WEDDING 365 PROJECT – Daily choice of a documentary wedding photograph selected from my catalogue, collated from time spent documenting these unique events. Ethos provided for prospective brides and grooms, shooting data for the togs intrigued by that kind of information. Please comment if you feel the inclination of course!

SHOOTING DATA: 5DMk2, 135mm lens, F2, 1/320, ISO 640

ETHOS: One word, scale. Weddings are so often about that word. Towering steeples, imposing interiors, tiny chapels, sweeping hills, so on, so forth etc et al. This reception was set against the most incredible backdrop in Berkshire, a 180 of mature woodland. I do try to shoot scale where I can, unusual to attempt it with a 135 fixed though.

There is still nine months to go until Joe and Pip celebrate their nuptials at Berkshire’s Wasing Park, but I was keen to experiment with a unique take on the ‘standard’ prewed shoot concept by adding bio-commentary and moving images alongside the stills I usually capture. This documentary-short is the result. 2011 has been an interesting creative period for me. In documentary terms I can see my personal photographic style evolving and maturing. In composition terms I note that images of people now naturally vignette many of my favourite images and the contrasty, perhaps filmic look I started to embrace in 2010, provides a definite stylistic direction in 2011. And now with a new year tapping on our door, an old friend has returneth. Just over two decades ago I began my creative journey, albeit in sound, in radio within the hallowed corridors of the BBC. And now in 2011/12, as a photographer, my fascination in sound makes a pertinent return. This film, and similar sound events on my Vimeo channel, demonstrates what happens when pictures and sound collaborate. The adage; a pictures speaks a thousand words is indeed a truism – and it’s what fuels my fascination for documentary photographs. Equally though, sound can glue a tapestry of senses together. It was always said to me during my radio training that decent sound will paint pictures for the listener. So as we raise a glass for Christmas and take a slice of Haggis for Hogmanay, I look forward to 2012, the emotions I’ll witness, the photographs I’ll capture, and the sounds I’ll capture. Happy Christmas to all, and to all, a good night. x

I have a vivid imagination. Consequently when I photograph at country houses, stately homes, castles and monasteries, that imaginative touch paper is kindled. I’ve not seen any kind of spector and if things mysteriously bump around me I’m oblivious to it, but I do like the stories I collect on my journeys as a documentary wedding photographer. I was brought up on a diet of history by my parents. Ufton Court in Berkshire is one such venue with a glorious history dating back to the 15^th Century under various guises, and I’m fortunate to be one of their preferred wedding photographers. You approach the house along a sweeping oak lined driveway, the kind Euromillions winners aspire to. There’s one room I visit over and over, although never alone. Photographically it’s produced a number of undeniably posed scenarios, but I do enjoy the juxtaposition between wedded celebration and a little historic menace. It’s a small room in the house, perhaps the tiniest. Three or four metres by say two? It’s remarkably silent. From a time when Catholicism was shunned in our country, this is a secret chapel hidden up a winding set of wooden steps that is linked by a private tunnel to the nearby woods – apparently. You can hear your own thoughts very easily. Some say, you can hear others’ thoughts. I’ve not, yet. You’ll spot that room within the images contained here I’m sure. I’ve been meaning to add the venue to my web list for some time, so here’s a varied portfolio of recent and not so recent Ufton Court weddings. If you’re planning on getting wed there and I enjoy the privilege of being chosen as your wedding photographer, we’ll go visit that room. If anything goes bump that should otherwise stay static, I’ll race you down the stairs.

With respect to those that have not, personally I have given a fair distance from the date I shot my first wedding to start hosting ‘training’ or more appropriately ethos showcases of my work to any form of inquisitive audience. It’s been requested yes, but I have politely declined until now. Tomorrow night (Weds 9th November) with a further date toward the end of this month, I’ll be unraveling the process of wedding photography and what I ‘feel’ about what I shoot, in front of a modest audience made up primarily of camera club members in my home town of Thatcham, Berkshire. Although inevitably my milometer is a little more populated these days, I preach the benefits of working and ‘broadcasting’ your passion locally, so I figured this seemed like an apt starting block. I’m looking forward to it, as I do believe this to be one of the most exciting and frankly misunderstood and misrepresented genres of photography. This comes in the same week that I take a more formal step to partner with one of the UK’s most historically prestigious print, paper and album houses; GF Smith. I’m delighted to announce that GFS will be publishing my work within their test and sample materials in 2012. Thatcham FC is at Waterside Park, Crookham Hill, Thatcham, RG19 4PA. A taster of the evening’s photographic discussion.

Laughter is a smile that bursts, so goes the saying. Apt, and true. Andy and Cery’s Wasing Park wedding had that in potfuls today. Pre ceremony there was that type of menacing rain that can take hours to shift, but it didn’t last. Frankly if it had, I doubt it would have adversely affected the day anyway. Some of my favourites then from the day, including a Groom’s retreat, add your own thoughts as to what was being revealed! All in all, another cracking Wasing day!

