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Witham in Bloom – Awards Ceremony

Witham in Bloom – Awards Ceremony

It was nice to be asked yet again to photograph the Witham in Bloom Children’s and Schools Award Ceremony held at Maltings Academy, Witham. As usual there was a high standard of work on display and good to see many children,families and members of staff of the Witham Schools attending. This Awards Ceremony was the last Ceremony organised by Annie Northfield and her team and they must be congratulated on putting on a lovely event. A huge ‘thank you’ to Annie for all her hard work over the past years and we wish her well. Prints are available at low cost from Witham Art & Framing Centre.

September 10, 2015
Wedding Photography Maidens Barn – Anita & Steve

Wedding Photography Maidens Barn

Anita and Steve couldn’t have asked for a better day for their Maidens Barn Wedding. Our first port of call on their Wedding Day was at Anita’s home for the bridal preparations. We arrived as Anita was in the final stages of having her make-up and hair done. In between photographing these moments we got on with photographing Anita’s accessories.

Essex Wedding Phototographer

The Bridesmaids were also getting ready as well as Anita’s Mum so there was a lot happening, but everything was running smoothly. It was a beautiful day and once they were all ready we all went into the garden. Anita looked stunning and with a mixture of sun and shade we got on with the more posed pictures. We managed to find time for a final picture of them all standing by the white London cab at the front of the house before we left. It had been a while since we had photographed a Wedding at Maidens Barn so we were really looking forward to this country barn setting. An outside Ceremony was what Anita and Steve wanted and their wish was granted! We took a few pictures of the set-up before the Guests started to arrive and some pictures of Steve and his Groomsmen. Anita arrived soon afterwards. The Guests took their places for the Ceremony and with the Harpist playing the Barn Doors opened and Anita, holding onto her Mother’s arm made her way into the garden. After the Ceremony, Anita, Steve and their Guests enjoyed the Drinks Reception, making use of the new Oak Barn which provided coolness and shade! Once the requested family groups, fun and confetti pictures were done there was a little time for Anita and Steve’s pictures. Although still hot we walked to the field for a few pictures of them together. Soon it was time for the Wedding Breakfast. The Wedding Breakfast was held in Elm Barn and the Speeches followed. Everybody then went outside to enjoy the evening sunshine and the evening Guests started to arrive. Anita and Steve wanted to practice their First Dance out of sight of their Guests, so this gave us the opportunity to go with them and take a few pictures as well. When most of Anita and Steve’s evening Wedding Guests having arrived they took to the dance floor. A brilliant First Dance! The best place for the sunset that evening was a short drive down the road and knowing how much Anita and Steve wanted their pictures, they were happy to go for a ride in our car! Thank you Anita and Steve, lovely Wedding Photography Maidens Barn! After capturing some informal pictures during the evening, we finished with a Maidens Barn night picture! Lovely to see Hannah and Craig again, a year after we photographed their Wedding at Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon. A wonderful day!

September 8, 2015
Pre-Wedding photos Maldon – Sarah & Chris

Pre-Wedding photos Maldon – Sarah & Chris

It was a lovely evening when we met Sarah and Chris at Maldon Quay for their pre-wedding pictures. After chatting about their forthcoming Wedding Day at the Reid Rooms, we went for a walk around the park and found a few interesting places for their pictures. We like the challenge to going to different places to see what we can see and find for varied pictures. We particularly liked the shot in the shelter with the sun making a diagonal line to make a great composition.

Pre-Wedding photos in Maldon Promenade Park

September 4, 2015
Cambridge Wedding – An early Thank You

Cambridge Wedding – An early Thank You

Laura and Mark had a Cambridge wedding a couple of weeks ago. They have just received their wedding pictures from us to select for their book…….

Hi David and Sandra

Just a quick message to say WOW the photos are amazing, we love them, thank you so much.

I hope that you both are well and I’ll be in touch soon.

Kind regards

Laura and Mark

Full blog post with more pictures to follow

September 2, 2015
PR photoshoot

PR photoshoot

We recently carried out a PR photoshoot for a client who was giving a demonstration to a local school about waste recycling and generating electricity.

Being in a school we had to be careful to ensure that some children did not appear in the photographs, due to their parents requests. With help from the Headteacher and staff this was organised without any child being singled out. As it turned out we took the pictures mainly from behind as they were for the presenter, not the school! Whilst any PR photoshoot is not our biggest area of work they expose us to different situations and keeps us aware of life outside weddings!

