LOOKING BACK…… 2012
Well its that time of year when we all start to look back over the past 12 months & look forward to what the new year will bring and Ok perhaps we have not quite finished 2012 as we still have 2 wedding to go but what a year 2012 has been both personally & with the business. I have to say the WHOLE year has been fantastic & YOU our customers are what have made it all possible (sounds cheesy but its true) and below are a very small collection of images that made 2012 a year to remember……
I have to start with the Awards that we won this year. The year started with the North West Pro Photography awards where I received The MPA Overall Master Photographer of the Year, Portrait Photographer of the Year and we also won Wedding Album of the Year & numerous Gold Awards for our images. Then it was off to ‘the big one’ the National Professional Photography Awards Held in Newcastle and we returned with 3 National Awards, the Regional & Overall winner Mario Accerboni 3 from 1 Wedding Photographer of the Year, Winner UK Portrait of an adult & for us the big one, the UK Wedding Album of the Year. This was also the year that behind the scenes I decided to aim for an Associate Level within the Master Photographers Association & the British Institute of Professional Photography and after 6 months hard work I gained the prestigious letters AMPA,ABIPP after my name. A very proud moment as this is judged on not only the high quality of your photography but also the presentation, the thought process behind the images and your business & you as a photographer.
In March I was honored to be asked by the worlds largest wedding album supplier to present a talk on our photography & business at Focus On Imaging 2012 the UK’s largest trade show at the NEC in Birmingham, later in the year the Master Photographers Association invited me to show a live studio shoot to promote studio photography & workflow. The friends & fellow photographers that both Jane & I met at these events and the laughter will stay with us forever, a huge thank you to all who came along to both.
The Highpoint of the year has to be our Bride & Grooms and the fantastic weddings we have shot all over the UK, the portrait clients with their kids & families infact ALL of our customers we have had the pleasure to meet this year as without you none of the above would be possible (well we wouldn’t have any images for a start) Both Jane & I have had some great moments on our travels & more to come. 2013 & 2014 is starting to book up with some fantastic weddings, we have been asked to present seminars about our style of photography all over the UK and invited as a tutor on the prestigious Photo Training Overseas course to be held in Lanzarotte at the end of January so it looks as though this fantastic photography journey we are on continues
So all that remains is for Both Jane & myself to wish ALL our customers old and new a very happy Christmas and here’s to a great 2013….. Cheers!!!! D&J xxxxx
Wedding Photography at Peckforton Castle : Mark & Sarah
When it comes to stunning wedding venues then Peckforton Castle has to be in that category and a crisp autumnal day provided the perfect weather, simply beautiful. Mark & Sarahs wedding had it all, fun,emotion,tears & laughter and boy did we do some laughing.This was one of those weddings where everybody wanted to be involved , from the most photogenic Bridesmaids, fun Ushers & a Bestman that gave one of the best speeches ever. Peckforton Castle is gorgeous but at night it simply is amazing great for our low light photography as it makes a fantastic background. The great hall was set for a party & thats exactly what we had and as we left with the sound of the band & the dance floor full both Jane & I had a smile on our faces & a Roast Hogg barm in hand.... well Jane being a veggie had salad ;)
Thanks to Mark,Sarah & the wedding party for a great laugh & some stunning images. D&J x
Wedding Photography at West Tower: Jonathan & Amy
When it comes to a wedding preparation is everything & the Fulsters are experts at organising a wedding (even down to toilet breaks). Its always a joy to photograph people who over the years have been involved with your business and this wedding proved that point as we photographed Amy's sisters wedding a few years ago and following on from this Jonathan & Amy's wedding didn't disappoint, another great wedding. Amy had the blingiest shoes ever with a stunning dress to match and the look on Jonathan's face as she walked up the aisle with a proud Dad was priceless.
The reception was at West Tower, a venue that is turning into a second home for us but then again it is a gorgeous place & add to this beautiful sunlight and boy we shot some beautiful images of Amy & Jonathan and the great atmosphere this wedding had.After some great speeches (to a tough audience as Amy's Dad would agree ;)) it was party time with a brilliant 1st Dance choreographed by themselves that was very funny and got the party going till the early hours.
