natasha hurley photography

I've moved....to natashahurleyblog.com

2011-02-05T19:29:00.003Z

I have created a sparkly new blog where I will be posting all future blog entries. Thank you to everyone who has followed me and dipped in and out and taken the time to read what I have written. To continue finding out what Im up to please go to my new blog. You can also find a link on my website which is still www.natashahurley.co.uk

I heart heels

2011-01-27T19:20:00.006Z

To start with - Im sorry. I know. I havent posted anything in AGES and this was one of my "things" to get better at this year. Can I say that, like exercising I just havent had the time? Nope I thought not. I promise to get better. So why did I decide to post today? It all started like this.

Running upstairs, thick carpet underfoot, the creek of the door opening after being taken off the grey door-stop. I was excited. Like really excited. Turning to my left I was in front of another door. This time it was the door of the wardrobe...and inside (no, not Nania) were a pair of royal blue patent heels. HEELS. There they were sitting in the bottom of the wardrobe, waiting for me. I would gently take them out and carefully put them on. They were gorgeous. I would then parade downstairs - elegant, sophisticated, regal - at the age of 8 clomping about in shoes to big for me. Looking back, not all that sophisticated, but I didnt care. It was amazing to just be wearing patent heels.....The love affair hasnt ended and whilst I can no longer fit into my Nana's slim size 4's I do have a pile of somewhat more giant sized 8's, all deliciously uncomfortable, impractical but that make me happy just looking at them.

Claire + Tim's English country winter wedding

2011-01-05T20:35:00.005Z

Here's a little sneak peek of Claire and Tim's gorgeous winter wedding in Oxford that I shot a few days ago. Their story will be posted shortly I've finished the post production and they are back home. In the meantime I will leave you with a flavour of their wedding...think old stone church in the heart of Oxford, Christmas trees and sparkly lights, tails for the men and long satin rich blue dresses for the bridesmaids. Candelabras and orchids, ivy and the scrummiest cake ever. A glistening bride with a shimmering neckline and flowing skirts. A foxtrot and a raucous Austin Powers flute playing. Yes it was a true celebration! So, Claire and Tim, whilst you both soak up the exotic streets of Zanzibar here's a gorgeous image from your wedding. x

Info: Canon 5d Mark II with 50mm L 1.2 lens at f2, 1/500 iso 640.

La Roux our "dog"

2011-01-04T19:29:00.002Z

I had found it. In the sock drawer under the bed. La Roux's toy has been lost for the past month. Its not just any toy. Its his favourite red and white mouse. Half its fur is missing and it no longer has a tail. But Roux loves his mouse. And, when we throw it, Roux like a good dog fetches it and brings it back for us to throw again. We played this game yesterday morning and decided to video it.

This was my first real try at the HD video function on the Canon 5d Mark II that I shoot with, and although the manual focus took a bit of getting used to - OK I was rubbish at it, the quality and colour is fab. More of these to come this year.

(theres some music too - we got very excited by it all).

Ally + Brad's winter wedding

2011-01-02T14:59:00.040Z

It is the smell of winter. The cold crisp air, the cinnamon and mulled wine, the crunch of frost under foot. Lights twinkling as the daylight fades early. They tried not to fall in love, walking in the parks of London. But it didnt work. Her laugh, exuberance, sense of fun and creating an atmosphere of happiness around her that are infectious. Brad loved her. And she loved him. His assuredness, the fact he's a man's man with a caring heart. That they both are so expressive in the way they talk and laugh. It was fate that caused them to meet and fall in love. So, when Brad suggested they have more tea before their planned trip to Paris Ally reluctantly said OK. Why was he dragging out having another cup of tea when they had a trip to pack for. Why. Because he had a present for her. Reaching over he handed her a gorgeous ring and asked her to be his wife. She starts to cry. As Ally says - like a clown, and puts the ring on her finger. Brad gently gently asks her - is that a yes. And she says emphatically - YES!

Their wedding in December celebrated the smell of winter which is forever part of their romance. They were married in the Highgate Scientific and Literary Institute which was a short walk from where their reception was held in the Red Lion and Sun pub where the fantastic Heath and his team decorated and then fed and watered all the guests.

The details were gorgeous, Ally had painstakingly stamped each place setting. The tables were decorated in tea lights, white and green seasonal flowers in silver pewters, napkins tied in black ribbon with silver thread. There were garlands of winter firs, holly, ivy and mistletoe. Fir cones dipped in silver twinkling with robins hidden in their midst. Scented candles, mulled wine and log fires burning created a heady mix of Christmas gorgeousness. And, the boys in black suits, the girls in black and Ally in a floor length sweetheart necked gown and bolero. Her sister made her birdcage veil and for the evening Ally added a black sash and let down her hair.

Ally and Brad, you are both such lovely people. Ally, you are truly gorgeous, inside and out. Such fun to be around and giggle with. Brad you are so generous. With everyone. Your warmth and humour are infectious. So, thank you. Thank you for asking me to be your wedding photographer. It was a real privilege to shoot your wedding, and just to be there and see you both get married. Congratulations. x

I think I could photograph Ally all day, she has such a 50's movie star quality. Gorgeous.

Ally's dad let me in when I arrived. The girls hadnt come back from having their hair and makeup done so I had some time to photograph the details.

I Love this shot of Ally's shoes. The defused light through the window spotlighting the shoes and the old leather chair creating a depth like an oil painting. Well thats what I think.

Ally, her sister and her mum. What a moment. And what a classy family - I loved the black dresses.
I asked Ally to put her dress on in their drawing room which had lovely light and a great backdrop of books and antiques. If I spy somewhere with better light than the bedroom which is the natural place for the dress to be put on I will suggest moving. It makes so much difference to the quality of the photographs if there is good light.

Ally in her dress. I asked her to look out of the window so I had her face framed in natural light and the background light from the lamp creating a colourful juxtaposition between the white/blue of outside and the yellow of the tungsten light.
Brad waiting for Ally to arrive. His son in the bottom lefthand corner.

Ally with her dad proudly walking down the aisle. As a professional photographer himself I felt completely in awe of. And yet, this was just me because Mick was so so genuinely lovely and made me feel so at ease.
I was allowed to take photographs during the ceremony - yeay. The lighting wasnt the best, but with the 50mm 1.2 lens, the white balance and colour came out alright.

The kiss.
And the beautiful moment afterwards - both Brad and Ally shining with happiness.

So, I knew that with the schedule Brad and Ally had for their wedding I wouldnt get to the reception before it was dark. So I went there before the wedding started to get some daylight shots. Heath and the staff were still setting up but luckily the top table was already dressed. And how gorgeous does it look.
The little details were fantastic too - this was hung above Brad and Ally's seat.

Ally had hand stamped each of the table place settings and slotted them into antique looking Christmas baubles. Such a classy affair.

Seasonal white flowers were understated and perfect for the venue and the feel to their wedding.

Wreaths of firs and cones with little robins and fairylights. Such a great way to make it feel Christmasy without it being over the top.

After the ceremony Ally and Brad had allowed half an hour for photographs of them. I always think that it is great when my couples decide to dedicate some proper time for photographs. Not only can I take better shots if I have more time, we can also have fun with the location and it gives my couples some alone time.

I had spied the village green in Highgate which had been decorated in fairy lights and was perfect with the snow that had also fallen in making a truly magical setting for photographs.

Wow! This is one of my favourite pictures. Like a fairytale. I was so busy loving the setting and taking pictures that I had forgotten I had dumped my camera back on a park bench the otherside of the park. All OK thought.
I love this picture too - its like a movie. I know in terms of photography its not perfect but hey. Sometimes its the risky shots that turn out to be so evocative. Here we had just jumped in the cab after the shoot so my camera lens was all steamed up, so Ally has a misty quality surrounding her.
The Red Lion and Sun gastropub which is gorgeous. I have photographed three weddings in gastropubs this year and would totally recommend it. The food is always hearty, served quickly and a laid back venue. The managers have always been so so accommodating. Heath was no exception and couldnt help Ally and Brad enough. I think it is such an important event that pubs rarely get the chance to host so its extra special for them too.
The new Mr and Mrs as they arrive at the pub.

This is so typical of them both as people. Having fun and a laugh. Here they are getting ready for the reception dinner - of homemade burgers and fries. Perfect.

The cake, baked by Ally's mum and decorated by Ally's dad and sister. Gorgeous, and tasted lovely.
The speeches and the moments between.

Ally's dad's speech was so heartfelt. And Ally loves her dad so much. I love the frame of the paper from which Mick is reading, and Ally's expression.
And then the best man's speech. So funny!

The raucous cake cutting - there wasnt much space so I focused more on Ally and Brad's expressions which are so great.

The first dance. Another true movie still photograph (in my eyes anyway). I love it.

And the quiet moment. Ally, with her man.

Fun with the guests - here one of the boys has very fetchingly put on one of the girls headpiece.

Natural light, no flash - yes it was this dark, but close to the bar it created a very "Godfather" type lighting effect.
And, at the end of it all, Ally and Brad stepped out for a shot underneath the arch of branches outside the pub. Perfect.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-29T18:30:00.009Z

My sister and I always say, its when we hear the coke ad holidays are coming that heralds the start of Christmas. We call each other and shout out. Its Christmas. I love it. Its been harder this year to get into the spirit of Christmas, but the thoughts of going home to wales where my mum will have been cooking for the last month and have a stocked larder and fridge has been like a beacon in the rush of city life. Its sometimes difficult to stop. To think and to remember to be grateful. Because I am. I have a family that I love, a roof over my head. So whilst the electric blinkered and went out on Christmas evening I thought to myself, I am thankful. I am here and its home. Plus extra bonus to mum for organising a second year of snow. Snowboarding and fab snowy photographs. Here are a few shots...Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you had a happy time.Christmas morning I was up at 8am (La Roux licking my face), and went straight outside to watch the sun rise over the hills.

I love fairy lights, and will always try and shoot wide open (f1.2) to bring the fairy lights out of focus but far more dramatic.

As the sun was rising, I saw the moon behind me - the roof of home at the bottom of the frame.

Mum and David bringing the sledges - the ride down was good, the walk up was painful!

My model brother. Seriously I know I bug him and ask him to pose for me to practice my shooting but he is sooo photogenic.

As is Mum's crazy cat Noah - he was rescued from the side of the road and is quite obviously a wild cat - slightly cross eyed, and this year with a fur coat that resembles a Yeti.

And the last picture of La Roux - his first Christmas. Travelling up on the tube and then a five hour train journey. No moaning or groaning. Taking it in his stride. Such a cutie.

Kizzy + Myles

2010-12-13T18:26:00.016Z

Thats it - the VW campervan. With Simon busy washing it. Nervously I approached and said Hi. Was this the right campervan - would the guy think I was crazy. Yes it was the right campervan, and yes he probably did think I was a bit crazy stopping him in the street like that. But, Myles and Kizzy had told me about him and the VW that was going to be taking Kizzy to the church. With a jolly laugh he said hi back and asked about what colour ribbon he should use. And thats how everyone was. Lovely. You could see Kizzy and Myles' family and friends getting involved, wanting to help see these two people off on the start of the married life together. Because thats what they are like. Generous, kind and so warm. Radiating goodness.

I arrived at Kizzy and Myles' flat where Kizzy was busy getting ready. The light bulbs had given up, there were last minute alterations being made to bridesmaid dresses, the flower girl twirling around, sandwiches were being made and in the midst, a calm, radiant Kizzy. And thats how it stayed throughout the day. Just happy. Meeting Myles at the church beaming as he welcomed guests - many who had come from Australia. And just before Kizzy walked down the aisle Myles turned around, and looked at his mum.

From the church to the reception Kizzy and Myles had allowed enough time for some photos of them. Yeay. I am always whooping when this happens. So, far too over ambitiously I suggested South Bank. I will always remember Kizzy walking bare-foot along the pavement, cheers going up, and the biggest smiles ever.

