Pre Lockdown Engagement Shoot

It’s only a few months since March when I met up with John-Paul and Emma for their pre wedding photoshoot, but within a week of our meeting, the UK was thrown into lockdown and it now seems like another world ago!

The couple were visiting the area ahead of their wedding at Lapstone Barn near Chipping Campden in August. Sadly, Coronavirus has put the Kybosh on their plans and they are having to wait another year until they can tie the knot.

We met in the beautiful surroundings of Batsford Arboretum here in the Cotswolds. The leaves hadn’t quite sprung into life but the trees still provided wonderful backdrops with their interesting bark textures and a profusion of delicate pink blossoms.

I think woodlands are perhaps my favourite place for a photoshoot. They are often quiet, which is great for helping my clients to relax and not feel as though they are on show. They are shaded, but when the sun is out, the light streams in shafts through the branches or between the leaves with an attractive dappled effect. The enormity of many trees alongside my subjects also provides a dramatic contrast in scale - especially the lofty Redwoods with their spongy, furrowed trunks.

It was lovely getting to know John-Paul and Emma and talking through all the plans for their wedding. That’s the beauty of a pre-wedding photoshoot - it’s a chance for everyone to feel at ease with the camera, get to know each other and there’s a great set of photographs to add to the wedding day decor too!

An Artist's Commission

Jeremy Houghton’s artwork is distinctive and collectable, earning him an international reputation with galleries and art collectors alike. He operates from his studio here in the Cotswolds and I was delighted to be asked to photograph him at work a few months ago. The resulting images will be used in his forthcoming book ‘An Artist in Residence’ published later this year, which covers his time for a list of high profile commissions including official artist for 2012 Olympics, the Wimbledon Championships as well as the royal residences of Windsor Castle and Highgrove.

He’s a prolific creator and his creative space is covered from floor to ceiling with layers of his flamboyant canvases. Although his works are lavishly colourful, we felt a monochrome approach to the photographs would be more powerful, contrasting well with the luminosity of the paint.

I find photographing subjects in their own environment results in the most natural and true reflection of their personality; as though I’m glimpsing a moment of their lives through a window. This is further reinforced with the black & white format which removes any distractions of colour and instead becomes a study of the person.

I managed, to my amazement, to come away from the photoshoot clear of any stray paint splashes on my clothes - always a hazard of the job!

Spring Cotswold wedding at Lapstone Barn

This time last year, spring was well and truly underway. The sun shone, the birds sang and the lambs were leaping in the fields. And Lowri & Jamie celebrated their marriage in the perfect Cotswolds setting of Lapstone Barn near Chipping Campden. One year on and life is looking so different. But it’s at these times that it’s good to remember how things were and will be again and this lovely wedding really sticks in my memory.

Lowri had spent her childhood in the Middle East and so wanted to bring a flavour of that to her wedding day by covering the entire floor of the lofty Cotswold barn with a collection of stunning kilim rugs. What a great idea!

After photographing Lowri and the girls excitedly getting ready at Lapstone, I made the short journey down the hill to the little village of Weston Sub Edge to photograph Jamie and the guys enjoying drinks and lunch. It was then back up to Lapstone to capture the very special moment when Lowri was fitted into her beautiful crystal encrusted wedding dress with help from lovely Mum Amanda. There was just enough time for the girls to practice some all important dance moves for later, before Lowri, Dad Geoff and the bridesmaids made their way downstairs to be greeted by guests and Jamie in the ceremony barn.

Leaving to rapturous applause, the happy couple made their way outside. Now, this was a first me because while most couples have confetti in the form of paper petals, real flowers or potpourri, aviation mad Jamie along with his beautiful new bride were bombarded with scores of paper aeroplanes! Great fun for everyone! We then spent a short while strolling around the grounds and I caught some lovely shots of the two of them with the spectacular backdrop of the surrounding fields. They were so natural in front of the lens, it made my job so easy.

Back inside, everyone tucked into a delicious meal, followed by some hilarious speeches and then it was time to hit the dancefloor - with Lowri sporting some fab glittery platform pumps to keep her dancing feet pain free well into the night.

Indian flamboyance at festive Elmore Court wedding

In December, I had the pleasure of photographing Sarah & Manish’s beautiful wedding at the magical Elmore Court near Gloucester. The house is a wonderfully eccentric mix of historic and modern, made all the more colourful thanks to Manish and guests vividly dressed in traditional Hindi robes. A few Hindi traditions also added an unusual twist to the day’s celebrations. What would an Indian wedding be for instance, without the groom proudly arriving on the back of a magnificent white horse surrounded by drummers and guests? This lively event is known as a Baraat and I was so worried the enthusiastic beating of the drums was going to send Manish and his steed galloping off into the Gloucestershire countryside, never to be seen again! Thankfully the procession made it safely down the driveway to the entrance. Next up was the Milni where close relatives came together to welcome the groom into the family by sprinkling him with rose water and offering tokens of good luck. I’ve never seen so many lively people packed into such a small space!

While all this excitement was taking place downstairs, Sarah was upstairs in her suite, relaxing and enjoying getting ready with her Mum and bridesmaids. I find these events keep me very fit with all the running up and down the stairs between the action but I really love to make sure I capture everything that’s going on.

Sarah and her Dad finally joined Manish and all the guests in the Great Hall, where they tied the knot, followed by drinks and then a reception in the stunning Gillyflower, Elmore’s unusual sustainably built rammed earth event space. After enjoying an Indian feast, the happy couple hit the dance floor joined by guests and the return of those enthusiastic drummers to dance the night away Bhangra-style!

