Times Gone By
Christmas is about spending time with family, this year (having brought my Nan & Grandad a Slide Scanner – more on this in another post coming soon) we spent alot of time looking through old photos from the last 100 years.
Drawing inspiration from Dear Photograph I’ve been wanting to try this for a long time. My grandparents house is the last place we still own where we have photos of our family growing. Spending Boxing day their this year I thought it was a great opportunity to give it a shot, so here’s a glimpse into mixing new and old!
Me playing with what looks like a box of hair rollers
Me again in a very fetching outfit
Me again
Cool hat
My Grandad
My Nan & Grandads garden
Me practicing my stunts
My Nan
My Grandad
My cousin Joe
My Nan & Grandad at Christmas
My Uncle, Brother, Mum, Me, Nan & Grandad
My Brother practicing his salute
Me, Uncle, Brother and 5 balloons.
My Cousin (Georgie)
My Great Grandmother (Florence) who sadly passed away in the 90′s
Me again sporting my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles T-Shirt
My Mum (And Step Father)
I’d like to go back much further, but ran out of time. I have a mission to get all of their images digitalised, so expect a few more attempts on my next visit!
Jack Bailey
On the way back down to London from Birmingham after Christmas I took a detour via Northampton to see Matt, Becky & Baby Jack. Jack was born just 4.5 weeks ago. Luckily I had my camera and a couple of lenses in the car, so with very little equipment I snapped a few images of little Jack.
Check out the full gallery here
Meet little Jack ……
If you don’t stop taking my picture, I’m going to sucker punch you!
Check out the full gallery here
GoPro Hero2
My GoPro Hero2 finally made it through the Christmas post today. I went for the Outdoor kit as it came with a more useful variety of mounts. I also added an optional LCD screen to the package.
I’ll be putting the Hero2 through its paces in a couple of weeks when I visit Val Thorens, and will try and post some footage and a quick review when I’m back. So far I’m impressed with its low light capabilities (its dark here now, so can’t properly try it in the light until tomorrow 
)
Canon Powershot S100
I have a new toy! It arrived express delivery from Hong Kong!
So for the past few years my choice of compact camera has been the Canon Powershot G10, an amazing camera that takes beautiful photos, has manual control, shoots RAW and is build like a brick. Unfortunately its a little large to carry around in a pocket, so I found myself using my iPhone camera much more than the G10. I admit I sacrificed quality for convenience, which is great, but I found myself wanting more in some circumstances.
Being Christmas and all, I thought I deserved a present, so please welcome the Canon Powershot S100! (The S100 joins my very large camera family)
The S100 is a beautifully crafted camera, shooting 12MP of RAW image (essential to me!), with the added manual control that the G10 offers, but around half the depth of the G10 and a little smaller all over. The selling point for me is the added GPS, which tags each image with my location information (such a lifesaver when it comes to cataloging my images). The build quality and feel are outstanding for such a small light compact camera bursting with technology (better not forget to add that it shoots full 1080p HD video), Canon have done an amazing job on this camera.
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(shot on the iPhone 4S)
The S100 is packed with technology and the new DIGIC 5 chip, I’m loving the lens control ring, and the massive 3″ LCD. There are so many new features in this camera, and some clever AF magic, I’ll be playing with these over the next few weeks and will report back on anything that I’m impressed by.
Initially I am extremely impressed with this camera, I’ll give it a full work out over the next few weeks as I visit family and friends over Christmas.
P.S I’ve had a gadget filled week, I also upgraded my iPhone to the 4S 64GB, as with all the apple products I own I am extremely impressed with the phone! The winner for me here is the upgraded camera and ability to shoot HD video.
P.P.S I also have a GoPro Hero2 on the way (come on DPD (ordered the same time as the S100 from the UK, The S100 travelled from Hong Kong to London so far a day quicker than the GoPro from Birmingham to London), should be here today!), I’ll post a review of this when I get a moment, but it will be getting a through test in my forthcoming Ski trip in January!
Clare & Marcus :: Wedding Video
Its been a few months since we photographed Clare & Marcus’s big day back in August. Check out their Wedding Highlights here.
I thought it was time to share with you some excerpts from their Wedding Video produced by Spacebar Productions. We work closely with Spacebar Productions to provide a complete Wedding package, Photography, Video & Entertainment.
Wedding Highlights
Chapters – Getting Ready
Chapters – Guests
Calmeta & Dave :: Wedding Highlights Video
Spacebar Productions have just shared Calmeta & Dave’s Wedding Highlights, so I thought I’d pass it on. We work closely with Spacebar Productions to provide seamless Photography, Video & Entertainment services.
Lucy & Shev :: Pre Wedding
I had the pleasure of meeting Lucy, Shev and little Noah today out in Guildford. Dodging the rain we spent some time capturing some pre wedding photos.
I’m looking forward to kicking off my 2012 Wedding Season photographing their wedding in March.