So, here are a few pictures...what a gorgeous affair, full of happiness, details everywhere and Kizzy and Myles - the most perfect of matches. Here's to you both. x

Moma said there would be days like this, Moma said

2010-11-28T19:33:00.005Z

Why do I cry? Its so silly, these are people I dont know, this is a wedding I have not been at, and these are moments I have not seen myself. And yet I do. Because. Because I feel it. Its in the way they smile, or glimpse at each other. The way she squeezes his bum and then looks up for reassurance. And laughs. This is what a wedding is. And More. Its why each wedding photograph makes me know that I am witnessing a true celebration. Of the couple. Of the family. Of the friends. The joy in the air is palpable. And I get to document that. I will never, I dont think get used to that. I know that when I stumble home (usually past midnight), and my boyfriend is waiting for me. I am talking. Like bouncing off the walls chattering. About the dress. The kisses. The older women - who I have come to adore at weddings. At the way he looks at her. At the way she cries when her brother talks of how they grew up together. And for me. Its when I find a shot that moves me. To crying. Then hopefully I have bottled some of that magic.

What got me started this evening was watching the FANTASTIC videos that sharkpig do. They are based in California, but man, if there was someone here doing the same thing I would want to be knowing them. http://sharkpig.com/wordpress/?m=201010

Here's a quick pic I took whilst walking down Carnaby Street last week. They always have the best Christmas decorations.

Kizzy & Myles Wedding - sneak peek

2010-11-22T18:44:00.004Z

Just a quick little message as I have to start the post production of Kizzy and Myles' totally rocking wedding. Think a 1950 prom dress, birdcage veil, jars of sweets, vintage cups and saucers, lots of Australians, lots of Londoners, a VW campervan, and a lot of love.

Kizzy - you were amazing. Really. You were not only gorgeous but seeing you and Myles walking next to the Thames backlit by purple light was magical. And. It was cold and you had bare feet. My future brides have a lot to live up to.

Here's a sneak peek of their wedding which I'll be posting in a couple of weeks. For now, Myles and Kizzy, I hope you are enjoying Sri Lanka and the Maldives! x

Info: I took this at 4:30pm GMT on Saturday, so it was getting dark. Like way dark. But I really wanted some natural shot poses. This was taken outside the church entrance. Backlit with a framed yellow light and the blue doorway this was a great location. My settings were:

1/200, f3.2 and iso 1000. Canon 5DMark II, 50mm 1.2mm lens.

My mindset was that I wanted to have less depth of field than I had for the other group shots that were taken here (as there were just the two of them on the same plane, and blur out the background), make sure that it was sharp ( I was leaning back into the road so Iso was high), and a slow-ish shutter speed. Im not saying this is the right way. It probably isnt. But thats how I took the picture.

I choose happiness

2010-11-17T22:20:00.005Z

I am blessed. Sometimes though, it takes some big things to remember that. In the good times I wish I counted my blessings more. I wish I didnt take for granted all those things that make my life as it is. I know that others are not half as lucky. So, as I am writing this, all limbs intact, all facalties working, surrounded by the support and love of my family and friends, and I make a promise right now. I will be thankful. I will count my blessings. And I will try to be a better person.

And, as a friend told me on Friday, I choose to be happy! Here's a little picture of happiness.

Paris: The city I love

2010-11-14T15:17:00.013Z

We had arrived. Suddenly. Above us was a huge arch of steel girders. People grabbing bags and trolleys. Everything had a blue, grey tinge to it. I was in Paris. It was my first time. It didnt start though as a love affair. For one, it was cold. Like bone chilling cold. For two, I hadnt brought a proper coat. The selection of "outfits" didnt stretch that far, and for three I didnt feel confident enough to try out my pigeon French on Em's friends, so became the quiet girl. Darn.

But as we've been going back year after year, I have got used to the fresh pain au chocolat for breakfast, the Oyster lunches, the cheese overload, crepes at midnight, the walks down the Seine after being out until 3am in the morning, looking at the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, the sound of Em as he answers the phone to long time friends, the midnight chess, the Sunday morning market, the four floors of stairs to the apartment and the amazingly talented, creative, friendly people. Yes, last weekend we were in Paris, and the love affair has properly started.

Here are some pictures of our time there. I want to try and capture the days and package them up in a parcel so I never forget.

Far away places with far away names

2010-11-09T20:37:00.005Z

Downers Grove, Dunedin, Frederiksberg, they are mystical places which I have never heard of. Together with the likes of LA, Moscow, Paris and New Delhi, they have an air of the unknown, glamorous, foreign. The kind of place that when you step off the plane you know the air tastes different, the houses look different and the post boxes arent red. So, when I looked at my google analytics and saw that someone had somehow found my site and read perhaps a little bit of it from these towns and cities over the last couple of weeks, it feels like me sitting here writing this is somehow connecting with you out there. I am dreaming of what it would be like to live in the places, how you found me, and who you are - bride, photographer, blogger? Awrrh. OK. Enough of the daydreaming. I got me an album to make and some ideas for my next wedding to think of...

Here's one of the rejects from a pile we took for my new website. Em's making me laugh because Im being all bossy and want to take the picture rather than be in the picture and trying to give instructions whilst look nice. No it didnt work. I just got crazy eyes and we ended up late for dinner.

Michelle + Pete's English country wedding

2010-11-08T18:16:00.033Z

There I was standing at the station in the middle of the Surrey countryside. The air was fresh, the sky clear blue with the sun streaming down on me. I hugged myself in optimism for the day that led ahead.

Michelle and Pete met at a family event a few years ago. Although they both noticed each other - you know, when there is someone in the room and you see them and they see you...but somehow they didnt quite get to introduce themselves. Michelle knew she wanted to meet the guy who she had seen but not really spoken to, so when Pete called a few days later and asked her out on a date she didnt hesitate to say yes. That was it. They set up home together with their family. I know that the last year has been tough for them both family wise but it was with grace, determination and love that they celebrated whats most important in life. Making the most of the moment and being with the people you adore.

Michelle and Pete are made for each other. Michelle is GORGEOUS, kind and generous. And when she's with Pete she truly lights up. You can see she feels safe in his company and enjoys breathing the air around him. Pete is made for Michelle. He is the family protector, the decision maker and the one who no matter what, will be with her and have have her back.

Thank you to you both for allowing me the opportunity to photograph your absolutely beautiful and heartfelt wedding. To meet your families, laugh and cry with you and hopefully capture some of the magic that was in the air on your wedding day...and I hope that some of the magic is sprinkled on the rest of your lives together - as you said Pete, its a marriage thats the celebration! x

How gorgeous is Michelle?! This is one of the first pictures I took. As I arrived the girls were sorting out Michelle's tiara.
Love this shot of the flowers. Simple, but shows them off perfectly.

We had a few moments to take some shots just as Michelle had finished getting ready. This is my favourite - a perfect model!

I love this in the moment kind of shot. Michelle is just arriving at the church, framed between the chauffeur and her dad with a breath of wind catching her hair.

I love this too - it I think captures the pure joy of Michelle walking towards the church and Pete.

Here is Pete, watching and waiting for his girl.

During the vows Michelle began to well up, which then caused half the guests to get a little emotional. What struck me was how down to earth it was. A boy telling a girl how much he loved her.
And then the first kiss.

It was great to have their children, Curtis and Phoebe involved too - so when mum and dad walked up the aisle, they did too.

Perfect dappled lighting as I shot this candid picture of Michelle and Pete as the rest of their guests were leaving or had left the Church....a few quiet minutes.

The classic Bentley....and the family.

We escaped for a quiet 15 minutes to take some shots. I love it when my brides and grooms set aside some time for some portraits. Im not too formal, but I think as you are looking your best and have hired a pro photographer, make the most of it and have some gorgeous pictures...and a laugh with each other too.

So romantic - I love Jane Austin and can just imagine that Michelle has just met her Darcy.

Love this pic too - a friend shouted out to Pete as we were taking the shots, and this ended up being one of my favourite. Its impromptu and captures them both in the moment.

The sun just started to come out again as we were wrapping up the pro shot session. You can see the dark clouds framing the Club house as Michelle and Pete are spot lit in the sun.

The flowers were perfect. Modern, romantic with a dash of sparkle. Michelle's florist friend Kerry took care of them all...I loved the extra touches too - with flowers framing the cake in vases, at the entrance to the reception and Phoebe's cute white rose tied with a white ribbon.

Brilliant top to the cake no? I want one of these, I love it. I have no idea where they got it from but Ive seen some similar from Paperchase girlies if you like this too.

The speeches. Here's the deal, when your a photographer this can be a tricky time. Look out for the Exit signs, fire hoses, tall centre decorations, wine bottles, and where the light is coming from. If you can, move things that are in the way beforehand...And for the brides - its the long tables which are the best for photography - see this one above, you get such a fab angle you have six people in the shot.

The reception was at Sutton Green Golf Club and the lighting was fantastic. Yes, its official, I love the spot lights. The create a great light for framing shots and creating a kind of film like quality. Also means that I was able to use less flash and not have so high an ISO.

Awwwrr - how cute is this. Curtis with his little sister.

As you can see, fab lighting in the dancing area too...

The first dance was great. Love seeing everyone gathered around whooping and clapping Michelle and Pete on.

Probably one of my all time favourites. The moment is so strong and powerful.

And the same after the song that Pete sang for Michelle. This moment captures the emotion. What a wonderful day.

Fright Night in the City

2010-11-03T19:25:00.008Z

Its like I could taste it in the air. Joy. Happiness. Laughter. It was Halloween night in London?! Instead of turning into a scary city, it became a night where Londoners did things they dont normally do. Like smile at strangers, crack a joke with the person sitting next to them on the tube, chatting to the people sitting near them at dinner. Or was that was just me...humm.

This was the first year in seven that we hadn't had a party, and so were off into Shorditch to have dinner with friends. Nothing fancy, no parting. But as we walked up to the tube we saw that there had been a power cut so everywhere was dark with the local Indian shops cooking by candle light and everyone milling around in the streets calling to one another. We knew it was going to be a special evening.

On the tube was another world. At each station we got to, everyone (well bar us), was dressed up. And I mean totally, fanged, white powered, red lipped, dripping with blood. And dang. No camera. So these are by Blackberry. Next year I am going out prepared...and definitely dressed up!

(Even H&M got a little sprinkling of Halloween blood on their lovely model's lips - love it!).

La Roux: The new Art Director in the house!

2010-11-02T22:15:00.003Z

Im busy taking photographs of my sample album and who should sneak up and try and muscle in on the picture....little king of the household La Roux. Big Halloween post tomorrow.

Thank YOU

2010-10-28T18:51:00.005+01:00

Oh dear I've just given a little whoop out loud to no one (but the kitten that thinks I am now mad!). Why? Because I've just seen that I had 27 people viewing my website last night. Wow. I cant believe it. I know this is a tiny figure in comparison to all those other pro photographers who Im sure get hundreds of visits every hour but I am really touched. Each one of you 27 people are special to me. Thank you. For taking the time to look at my website, reading maybe some of the things I have written and looking at the photographs I have poured myself into and which I am kinda proud about (in a totally English non-effacing way, naturally), I have made this site for you. I write for you. Every one of you who have told me you read my blog and are interested in what I do - I am humbled. Big Thank You!

Heres a photograph from Beccy and Pete's wedding that I photographed last year and which feels to me like the celebration I feel like having. Yeay!

Home

2010-10-27T19:08:00.005+01:00

There he went striding along in the English countryside, commanding voice as he proceeded to explain that the pile of earth he was standing on was in fact the foundations of someone's new home. I heart Kevin McCloud and Grand Designs! There's always the possibility that they wont get the project in on budget and schedule - and usually they dont, but there is a fair amount of tenacity that they have to have which got me thinking about our building project. I was 9 years old at the time. No it wasnt slave labour. My mum bought a home for us which was just short of a roof and three walls.

I dont think I will ever know what it was like to build a house from scratch pretty much single handedly with three kids playing, squabbling, eating and sleeping in the background. I remember that when we came back from school she would always ask us so what is new today with the house? We would then have to wind down the windows of the car and start shouting out our answers as the car drove up to the house, whether it be a roof, doors or a new bit of wall...The hardest one I remember was when the glass went in the windows - but I still reckon that was a trick question because it's transparent!

I guess she just had bucket loads of tenacity and vision to see it all through and create the family home that we all love. Its more than just a house, it has our soul.

Zarah and Mark's wedding

2010-10-22T19:00:00.021+01:00

I slowly opened the door and there she was. Her back was to me, so I saw the silhouette of her corsetted dress and train framed against the window. It was a split second moment. In the next she had turned her head round to see me and said I'm so nervous. Coming from someone so clear, decisive and practical the window into her inner self opened. And I knew from there on, for the rest of the day, we were in this together. Her name is Zarah and it was the morning of her wedding day.

