Caribbean Faves

OK, I've been back a few weeks so it's old news and it wasn't work but I felt like putting up my faves from the holiday last month. Maybe it makes up for not blogging since January.

I don't really do landscapes so here's a seascape. I find the sea so much more appealing, which can be a problem when I live so far away from it now!

Could have spent hours in here but only Katy was willing to do crazy poses :-)

This is in the same place - the Vortex disco on deck 13.


Raining in Haiti.

Street sellers in Cartagena, Colombia.

Portobelo, Panama.

Portobelo again.

Aah, the Champagne Bar.

Here's our home for the 10 nights - Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, anchored here at Grand Cayman.

The boys on 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman

So just a little taste there - quite a few more on Flickr.
Since I got back I've been catching up and doing some commercial work for Football Fledglings and Little Me, as well as covering Bugsy Malone tonight at John Masefield.
Will put some pics up from some of those soon.
I'll be doing some wedding fayres and pre-wedding shoots in the coming couple of months so looking forward to those and getting on with some outdoor portraits when Spring finally arrives.

Studio Workshop

Today I ran my first workshop of 2010. 4 photographers joined me in my studio to have a crack at some still life set-ups. It's a bit of a departure from my usual work but we had some fun playing with the various 'props' and putting our (limited!) flower arranging skills to the test.
One of the attendees, Jane, brought these peacock feathers along and I think they look great with the blue gels on the background.


Here are the same feathers but shooting into the softbox. It gives a dreamy, almost monochrome feel.

A couple of different gels, a tulip and some hyacinths for another set-up. Flowers today were supplied by Valerie Butcher.

Some nice daffs shot against the grey background. We used this set-up with some green gels on the background but I like this simple grey shot.

Thanks for an enjoyable day everyone. The next workshops are in March, details on the main website.

The Imagined Village

The last time I saw The Imagined Village was at the Big Chill, either last year or the year before (sorry I can't remember which!). Then they had Sheila Chandra with them and they've also featured Billy Bragg. Now they've slimmed the line-up down a bit but there's still a fair few of them on stage.
I photographed them last night at Birmingham Town Hall for Brum Live and they were great!
There should be a review up there soon.
For now, here's a few pics.


Not many uprights in the bass player collection so this is a nice rarity.




Their sound is somewhere between ancient English folk and Indian/world music, oh with a bit of Electronica thrown in for good measure. Many of the songs are re-workings or arrangements of songs I normally would steer well clear of! That's testament to how good they are at it. I even bought their CD. :-)

2010

A bit late I know but the New Year has been on hold somewhat so far because of all that snowy stuff. It was very nice and the Malverns particularly looked amazing but closed schools and messy roads meant not much got done!
I have managed to get a few portraits in though and a job at Malvern Library for their Festival of Learning so it's not been completely dead. Tonight the John Masefield evening classes start again too - a week late.
This term is a short one and I'll be getting the students to think about the upcoming exhibition at the Weaver's Gallery in Ledbury - advertised on my Facebook page. We ran this last year, organised brilliantly by Jeanette McCulloch, and it was such a success that it's on again from March 22nd - 28th this year. It will feature work from my photography students (different work to last year!) as well as pieces from the Botanical Illustration and Silver Jewellery classes.
We're also taking the Unsung Heroes exhibition to Malvern Library in May - I'll post details later - so it's already turning into a busy 2010. My Spring workshops will run on a number of Sundays from Feb 7th until May too - get in touch directly or via Facebook if you want to attend one. Details on the main website.
So just a little update for now. Looking forward to getting the classes started again tonight.
See you soon!

Congratulations to Jo & Paul

For my third wedding of December and my last of 2009 I was back up in Stratford at Ettington Chase as Jo & Paul chose the last weekend before Christmas for their wedding. It was -5 degrees as I scraped the ice off the car and headed to Warwick to catch Jo getting ready, then off to St. Margaret's church in nearby Whitnash .

This is a classic shot of Paul checking his watch (not posed either!) as the low winter sun throws a highlight on to his watch arm. The freezing temperatures were well worth it to get this lovely light.

Here's Jo signing the register. I was allowed free rein in the church so could capture the ceremony from a few different angles.



Beautiful light still afterwards but too cold for group shots at the church!

Here's one reason why people choose winter weddings - look at that sky! That's Fred's 80 year old Rolls Royce in the background. A lovely car but I'm glad I was following in my car with modern heating - they didn't have any!



After a few group shots outside (I let the guests pop in and out of the Library through the side door to warm up!) we decided to do the rest inside by the piano. I love this natural one of Jo & Paul.




Later on, after the meal, a special guest took time out from his busy schedule to come and chat to the kids and hand out presents. Needless to say he was a big hit!


With the dark closing in it was time for some more low-key shots. This one is in the entrance hall at Ettington Chase, just lit by the overhead lights.

And finally a nicely worked out first dance.


Congratulations again and I hope Paul didn't let the secret getaway destination slip too early. I'm sure it was amazing and I look forward to catching up in the New Year.

In between Bridget & Tony's and Jo & Paul's weddings I also photographed the John Masefield carol concert at Ledbury Church and I've had a couple more studio portraits today. So it's been a great December. Just need to finish the Xmas shopping now!

Congratulations to Bridget & Tony

Just a quick post and a couple of shots from Bridget & Tony's wedding last Wednesday 9th Dec. A small and intimate wedding at Ledbury Register Office, followed by lunch at the Verzon House Hotel just outside Ledbury.

Here's the couple in town by the Christmas tree next to the Market House. We had to wait for a back-up registrar to come from Hereford as the one who was meant to be there couldn't make it! Not too much delay though and Bridget & Tony could carry on with their ceremony and grab a few shots before heading off to the restaurant.

The Verzon is a lovely restaurant and hotel on the Ledbury to Hereford road, run by Peter, Audrey & Jane Marks. I joined Bridget, Tony and their guests there for a little while before slipping off to let them enjoy their lunch and the rest of their day.

Josh's Christening

Just a quick post with a couple of shots from Josh's christening on Sunday.
With Clare & Howard's wedding pics uploaded and backed up it was time to clear down the cards, recharge batteries and head off to Eastnor Church for a big family christening for little Josh.

Here's Georgia, Graham & Josh arriving.


A lovely bright December day made for some nice lighting inside the church.


Then it was off to the Feathers Hotel in Ledbury for the party. Here's the family by the Quills room at the Feathers.


Just getting the rest of the pictures ready for the web gallery then I'll be editing Bridget & Tony's wedding from Wednesday 9th.