Rupalee and Sayan amazingly organised their wedding in just three weeks.  You’d think with all that stress in the run up to the day, they’d have been a little fraught but I’ve rarely seen two people more happy and relaxed.  Their families and friends were so lovely and I left this wedding with a warm glow in the heart.

It’s a bit of a mega blog post this week –  I’ve wanted to shoot a wedding at Cliveden all my career, so please allow me a bit of photographic indulgence!  I dearly hope it’s not the last time I’m there.

Here’s are my favourites:

Not a cloud in the sky over beautiful Cliveden House.

Rupalee’s shoes were had pretty pearl detailing on them.

Something blue.

The bridal bouquet was so soft and delicate – just simple pink roses

Rupalee looked so stunning.  I loved her bird cage veil.

Married!

Recently I’ve been trying to make my group shots less like a firing line and more like a Vanity Fair spread!  I love the simple, timeless elegance of this picture.

The French Dining Room at Cliveden House.

After the speeches Rupalee and Sayan danced to “Wherever, Whenever, Whatever” by Mitchell

After the couples first dance, the light was still great.  So we took a stroll and took a few pictures to round off a perfect day.

This last shot I think is my favourite – it has so much atmosphere.  I love it.

Congratulations Rupalee & Sayan!

If you were a guest at their wedding you can register to see the pictures once the bride and groom have seen them by clicking HERE.

The book is aimed at beginners as well as professionals alike. 

Chapters will include:

How to shoot storytelling images that will connect with the bride.
Shooting with empathy and understanding providing the couple with a greater emotional attachment to their images.
How to choose where to shoot from for the greatest storytelling impact combined with the best light and composition.
How feeling an image not just seeing it will give you stronger pictures.
How to stop shooting snap shots and start shooting pictures that tell stories.
How to create magazine style details that brides will love (as well as editors!)
Album presentation for wedding photojournalism
Post-production that adds to the impact of your storytelling.

It’s 7×5 in size – so really easy to fit in your camera bag for inspiration where ever you are!

Click here to order your copy and read more about it.

When I arrived a Rowena’s the house was a buzz with activity and excitement.  Rowena’s sister Carrie had called up Capitol Radio and the girls were eagerly awaiting a shout out from the station.  Rowena was such a sweetheart, she had prepared me a little snack bag (all Weight Watchers approved) as she knew I was leaving before dinner.  I was really touched by this, as I’m sure in the run up to the big day she had more than enough to think about!  Rowena is a big inspiration to all us brides who are trying to shed a few pounds for our weddings.  Through her dieting and exercising regime over the last year she shed over three stone.  She looked incredible.

Rowena and I had many conversations about the day in the lead up and we had decided to shoot some pictures of her and Brian after the ceremony on the way to the reception.  Ideally she wanted some shots with her church in the background.  I got there early in the morning to scout out locations and I found a really cool spot with a view of the church but which also had the most amazing grasses and reeds.  The downside was that because it had been raining continuously, it was quite muddy.  I explained the situation to Rowena when I arrived at her house and was thrilled to hear she was happy for me to take her wellies along!  We also grabbed an old sheet, so we could lay that down before placing her dress on the ground.  I loved the location and even though we had to make slightly more of an effort to get there, it was well worth it. 

Here are some of my favourite pictures:

Rowena’s bridesmaids look really glam in their long black gowns, pearls and long black gloves.

Married!

The three best men did really well on the speech – how refreshing to see something funny, well rehearsed and not a slide show in sight – bravo!

Congratulations Rowena & Brian!

If you were a guest at their wedding you can register to see the pictures once the bride and groom have seen them by clicking HERE.

The church was gorgeous and the vicar was really helpful.  I thought I had the best place in the house – right by the heater!  The ceremony was lovely and never have the vows “In sickness and in health” been more appropriate.

We decided to stop off on the way to the Barn for some pictures.  I kept this brief as we didn’t want to make poor Jenny any worse.  The light was typical for the time of year, low and directional.

It was my first visit to The Redhouse Barn.   A newly refurbished red brick barn with floor to ceiling views and gorgeous flagstone flooring, it’s a great mix of old and new.  It had some beautiful grounds but on a bitterly cold day in January, we were more happy staying inside for pictures.  The venue had a little snug area with a log burning stove and comfy sofas and chairs, perfect for snuggling  up with a post-dinner coffee.   There was a beautiful bar area and an impressive dinning room, the main part of the barn, which transformed in the evening with cool disco flooring and lights that changed from pink to blue.  Normally such a big space in winter would have been cold but the underfloor heating kept the room at a great temperature.  I can see it being a very popular venue all year round.