I was there to photograph the getting ready - Mark saying he wasnt great in front of the camera and then turning into a pro. The enominaty as Zarah and her dad arrived and walked towards the imposing church, the vows and Zarah's laughter as they exchanged rings. The exuberant walk back down the aisle, and the adrenaline that kicked in and kept them walking down the path. The laughter as their guests piled out of the church and congratulated them, Mark's dad holding the bridesmaid's bouquets, the fun - I know- at the group photographs, and the walk through the village to where the reception was being held with the boys bringing the flowers from the church.

And finally, the moments I glimpsed - two people, who didnt shout about their love but who quietly adore each other. Here's to you both Zarah and Mark and for all the joy and happiness in the world.

The boys outside - here's Mark and Andy looking totally relaxed in front of the camera.

Once the boys and guests had disappeared we did some shots of Zarah and her two bridesmaids - I love this shot that I took between formal photographs. Zarah is so full of energy its infectious.

This is an ageless shot, and magical and Zarah arrives at the church.

Wow - here she is being walked towards the church on the arm of her dad. Her dress silhouetted against the arch of the church doorway, and the beauty of the church in the background. Love it.

This is probably one of ,my favourite shots ever. Why. I know it doesnt scream exotic location or dramatic angle shooting...but to me it is a snapshot of who Zarah and Mark are, the moment they exchange rings and before they are officially pronounced man and wife. I adore this shot.

Which was quickly followed by the solemnity of the occasion.

The church itself was gorgeous. When I arrived in the morning there seemed to be about 20 people cleaning, polishing, scrubbing and washing the church in readiness for the ceremony.
This shot I took of Zarah and Mark as they were waiting to signing the register. I love it, better than the traditional signing shot.

And then the walk down the aisle, and outside.
Some friends had come to wish Mark congratulations as they both exited the church.

The laughter and chatting afterwards...
And one of the formal shots.

Then it was off to the reception and food. Here are the boys taking the flowers...

And the gorgeous cake, framed in the afternoon sunshine.

Finally, the shot between shots, these two looking at each other and committing to spend the rest of their lives together. Congratulations to you both. x

Sassy-ness, tunes and fun

2010-10-14T21:10:00.007+01:00

I am absolutely bursting! I have just watched the best networking wedding event ever and wish I had been there! Of course that was never going to happen. For one I am far to shy. I know I know, Im not known for being quiet and mouse like. But its true. I get way too over-intimidated by people that are legends and know their stuff in the wedding world. Plus it was, well, in Ammericaaaa. Thats right, Im the first to represent the "Great" of Britain, but oh my goodness, they are about a million years ahead of us in terms of pushing the boundary in weddings...But...I'm hoping from the gorgeous, amazing brides Ive had this year, this may be on the change...lets dare to add a bit of uber coolness, sassiness and fun to our weddings and inject our personality. Yeay, its a party after all!

So after much ado about nothing, here's the link - yeeeha (do they even say that in America??)

http://www.theflashdance.com/index.cfm Oh and, scroll down to the music, switch it on and then scroll back up to the party....and if your reading this in a couple of days, the blog title is called "Hitched Finale"

Here's a sneak peek at my latest wedding where the coolness, sassiness and fun was in full flow!

Lets samba

2010-10-12T18:38:00.008+01:00

"You've done well natasha your only 45 minutes late"...eek, Im afraid Em is right, it takes me ages getting ready which means Im usually late. I like to cram everything I do into as little time as possible and that means only allowing 20 minutes to get ready on a night out. And girls, you know, that definitely isnt enough time...but come on, this was the first saturday we have been out in like a million years, well maybe not a million but its been a while.

So much so that the fake eye lashes got an outing, and for the last 45 minutes I had been singing (out of tune) and dancing (badly) around the house, changing outfits, changing hair, changing shoes and changing handbags..but in the end, its the same uniform I always wear, skinny jeans, heals and T.shirt - I just created one mountain of screwed up clothes in the process.

So bring on the raucous chatter, good food and happy memories. Here are a few pictures I took...One of the girls remembered me by saying "oh your the photographer - I remember you now". No way she remembers me as the "photographer"? I never really think that I can legitimately call myself that. Im just a girl who has to have a handbag big enough to squeeze a camera in on a night out!

Finding your photographer

2010-10-07T18:40:00.004+01:00

Its always a bit like a blind date. She says she has long brown hair and I say so do I. We arrange a time and a place to meet, and with this description and a flutter of my heart I arrive. It truly is so exciting to meet my future brides and grooms for the first time.

Yes I will show lots of photographs from recent weddings, will go through the package details, show a sample of the album that I offer but really for me its so important that you get to see me! Because I reckon thats the most important thing when choosing your wedding photographer. Our styles may be different and our packages vary but what is truly unique is the person who will be behind the camera. Will you be comfortable standing in front of them, will you be able to ask all those questions without feeling intimidated, silly or like you are taking up their time and ultimately do they get you as people and a couple. If thats a yes, book them!

So, it was that this week has been filled with seeing (hopefully - cross fingers) my future brides and grooms to be. And with a whoop after chatting weddings, details, ideas for dresses and Cherry gets Married, I was on my way home, with a flutter in my heart and a smile on my face.

Here's a picture from last weeks wedding...the rest to follow in the next couple of weeks, but I love it. Its so evocative. Napkins strewn across the table, drinks on the side half drunk, disco lights being installed, and everyone mingling in the background after their dinner, having a good time.

It will come

2010-10-02T10:17:00.003+01:00

Man I was tired last night, so when my boyfriend came home I collapsed on the sofa...my mind on the other hand had other ideas, and was working overtime in reminding me what I had to do. And the list was endless. In a slight panic I started writing everything I was thinking down which helped but also made me want to start designing my new sample album, and calling Cosmo magazine then and there even though it was 11pm.

He could see my brain was whirring and said to me it will come. Take care of the small stuff, each day at a time and you will achieve more than your wildest dreams. I was shocked. I never really thought that my dreams could become reality. But there, he said it. And thinking about it, it made sense. Everyone I have seen who has stuck to what they wanted to do, and been tireless in their pursuit of their dream has not only achieved it but succeeded. And thats, my boyfriend tells me, is when you surpass your dreams. So, here's to dreaming, the strength to keep on the path, and the tenacity to grab what you want!

Here's a little cocktail to say cheers to that.

Happy Harvest

2010-09-30T16:47:00.004+01:00

It always felt like the kitchen had been turned into an Aladdin's cave when it arrived. Sacks of juicy sultanas, boxes of extra sweet dried apricots, piles of sugary apple rings, bowls of crunchy banana chips and sticky trays of dates. My mum would give each of us children a job around the large wooden table, weighing, labelling and re-boxing all the health foods. This was a bulk buy on what seemed like gigantic proportions between about 12 families. And if you were lucky enough the bulk buy would be delivered to your house, and for a week you would be working at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory (without the chocolate)...of course the flour, sugar, syrup and other stuff was totally safe, but the dried fruit definitely needed testing before it got shipped out again!

I still love the dried fruit and am a total sucker for sweet stuff (show me a girl who isnt)! I have just polished off both cup cakes that my Nana has just brought round so will have to guiltily explain the second empty case to my boyfriend tonight.

Here's a picture from last years trip to the Black Forest - I always have to order the blueberry cake, Black Forest cake and the cheese cake...happy.

Welcome La Roux

2010-09-29T11:27:00.004+01:00

So I found myself in the Pet section of Sainsburys this morning fervently looking for kitten food, kitten litter and about a million other things. Proportionally I have probably bought about 100 times his weight! Thats right, yesterday we became the proud parents/slaves of La Roux! He is a little feather weight ball of fluff, inquisitiveness, playfulness and general cute-ness, which has got me to making up words. He is currently sitting behind the fireplace big eyes and big ears looking at me.

Not quite a model, but we managed to grab a few pictures last night.

My first day

2010-09-24T19:54:00.005+01:00

The dawn began to break. It was still silent, no birds singing, no one moving around the house...just me, wide awake and anything but tranquil! I was imagining the horror of what I had agreed to do sink in with such coffin-like severity I wanted to run away. I squeezed my eyes shut in the hope I may suddenly fall asleep until it was actually time to wake up and go photograph Emily and Rory's wedding.

This was my very first wedding as the official photographer and I was a nervous mess. I was fretting over breakfast, stomach in such a knot, and then in the car on the way to the church...but then a funny thing happened as soon as I got there I felt calm, in control, and able to roll with the day as it unfolded. Thank goodness it all went well (except stepping in dog poop just outside the church!). I know now that I had to take that terrifying leap to start the fantastic journey I am taking as a wedding photographer. So, with a lot less nerves, but no less excitement and anticipation I am packing my bags tonight for Michelle and Pete's wedding tomorrow.

(this is from Emily and Rory's wedding, which oh so stylish with a proper country feel).

Post production

2010-09-22T18:53:00.004+01:00

Pita bread and Taramasalata at the ready, Radio Two's Bob Harris show in the background, and the whole evening ahead to start the post production of Zarah and Mark's wedding I shot at the weekend....yeay...I love settling in and quietly seeing the photographs I have taken appear onscreen. I never believe I have done well on the day so each time I upload its with a sigh of relief and a little bit of a wow "I did that" to the photos I love.

The post production of every wedding is so important to me. It takes far longer than the 10 hours of shooting I do on the day. Perhaps I am a little tiny bit of a perfectionist too which means I will pour over a photo until I think the red tone is just right, or the shadows are dark but not too overbearing. Ultimately my ethos is that in 20 years time when your children look back at your wedding photographs they will be timeless beautiful photographs that capture the emotion of the day and show you as who you are in your best light. So, with this in mind, my post production means "keeping it real" and pushing the photo to its full potential....come on Im a girl too, so I understand about bat wings and double chins and will do my best to make sure they dont exist.

Here's one of the pictures from Zarah and Mark's wedding that I did earlier...keep posted for the rest of the blog in a week or so.

Each Peach Pear Plum

2010-09-17T18:23:00.004+01:00

Eeee...I let out a rather high pitched squeal. Not only did the shop assistant know what Each Peach Pear Plum was (without giving me a crazy look) but she also had one in store! Its funny how things in your childhood really stick and you have such vivid memories. I remember this book so well. I think our mum must have read it to us about a million times, and then I read it about a million times after I had learnt to read. I loved the pictures, beautifully drawn in pastel colours, with wiggly lines and a homeliness feel to them. I used to search for the nursery rhyme characters on each page but more than that used to get absorbed in what was being described as a beautiful day where at the end of it they all eat plum pie....yep Im a bit of a dreamer...and also a lover of plum pie! Oh, and if your wondering I didnt just have some crazy idea to buy it to recreate my childhood but to give it to a friend's baby who I hope will love it as much as I did (do)!

Asking questions

2010-09-12T17:17:00.004+01:00

Shall I...shant I.... then my hand goes up involuntarily and somehow I find myself asking a question. Eeek, my palms are hot and sweaty, and I can feel myself going red. I am a complete mess, and my voice is beginning to give out. The first time I remember this happening was when I was in primary school. We had newly moved so I was the "new girl" in the class, desperately trying to keep my head down and not stick out with the home-crafted gym bag and home-made bread rolls in my lunch box. So, why was I inviting the attention with the question I was asking. I guess thats just me. I cant help myself if I have a question or am asked to give an opinion, this need overtakes the hot, sweaty palm-ness.

I try to be honest with who I am - which is sometimes difficult. But I think me the photographer is me the person. I am no different, and hope that how I am as a photographer is me. I guess it probably explains the questions too... you brides and grooms will know that when we chat, I am full of questions about your wedding. Hot sweaty palm-ness is overtaken with that love of hearing what you are doing and why.

So with that in mind I am giving a holla out to all of you that read my blog regularly, dip in and out, or visiting for the first time and just looking around - please leave a comment, ask a question, or just stop by and say hi. I would LOVE truly to hear from each one of you.

Im not usually in front of the camera - which is what I am going to use as my excuse for hogging the picture (no idea why I've picked a "surfer dude" wannabe pose, or why I have a bent ankle)!

