Coronation? What Coronation?

 A short and sweet post from me today.  My long awaited styled elopement shoot took place on 6th May (Coronation Day).  When the idea first occurred to me, this right Royal occasion was in the dim and distant future, but, for numerous reasons, it took until May 2023 to come to fruition.  Amusing really, given my last big shoot coincided with Queen Elizabeth's funeral.  It's becoming a bit of a habit.  Maybe the next one will happen just as Harry and Camilla engage in a Mexican stand off somewhere in the American desert.  Who knows?

The shoot went well and it has already been picked up by a magazine, so once again, I'm sworn to secrecy for the time being.  I'm desperate to share the photos, including those of the latest member of our family - a mannequin.  But not just any mannequin.  Our latest recruit was gifted to us by a local artist after I asked if we could borrow him for my photoshoot.  She's moving house and I think the timing was right for her to part company with her creation, who has now been reunited with his long lost cousin (yes we have two).  He's not everyone's cup of tea, but very much ours!  All will be revealed in good time.  For now, I can share a few behind the scenes pics.  

Now that's a make up kit!

On Saturday it was raining cats and dogs in every way possible!

Farmhouse cat

Amy and the cutest Pomeranian on the planet

Finally there was a break in the clouds and we went for it, celebrating afterwards with cakes baked by our lovely celebrant.  Another memorable day!

As a result of the day's shenanigans, I successfully avoided any news coverage of the day's events, going straight from the shoot to a friend's BBQ.  I'm fully up-to-date now however, on second hand news, given the British media's wall to wall coverage over the remainder of the Bank Holiday weekend.  This photo taken by Gareth at Himley on Sunday in the final moments of a Classic Mini Show pretty much sums up our Coronation experience.

In other news, my "Artist" tulips are starting to bloom and I'm obsessed.  The colours are incredible!  Using my humble macro extension tube, I tried to capture them just as they opened...and was photobombed by a caterpillar!  I'm betting not many people have uttered those words.

I love the abstract nature of macro photography.  These are straight out of the camera with zero editing.  Aren't the colours amazing?

The marsh marigold has all but taken over the pond....

...and the Wisteria is beginning it's brief but beautiful purple reign as Garden Queen.

This weekend is all about weddings; a real one tomorrow at a rural wellness retreat and my first ever Wedding Fayre on Sunday.  It's a small affair and I've had relatively little time to plan, having been approached by the organisers last month.  

As my first event though, it suits me.  It's pretty low key with a reasonable number of exhibitors and above all, affordable.  I can't bear those corporate affairs with metal framed backdrops, enormous banners, bland white vignette couples shots and hard sell.  It's not my style.  I've opted for small and quirky in the hope of finding my tribe.  Wish me luck!