Roblog

Ok a huge apology to everyone who has been waiting to see their pictures appear on these hallowed pages, and to those loyal followers who just like to dip in and see what I have been up to.

It won't have escaped your notice that not much has been posted recently. I accept that I had some computer probelms which put me back a bit with processing but the main problem has been that the server upon which this blog sits was hacked by some total moron who trashed pretty much everything there was - we done you - you know who you are - may you fester in your tragic little bedsit...

David the webgod has worked hard to try to get me back to speed , but the functionality of the blog is such that I struggle to upload anything and the library empty's itself with monotonous regularity. As a result of this the decision has been made to start again with a new blog site. This is currently in the process of being developed by D the WG. I also decided that this would be a good opportunity to have a funky new website too. These are both well on their way so I am looking forward to the launch of new site very soon. Please keep visiting to keep up with news of the launch. It will mean that followers wil be asked to "re follow" once the new blog goes live - but I do hope you'll join me again on the new site.

Had the pleasure of photographing Maria & Stephen's wedding at the amazing Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire on my birthday. Apart from not being with my family this was a great way to spend this day.


Before I get into the details of the wedding , I should just announce that I have formally presented myself with nob of the month award!! As I was due to have an early strat today, I travelled up to Lincolshire last night and stayed at a Premiere Inn very close to whee the girls wrre getting ready in the morning. Having checked in I was taken to my and dumped my bag on the floor whilst I had a look round at the facilities and flicked through the TV etc [ as one does] . I then became aware of a really irritating deep buzzing sound in my room. After a bit of examination I came to the conclusion that the noise was coming from the wall between my room and the next one. Having waited a while to see if it would stop I headed dwon to reception to voice my concerns about sleeping in a room with a loud buzz going all night. The guy on reception very helpfully came up to see what the problem was and having spent several minutes trying wires/switching off the TV and fan/ unplugging stuff etc, eventually traced the buzz..... to my holdall!!!! As I had dumped my bag down it had switched on my shaver!!!! ... It could only happen to me.

I started the day with the girls at home before heading off to catch up with Stephen at Tattershall Castle . Stephen had arrived in a really cool car [ girls can't have all the fun.]












Tattershall castle was a truly fantastic place although the ceremony room was the darkest place I have ever shot a wedding.





After a drinks reception in the great hall we were outside for photographs and some leisurely enjoyment of the flying display from the local air museum. I'm not sure what this plane is but no doubt some expert in these matters will leave a comment to let me know.


























Today's Fab Hat Winner is this lovely lady [ also called Maria] - who goes through to the grand final.




It turns out that Maria's mum, as well as being very photgenic, is also a wedding photographer so I had to make sure I was at the top of my game today!!










After, it was off to Abbey Lodge for the wedding reception and meal. Maria & Stephen travelled in a vintage Bentley which Stephen himself had spent months restoring in readiness for the wedding. Stephen has made a fantastic job of the car which is now available for wedding hire [ please go to www. ].


















It is a true indication of what a lovely couple Stephen & Maria are that amongst all the wedding planning they had going on, they had taken the trouble to remember that is was my birthday - something I had mentioned in passing some 18 months earlier when we first met. Not only did Stephen give me a mention in his speach but everyone sang happy birthday and Maria had gone to a lot of trouble to make me a custom cake using an image off my blog. I was totally astounded by the trouble they had both gone to on top of everything else that was going on.. and I must add that that this is one cake that certainly tasted better than it looked!!!!

A few more of the people who have come forward to take pat in my chair project. To see the full details please see the gallery on my main website.

Thank you to these new participants.

I had Carly and Tom over to the studio today. I am photographing Carly's sister, Jodie's wedding later this year and the guys had come over to take part in my chair project. so we had a short but productive portrait session whilst they were here.

A small selection of the shoot.

Another social day, with visits from Liz and Paul. Disappointingly [ as both are photographers], neither wanted to sit in front of my camera!!!

Later, got more coffee on for the arrival of " computer repair man" a new breed of super hero. He spent his time trying to unravel the mysteries of the unresponsive laptop.. methinks that Daniel and his downloads may have some questions to answer....

