Sinead, Ian, Marriage and Nobber (don't worry it's a place!)

Last month, thanks to the wedding of my cousin Ian and now-cousin-in-law Sinead, I had a lovely excuse to cross the pond and go home for a long weekend.

The shite lovely Irish weather decided to do the right thing and give them a beautiful day. Cullan found a golf ball (see below) so he was happy and I got to catch up with friends I haven't seen in far too long. Definitely a sign that I need to get home more often, that money-tree better hurry it's arse up and grow!

The dedication of a true friend, mopping the floor for the 'yoko' that stole his hetrosexual life partner.

Out with the baby photos, love it.

Cullan punching well above his weight :-)

Enthusiasm, all I'll say.

Rock the boat, with the bride as captain.

... and finally. One of the best road signs you'll ever see, en route to the wedding reception we HAD to stop for a quick pic. The literal translation of An Obair is 'the work', but I suppose that's not funny enough to put on a road sign :-)

Kids always steal the show!

Having noticed my wedding posts have been a bit scarce of late... A few photographs from the wedding of Sharon and Eddie in May of 2011.

The wedding was being photographed by the lovely Helen Howard, a photographer I met when I attended a workshop run by Steve Gerrard (check my previous post on the subject for the 'he's not a footballer' explanation). Helen was kind enough to ask me to help her out on the day.

I think one of the hardest parts of starting my business is maintaining a consistent level of work so that I'm increasing my confidence whilst building a portfolio. To be able to work with different photographers and learn from them is a definite privilege.

Helen is a real talent, since meeting her I've followed her blog and have been impressed and inspired by her work and how she's always trying something new. All of her shoots are unique to the people photographed, something I very much aspire to do in my own work.

Check out Helen's blog here and her facebook page (which has some really beautiful shots) here.

The wedding took place in the Granary Hotel in Kidderminster on what was a gloriously sunny day. Our random summer in full effect. It's never a chore photographing a beautiful happy couple in such a lovely location. As with most weddings the children ran around the grounds enjoying themselves, I don't know if I'm more aware of that now that I'm a dad. But one thing's for sure, when they give you a smile or do something funny they most definitely steal the show.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

   

Under the Bridge (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Having to do a full-time job whilst trying to establish myself in the world of photography creates a lot of challenges. Not that one can afford to be negative at a time where people are finding it quite hard to get work. While I'd love to pontificate about the role our current Prime Minister "Darth Cameron" has to play, the truth of the matter is it's not his fault (entirely), he's just made it more difficult.

I only mention the challenge because with it has come opportunities (look at me being all positive!). My day job requires me to travel across the UK to deliver training. Sometimes more often than I would like and sometimes requiring me to spend nights away from my family. As I have suggested in my father's day post, it's not easy to let my little monster go.

But if it wasn't for my job I probably wouldn't have visited the cities I have, or at the very least not as frequently. I wouldn't have met the nice people that live there or seen the sights they have to offer. Most days now I tend to carry a camera with me, usually equipped with my cheap and cheerful 50mm f1.8. I love that lens,

Having found myself in Newcastle recently, I took the opportunity to take some pictures while the sun was still quite pronounced. On previous visits, I'd taken a tripod with me and captured some of the bridges at night. This time I found myself drawn to a series of streets just off the riverside. A massive bridge merges with/cuts through the buildings until you almost can't tell what was there first.

The deep shadows cast by the evening sun gave me the perfect opportunity to present the pictures in my favoured black and white. Given the presence towering overhead, I felt it only right to name the series Under the Bridge. I'm now inspired to go listen to some Red Hot Chili Peppers, hope you like the pictures.

Father's Day

Lately, when responding to the question "how is Cullan?", I've taken to talking of his habit of sleeping for three-hour intervals and waking up shouting "Bin Truck" or "Birdy ALL GONE!".

The truth is I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes a bit more sleep would be nice, but then I might miss something :-)

For the past few months he's gotten into the routine of snuggling up with me to go to sleep. It's something I really miss when I have to be away overnight for work and I know Cullan will outgrow it before I do.

On a day like today, I know how lucky I am and just want to see him smile :-) The picture is Cullan and my Dad, I think I'll ring him and shout Bin Truck!

Happy Father's Day!

Congratulations Becky and George!

I'm back . . . . .  finally!!!! After a couple of busy months and a bit of poor health, I'm finally starting to catch up with everything (well just about). Thank you to all the well-wishers during my trips to the hospital and apologies to those I haven't yet gotten back to!

So much has happened I nearly didn't know where to start. But as one should, I decided the right thing was to go back to the start.

A little while ago I posted some engagement pictures of George and Becky, a lovely couple whose wedding would be my first outing as a solo photographer. I am delighted to say that the happy couple are now husband and wife, complete with pictures to prove it :-)

As nervous as I was in the morning, I soon forgot about worrying and had a really nice day with some fantastic people. A little bit of rain here and there certainly didn't dampen the mood (no pun intended) as you'll see from the smiles below.

I'm so honoured to have been part of their day and can see many happy days ahead for them :-)

 

Someone was a bit 'too' good at walking in heels!