Apart from bridal elation, flare in magnificent bundles and a marked need to expose by centre metering, two further things result from an extremely sunny wedding that involve burning. When you review your images during post edit, if your skies are exposed correctly you can see screen burned text through the deep blue reaches of the top of your composition. And if you’re folically challenged, you get a burned head. I have in the last 24 hours noted both occurrences. It’s been a while, too long, since I last shot a wedding at Newbury’s Donnington Grove Hotel. It’s good to be back! Ceremony shots from Douai Abbey.

Without reservation it’s always a thrill when a client commissions me to shoot their big day, and doubly so if that client works within the wedding industry. Local florist Alison’s Wasing Park wedding to Chris proved to be a floral festival, if you’ll forgive an injection of alliteration. There’s good reason to start with the type of image I don’t usually blog with. Ali was, as you can imagine responsible for floral design. As an aside, I’ve noticed a rising interest in outdoor ceremonies of late and so as you scroll southwards, the backdrop of a floral mural reminds me to mention that Wasing Park’s Victorian Summer House now has a license to hold civil ceremonies outdoors.

Here’s an accessory detail you’re unlikely to read about in bridal magazines. Mel’s hen party had included life drawing classes. Wedding day table name cards may not have seemed the obvious initial opportunity to display their collective artistic efforts, but it did serve as a great ice breaker at the tables.

I’m practicing a little providence, but I’ve seemingly been lucky with the weather of late, despite a rather overcast March. Spring has sprung and a carpet of colourful flora has started to take root, especially at Wasing Park. Some images from Malcolm and Rebecca’s Wasing celebrations.

The weather wasn’t perhaps the kindest feature of Saturday’s Wasing Park wedding, but (trying to avoid cliches like dampen the spirits) that did little to cast a cloud (dash, did it) on proceedings. Fab day guys, one of those occasions where as a wedding photographer you have to be at your best when it comes to banter. There was a distinct Australian flavour to the day, groom Nick being an Aussie. He even grasped the opportunity to put the English crew to rights when it came to where the Ashes really belong. Did you manage to finish that whole hog roast Nick? Remember the challenge?

It’s a Wasing weekend this week as I find myself there on two consecutive days. Jay and Katy’s 70 friends and family members witnessed their nuptials yesterday. I love a good tactile wedding, loads of hugs, tub thumpy kind of hearty ‘I love ya mate’ rugby scrum down embraces. This one had plenty!

I see all manner of chariots to transport brides and grooms between church and their reception venues. One of my recent favourites includes a brace of Morris Minors. Lovingly restored and kept by husband and wife team John and Ann from ‘Minors 4 You’ these beauties make you dream of living those halcyon days, long before Swine Flu, greedy hedge fund managers and Britain’s Got Talent. Thanks John for your utter devotion to the cause that is the modest and subtle classic motor, and thanks Ann for indulging me on a ten minute joy ride. On that note John, Ann touched my leg several times and had the cheek to blame it on the fact her car didn’t have the syncromesh gearbox! Anyway, thanks too to a fabulous couple. Loved your wedding Stephanie and Simon!

January and February are usually quiet months in my diary and a time devoted to marketing, sample album design and the odd private client shoot or three. There’s been a touch of fashion and even some time in front of food with a macro lens. Having said that, the last three Saturdays have seen a return to weddings ahead of what will be our busiest year in the nuptials industry since launching this side of the business. So, congrats to Valentine couple; the new Mr. and Mrs. Sharp (above), married at St. Mary’s Silchester. It’s always intensely satisfying and flattering to be selected to photograph a wedding for a couple who on any other weekday would be artistically directing high fashion or commerce shoots for a range of worldwide advertising clients.

When I’m asked for favourite wedding venues photographically, I’ll respond with; “They’re all elegant and absorbing photographically for their own respective reasons and features.” Now I realise that must sound like I’ve perched myself atop a very comfortable fence and is one strong step towards a career in estate agency, but I really do mean it. That’s what makes my job of photographic wedding coverage so incredibly compelling. Last year in ’07, I photographed weddings at a varied collection of venues, from stately homes that are the playgrounds of the rich and famous, to good honest ‘no frills but plenty of character’ public houses. However… (you could sense a ‘but’ about to be popped into the column) Silchester House remains an exceptionally precious wedding venue, due to the simple fact that I enjoyed my own wedding reception there. I often comment to couples in football terms, that it feels like we’re ‘playing at home’ the moment we pull into the driveway. It’s a light and welcoming house, with sizeable grounds for photography. Here are some shots from Alex and Emmie’s recent Silchester wedding.