Hello, world. My apologies but it’s Tuesday today. I promise I was thinking about this on Sunday so it’s kind of a Sunday post… I’ve just been a little caught up with life. Saturday was Helen and Richard’s wedding in Hampton in Arden for which I brought along the lovely Cristina Rossi Photography as my second shooter {always a pleasure, CR} and oh wow it was a wonderful day. THANK YOU heavens for not raining on me. Here’s a quick teaser shot:
I was exhausted on Sunday so MG and I had a day of Batman and Daniel Craig – the perfect combo. Monday brought with it a much needed housework day so one bleached floor later and I was ready to rock n roll for dinner with our friend Eliane Rocha. We weren’t able to have the car yesterday morning so the gym has been postponed to this afternoon although MG’s done something to his ear. I’m shipping him off to the docs for antibiotics.
So, here I am on Tuesday and I think for this/last week’s Something Simply Special Sundays I’m going to elaborate on my feeling towards Saturday’s wedding. Hopefully some of you will find it useful as I always try to give away some kind of good information!
Lets go…..
I’ve shot A LOT of weddings over the past year, the majority of them with MG. My work has been viewed by his clients and vice versa leading to us actually having clients request us both at their wedding {love you Jones’!}. However, this was my first SOLO wedding so with it came an extra responsibility. As a second shooter I always strive to shoot my best and I treated weddings as though they were mine as much as I could without getting in the way. I yearned for that space… and I definitely received it with Helen & Richard. It was their show and my show in that regard.
If you read any of the top photographers on what they would advise those starting up to do, they’ll say to take photographs every day. Never let your camera out of your sight. I took that advice in the week leading up to the wedding, setting myself a daily task to document my life in 10 shots. I will be blogging my favourites from that project very soon. It trains your eye to see the light and take time in your compositions and I really feel it’s a great way to prepare for weddings or big shoots, although I always advocate shooting each day anyway {I need to follow my own advice a little more sometimes, I will be honest!}
I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be as I felt that the transition into my own weddings has been incredibly natural and long awaited. I was certain that I was going to do the best job for Helen & Richard that I possibly could. I had already spoken to the Vicar by email a few days prior so I was aware of any restrictions within their church {St Mary and St Bartholomew} and advised them that I wouldn’t be a pain! I would definitely recommend this if you can get hold of the Vicar’s phone number or contact details before. He also interestingly advised me later on in the day that it isn’t actually illegal to photograph the signing of the register and that other Vicar’s have just claimed it so that they feel in charge. Thank you Duncan for easing any nerves I did have.
All of the locations during the day were within 5 minutes walk of each other which was perfect for us not having to carry our gear around. We began at Total Images hairdresser, then on to Helen’s house {Cristina went to Richard’s mum’s and then to the Beeches pub up the road with the boys}, then on to the church, then to Hampton Manor – their spectacular wedding venue.
I send out a q&a a couple of weeks before the wedding requesting full times, names, group shots, etc so I was fully up to speed with where I was meant to be and when. It’s good to be prepared.
I have to thank Helen for being the most relaxed bride I’ve ever encountered and allowing me to drag her through the forest and mud in a 20+ ft train and heels. Richard also, you looked very suave and welcomed us into each aspect of your big day. It was a pleasure to be there.
I shot this whole wedding on a Canon MKII, a 35mm 1.4 and a 50mm 1.4 with a 580ex II speedlite for later in the evening.
Time to prepare for this Sunday’s wedding with the gorgeous Sab and Erkan!
So, as you must know by now, the happy list is where I share useful or happy links from the past week. It’s my favourite part to research!
A blog post by Sue Bryce on What Is Your Mission Statement? I’m going to set about writing mine over the next few weeks. Will you do the same?
Remember I posted about Instagram phone cases? Well, here is the pillow equivalent!
MG and I have booked to help my dad out with the move to France at the end of May for 3 days. Bring on Bellac!
Zack Arias on our mobile addiction.
Looking for fonts? Here you go!
Some pretty awesome photos of the gorgeous Emma Case by Chris Barber.