Smith Family - Day out

December seems to be a busy time with portrait shoots - but usually indoors.  Last year Chloe bought a shoot as Christmas present for her family and the other day we met up at Shiden Hall to photograph the them.  We were a bit worried about what the weather would bring, as earlier in the week it had been very icy, with black ice on occasions.  Anyway it was a lot milder and quite pleasant when we all arrived, everybody were in their winter woollies and colourful outfits, which looked great.  As this was family shoot, with 7 people, it was better that it was done on location.  As we walked around the estate, we got some great shoots of the family, couples, individuals and Oliver. It was quite an enjoyable way to pass off the Sunday morning with a lovely walk in the countryside.

Lyndsey & Mark - Brass and Butterflies

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Lyndsey & Mark's wedding in the "Last of the Summer
Wine" country - beautiful Holmfirth.  Lyndsey and Mark were originally getting married next March, however it was brought forward to December.  Lyndsey had been very excited over the last few months with updates on FB of how many days left to the big day.  When it arrived I was at first photographing the Bridal Preparation at Lyndsey's parents, which was full of Bridesmaids, Ushers, Pageboys, Grandma's, Grandad's and of course a very excited Lyndsey.  After that I met the guys outside the church on which was a sunny but chilly morning, we made our way across the bridge to little memorial park, which was great for the shots.  Mark is a member of the the "Slaithwaite Brass Band" and they were there to entertain the guests while waiting for the bridal party.  The wedding was very emotional at times, but with some special moments with laughter.  After the wedding, we visited the park again and then made our way up to the Huntsman, where the wedding breakfast and celebrations took place, the theme for the venue was Butterfiles.  Before the first dance we were again entertained by the Brass Band with some traditional and modern music, with a special rendition for Mark and Lyndsey of "When I am 64".

 

Indie & James - Midland Hotel

A couple of years ago I photographed an Indian Wedding and this year I was asked to photograph the Brides Sister Indie.  Again we were at the lovely Midalnd Hotel in Bradford, which is quite a jewel in Bradford's Crown.  I caught up with Indie very early on the Sunday Morning to capture the lovely gown's and shoes with killer heels, along with the beautiful Indian Jewellery.  James was also getting ready with his newly sported beard grown especially for the day and a lovely turban.  First of all there was the ceremony in which both families greeted each other with garlands and gifts, after James had been escorted in by the Indian Jazz band, then followed by a wedding breakfast before the Wedding at the local temple. The Temple wedding is a very colourful affair indeed, with all the women in their finery, it was very stunning indeed.  After the service the family met outside the Hotel to let off balloons, before a brief photo shoot and then getting ready for the Civil Service.  James changed into a stunning outfit and shaved off his beard and  Indie removed the headress.  The Civil was quite emotional as well which was just a lovely as the Temple Wedding.  We managed to get some shots in the Midland Hotel's Railway setting before the Wedding Breakfast began.  Indie got changed for Wedding Breakfast, but first there was the cutting of the cake, in which all the members of the family feed a piece of cake to the happy couple.  The first dance was brief with the Indian dancers taking to the floor, along with drummers.  There were dance offs, the conga and a very full dance floor for most of the evening.  What can I say "but this family - certainly know how to party".  I left that evening completely partied out.....................

Rachel & Leigh - St Martins & Casa

Another local wedding and another neighbour - well a little boy who grew up down our street.  I have known Leigh's family for nearly 30 years, most of them living and still live local to me.  Rachel's mum used to work with my mum many years ago.  So it was nice to catch up with the folk, some I had not seen for a number of years on Rachel & Leigh's special day.  After a very giggly and girlie bridal prep, I managed to get the guys at St.Martins church in Brighouse, a little poignant as it was 30 years almost to the day that I walked down the very same aisle, so it brought back very happy memories indeed.  Rachel really wanted to have some shots at the Library next door to the church, so after the service and some extra shots in the church, we wandered around to the Library for photographs in the grounds and then back to the front of the church to do some special shots with the car on the cobbles.  Leaving the happy couple to make the most of and a special ride in their vintage car.  We all met up at the Casa, which is set on a lake - with the weather being beautiful, so the shots were fantastic with the backdrop.  With emotional speeches and some special dancing later on, it was a remember-able wedding, with good times had by all.  Looking at my neighbours curtains the following morning I think there was some hard partying had gone on.