The Royal Wedding

I have been asked for my thoughts on the royal wedding so often these past few days; but its difficult to add a great deal of meaning when so much has been written. So in no particular order, here we go (in no particular order...)

• Would I have liked to be the photographer? No, No and No...well, maybe! Obviously post-wedding sales should have been fab! But the second-by-second schedule would have scared me to death! I much prefer a more relaxed, free flowing kind of day!
• Yes, Catherine looked absolutely stunning! Loved the fact that it was a British designer (Sarah Burton / Alexander McQueen), loved the lace sleeves and the modest detailing on the bodice but most of all, loved the way Catherine brought it to life - which is exactly what I hope for when I'm capturing my weddings. The price of the dress is less the issue than the confidence and personality of the bride wearing it - it makes such a difference. A wedding dress isn't everyday wear so its difficult sometimes for a bride to feel truly comfortable wearing it, but Catherine was working it beautifully!
• Loved the hats - are they making a come back? I hope so - wedding hats are SO part of the story!
• Perfect make up: Brides, now you know the secret - Catherine's skin looked fresh and natural, achieved by Lancome's Teint Miracle foundation (great for flash photography), a hint of blusher and day-time appropriate eye make up - keep it light and try to ignore the wedding magazines when they say to over make up for the pictures...
• Loved the bouquet - every flower tells a story & each stem was chosen for a reason - I really like that attention to detail. Just like the car, it is these small touches that make the day unique, even though as a ceremony is follows a generations-old pattern.
• Pictures: Credit to the photographer. The formal groups are very formal but beautiful delivered & when the opportunity arose for a more relaxed shot, he had that covered too.

So just a snap shot of thoughts. I'm looking forward to see how much Catherine's day influences future weddings, but most of all, I really pleased that the couple had such a lovely day. When we strip away all the pomp and ceremony, we are left with a couple who looked very much in love, very close & supportive of each other. Its capturing that impression that makes being a wedding photographer such a great job. So yes, on reflection, I would have liked the commission!

The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell: Congratulations!

The Rectory Hotel in The Cotswolds is one of my favourite venues, so it was especially pleasing to see it highlighted in The Times newspaper on Saturday in the "Cool Hotel" guide. The article starts "Sometimes a hotel just gets it right - and you can tell almost from the moment that you walk in. The Rectory is one of those places...". It is so true. I've been recommended there for my wedding photography for a while now but we also run photo workshops there and in June, I'm hosting a dinner for some of my favourite fellow photographers. So I know The Rectory really well and not at all surprised to see a score of 9.5 for service. A good venue only becomes a great venue if the team are committed and passionate about what they are doing - the Rectory have a great team and it shows. So congratulations Jenna - you deserve the good press!

Today I have been mostly enjoying a family gathering - lovely to have the time to stop the world and catch up for five minutes!

Shilstone Manor: Stunning New Devon Wedding Venue

Yesterday, I visited the most amazing new wedding venue - Shilstone Manor - which will be opening this summer.

The experience starts long before you step out of the car, as Shilstone is set in the most beautiful Devon countryside, with country lanes full of wild flowers - wild garlic and bluebells, beautiful ferns unfolding in the sunshine - it really is delightful....

Right now the smell of wood shavings and paint fills the air as the joiners add their finishing touches. Crockery and lampshades huddle together for safety (or at least wait to be put back into position) and oak panelling is stacked ready to go back on the wall. But plainly, these are the final stages and its difficult not to be impressed by the attention to detail of the new design. Beautiful arches, window lights and perfect finishing touches give this venue a very cool, relaxed charm - combined with the stunning setting, its easy to imagine this as a very exclusive venue.

So I'm especially pleased to say that Andrew Jackson Photography is recommended by Shilstone Manor, with our first bridal shoot scheduled for early June. I can't wait to show you the pictures!

Wedding Photography Bristol & Bath

Had a great meeting with make up artist Charley B last week. Charley has a massive amount of experience, with fashion pictures published in the national press. Looking through the portfolio I was really impressed and I'm looking forward to working with Charley on a couple of projects on the horizon - more of which later. But looking through the portfolio really made me realise what a great investment having a specialist wedding make up artist is. It is so easy for brides to misjudge their make up, especially in all the excitement of the wedding morning - too little and so much of the facial definition is lost for the pictures - too much and the groom will wonder who is walking down the aisle! So if you are planning your Bristol or Bath wedding, do give Charley a call on 07960 017462.

Today I have been mostly listening to Saxon ..."Fill your head with heavy metal thunder"!!!

Wedding Photography at The Manor House Castle Combe

Just a quick blog to say a big thank you to all the couples who stopped and said hello at the wedding event on Sunday at The Manor House at Castle Combe. Carla & Sophie were working flat out all day, giving couples - and their families - guided tours of what has to be one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the area. Lovely to see Jo from Passion (one of my favourite florist's - as readers of the blog will know!) there as well, so all in all a fab day! Our next "Public Appearance / Wedding Event" is in Bradford on Avon on Thursday, 5 May, 5-8pm. Find me at Orton's Jewellers - definitely the best place to go if you want stunning hand-made wedding bands or engagement rings. Lee & Christine create the most beautiful pieces - so call in and talk about wedding photography and jewellery. Other wedding shops will be open in Bradford on the evening, so call for more details...

Today I have been mostly stuck at my desk - thank you Claire & Lee for giving me a pre-wed shoot to escape to this evening!