Autumnal wedding at Blackwell Grange

With its picturesque combination of traditional thatched and modern barns, Blackwell Grange in Warwickshire is a really lovely venue to photograph and I was delighted to be there one crisp October Saturday last year to capture the wedding of Emma & Matthew. Guests arrived with groom Matthew on a vintage bus while Emma and the girls got ready in the venue’s Potting Shed rooms. Emma then made the chilly walk through the grounds to the lovely ceremony barn and I have to say she looks so excited on the photographs! The sun shone all day in that lovely way it does in Autumn - warm and low - and we made full use of it, along with the interesting stables and outbuildings for photographs while guests enjoyed pre dinner drinks.

The best photographs come when couples are at ease in front of the lens and Emma & Matthew were so chilled on the day, I think the results speak for themselves. It’s my objective to get to know my clients well in the lead up to the wedding and I remain calm and supportive during what, for many, can seem a really daunting experience. I always say to my clients that it’s best not to perform but to be totally focused on each other - it’s about me capturing a moment between two people, not two people performing to the camera.

Mickleton Hills Farm summer wedding

September last year was a beautifully sunny month. Such a blessing for Jo Jo & Liam who basked in the warmth of the late summer sun at their lovely Cotswolds’ wedding. The day got off to a flying start with Jo Jo’s closest friends preparing for the day ahead, with makeup by Arrianarosebeauty and hair by Mode. The ceremony took place in the impressive surroundings of St James’s Church, Chipping Campden and then guests made their way just over the hill to the lovely Mickleton Hills Farm. This venue is very special and is almost cathedral like in its structure. The summer sun flooded into the reception barn with it’s picture window overlooking the beautiful Cotswolds’ countryside. There was plenty of time for me to photograph the happy couple before their wedding breakfast but as the sun began to set, I persuaded them to come outside again and make the most of the fabulous golden evening light. Such a dream to photograph - and Jo Jo looked amazing in her Suzanne Neville dress.

Lapstone Barn Showcase

I’m lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the world here in the Cotswolds. Just a short drive up the hill from my town is Lapstone Barn - a stunning combination of the traditional and contemporary set high up in the beautiful Cotswold landscape. It’s a great choice for both summer and winter weddings and I love the many textures and outlooks it has to offer which makes for some very special photographs. I shot the venue’s first ever wedding back in 2018 and have been lucky to capture many more over the last year and a half. Here’s a selection of some of my favourite images so far.

The approachable face of business

Business head shots are key to providing the ‘face’ of a professional business. But all too often they can portray the wrong image. Keeping things personable and approachable - while retaining a professional edge - will enable potential clients to feel a sense of connection to your business before they even meet you. Here’s a selection I recently shot for business consultants Penleaf Ltd for their new website. If you feel you and your business could benefit from a imagery, do get in touch.

New beginnings at Mickleton Hills Farm

Last month I was delighted to photograph the first wedding at Mickleton Hills Farm near Chipping Campden, after an amazing redevelopment. Bride and groom Kylie and Ollie married at a church ceremony in nearby Blockley and then made their way over to the lovely countryside venue on the hills above Chipping Campden. Kylie’s Scottish roots were celebrated with bagpipes supplied by Tony Hurst and guests enjoyed drinks and canapes outside in unseasonably warm weather for February. A feast was then served in the cathedral-like surroundings of the newly erected oak barn, followed by a very energetic ceilidh . Flowers by Lisa Drinkwater.

Say Cheese!

I had the pleasure of photographing the divine cheese wedding cakes created by The Cotswold Cheese Company a few weeks ago. Many a bride and groom of mine have chosen these wonderful creations for their wedding day instead of the traditional cake and I know their guests are all the more happy for it. I love photographing food and enjoy the whole styling process to make each shot look its best. Thanks to Lapstone Barn near Chipping Campden for allowing us to feature the honey colour tones of their Cotswold stone walls for the shoot as well as local iconic cutlery designers Robert Welch for loaning us one of their stylish cake knives.

A wonderful winter wedding

It was just three days before Christmas when Rosanna & James tied the knot in the village church at the end of Rosanna’s parents’ garden in Northamptonshire last December. Festive colours, twinkling lights and much merriment prevailed with guests processing from the church into stylish marquees in the neighbouring garden for the evening celebrations.

It was one of those crisp, clear winter days and the light was a joy. Rosanna, who with husband James, lives in Kuala Lumpur, looked stunning in an elegant lace trimmed dress which she designed herself. She then wowed guests when she took to the dance for later in the evening in a completely new design with a dramatic cut out waist. The party rocked to the tunes of brilliant wedding band Bounce.

Summer wedding bliss at Lapstone Barn

Set up high on the rolling Cotswold Hills above my home town, Chipping Campden, is the stylish, new wedding venue of Lapstone Barn . Hannah & Chris became the venue’s first ever wedding couple and I was lucky to capture all the celebrations one long, hot summer’s day last year.

Surrounded by fields of swaying barley, Lapstone Barn combines country elegance with a contemporary edge. Following a wedding ceremony at nearby church of St. Lawrence in Mickleton, Hannah & Chris headed up to Lapstone and made full use of the indoor and outdoor spaces for their beautifully styled, relaxed wedding day. Some late summer sun provided a dramatic backdrop for shots of the couple before they headed back into the barn for an evening of partying.

Kilworth House Hotel showcase

I've been photographing weddings for a number of years at the lovely Kilworth House Hotel - here's a roundup of some of my favourites.