What a lovely couple! Full of ideas, easy to work with and willing to have a laugh - making my time spent with them at Stower Grange in Drayton, a very pleasing one indeed. Here are a few pictures from the complimentary pre-shoot session, one of which (and I’m not telling which one) will be made into a signing-board keepsake for guests to sign on the wedding day. Hope you like some!
Curling tongs at the ready, hair designers getting creative, gorgeous gowns demanding to be worn, an amazing location and an award-winning model… the recipe for a fantastic fashion shoot. And fantastic it was! I enjoyed myself so much I thought I’d share the ‘before’ shots, showing a little of what goes into the preparation on the day, prior to the weeks of organising to get such a talented group of people into one location, all at the same time.
I’ll post some images from the shoot in the very near future, so don’t forget to stop by soon!
Nicki and Darren were so easy to photograph last Spring. Their wedding was arranged with military precision by Nicki, who couldn’t take her eyes off Darren all day, such a lovely couple. So, it is with great happiness that I congratulate them on the birth of baby Samuel – a true honeymoon gift! I wish you all health and continued happiness.
Norwich and District Photographic Society have secured a selection of highly-regarded speakers over the coming months.Entry to these sessions is great value at £5 per person and are available via Chairman Keith Garnham. If you interested please email: keith_garnham@yahoo.co.uk. All events will take place at Chapelfield Methodist Church Hall, Chapelfield Road, Norwich, NR2 1SD
Tuesday 20th March 7pm – Sean Smith – ‘Frontlines’ - a rare opportunity to meet a still-active, acclaimed war photographer. Sean has covered all the major conflicts of the past few years from the Middle East to the Congo, and will be screening some of his most famous images, offering both a chronicle of major flashpoints throughout the world as well as a unique insight into modern warfare and its aftermath. Sean’s early freelance career saw him cover major UK events including the Miners strike, Handworth riots, plus the Broadwater Farm and Brixton riots. Sean has been commissioned by The Times, Reuters and Time Magazine before joining The Guardian in 1988. In 2008 Sean recieved the Royal Television Society Award for Best International News (for his coverage in Iraq).
PLEASE BE AWARE, SEAN IS A WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER – SHOULD ANY MAJOR INCIDENT OCCUR HE COULD BE SENT OVERSEAS AT A MOMENTS NOTICE AND THE LECTURE WILL NEED TO BE POSTPONED. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR ALL TICKET MONIES WILL BE REFUNDED.
Being in the presence of one of our canine companions is always a special experience for me – mainly because my partner is allergic to them (and cats) so we can’t have our own.
I’ve borrowed dogs to walk, walked dogs at our local re-homing sanctuary and made much fuss of my mother-in-laws four cats (the number grows and declines regularly in association with the needs of the current stray population).
The photograph to the left is of an excited pooch completing a dog agility course in Norwich. Capturing the photographs was great fun, and saw me lying on the ground with a rather long lens - which, on more than one occasion, had to be cleaned of drool, as the excited animal kept running straight at me inbetween completing laps of the course.
The decision to process the shot in monochrome was made due to the jumps being bright yellow and red, making them far too distracting.
A black and white conversion, finished with a touch of vignetting focuses the viewer’s eye on the dog (and those gorgeous eyes and animated face).
Norwich and District Photographic Society have secured a selection of highly-regarded speakers over the coming months.Entry to these sessions is great value at £5 per person and are available via Chairman Keith Garnham. If you interested please email: keith_garnham@yahoo.co.uk. All events will take place at Chapelfield Methodist Church Hall, Chapelfield Road, Norwich, NR2 1SD
Tuesday 13th March, 7pm – Tony Worobiec – ‘A Landscape for all Seasons’ – Tony is a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society ans sits on their distinctions panel for Visual Arts. Tony’s work has become part of the permanent collections held by the RPS and is held in many private collections across the UK, Europe and America. This International award-winning photographer has exhibited in London’s Barbican Gallery and Bradford’s National Museum of Photography.
This year I’ll be visiting Stower Grange (a traditional country house situated on the outskirts of Norwich) to photograph trio of weddings - giving me the perfect excuse to take along a model and get intimate with the location. Many thanks to Stower Grange for allowing me their time and hospitality, and perpetually-professional Jade Priestley for her time and talent.
As you’ll see, I’ve been playing with different post-processing techniques too! If you’d like to see more… take a look at the video below.
This year I’ve set myself the task to attempt to create an image worthy of receiving a Gold Award each month!
Some would say why bother, it’s just an ego-trip and awards are subjective. Which could be true, however, the reality is, last year I didn’t receive any Gold Awards. Why? I could say I was too busy, didn’t have time to create, was taking time out etc. However, what’s closer to the truth is that I’d become lazy. It’s easy to achieve the required standard and not push yourself to improve – the money is still coming in, clients are still booking and all is right with the world. However, if we’re not careful and take this attitude in any avenue of our lives we could wake up one morning to find we’ve been left behind, or in other areas caused serious damage (health springs to mind here). So… am I on an ego-trip? -Possibly! Do I want to improve? Always!
To date, I’ve managed my January Gold and February’s is shown below. Wish me luck for March… if I don’t achieve, it’s possibly because I’ve been too busy ;o0!
Today, I’ve mostly been playing with post-processing techniques. The image below isn’t going to appeal to all – some will love it, some will hate it. However, by experimenting, one can sometimes stumble upon a gem of an idea that blossoms into a concept which could prove pleasing to many!
Location: Stower Grange Hotel, Norwich Model: Jade Priestley.
More images of Jade and Stower Grange to follow in the very near future.
Norwich and District Photographic Society have secured a selection of highly-regarded speakers over the coming months.Entry to these sessions is great value at £5 per person and are available via Chairman Keith Garnham. If you interested please email: keith_garnham@yahoo.co.uk. All events will take place at Chapelfield Methodist Church Hall, Chapelfield Road, Norwich, NR2 1SD
PLEASE BE AWARE, SEAN IS A WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER - SHOULD ANY MAJOR INCIDENT OCCUR HE COULD BE SENT OVERSEAS AT A MOMENTS NOTICE AND THE LECTURE WILL NEED TO BE POSTPONED. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR ALL TICKET MONIES WILL BE REFUNDED.
