I’m not going to explain the details of the course, but it was an extremely informative and inspiring workshop. The other attendee’s were an excellent group of people, who also contributed to making it so enjoyable.

The 2nd day included a session of location photography, where Marianne demonstrated ‘Beloved’ invites. The brilliant and beautiful couple in the photos (Sophie & Henry), were previous Wedding clients of Marianne’s, and Sophie also attended the course.

Here are a few of the images I took:

As part of the workshop, another amazing photographer, Ed Peers gave a great run through of his approach to Wedding Photography. It was brilliant to see how other photographers minds work, especially when their styles are so varied, and Marianne & Ed showed almost opposite ways to achieve great photography.

Here is a photo of Ed showing off his ‘in close with a wide lens’ technique.

I can’t praise this course enough, as it has given me a lot of inspiration for my photography, but at the same time, many ways to grow my business.

If you are a Wedding Photographer, save up, and sign up for the next one.

Cherry got ready at home, with her Bridesmaids, Mother and Brother, before together making their way into the Church.

Cherry and Chris made their entrance to Gaynes Park along the aisle, to meet all their brave guests, who were standing in the rain.

Everyone then moved into the Orangery, where the food and drinks were served.

There’s the rain.

Just after their main course, I suggested we went back outside to take some shots whilst the rain held off and it was still light.

Back inside for dessert.

This is my new Photobooth backdrop called “Greydient”.

Karleena and her Father seeing each other at Prested Hall.

Weddings are memorable for many different reasons, and to be able to photograph a wedding held at St. Paul’s Chapel was truly an honour, and something I will never forget. Nick and Eleanor were married on a lovely summer’s day in August, right in the middle of the Olympics. We were worried that some of the road races would stop us from being able to get to the church on time, and also slow down the journey from the St.Paul’s to The Little Ship Club, which is on the Thames. Thankfully, all travel plans worked out just fine, and apart from a few Olympic signs, the Olympic rings on Tower Bridge, and the mascots everywhere, you would never had known an olympics was being held around us.

Lindsey contacted me in June, then I met both her and Matt in July, and photographed their wedding in August. This is really unusual as most people get in touch with me either 6, 12 or 18 months before their wedding date. For some reason I had no bookings for the first weekend in August 2012 (all the others were booked), and it was obviously meant to be kept for Lindsey and Matt.

The day started at their home, with most of Lindsey’s family on hand to help.

At the church, a string quartet played for the arrival of the guests.

Matt seemed ok.

The priest at the church had very strict rules, which meant I had to stay at the back of the church, and photography had to stop during the ceremony.

I still managed to capture the moment when they saw each other.

Lindsey put together all the great decorations at the Fennes, so everything had a personal touch.

As a gift for Matt, Lindsey had a pair of cufflinks made with a handprint and footprint of their daughter, who was almost 9 months old on the wedding day.