Who ate the Holy Rolos?!

Oh my Lordy, what a day! What a location! What the bleezes was that with the amazing summertime weather?! What a family! What a cracking bunch of friends. What a lovely packet of Rolos ;-) And most importantly what a beautiful couple, both in the yummy looks way and the amazing ‘good hearts and good giggles’ way. I can say this because I have known this special couple for many years, since the days of prep and smoking cigarettes in the vents to be precise, and I know they are very, very 'forgiving' people.  They forgive people who eat the Holy Rolo's non?!

There is something wonderful about shooting a friend’s wedding, daunting yes, but a real tribute to their belief you will do a great job. I haven’t shot a friend’s wedding for about 18months as I swore I wouldn’t do one again, but when friends hire you, because they want you to shoot their most important day, how can you say no?!

The wedding was in Looe, Cornwall and I stayed at the The Old Bridge House in West Looe. I would recommend this B&B a thousand times, amazing breakfasts, I had a super comfy room and received an enormous welcome from Colin & Liz, who were so friendly and run an excellent establishment.

The weather was incredible. The teepees were amazing and pitched on Emma's Grandma's field which gave it that extra personal touch. The food was delicious. The band 'Last of the Mojitos' were brilliant and got everyone dancing and even did a cigarette run for the guests - legends! The bubbles flowed and the atmosphere was just so personal and so very special.

I photographed Emma and Jona's personal shots at the Tallandbay Hotel (www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk) which by the way is all kinds of fabulous with incredible views and I must thank Mick (Jona's Dad) for carrying my flash and umbrella, it was very much appreciated!

All in all, I don’t think they could have planned for a more perfect day. 

The service by Father Phil was charming and I especially loved him using a packet of Rolo's to symbolise the love between the couple, 'Do you love them enough to give them your last Rolo' etc...I'm sure we all remember the advert. Sadly 'someone' ate the holy Rolo's...so shameful, tut tut tut (wiping chocolate from my mouth ;-) 

N.B. to future clients, I promise I will not eat anything you put in my possession! 

Jona & Emma, I would like to say that I think you are a wonderful couple, you truly are. You both have remarkable families and I can see how much you all love each other and I know you will have a very happy life together and if Emma's Mum is anything to go by Jona, you're on to a winner my friend ;-) 

I would love to go on and on about this wedding, but I can't because I may cry it was so good. 

Thank you to you both for letting me part of it and for making my job such a joy. Big love to you both xx

Togs and tots.

Babies, babies, babies, these days I am surrounded by them and lucky for me (and them) I happen to love the little bundles. I especially love to photograph them…their skin is translucent, their eyes sparkle untouched by pollution, nicotine, booze and a general kicked-by-life yellow tinge. They look at you like you’re CrAzY mad and then smile when you do a ‘peek-a-boo’. Yup, I love them.

Brainchild of Sian Gray (past bride) & my good self, the Baby & Toddler Photo Sessions are taking off in a big way and I love doing them and I think everyone who gets involved also loves doing them. I have been receiving some ace feedback so it spurs me on enormously.   

In short, someone plays Host. They invite their friends (with babies/toddlers) to their home. I pop along with all my caboodle and each parent/child has a ½ hour shoot for £55. The Host puts on a little spread (nothing fancy mind, just something to keep the tummies and throats at bay) and then there’s lots of laughter and chat and everyone has a great time. They then receive their images (I say 10, but I always give more because I’m a softie) within a week of the shoot. Ooh, I forgot to add the person playing Host gets their shoot absolutely free. Free, free, free, costing nada, nothing to pay here, uh no, no, FREE. Like a free thing that is totally free (barring the nibs and bevs of course).

I have a few booked up now and I have to say, I love them, but mainly because you get to hang out with some super cute kids.
These are my personal favourites from the shoot last Saturday... KEEEEOOOOOT! 

Loukie's brother's band

(I was once told that Loukie's Brother's Band would be an ace name for a band...I tend to agree, but they were having none of it...downturn smile, downturn smile)

The Son, are a Surrey based band who are currently in the quarterfinals for the big You Bloom competition to win 10,000 smackeroos! That’s £££s in excited talk.

I would like them to win because my brother will buy me a fabulous (or so I have determined) birthday present. I’m a great sister, I clearly deserve it …for being so great, full of greatness and just generally a lovely ‘not at all annoying’ sister ;-)

As a bit of a bonus, they happen to be amazing! Not in biased-little-sister terms, but in real life, rock n’ roll, talented musician terms. They know how to play, they know how to sing and God damn it, they know how to entertain.

I would love them to get through to the semi-finals because they deserve a shot at the big prize and have what it takes to win. I know how hard they work and how dedicated they are and I would really, really, really like a good prezzie this year so… I ask with a thousand smiles…

Please take a second to vote for them here:

http://www.youbloom.com/ybsc/entry/2864/

They are also playing Guilfest this year too, which is VERY, VERY exciting. Love a good local festival.

Thank you good people and hopefully I will be writing soon with the wonderful news that they're through to the semi-finals! 

Fingers crossed xxx

Insert 1 x Beautiful bride & 1 x Handsome Groom

If magic and fairies and all things ‘Wonderland’ (as in Alice’s hangout) exist, then I think they must reside in The Larmer Tree (http://larmertree.co.uk) on the Wiltshire/Dorset border. 

I was there last week for a site visit with my clients George and Maneet who’s wedding I will be shooting in June.

The pictures below aren’t anything special, more for reference and shot quickly, but THIS IS WHERE THE LITTLE PEOPLE LIVE! (See tiny doors, clearly meant for tiny people ergo TINY PEOPLE EXIST)

Can’t wait for June. 

Magic. 

Imagine the following if you will...left hand image: Remove poor pitiful plant and replace with beautiful bride sitting on the table looking out of the window. Stunning! Throw in some fairies buzzing about the place...rah rah ok, I'm out of here. Happy Friday all xx