Chris Geary Photography » Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com Documentary Wedding Photographer covering Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and beyond. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:20:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Theresa and Steve, Swallows Oast, Ticehurst http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/theresa-and-steve-swallows-oast-ticehurst/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/theresa-and-steve-swallows-oast-ticehurst/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 06:47:19 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=5130 After a 12 hour wedding and a 2 hour drive home, you might think that Red Bull is the answer. And it is. But it’s also the problem. I got home at 2.30am. Wide awake and still buzzing from the awesome winter wedding of Theresa and Steve. I backed up my cards. Still awake. I chose the images for the blog. Still very awake. I edited those images. Feeling a little tired now but awake enough. It’s nearly 7am and I’m blogging the wedding from the night before. Red Bull. Gives you wiiiings.

When I met Theresa and Steve, they described to me in detail how their wedding was going to be all about the people. The band were already friends, the videographers friends from Theresa’s work, the decorations handmade by members of the family, the cake was homemade. This really was a homemade wedding made with love. In fact, Theresa and Steve didn’t even see the decorations or the cake until their wedding day. I don’t think I’ve been to a wedding as chilled (in both senses of the word! It was definitely a cold crisp winter’s day). Even when Theresa was 45 minutes behind her own schedule, she was chilled and relaxed. This was how the day would be. Relaxing, calm with a lot of love.

A parcel arrived during the prep. Inside was a kindle saying ‘read me’. Theresa read. Steve explained all the things he’d packed into the box. Chocolates for energy, a gin and tonic for the nerves, tissues for the emotional bits. So many details in there. Theresa and all the girls were blown away. Steve, you’ve set the bar very high for all future grooms!

It was a 3.30pm ceremony. The recessional took place in darkness, lit only by candles that Steve and Theresa were holding. Outside, the guests formed a candle-lit line either side of the church path. The bride and groom walked along the path with their own candles. It was truly magical.

Here are my favourites…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/theresa-and-steve-swallows-oast-ticehurst/feed/ 6 Call of Duty: MW3 Launch http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/products/call-of-duty-mw3-launch/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/products/call-of-duty-mw3-launch/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:20:20 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4946 What goes into launching a massive game like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3? What goes on behind the scenes? Who attends such an event? I was commissioned by Mediakinetic for the second year running to document the launch on Monday 8th November 2011 at Old Billingsgate Market in London. My brief was to capture the crew in action; the camera crews and celebrity interviews down on the floor, the director and producers at work, the production team mixing the audio and video from London, Paris and Berlin, and the streaming team providing the live feed to the internet.

Jason Bradbury was in attendance, of course, along with his co-presenter from the Gadget Show, Ortis Deley. Other VIPs included Danny Wallace who compered the evening, Katie Melua, Billy Murray, Billie and Samantha Faiers, Maria Fowler, Joey Barton, Ashley Cole, Tinie Tempah, Graeme Swann, Jessica Wright, some dude in a hoodie called Dynamo and another dude from CITV. Example headlined on the main stage followed by Chase & Status.

And now. Some pictures.

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/products/call-of-duty-mw3-launch/feed/ 3 Melissa and Phil, Fredricks Hotel & Spa http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/melissa-and-phil-fredricks-hotel-spa/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/melissa-and-phil-fredricks-hotel-spa/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:00:39 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4855 A local wedding again yesterday; Melissa and Phil were married at All Saints Church in Wokingham and had their reception at Fredrick’s Hotel & Spa in Maidenhead. It was quite a contrast from last weekend’s hot summer weather, much cooler and fresher but still pleasant enough for an outdoor reception. Melissa looked amazing as she came down the aisle with her brother as Phil nervously waited at the altar. I loved the music choices too, straying from the traditional pipe organ and playing a Sigur Ros track (I forget which) and Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ for the recessional. I’m particularly grateful to the vicar who allowed me freedom to move around discreetly. Melissa and Phil left in a beautiful old Bentley. The car park was a few minutes walk away but despite them having a good five minutes on me, I still managed to arrive ahead of them. Melissa is a police officer so naturally my speed between Wokingham and Maidenhead was a steady 70mph of course. I assume the scenic route was taken. Aaaanyway, the reception was great fun to photograph, lots of laughter, smiles and later in the evening, lots of moves busted.

