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

Well still in a state of shock!! Jane & I have just returned from the MPA National Photography Awards, a fantastic, glitzy affair which attracts all the big names in our industry and this year was held at the Hilton Hotel in Newcastle. I had the honour of being shortlisted in a few categories & was also to receive officially my Associate certificate of the Master Photographers association what I didn’t expect was not only to win the Regional award for 3 of my images from 1 wedding but then to be announced as the Overall UK Winner of this prestigious wedding photography award. The 3 from 1 (as its affectionately know) pits a photographers best 3 images from 1 wedding taken before, during and after the ceremony and is competed for by photographers from all over the UK & Ireland. The champagne had only just been opened when I was then awarded the Award for Best UK Adult Portrait for my image of Laurence (below)who for you cult film buffs will recognise as Martin, the star of the Human Centipede 2 & this was a screen shot we shot for him.

Well to say I was delighted is an understatement but our evening wasn’t over yet I then received an Award of Excellence for one of my wedding Images & the highlight of the whole evening was to be awarded UK Wedding Album of the Year… YES UK Wedding Album of the Year!!! WOW what an honour as this is what our work is about, not one image, but the story, the design & the impact that only a wedding album can give. I am still totally on a high to have received this national recognition & awards for our Wedding & Portrait Photography and for one of our albums at one of the biggest and most prestigious award ceremonies for Professional Photography with hundred of photographers entering from all over the UK & Ireland still leaves me speechless…. Not a word you normally hear from me.

coming soon: Alastair & Lynn's Wedding at Duns Castle

coming soon: Ged & Rebecca's wedding at Farrington Lodge

In The Press

A nice little write up in the Master Photographers Magazine about my recent Associate Qualification that I received from The Master Photographer Association. I havnt Blogged about this as this is only one of a few 'behind the scenes' personal projects that I have decided to do this year and consisted of a panel of 20 images that had to be perfect, and I mean PERFECT. The exposure, positioning of the subject,thought process,technical skill & printing and presentation was all taken into consideration (will show the full panel later in the year) and I am pleased to say that after a very nervous interview & judging by 6 of the country's top photography judges I passed, so my official Sunday title is now David Stanbury AMPA a fact that I am very proud of and really still hasnt sunk in that I am now only 1 of 4 Wedding Associates in the North West.Whats next?? well the next level is the highest, a Fellowship so onwards & upwards

Now our journey continues & Sunday (14th October) see's both Jane & I at the National Photography Awards in Newcastle, a start studded, glitzy (that is slang for new dress for Jane) ceremony where the country's finest photographers battle?? it out for National Awards. Cross your fingers xxxxx