Back to Black

My blogs have become more sporadic lately, but blogging should be a pleasure, not a chore, and life has a knack of reminding you to get on with things.  Some of my friends are dealing with loss right now and such events always make me reflective.  My photos are effectively my journal anyway, so I've had to scroll back through October to see which bits to share with cyberspace for the month of October?

Well, it's spooky season, so here goes!  These days we don't make such a big deal of Halloween (although some might think that three carved pumpkins say otherwise).  But, I have been indulging in some seasonally appropriate, mystical and downright spooky activities.  

I've been sticking to a regular exercise regime of nordic walking three times a week.  I usually get a few looks and comments, but the benefits are good enough for me not to care.  Maybe it's the fact that my DNA results show I'm approximately one third Scandinavian!

Determined to capture the recent Hunter's Moon, we headed to Enville Church (home of three and counting Knights Templar graves), believing it to be a good vantage point for the moon rise.  We were not mistaken.  As we walked around the ancient grave yard, the moon emerged without warning, from behind a cloud.  I quickly set up my tripod, a timer on the shutter release and my lens to infinity.  Whilst it might not win any awards, I was pleased to have captured this magical moment.

This one was less successful technically, but I still like the result.

At this time of year, I usually create a concept for a Halloween self portrait.  This year, I've been otherwise engaged.  However, after the disappointment of having to cancel a planned styled shoot using a vintage late 60s wedding dress (thanks Vix), I decided to play dress up.  It was, as is often the case with me, a spur of the moment decision and therefore there's no hair styling or make up.  However, the dress is too beautiful not to be seen and the results are maybe a little spooky.  

My own sartorial choices are undergoing something of a transformation.  My style is still eclectic and my appreciation of vintage and interesting second hand finds remain, but I'm falling back in love with black.  It's just so cool and classic...not to mention gothic.  Plus black pieces are so versatile, slotting easily into any wardrobe.  I've picked up a couple of chunky new-to-me knits, which work beautifully with my vintage skirts and over dresses.  This practical and stylish find is worth a share.  I love it's Victorian inspired ruffle details (the reverse is cable knit).  It makes me feel like I'm wearing a corset.

This lovely dress popped up on Vinted and just screamed Autumn.  My tresses have gone a darker shade of blonde too to match the darker half of the year.

This little fella has been visiting us regularly.  He's such a traitor.  Despite not belonging to us, Noah makes himself feel at home whenever he calls and as such, appears to have claimed ours as his second home; so much so that he now attempts to send off his shy sister on the rare occasion that she ventures across to our side of the street.  He looks like butter wouldn't melt doesn't he?  Look at that wet nose!

He demands our attention whenever he visits, putting up his paw (the haunted, hovering paw as we call it) to request more fuss if we dare to turn away.  He's actually sitting on my lap and nudging my hands as I type.

We visited Shrewsbury's Halloween Steampunk Fair at the weekend and I was able to get in some portrait practice.  The old oak doors and sandstone walls of St Mary's Church provided  perfect backdrops.  Some sitters (standers?) needed little direction.  Others responded to my simple direction to "look hauntingly into the middle distance."

Vive la revolution!

First in the queue when witches' hats were handed out.

Shades of Annie Hall?

Gregory's social media profile reads:  "Failed music hall impresario, barker, fire breather and occasional observer of the occult."  Now what could be better for Halloween?

This man had a particularly characterful face that belongs in an old Ealing comedy and I loved his hat.

Here's West End stage star, Polly Wolf, looking moody as requested.

Unguarded!

Her companion's companion was Eddie, the bearded dragon.

Outside, there was morris dancing...

It had a distinctly pagan flavour, but the 21st century was never too far away...

Still, this man's drinking vessel was on point.

Here come the girls!

Some intentional motion blur.

Don't they look amazing?

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

My favourites - representing White Rose Steampunks - the Yorkshire contingent.

We also squeezed in a visit to the Severn Valley Railway on a glorious sunny Autumn day.

There's always a sense of time shifting whenever we visit this heritage railway station.  For example, there was evidence of a bunch of day trippers visiting from decades earlier.

But on the deserted station platform, it was a very different story.  Here's Morti Don tending the station garden.

A super fit cyclist casting a shadow or something more sinister?

To say the inhabitants were gloomy is something of an understatement.

We didn't linger.

I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs over the next couple of days.  For now, I'll leave you with a super short video.  Turn the sound up!

Happy Halloween!

Wishing you a safe Samhain.

Wed-Fest: Ready For The Afterglow?

