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Gherkin London wedding photography

January 7, 2020 Documentary wedding photographer

It’s not the tallest at 41 floors, but lurching up through an urban business district cityscape, The Gherkin as a wedding venue in London is I am sure, one of those bucket list ticks for a wedding photographer. The conically converging glass across the two event spaces at the summit provides a style and quality of light unmatched by pretty much everything else I have encountered as a wedding photographer across the fifteen years I have shot these unique days. Sure, if the sun geographically dips low in the sky, you can encounter some interesting exposure problems to solve, but that in itself is equally a further delight about photographing this location, as you find yourself playing exquisite shadow games. So, what The Gherkin may lack in manicured lawns and mature landscaping (even Capability Brown would have struggled here,) it makes up for with a myriad of photographic gifts, not least the incredible views of what I still believe to be one of the most stunning historic capitals in the world. Besides, just a stone’s throw from the entry doors back down on terra firma, as you’ll see from the collection below, there’s scope to make some more traditionally styled images, if as a wedding photographer, formal portraits are a part of your act. I’m a hybrid in that respect, hybrid being the in word it seems right now. Whilst most of my day is spent photographing the reality of a day rather than contrived group shots, there’s always time it seems for a handful of portraits and as long as you cross the road; security and landmark rules forbid photography at ground level within the architectural footprint of The Gherkin. Congratulations Robin, Rebecca. It was a pleasure to be there for you both right to the very end, when the shoes came off and the real dancing was witnessed.

Colour picture of The Gherkin Colour photo of a bride in London having makeup applied before her wedding Colour pictures of the restaurant at the top of The Gherkin prior to a wedding Colour photos of a bride entering The Gherkin for her wedding ceremony Colour photos of The Gherkin during a ceremony A wedding reception in the afternoon at The Gherkin Pictures of speeches during a wedding reception at The Gherkin Two colour photos of The Gherkin at a wedding with a bridal couple

A Vineyard wedding and Andy Murray gets married, this time to Hannah!

August 20, 2019 Documentary wedding photographer

Shameless opportunity to invite you to open a post, appallingly so, or is it? Well, no, not entirely. Andy Murray did indeed get married to Hannah at a venue called The Vineyard at Stockcross in Berkshire and it was over the summer during Wimbledon fortnight too. But this isn’t the Castore wearing, Head Graphene wielding Scot you may immediately associate with the moniker. Our Andy in this story does indeed sport a kilt and there were famous folk around him at the venue, although they were taking a break during filming of a certain celebrity food show, not the kind able to serve up 135mph woollen covered rubber balls over a 3 foot 6 inches high net. This, as you have by now worked through, is a different flavoured A.M. While we’re talking doubles (note a top spin return to tennis references) there are two notable quality Vineyard hotels in the world; one located in the shadow of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, and one firmly established sixty miles west of London, famed for its links to a Californian vineyard with a Michelin starred heritage and known to be a watering hole for those in the know who like their luxury and privacy away from the ‘familiar’ English country hotels. You come to The Vineyard because you like your food and wine, period. If I’m doing any disservice to the other reasons you may stay, such as luxury accommodation, spa and service, then I apologise – but truthfully this is a place where your top trouser button can and should easily feel like it has tightened just a tad following a stay. I’ve eaten here professionally, if being fed whilst photographing counts as professional consumption and I’ve eaten and stayed as a guest. I’m yet to report less than satisfactory movement on the top trouser button. There you go, the kind of down to earth good grub guide you won’t get from those fancy food critics who consume a thesaurus as they chase Ambrosial adjectives. Of course a wedding isn’t just about food, so here are some of my favourites from Andy and Hannah’s Vineyard wedding, from start to finish. Or game, set and match, if you will.

A colour picture of The Vineyard Hotel in Newbury A mother being made up for her daughter's Vineyard wedding Picture of a mother proudly looking on in the background of a picture while her daughter is being made up by a MUA, Lorraine Milligan Black and white picture of a make up artist applying make up to a bride Black and white pictures of a wedding ceremony at The Vineyard Stockcross Berkshire Colour photo of a bride and groom at The Vineyard Black and white photographs of the wedding breakfast Colour image in the kitchens at The Vineyard hotel in Berkshire Colour photo of wedding guests relaxing in the grounds at The Vineyard Colour picture of wedding guests dancing at The Vineyard near Newbury