Thanks to the wedding committee for all their hospitality, another great wedding D&J x
Some Nice Words... Thank You
Its so nice to get feedback for our work,thank you its does make our day and puts a smile on our faces. D&J x
Wayne & Angela's Wedding
Dan & Kirsty's Wedding
UK Adult Portrait of the Year Award
As its Halloween I thought I would post the image that won the UK Adult Portrait of the Year award. Its of Laurence, a cult horror movie actor and this was an homage to the film he was the star of The Human Centipede 2.
Those of a nervous disposition please don't google it or if you do don't blame me!
Wedding Photography at Farrington Lodge: Rebecca & Ged
I love weddings at this time of year, the gorgeous autumnal colours & light make for great images. Rebecca & Ged really were a joy to photograph even if Ged was a little nervous (its the speech you know, you brides really dont understand ;)) The ceremony was held at St Matthews Church and the reception at Farrington Lodge in nearby Leyland and with a matching autumnal colour scheme the venue looked stunning.
Thanks to Rebecca & Ged for a great day. D
Wedding Photography at Duns Castle Scotland : Alastair & Lynn
Alastair & Lynn's wedding was an intimate and gorgeous wedding with the amazing backdrop of Duns Castle in Scotland attended by close friends & family this made for the most perfect of atmospheres. Jane & I drove up on the friday and as we wandered around the castle we started to get excited (yes a few iphone pics were taken). The morning was as beautiful as the day would be, gorgeous weather really setting off the autumnal colours and the day just got better. Now this wedding had a first for us, a Humanist ceremony, we had never attended one before but seriously cant wait for the next... it was beautiful, all about the couple.
Duns Castle is truly spectacular, the lighting the sheer grandeur of the building made for some stunning images all topped of with a sunset just before the candlelit speeches that made for us a perfect end to a perfect day. As we left the guests dancing & laughing for the long drive home we were so excited to see the images... and we weren't disappointed. If your getting married at Duns Castle ohhhh give me a call!!!!
All day we mingled with the guests as friends & we were made to feel so welcome so thanks to Alastair,Lynn & all the guests for a day we will never forget. D&J x
National Photography Awards 2012
In The Press
Wedding Photography at Last Drop Village : Gareth & Georgina
Laugh, Laugh, boy did we do some laughing at Gareth & Georgina’s wedding… from start to finish. Gareth & Georgina are very easy people to get along with & they made us feel very welcome even if at times we were laughing instead of taking pictures!. After the ceremony at Daisy Hill Church we drove to the reception at Last Drop Village in the moors surrounding Bolton for photo's. Wow this venue is huge, it’s a small village as well as a hotel. One part of a wedding that always brings fun is throwing the bouquet & Georgina’s was no different, as girls scrambled for the flowers with tears of laughter. Really heartfelt speeches from Georgina’s dad & Gareth, then a real roasting from the bestman, all in all a great wedding.
Wedding Photography at Arley Hall : Paul & Nicola
What a stunning venue Arley hall is & so are the gardens, well worth a visit for a chilled day off and no questions as to why Paul & Nicola decided to celebrate their wedding here with the gorgeous surroundings. This was our first visit to Arley Hall & I love shooting venues for the first time (its a bit sad but it what gets my blood flowing) and Arley Hall has so many places for photography, its a photographers dream. The brief for this wedding was fun & relaxed as the vast majority of guests were friends of the couple & this did make for a fantastic day and very funny speeches. On a personal note this was a great wedding & Jane & I were made to feel as friends and it was hard to leave as the dancing continued but with some great images of a gorgeous couple we had smiles on our faces.Here is a small selection of our favourite images.....
Thanks to Paul,Nicola & Sean for a great day. D&J x
Wedding Photography at Thistle Hotel: Mark & Natalie
What a crazy wedding this was... Mark & Natalies big day was at The Haydock Thistle Hotel, a venue not a million miles from me & a wedding full of Wiganers!!!!. The day started off very relaxed,very emotional with a gorgeous ceremony and as the sun shone the laughter began & boy did we laugh,a great group of guests made this a real fun event, you didnt know what was going to happen next. Great speeches was the start of the party & as we left to even more laughter I couldnt help think..... there will be a few sore heads in the morning :)
Thanks to Mark,Natalie and all at the wedding for a great day
Wedding Photography at Knowsley Hall: David & Sarah
WOW what a venue... Knowsley Hall is a stunning venue and always amazes me that this was once somebodies house!!!!. I had been looking forward to this wedding ever since the e-session we shot the previous year & the day didn't disappoint. A very relaxed Sarah greeted Jane at Knowsley Hall & met a slightly more nervous David (but David is so laid back you wouldn't notice) at St Helens Parish Church for a very personal ceremony.
