Moe and Norbert

I had a lovely day taking the photographs at Moe and Norbert's wedding. 

The day started at a local hotel with the bride and bridesmaids while they were preparing to get ready. It was great being in the middle of the flurry and excitement of their big day. While Moe was getting her make up done and the bridesmaids were doing each other hair and helping with false eyelashes I tiptoed around taking natural shots. Whilst wanting to take the best photographs I was also very aware to not get in the way and allow the wedding plans and excitement to play out without too much disruption. There is a time limit, so you can't take up too much time with photo requests. 

It was the first time I had met Moe and Norbert, they were the most wonderful, warm and loving  couple. They immediately made me feel at ease and created a very relaxed atmosphere to work in. Moe was wearing the most stunning maroon, sequinned two piece outfit and her bridesmaids were wearing a complimentary soft dove grey colour. 

The flowers were a stunning mix of roses and milk thistles, amongst other ferns and buds.  

The ceremony was a the local registry office in Lewes, which luckily is a gorgeous old building that has very recently been restored. The Southover Grange gardens are magnificent to visit in the Summer, as there are so many flowers in bloom. The Dahlia's were still going strong, so we took some photographs in front of them. 

All of Moe and Norbert's family and friends were lovely and it was a joy to be part of their happy day. It's a wonderful thought that my photographs will be a reminder of their day for all the years to come. 

That's one of the best parts of my job is that I'm a supplier of memories of happy, special times

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Wedding Dress Delight

I can't believe it's been so long since I last wrote my last blog. It has been a busy Summer and nobody wants to sit in front of a screen when it's glorious weather outside. 

I couldn't wait to blog about our most recent bridal photo shoot. It was in conjunction with a wedding dress maker called Jennie West, bridal hairdresser Jennifer Graves and the location was the gorgeous Lewes Castle. 

Louise and I were so lucky as we had full "reign" over the castle an hour before it opened. The weather had held off, as it had been rainy the previous couple of days. Jennie handmade dresses were spectacular the models (my daughter Harriet and her friend Liv) were so excited to play bride and try them on. We also were joined by Mary who was going to model her own wedding dress that Jennie had made. 

Jennifer had curled Harriet's hair and put a veil on and we were off, climbing the hundred or so steps to the top of the castle. 

The castle has stunning views over Lewes and of the South Downs, as with all castles they're at the highest point. We had such fun photographing gorgeous girls in beautiful dresses and in the most amazing location. We were so grateful to weddings at Sussex Past for letting us use it. 

The girls got to wear a couple of Jennie's stunning creations and get their hair done. They were great because as soon as the castle opened there were lots of visitors, especially foreign students. They attracted quite a crowd, some thought it was their actual wedding day!

We took so many images, it was hard to choose our favourites. I hope you like a glimpse of our work and it shows you how much we enjoyed our day and working with so many lovely people.

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More than meets the eye.

Anyone can be a photographer these days, or can they?

Everyone has a camera on their phones and some people are lucky enough to have a DSLR camera, you can get a great Nikon from just over £300. We all take photographs of our family and friends, so why would you want to pay me to take photographs of your family or your wedding when lots of people think they can do it just as well. 

There is a lot more to photography than just point and shoot. A good photographer can notice the little things and can capture that certain something that you would miss. We know that just a step to the left, right or to go up on our tiptoes can give a much more  superior image. We see colours in different ways and have a better eye for what works well aesthetically. 

Photography is instinctive to me. I'm a creative and artistic person, so I've never struggled to capture a good image. 

There is so much more to photography now than when I first started. Years ago you had to think about every image, as you only has 24 or 36 shots on your film. It had to be thought out and really considered. You couldn't really do much to it in the processing, you could make it a bit lighter or crop it. Unlike now with Photoshop where you can change a image from a cloudy morning to a dusky sunset. You can alter the colour of a dress someone is wearing and if you don't like the foreground you can change it!

I find myself a bit of a purist in regards to my photographs. I will do what I did 25 years ago I'll lighten, darken or crop but otherwise I like the image to stand alone without having to play with it too much. I have to admit that I do love being able to take lots and lots of photographs. In my opinion you can't have too many flower or sheep pictures. 

Here are some photographs I took in a beautiful wildflower field...or is it? As you can see the last photographs shows where it really is and what is going on behind the lens. I can make things look differently than they may appear. That is why you pay for a photographer. 

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The Boy with the Rainbow Umbrella.

There are lots of things that I love about my job, but the family portrait shoot I undertook on Saturday combined two of my favourites.  

I got to visit the the beautiful setting of Sheffield Park near Fletching in East Sussex. Then In addition I was lucky enough to photograph the most wonderful and delightful children, Harry and Jess.

I adore children and I think you get so much when photographing them. They are so honest and show you their real face, nothing is ever posed or contrived. I feel that is why I prefer non-studio photography. Anything can happen when you're outside, whether it's the changing weather or just passing wildlife. 

We had a hijacker in the form of a sausage stealing duck on Saturday, which made for some hilarious photographs. 

Leaving my previous career that I had been in for fifteen years and starting my own business has been difficult at times. You often wonder if you are completely crazy and if you are doing the right thing, but being out with Harry, Jess and their parents on Saturday and seeing the results has made me think that I'm made the correct decision. 

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The cutest photograph I've ever taken!

Last week I took photographs for one of our customers, The Rolling Downs.  They own the ultimate in 'glamping' shepherds huts that are housed at a place called Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum near Lewes in Sussex. 

The customer wanted me to take photographs of all that Bentley had to offer. Included in these is a motor museum, play park, cafe and train. In addition there are also wildfowl ponds. 

I have to say they were the most nonchalant birds I had encountered. They even stopped to pose for photographs instead of run away...my dream! 

Amongst the bevy of birds was the cutest little Bar Headed gosling. It walk slowly passed me and even stopped, whist I was snapping, to pose for this shot. I have to say, It is one of my favourites I've ever taken. 

It's one of the things I love about photography, is that you never know whats going to happen and what photographs you will come away with.