The kindness of strangers

2010-09-09T20:56:00.007+01:00

Would you like some - the lady held out a plate and I took it, mumbling something (which I hope) still resembled a thank you. I was stunned, the plate was stacked with all sorts of Indian bites. I suddenly looked around me and saw lights twinkling on the street corners, girls getting their nails done and guys casually milling around, calling to each other in greeting. Music was playing from the shop fronts and the atmosphere was electric. My insular mood kind of did a backward turn and suddenly my heart was filled with happiness - for no other reason than everyone else was happy. So, now Im home - plate of Indian bites intact....I only went out for some tomatoes and have come back singing!

Lists

2010-09-07T09:56:00.006+01:00

I am definitely one for lists...Lists for shopping, lists for what Im going to do today, this week, this year....I feel like I am constantly chasing and trying to get ahead of the lists I am making, especially when it comes to my business. I have so many things I want to do, I am inspired by the blogs I read, the photographers who've "made it", the industry pros like Martha Stewart, and all the viral stuff that make me think - ooh thats such I good idea, can I do that? I want to get better with what I do, how I do it, my business savey, marketing, who I am as a person and give more back. Its a way long list of things to do, and I am impatient to get things done, especially when I can visualise what I want, its difficult to sit still until I have achieved it! But Im sitting still today, and hope that each small step I take on this journey will take me closer to crossing off those things on that list of mine.

I cant leave without a photograph or two, and thought that as it feels like the end of summer, I'd post a couple of pics of my sister and I at the Blur concert last year. Neither of us have been cool enough and gone to a music festival, but we LOVED Blur when growing up. That night it was hot, the band were playing in Hyde park, there were thousands of people all singing, the full moon rose behind the stage, and as we walked away at the end of the night people broke out into spontaneous bursts of song, that would be caught up by another bunch of people - the mood was amazing.

Paula & Jonathan's wedding, Tower Bridge London

2010-09-02T19:27:00.031+01:00

He knew of her before they met. His friends told him he HAD to meet her - she was the stunning, popular girl at uni. Her friends told her she had to meet him. He was the tall, dark, handsome new guy that had arrived. And then after somehow missing each other at events, they met, and that was it. She is gorgeous, fun loving and stylish. He is caring, happy, a little mischievous and you can see truly loves her. Together they have been around the world together settling in London which is where they got married.

So it was that I woke up on their wedding day with such a sense of excitement - the weather was fantastic and I knew this was going to be a fun day. I arrived at their apartment (which was amazing) for photographs of Paula getting ready. Amanda the hair and make-up artist was fab, and with a quick change into her dress Paula and I headed outside onto the balcony for some shots before I dashed next door to where Jonathan and the boys were. And that was the start of a truly stylish wedding. From the ceremony in Tower Bridge (I know - how great is that), to the time we had to take photographs (yeay a whole half an hour!!) to the red routemaster bus ride round to the restaurant which was right on the Thames - in fact over hanging it, the scrummy meal, pimms and speeches and then the dancing - oh yes, these guys know how to party!

I know I was grinning as I left their wedding and the sounds of merriment wafted outside and into the hot evening air...thank you Paula and Jonathan for an amazing day and an amazing privilege.

Paula getting ready at their apartment, I used the small window frames to add a graphic feel to the shot, and photographed Paula as a silhouette which I think looks fairytale like.

Wow, wow, wow - can you believe this is London! We had some time before I had to go see the boys which was great to play around with shots, and this one was a must. I would definitely say, if you are a bride or a bridesmaid, try and make time for photographs before the ceremony because this is the best time for it - when the makeup is fresh and the hair snugly in place.

And wow again - Paula is absolutely gorgeous and such a natural in front of the camera.

Love this shot of Paula and her dad walking down the old fire escape of Tower Bridge to arrive (unseen) at the ceremony. Paula's shadow on the wall I think adds to the atmosphere.

The ceremony took place in the North Tower Lounge that had just opened for weddings. It has a huge window which looks church-like, and was great for lighting up Paula and Jonathan.

I just love this picture of Paula beaming as she looks at Jonathan after signing the register.

We had a whole half an hour to ourselves for photography - yeay and would totally recommend future brides and grooms to think about doing this. It was great to get a bit of alone time, and to really capture the two of them, just married, in such amazing locations. Here we had just come out of Tower Bridge. There were roadworks going on, so with a cheeky move of the barriers we were able to take some pictures with no one in the background.

Yep, I love London, how amazing is that backdrop.

I always check out the venues beforehand and spied the Mayor's steps as a fantastic location for some photographs - here's one of the "in between" shots I took of Paula and Jonathan.

And, a few steps away was a small green space which shooting into the sun was great to create a different (non-urban) feel (hopefully).

Yum - those bridesmaids dresses were gorgeous, so stylish and elegant and seemed to change colour with the different light when I was photographing them - from bluey to deep purple. And the bridesmaids were such fun too - really getting the dancing going in the evening.

Oh yes, there was a routemaster bus too - yeay.

They're guests threw confetti as Paula and Jonathan arrived at the restaurant - which has a fantastic multi-angled mirror on the stairway, reflecting all the confetti and the guests.

The Samuel Pepys restaurant looked gorgeous, with white linen, table confetti hearts, loveheart sweets and fish bowels full of orchids and hydrangea's.

I think this shot feels like it could be from the Godfather (in a good way). Still cant figure out how I got the angle though - I dont think I was sitting on Paula's lap!

A shot from the speeches - love Paula's brother and one of the guests in nearly identical poses.

Awrr - I just love this of Paula looking at her man.

Even the cake was elegant! Paula's mum got the figures on top made in South Africa where there is apparently lots of bead and wire artwork. As both Paula and Jonathan are from South Africa I think this was such a lovely detail.

The first dance.

And the moment in between.

And then the crazy dancing started - love it when the dance floor comes alive.

I asked Paula and Jonathan to sneak outside for a couple of shots before the end of the night and love this quite moment of the two of them.

No strictly taken on the day (the restaurant was a little up river, around a bend so I came back a few days later), I love this shot of Tower Bridge - its so impressive a building, and how amazing to be able to say "we got married there"!

Congratulations to Paula and Jonathon - I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Things that make me happy

2010-08-24T19:16:00.002+01:00

Today, like every morning, I wake up and go to the bathroom, fling open the window and look outside and breathe! I stand there for a few minutes and just suck up the air. I look around at the other gardens and then up at the sky. I could probably stay there for more than my mad morning dash allows, but in that moment I am happy. The morning is fresh and new, and is the best morning ever. So, this got me to thinking of the things that make me happy....in no particular order here they are.

Strawberries

The sunshine

Freshly washed bedsheets

Taramasalata and pita bread

My boyfriend when he laughs

(and when he sings in the shower)

Nailing a photograph

Dogs (their funny faces and the way they walk)

Christmas time - the run up to it with the excitement in the air and feeling of merriment

A good book that I can savour

Cooking for my friends and family

This is an evening shot of that view outside of our bathroom window!

Tower Bridge at night

2010-08-19T18:49:00.006+01:00

I've felt restless this week and I reckon it must be something in the air as my friend I had dinner with last night felt the same. I've got a four week break between weddings and am busy with designing a new sample album and website - its all new fore me so taking forever just to understand how to import a photograph, make a revolving gallery etc, but extremely exciting...so there should be some fun new things to look at soon. In the meantime I thought I would share with you some photographs I took in the City a few weeks ago. I really wanted to end with a shot of Tower Bridge at night for Paula and Jo's wedding (you'll see why when I blog about it in a few days). These are a few photographs that didnt make the cut, but beautiful all the same.

I like the unusual view - for you Londoners the Gurkin is in the background - had to squat down to try and get the angle right, and a little balancing act having another camera on my other shoulder.Love the fact that sky is red! Makes it look like London's burning. I spied the colour which I zooped up a bit by making it a slightly over-exposed shot. Had to have an extra steady hand.

Im not sure why but I just like this shot. Colour I guess - what with London Bridge being lit up in yellow and red and the boat on the Thames having blue lights.

A bride's tips for the big day - Georgina

2010-08-15T12:30:00.011+01:00

So, I thought it would be really useful for my lovely brides-to-be (and for those of you helping out with a wedding) to hear what a recent bride had to say about her wedding, so without further ado, here goes...

How did Stu propose to you?

At a beautiful ruined castle on the Isle of Lismore off the west coast of Scotland, whilst we were on our Hogamanay holiday.

Did you have any ideas on what you wanted your wedding to be like?

To be honest I really wasnt one of those women who has imagined their wedding well before they're engaged! In fact I really didnt think I was the "marrying Kind" before I met Stuart. But then, with him it just seamed like the natural thing to do. After we got engaged we started talking about what our ideal wedding would be and we both through we'd love a country wedding at my parents' farm (marquee in a field type affair) and then it all changed in the end to an Oxford college!

What were the most important things for you when planning your wedding?

For us it was definitely the content of the ceremony. Stuart was very determined not to undermine his vows by including religious promises which he doesnt agree with, but we both quite wanted hymns and the setting of a church. We actually spent ages looking at loads of different ceremony options; including Humanist, Civil, and C of E, but we ended up with a con-conformist ceremony given by a very flexible and friendly minister who is also the Principle of an Oxford college.

Any websites/blogs that you found really useful when organising your wedding?

Not many really. I looked at a few bride websites where people had discussed certain elements of the wedding we were interested in like all British flowers (www.bathorganicblooms.co.uk) and also second-hand dresses of the designer I loved.

What did you do the night before your wedding?

Had a lovely quiet meal with you Mum, Dad and sister and then tried to get to sleep early!

On the day what really stands out?

Being totally overwhelmed with all the attention! The amazing feeling of happiness and everyone saying what a great day they were having - such a positive environment.

What were your favourite moments?

The ride to the Chapel with my Dad, seeing Stuart looking down the aisle at me, and our first dance.

What tips would you give to a bride to be about hiring a photographer?

I would tell them to look at all the photographer's photos and try and pick out ones that are the style they'd like for their own day. Think carefully beforehand about exactly what "formal photos" they really will want printed.

Also be clear about any particular moments they really want captured. But to be honest if they have a great photographer like Natasha [blush], I would allow the photographer to be creative and they'll come up with the great shots that one couldnt have planned for anyway!

What tips would you give to a bride to be organising her wedding day?

Be prepared to be overwhelmed! I think I underestimated the effect of being the centre of attention and how totally knackered you are the next day! Think through the day as a timeline - I found this helped ease any tension I had that we'd forgotten something. Also we then gave the timeline to the ushers and let them take-over the responsibility of it all on the day itself! I was glad we avoided most of the "wedding up-selling" and concentrated on getting the vows right and keeping numbers small.

Big thank you to Georgie for answering these questions - more so considering her and Stuart have now left England to start a new adventure in Africa just last week. I hope you're both finding your feet and making it home!

I couldnt leave without a photograph or two - but check out their wedding in full here.

Tara and Dave's Jersey Wedding

2010-08-08T12:47:00.028+01:00

As I make my way out of the arrivals gate I see Tara standing, smiling waiting for me. With a hug and a hello we make our way outside to where Dave is just pulling up with the car. I feel like royalty. They are both so welcoming and kind, inviting me to the family BBQ later that evening. But before that we head to where they are getting married - and what a venue! Perched on the very edge of the peninsular high above the town is Corey Castle. Its beautiful, imposing, and feels like its seen alot. Tara tells me that she when she was young she came here with her family and on visiting the castle told them she had built it in a former life and would would get married there. Fast forward to the the next day, because that's what she did - in the gorgeous, intimate chapel room in the castle which was decorated with roses and candles.

Tara is lovely - organised, laidback, funny and extremely caring. She knows her mind and when Dave came into her life that was it. Dave is equally laid back - perhaps more so, one of those really kind, gentle people that you immediately feel relaxed around. I was so honoured to be a part of their very intimate wedding and wish them both all the happiness in the world.

Dave was nervous, worried about the rest of the party arriving and the everything else. It was only when they arrived and Jake and him could set off for the Chapel Room that he relaxed and was able to flash a big grin at Jake.

5 minutes later, Tara arrived with her dad and Sophie and Emily. I think most brides would have been stressed at the rain, but not Tara. She arrived laughed and joked about it, and then headed up what seemed like 1000 steps - in heals, to the Chapel.