Here are some of my favourites…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/melissa-and-phil-fredricks-hotel-spa/feed/ 1 Cecelia and Jason, Wasing Park http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/cecelia-and-jason-wasing-park/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/cecelia-and-jason-wasing-park/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:06:49 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4768 After the epic Claridges wedding on Saturday, the following Sunday I documented the Wasing Park wedding of Cecelia and Jason. I knew this was going to be a fun wedding after spending just a few minutes with Cecelia and Jason when we first met to discuss their day. Cecelia was buzzing with energy and really easy to chat with. Jason was cool, calm and entirely level headed. A perfect match! It was another warm day, a little too warm for the boys getting ready in a sauna of a room. Cecelia, in the warm and inviting bridal suite with a bed big enough for 6 people, was much cooler and relaxed. Only when she was finally in her dress did any signs of nerves kick in at all. Next, over to the cute little church just across the way followed by the reception near the barn. I don’t think anyone expected to be outside at the beginning of October with glorious sunshine beating down and blue skies as far as the eye could see. It was still warm enough at 9pm! Because Cecelia is South African, there were a few SA treats to be enjoyed. I discovered one of them, Biltong. It’s a kinda dried cured spicy beef snack. I ate one, and then another and then another. So moreish! I was hooked. There was no first dance after the speeches but lots of sillyness with a chalkboard, some moustaches and a bowler hat.

It was such a lot of fun to document your wedding day, Cecelia and Jason. I’m looking forward to seeing you both again soon. I’m holding your DVD ransom in exchange for a stash of Biltong :D

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/cecelia-and-jason-wasing-park/feed/ 0 Sangeetha and Ravi, Claridges http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/sangeetha-and-ravi-claridges/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/sangeetha-and-ravi-claridges/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:06:06 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4665 October is the new August. It’s official. London. A Claridges wedding in warm 27c temperatures. Blue skies as far as the eye can see. This was going to be pretty epic. I arrived at 12pm to begin documenting Sangeetha’s bridal prep. I think it is fair to say that the Bridal Suite at Claridges is larger than my house! One of Sangeetha’s bridesmaids was Jackie, whose wedding I documented two weeks ago. She had just stepped off a plane from her honeymoon and despite jetlag was her usual energetic self. Johnny, on the other hand, was fast asleep in their room. That would be me as well. The ceremony was held in the ballroom. Subtle art deco styling, chandeliers, a string quartet and 180 guests. Sangeetha lit up an already colourful room with her red sparkling saree as she came down the aisle with one very proud father.

The reception was held in the adjacent room. I thank god I recently invested in a 35mm/1.4 lens. I was up close and personal with guests and it was pretty dark in there too. The food was, well, breathtaking. Later came the speeches and I think probably the finest bestman (or men in this case) speech I’ve heard.

Congratulations to you both, it was a pleasure to document your wedding day. Here is a sneak preview for your delictation…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/sangeetha-and-ravi-claridges/feed/ 4 Melissa and Phil http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/melissa-and-phil/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/melissa-and-phil/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:51:20 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4640 It’s nearly October and summer has made a welcome return. I met Melissa and Phil at Dinton Pastures near Wokingham. Well, Hurst. We were blessed with warm temperatures and beautiful sunshine this evening. We walked around by the lake basking in the warm glow of the setting sun. Part way through the shoot, a woman was calling out for someone. A lost child maybe? I couldn’t make out the name. We continued as there was no sign of panic. Some minutes later, we returned to the same spot where a brown terrier looking dog raced along the path, presumably back to it’s owner. We followed as we were heading that way anyway. No owner was seen. Another dog walker appeared round the corner and it looked like they had been reunited but alas, no. We came to the conclusion that the dog was lost and was trying to find it’s owner. I asked Mel if she minded holding my camera a moment. After a few attempts, I managed to grab the collar and see if a phone number was there. Scooter and a mobile number. I rang it. Meanwhile I was getting eaten alive by mosquitos which I slapped to kill giving an already nervous Scooter a heart attack. I then had to console him and gently walk him towards his waiting owner. Sometimes I’m a photographer and porter. Other times photographer and driver. Today it was photographer slash pet rescuer.