September 1, 2015
Barnardiston School wedding – Sophie-Jane & Christopher

Barnardiston School wedding – Sophie-Jane & Christopher

It was an early start for Sophie-Jane & Chris’ summer ceremony at Withersfield Church and Barnardiston School wedding reception in Suffolk. We arrived at Sophie-Jane’s Parents house where all the preparations were happening for Sophie, the Bridesmaids, Flowergirl and Pageboys. Hair and Make up preparations were going well and whilst this was taking place, we capturing the moments, as well as taking pictures of Sophie-Jane’s Dress and Accessories. It was a beautiful day, really hot but fortunately we found a shady spot in the garden for a few pictures. Taking a few pictures of them all we then left them to go to St Mary the Virgin Church at Withersfield. Chris arrived on his Dad’s tractor so after taking a couple of pictures and his Groomsmen, they made their way into the Church. As the Guests arrived we took some arrival pictures. Sophie-Jane arrived a little while later and with all the Guests inside the Church made her way into the Church for the service. Following the service, Sophie-Jane and Chris led their Wedding Guests out of the Church into the brilliant sunshine for a few requested pictures. Once these were completed the Guests lined the path and showered Sophie-Jane and Chris with confetti as they walked towards the car. Barnardiston School was the venue for the Reception. Whilst waiting for all of the Guests to arrive we took Sophie-Jane and Chris for a walk around the grounds finishing with a few pictures in the School, which holds fond memories for Sophie. Later, after Sophie-Jane and Chris had time to socialise with their Guests we got on with taking the requested family pictures. With garden games,and a Bouncy Castle everybody enjoyed the afternoon sun. The Speeches followed the Wedding Breakfast. Some of the Guests, especially the children, wanted their pictures taken in the tractor which we were happy to take. The evening Guests started to arrive and soon it was time for the cake cutting and First Dance. The best place for a sunset picture was in a nearby cornfield just up the road and Sophie-Jane and Chris were more than happy to get in our car and off we went. It was worth it! Happy with our coverage a short time later we said our goodbyes. Thanks to Sally of Splinters Catering for looking after us so well. A lovely day!

August 29, 2015
Wedding Photography Spains Hall for Lucy & Steve

Wedding Photography Spains Hall for Lucy & Steve

It was nice to be asked to photograph Lucy and Steve’s Wedding at Spains Hall, Finchingfield. On arrival at Spains Hall, after saying ‘hello’ to Lucy who was getting ready in the Tapestry Room, David went off to find the men. Steve, his Best Man, Ushers and Parents were in Crest Lodge. Steve’s final preparations were going well as were Lucy’s. The Flowergirls, Rebecca and Amelia, Lucy and Steve’s daughter, were enjoying getting ready and giving a helping hand. When the men were ready, they had a few pictures taken in the garden before walking over to the House for the Ceremony. With Lucy dressed, looking lovely, and everybody else ready, Lucy’s Dad joined them for some pictures. After we had taken the Bridal portraits of Lucy, it was time to go down the stairs for Luct to meet with the Registrars. The Wedding Guests were seated in the Elizabethan Hall awaiting the Ceremony. The Flowergirls led the way into the Hall followed by Lianne, the Bridesmaid and finally Lucy and her Dad. After all the formalities were completed, Lucy and Steve exited the room had a few minutes to themselves whilst the Guests were handed confetti and went outside. Lucy and Steve were covered in confetti as they made their way into the grounds surrounding Spains Hall. The happy couple then greeted their Guests during the Drinks Reception before we got on with the requested family photos. It was a glorious day, so hot, but we managed to take some fun bridal party pictures in next to no time and take Lucy and Steve for a few minutes around the grounds for their pictures. Just before the Wedding Breakfast there was time for the ‘everybody’ shot in front of the Hall before they made their way over to the Stables. The Speeches followed the meal. While the room was prepared for the evening, the Guests enjoyed the evening sunshine, relaxing and participating in the garden games. Amelia, Rebecca and the other children had fun running around as well. During the evening we took some informal pictures of the evening Guests. As it was now cooler we took Lucy and Steve for a few minutes along the driveway for some evening pictures before re-joining their Guests. With the turnaround complete everybody made their way back into the room for the evening celebrations to begin, starting with the First Dance, then it was the party! A beautiful day, a beautiful sunset to finish! After taking this picture we took our leave. It was nice working with Helga, the Wedding Co-ordinator, seeing Nina of Piana DJ. Thank you Lucy and Steve, you were brilliant, for being part of your Wedding, we enjoyed it!

August 23, 2015
Street Photography

Street Photography

What do photographers do to unwind? – Go and take some pictures of course! A great trip to London with a friend Ivan Finch, who is another professional photographer. After a sensor clean at The Leica Store , Mayfair (thanks Leica!) we walked through London looking for interesting parts of life, the street performers, people working, people at cafes and families on holiday. Street Photography is a great observational practice and I certainly don’t claim to be an expert, it’s just for fun!

Street Performers in Trafalgar Square

People at work and play in London

I use my discrete Leica M9 camera for Street Photography. A camera that encourages a photographer to think about the pictures that are wanted, especially as it does not have auto focus! Black and white seems to suit so many of these observational pictures – of course I did a few colour pictures but I liked these best. My particular favourites are the men talking at the ice-cream stall and the businessmen taking coffee. That’s enough of a Cartier-Bresson moment, now back to the weddings…….

August 20, 2015
Witham Town Mayors Portrait 2015

Witham Town Mayors Portrait

After photographing Bill Rose a couple of months ago with the rest of the Town Council, David was delighted to be asked to take this year’s Official Portrait. A picture of Bill was required to be framed and added to the wall in the Council Chamber along with all the other past Witham Mayors. Although David has done this many times previously and can almost do it his eyes shut, it still feels like a great honour to be involved with the Mayor’s Portrait. Pictures which will be there for many years as part of the Town’s history.

August 13, 2015
Beach Engagement shoot – Charlotte & Lee

Beach Engagement shoot

We met Charlotte and Lee one evening at their home for a chat before going to do some pre-wedding pictures. Being a warm evening we decided to go along the seafront at Dovercourt. Charlotte and Lee are getting married at Prested Hall, Feering in the near future.

A Beach Engagement shoot is always fun and our clients are a little more relaxed, which then carries over to the wedding day – just what we want! We also use our small discrete Leica camera which just seems that little bit less scary to those not used to being photographed, than the large Nikons we use for weddings!

August 11, 2015