One of the few pictures of both girls under the umbrella - I love this shot of them both looking at their flowers and sorting out their dresses.

I love this picture too - it really shows what the weather was like - properly unleashing all its might.

Having made it to the top of the Castle Tara and the girls had a quiet few minutes to gather themselves, comb hair and shake off the rain. You can see Emily grinning at Tara with excitement.I love the backdrop here, the old limestone which has been dyed over the years. The different nooks and crannies, which make it seem like a Mediterranean church. Tara is waiting for the go-ahead from the registrar.

You can spy the sash of Tara's lovely dress, which was understated, modern and gorgeous.

Tara walking down the aisle with her dad - Tara's dad was hilarious, and full of stories.

How beautiful and romantic is the venue?! I think the registrar said it was build in the 12th century. I love the pointed ceiling, the old limestone walls, the lead windows, and the candles placed everywhere. It was so atmospheric.

The exchange of rings - Dave beaming and Tara serious.

I loved that I could move about a bit during the ceremony, so that I could get different angles. In terms of photography I didnt want to use a flash which would have been a distraction and instead set a really high iso (2000/2400), and as low as I could get my shutter speed (about 1/40).

Both Tara and Dave laughing as they are pronounced man and wife - dont worry the kiss came after this!

I love this framed shot of Tara concentrating on signing the register with Dave looking on. The light is streaming in from the window and shining on the marriage certificate.

Yeay - the happy couple walking down the aisle, their first steps as man and wife.

Here's a picture of Tara's bouquet, lilly's and orchids.

Tara's sister Hil had managed to smuggle in confetti and armed the girls with it. I love the natural expressions. After the confetti Tara threw her bouquet, which both boys (Jake and Thomas) caught!!

Tara had arranged for some dressing up kit to be left in the rooms so that the kids could muck around whilst the rest of the family were celebrating with champagne. I physically laugh out loud every time I see this picture. The girls by-passed the princess outfits for swords and armour and proceeding to "attack" the older boys. I asked them to give me a couple of poses between fighting and this is what they did! Love it.

Both Tara and Dave told me they werent that keen on having their picture taken (like me), but they were so natural in front of the camera - Tara's beaming and Dave couldnt stop smiling.

La cake!Beautiful beautiful table setting. Candles, wooden heart shaped place settings made by Nicola (the wedding planner), bags of old style retro sweets, and presents for the children. Le Chef created the wedding breakfast of melon start, roast beed and trio of deserts - what a banquet.

ANd here's the castle - so impressive. I wanted to get a night time shot which I thought would be more atmospheric using the lights from the houses shinning on the sea, and the castle lit up. Photography wise, I was on about 2000 iso and 1/8 f2.8...which meant lots of breathing in, steady hand and standing in the water....so preoccupied was I that it got properly dark and I couldnt find my way off the beach. oops. Anyway, I think the final shots were worth it.

Bud

2010-08-06T17:53:00.005+01:00

The phone goes...."hey bud", its my sister, my best friend and the person who I chat rubbish with, laugh with, tell my innermost thoughts and feelings to and go off on mad crazy adventures with. And this year we have been faced with some pretty tough stuff yet she has been so positive and just pretty much fantastic....this year was also her 30th, and to celebrate the family de-camped up to Wales, for lots of eating, drinking and boules playing! Happy Birthday Bud, chickadee, swiss cheese, best friend ever!

I havent sorted out the photos from this year, so here's a few from last year's celebrations with our bro.

Claire & Matt's country wedding

2010-06-23T08:59:00.023+01:00

The sun was bright red and setting behind fields of yellow flowers and I was speeding along the empty road towards a tiny pub where the sound of a band and merriment was coming from. Claire and Matt had invited me to their familie's local where Matt's dad was playing in a band - a rehearsal for the wedding the next day...It was fab to meet both families and the ushers, best man and bridesmaids as well as listen to the music.

Next morning it was early bird call, checking equipment and eating a very big breakfast before heading over to the hairdressers where I was meeting Claire and her mum and sisters. From there the wedding had started!! I loved every minute, from the bacon sandwiches being made in the morning, the sibling banter whilst getting ready, and then high tailing it to the gorgeous Ersham Hall where the wedding ceremony and reception were taking place. Matt being nervous, and Claire all calm before the ceremony, and then the laugher, happiness and fun that was the rest of the day and into the night. Claire is lovely, she makes sure everyone's ok, is organised, and dependable. Matt is hilarious, mucking around and funloving. But its when they are together that you really see how well they "fit". They compliment each other so well and you can see in the quiet moments that they know each other totally and love each other for everything that the other is. Here are a few of my favourite photographs..

I love the block colour that the barn doors provided for a fab backdrop!

Here are the bridesmaids waiting for Claire to arrive - it was tipping with rain but luckily the portico on the front of Ersham hall was great for sheltering under! This is where the group pics took place too.
I love this picture of Claire getting out of the car and her dad hurrying around to help her.

I think it was a bit emotional for Claire's dad, but Claire was totally calm, and radiant too.

Here are the two best men, after this shot they both gave Matt a kiss...in fact there was a lot of boy kissing at the wedding!

Its great when I can photograph the ceremony. Here I was able to, and I really think if you can, make sure your photographer can photograph what is taking place. I know that it will go in a blur and that its ultimately your day (not the vicars or the registrar's). I always like to chat to whoever's conducting the ceremony beforehand, just to double check what I can do, and if its possible to persuade them (if they're not keen on having photographs taken), that I wont use a flash, move around or interrupt the ceremony in any way.
I love this picture, Claire looking at the registrar and Matt looking at Claire. Beautiful.

La Kiss!
This was one of the confetti shots - not sure if you can see the detail, but its always fun to get a wider angle shot and see what people are doing.

Between the rain clouds we scurried outside to where I had spotted some flowering cow parsley which was great to use as a backdrop to Claire and Matt. Proper country wedding.

The inside of Ersham Hall is beautiful. It is a privately owned and Annabel who runs all the events here is fab. A proper ball of energy and loveliness. I wish I could live here. The rooms were great too - not too big but still beautifully decorated (the gold leaf and chandeliers), and great to photograph.

When Matt said "we will never walk alone" to Claire's dad who is an Everton fan (you can see his head in his hands).
Lovely moment of Claire and Matt laughing. They have been together for over nine years so all their friends knew them both.

Queuing up for the Hog Roast.

The first dance, the lighting was beautiful - the DJ had a great set of lights, and it made such a difference to photograph. I truly believe that the lighting will make the difference to the atmosphere in the room. I like to shoot with a minimal flash so that it doesnt burn the lights but still brings focus to the shot. Please please if you have a DJ make sure they provide good lighting!

Beautiful dress - love the train.

I took this shot of Matt dancing with each grandma - how fab are they to be tearing up the dancefloor.
The boys, also tearing up the dancefloor. Again, such great DJ lighting makes my job of creating beautiful pictures all the more easier to do.

Weddings and Italy

2010-06-15T19:32:00.009+01:00

So its been a crazy busy last couple of weeks for me - two weddings in the space of two weeks! I was in heaven.... what an amazing time. I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think that I can do what I do - I love it! Meeting new people, going to new places, the excitement and interpretation that each wedding brings, the whoop (sometimes whispered) when I feel I've nailed a shot, the utter exhaustion too - in a good way, when I am on my way home, bones aching but smiling at the memories I have of the wedding and the photos I think I have captured.....so my lovely readers, get ready for some blogging wedding overload in the next few weeks...think private manor house, Jane Austin type bride, cracking disco lights, hog roast and rocknroll dad. And, think wuthering heights castle in a storm, candles, family, laughter and laidback loveliness.

So I should probably get back to post production (and off Facebook!) here are a few photographs I took last summer walking in the mountains with my mum in Italy (we flew into Venice)...

Rugby

2010-06-06T18:31:00.008+01:00

Its 7:30am and Im in Paddington train station half asleep watching a bunch of guys in yellow and green crack open cans of beer and start blowing a brightly coloured horn. Yep Im off on a three hour journey with what seems like all the South Africans living in London up to Wales to watch the rugby. Feeling somewhat outnumbered I text my sis who is coming from Pembrokeshire and who reassures me her train is full of red shirted Welsh supporters. Ive never been to a match before but this is a birthday present to my mum so its great to meet up with the whole family and spend the next 90 minutes cheering, yelling and singing.....unfortunately South Africa just won but actually it was the atmosphere in the stadium and singing Bread of Heaven that will stick with me. Here are a few photographs I took....(luckily the water got confiscated but not the camera).

Annabel and Tom's London Wedding

2010-06-02T11:25:00.016+01:00

It was always going to be a fantastic wedding, from the moment I met Annabel across the table in Cha Cha Moon. Im not usually so forward but when your sitting elbow to elbow and hearing the girly chat of what sounded like an amazing wedding I had no choice but to say hi - it was fate. So, it was with a whoop that Annabel called and asked me to be their photographer....This couple is perfect, honestly. With a mixture of cheekiness from Tom, pure loveliness from Annabel and two people totally in love. And how do you celebrate this - with a low key, modern wedding, with Annabel getting ready at home while Tom headed to the pub for one (or two) drinks before a ceremony in the beautiful Chelsea Registry Office, and a reception in their local pub - The Brown Dog, Barnes. I loved every minute of being a part of their wedding, it was such a relaxed affair, and did I mention totally gorgeous! Check out the photographs.....

I caught this picture of Tom, his brother and best man walking from the pub to Chelsea Registry Office - love it. London really lends itself to this type of photograph.

Arr yes, and the boys in the pub beforehand. Not sure what they were talking about but love the natural shot.
I wanted to create a striking picture of Annabel arriving at the Registry Office in what is otherwise just a stairway. By cross-exposing the picture I was able to get the yellow light from the chandelier in the stairway and create a darker blue than was actually there for the hallway. Love seeing Annabel's dad waiting for her at the top too.

It was so great to be able to take photographs during the ceremony!

Whoop - Confetti and congratulations as Tom and Annabel walk down the steps of Chelsea Registry Office. Spy the champagne bottle in Tom's hand - a gift from the bridesmaids for them to have on their cab journey to Barnes.

I spotted this shop just down the road from Chelsea Registry Office and thought it would be fab to use as a backdrop. Something totally different but great in creating a striking picture.

Humm, maybe I am having a thing with chandeliers but this is Della the best man delivering one of the funniest speeches I have ever heard. I love the fact that Tom and then Della stood up on their chairs to give their speeches (Tom without any notes - impressive).

As you can see - hilarious speeches!

The back of the pub was painted blue which was a perfect backdrop for the bridesmaids dresses. I had to do a bit of photoshop work to get rid of the windows..but hopefully you wouldnt notice. They were fab bridesmaids too - Carly gave a speech and together with Sasha made the delicious wedding cupcakes and Katie flew all the way back from Hong Kong especially!!

At the end of Tom's speech he said "my dad gave me some advice, marry a kind girl - and I have." So difficult to take pictures when welling up but he's right Annabel is lovely, and here we did a few pictures of her outside their first home (which was just behind the pub).

Love this picture of everyone during the speeches - I think everyone is laughing!

This is Tom and Annabel's home which is gorgeous. They were given a wedding card with "The Kiss" by Robert Doisneau and by chance the way they stood outside is exactly the same stance as the couple Doisneau photographed at Hotel de Ville 50 years ago. Love it so much!

The lighting was amazing in the pub - yellow/purple/blue. It makes it so much more atmospheric when I can use a high iso and just a touch of flash without burning the natural light. Here the boys wanted a pic with Annabel's bouquet?!!

At about 10pm we took a few pictures outside. I love this, no flash, just the light from the pub lighting up Annabel's beautiful dress and them walking away down the road.

Do you love your photographer?

2010-05-15T09:46:00.008+01:00

So Im holed up in the Den, coffee on the brew and doing the post production of Annabel and Tom's wedding I shot last week - think strawberry blonde, gorgeous heart shaped dress, laid back atmosphere, reception in the pub and the nicest couple ever!...ooh cant cant wait to share it with you all...next week.