More coffee boiling - it is a shame that this is the day the kettle has decided to die too. Spent my time back and forth to a boiling pan on the hob and more than once only just saved the saucepan from boiling dry where I had got distracted and forgotten it was on.

It seems that the laptop may be recoverable so only a new kettle to buy at the moment.... not convinced. These things come in threes!!!

Had a day of visits in the studio today. I always love it when people pop by, it relieves the tedium of string at a screen getting knotty shoulders.

I started the day with a meeting in town then headed back for a coffee with Caroline.

Met up with Lisa, whose wedding I am shooting later this year. She had brought her sister who is going to be a bridesmaid. Brides to be , please note, follow Lisa's example and choose pretty bridesmaids - they'll look great in your pictures!!!

Got the guys to take part in my personal project - The Chair

I had a fantastic day today. I caught the train down to London to meet up with Maria & David for their pre wedding shoot around their favorite haunts. Whilst it may have been more convenient/quicker overall to drive down I chose the train so I could use the time preparing work for my MPA diploma in business. I also actually enjoy train travel. After a while I gave up on the heavy going paper work and switched to my book. Working on the basis that I have had the book for ages and have never read it, I have eventually picked up Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray [ to get some culture innit?]..... come back Mo Hayder all is forgiven.

I met up with Maria & David in the Butler Wharf area and from there we wandered the sights, doing the tourist stuff on the way. Taking in Tower Bridge, More London, The Millennium Bridge/Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral and Smithfield Market before rounding off the day with a couple of tankards of foaming ale [ all that was missing from The Fox & Anchor was Mrs Miggins!!!

































































I had just positioned Maria & David on the steps at St Pauls when I spotted, Kevin an aerial photographer I know from Norfolk - small world!!!


























I had a great afternoons shoot and really enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Maria & David. I'm really looking forward to their wedding.

After we parted company I headed back to Liverpool St station to await the train. Whilst I was waiting at the Tube I became aware of a guy who appeared to be struggling to get something out of his pockets. It looked as if he had a hole in his pocket and that something had dropped through. As I watched he eventually straightened up and I was gobsmacked by the fact that it was a mobile phone he was removing and the reason he was struggling was that he had no hands at all. Watching this guy use his stumps and mouth to maneuver the phone and make calls made me feel somewhat ashamed of myself about how easily I complain about things when they are no going quite my way. I got to wondering about how much we take for granted and how this guy manages with many of the day to day tasks. I was really curious to know more but didn't feel it was an appropriate subject as a conversation opener. I must remember to think about things next time I moan about a splinter or something.

I had some time to kill at Liverpool St and there is only so much time one can spend in W H Smiths before it starts to look odd and funnily enough I didn't fancy a Big Mac or Burger King. I wandered out into the Broadgate area and occupied myself taking pictures with my trusty G10. I wondered how long I could photograph before I was told not too by a jobs worth...... answer .... 11 mins!!















I did manage to get a quick spot of boudoir photography in at The Broadgate Exchange.






After a 10min delay at Manningtree due to signaling problems I arrived at Norwich in time to leg it round from platform one to platform six and clasp my hand on the door handle of my connecting train just as it pulled away from the station.... arrgh. I miss the pre H&S days of being able to run alongside the train and throw yourself through the moving doorway as the train pulls away.

Picked up assistant Alice and headed out to Broad House Hotel for the wedding of Caterina & Ricky.




They were both getting ready at the venue so it was possible to spend time with both the boys and the girls whilst getting ready.


























As ever, Cheryl and the team had done an amazing job of preparing the venue and the tables.
















During the afternoon's mingling, it became apparent that no one was wearing a hat. As we are strictly applying the rules this year there were no contenders for Fab Hat of the Day or indeed , Fab Hat of the Year. Despite pressure from a few fascinater wearers no award has been made this week.




A brief shower cut short the mingling and drinking outside although, thankfully it was short lived and didn't stop us achieving the pictures we wanted.



















After the wedding breakfast, we headed down through the bluebell woods to get some shots by Wroxham Broad which is accessible from Broad House.

Headed out in some serious sunshine to take some web images for Sweet Caroline. Caroline is a jewelry designer supplying a range of bespoke jewelry but also runs children s beading parties. Be sure to book her for something different for your child's next birthday.