Brocket Hall wedding photography

August 16, 2019 Wedding Photographer

Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire has a long and winding road, both literally like many English country piles and equally historically. This place is rich with highly charged historical and showbiz narrative including it being the location for Roxy and Ronnie’s untimely swimming pool exits from Eastenders in 2017; note to brides everywhere not to attempt a midnight dip in your wedding gown! Former owner, William Lamb, Queen Victoria’s first serving Prime Minister has an unfortunate but intriguingly racy Wiki entry for the period of his ownership. Lady Caroline, his wife, infamously dallianced with one Lord Byron, the English romantic poet. During a banquet held for Byron at Brocket Hall, the lady of the house had herself served from a large silver dish, naked – much to the embarrassment of PM Lamb, who was known to entertain the Queen at the house quite often. I am assuming this was a banquet not attended by royalty. As a wedding venue, Brocket Hall is one of those list tickers in terms of grandeur and grounds and if ‘meandering river running through said grounds’ is also on that account of wishes, then strike that one from your directory too. If you want dreamy Englishman’s castle, it’s perfect. And so here we are for this blog posting; an American bride and expat now Californian groom celebrating the start of married life in one of the south’s more cherished Pillars of Quaint. For my photographer friends who listen to the FujiCast podcast, I’m happy to share that the following wedding pictures are all shot on the superb Fujifilm X-T3.

Wedding planning by Susie from the incredible: Revelry Events

A colour picture of Brocket Hall A bride prepares for her wedding day in the bridal suite at Brocket Hall A groom preparing for his Brocket Hall wedding English country wedding colour picture Picture of a groom waiting for his bride at the alter in Hertfordshire's Brocket Hall Bridal procession pictures from a wedding A colour pic of a bride and groom exchanging vows American bride and groom at English wedding A colour photo of celebratory bride and groom as they exit their wedding Colour photo from wedding at Brocket Hall Colour pictures of the tables laid out at Brocket Hall wedding in Hertfordshire Colour photo of a grandmother who has fallen asleep during a wedding speech A golden hour wedding photo at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire England A bride and groom have their first dance at Brocket Hall wedding

The Italian Job | Cain Manor wedding

May 16, 2019 Documentary wedding photographer

At bedtime tonight my eldest asked what I thought he’d need to do to become an F1 driver. “Well now,” I thought. “At least we’ve moved on from YouTuber.” So I suggested the first thing that came to mind. “Press ups or a long plank,” I said. “Well, F1 drivers have to be fit don’t they?” He then outplanked me by a whole minute. He’s into cars is my eldest, has his own Instagram channel about them and all that jazz. So when I rolled up to the wedding of Dan and Sofia and found a near perfect condition Shelby Mustang GT500 as old as me, with Carroll Shelby’s original signature above the glove box trim as the ‘bridal transport’, I knew it was a story I could take back to our Jack. Hence we start this wedding blog post in rather unlikely fashion; a picture of a car. No emotion, bar the connection that Sofia, our bride, adores heritage muscle. And so does her Italian family. Italians ooze style and whilst I was surprised to see the Mustang horse emblem chosen above that of the Italian one that rides aboard a Ferrari, I have to admit, of all the cars I have seen at weddings, this one, this one, is the artistic automotive version of Night Watch or Guernica. But what has all this to do with a wedding at Cain Manor, I hear you ask? Passion. Italians are the living embodiment of the word. Italians embrace differently. Italians love differently. Italians dance differently. Lunga vita alla differenza.

A colour picture of a Shelby Mustang A black and white picture of a bride embracing her mother before a wedding A colour picture of a bride embracing her father Colour picture of the groom at a wedding waiting outside a church in Hampshire Colour photo of a bride arriving by Mustang car Black and white photo of a bride being walked down the aisle Black and white picture of a bride and groom being emotional during their church wedding A bride signing the register in church A colour picture of a bride and groom leaving church Colour photo of Cain Manor made by wedding photographer Neale James A bride and groom at Cain Manor kissing Speeches at Cain Manor A groom makes his speech at Cain Manor in Surrey Guests at a Cain Manor wedding A bride and groom cutting a cake at Bijou wedding venue Dancing at Cain Manor Monochrome picture of a bride dancing with her father at Cain Manor