In the meantime, I thought I would share with you some thoughts I had on being a photographer. Yep, its the most amazingly fantastic job - I love it. And I think thats the secret, I really do love what I am doing. I'll spend hours thinking about your wedding, what we can do for some slightly posed shots - pushing the boundaries and thinking what would suit you as a couple. I agonise over what lenses and angles I want to shoot in. I write up a schedule of what you are doing on the day, and meet up with you before hand - usually over a glass of wine to chat about the wedding but also for you to get to know me and for me to get a glimpse of who you are.

Yes finding a photographer that shoots in your style is SOO important, but equally important is to feel comfortable in front of them. In terms of me, I think you have to be relaxed in front of the camera and to do that the photography has to be something that is fun, enjoyable and laid back. I will have a laugh with you and your family and friends, the group shots will be painless (promise - no bossing around or waiting around), and we'll have some fun with the posed shots. And, if your happy and relaxed it absolutely radiates from the photograph, and my job becomes easy in capturing amazingly beautiful photographs of you and those candid moments that happen. So, make sure you love your photographer!

I cant leave without some photographs - here are some I took on midsummers last year - if your relaxed in front of the camera, it suddenly becomes to fun to have photographs taken!

Buying a camera

2010-05-09T18:54:00.005+01:00

I often get asked about buying cameras so I thought I would share some of my views and hopefully tips to make it less of a mine-field!

Tips for SLR's (thats single lens reflex cameras - the ones where you can alter the settings manually and change the lens)

1. Canon and Nikon are the leading makes (ie they have invested heavily into the digital market and have the cutting edge technology).

2. There's no real difference between the two really - just depends which you like in your hands most - so go to a shop and ask to handle both makes (it doesnt matter which model as they standardise how the camera body works through the ranges).

3. Bear in mind once you've made a decision you will probably stick with the same make forever!

4. Im a Canon girl and they bring out a new model in the entry level SLR's pretty much every year. The new models are always expensive and although they may have more pixels in my view they're not all that much "improved" from the older models..So buy second hand! check out mifsuds.

5. With your second hand body you have more money to spend on the lens. Yay. This is crucial and where you should spend your money. A good lens is going to give you way better pictures than the latest body in the range you want is. Good glass creates good pics. When I started in wedding photography I had a Canon 400D but it was the lenses I invested it.

6. Which means dont buy the kit lens.

7. So you need a lens think what you want to photograph - if its portraits maybe a zoom lens would be good. If its close up details buy a macro lens and if its landscapes a wide angle lens may be what you need. If your unsure I would get a 50mm lens (which is the lens that pretty much shoots what you see in terms of distance).

And just in case you were wondering this is what I use:

Canon 5D Mk II

Canon 40D

Canon 400D (back-up)

Canon 50mm L f1.2 mm lens

Canon 24-70 L f2.8 mm lens

Canon 70-200 L f4 mm lens

Canon 85mm L 1.2 mm lens

Canon Speedlite EX580 II

I like to shoot quickly without a flash so, I just have two cameras on me, and mainly use a combination of 3 lenses - all of which are really fast (the smaller the f number the faster they are).

Here are a couple of pictures of me and Emmanuel on a walk a couple of weeks ago (before it turned to winter again!).

Wedding Album

2010-05-05T18:55:00.008+01:00

Whilst Im preping my equipment for Friday's wedding (cant wait - will blog about it next week but its going to be fab) I thought I would talk some about the albums I design and print for you guys....Yep, I am fanatical about quality which I reckon should run from the photographs that I take to the post production and the album that will house the photographs for your lifetime. It took me a while to find the perfect album - trawling photography conventions, chatting to people, reading forums and blogs, checking out the market before finally settling on Graphistudio Albums.

The quality of the pages are superb - thick (like card), and beautifully finished (no gold guilt edges - sorry its not me), but straight edges immaculately cut. The photographs themselves are printed directly onto the pages on indelible ink - this means the colours wont fade and stay as bright and as fresh as when it comes from their press (which is over in Venice). It is also the only company that have the copyright and technology to print over the binding of the album - this is fantastic when you have a really wide-angle photograph that can be printed over two pages with no split in the picture.

Here are a few pictures of an album I recently finished - Sue, the mother whose birthday I photographed had this to say

"Hi Natasha, just to re-affirm in writing how thrilled I am with the album - it is really lovely and a fantastic reminder of a truly wonderful day. The black cover, inscription and the pictures are so eye-catching yet so simple. Thank you so much for all your hard work".

India Wedding

2010-05-03T12:41:00.018+01:00

Yes I will travel anywhere around the world if you would like me to be your wedding photographer, but for this wedding I was a bridesmaid...although I couldnt help but shove a camera in my handbag...

Day one started in the Leela Hotel in Kovalem with an evening beach party. The hotel was a bit basic but we got by!!!

Day two of the wedding. The ceremony was fantastic, a mixture of Christian and Hindu traditions - so you had a raised platform with an open fire, fruit, incense, strings of flowers draped as an awning, and the best, craziness Hindu priest ever!!

Day three was a celebration on the top of a hotel roof with a million of Chitra's relatives...It was lit beautifully, and such fun with a DJ, mountains of food and plenty of beer and rum and a drum welcome!!

India

2010-05-03T12:19:00.011+01:00

Its bank holiday monday here in the UK so I have a little bit of time to share with you my trip to India before the craziness of the next few months of weddings every couple of weeks - yay!

So, I was on my way to India to see two of my very best friends get married. I had a couple of days before the celebrations started so here are a few pictures of what I got up to...I didnt think I would like India if Im honest - Im not good at seeing poverty, its too emotional, but India is a wonder. It is such a positive happy and beautiful country and people. Yes there is rubbish everywhere, but that coupled with the smell of jasmine and incense in the air, the laughing and inquisitive nature of the people, the bright colours, intense flavours of foods and unbelievable hotness makes it intoxicating.

Georgina and Stuart's Oxford organic wedding

2010-04-24T10:31:00.014+01:00

I got out of the train to the rain lashing down and the sky dark with forbidding clouds...oh dear, this wasnt the perfect spring weather I had been hoping for, and this certainly wasnt the right coat to be wearing! But as I entered Harris Manchester College, Oxford and saw the beautiful settings that had been arranged in the Arlosh Hall my excitement grew for what was a brilliant wedding - hells bells to the rain!

The whole ethos of the wedding was to be easy on the environment, so the flowers were locally grown (by Bath Organic Blooms) and there were baskets of wild and spring flowers as table decorations that could be taken away by the guests at the end of the day. The cake was baked and decorated by a friend of Stuart's mum's and the band - the Sultana Brothers (which were rocking) was from where Georgina's family are based in Shropshire....best of all everyone was fed by home reared lamb and watered by a keg of good old beer.

Georgina is hilarious - she's so funny and easy going and amazingly clever. Stuart is perfect for her as she is for him, being the quieter but strong in his support of her. Together they make a truly perfect match...something you could see all day, from the quiet look when they met at the alter, to the laugher they shared afterwards as their family congratulated them and their amazing first dance at the end of the night. Here are a few of my favourite pictures...

I love this picture of Bo, Georgina's sister Elizabeth and Georgina's mum all helping her into her dress - swoon, how fab was the dress?! Lots of lace but also a great overlay of lace with stitched polkadots - it really stood out when it came to the dancing in St Edmonds Hall with the purple lighting.
I love this one too - Elizabeth and Emily sorting out the train of Georgina's dress.

Stuart looking down the aisle as Georgina is walking towards him - this gives me goosebumps - I know it doesnt seem much, but its the look that Stuart has. Love it.

And here's Georgina with her dad - beaming!

We had a really fun - and quick photoshoot, and this was one of the pictures where they are both smiling at the camera (rather than cracking up laughing which each other).

I grabbed this picture as they were walking back to their guests after our shoot - it just came together.
The reception and the speaches were fantastic, and so much laughter and a laid back atmosphere it was great. I love this picture of Elizabeth laughing...I would say in terms of photograph, whilst round tables seem to be the trend, its the long tables that are the best for photographing - you can get lots more people in a frame, and it is easier to take more candid pics of people...just in case you were wondering whether to have long tables Id say Definitely!

The evening dancing and merriment took place in St Edmonds Hall, which was a short walk from Harris Manchester College. So at about 8pm all the guests armed themselves with lanterns and walked down old alleyways to arrive at St Edmonds Hall...Photography wise I didnt want to use a flash - it would have killed the atmosphere, so instead had a high ISO and hired a particularly fast lens for the occasion (50mm L f1.2)...and hopefully you agree it was worth it - I think so!

I love this picture - look closely, you have the singer of the band, the best man grinning, someone taking a picture, one of the bridesmaids looking on, and a couple wrapped in each other - and then you have Georgina and Stuart and that dress, lit up - beautiful.

This is a picture of the Arlosh Hall whilst everyone was inside eating pudding. I dashed out before the light went completely and took a series of pictures...this is where the rain can really work well, reflecting the light from windows on the wet surfaces. Love the atmosphere of this shot.

Photoshoot part deux

2010-04-18T12:42:00.006+01:00

Ive just come back from India and am bursting with ideas and general enthusiasm for colour, light and jasmine. I'll be blogging about the wedding I went to there in a couple of days, as well as putting up some pics of the gorgeous wedding I photographed for Georgina and Stuart in Oxford a few weeks ago...In the meantime here is part two of the photoshoot I did with Rebecca.

Wham, the bright red of the stairs really hits you and shows of the brilliant white of Rebecca's dress. Love this picture - some passers by had just shouted "congratulations"!!
The light was fading as I took a series of shots of Rebecca on the pier. Although I had in my mind's eye using the pier slats to draw in the eye, this is the photograph I love the most...Its rather haunting...It also shows off the back of her dress perfectly.

This was a bit of a fun location - I found the boat, together with Banksy graffiti of Super Woman (which I think was rather apt), and just asked Rebecca to lean away from it. The daylight had properly gone, but with a high ISO I was able to get this without a flash.

This was Rebecca's idea of throwing the bouquet and it worked so well. I think there was a little bit of luck involved - from the fab throw, to me catching the moment of the bouquet between panels. I didnt have the camera on continuous shutter, I find I often miss that crucial moment if I do, plus it means I have about 20 photographs to pick through in post production.

This was a bit of fun too - Rebecca holding her shoes waiting for a bus...what with me the other side of the road the poor bus driver didnt realise it was a shoot, and asked Rebecca if she needed a lift!!!

Treasure the Dress Photoshoot

2010-04-04T12:15:00.005+01:00

The sun is shining outside and I can smell Easter dinner cooking - yumm....So, whilst I wait for the turkey to crisp up, I thought I would blog about the photoshoot I did with Rebecca. If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll remember that I did a photoshoot with Miranda and mentioned I had also shot another bride at the same time - well this was with the gorgeous Rebecca with her absolutely stunning dress an parasol! I chose the same locations but shot each bride at different angles and places to set off their dresses and personalities. Rebecca was fab - it can be difficult having a photographer with their lens in your face asking you relax - I know I am the worst person to be in front of a camera, but Rebecca took it in her stride...First up are pictures that I took in the Rookery in Streatham - not the most glamorous of places but with a bit of thought, some unusual angles and some luck with the sun coming out I think they look pretty amazing!

Photograph techie stuff - for this shot I really wanted to show off Rebecca's gorgeous dress. So by placing her on the steps, facing the sun, slightly underexposed to get the textures of the dress and the silhouette of the tree this photograph came together. Although I dont really do much "extreme" photoshop work, I did make the sash of Rebecca's dress a mirror image on each side - it saved time on the day of trying to get it to match - which would have been so difficult to do.

I love this picture - Rebecca's face lit up by the low-light sunshine and smiling, looking away from the camera. I think its always so much easier not to look at the camera and smile, and much prefer it rather than a false "rabbit in the headlights" kind of a look. Good zoom lens also helps - I always shoot on L series Canon lenses - this is the 70-200 f4 (it is so flattering).

Again another dress gorgeousness shot - I think the dress speaks so much about the bride and I know that it can cost rather a lot, so have fun, make the most of it, ask your photographer to shoot the dress and not just on the hanger but on you! Rebecca's dress came alive when she was wearing it, and was perfect for her. So if like her's you have a sweeping back or fab details, make sure your photographer knows about it and is willing to photograph it.

Stay tuned for more of Rebecca's photoshoot being posted later!