One of the things I simply love about Knowsley Hall is the lighting, its beautiful, and its so easy to get carried away (think I did a bit) but as with all weddings we shoot the fun takes over, including Sarah throwing her bouquet (this was a stitch up) and very funny speeches.
Wedding Photography at Langdale Chase Hotel, Windermere : Tony & Hazel
A beautiful day,a beautiful location & a beautiful couple... pretty much sums up this wedding. Its easy to see why Tony & Hazel chose the Langdale Chase Hotel with its views over Lake Windermere in the stunning Lake District and as the sun shone, guests laughed, champagne flowed we shot some gorgeous images. The wedding ceremony was very dramatic with Hazel escorted by her father descending the most ornate staircase & then out onto the gardens by the lake... simply beautiful.
Tony is in the RAF and looked the part in his uniform proudly showing his medals, I was in dreamland great location all topped off by a beautiful sunset & shots on the hotel jetty overlooking the lake.... did I say beautiful enough???? because this day really was.
Thanks to Tony & Hazel for a memorable day D&J x
Wedding Photography at Ferrari's : Dan & Kirsty
Our first visit to the gorgeous Ferrari's named after its owner & his love of the italian sports car, infact Dan arrived in the owners Ferrari to make a dramatic entrance.The weather was shall we say indifferent.... bright sunshine & then torrential downpours but always a smile on Kirsty & Dans face (the only bigger smile was their son Lincoln's)
I have to say the speeches were very good even if one of the bestmens colour drained from his face as the moment came near and could be seen nervously pacing the gardens with his speech... dont know why it was great.
Wedding Photography at Meols Hall: Simon & Lucy
This was a great wedding, we arrived at Lucy's mums house to a very chilled make up area but I think Lucy was hiding her nerves well. I crossed over the road (yes the church was that close) and met an equally nervous Simon & his bestmen. Simon,Lucy and their family love photography so I was in my element & after the ceremony we headed to a local wheat field for some great shots. The reception was the stunning Meols Hall in Southport & the laughter carried on all day & into the speeches.A nice touch at the end when a little quiet moment for Simon & Lucy as their uncles played sax for them. As our regular blog readers will know I love shooting speeches, but be aware!!! 2 best men means twice the agony!
Thanks to Simon & Lucy for a great day & some great Images. D&J x
Wedding Photography at Rivington Barn: Tim & Rachael
Its been a while since our last wedding at Rivington Barn, but then again if we have a Sunday off you can find us there just enjoying a day chilling and so Tim & Rachael’s wedding was just like a Sunday to us (even the weather was glorious) Rachael was having her makeup done (by the very talented Anna May Ball,check her out) as we arrived and was very relaxed, and that’s how the day went. At Rivington there are so many locations and with the gorgeous light it made for some truly beautiful images of a couple very much in love. Rivington Barn never fails to impress but at night it really does come alive, Tim & Rachael did a great first dance but soon followed by some shady moves at a dance off. What a great day we had.
Wedding Photography at Hoghton Tower: James & Alicia
A beautiful sunny day for James & Alicia's wedding, not had many of them this year, but as we met Alicia,her mum & the girls in the morning the laughter had already started. I met James at the church pub and after a very emotional ceremony it was then off the the stunning Hoghton Tower. Hoghton Tower is a fabulous venue for photography & all credit to James & Alicia as their request was.. we want stunning images. The speeches had it all, tears, thank you's and laughter, lots of laughter and as we left the sun was setting & we could still hear people laughing. A great day.
