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Leica M Wedding Photography
Leica M wedding photography is something I wish I had started on earlier in my career! The lack of autofocus seems to have been the biggest ‘reason’ for not using the Leica. This is strange as it was all manual focus for the first 20 years of my wedding photography!

A Little History

Sometime in the 1990’s clients started asking for a more natural ‘capture the moment’ style of pictures. Less of the stiffer arranged pictures.

Having tried with medium format Bronica, fitted with waist level finder it soon became apparent that this was the wrong camera! A Nikon F100 was introduced and the results started to come. Very soon the Bronica was retired and even the formals were covered on 35mm.

Despite most of my peers saying ‘digital will never be good enough for weddings’ we took delivery of one of the first Nikon D1x cameras in 2001. We were making good money in those days and we bought each upgrade, up to D3s. Eventually the weight of cameras and lenses became difficult and we switched to Fuji in 2015.

Leica M

The Leica M9 was a 2012 purchase but by then the autofocus ‘crutch’ was well imbedded, so the M9 was not used as much as it should have been and we traded it in for a Leica SL in 2016. This was a step backwards in size with the wonderful but huge, 24-90 lens. Although a great camera and lens the SL was just too big and was exchanged for an M10-p in 2019.

M10-p with 35mm Summicron, 21 Super Elmar and 90mm APO makes a great Leica M wedding photography kit. A Leica Q3 gives cover for those autofocus moments – still need that crutch!

So what is so great about a rangefinder for weddings? Simple controls, discrete quiet camera, no viewfinder blackout, are the main points. Leicas are expensive cameras however being a business, the cost is Tax deductible. When we were VAT registered it was even better! Good Leica M lenses will in time increase in value, win, win!

2024 update – M10-P traded in for low mileage M11-P, no base plate, better battery, internal memory for back up. The 35 Summicron and APO 90, became a 35 Summilux. A great set up for weddings.

More of our wedding photography is here.
May 13, 2025
Wedding Photography at The White Hart , Great Yeldham – Stephanie & Jamie

An early start for us at the White Hart, Great Yeldham for the wedding photography of Stephanie & Jamie on a windy but dry day in March.

Preparations

On arrival, we went off to find Stephanie, her family, bridesmaids etc who were getting ready. Preparations were going well. The Bridesmaids and Flowergirls soon got dressed, followed by Steph. Soon it was time for the big reveal to Steph’s Dad. A nice captured moment before we then moved on take pictures of them all. Steph looked beautiful! Bridal pictures of her followed.

The car was waiting to take Steph and her Father to St Peter’s Church, Braintree. Guests travelled by the family owned Flagfinders coaches. Jamie’s pictures were taken when we arrived at the Church, St Peter’s in Bocking. The sun was shining which was nice to see.

Ceremony

It wasn’t long before Steph arrived at the Church. The Guests took their places and Steph taking her Dad’s arm made her entrance into the Church.

Following the service Steph and Jamie came out of the Church, a few pictures were taken before they got into the car to go to the Reception at the White Hart, Great Yeldham.

Reception at the White Hart

A lovely setting at The White Hart, lovely colours on a Spring day. Steph and Jamie greeted their some of their Guests before having a few pictures with the car.

Following that everybody went off towards the Barn for Reception Drinks. During the afternoon, a few family pictures were taken and later some fun pictures. Luckily it was dry underfoot and we were able to make use of the grounds for Steph and Jamie’s pictures. Casual pictures were taken during the afternoon as well and pictures of Steph and Jamie.

The Speeches took place before the meal at the Wedding Breakfast so everyone could relax and enjoy their meal.

Evening

Once the Wedding Breakfast had ended the weather was still good so people could go outside if they wanted to. Whilst waiting for the band to set up for the evening’s entertainment a few pictures were taken of the happy couple resulting in a nice sunset picture.

Steph and Jamie took to the dance floor for their First Dance and were joined shortly by their Guests. Once we were happy with our coverage we said our goodbyes. A lovely Wedding for a lovely couple!