I had a long journey back to Kent and got home at about 1.30am.  Tired but very happy with what I’d shot that day.

Here are some favourites!

Jenny’s shoes were by Mi Paci.

Jenny’s mum gave her these antique handkerchiefs on the morning of the wedding.

Jenny designed her own dress and it was made in New Zealand by Anna Schimmel.

Married!

I love this picture.  The warm light, the reflections and the moment.

My new years resolution is to make my group pictures less boring.  Just because something is posed, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t reflect different characters or be stiff and formal!

What a cool room!

Congratulations Jenny & Iain!

If you were a guest at their wedding you can register to see the pictures once the bride and groom have seen them by clicking HERE.

A huge thanks to all those who took the trouble to let me know how much their pictures meant to them.

Click HERE

I spent three days with the amazing David Williams on his “Almost Alone”  photography workshop and I also spoke to a group of around 30 fellow wedding photographers at a little conference that was organised in York.  It was an inspirational way to start the year.  It’s been fun but left no time to catch up on my blog!

I thought I’d share with you my 10 favourite images from 2009.  It’s been an amazing year for me – not only did I shoot some beautiful brides and incredible weddings but I made a few friends along the way.  Thanks to all those who sent me thank you gifts, little notes and cards.  I keep each and every one of them and whenever I have a day where I feel down, I read them and they make me smile!

Onto the pictures.  It’s been tough editing these pictures!  There were so many I wanted to include.

If you read wedding magazines as often as I do, you’ll probably already know this image.  I used it in my last advertising campaign.  I love this picture because it wasn’t something we could have planned, it was a chance we all took.  Sarah & Mark were fantastic clients – they could have opted to go straight from the church to the warmth of their beautiful Cotswold wedding venue but they took a chance, a chance we’d get some amazing pictures – and we did.

I had about 10 minutes to capture as many images as possible before Sarah turned into an ice cube.

Oh and I’ve lost count of the amount of people who have asked me if the footprints in the snow where made by me.  No is the answer – they were already there.

This image was taken at the stunning St Brides Church (behind Fleet Street) London.  I love the relationship between the cold angular architecture and the subjects, it frames them perfectly and is a stark contrast to the wedding party in all their finery.

Penny, the bride,  is clearly gathering her thoughts and preparing for her entrance into the church, whilst her attendants make those last minute adjustments to her dress and veil.  The two small flower girls in the front are exchanging a few words – maybe comparing their rose baskets, whilst Penny’s father looks on in nervous anticipation.  I also love the contrast in tone between him and the girls.

Shooting winter weddings brings its own challenges; low light, the cold and not forgetting it gets dark early. However this image is a perfect example of why I love shooting weddings in winter.  You need to look for beauty in a different way.  This image of Katherine & Joe was shot at the beautiful Crewe Hall, it would have been a different image had trees had been green and it had been sunny.  I love the starkness of it.

This image reminds me of being a child.  This might be the boys first ever wedding, or the first time he’s worn a suit.  He stands really close to his father and looks at other guests arriving at the church.  I love the blues of the door and suits and his perfect pale skin and big blue eyes.

One of the emotions that I love to capture at a wedding is Joy.  Charlotte was one of my favourite clients of last year – I don’t think I have a single picture of her where she’s wasn’t smiling!
This is the only image that I’d ever entered into an online competition, so I was very happy to be included in the top 20 images Worldwide with this picture in the ‘reception’ category of the Wedding Photojournalist Association Awards.

I love the composition and the moment that’s been captured here.  Zoe, the bride is on the right sitting crossed legged on the floor with her sister-in-law who’s helping with her make up.  Zoe’s sister is the girl rushing past the doorway on the left hand side.  I wanted to stand in a positon where I illustrate more than just the right hand story of the girls on the floor.

This photograph was shot in the bride’s garden, her Dad was a really keen gardener and the grounds were stunning.  This area was filled with fruit trees, scrubs and grasses and the bride (Zoe) told me it was her favourite area of the garden.  As soon as I saw this place it reminded me of a Monet painting called ‘Printemps‘ which I love. See below…

I waited until the light was low and golden and asked Zoe and her new husband Jonathan just to sit and talk on the bench while I shot a few pictures.  I have visited Monet’s garden – and Zoe’s father could definitely give him a run for his money!

