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

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

coming soon: Andrew & Samantha @ West Tower

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

coming soon: Andrew & Samantha @ West Tower

coming soon: Mark & Natalie