Chris and Emma's Wedding Part 1

I love to include casual photographs of the groom and his family and groomsmen as part of the wedding photography - otherwise the wedding album is in danger of looking like it's just about the bride!  Yes, I know, it's mainly about the bride, but we should also give the guys a chance too!  Usually I photograph the guys before going to the bride and bridesmaids getting ready, but because of the distance between the hotel the guys were staying at (Cottons Hotel near Knutsford) and the bride's home I went the night before, and got there just as the sun was setting to take photographs of Chris, his mum and dad, his dad's friend John from Australia, his lovely Nana who is nearly 90, and his groomsmen.

Chris, Graham and Daniel Play Golf

As part of Chris and Emma's wedding photography, I was booked by Chris to take photographs the day before the wedding of the guys playing golf at Mere Golf Club, near Knutsford.  It's a beautiful course, with gorgeous tree lined fairways.  I was able to photograph Chris, his dad Graham, and best man Daniel as they played their round of golf in the early morning sunshine.

I think Chris was messing about when he was practising his swing .... well, I certainly hope he was :-)

If not, he could always pick up a tip or two from Daniel - I think the sunglasses did it!

I think I might have upset Chris when I told him this was the best photograph of the day!  At least, the look on his face said "You've got to be joking!".  Later that evening I heard from his friends and family how he was a bit shocked to see that the best photograph of the day was of his feet! LOL

This was the one that I had really meant to show him though, honest!

Graham reckoned it was a highly frustrating game and thought he wasn't playing too well - but he actually won.

Father and son drive off into the sunrise.

A lot of time was spent searching for balls ... a lot of time!  But then, on a day like this, who's bothered?  It was just a glorious day.

Jack, Issy and Emma

I photographed 3 lovely children last week - Jack was a huge help with his baby sister, helping to keep her occupied so that we could keep her attention!  We had to use a few secret weapons to help her stay put!  I love this one of Jack with his sisters in the backround.

Southport International Jazz Festival

This weekend is the Southport International Jazz Festival, and Rob and I went along to watch our daughter, Ellie, performing as part of the Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra and Sefton Schools Jazz Ensemble performance outside Southport Arts Centre.  It was a great performance, with solos performed by a range of musicians and two singers.  The combined orchestras were conducted by our friend Phil Shotton.

The sun was beating down, the deck chairs were out, the ice creams were enjoyed - a great afternoon of music by some amazing musicians.  Sefton Schools and the Sefton Schools Music Service should be proud of the young musicians that are being nurtured through the range of orchestras that the children and young people are involved in.

Here are some photographs from the performance.

That's Ellie with the glasses on, playing flute.

There were a lot of young people there too, honest!  But the older population of the town always seems to enjoy the outside performances of the Jazz Festival.

New Workshop Dates

New dates have been released for the Photography Workshops - visit my Mulberry Workshops blog to find out more, just click on the title above and it will take you straight there!

A Young Hopeful's Modelling Portfolio

Every time I get booked to do a modelling portfolio for teenagers I get told how gorgeous the kid is and this occasion was no different - but the family were so right! This young guy really deserves to be taken on by an agency as he has such a good look, and was so easy to direct. He did exactly what I asked of him, and he could hold a look until he was asked to change. We went around Southport to get a range of photographs and then finished off in the studio where we managed to grab a few really good pictures for the portfolio. I was really pleased as well because my favourite location at the memorials in Southport was accessible again after many months of being blocked off.

Good luck with trying to get into modelling, I really hope you make it! Here are just a few photographs from yesterday.

Bridal Photographs in Southport

What an amazing day!  A bridal shoot with everyone kitted out like brides for the day!  

It started early for the girls, none of whom are professional models, who all had their hair designed and styled by Shush, Southport's Bridal Hair Salon, based in Birkdale.  Make-up was beautifully applied by Becky and Sian Louise who made each girl shine.  We then got them dressed up in the most stunning dresses from The Wedding Rooms in Formby - designs included were Marylise, Ellis Bridal and Imogene.  

And finally, after everyone got dressed and titivated in my studio we crossed over the road to Owens Restaurant on Hoghton Street in Southport as Tony Owen and Clare were kind enough to lend us their space in the restaurant for the shoot.

Here is just a small sample of the wonderful photographs we were able to capture today, starting with a group photograph - thank you to all the girls involved, and thanks too to Shush, The Wedding Room, Becky, Sian Louise and Tony Owen.