Shotkit feature | the Fujifilm gear I use for weddings

February 6, 2019 Documentary wedding photographer

Shotkit wrote earlier this week to let me know of my inclusion in their website photographer’s kit directory. If you’re a bride or groom reading this post, my inclusion in arguably the most visited gear site online may not be of immediate interest, save the fact it demonstrates there are folk out there in this vast photographic and picture making business who have shown interest in how I work and what I use. And that alone feels favourably complimentary. Photographers are often accused of having GAS; gear acquiring syndrome. My GAS seems to manifest itself in buying far too many kit bags, although I haven’t purchased one for a year now; so I could have found the cure. But there’s always a gizmo isn’t there? Something you feel could elevate you to the next level of whatever it is you do. And Shotkit kind of fuels that. I can spend many an hour ‘researching’ pages and kit layouts of those I find truly inspirational. Being a part of this site is an invitation event and though you can submit, it’s considered better to be asked to contribute; there’s an element of kudos in that. And I’m humbled too, truly I am, to sit alongside some powerful hitters from others genres such as sport, marine, fashion, music, news and photojournalism. From that latter field it’s rather sobering to peek into the bag of a pictorial story teller such as Alex Kühni who specialises in dangerous news assignments. I carry earbuds to keep camera eyepieces clean and wipe away grit and sand if I’m working on the coast. Alex carries a bullet and stab proof vest, ballistic helmet and tourniquet medic kit. I’ve not yet found a wedding challenging enough to require my investment in that level of protection. Well, there was once this wedding in Surrey… but I digress. So for photographers reading this post and I know there’s an inevitable element because we’re all a tiny bit intrigued by what our peers are getting up to, it’s worth a visit. I won’t give the full rundown of what I use and how I use it, head on over to Shotkit at this link to read more. I’m right chuffed as they say in northern quarters to be included, but equally it’s fascinating to see what other image makers take to the party when they show up each day at their ‘office.’

Colour picture of the Fujifilm kit I use to photograph weddings

A Cain Manor wedding celebration | a photographer’s wedding

February 5, 2019 Documentary wedding photographer

Cain Manor in Surrey, the Bijou group wedding venue for Martyn and Rebecca’s early winter wedding, when the sun still shone and we were still practically sporting shirts with a shorter sleeve. So many highlights from this wedding including working with the (watch for the Americanism now) super talented Lorraine Milligan, a make up artist and hair stylist with an eye for detail. I’ve been working alongside Lorraine for over a decade, first meeting her at another Bijou venue, Notley Abbey. I was trying to compose a sentence that positioned me as a middle England type of guy who never found cause to wear makeup, but actually I have. Plenty of times. During my time working in television in front of cam, though my appearances were confined to continuity and special documentary projects, I was made up by a myriad of artists. I remember the first time it happened. I remember the last time it happened. Their ability to understand lighting whilst planning and applying for a natural look is a special skill indeed. Getting it right is important photographically too, particularly at weddings. I’ve been witness during my time in this role to make up being applied far too aggressively, which seems an extreme adjective. Dark eyes, strong rouge, almost stage slap stick like application. And whilst that may look acceptable under hot lights and strong strobe lighting, it doesn’t wash for the casual eye and natural light photography, which wedding capture is mainly about. Before this becomes a make up artist appreciation ride, do click the link for Lorraine if you’re planning a wedding, regardless of whether you’re hiring me or not! 🙂 So, Martyn, Rebecca. It should not have taken me this long to introduce you properly to this warm beguiling couple. Martyn is a photographer, and a good one to boot. For me, being hired by a photographer is a blessing and curse all in the same bubble wrapped package. You feel, as a peer, a sense of intimidation, no matter how good you may think you are or can aspire to be. Now I’m not saying you raise your game accordingly because you should always be on a level that promotes your best endeavours, but there’s nothing quite so humbling as working for and with someone who knows their artistic and technical triangle. And then there’s Rebecca. I always arrive at an address expecting to somehow fade into the background, artistically over physically. Rebecca wouldn’t allow for that. Her welcome, her warmth set me up for a day photographing that inspired the pictures you’re about to view. This is Martyn and Rebecca’s Cain Manor wedding.

