Civil Partnership of Jeff and Simon

We have just returned from a brilliant weekend in London photographing Jeff and Simon's civil partnership and the inspired celebrations which took place the rest of the day and into the night. Earle and I met Jeff and Simon over two years ago while we photographed the wedding of Steff and Rob, very dear friends of theirs and following this we were invited to photograph the massive birthday party Simon threw for Jeff, so to be invited to meet up with them and all their fantastic friends and family again for this lovely event was something Earle and I had been looking forward to tremendously.
We met up at Simon and Jeff's home where their guests were gathering before all jumping on to the coach to Westminster Registry Office at the Old Marylebone Town Hall. The registrar here was pure gold dust - she was completely relaxed and welcoming even dancing to the music as the guests walked into the ceremony room, oh what joy! The ceremony was delightful with Simon and Jeff's closest friends and family around them it was intimate and emotional all of which we were able to photograph, capturing beautiful images throughout.
Chandos House was the destination for reception drinks and lunch, an elegant boutique hotel and restaurant in the centre of town, then we were all taken to our hotel to prepare for the massive evening celebrations at the Museum of Garden History which is in fact a converted church and stands next to The Archbishop of Canterbury's residence at Lambeth Palace. Earle and I grabbed the opportunity of our superb location to capture some extremely pleasing shots of Simon and Jeff by the river with the surrounding landmarks all floodlit with stunning effect.
Once all Simon and Jeff's guests had arrived at the museum and were enjoying their hospitality the time came for the Caberet which was provided by a select number of their friends and Simon himself! The show was launched by Nat who sang brilliantly 'Let's get the party started!' - everyone obliged!!!!! Nat's performance was followed with several more acts which included Simon's delightful solo to Jeff all contributing to a fantastic show culminating with everyone joining in singing the last number 'American Pie'. Then the dancing started and just kept going.
Earle and I thank you Simon and Jeff, for the generosity and hospitality you extended to us, it was great to see you both and your friends again, we are priviledged to have been a part of your special day.
Enjoy your pictures - we think you will see how much everyone there loved being part of it!

Anna and Stuart wedding

Christmas just around the corner and Anna and Stuart totally steal the show with their beautiful wedding day. It was a marvellous mix of style, romanticism, festival and togetherness. The wedding was late in the day so given the date 22nd December, the day after the shortest day of the year it was inevitable the photography was going to have a rather different edge to it. This was fantastic for Earle and me as we always love working in challenging environments, when the mist started rolling in after the ceremony and the light was dropping incredibly fast the whole atmosphere was given the most lovely quiet serenity which we were able to make the most of with Anna and Stuart at the location of Evening Hill at Sandbanks while en route from their church at Lytchett Minster to the reception venue at Compton Acres. Once at Compton Acres where all the guests had travelled to by red London bus, Anna and Stuart walked through to the Italian Gardens where Earle and I were able to capture more romantic shots of them both by the water and in the fairytale grotto. Once Anna and Stuart reached their guests everyone was ready for the big group image which was to be outside - it was by now of course completely dark!!! Well thanks to the festive lighting around the Italian Garden and a little bit of extra help from us it was a resounding success.
The party after the wedding breakfast was buzzing immediately with everyone joining in the dancing with Anna and Stuart, the celebrations were going on well into the night with the Bride and Groom looking completely radiant.
The entire day was so fantastic, warm and thoroughly enjoyable. Anna you looked marvellous and Stuart looked the happiest man on earth! Very many congratulations to you both, enjoy your photographs!

Coleese Hair and Beauty

It's official Christmas is on its way!! I know this because and only because we have done the shoot today for Coleese Hair and Beauty and their Christmas advertising! This has actually done the trick for getting me to think about this festive time of year in a celebratory way in November..... an unheard of phenonemum.... I may even go buy a present or something!!!! Oh yes, the images: Jody was great, Stevie had created a big luxurious style for Christmas and Jodie carried it perfectly. The turnaround on these needs to be speedy so must now get on with the editing!

Lisa and Jos Wedding

Lisa and Jos had a lovely November wedding day, Earle and I met up with each of them as arranged before the ceremony was due to take place. Lisa was just returning from the hairdressers as I arrived at her home and met with her lovely mum, Sandra who was waiting to welcome her. Lisa and her two bridesmaids, were straight into the next stage of the preparations with make up artist Helen Spenser from Made Up who looked after all the girls brilliantly leaving them all completed with plenty of time to get into their gowns and off to church looking totally stunning.

Jos and the other boys were all at Strouden Park Chapel greeting the guests, Jos's father was actually the Pastor for the ceremony giving an extra personalised touch to this wonderful occassion. We have in fact photographed several weddings now at this Chapel and this wedding was like meeting groups of old friends again, very special for us indeed to see the couples and their growing families! Lisa and Jos beamed with joy throughout the ceremony and we had the 'formal' group shots completed promptly in the grounds of the Chapel straight afterwards freeing up the guests to make their way to the Orchid Hotel, Bournemouth for the reception while we raced onto the beach for some beautiful shots of the bride and groom as the sun was setting, my word are we pleased with those ones!!! Jos and Lisa were wonderful and completely natural together, their happiness shone through the sinking light.

The whole day was racing by and we returned to the hotel just in time for the wedding breakfast, speeches and the party was to continue late into the night.

Congratulations Lisa and Jos on your marriage, your wedding day was a marvellous success a really special day for you both and a huge thank you from Earle and me for making us so welcome.

Scissors Hair Salons

We recently completed a shoot with Scissors Hair Salons. The day was very intense and busy with an army of models, stylists, artistic directors and our brilliant makeup artist work mate Robyn Vallender working closely with the Scissors team and us!

After a full days work everyone finished feeling very happy with the results, Scissors adverts will be featuring our images throughout 2008.

Wedding Divas - Jenny and Mark

Hi all, well have we had a terrific time photographing with Jenny and Mark. We knew back in the early summer we were all going to do a post wedding shoot, Jenny and Mark were keen to have some images down on the beach and living up in Cheltenham we thought the best plan was to enjoy a weekend together and incorporate the Wedding Diva shoot when the weather looked most promising. Who would have thought that November would have served up such a brilliant day and to say Jenny and Mark were fantastic is really an understatement but we are posting a taster of the images we were able to capture with them and I guess those will do the rest of the talking.......











Thank you Jenny and Mark for a truly fun time, that comes from 'Ben' also the visiting dog that took a particular liking to you Jenny!!!