Taken on Jerry Ghionis Seminar In Toronto

Just an apology to all the people who have been following this blog, I know its no excuse but due to our best year ever, we did not have time to add all whats been going on, but I slapped my wrists and promise that we will keep you up to date with the latest in happenings in our world. Below is a brief taster which i will expand on, over the next few days.

Its been such a fantastic year for Mark Jordan Photography. The weddings we have shot have been incredible, yes some have been difficult were the  typical British weather has  tried to throw a spanner in the works especially in August but we are getting use to that now so its no problem…. The year started really well with the award of Associateship with the Society of Wedding and Portrait photographers (SWPP) in February  ( only ten percent of wedding photographers have gained this distinction in the UK) and two weeks later, we won an “Award of Excellence” with the Wedding and Portraits International” (WPPI)  in Las Vegas.We came back from Las Vegas to jump straight into the wedding season with our feet hardly touching the ground. For those of you who have seen me work, I love to see the fun and emotion at weddings and to capture that is my prime objective, and I truly have a great time at weddings myself. Its such a great day.

Anyhow I have been shooting weddings over 15 years and seen many changes in the industry, especially over the last seven years with the introduction of digital photography. I have noticed a lot of people picking up a digital camera and suddenly call themselves “photographers”. The majority , have no practical training and gain their experience by practising on real life wedding, shocking I know but its a fact. Which made me take a long look at my photographic training and tried to remember when was the last time I did some “learning”. Although I teach other wedding photographers how to market and shoot wedding photography, it had been a long time ago since I had actually been in a classroom. So I decided to do something about it and I looked at a few photographers in the world who’s work I really liked. The first name on the top of the list was “Jerry Ghionis” who has been listed as one of the best wedding photographers in the world and who I knew ran some  training courses in Australia but I figured would be too far to go , but I had a look at his web site and noticed his was running a course in Toronto in June and by sheer luck I had a “window” and could attend. I flew 3,500 miles to join another selected handful of lucky photographers to spend five days with the man. It was the best five days ever. Later I will “blog” about the whole week of training so stay tuned as they say.

I also have a back log of weddings that I have taken over the summer and I know that some of my Brides have wanted to see them here and on my Facebook page, and I will do that too…Sorry Girls!!

I arrive at Lynsey’s house a couple of hours before the wedding. It great to get there early as it just nice to be able to take some wonderful pictures of the Bride getting ready and also pictures of the proud parents before the nerves begin to surface.

Yvonne (my lovely assistant) and myself got to work taking some pictures of Lynsey. I decided to shoot a little bit different than usual, so I used a different form of lighting to compliment Lynsey. In this shot you see here we have used a bit of photoshop work on Lynsey, not because she really needed it but just to give her that extra special look that every Bride deserves on their wedding day. We also did a bit of PS on Andrew as well so he didn’t feel left out!

Once at Gomersal Park we photographed the “boys” in a selection of “set ups” I dont like to pose people as this often looks awkward and  unnatural, so we direct people which is so much better and looks great. The lads like to look “macho” as well so its a “win win” all round.

The day went along really well but the heat was a little bit too much on occasions  so we left the guests in the shade drinking “Pims” and eating the tasty looking canapes. I took some great pictures of the Bridal party down near the trees and Lynsey and Andrew had a great time with the photography.

Soon it was time for the Wedding Breakfast and the speeches which we always like to cover. You can get so many great pictures of peoples reactions to the speeches. After this we had another 20 minutes with the happy couple and shot some lovely romantic portraits of them both.

The day was a great success for everybody  and I have to say thar Andrew looked “dapper” in the white suit. Not many guys can carry this off but he did it so well.

For me personally it was great to have a couple who value the photography at their wedding. We will be looking into entering some into competition this or maybe next year so fingers crossed!

Who cares about the weather not Wendy.

What a contast to the day before when the weather  was “cracking the flags”. When we arrived at Waterton Hall near Wakefield the weather was a compleateley different picture, rain rain and more rain. As it happens thats not such a bad thing at Walton Hall as the place is such a wonderful venue to tale photographs inside but as we stay all day I knew we had a good chance to take some pictures later on and indeed it proved that to be the case.