A picture of makeup being applied at a wedding in Surrey Picture of a bride wearing her wedding dress for the first time Colour photograph of an English church scene at a wedding Colour picture of wedding guests outside a church in Surrey, England A groom waits patiently for his wife in church Colour photo of a bride arriving at church A picture made with a Fujifilm XT3 of guests in front of a church before a wedding service A black and white contrasty image of a bride and groom exchanging vows in an English church A colour picture made by Neale James wedding photographer, of a bride and groom exchanging rings A first kiss picture Typical church scenes at an English countryside wedding The recessional picture from a wedding in Surrey Colour photograph of the confetti run at a wedding Colour picture of a bride and groom after they have just arrived at the Bijou wedding venue, Cain Manor A bride talks to wedding guests during dinner at Cain Manor Colour portraits of a bride and groom at Cain Manor In a black and white photo, a bride making a speech at her wedding Cain Manor as day becomes night, exterior shots A first dance picture between Martyn and Rebecca at Cain Manor in Surrey Dancing at a wedding party

A wedding at The Ritz London

February 4, 2019 Wedding Photographer

The Ritz, London. One of the most famous hotel landmarks in the city. There aren’t many venues, and particularly ones catering for weddings, that can boast a Royal warrant for banqueting services. Well, The Ritz can. The Ritz it seems, can and has done many things. It’s an hotel that qualifies as a must visit place for callers to the capital and there are few famous eateries where the look of disappointment can be judged more markedly, than the discouraged expression on a casual visitor’s face, turned away at reception because they didn’t know a forward reservation is most certainly required for simply taking afternoon tea. And it’s probably worth noting that; ‘Proper attire for tea is a must.’ The Ritz famously refused to serve Mick Jagger tea because he wasn’t wearing a jacket and tie. Churchill, Eisenhower and de Galle met exclusively in the Marie Antoinette suite to discuss operations during WWII. I learned this fact whilst sat in that same suite at the wedding you’re about to view. I was eating a five star banqueting Bolognese practically sat in the place Winston is pictured holding court with world history’s most distinguished. It’s even possible I was sitting in the same chair. Certainly plausible. And now, with but a week to go to Christmas Day in 2018, I was photographing a different historical story. This one may not necessarily receive a Wiki entry, but it made news in the show jumping arena as international show jumper Ricki Hill, married business and life partner Charlotte. Winter weddings produce a very different type of photographic experience. This particular day was raining, raining a lot. To use a northern colloquialism; raining stair rods. We did venture outside by the hotel’s Arlington Street entrance. I say we; I stood in the rain, whilst my new friends Charlotte and Ricki smiled sympathetically in my direction. Thank heavens for water sealed cameras! This being The Ritz though, the hotel itself is enough to qualify as a landscape in which to photograph. Here are a few chosen pictures from the day. A December Ritz Hotel wedding.

Colour photo of the Ritz London in December

A picture of preparations as a bride gets ready for her wedding at The Ritz London

Colour photo of a bride being walked to her wedding by her brother at The Ritz in London

Black and white image of a bride being walked down the aisle at The Ritz in London

Colour picture of a wedding ceremony in winter at The Ritz

A colour portrait set made at The Ritz wedding venue in London featuring Ricki Hill and Charlotte

Picture of guests enjoying drinks during a reception at The Ritz

A colour photo of Ricki and bride Charlotte on the stairs at The Ritz in London

Colour picture of a wedding cake being cut at The Ritz

Picture of dancing at The Ritz, a wedding dance

A De Vere Beaumont Estate Wedding, with a Halloween flavour

November 9, 2018 Documentary wedding photographer

The Beaumont Estate in Windsor is a sprawling venue in terms of sheer grounds and expanse of buildings, but devour some history and you’ll discover there’s more to this place than the forty acres and four hundred plus hotel rooms in wings running west and east of England’s own White House, initially mentioned by every Google search turned up. From the top; the swimming pool was the first heated dip in England. The Magna Carta was signed in these grounds, true story. It was a school and Coco Chanel’s nephew was a pupil, slightly tenuous that one. The first motor car driven in England ended its journey in the grounds of this house. Queen Victoria was a regular visitor. And in terms of wedding factoids, this is the first venue I’ve witnessed small casket coffins with incumbent Lego figures feature as wedding favours. But then this is a wedding with a firm nod to Halloween, so brain themed candy and skull motif wine carafes seems apt enough. Let me share some pictures then from Tom and Jasmine’s wedding day at the Beaumont Estate.