Sun is in short supply this summer, so I thought I'd revisit a wedding from earlier this year.  Even with the most meticulous forward planning,  no one can control the weather gods and that's perhaps one of the few things that is left completely to chance on such a momentous day, but fortune favoured Matt and Laura on their April wedding day.  

That said, don't let our temperamental climate compromise your plans.  If you want to get married in the open air, go for it!  There are some incredible all weather wedding venues in the UK that will have you covered, metaphorically and literally.  Tipi wedding venues are often family run with the nicest of wedding co-ordinators and they usually offer a choice of locations to tie the knot; from woodland glades to characterful barns, with the party continuing late into the night under cover of canvas beneath the stars.

Back in April, I was fortunate enough to capture this incredible festival wedding at The Firs Wedding Venue near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire.

As is my way, my booking confirmation was accompanied by a questionnaire designed to get to know my couples better.  I always offer to meet couples in person or at least have an initial conversation on the phone, but I also like to allow couples the time to absorb and consider my questionnaire.  It's nothing scary I hasten to add, but in addition to the sensible questions about colour schemes and family politics, I might as them a few randoms.  An example might include which actor they would choose to play them in a film.  It's an ever-evolving document, but intended to be fun.  No one wants to work their way through reams of paperwork.  However, I'm a genuinely curious person and love to get to know my clients, whilst respecting the fact that we're in a business relationship, so the questions are designed to give me a clearer picture of clients' style and taste.

With Laura and Matt, it was established early on that their wedding was going to be unique and deeply personal; a festival style wedding or "wedfest" with celebrations stretching over a full weekend.  Guests stayed in bell tents erected on site and feaster on pizza and noodles.

By the time of their wedding, I was familiar with some of their favourite music/bands (drum and bass in this instance), had a good idea of their personal style, was in possession of the day's itinerary (not carved in stone but still handy) and knew that we gelled - in terms of their expectations of me and my preferred way of working - e.g. documentary style photography.  Plus, I was chuffed to discover that they are cat people, but more on that later.

After abysmal weather leading up to the wedding, the day itself dawned bright and beautiful.

I arrived early and set about capturing the guests arriving and milling about.

Laura and Matt's chosen colour scheme (blues, greens, teal and a hint of burgundy) was accentuated by the bluebell carpeted woodland glade setting chosen for their handfasting ceremony.  Whatever the weather, nature always delivers.

Their ancient handfasting ceremony was personalised to perfection with the assistance of Stourbridge based SJW Celebrant.  I have no idea what had just passed between the three of them here, but it made for a great photo!

Check out Laura's braids and black lace cloak!  Matt was also on point, bringing the burgundy.

Another useful skill for any photographer is to have eyes in the back of your head.  If you can't live up to that expectation, make sure you do the odd 180 degree rotation to capture guests' reactions.

In such beautiful natural surroundings, or anywhere for that matter, eco friendly confetti is a must.  Laura and Matt had created their own from dried flower petals.

It's actually extremely common for couples to confess to being uncomfortable in front of the camera.  An important part of the job is addressing that specific issue.  There are various ways of doing this.  Pre wedding shoots are always an option, to enable couples of get used to being photographed.  Whilst I'm rubbish at remembering jokes, I do to try to engage couples with humour and there's nothing more disarming than seeing your photographer lying down on the ground to get a better angle, as I've been known to do.  I also avoid labouring over photographs and try read the room.  The trick here is to instinctively know when to shoot from the side lines and when to gently orchestrate a particular shot that reveals itself to me.

After the ceremony and a relaxed couples' portrait session,

Matt and Laura took some time for themselves.  Then it was time for speeches and cake cutting...

...which moved seamlessly into music and partying.  Becky Hill's Afterglow kickstarted the party.

I loved that Laura and Matt's personalities were stamped all over this wedding, from the individual wedding attire, to ribbon twirling, festival food, drum and bass silent discos and giant bubbles.

This attention to detail was by far, my biggest takeaway.  It was a totally inclusive wedding and that extended to those who couldn't make it, namely the couple's five cats.

As for the weather, well despite being on the cool side, we had uninterrupted blue sky, which made for the most incredible golden hour portrait session, including the photo at the top of this post.  Matt and Laura immediately recognised their luck in this regard and - nerves melted away - were happy to take a short walk with me in order that I could capture the happiness they were both radiating, in the most magical light...

Subtle rim lighting.

Sunkissed; golden hour light flatters all skin tones.

Silhouette bridal portrait.

If you're inspired to plan something similar, let's talk!

If you're struggling to see the light through all of this incessant rain, keep the faith.  I have it on good authority that there's a heatwave on the way.