In the morning the rain never stopped but as Wendy crossed over the bridge to meet her future husband it looked like she didnt have a care in the world. I knew she was a little bit nervous as she had told me earlier but looking at the picture here I dont think you can tell.After the ceremony, Wendy and Damien had the reception on the Island. We took photographs  of the family groups in the Libarary  and ammassed the whole of the wedding party at the bottom of the stairs for the whole group shot, which worked really well.

Emotional speeches were the order of the day as Damien refused to have a scripted speech and let it come from the heart, and he had just about all the room in tears too.

Later we decided to go outside to take some more pictures of the happy couple. Thankfully the weather cleared up and we began to take some arty pictures.

The big scenic arch that bears the cross of christ on the very top of it, stands out as a place to photograph the happy couple and before long we were in front of the house by the columns and then by the door and then up to the top floor inside where we set some more romantic pictures.

Wendy also wanted some “nightime” pictures in front of the house but as it was only 7.00pm we arranged to go out again around about 9.30 just before it got totally black. So i finished off the slideshow that we were to show on the giant screen in  the “squires bar” at 8.30. The slideshow presentation went down great and all the people I met loved it then we were off to shoot the last remaining pictures.

All the couple that I photograph have an eye for a picture, I think thats why they pick me for my style. Wendy and Damien knew just exactly what they wanted and we so generous in giving up some of their time for me. The slide show you can view below is just a few of the pictures we took that grey day but because of their willingness to give that little bit more their album will be great. Thank you Wendy and Damien

We then met the  Groom and the Ushers at church. Kevin and the lads were so funny and nobody seemed nervous at all. Kevin and Victoria must be a very popular couple as they had one hundred and forty guests at the wedding!. The church where the couple were married is  what we call a “high church” which is very religous and would not allow any pictures to be taken inside apart from signing the register, although they did allow three video cameras to film the entire event, strange that, but I managed to sneek a few pictures of the couple.

After the ceremony we set off to the delightful Rogerthorpe Manor which is over 400 years old, although its been refurbished a couple of times since then and looks great. With over one hundred and forty guests at the wedding we had our work cut out but with my assistant Yvonne with me, we managed to get everything done in time.

The speeches were ever so funny, so much so it was difficult to hold the camera steady at times. The day went in a flash and the evening slideshow which we presented for the guests went down really well. I got home around ten o’clock that night and i down loaded and backed up the wedding to the hard drives before getting a cup of hot chocolate and settling down to bed. Phew what a day

In the event of an emergency, i always have another qualified photographer as cover should such an accident happen.  I called on my good friend James Ballance of CWP Photography, who without hesitation covered the first two hours of my wedding while I sat in casualty with my injured arm. Luckly it was only badly bruised, so I join Bride and Groom just a little bit late.

Hilton and Karen decided to get married in a Church in Barrick in Elmett which was a stones throw from Dad’s house which is where they had a giant marquee in the garden and it looked fantastic. The weather was great which was a blessing as our British summers are not always accomodating.

Here's to the happy couple

I decided to shoot pictures of the couple in the privacy of the house. When you shoot a wedding at a marquee, it tends to be very busy with all the guests veying for the couples attention, wishing them congratulations. So when you have over one hundreds guests it makes sense to get the couple out of the way.

Hilton and Karen told me that they did not like having their picture taken, which to be honest it what I hear week in week out, but I convinced them that we could take some great pictures of them, and they trusted me. I’m really glad they did because I love the pictures I shot of them and I know that the finished album will be fantastic. i cant wait till they pick the pictures and get designing the album.

Thank you Hilton and Karen

Saturday saw us at the Picturesque Allerton Castle near Harrogate where have a great time with a Al and Hannah and their families and guests.

Al is a doctor and works at the Leeds General Infirmary in the A&E department and Hannah is  a Doctor too and is a GP. They met at Medical school where they were both training. So if there were to be any mishaps or if any of us were not feeling too well, we would  be in good hands.

The wedding was at 2.30 so we got to meet the Groom and best “Men and Ushers at one o’clock in the billiard room where we took great pictures of the guys. Al didnt have any signs of pre wedding nerves at all, and was remarkably calm, i suppose getting married is a breeze compared to the “cut and thrust” of an accident and emergency department. I m not sure that a a good analogy but you get what I mean.