Colour photo of the Beaumont Estate near Windsor Colour photo of bridal preparations at the Beaumont Estate A black and white photo of the bride preparing for her day at The Beaumont Estate near Windsor A black and white picture of a bride looking back as she heads toward her ceremony Colour pictures of a wedding ceremony at The Beaumont Estate in Berkshire A colour picture of wedding guests enjoying their time at a venue in Berkshire Wedding portrait of a couple in this colour picture at the De Vere Beaumont A colour photo of the wedding breakfast laid out Colour picture of alternative wedding favours at a Halloween wedding A colour photo made of wedding guests making their way into the chapel at The Beaumont Estate for their wedding banquet A colour photo of wedding guests at the Beaumont Estate near Windsor in Berkshire A colour pic of the bride and groom, Tom and Jasmine cutting their wedding cake Colour photo of dancing at a wedding in Berkshire

A Portsmouth wedding, with Paella!

October 25, 2018 Documentary wedding photographer

Not that I’m obsessing about food, but when Lydia mentioned this Spanish national dish was to be her wedding breakfast, I was sold. What’s that thing about the way to an Englishman’s heart being his stomach? Lydia and Ian were real childhood sweethearts. They first met aged but a few years at kindergarten, before a chance online reintroduction many years later primed Cupid’s Arrow for what was to follow. For brides and grooms planning their big days and reading through wedding blogs to grasp some nuggets of advice upon what to serve up to hungry guests, let me promise you that paella is a star choice, if not slightly unusual when you consider the more regularly selected beef or chicken options. And what then for pud? How about a bake-off competition? Lydia’s star baker background prepared the way for a cake clash between ten friends, the result being well fed guests and a wedding banquet boasting a real difference. Here are some photographs shared from Lydia and Ian’s big day, the ceremony at Fareham’s Sacred Heart Church, the reception at the Jervis Gallery in nearby Gosport.

A bride prepares for her wedding at home in Gosport, Portsmouth A father relaxing with eye mask before his daughter's wedding A bride and groom light a unity candle in Sacred Heart Church Gosport A bride and groom in this colour photograph recessing after their wedding A colour photograph featuring a couple walking on the beach in Gosport, Portsmouth A silhouetted colour picture of a couple on their wedding day on Gosport beach Colour picture of paella being served as the wedding breakfast A bake off wedding cake competition photograph Colour picture of wedding guests at the Jervis Gallery Black and white picture of wedding speeches at the Jervis Gallery Colour pictures of dancing at Jervis Gallery celebrating a wedding

If Carling made Preachers – A PodBlog

October 17, 2018 PodBlog

So what to make of a preacher who is described as a hip hop artist from Bath? I’ve been meaning to ‘pen’ a few words since I photographed him deliver the sermon at Mike and Sian’s wedding at St.Peter’s Church in the quaintly titled Englishcombe, a sheep’s bah echo from what I regard as the most beautiful spa city in Europe. Google Joshua Luke Smith, and you’ll come up with a plethora of information about this wandering missionary who has birth roots in England, though grew up spreading the word in Northern Pakistan and Canada. Spend but two minutes in his presence and you too will be completely perplexed by his accent. Spend two minutes on his Instagram account, and you too will wish you could be as cool as this dude, well, I did at any rate. But this preacher, I’m not even sure if that’s the right and proper description of his day to day dealings, is also a singer, a record label exec, and activist for positive social change, a slam poet and a communicator like, well, like, nothing I have ever heard in Church, period. And I’ve been to a few of these establishments in my 800 weddings of photography. Now I’m acutely aware there are preachers and clergy of all denominations who may well have something to say about my rather grand statement, so let me be clear. I’m not creating a league table of who spreads the word best, simply reporting back on something I witnessed as I looked around to record the awe and wonder of those poised slightly forward on their pews this afternoon as they drank in Joshua’s words. And don’t take this as a platform from which I intend to preach or spread the word either, for I, like many, have their own questions-a-plenty when it comes to faith and my own relationship with what some perceive as a behemothic organisation. But there’s something really very special about spirituality of whatever persuasion and understanding, when you listen to words delivered with such compassion. So what I thought I’d do today by way of a PodBlog (the sounds of a Podcast, the pictures in a blog post) is share a little of the audio I recorded that day. Listen along as you look at the photographs and I’d welcome your thoughts in the comments. Oh, and a quick postscript; hearing him ‘noodle’ with Ben the musician who had only really expected to be playing some accompanying Celine-esqe chords during the register signing, made the whole thing really come to life for me. As they say, just press play. 🙂

Joshua Luke Smith in a colour picture preaching Colour picture of a preacher in Englishcombe Church delivering sermon to a wedding Colour pictures of a sermon near Bath being delivered by Joshua Luke Smith A colour photo of Joshua Luke Smith preaching in Church