Sunday, March 14, 2010 Posted in: Weddings
A tin shack isn’t a typical church you’d normally find in England but this cosy church in Surrey was the venue for the beautiful wedding of Shona and Ed. Shona is originally from New Zealand so they chose it because it is reminiscent of the churches found there. I first went over to Shona’s house where she and her bridesmaids were getting ready. Even the dog was dressed up! It wasn’t long before the champagne was opened, Bolly darling, and the celebrations began. Everyone was relaxed and getting ready for the day, I suspect the Bolly was helping the nerves! Mmmm Bolly. Make up was done by one of Shona’s friends and she did an amazing job, everyone looked absolutely stunning.
When I first arrived at the church, I heard music and singing coming from inside and thought that it was an amazing CD playing and equally amazing speakers playing it. To my surprise, and delight, I walked inside to find an opera singer singing unmiked. Towards the end of the ceremony, she sang for the congregation and had us all speechless. Just incredible. Shona came down the aisle with her father to the tune of a bagpipe player. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, Ed and Shona couldn’t stop smiling.
Later we moved on to the Vera Fletcher Hall for the reception. Shona, Ed and family had worked for several hours the day before decorating the place. Shona loves daffodils and at this time of year they are normally out in full bloom. In fact there was some fear that it may actually have been too late. But the longer, colder winter this year meant they have only just started to grow. Undeterred, Shona set the thermostat to 24c and set about convincing several hundred daffodils that now was spring and they should get themselves out into bloom! She suceeded and the room was awash with yellow flora.
A wonderful wedding breakfast was enjoyed, much wine consumed and many Trivial Pursuit questions about Plymouth, iPods and Big Brother discussed. Then, to round off a perfect day, a live band performed for the happy couple and guests.
It was my pleasure and honour to be present for this amazing day, for Shona and Ed and their wonderful friends and families, to capture it all. I hope I did ok…
Just got back from a superb week of skiing with friends in Les Gets, France. Its been 3 years since I had the old ski-boards out on the slopes, I’d forgotten just how excellent they are. Unfortunately my left knee is not so excellent these days and despite bracing it wasn’t too happy with the [...]
I went to meet Shona and Ed for my first pre-wedding shoot of 2010 today. It was a cold, crisp winter’s day in Surrey at just 3c, cold enough that the lake by the church was partially frozen. Shona and Ed are great fun, easy to work with and were very relaxed in front of [...]
Sunday, January 24, 2010 Posted in: Travel
I took a trip to San Francisco back in 2008 on business. It was a two week stay and during the middle weekend, I decided to hire a bike and go cycling with my camera. I had no idea where I was going, I just knew that I wanted to see the Golden Gate bridge, [...]
Monday, January 11, 2010 Posted in: Family
Went to see my nephew, Jamie, this weekend and celebrate my Dad’s birthday. Oxford has about as much snow as we do in Basingstoke but the roads were clear enough so the journey was no problem. We took Jamie out on the sledge which he was somewhat reluctant to get on at first. Naturally, I [...]
Friday, January 8, 2010 Posted in: Places
Some more pictures from around my house today… winter really is a beautiful time of year…
Thursday, January 7, 2010 Posted in: Places
Not quite as dramatic as “Frozen Britain” but anyway… Happy (if a tad chilly) New Year! I’m very much looking forward to 2010 and to the four weddings I have booked for the year so far. But before that, we have some snow and ice to contend with. Winter is quite possibly my favourite of [...]
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Posted in: Family
Keily and I spent a wonderful white Christmas with her family up in Durham. It was nearly 4 days but it went in a flash! Good food, good wine and great company, what could be better?! We went out in the snow and took the dog for a walk which was amusing as she was [...]
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Posted in: People
No pressure… a photoshoot for a photographer! And a mighty fine one too! Mark’s travel photography is absolutely stunning and should be, in my opinion, in books like Lonely Planet etc. This shoot was my toughest challenge yet as Mark’s daughter is just 8 weeks old. She is fascinated by lights so my softbox and [...]
Monday, December 21, 2009 Posted in: Places
A little snow, well, it was a reasonable amount actually, brought Basingstoke and other towns to a standstill. My journey from Bracknell, normally a 35 minute journey, took nearly 5 hours last night. I left at 2.30pm and got in just after 7pm. Beautiful as it was, being stuck in the car only 2 miles [...]
by Chris
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