Natasha & Richard - Coniston Hall Wedding - Oh what a perfect day!

"Nature is painting for us... day after day... pictures of infinite beauty."

Author: John Ruskiin

I love my job...everyone that knows me knows this fact...for me, to share one of the most exciting days of  a couple's life is an honour and a privilege.  Every so often though..a couple comes along & makes my job just that little bit more special...Natasha & Richard are one of those couples.  

I was referred to Natasha & Richard by a lovely friend of mine..which is where the story begins because when Natasha made the initial call to me we spent about an hour on the phone..chatting like old friends.  She immediately "got" my style of photography & I just knew how to photograph her day.  We didn't actually meet in the flesh until 2 weeks before the wedding but 4 hours later (& 1 parking fine...oops!) I felt like I had known them both forever. 

So on 5th November I travelled up to Yorkshire to photograph their wedding the next day at Coniston Hall and boy did I get a lovely surprise. The venue was amazing but at this time of year even more so....beautiful autumnal colours were everywhere...I was in photographer heaven!!! 

I also have to say a massive thanks to my lovely photographer chum Zoe of Photos by Zoe for being my amazing second shooter & partner in crime on the day. Her images are wonderful so pop & take a look at her website. 

Natasha & Richard's day was such good fun...we laughed & laughed ALL day long & it's a wedding I will remember forever & I am so grateful that they chose me to capture it for them. I honestly feel I have made some lifelong friends. 

So....her are a few of my favourite images from their day...enjoy....

You can also see the slideshow from Natasha & Richard's perfect day right here...

Trentham Gardens Engagement Shoot - West Midlands Wedding Photographer

I can't tell you how many times I've been travelling up the M6 & seen the signs for Trentham Gardens...every time we go to Alton Towers, each time we've visited Blackpool...the list goes on & on.  Each time I see that brown tourist attraction sign I promise myself I'll visit one day!  So when Helen & Jason ask me if I would do their engagement photoshoot there is was the perfect opportunity. 

Let me tell you...this place is spectacular & I will definitely be going back again, but for now...here are a selection of images from the day.  Can't wait to shoot their wedding on Friday. 

Introducing George! {West Midlands Wedding Photographer}

So....I had a weekend off last week! It's rather nice but also leaves me twiddling my thumbs a bit.  I feel super organised at the moment, all of my weddings are edited & up to date, accounts & expenses are tickity boo too! So this has left me filling my time sorting out my PC ready for the next few weeks which are a bit manic to say the least.  It was whilst sifting through images on my hard drive that I stumbled across this little gem...I love it when you find a photograph that you'd forgotten that you'd taken!  It also gave me the idea that whenever I get a spare moment I will introduce you to the members of my family.

So....first up..introducing George..my very own cheeky monkey! He lives in a tree!!!

Clare & Nathan - A Windy Welsh Wedding {West Midlands Wedding Photographer}

“Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it”
― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Oh & what a windy day this was....

I've been itching to share the wedding of Clare & Nathan with you for ages but as the Bride & Groom wanted to be surprised & see all of their images in one go I have had to hold back on the sneak peeks.  Anyway...here it finally is...Clare & Nathan's big day .

The day started off at the Bride's Parent's house..amidst Bridesmaids, Stylist & Family many of which had travelled from London to be there. 

The Ceremony took place at The Marble Church, Bodelwyddan & is a stunning place to visit if you are ever in the area.

It was so windy when we got outside the poor Bride & Bridesmaids nearly got blown away. 

Then it was off to the stunning Plas Maenan Country House with it's spectacular views for the reception.  The rain was pouring down when we arrived & minutes later.......

..there was glorious sunshine!

These vintage table decorations were hand made by the bride herself!  And the cupcakes made by the very talented Mother of the Groom. 

Some of the breathtaking scenery...

I love this photograph....make me go all warm & fuzzy inside!

The End!

Tina & Danny {West Midlands Wedding Photographer}

"I do remember, and then when I try to remember, I forget."  — A.A. Milne.

Those closest to me will be aware that I am not well know for my memory & In fact I have been meaning to blog the wedding of Danny & Tina since July! I was not the main photographer on this one...that award goes to the lovely Ruth Goalby Photographer & you can see her take on the day here

http://www.ruthgoalby.com/blog/tina-and-danny-married-part-1-coventry-and-warwickshire-wedding-photography/

I love second shooting at wedding..it's nice to have a little freedom to be creative (it's also less stressful!)

Enjoy! xx

The Elan Valley, Wales...probably as close to perfection as it gets

Reservoir....doesn't sound very appealing does it?  Well...The Elan Valley Reservoirs couldn't be further from the expanse of water surrounded by a concrete wall that resided a short distance from my home as a child. They are beautiful in every sense of the word...more like a series of  lakes all intermingled together...stunning.

My life is quite hectic, I have 3 school age children...the youngest being almost 3 so peace & quiet doesn't come along much nowadays & when it does I treasure it.  This week I left Hubby at home to spend a few days in Wales with the children & my Mum, who if I'm totally honest is the reason I get any quiet moments at all!

So last night whilst Mum was feeding & generally looking after all 3 of my children...I escaped!  I drove the 30 minute drive to the Elan Valley...all alone with no bickering in the back of the car, no-one needing the toilet...that in itself is a luxury!

It was almost getting dark when I arrived & the purpose of my visit was to hopefully get some beautiful images of the Welsh sun setting.  Well the Welsh sun didn't want to play ball  last night but it didn't matter.  I parked up & walked down a little secluded path that I had missed on the other occasions I have visited & found the most stunning place to view this mass of water.

I sat, just at the water's edge..& sat...& sat...in total silence.  I ignored the fact it was getting dark, that I was in the middle of nowhere on my own without a phone signal and that if my other half knew what I was doing he would nag at me about the dangers of being alone somewhere so isolated.

I really didn't care because for the first time in a really long time I knew what it meant when people say you can hear yourself think!

And without any more words I leave you this........


"No sound is here save the stream that shrills and now, and then a cry of faint wailing when the Kite comes sailing o'er the crags" William Lisle Bowles 'Coombe-Ellen' 1798

When I get a day off!

So what does a photographer do when they get a day off??  They go & take more photographs of course!!

Last week I met up with a group of photographers from the UKWP , we organised some models & headed off on a bridal photoshoot in some fab locations including an amazing lavender farm near Evesham.  The models hair was done by the lovely Leanne Urquart.

Introducing the models who all did an amazing job braving wind, a bit of rain & even getting stung by bees!!!!

Firstly...Clare

Danielle....

Jodie

And finally ...Greg

Enjoy!