Check out the rest of their photo shoot here
Merry Christmas 2011
I’d like to say a huge MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of the Bride & Grooms who I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this year, and those I will be fortunate enough to photograph in 2012.
Its been an incredibly busy year, 15 Weddings is about my limit, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them (only 2 rained!), and have had fun this evening look back through this year to put together this post. I’m looking forward to a few months off (read as catching up with admin, album designs and sending out final wedding packs!) now before next year’s pre-wedding shoots start in February.
Anyway, here’s my 2011 Wedding season in 15 photos.
Adele & George :: Sneak Peek
Yesterday I closed my wedding season off at the beautiful Beaumont House in Old Windsor. Working alongside Josh & Sukey from Spacebar Productions we provided photography and video booth for Adele & George’s wedding.
Whilst I edit all of their images, here is a sneak peak.
And finally here’s their one the evening slideshow, at Adele & George’s request we only provided photography from the ceremony onwards, our photos start at 1min 10 seconds. Thanks to Suhelya & Simon for providing the morning getting ready photos for inclusion in the evening slideshow.
Photobooth Setup Shots
Following another successful photobooth at Beckie & Chris’s Wedding last weekend I thought I’d share a few more setup shots.
You’ll find information of a previous photobooth setup here.
Again we used the Lastolite HighLite powered by a Elinchrom D-Lite 4 at full power, we placed a few LED Par Can’s (run cold, no heat produced) into the bottom of the HighLite to illuminate the background during idle periods, the lights were set to change colour in time with the music. We also used a number of other par can’s around the photobooth area to illuminate it.
I used another D-Lite4 with a white reflective umbrella as the main light source, set to about 3/4 power. After the modelling light overheating issues last time around we used another white par can to shoot through a shoot-through umbrella to illuminate the photobooth area (allow me to focus!)
We again shot with the Canon 1D IV tethered to the macbook pro, but this time displayed the images on the larger 47″ plasma. For the photographers out there, if I remember rightly I shot at 100ISO, 1/200s, f 8.0. The lights were triggered using PW Plus II’s.
As usual we provided an array of props and fun stuff.
You can see all the images taken using this setup here in Beckie & Chris’s Wedding Story gallery.
One of the issues I always run into is the width limitations of the Highlite, despite using it in the 7x6ft orientation, any more that a couple of guests and I’ve reached the limit! I have a plan to extend the width for next year’s wedding season, so check back for an update!
Cat & Tim :: Wedding Highlights
Yesterday I ventured slightly further afield to Tetbury in Gloustershire for Cat & Tim’s wedding at Kingscote Barn!
I arrived around 9am to a wall of fog (the journey wasnt much different), I couldnt see more than a couple of metres ahead. Kingscote is an amazing converted barn in the middle of a beautiful valley, as you can imagine the grounds were as amazing.
Luckily the fog lifted in time to allow Tim to arrive via Glider into an adjacent field, (note: Glider spotting is much harder than wedding car spotting). The weather held out all day, giving us a beautiful November day.
Visit all of their beautiful images HERE, or watch the highlights video below.
I have a vast amount of images from the evening so will post these separately.
You can view their pre-wedding shoot out at Kingscote Barn here
Thank You :: Clare & Marcus
I’d like to say a huge thanks to Clare & Marcus for their gift. It was an absolute pleasure being a part of such a special day.
View their Wedding Highlights HERE
Beckie & Chris :: Sneak Peek
We were fortune enough to be a part of Beckie & Chris’s magical day at Northcote House this past weekend. The weather was amazing for November.
I’m currently working through all of their beautiful images, and photobooth photos, but here’s a sneak peak of their on-the-day slideshow, courtesy of Josh @ Spacebar Productions
The Importance of Backup Equipment
Firstly, I’d like to apologise as I am slightly behind on my blogging. I’ll be posting Emily & Simon’s wedding from a couple of weeks ago soon (photos already available in the gallery), and then Beckie & Chris from yesterday.
I would however like to again highlight the importance of backup equipment, and yesterday’s wedding at Northcote house was no exception to this. I’m always asked why I bring so much equipment to weddings, and this is the exact reason. We provided a photobooth last night too, and again had equipment failures.
So here’s my run down of what broke or failed on me yesterday!
16 AA Rechargeable batteries although charged, dead when trying to use >>>>>> Used alternative batteries (I bring at least 48 AA batteries)
2 x Pocket Wizard Flex TT’s, 1 x Pocket Wizard Mini TT would not trigger Canon 580 EX II’s >>>>>> Resulted to using Pocket Wizard Plus II’s (with no ETTL)
2 x Canon 1D Mk II – Wouldn’t download photos when tethered (for display on plasma) >>>>>> Switched to Canon 1D MK IV (after trying both Mark II’s)
1 x Elinchrom D-Lite 4 – Sync Port broke >>>>>> Resulted to using Photocell sensor
1 x Elinchrom D-Lite 4 – Stand mount snapped >>>>>> Temporarily fixed with lots of Duct Tape! (preventing use of Octobox, resulting in using umbrella
1 x Manfrotto Light Stand – Jammed >>>>>> Switched Light Stand
I think my equipment is looking forward to the end of year as much as I am now!