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/melissa-and-phil/feed/ 0 Sangeetha and Ravi http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/sangeetha-and-ravi/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/sangeetha-and-ravi/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:46:43 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4617 The morning after Jackie and Jonathan’s wedding, I met up with Sangeetha and Ravi for a pre-wedding shoot in Regents Park. Both couples are good friends, in fact they both booked me around the same time! Having rained all day on Saturday, I wasn’t expecting much better for Sunday but as it turned out we had glorious sunshine! I’ve never been to Regents Park before, it’s staggeringly beautiful. I’m very much looking forward to seeing you both again next Saturday. Here’s a preview from last weekend…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/sangeetha-and-ravi/feed/ 0 Jackie and Jonathan, Lansdowne Club http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/jackie-and-jonathan-lansdowne-club/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/jackie-and-jonathan-lansdowne-club/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:09:41 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4546 I was back in London yesterday for my third Lansdowne Club wedding this year. The day started out dry and sunny and promised to be overcast later. The weather gods had other ideas. We were pretty much rained in all afternoon although we did manage to find a break in the showers to step outside for some photos. The Lansdowne’s rooms are so beautiful that it really doesn’t matter whether it rains or not. Prep started in room 309 where Jackie and her bridesmaid were having their hair done. We later moved to the bridal suite for the make up and dress. The ceremony was downstairs, filled with family and friends. Jackie walked in to the room where a nervous Jonathan awaited her. Just her smile can bring a room to life… so imagine her smile with a dash of wedding dress. Simply beautiful.

The reception and breakfast followed. I can confirm that the beef burger in the aqua bar is simply divine. A chargrilled plump burger, blue cheese, crispy chips, mmmm. Anyway, enough about that. Here are some of my favourites from the day…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/jackie-and-jonathan-lansdowne-club/feed/ 2 Olga and James, Northcote House http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/olga-and-james-northcote-house/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/olga-and-james-northcote-house/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:52:03 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4474 Olga is staggeringly beautiful. She works the camera like no-one else I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. The girl behind the image is equally beautiful too. She is full of enthusiasm for life and even though this was her wedding day, Olga made sure that everyone was taken care of. Smiles, laughter, love. Three words to describe the day. Usually, brides pray for sun, no rain at least. Olga prayed for rain, apparently its a sign of good luck in her home country. We did have a little rain but nothing that dampened any spirits.

We started the day at the McDonald Berystede Hotel in Ascot. A quiet and calm prep, just Olga and her bridesmaid Christina (I hope I spelled that correctly). The ceremony and reception were held at Northcote House in Sunningdale. It was quite possibly the stickiest day of the year, not hot but very humid. The speeches were very lively, lots of laughter, a bit of friendly heckling but lots of love. I don’t think I can describe just how good the day was in words, so I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

 

]]> http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/weddings/olga-and-james-northcote-house/feed/ 3 Olga and James http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/olga-and-james/ http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/pre-wedding-shoots/olga-and-james/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:05:02 +0000 Chris http://www.chrisgearyphotography.com/?p=4454 Olga and James are getting married this Saturday at Northcote House in Sunningdale. This evening we had a quick pre-wedding shoot in the grounds on another beautiful summer evening. Olga is full of energy and enthusiasm and couldn’t wait to see the pictures, so here, as promised, is a sneak preview for you… wait no longer :)

 

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