Mum

2010-03-26T11:35:00.006Z

I am dedicating this blog entry to my mum! Yep, I know mothers day was a couple of weekends ago now, but for the last few months my mum has been an absolute rock for me...I think you can take things for granted so much when times are good and its only when things are difficult that you realise that you must make the most of every single thing. Family is so important, and without my mum to listen, give me the support and reassurance I need, and always be there for me - whether its just to call and ask if Im ok, to saying she will drive the four hours it takes to get to London just so that she can give me a hug Im not sure how I would be able to get through the tough times. So, heres to you mum, I love you so much!

And thinking about mums, I know that sometimes the mums can get a bit overlooked at a wedding. Its your dad that walks you down the aisle and then gives a speech, he is the one with the jobs that will get him photographed. So, always make sure that the photographer knows you and your families and can take pictures of your mum too. Last week I was photographing Georgina's wedding and love the pictures I have of her mum coming in whilst she is getting ready, settling nerves, talking to the little flower girl, helping Georgina into her dress - yes mum's play an important role too, it just needs to be shouted about a bit more I reckon.

Georgina's wedding will be up in a few weeks time - get ready for old architecture lit up at night, candles and organic baskets of flowers, smiles everywhere, a rocking first dance and a beautiful dress. In the meantime here are a few pics of my mum (being my model as I practice with a new lens).

Spring-time Weddings

2010-03-16T20:36:00.008Z

Tonight I am busy checking my equipment, writing notes on exposures and going through the wedding that I am going to be photographing this Saturday. Yep, Im just a little over organised, but like to be prepared....I know there are other gorgeous brides getting married this weekend too (sorry that I cant be there photographing your weddings), but I will be thinking of you. I know each wedding is going to be fantastic!...from the country Afternoon Tea, to the Hog Roast and the red dressed Registry Office wedding - I hope the sun shines on us all!!

Fashion Blog

2010-03-14T09:13:00.005Z

So Im sitting in the den, pot of coffee next to me and a bowel of raisins (seem to be clean out of food) and was trying to get down and do my accounts....yawn...but just been on my friend's blog and had to tell you all about it because its amazing. Emilie is one of those girls who's effortlessly fashionable, mixing things you would never think to wear together. She's french and been in fashion, well, ever since I've known her, and has worked for all sorts of amazing designers such as Giles Deacon.

In her blog Emilie tells you whats going on in the fashion world from the catwalks - no need to buy Grazia any more (but I may still have to get Tatler and Cosmo Bride - its an addiction), lots of beautifully drawn pictures and ideas which just make you want to be more creative yourself and gives you an excuse to run to your wardrobe and re-look at your dresses that you never wear and the shoes you adore. Plus she also gives you the heads up in whats happening in London, which is fab - even if its just so you can swoon outside a new shop opening! Check out her blog. As ever I couldnt leave without posting a few pics, and considering the fashion world is pretty much french - here's a few photographs I took when I was last in Paris.

Photobooth Say Fromage

2010-03-07T17:04:00.012Z

Quite suddenly it all went quiet - the last guests had made their way indoors for the reception dinner and I found myself able to run around outside taking pictures of the venue and all the candles as the moon was coming up and the last glimmer of light remained. Once I'd finished I headed back to the door I had come out of to find that it was locked tight shut and a guy was putting a TV screen on it??!...humm..I think my look of panic must of registered and the guy pointed to where there was another door. This was how I met Oliver from Say Fromage, a photobooth company who are fab. Unlike other companies the equipment they use is a lot easier to assemble and doesn't take up too much space and also makes them very competitive price wise...Plus you may get Oliver who was great fun and able to tell a few juicy photobooth stories!

So, you have the photographer why have a photobooth?? Because its hilarious - giving you all those pics of your friends and family mucking around having fun!! Yes, you need a professional wedding photographer too but this is such a great way of capturing some other types of shots, and in my opinion a million times better that leaving disposable cameras on tables or polaroids - both of which can get forgotten, lost, produce under exposed shots, needs someone to coordinate the process etc. Here's a few photographs I took of the photobooth which shows you what happens...

1. Find a load of friends and pile into the photobooth where you get 4 shots taken of you.

2. Next you wait for the photos to appear on the TV screen by the booth.

3. Scream with laughter as the photos come up!

3. Get given all the shots on photographic paper - to treasure forever, naturally!

4. You dont get this in the package by the way, its Em and I in the booth - couldnt resist having a go!

Featured on RocknRoll bride website

2010-03-03T19:21:00.003Z

Eeeee......eeee..... very excited (in oh such a professionally, calm way of course?!) to be featured by the fantastic Kat at rocknrollbride which is the most amazingly brilliant website ever. Not only does it get updated every day, Kat sources all sorts of different weddings and photoshoots which are huge in terms of inspiration and really throw a different light on what a wedding can be. So, without further ado, whilst I start dancing in the flat - here's little old me's link

And here's a pic from the shoot which I think sums up how I am feeling right now - whoop!

Emma & Gen's wedding, Henley on Thames

2010-02-24T23:13:00.014Z

I jumped out of bed and flung back the curtains to the sun just rising and a light layer of snow covering the garden...Today it was Emma and Gen's wedding and I couldnt wait...so much so that we (thats me and my fantastic boyfriend who was my second photographer for the day) were on the train and heading to Henley-on-Thames early bird style - I figured that the snow would melt and needed to get some shots of Phyllis Court (where the reception was being held) before it did.

Wow, what a day! From the sandwiches and make-up of Emma and the girls getting ready, to the entrance at the church to a piano solo of Laila, the fabulous Long Dragon Dress by Alice Temperley, the ceremony and the walking down the asile.... back outside and into the late afternoon sunshine, the happiness and sunglasses, the car and the waves goodbye, the arrival at Phyllis Court to a touch-up of make-up and a quick photo session next to the river....the evening light and torches lighting the way to the reception from the Bandstand, the fairylights inside, the speeches and the "crisp tasting", the beautifully designed order of service, menus and little touches...the laughter, the absolutely stunning bride, cool groom and equally gorgeous guests, the photo booth and the cake, the first dance and the crazy dancing that followed. Yep, it was fantastic, here are a few pictures...

Emma arriving at the church with mum in the background...I used the line of the wall to create a more graphic shot which draws the eye in.

This shot is always tricky to pull off, but with my Speedlite flash it gives just enough light to freeze frame the shot without being blowing the exposure - which is really important especially when there were candles lighting the church.

To get this shot I was in the porch of the church tip-toeing on a bench to peek through one of the cut-out wooden shapes in the entrance...lucky for me the sun was back lighting Emma and Gen and the confetti being thrown.

I always do a visit to the venue before the wedding and had seen this shot when doing so...It was perfect with the sun setting and by altering the exposure to enhance the affect I was able to create this beautiful shot. Plus by shooting close to the water's edge (make that very close) I was able to get the tree in the frame too.

This shot just came together. I had an idea that I wanted to capture a shot of the cake at night (rather than during the day before the guests sit down), and by lining up the fairy lights in the background I was able to frame the cake perfectly. Its a proper magical shot I think...yum

I love this picture of Emma and Gen - a moment stolen after they had just come in to the reception room and sat down...This is what I love to capture.

Dancing to 500 miles by the Proclaimers was always going to mean a fast first dance... I wanted to capture the atmosphere and a sense of speed, so I kept my shutter speed slower (1/60) and my flash under exposed - yes there is some blur, but good, real life, in the action blur!

Here's one of my boyfriend Emmanuel's photos - love it! I think that by this point in the evening the ties were well and truly being loosened.

A deep breath, slow shutter speed - I think I was 1/8, and as big an aperture as possible (f3.2) - which wasnt much but being dark with no tripod thats the way it had to be...and amazingly, the depth of field held good. Yeay. Love the stormy effect from the full moon and clouds too!

Thank You

2010-02-23T22:54:00.006Z

Big sorry for the lack of recent blogs...life has been happening whilst I was busy making other plans! But, one thing is for sure, my time away from the slightly obsessive wedding photography has really made me think, and although its no eureka moment the importance of family and being there for each other is something I have learnt not to take for granted and really treasure. I guess this is what weddings are all about - its the start of building a family, and is something that should be celebrated!

Anyways, enough philosophy. This weekend I got a lovely thank you card (and scrummy chocolates) from the gorgeous Beccy and her husband Pete whose wedding I photographed last August. I am always so critical and spend hours pouring over the photos I have taken for each wedding looking at how I can improve that its the best thing ever - I mean it - to get feedback from my couples (especially when they are so glowing - yeay). Here's a couple of photographs from their wedding.

Can you spy the "heart" created by the sun's rays in the photograph...it was only in the post production that I spotted it, but how fab is that!

Evening light at Bank

2010-02-03T20:05:00.005Z

Phew, its been a hectic few days, with an event to photograph on Thursday and then a wedding on Saturday....you'll have to stay tuned for the photographs from Emma and Gen's fabulous wedding - think a light dusting of snow, clear blue skies, sun shining, fairy lights and the most gorgeous bride and trendiest groom ever!

So, whilst Im doing the post production of their photographs I'm going to share a couple of pics I took after the event I photographed as I stepped outside and into an amazing sunset. This is fast becoming a fascination on how to create the perfect exposure for evening shots. Always fab for a wedding, it holds a magical quality as the sun sets and the lights come on. Photography wise its tricky. Unless you have a tripod (which I dont like to cart around) its a question of a long exposure - slow shutter speed (if you can do it 1/8 or 1/13), as high an f number (aperture) as you can go (so f8 upwards if pos) and a very steady hand! I have to bump up the ISO which means a bit of grain, but hells bells, if I can capture the atmosphere thats fine by me.

Alternative gift list

2010-01-29T10:12:00.013Z

I know the gift list for weddings can be a real headache - do you have a list at John Lewis, what do you ask for - is it obligatory to have whiskey glasses?? Do you really want them or are you trying to help out your guests who are in an equal quagmire of uncertainty over what to get...It got me to thinking - there are some fabulous things out there that just need shouting about which could be the best gifts ever! Things that are unique, beautiful and real treasures that you can love forever. So, here are a couple of ideas:

Chris is a friend and an amazing pencil artist. He's exhibited all over the UK and his drawings are intricate, evocative works of art. He specialises in drawing animals, both the domestic kind and those in the wild...working for Born Free means he usually has a story to tell behind his drawings, like Bella the lioness he rescued. Check out his website and see what else he's been up to...by the way he donates a percentage of sales to Born Free too!

My dad is an exceptional woodworker and upholsterer, and specialises in restoring antiques. He is a wealth of knowledge on pretty much anything to do with architecture, art and antiques in any period, and is amazingly talented in both restoring and recreating pieces. At the moment he has Chippendale style mirrors made out of old elm beautifully hand crafted for sale at £49 a pop - how good is that! He also has other antiques for sale - if you're interested in buying a mirror or want more info on what he has at the moment please contact me.

This one is work in progress...

Trash the Dress/Rock the Frock (part four)

2010-01-25T17:54:00.007Z

Ok, this is going to be the last blog entry for the photoshoot with Miranda (see the entries below for earlier blogs about the photoshoot)...watch out for the other photographs I took with the equally gorgeous Rebecca which I'll be posting in the next couple of weeks (had to split them as you can obviously see I have far to much to say on each location and photo)!

So, the sun had set and it was a question of dashing to the next place I had in mind before it got dark...

This was a great location - I spied it on my search for good locations and had lots of fun changing the exposures, and using it as an outside studio (you'll have to wait for Rebecca's pics to find out what else we did)....Here I used the umbrella as a reflector so that Miranda's face was lit up.

I love this picture - it represents what I wanted the photoshoot to feel like - fairytale magic! Miranda is holding the mirror I mentioned in the last blog (its not a rattle!).

I am inspired by lots of photographers and this was a shot that I think maybe, just maybe looks a tiny bit like the magic of Ben Chrisman - a wedding photographer in America...Love the bright pink lights, the cars creating a sense of speed and abstractness with Miranda framed in the middle.

The final shot - although I was waiting for everything to come together I reckon I was a bit lucky that it all did! This is a really busy road in London, and between me trying not to get Miranda run over or me run over, to keep the cars out of the frame but to use their headlights as a spotlight on Miranda was perhaps asking too much...somehow it happened though!

Finally big thank you to my beautiful brides Miranda and Rebecca (who you'll meet in a couple of weeks), Ruth the hair and make-up artist, and Marilyn at Sarah Ashley florists for your hard work, patience in the cold, sense of fun and all being totally brilliant!

