Now that winter seems to be here I retreated into the studio for another model portfolio shoot last weekend. The photographs below are some of my favourites simply because of the eyes. Pardon the pun but they really do have a look.
Portrait
Recent wedding photography in Northern Ireland
A few weeks ago I photographed Matthew and Caroline’s wedding in St Malachy’s in County Down and then the reception in the Carrickdale Hotel in County Louth. Now for a guy from County Antrim that’s a lot of county to cover but with light traffic and very few wrong turns it all went swimmingly. It was a small intimate and very friendly wedding with a lovely couple as the stars on the day. I really must thank the bridal party and indeed all the guests for making my job easy and for being so friendly and welcoming.
The couple are just back from their honeymoon and sent me a very appreciated email over the weekend. One quote made it all worthwhile – “The photographs are fantastic, especially….” Well thank you.
Below are a few photographs from the day that I particularly like.
To view the full size image just click on the thumbnail as the photographs are cropped to save space.
Model test shoot
Working in a studio is not something I normally do when photographing people. Of course in my commercial photography I use lighting in a controlled environment but when I’m photographing people I prefer to work on location. Somehow a studio defines the style of photography whereas I prefer the subject’s reaction to the location to be a more open and intuitive process. Maybe this comes from my love of landscape photography or from my work in wedding photography where you are always reacting to the situation, the light and the people.
Not owning my own studio I am always looking at suitable venues for when the need arises and recently I came across a small studio in Belfast available for hire at reasonable rates. The best way of assessing the suitability of a studio is not to wander around it but to use. For that purpose I got in touch with a local model just to do a test shoot.
I didn’t want the traditional model look and I was trying to assess the variety of lighting and backgrounds to create a look so I aimed for a more direct, harder edge approach. I must say the studio was excellent with window light, white and grey/black backgrounds and excellent lighting equipment. I quite like the variety I got in one hour with contrejour, soft and hard shadow effects. To suit this I wanted a certain direct look from my subject and I got it. And of course a big thank you to Isa – the patient model for the day.
What do you think?
Model shoot1
From St Dizant du Gua to my garage
From St Dizant du Gua in the Auvergne region of France to my garage is quite a journey. It was while I was tidying up my garage (an on-going process) that I came across this mixed case of Pineau. It has been lying hidden in my garage for so may years I had forgotten it’s existence.
Many years ago while driving through France on holiday we came across the utterly charming little Chateau de Beaulon. The main attraction for me were the grounds and the Blue Fountains but we were met by the owner and invited to sample the produce – well what can you say. Obviously I was impressed since I came away with a case including tasting notes.
Now after lying so long in the ever changing temperatures of a garage including two of the coldest ever winters and situated close to the central heating boiler I imagined an investment gone wrong. Nope – the wine is as good as the day I bought it.
If you are ever in this region I heartily recommend a stop. If you want to know more follow this link. http://www.chateau-de-beaulon.com/site/une_tradition/index.php?l=en
Chateau de Beaulon Pineau
Chateau de Beaulon
Chateau de Beaulon map
Tasting notes for Chateau de Beaulon pineau
Landscape photography in a forest in Northern Ireland
Over the last couple of weeks I have been doing commercial photography, wedding photography and all the associated editing. This morning I was supposed to be preparing materials for prospective wedding clients but… I heard the weather forecast. Today was to be the last sunny day for a week so let’s change plans. I’m a great believer that your schedule should be driven by you and not the other way round. Within a few miles from my home is a small but nicely diverse forest and with the promised sun shining I jumped in the car and this is the result of a very enjoyable hour in good autumn/winter bracing air. Perhaps not classic landscape photography but I wanted to convey the openness of a forest at this time of the year along with the colour, shadows, light and space.
For any photographers reading this all the photographs were taken with a 20mm lens on a full frame camera with minimal cropping. In my humble opinion the only way to go. Any comments you may have (good or bad) just drop a line in the comments box at the end of the post.
autumn leaves
low down on forest floor
Portglenone forest
Shadows in the forest
against the light
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Wedding directory
Just a short note that I can be found on a nation wide directory. Just click on the link below for information.
“http://www.yourperfectweddingphotographer.co.uk”
Posted in wedding photography
Bride and Groom – sneek peek of a wedding
A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of Matthew and Caroline in Northern Ireland. The wedding service was in county Down and the reception was held in the Carrickdale hotel. This photograph was taken in the gardens of the hotel late in the afternoon.
I will be blogging more of this wedding later but this photograph is just a sneek peek!
Bride and groom at wedding reception gardens
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Royalty comes to our village
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall came to the historic village of Gracehill today. Now living here does not usually involve visits of this nature so nothing else for it – grab camera and go. Gracehill village is one of only a few completely original Moravian villages and over the last couple of years it managed to attract heritage funding to restore the old school house. Hense the reason for the royal visit. The sun shone and the crowds came out to greet our guests who visited the old school house, the Moravian church and other scheduled appointments.
If there was a down side I suppose the waiting was inevitable and the distance from the opening of the visit was obscured by the press and security gang. In saying that the police were courteous and accomodating anf the royal couple did do the rounds with patience and grace.
Some photographs from the day taken from behind the crowd barrier to follow.
The first view is of the press and security
I did say Gracehill was a historic village. We don’t still dress like this!
Ah here they come.
Prince Charles waving to the crowd
Spot the press photographer
Montgomery Street, Gracehill
Meeting and greeting
Pressing the flesh
Close enough and sharp enough?
Up close with the Duchess of Cornwall
new baby and royalty
Engagement photography update
Following on from the last post of the pre wedding photography of Matthew and Caroline I just wanted to post a few more photographs taken on a day of very changeable weather. Where I had a camera in my hand all the time (obviously) the lovely couple were never far away from the umbrella!
Again I must say I was very impressed with the variety of scenes in Lady Dixon Park in Belfast. Now on with the photographs. If you would like to leave a comment just scroll down to the bottom of the page.
This way?
Almost......
Pre wedding/engagement photography in Northern Ireland
A fun and relaxed couple – Matthew and Caroline on a typical Northern Ireland summer day with heavy rain and some glorious sunshine meant lots of dashing in and out of cover. The happy couple are getting married later in the year and we met up in Lady Dixon Park outside Belfast for their pre wedding photography session last week.
Below are a few photographs from the day. All comments welcome.
Just a fun photograph to show how bad the rain was on the day. I’m sure Matthew and Caroline won’t mind being reminded!
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