Thanks to James & Alicia for a great day. D&J x
Wedding Photography at Mitton Hall : Sam & Karen
Great fun,great weather,great couple... hey we couldnt go wrong. Sam & Karens wedding at Mitton Hall was a fantastic day, we arrived with beautiful warm sunshine & a relaxed Karen & her crazy bridesmaids (who laughed & entertained all day). Sam arrived on a superbike so he had no nerves, just as well the ceremony was an emotional one.
Mitton Hall is stunning and we shot some gorgeous images in the gardens, all topped of with great hospitality from big Dave & cracking speeches
Thanks to Sam & Karen, it was a fun day D&Jx
Wedding Photography at Formby Hall : Simon & Emma
Our first visit to Formby Hall and met by a very excited Emma, mum & sister in the largest room I have ever seen.Emma looked absolutely stunning in her Dress & as I arrived at the church to be met by a very nervous Simon the heavens opened. The ceremony was very special carried out by a long term close friend who was now a vicar and not only that this was his first wedding ( I have to say he did fantastic, better than many long serving ministers) Sefton Church made a stunning background Simon & Emma, they really are a gorgeous couple & great to be around. A fantastic reception at Formby Hall with funny speeches had everybody in fits of laughter. A great day.
Thanks Simon & Emma for a great day & your smiles Dx
North West Photographer of the Year 2012/13
Wedding Photography @ Ashfield House : Ian & Ashley
I think we shall call this our ‘lucky weather’ wedding after all the rain was torrential but stopped at the right times, and as the sun shone along with the smiles Both Jane & I had fun shooting some gorgeous images. Ian & Ashley’s reception was at the beautiful Ashfield House Country Hotel and here they released two white doves & where greeted by their dogs (a scary moment as we thought they may jump onto Asley’s dress). A great day all topped of by an emotional Dad’s speech, a nervous Grooms speech then the groom destroyed by a fantastically funny bestmen’s speech.
Wedding Photography at Kilhey Court : Daniel & Leanne
Daniel & Leannes wedding ticked all the boxes, fun,emotional & gorgeous. As we arrived to a very relaxed Leanne in the morning we where greeted by a huge smile that never changed all day,despite this crazy weather we are having at the moment.Daniel would agree that he was a the more nervous of the two but after a beautiful ceremony & meeting family & friends he relaxed and gave a fabulous speech.
Wedding Photography @ The Manchester Monastery: Luke & Nicola
This was our first EVER visit to the Monastery in Gorton, Manchester and after a multi million pound refurb I hope its not our last, it really is a stunning venue and as the day was shall we say damp its perfect for wedding photography.Now the weather wasnt the only challenge, Luke is a footballer, in fact a goalkeeper, and a tall goalkeeper but Jimmy Choo to the rescue with a pair of killer heals to sort that problem.
The Monastery is stunning during the day but it really comes into its own in the evening, great lighting,great surrounds made for a fantastic evening party... even if some of the dancing was a little dubious :)
This was a great day a real laugh and also it was great to meet up with previous wedding couples.
Wedding Photography at Stanley House : Stephen & Donna
St James Church is located in the beautiful Lancashire countryside with stunning views, you can even see Blackpool Tower and it was here that a Stephen & Donna where married. Just a short journey & we arrived at their venue, the very chic Stanley House and here the fun really started with a singer/entertainer to say the least getting everybody singing & laughing.... oh, and doing the conga... do do dooo come on & do the conga!!!
Haydock Thistle Wedding Photography : Andrew & Samantha
It doesnt seem like over a year ago when we first met Andrew & Samantha but as with weddings time flies. A gorgeous sunny... yes sunny! day greeted Jane & I as we arrived at The Thistle Hotel in Haydock to find a very relaxed Andrew having a wee dram just before he got changed & Samantha & the girls laughing.This really was the theme for the rest of the day and as we left everybody was still laughing. A great wedding.
Wedding Photography at Farrington Lodge : Simon & Kate
phew... a crazy few weeks have past since Simon & Kate's wedding at Farrington Lodge in Leyland but I am still chuckling at the laughter on the day. The day started with the ceremony at St Wilfrids Church in Standish, this is one beautiful church with lots of history & also one of my fave churches then as we arrived at Farrington Lodge and where greeted with music, kids entertainer & ice creams (actually very good ice creams) great speeches topped of a great wedding thoroughly enjoyed by us all.
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