Wedding Show,St Georges Hall, Liverpool

Yesterday's shoot was cancelled due to the weather, so no photographs to show today, instead I am bevearing away preparing for the Wedding Show at the St Geroges Hall in Liverpool on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is the annual show organised by UK Wedding Shows, based just down the road from me in Ainsdale, Southport. It's a huge show with fantastic cat walk shows throughout each day, and loads of exhibitors.

If you're coming along, we'll be in the top corner away from the cat walk, so come and say hello! Ellie has decided she would like to earn some money so it will be a family affair for the first time on Saturday and Sunday ... somehow I have a feeling she may decide it's more fun to go off and shop around Liverpool!

Maxine and Banny

Ceremony: All Saints Church, Rainford
Reception: Houghwood Golf Club, Billinge

Second Photographer: Mike Patterson

Just before I went off to Italy I was very fortunate to be joined by photographer Mike Patterson from Galway (no Irish lilt to listen to though as he originates from the UK!) who wanted to be a second photographer to see how someone else photographs weddings, and along with Rob, my husband and sometime second photographer, we had a great time at Max and Banny's wedding - although I have yet to discover what the real names are for some of the groomsmen! It was good to see Vernon all dressed up for the occassion too - you had to be there to know that reference, but believe me, he looked cool in his pink tie and black cape!

The wedding was in the picturesque church of the All Saints in the centre of Rainford, before moving on to Houghwood Golf Club for the reception - though the bride and grooms' departure from the church was delayed a little when the two wedding cars became attached. And Rob and Mike became even more useful, helping to separate the cars!

A big thanks to Mike for working so seamlessly with me - and Maxine and Banny benefit from around 100 extra photographs as a result. If you were at the wedding, and want to look at more photographs, please contact Maxine for the password - all of the proofs are online on my wedding website.







We kept getting struck by how much Maxine looks like Grace Kelly, and I think it really shows in this photograph of her in the wedding car.
Just as the cars got stuck! And one of the few times that I have muscled in on the wedding photographs! That's me with the white shirt and the camera.

Santa Maria, Cilento coast, at sunset

Not part of the wedding last Saturday, but I just can't stop looking at this photograph! I know 3 of the guys in the picture, Costantino, Carlo and Franco, but not sure who the 4th is. The sky was really that colour by the way!

Dave and Sandy Part 2

Venue: Castellabate, Cilento Coast, Italy

Honeymoon Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy

Wedding Co-ordinator: Julie McKenzie, Honeymoon Heaven

I've just had the most amazing 5 days out in Italy, in Castellabate, on the Cilento Coast of Italy, just south of Naples. Dave and Sandy are a great couple who really know how to organise an amazing wedding, surrounded by a large group of family and friends who showered them with love in the beautiful Italian town.

The ceremony was a traditional Italian civil ceremony, serenaded by the most gorgeous opera singer who welcomed Sandy, her bridesmaids and her father into the Castle with Ave Maria - I don't think there was a dry eye to be had! We then walked down to the Piazza in the town where everyone enjoyed cakes and champagne, before walking back up the hill to the Belvedere restaurant for a great Italian wedding breakfast - although the DJ with Club Tropicana made it a bit difficult for the main course to be served, as everyone was having such a great time dancing.

Castellabate by day, from Parnaso, where Geradina and Costantino welcomed me into their home and apartments in the mountains. And Castellabate by night - I didn't have a tripod with me, so this is just a little shaky!
Sandy got ready at Hotel 1861 in Santa Maria before making the journey up to the castle in an old Lancia. She wore a beautiful Pronuptia dress that was full of classical elegance - it was perfect for her.

Dave and his bestman Billy, along with the groomsmen, Steve, Dean and Jamie all wore black tails and all looked pretty handsome!
Sandy's sisters lead her and her father into the castle, passed the most aromatic flowers I have ever seen - or should I say smelt?



In Italy it is traditional to cut the ribbon at the entrance to the castle before the bride and groom leave.



The sunsets at Castellabate were beautiful, and we were lucky enough to end the day looking over the sea and watching the sun go down.
So, who was the lucky girl who caught the bouquet - which Sandy launched with some force!

I have had such a great summer photographing beautiful weddings all over the UK - this wedding was my last of the year, and it was an absolute pleasure to spend it in Italy with Dave, Sandy and their families and friends - everything was perfect.

More photographs (somewhere in the region of 400!) will be online next week!

Tero Sade in Southport

We had a great day today - Tasmanian portrait photographer, Tero Sade, came to run his seminar from my studio in Southport to UK photographers about how he runs his portrait business. It was great to meet up with other photographers from as far away as Edinburgh and Leeds, as well as others local to Southport, Liverpool and Manchester. And it was fantastic to listen to Tero, sharing his knowledge with humility. Thanks for coming Tero and Julie. I think we all took something away with us from the day.

Anthony and Kayley

Ceremony: All Saints Church, Anfield

Reception: The Devonshire Hotel, Edge Lane, Liverpool

Anthony and Kayley got married at the end of July surrounded by family and friends who were up for a good time. We started off photographing the groomsmen and bridesmaids before they got ready for the day, had a stop off at Anfield for a quick photograph at the gates to the Liverpool Football Club ground, and then on to the church for the ceremony. The reception was at the Devonshire Hotel in Liverpool.

The bridesmaids


The groom and groomsmen

All of the proofs from Anthony and Kayley's wedding can be viewed on my wedding website, under Recent Weddings - see the link on the side bar.

Adam and Sarah

Venue: West Tower Hotel and Country Club, Aughton

Adam and Sarah got married on one of the hottest days of the year back at the beginning of June (I think we must be good luck medallions with the weather!). It was peppered with alsorts of treats, including a harpist, steel band, and a ride on the carousel.
The most unique moment of my career in wedding photography was when I perched on a cockerel sitting backwards, whilst it went up and down and round and round so that I could photograph Adam and Sarah as they stopped for a ride on the Carousel at the end of Southport Pier!


It was a bit scary leaning over the edge of the tower at the West Tower Hotel in Aughton - I felt very high, and they looked very small!

Fashion Shoot in Italy

Designer: Amy Radcliffe
Make-up Artist: Sarah Heap
Photographer: Zoe Richards

Models: Laura Kelly

Chelsea Price
Location: Le Marche Region of Italy

How lucky were we - 2 models, a make-up artist, the designer, and my guide and mentor, Mavis Roper, all working hard on a fashion shoot in Italy this summer! And we had such a good time!