I love the simplicity of this moment.  You don’t need to see the person reading the speech to know its more than likely the best man!

Clare and Geoff had just finished their main course when I asked them for 3 minutes of their time to shoot this picture.  The sun was setting and although we’d already taken some posed pictures earlier in the day, I could not let them miss this amazing light.  There were more attractive areas of the venue grounds to shoot it but in this wasteland behind the trees, full of weeds, there was a magic.  I love that they trusted me, they must have actually thought I was crazy to ask them to go and have a chat in amongst the brambles!  It’s the kind of image I adore – soft, romantic and magical!

To me this images sums up all I love about weddings.  Excitement, expectation, joy and beauty.  I tend to shoot in a soft, delicate way and this image is a perfect example of it.  I’m not fond of gritty, dark  wedding pictures . Weddings to me are full of hope – a new beginning, a new family – something to celebrate!  This image shouts “I’m a Bride!!!”

Please let me know if you have a favourite by commenting below…

and don’t forget to tell me why!

Katie and Ian’s tied the knot at the town hall, which is a short walk up the hill from The George.  With its huge windows, it’s a great location to shoot and I love the feel of the place.  A wedding in Rye has such charm, local people stop what they are doing to have a look (the people in the pie shop – “Simon the Pieman” stopped serving to take a look at the newlyweds) and others gather around as the town crier announces the marriage on the steps of the town hall.  We wandered off for some shots in the cobbled lanes and the town crier waited for us patiently, so he could lead the couple down the hill to their waiting guests at The George.

Katie and Ian were such a lovely couple, really relaxed and happy.  The whole day had a really lovely vibe to it and this, I’m sure, was testament to them as a couple.  I know a lot of brides follow this blog and my advice to those planning a wedding is: plan it, then when the day arrives, enjoy it!  There’s nothing more you can do and what will be, will be.  The best weddings are always those that have a happy couple at the center.

Here are some of my favourites (it’s a bigger blog post than normal – to keep you going over Christmas!)

Pretty shoes!

Katie’s “something borrowed” were these beautiful earings

The bridesmaids dresses were from Coast

Katie wore a stunning Jenny Packham number

Married!

Who would have thought it was December!

These favours were delicious French macaroons

The cup cakes were really tasty – Katie packed me off with a little bag containing two of the delights. They were to die for!

Cup cakes by The Primrose Bakery

The room looked so Christmassy!

This shot really does not tell the story of how it was obtained – I had to crawl through the back of the laundry cupboard to get onto the balcony.  Bizarre!

Congratulations Ian & Katie!  Enjoy Hawaii!

If you were a guest at their wedding you can register to see the pictures once the bride and groom have seen them by clicking HERE.

Here are what two clients had to say after they’ve received their albums:

Dear Kerry

Just a note to say thank you for being such a fantastic photographer for our wedding.  The photos are just gorgeous, we’re absolutely thrilled with them. 

We’ve had so many compliments on what a great photographer you are.  Our album is perfect, well done!

Love from Richard & Francesca

Dearest Kerry

I cannot thank you enough for your hard work, humour, efficiency, kindness and above all fantastic photos!

Geoff and I have been thrilled and overwhelmed by how well your pictures captured our day and how much they bring back memories from it by showing the atmosphere as well as the details.  Right from the start you have been so helpful and friendly which we particularly appreciate as we both find posing for photos rather awkward and hoped to avoid feeling self conscious for our wedding, which was great as there wasn’t much of that. 

The coffee table book and prints will be treasured for a lifetime, as will the moments you have captured so perfectly.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks, we are so very glad we found your site on that snowy day in February!

Best wishes

Clare & Geoff

Thanks for thanks!

Here are some of my favourites from their wedding at Woodlands Park Hotel near Cobham:

I love this picture of Natasha, what cute freckles!

Natasha did not see her wedding ring before Matt placed it on her finger – how romantic is that!

Married!

I chose a warmer black and white for these two pictures, it seemed more Hollywood!

What could be more romantic and more Hollywood than kissing in the rain under a dimly lit street light?

The couple had rehearsed a swish first dance which was certainly every bit as Fred ‘n’ Ginger as their outfits.

Congratulations Natasha & Matt, enjoy your Caribbean Cruise!

If you were a guest at their wedding you can register to see the pictures once the bride and groom have seen them by clicking HERE.