I’ll catch up with my blog posts shortly, promise!
Emily & Simon :: Sneak Peek
After a couple of weekends off I had the pleasure of photographing Emily & Simon’s Wedding this past weekend at Northcote House, Whilst I work my way through editing their beautiful day here’s a quick sneak peak in the form of their on the night slideshow. Courtesy of Josh @ Spacebar Productions.
Photobooth Setup
I thought I’d share a few setup shots from last nights photobooth gig.
Working with Sukey from Spacebar Productions, we first setup the Lastolite Hi-Lite and a single strobe (shooting into a large white umbrella), we then added some LED lighting and decorated the light stands. We shot tethered to a Macbook Pro, displaying live images to a 32″ screen (with a custom frame – check out the photo below).
We then finished the setup off with a whole bunch of hats, props, masks and white/blackboards.
For the techie’s out there, I shot at F6.3/8, ISO 100, 1/160-1/200. The Hi Lite was lit using a Elinchrom D-Lite 400 set at just under full power (5.5), and the main light was again a D-Lite 400 at full power (6.0)
Check out the images produced in this setup here
Danielle & Tracy’s 30th Birthday Party :: Photobooth
We provided a photobooth for Danielle & Tracy’s 30th Birthday Party out at Powerleague, Slough.
Working with Sukey from Spacebar Productions we supplied plenty of hats, props & masks.
To view, order and download any of the photos from their party visit their gallery here.
Michelle & Doug :: Framed
I’m still putting together Michelle & Doug’s Wedding Day Highlights from last weekend at Pincents Manor. However in the meantime, here is their FRAMED video, and also our all new FRAMED poster.
Be sure to zoom around the image to find yourself.
Michelle & Doug :: Sneak Peek
I had another wonderful day out at Pincents Manor this past weekend documenting Michelle & Doug’s big day.
Whilst I edit the final pictures, heres a sneak peak, and their on the day slideshow.
Be sure to check back shortly for all of their lovely images.
Rosie’s Christening
I’ve had a wonderful day photographing Rosies christening today in Egham.
I started the day with Emily, Dean, Poppy & Rosie, before heading over to Lyne & Long Cross Holy Trinity church where the ceremony took place. It was then back to Rosies’s grandparents for food and drinks.
Thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome, and allowing me to capture Rosies special day.
Here’s the highlights of Rosies special day.
Full gallery of images available here
Cat & Tim :: Pre Wedding
I’ve had a lovely day out in Tetbury at Kings Cote Barn with Cat & Tim. Kings Cote Barn will be hosting their wedding this November.
We spent an hour walking around the beautiful grounds capturing some images of them both.
Here are the highlights from today, be sure to watch the video.
All their images can be found here.
Nickie & Jim :: Wedding Highlights
This weekend I had the pleasure of capturing Nickie & Jim’s beautiful wedding out in Wokingham & Hurley.
My day started with Nickie, Jenny, Bethany & Alana at their home in Woodley. Hair & Make up was well underway when I arrived, I spent a few hours with the girls before heading over the Wokingham to meet with the boys.
It was then time to meet up with Jim, Matt, Dan, Ian & little Charlie in Cafe Rouge just opposite Wokingham Town Hall where the ceremony will be taking place. After a swift pint it was time to head over to the Town Hall to start meeting guests.
It was a lovely ceremony in Wokingham Town Hall’s Main Hall. The beautifully grand room and large room was the perfect setting for Nickie & Jim’s civil ceremony.
After spending a little time with Nickie & Jim at the town hall we all headed over to Monksbarn in Hurley to reconvene with their guests for the reception. Nickie & Jim had decorated the barn beautifully with so many little personal touches.
After capturing the requested formal shots we got to spend half an hour alone with Nickie & Jim capturing some more intimate photos, it was then back to the barn for the speeches.
Nickies Father Alan started the speeches before handing over to Jim. Best man Tim concluded.
It was then Hog Roast time, and time of us to edit a selection of images ready for the evening slideshow.
It was then down to Josh & Kamaran (Spacebar Productions) to kick start the evening, and provide entertainment right into the night.
Nickie & Jim, thank you for letting us be a part of such a special day. I wish you every happiness in your married life together.
Nickie & Jim :: Sneak Peek
What a wonderful day we had yesterday out in Wokingham & Hurley for Nickie & Jim’s Wedding.
Whilst I work my way through all of their images captured yesterday, here’s a sneak peak, and their on the day slideshow, as always courtesy of Josh @ Spacebar Productions.
