Kizzy + Myles

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

Kizzy & Myles Wedding - sneak peek

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.

Zarah and Mark's wedding

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

Paula & Jonathan's wedding, Tower Bridge London

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.