Trash the Dress/Rock the Frock (part three)

2010-01-24T09:40:00.008Z

Next up a photoshoot idea I have had for ages. It all started with bright pink fairytale hand-held mirror that I bought which gave me the idea for this...rock with a bit of fun, fairytale magic...hummm does that make sense?! Anyway, Ruth sourced the perfect matching shade of pink for Miranda's lips and Marilyn from Sarah Ashley created the mix of pink gerberas with little dusty pink flowers poking up between making it look natural, and finished with ferns...the look was completed with some heart glassed and a bit of graffiti!!

Some technical details for the photographers - I didnt use a flash, instead I had a Canon 5D MarkII with a Canon 28-70 L series lens...great for this type of location where you dont want a flash (do you ever?) but need to get some crisp, colourful shots in a dark location with the sun setting...The lens is fast, the body has a fab range on the ISO and the canon sensor loves the colour.

I love this shot! It was getting cold and we had been shooting for a little bit - I just managed to capture Miranda biting her lip. Fab.

This shot really came together, its so dramatic and direct, inviting you into the picture. Miranda was incredible, and with the fan and her tiara (both of which she used for her own wedding), and the background, I think this is magical.

I had to pluck up the courage to ask the skater boys that use the area if we could do a quick shoot...Thankfully they were great in clearing some space and ended up watching...think they may have fallen in love with Miranda too...

OK, I seem to be making this the biggest entry to my blog ever, so have decided to leave the last two locations for next time...think big urban brightly lit landscapes, cars, night-time and big screens (hopefully whetted your appetite)!

Trash the Dress/Rock the Frock (part two)

2010-01-24T09:06:00.007Z

After the shoot in the park (see the blog below) we had a quick pit-stop for food and make-up retouching before heading out to the urban location (if you know London I'm sure you can spy where we were!)....This is where the fun really started - the freedom of being able to shoot and direct the shot and create some really different photographs for my brides is what I was after. Once again hair and makeup were done by Ruth and flowers by Sarah Ashley.....

First up, the most brilliant blue stairwell with angles, directional light and a very graphic feel...there was also the added challenge of the unsuspecting public using the stairs and coming face to face with a bride - the reactions were fab, and my ever brilliant bride took it in her stride.

Trash the Dress/Rock the Frock

2010-01-23T15:45:00.008Z

I could hear their voices before the knocking on the door - laughing and excitedly chatting in they burst with two huge bags (as well as quite a few other smaller ones) and through into the living room which had turned into a hair-dressers/make-up room for the morning. Muffins were fresh out of the oven, coffee was made and Ruth had the heated rollers at the ready.

Today I was photographing a "trash the dress" (although it was more a "rock the frock") photoshoot with two amazing brides. The professional hair and make-up artist was the lovely Ruth and we had flowers from Sarah Ashley - which were totally gorgeous and better than I could have imagined when trying to explain what I was after.

A photoshoot like this is always fab...not only does it give you a chance to legitimately wear your dress again, but it is so much fun. You're not thinking of whether everything is going ok or having a million people to chat to which you do on your wedding day. It's also a chance to take some more fashion-shoot style photographs, and to really rock that dress!

Here are a few shots of the beautiful Miranda in the first location we went to. Tomorrow's post will have photographs from the second location....and the photos from my other equally gorgeous bride will be posted in a week or so. Stay tuned.

Max and Si's wedding

2010-01-13T22:03:00.008Z

So, I was going to blog some of my fave photographs from last year's weddings...and whilst choosing one from Maxine and Simon's I realised I just had to dedicate the whole blog to their wedding...They are two of the sweetest people ever - Maxine is so considerate and kept asking if I was OK on her wedding day!...the guide notes to the ushers (which I had a peek at when on the bus to the reception) instructed them to make sure everyone was having a good time and drinking the drink - pretty laid back and fun loving, no?

Si and Max were lucky enough to have their ceremony in Magdalene College Chapel in Oxford. The candles were lit specially which made it look even more magical.

After the ceremony and the group shots Max, Si and I went for a little walk in the grounds - always recommend a few moments alone, and a chance to get some more formal shots which at the end of the day everyone always need...The sun came out (yeay) which meant I could get this shot of Maxine and her dress (from Stephaine Allin) with the sun shining through it. By the way, this was one of the most fabulous dresses ever - with a bustle and lots of lace...yum..

I love this shot - it was during the speeches when I spotted him playing with a puzzle toy, sitting on mum's lap, oblivious to what was going on around him. The light came together in the shot which makes it all the more 3d - with the candles and blue-ish tinge from the overhead lights.

Some more lights...this time outside the Tythe Barn, Bicester where Max and Si held their reception. Love the dramatic colour of the lights!! Did I mention how critical lighting is??!!

It was such a fab wedding I shot well into the night and ended up missing the last train home and having to go by night bus..oops...I love my job.

Norfolk photoshoot

2010-01-05T19:43:00.007Z

One very hot day this summer I found myself up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning. London was still sleeping and the roads empty as we left the city for the clean slightly salty sea air and lush fields of Norfolk. As the roads got smaller and the grass on either side got longer, we arrived at a beautiful white house - getting out of the car we were greeted by the sound of a tractor mowing in a nearby field and the smell of cooking.

I had been invited to photograph a family get together as a birthday present for mum Sue. I had met most of the family before when one of my most lovelist of friends got married a couple of years ago, and it was with genuine warmth and joy that they all welcomed me to spend the afternoon with them....and by doing so, made my job easy in capturing the laughter and happiness of the day. It was such a privilege and such fun to do...here are a few pictures...

Winter weddings (and Christmas)

2009-12-29T13:04:00.007Z

Christmas day arrived with the sun rising over the snow covered hills, yellow and bright....so it wasnt long before breakfast was finished and we headed outside dusting off the snowboards and skis to get properly hungry for the turkey that was slowly roasting in the oven.

I am so excited to be photographing a winter wedding this year. I know its becoming popular to have your wedding outside of the busy (more expensive) summer time, and it can be so lovely when you have a crisp cold day. In terms of photography you probably need to think about this more than if you have a summer wedding. My tips for making the most out of your winter wedding would be to have the ceremony as early as possible in the day, choosing a reception venue that is light (ie with lots of windows), and if you have candles its always good to have some other light too - eg fairy lights, oh yes and as ever - make sure your DJ or band have loads of disco lights! I try not to use a flash so none of these different atmospheric lights are burnt out. I hope this helps....

Here are a few photographs that I took at Christmas...

Coming home for Christmas

2009-12-24T17:03:00.006Z

As the train quietly chugged towards home, darkness descended and the snow began to fall, enveloping the train as it swirled around outside. So by the time we reached our stop my bro and I jumped off and practically ran to the waiting car... as we climbed the hill out of town my bro began offering encouraging comments like "it's not really that much snow", and "we have got so far so a little less to walk if we get stuck"...This coupled with mum's rally driving skills got us over the Common (think Dartmoor type countryside) and down the other side. The final push up to the house involves going on an even smaller road and then track - slowly we crept closer and closer until a little spin on some ice and acceleration brought us to the house - where the fire was burning, the lights twinkling and Freddie the cat waiting to greet us....

Here's a couple of pictures taken today...(dont worry the Geese will still be around after Christmas lunch!).

Let it snow let it snow let it snow.....

2009-12-22T21:24:00.003Z

So, like any intrepid Londoner over the last week I have been filled with excitement, as the cry goes up that its snowing, to the faint panic when faced with the journey home!! Crossing fingers for more at Christmas though...in the meantime here are a few pictures on the very first snowy morning we had.

Spanish Wedding at Almendrillo Villa

2009-12-15T23:38:00.008Z

I've just got an email from Emma and Mike the owners of a Spanish villa where I was lucky enough to photograph Nik and Lisa's amazing wedding earlier this year....and it got me thinking about it. I remember stepping off the plane and being hit with a hot breeze, scorching sunshine and brightly coloured bougainvillea everywhere. After an hour's drive which ended in a small climbing road bordered with wild poppies and olive trees I arrived to be greeted by a cold beer from the barrel, white-washed walls of the villa, trailing vines and Lisa's laughter coming from the kitchen.

What an amazing couple of days, and a truly beautiful wedding, made all the more so by the little touches - like Lisa's hand-picked bouquet of flowers, beer bottles used as vases, cream-white ribbons everywhere and candles lighting the pathways....although I nearly didnt make it after getting side-tracked taking pictures of the wild poppies as I walked down the hill in the evening after the rehearsal and getting hopelessly lost!!

Christmas down Carnaby Street and Selfridges

2009-12-11T20:45:00.005Z

It was with a mixture of love and fear that I hit the shops for a spot of Christmas shopping tonight....The Christmas songs, the faint panic that everyone seems to have bringing you all together, the free nibbles that you get given (sometimes) and the smell of roast chestnuts in the street....On the other hand its a bit of a mad dash around shops searching for that elusive present amid hundreds of other equally crazed people...arhhh, I still love it, it marks the fact that the "holidays are coming"...

Here's a few photos of Carnaby Street and Selfridges London all lit up this year.

Cake

2009-12-09T19:30:00.006Z

My mum and my Nana both cook alot! And raspberry sponge cake was a favourite when I was growing up. Light sponge in a square tin with an ample dose of raspberries scattered over the top. Fresh from the oven was always best when it was still hot and only just cooked...yum.

This year my brides have been totally unique with their choices of cake and have gone from a three tiered white iced carrot cake (because the lady loves), to individual cup cakes made by the mum (and tested by the brother), to crème brule. Cake to us girls is important...make that very important, although not as important as the photographer (yes I've seen cakes more expensive than me)! And a few tips from me...girls put your hands on top of your husband's - you dont want to have squished hands, try to remember to look at your photographer first (before looking at all the other cameras that suddenly appear) and if you have a tiered cake put the knife in at the bottom tier...oh yes and dont forget to try some yourself.

Here's a photo of a a passion fruit and summer pudding cake you can pick up from Yauatcha which do the most amazing French patisseries packaged in cute little boxes.

My Birthday

2009-12-06T19:36:00.005Z

Running in high heeled boots is never a good idea, but thats what I found myself doing last night on the way to one of my best friend's 30th birthday party. Breathless we found ourselves opening the door to the smell of tequila, raucous chatter and steaming pottery bowls filled with traditional Mexican food, finished with a rocking band. What a fab night (oh and it was my birthday too)...here are a few pictures.

Music

2009-12-05T12:52:00.013Z

I am always totally inspired by my friends who work so hard to do something they love. Its never an easy road, and I think it takes a lot of bravery and shear determination. Jody is an amazing singer with a rich deep voice that seems to caramel coat the notes he sings, and together with the rest of The Gadsdens has just released a single "Sailor Song". Check out their version of "Halo" too which is fantastic and totally gives Beyonce a run for her money!

Music is always such an important part of a wedding, especially in the evening when either the DJ or Band start to play...ties are loosened, heels are kicked off and the break dancing or Fred Astaire moves begin. If your're a bride-to-be I would always suggest you have your photographer stay after your first dance to capture some of the fun.

Here are a few photographs of the party getting started...

I blame Jeff

2009-12-01T16:05:00.013Z

You know when sometimes you just begin to well-up? You're not sad and you didn't think it would happen but it just does...the moment passes but it reminds you that you're alive! It happens every time I hear Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah...and when my bride and groom walk down the aisle and outside. At this moment its just them, experiencing everything that has just happened during the ceremony. Whether its a quiet look that they give each other or an all out whoop of joy this is what I love to capture.

Here are a few photographs that I hope have the same affect on you (maybe put Jeff Buckley on whilst you're looking at them)!

brand new sparkly blog

2009-11-29T14:56:00.006Z

As the rain is lashing down outside I have cocooned myself in the den with a steaming pot of coffee and am tentatively writing these first words on my first post of my brand new blog...yeay!

So I decided to create a blog to share my journey as a wedding photographer, the new experiences I am having, the ramblings of my slightly obsessive mind on how I can create that amazing mind blowing shot that I am always striving for, and the incredible highs and pitfalls which are making my future.

Here's a sneaky peak at one of the photos I took of gorgeous Miranda in our Trash the Dress photoshoot.