Last week I went back to Blenheim Palace to check out a bridal fashion show (and take a nice Sunday afternoon walk!) I took my camera. You know - just so no one would be in any doubt what I do for a living. And grabbed a couple of unofficial shots from my seat beside the catwalk.
And I wasn't intending to blog them, until I realised something that I'd like to share. The side passageway was a great location for a small intimate catwalk, and allowed the models to perform in one direction, and use each of the archways to their advantage as they posed.
As I watched, I noticed that the light cast sideways across the model's body, in the Rembrandt style, revealing three-dimensional form, and making them look absolutely beautiful. I wondered what genius had come up with the idea of having beautiful women walk up and down this particular aisle.
And then I realised that it wasn't just Teri and Michele of Apero events, or the talented folks at RAH productions, but a chap called John Vanbrugh in the early eighteenth cenutry, the architect who originally conceived the form of Blenheim Palace.
The point is that beauty is built into this place, and has stood getting on for three hundred years of admiration by greater men and women than I, including Winston Churchill and a good eleven or so Dukes of Marlborough!
As I walked around the grounds and looked at the many sculptures, gardens and works of art there, it literally blew my mind to think of the permanent timelessness of beauty, a kind of perpetual tradition, carried on today by every one of the gorgeous brides I have the honour of depicting in photographs.
And I was proud to remember that as interested as I am in geeky things like megapixels, maximum apertures and hyperfocal distance, I am WAY more interested and completely inspired by beauty, light, form, and most of all love. And I'd like you to do the same - don't make your wedding just one big shopping trip! Get yourself into the countryside, the church, a book or an art gallery, and think about the countless men and women before you who have responded to their desire for love and companionship by committing their lives to each other. And surround yourself with people and things that inspire you.
Stuart and Lindsay's Wedding!
Added Wednesday 14th October 2009
As promised, some great photographs from the wedding of Stuart and Lindsay this Summer.
Lindsay was glowing right from the start of the day. She's a truly beautiful woman, and she doesn't even know it!
Here are the girls, Courtney and Natalia. This little pooch was very sweet, and kept hiding between my legs. I'm gonna' go with the force, and say her name is 'Holly'. Am I right? I didn't even write it down!
One of the things I enjoyed about Lindsay is how expressive she is! Especially when she thinks I'm not watching! Here she's getting ready with her head bridesmaid, Jane.
I should say, that this was a very emotional wedding! Haha, poor folks didn't stand a chance. The second Lindsay saw her Dad, both burst into tears. This is a very loving and emotional family. Quite frankly, just to be in their lovely home that morning meant a lot. Ever since I met Stuart and Lindsay over a year ago, I couldn't WAIT to share this day with them.
Stuart and the boys, chilling out at Harrowden Hall, one of my favourite wedding locations.
And looking suave in the moments before he becomes the proud husband of the lovely Lindsay!
It was a bit of a squash to get up the front for this particular ceremony!! But the registrars promised me it was OK, and I'm so glad, because I got some lovely closeups of these emotional moments.
Okay, here's the gold! Some of the lovliest couple portraits I can honestly remember ever taking. One of these will become very familiar to anyone who gets a copy of my new glossy postcards.
In fact, we used a photo of Stuart and Lindsay in this exact spot for the back of my business cards. It was great fun to hand those out at the wedding and let people think I'd made them specially.
Bingo.
Two flower girls who were happy to have their photos taken! In actual fact, it's safe to say they weren't quite so sure at first. So we sat down, and I showed them the previous photo of Lindsay, and asked if they wanted photographs as pretty as that one. I'm telling you, straight out of the door into the garden - I couldn't even keep up!
These guys even look glamourous just hanging about waiting for the lineup!
Makes me smile a LOT!
The tears continued during Stuart's beautiful speech, in which he told us how lucky he felt, and how much he loved Lindsay. Much hugging, kissing, cheering and laughter followed. My reaction? Well I was hiding my eyes behind the viewfinder, so...
Dancing to Eva and Aerosmith!
National Wedding Show AND a sneak preview!
Added Tuesday 13th October 2009
I spent all of last weekend meeting brides, grooms, and parties of bridesmaids, Mums, Dads and hangers-on at the national wedding show in the NEC.
Here's the new, slinky black stand design...
And some AWESOME new albums waiting to be thoroughly inspected! (If you missed your chance, please give me a call and I'll bring some over. Can't wait to show you.)
We were again next door to our friends from Margot Raybould Bridalwear, and the lovely Becky, modelling a striking red Ian Stuart dress.
Soon enough, we got bored of the stand and went looking for something pretty to sit Becky on. Lucky for us, Chris from Ultimate Luxury Cars was there to help!
Oh my!
Back at the stand, here's Becky making friends.
And I just wanted to show you a couple of photos from Stuart and Lindsay's beautiful wedding at Harrowden Hall.
I don't know why you need to see this! Except that it's NOT making it into the cut for Stuart and Lindsay! I just laughed when I came across it in adobe lightroom. This is how you test the lighting setup for the first dance.
But then you're still not quite sure, so there's only one thing for it: streeeetch!
Images are coming really soon!
Facebook page - become a fan!
Added Wednesday 7th October 2009
If you're on facebook, you really should check out our new fanpage. If you click to join, you can get updates and see all the latest cool photographs!
The new DVD is ready at last! I couldn't wait to see it, and show it to you. For a hard copy, just ask! But here's the whole ten minute production, complete with shoot and interview with the lovely Craig and Emma, whose wedding at Somerford Hall this year captured the imagination and made me want a whole new DVD in the first place!
I just want to express my sincere thanks to Craig and Emma, who are frankly awesome, to Ken and the staff at Somerford Hall, the PERFECT wedding and reception venue. And to the uber-talented Richard Eaton of Lakeside Productions. Richard takes on a number of very exclusive weddings a year, so if you're looking for a wedding videographer, give him a call!
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