The beginning of May saw us back at The Legacy Thatchers Hotel near Horsley in Surrey for the gorgeous wedding of Kelly & John . We could not have asked for better weather with beautiful blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Before the service commenced guests mingled in the beautiful gardens. With the girls nearly ready everyone made there way to the wedding room for the ceremony. The bridesmaids looked fab in their pink dresses and Kelly looked simply beautiful in her dress. Following the service the wedding breakfast took place with some very witty speeches. Following the wedding breakfast the party really got going until the early hours.
We would like to thank Kelly & John for inviting us to record what was truely a special day. 
I am a firm believer that even as a professional photographer you should never stop trying to learn. With that in mind for the second time in less than 6 months I booked myself onto a Brett Harkness Wedding Photography training course. On both of these courses Brett has taught me to think outside the box and look for something different. As an example I use Off Camera Flash as a routine rather than an exception. This has helped me develop my “Style”. My real aim is to try and produce work that has a different “Feel” to the normal run of the mill wedding photography. By using flash to turn day into night, using different backgrounds and shooting techniques my aim is to produce work that my clients will treasure.
All Images taken at Arley Hall
All images taken at Theobalds Park
Had a great time with Stacey & Geart today and looking forward to shooting their wedding at the end of May at the Regency Park Hotel in Thatcham, Berkshire.
For some while now I have had the idea of a shoot based around the theme of Vampires and Twilight films. I found a location near to me which is a very old mausoleum on Okham common.
For most of the shoot I was using Off Camera Flash as the light was very low. Deepi from Beauty Republic did the fantastic make up and Ben Madle did a fine job of the hair. My model on this occasion was Eloria Bennett.
After the last two studio sessions I decided to try some other backgrounds on two of the images that I had taken in the studio.
I used Topaz Remask to cut the models out from the backgrounds. I liked the idea of using Urban Grunge type backgrounds. I think it works but would like to know what you think?
Well following a successful shoot with Deepi from Beauty Replublic with a great model Emily we decided to work together again with another great model Elaria.
Elaria
Again I was mainly using my Bowens Gemini lights. In this shoot I used a large Octobox for the main light and then used a large StripBox for the fill light.
Elaria
I tried a few close ups as Deepi needed them for her portfolio. I have to say that the make-up was really superb .
Elaria
Finally a slightly different take on things.
Please give us your feed back.
Recently I have made an effort to get back in the studio.
I was contacted through Model Mayhem by a fantastic make up artist by the name of Deepi from Beauty Republic .
She suggested that we cooperate on some ideas we both had. Deepi wanted to try some different make up techniques so we booked a couple of sessions in the studio.
The first was with a great Model by the name of Emily Napier. Emily was such a joy to photograph and was really great at posing and moving.
I was using the usual Bowens Gemini lights with a black vinyl backdrop. My main light was using a 4ft Octobox which gives great catchlights in the eyes.
The first shot was a close up of a fish that Deepi and painted over her eye on one side of her face.
Here you can see an incredible Fish that Deepi has drawn on Emily’s face.
Another view this time with a 3/4 length shot.
Then we did another style. This time with a slightly retro feel about it:-
Still with the same look I wanted to try another lighting style. This time I used a snooted light from behind Emily with a mirror reflecting the light back into her face. I masked the mirror to form a slit so that it gave a type of letterbox style to the light.
This time the light was reflected into her face from a mirror which had been masked to form a letterbox look
Finally we ventured out of the studio into my garden to take some shots outside and luckily the weather was fair.
Outside this time using natural light
Again outside using natural light.
Back in December last year I had a go at creating some 50’s Hollywood shots and whilst I was quite pleased, I found that I hadn’t got the lighting quite right. So recently I decided that I would have another go. This time I paid much more attention to ensuring my metering was correct and NOT “chimping” on the back of the camera.
Again I was using my Bowens Gemini lights and used a number of different modifiers from Snoots to Barn Doors or simple hard reflectors. The key to getting the effect I found was to try and get a hard transition between the highlights and the shadows.
This time we had a new Hair Stylist who is the daughter of a friend of mine. I have to to say she was terrific and want to say a special Thank You to her. So thank you again Kate Healy you are a superstar!
Also a special thank you to my two models Holly & Emma!
Trying to recreate a 50’s Hollywood shot
Another interpretation of a Hollywood look
Anyway I have posted a couple of ones that I felt worked.
Let me know what you think.
I had been looking forward to this wedding for the fantastic location that the Bride & Groom had chosen for their reception. It was held at a fantastic hotel called The Elevetham in Hartney Witney.
The grounds at this venue are truly magnificent and the bride Nicola was really keen to get as many pictures in them as possible. Sadly as you all now know Friday was a terrible day with persistent rain all day.
In the grounds of Elevetham Hotel
The Elevetham Hotel
This didn’t stop it being a wonderful day though and both Nicola & Matt were up for venturing out in the rain to try and capture some great images.
The Newly Weds – Mr & Mrs Cunningham
Mr & Mrs Cunningham – Now off to the Party!
With the rain continuing to fall we explored the grand rooms of the hotel!
Matt I think this is the Fireplace for us?
8:30pm and at last the rain stopped falling and we ventured out into the gardens, however the light was so bad that I thought we might as well try and be a bit creative with a number of Speedlights.
I think it worked but would be glad to hear what you say?
Playing with Speedlights in the Elevetham Gardens
However the light was disappearing fast so just time for just one more;-
Matt & Nicola Cunningham