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April 20, 2024
Interior Glazing Installation

Commercial Photography for Superslim Glazing in a kitchen showroom in Welwyn Garden City.

April 20, 2024
Gosfield Hall Wedding Photography – Brenda & Richard

Brenda and Richard wanted their Gosfield Hall Wedding to be a relaxing day, which we were more than happy to oblige.

When we arrived on the morning of the Wedding at Gosfield Hall it was a cool and cloudy day. Upstairs at Gosfield Hall Richard was getting ready in one of the rooms whilst Brenda was getting ready in the Rococo Suite. Richard was with his Best Man, Graham and his wife, chatting away whilst finishing their preparations. Once they were ready a few pictures were taken. Brenda was in the final stages of getting ready, having a lovely time. Harry and Kate joined Brenda when they were ready as they were going to walk her down the aisle. Lovely moments in the Rococo Suite. Absolutely a wonderful colour scheme, well done Brenda and Richard!

Meanwhile, downstairs, as the Guests were arriving, we managed to capture some nice pictures of them.

Brenda was soon ready, a few pictures, then as the Guests had taken their seats in the Grand Salon, it was time for Brenda, Harry and Kate to go downstairs for the Ceremony. Emotions were high, many dry eyes at the end of the vows! To end the Ceremony, Brenda and Richard were covered in petals. A lovely spectacle! Some pictures of Brenda and Richard with Gosfield Hall in the background, daffodils and the stag shot afterwards before going back to the inside of Gosfield Hall for the warmth. Everybody had a nice time enjoying the Drinks Reception. Informal pictures of the Guests were great in this setting.

During the afternoon an everybody picture was taken in the Courtyard with a few family group pictures.

The Wedding Breakfast was followed by the Speeches. The evening Guests arrived shortly after just before the cutting of the Wedding Cake. Brenda and Richard’s First Dance was brilliant. They took to the dance floor, a slow dance for under a minute, then a change of rhythm! A brilliant choreographed dance took place to much cheering and clapping! Outstanding! Well done! The Guests then joined them for dancing. Afterwards, the Bride and Groom surprised their Guests again with Sparklers! What a nice way to end our coverage of Brenda and Richard’s wonderful Winter Wedding at Gosfield. Thank you for asking us to be your Wedding Photographers, it was a pleasure.

March 15, 2024
Some great words

A great quote from Tom Stoddart, a documentry photographer

“You make pictures with what’s in your head and your heart and your feet and there are a handful I consider to be my best pictures”

February 28, 2024
Welcome

Thank you for visiting my new site which should grow in due course.

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February 25, 2024
Maidens Barn Wedding Photography for Alice & Billy

Maidens Barn Wedding Photography for Alice and Billy, what a pleasure it was!

It was a crisp, bright, very cold frosty, winter’s morning in December, when we turned up at St Mary’s Church, Dunmow before the Wedding. A lovely setting.

Preparations

Alice’s family home was where we went to next. Alice was getting ready there with her Bridesmaids. Everyone was chilled and preparations were going well. It wasn’t long before it was time for Alice to put on her Wedding Dress. The Bridesmaids were dressed and waiting for her to join them in the Conservatory. The big reveal took place! Alice looked amazing!

Once the girls had composed themselves we took some pictures.

We had time to take a few pictures of Alice before we left to go to St Mary’s Church, Dunmow.

The Church

Billy and his Best Man and Ushers arrived just after us, so once they were ready we took a few pictures of them.

They then returned to their duties. Guests started to arrive. The Flowergirls and Pageboys congregated at the back of the Church waiting for Alice to arrive. All ready. The flowergirls and Pageboys led the way. Billy was watching and waiting for Alice.

Alice took her Father’s arm and walked toward the front of the Church.

After the service, as it was very cold outside we arranged a few requested family pictures inside the Church. This worked very well.

Happy with the pictures, Alice and Billy then left the Church and were covered in confetti as they made their way from the Church.

