Ian and Sophie chose the wonderful Allerton Castle, just outside of Harrogate to get married, and for those of you who are regular readers of this blog, know that we are regular visitors to the Castle. Some of our “couples” choose us because of that. We know the best spots to photograph and of course we get on with all the staff there and it runs like a well oiled machine. Although we are regular visitors we always make sure that each individual wedding we shoot is unique. We will and do not produce the same old shots just because we are regulars there. If I ever got stuck in a rut like that, I would pack my job in tomorrow and do something else. This year we won a award in Las Vegas at the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait photographers International) with a picture from Allerton Castle and we are extremely proud of that fact. What has become more apparent is that more and more couples are turning away from the “snap happy” photographer. You know the one, he or she is the one that promises you “that you will not know they are there” and produce images that capture the very essence of the day without you having to lift a finger, well if a photography says this ( in my opinion) he or she are just scared to take charge of the situation and probally will not have the expeirance to arrange the groups. Yes we take “reportage, journalistic editorial” pictures but we have to have stucture to our wedding photography. This does not mean you and you guests are stood around for hours bored to tears, we have a tried and tested system for shooting group pictures which really speeds up the process.
Ian and Sophie wanted a lot of natural pictures but they also felt that some romantic pictures were needed too. The day was perfect and went like a dream apart from the fact that we only have 6o minutes to shoot the main body of the pictures arrggghh!!. Anyhow it wasnt a problem because we stop all day and what pictures we missed out on we set up after the speeches. Ian and Sophie were a great couple to photograph and nothing was too much trouble for them. The pictures are fantastic and I cant wait to see the compleated album
Saturday got off to a flying when rushing to answer the phone whilst getting out of the shower ( dont do it!!). A combination of a wet floor and me dashing was a recipe for disaster. So as I felt my feet slip away from the legs, i knew I was heading for a fall, and a pretty big one at that. Crunch!!! I came down like a sack of proverbiale potatoes, badly injuring my arm in the process. Worst of all, I had a wedding in three hours arrrgghh.
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.
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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
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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
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Love the funny pic on the end Mark! Bet it was warmer at Allerton Castle than in the marquee at a farm where we had yesterday’s wedding! xx
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Hi Mark,
After landing back on British soil today after our honeymoon, I have just seen your post and the pictures, oh my gosh they are amazing… I cried happy tears seeing them!!!! As jet lag is starting to kick in, viewing your slideshow has brought the memories of our special day back to life. You did a fantastic job and the photo’s are exactly what we wanted, thank you so so much. I can’t wait to see the full album.
Thanks again
Sophie Twitchen
XxxX
Hi Sophie
Hope you had a fantastic honeymoon. I am really pleased with the pictures and so glad you like them. x