After we sorted out the boys (When I say “we” I had my trusted assistant Yvonne Grist we me all day. I dont know how she puts up we me, she’s a “diamond”) we went to see at what stage  Hannah and the girls were at. Again the Bride was just as calm as the Groom and the room was full of activity. Hannah had yet to put her beautiful wedding dress on so we set about shooting the little details that mean so much. The “Jimmy Choo’s” were recorded for prosperity as were the dress and bouquet. Bridesmaid were taught how to stand  and hold their bouquets but the lovely  Charlotte (the youngest of the Bridesmaids) just did her own thing which is what she did all day.

After the wedding ceremony we went outside, which I have to say was a little bit chilly but we had no complaints from the “happy couple” who I have to say were amazing. We did the group shots in under twenty minutes so nobody got cold then on to the bridal party and finally the couple.

Once back inside we shot the large group of all the people from the balcony and as we had 120 guests this made photographing them a lot easier as you can see in the picture below

Once the wedding reception got underway we camped up in the billiard room and waited for the speeches which were really funny. A particular story of  when Al looked after a friends cat was hilarious was so funny I could’nt keep the camera still for laughing.

It was a fantastic day, and I know all my couples are lovely (or I would not take their bookings) but  Al and Hannah you two were the warmest, kindest, funniest people that I have had the pleasure in photographing for a long time, and are perfectly suited for each other. Enjoy your life together and should anytime in the future,  I might have the misfortune to need a boil  ”lancing” or a something similar I know where to come.

Mark X

Normally  I have an assistant who photographs people from different angles and gets the reportage pictures but due to the fact that my lovely partner Andrea Barrettalso had a large Jewish wedding at the same venue, we had four photographers in tow!!, well for a part of the day anyway.

We had a great time photographing their special day and the couple were so accommodating and we took some lovely shots. Some of which we intend to put into competition at a later date.Gemma and Andrew sent us a lovely email that you can see below.

Hi Mark!

I just want to say thanks so much for Sunday, we had a great day and you did a fantastic job! I was so surprised when you and the team turned up and I really didn’t realise how much goes into getting the perfect shot from the person holding the lighting to the others running around getting clumsy me looking just right and not to mention you with camera at the ready, my only excuse for my shocking lack of co-ordination on the day was I was so taken back with all the effort you and your team went to it left me completely flabbergasted!! I know this is all from the brides point of view but I know Andy says exactly the same and the comments from the guests that saw the slideshow in the evening said it all for us. We had so many compliments, guests genuinely couldn’t believe how brilliant your photo’s were and said I’m not sure how much you paid him but I don’t care as it was worth every penny and I hate to say it but I can only agree! After forking out for the venue (and the guilt kicked in!) I told myself we’d have to save the money elsewhere to excuse my lavish spending and as a result so nearly booked a cheaper second rate photographer but all I can say is I’m so glad we didn’t as the slideshow in the evening really did show us what a difference a great photographer can make and I know everyone says it but it really isn’t the place to start cutting the budget although at the time of researching photographers I don’t think I fully appreciated how right this comment is!

Gemma and Andrew

Gemmametcalfe@.com

Amen!!!!!

Well what have we been up to? Well things have come on a pace and we have had to take on a new member of staff. So its a big welcome to Natalie Jubb (or Natt’s as we like to call her). Natt’s is in charge of business developemnet and will take over the admin side of the studio. We have now opened our Leeds photography studio and in addition to family portraits we will now be offering Model, Boudoir, and baby portraits.

Nat’s used to be a Journalist on the Selby Times, but decided to “Chuck in” her job to dive into the world of photography and run our studio. The only trouble is she’s too good, and we have been inundated with babies, had some lovely girls in for boudoir photography and today we had a young girl in the studio who wanted a modelling portfolio. As well as this I have been asked to judge other photographers work for the Society of Wedding and Portrait photographers. (SWPP) This is a big honour for me and the responsibility that goes with it is awesome. I am very much looking forward to the challenge and its rewarding to know that my work is deemed to be in the top 10 per cent in the country….tomorrow the world!!! Erm only joking.

For me this is the best shot of the lovely Zalie

I thought you might like to view some of the pictures we have taken over the last week so here are a few. I will be posting my recent weddings up here too later. The most recents venues have been Bagden Hall in Scissett, Oulton Hall in Oulton near Rothwell and Wood Hall at Linton. We have some great images for you to see so please stay tuned.

We are frequent visitors to “Ripley” and have shot many weddings there. Below is a slideshow of some of the work we produced in 2009.

If you like our style and your looking for a photographer then give me a call to see our award winning albums.