Maidens Barn

Off to Maidens Barn we went. A couple of pictures to catch up on when we arrived but that didn’t take too long.

Alice and Billy enjoyed socialising with their Guests during the Drinks Reception. Before the Wedding Breakfast, as the sun was going down we took Alice and Billy for a very short walk, it was getting very cold, for a few pictures.

The Wedding Breakfast was soon after and that was followed by the Speeches and the cutting of the Wedding Cake. The evening celebrations then began.

A wonderful Maidens Barn Wedding and a wonderful couple! Congratulations Alice and Billy!

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February 13, 2024
Hedingham Castle Wedding – James & Ben

We were happy to be asked to be the photographers for James and Ben’s Hedingham Castle Wedding. They had waited a long time for their special day and what a day it was!

The Morning

The morning of the Wedding proved to be rather wet but we had our fingers crossed that later it would be fine. James and Ben were getting ready in the Cottage so we joined them there as the preparations were taking place. Happy and chilled everyone was and we captured some of those moments. When James and Ben were ready just a few pictures were taken of them before they made their way over to the Castle.

Heddingham Castle Wedding

The Wedding Guests had taken their seats and once James and Ben arrived it was time for the Ceremony. James and Ben walked in together and the Ceremony began.

Afterwards, following a few pictures inside we went outside as it had stopped raining. Guests enjoyed the drinks Reception in the Castle and came out if they were required for pictures. James and Ben were able to spend time with their Guests before taking a short time out for pictures of the two of them. The lake looked a picture especially as it was late afternoon. Although it had been raining, therefore wet underfoot, James and Ben were happy to go over to the lake. Good timing, lovely pictures.

Heddingham Castle is not one of the easiest to get sunset pictures due to the trees. This day was great as the sunset showed high into the sky!

The Wedding Breakfast

Returning to the Castle it was time for the Wedding Breakfast which was in the held in the wonderful Tapestry Room in the Castle. The Speeches took place after the meal as did the cake cutting.

Afterwards everyone enjoyed the evening celebrations, dancing and socialising in the Garrison Room. This was the end of our coverage for James and Ben’s Heddingham Castle Wedding, a really enjoyable day, thank you both for asking us to be a part of it.

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February 9, 2024
Blog Post Title

What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.

January 25, 2024
Bruisyard Country Estate wedding – Sandie & Jim

Bruisyard Country Estate, was a new Wedding Venue for us, located near Saxmundham, Suffolk. Sandie and Jim have been together for many years and wanted to ‘tie the knot’ at Wedding Venue not too far from them, without too much fuss. They chose the Bruisyard Country Estate to celebrate with their friends and family.

The weather was lovely when we arrived, on the morning of their Wedding, so we had a good look around before anyone was about and took some pictures of the setting.

Preparations were going on in the House so we went off to find them. Sandie and Jim didn’t want getting ready pictures taken so we left them to finish getting ready. It was just as well really as Jim was feeling under the weather.

As the Guests started to arrive, they congregated in the Courtyard at outside the Barn, which was very relaxed and enabled us to get some informal pictures. Jim, his sons, Bob and Sonny, welcomed the Guests. Just before leaving the house, we took a couple of pictures of Sandie with her bridesmaids and flowergirls.

Guests took their seats for the Ceremony, just before Sandie arrived at the Barn in a camper van with her sister.

Exchanged of vows

The ceremony and exchange of vows was followed by their Drinks Reception.

The weather turned!

Unfortunately the weather had turned and it was raining, so socialising took place inside the barn, until we could go outside. We did go outside and take some pictures which was good during the afternoon.

Later it was time for the meal and as the sky was good we were able to go out and take a couple of pictures on the bridge.
The evening party started and we are pleased to say Jim felt much better in time for the dancing.

Sandie and Jim wanted their Bruisyard Country Estate wedding to be relaxed and casual and more about their friends and family than them. Happy with our coverage of what they wanted for their special day we said our goodbyes.

Always happy to discuss your wedding – do contact us.

November 2, 2023