I had an idea for the shoot before I traveled out to the shoot , but decided to make the most of the weather. Can you imagine anything better then having your best girly friends round and sitting in the garden with blue skies, sunshine and the gentle sound of chickens clucking in the background. I could have stayed all day.


















I'm definitely feeling a chicken need coming on.... watch this space....

Drove Daniel to school this evening for him to take part in the school talent contest - Thorpe Idol AKA proud dad moment No 342.

Daniel had been off ill with a temperature for most of the week , but dragged himself in to take part so he did not let the rest of the team down!! The show must go on!! The guys went against the tend for more mainstream pop songs and gave a most commendable version of " Do you hear the people sing" from Les Miserables.

Daniel seen here on right fetchingly sporting his mums military jacket!!




The guys didn't make the top three but the level of the talent on show was amazing. The Winner was a lad mixing live on stage, and who had wisely brought a very large posse to vote for him - well done to you!!

Big credit must go to Daniel who sang a solo verse for the competition - this is from the lad who was so shy at primary school that he wouldn't even join in at drama class - well done my man!!!





Spurred on by his new found confidence, Daniel has entered another purely singing contest as a solo artist and will be singing is version of a Tim Minchin song [ with cleaned up lyrics to make it school compatible]. This is to take place in the next week or so.. .watch this space.

I will take a proper camera next time too!!!

Had a day of socialising today. One of the joys of being self employed is the ability to "down tools" from time to time.

Started the day with a photographers "coffee morning" - we're so Rock & Roll you know. Drove over to Lisa's studio and met up with Liz, Duncan and John. As usual spent the morning drinking excess amounts of coffee and scheming the next great idea. I had to leave early for my next social event.. lunch with Babs.

I had lost contact with Debs [ who will for ever be known to me as Babs.. long story] for a while but am so glad to have her back in my life. It is when people are missing you come to realise just how important they are. Any one thinking of having family portraits shot.. do not put it off, do not photograph just the children, it is important that your children are able to look back at good times with their parents. It is also important for their children to look back at their grandparents. Life is too short - there is not enough time to do everything - just do as much as you can and do not put off capturing those moments spent with family and friends.. it might just be the last picture ever taken!!

Back to Babs. Met up with her at the River Garden for a lovely leisurely lunch by the river. Out in the sunshine with someone you truly love - what could be a better way to spend a day.....

Had an interesting shoot here in the studio today. I was photographing a range of musical instruments for a new on line specialist supplier of Left Handed String Instruments. The company is called Left Hand Bear and was named because bears are predominantly left handed. Who said this blog isn't educational!! Here is a small selection of the detail shots.

Took a rare day off and headed to Sheringham Park with the family. for the second time this weekend I had to bemoan the fact that I can't find my National Trust sticker and had to stump up for parking. [ Put on list of jobs to do]

Enjoyed a really laid back day mooching round the rhododendrons and woodland. It is quite apparent that spring is arriving late this year with hardly anything in flower. Enjoyed the first picnic of the year although it did require a certain amount of wrapping up.

A really hot sunny day saw me heading out to Blickling Hall park for the pre wedding shoot of Holly & Joe. They both work in the aviation industry so were fortunate[?] to have some time off due to a certain volcano.

I arrived to find that my National Trust car park sticker wasn't in the car!!! so had to scrape round for change in the bottom of my car.

We had a really leisurely, relaxed shoot in the sunshine and could quite happily have spent the whole day just taking pictures.

At last.. it's arrived! As you may know, I've been searching out a "vintage" bentwood cafe chair for some time without success. I've tried antique shops, flea markets and auctions. Any I could find were always in Surrey or somewhere equally far with a "collect only" policy., I could find new ones on line but they are just all shiny and boring.

Eventually, whilst doing a shoot in Norwich, I walked past the Playhouse Bar and saw that they had dozens in there. not being one for holding back, I strolled in and simply asked a very bemused member of the bar staff if I could buy one of her chairs. After a little negotiating, I walked up the street with my chair leaving the staff with some very odd looks on their faces. This chair is just what I wanted.. well used and plenty of character.

So thanks guys, I can now start on my latest idea for a photo project. I need about 10-12 people who would like a free photo shoot to contact me.... look forward to hearing from you.....