photoluminaire.co.uk

Ruth & Adam, Kirkstall Abbey

andrew — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:17:07 +0000

Delighted that Ruth and Adam wanted to stop off and spend some time to get some photographs at Kirkstall Abbey.

I’ve never wanted to be a “reportage wedding photographer” or a “traditional wedding photographer” or a whatever the latest buzz word is.
I’ve wanted to photograph weddings to get the best photographs that suit the couple and fit in with the couple’s day.
I’ll do my very best to get strong story telling images, group shots, portraits, room shots, detail shots and candid images.
What I hope ties my images together is a naturalness and elegance in their composition.
Images that can stand the test of time, like the Abbey perhaps.

Ruth & Adam, Weetwood Hall, Leeds

andrew — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:34:04 +0000

Loved photographing Ruth and Adam’s November wedding. Great people to spend the day with. This is the first of two posts, this one being mostly “reportage”, or “photojournalism” if you like.

Emma & Dean – Crow Hill, Marsden

andrew — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:35:02 +0000

I was delighted when Emma contacted me from Singapore(!) to ask if I was available to photograph their lovely intimate autumn wedding at Crow Hill.
The bedroom for the preparations is very large, has good window light for the make-up artist (Caroline Marsh) and some interesting features.
The room looked amazing for the ceremony and the meal with the autumn gold and orange colours.
Friendly staff and good food. Nice touch that the music book was left open on number 46!

Ben & Danielle, Abbeywood Estate

andrew — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:09:34 +0000

I first met Danielle three years ago at the wedding of Steve & Leyla.
I knew Danielle was photogenic and was delighted when Ben & Danielle told me they were getting married.
Would love Danielle & Ben to write something about the ceremony, it was very enjoyable.

Abbeywood Estate is a relatively new wedding venue and it is fantastic.
You’ll see the beautiful gardens and grounds in the photographs but the advantages of a reception room with soft even lighting are often overlooked. I always aim to flatter with my photographs and venues like this really help (I can recommend the Isla Gladstone Conservatory Gardens, Liverpool and the Merecourt Hotel, Knutsford for the same reason).

Have to thank the two guys that helped me with the lighting gear as it started to rain after the group shots, much appreciated.
The photographs of Ben & Danielle in the gardens (after the robin!) were taken in an 11 minute rain break.

Amanda & Paul, St John’s Failsworth / The Village Cheadle

andrew — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:53:45 +0000

After seeing Amanda and Paul at two weddings last year (one at the same church) it was finally their turn! Great seeing some of the same guests a few times.
At the end of the service I had an interesting chat with the vicar about photography. We got on well, I really liked him and found him very flexible so I was surprised when he told me he had to stop a photographer recently “buzzing around him” and told her never to come back to the church! I think bad experiences with a photographer getting the shot at any cost (when you can get equally good shots and be unnoticed if you have the right lenses and skill set) is why some churches now have quite restrictive photography policies which affect those photographers with more respect for the service.
As the couple leaves the church, I’d love to know what he is saying to Paul.
Love the kiss at the end of the speeches. What to call this colour tone? Answers on a postcard/email

Chris & Sophie, St George’s / Huntsman, Holmfirm

andrew — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:20:03 +0000

Looking at these photos its incredible to think that on the way to Sophie’s parents the roads were almost flooded due to a heavy storm. I was early and waited in the car for 10 minutes because I didn’t think I’d be much use struck by lighting!
We had planned a stop off on the way from the church in Mossley. There are great views but it took some scouting the week before to find a location with a good area to stop with not much walking in heels! Very pleased with the spot I’d chosen, it gave some great options in a short amount of time.
Thanks to the people that were cutting grass when I pulled up, they stopped working and crossed over to the other side to get out of the way. Much appreciated!
The weather held into the evening and I love the last image, a totally unposed silhouette against the setting sun.
Flowers by Eden in Uppermill.

Kathryn & Luke, Shottle Hall

andrew — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:55:29 +0000

Shottle Hall is a relatively new wedding venue and they have done a fantastic job inside and out. I’ve included a larger than usual image of the room in case you are reading this trying to pick a venue as much as a photographer.
I loved being able to tell the story of Kathryn and Luke’s day there.
It has left one problem though, we are going to need more pages in the album:

We’ve just tried to get down to 50 images but failed miserably.
We’ve got to 118

Samantha and Chris, St Matthew’s / Clough Manor

andrew — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:29:05 +0000

Over a year on after their engagement shoot it was Samantha and Christopher’s big day.

Third wedding I’ve photographed where Rachael from manchestermakeupartist.com has done the makeup. Its always flawless and photographs well. She even looks good in the background.
I grew up with a view across the fields looking towards St Matthew’s church in Chadderton (and attended as a reluctant cub scout for a short while!).
You could tell this was a church regularly attended by Chris and Samantha, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by the confident way Chris greeted all the guests.
Arriving lower down the hill with dad meant a chance for some great shots as the wedding party walked up to the church. A very brief and blustery stop at on the way to the Clough Manor made for a few dramatic shots. I think everyone will remember Chris’ speech, even Rebecca the videographer was crying!

Steve & Lisa, Middleton Parish Church / Bellavista

andrew — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:26:04 +0000

As well as a wonderful couple with great kids this friday wedding for me was all about the light.
Middleton Parish Church (St Leonard’s) is an amazing place. More weddings here please!
Incredibly high contrast on one of the truest blue sky days we ever yet gave dabbled shadows through the trees.
Inside pools of light were created by the clerestory windows, very dramatic.
At the Bellavista (nr. Rochdale) the light in the room is softer with windows on both sides. This was my third wedding there and I always think its a very good venue for photographs.
Back outside the light was still very hard so I positioned the groups with their backs to the sun. My 600Ws flash came out (aka “not so secret weapon”). Eight times more powerful than a standard flashgun it allows me to light a scene with a softer, larger source and still have enough power. I think I owe the page boy a pound for holding the light stand in the wind assisted by my sandbags.
Later in the evening the sun is lower and makes for some interesting light and long shadows. In the fisheye shot the shadows are made to fan outwards to the edges of the frame.
I love summer first dances with still some light coming in. Great DJ btw, as you can see everyones up dancing straight after the first dance. Drop me a message on facebook and I’ll find out his contact details.

Nicola & Leighton, St John’s Lees / Saddleworth Golf club

andrew — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:48:12 +0000

Lovely family atmosphere in the morning and the first of two weddings with exceptionally well behaved children. Truly a credit to Nicola and Leighton.

My camera looked something like this too

This church is quite strict (but consistent and clear) about where a photographer can be positioned. With the polished wood floor and attractive window its a good view point. A good range of lenses gives more variety.

A few shots outside church just incase it rained later at the golf club (it did).
And on to saddleworth golf club for the reception:

Great room with good natural light, the colour scheme keeps everything bright and high key:
You can play spot the difference with this photo of the happy couple and the one of the room above:

Still raining so some natural light shots inside using my favourite lens for perfectly blurred backgrounds and sharp images:

And some outside:

The girls looking great…

…and a few of my trademark candids.

More images on facebook as usual. Thanks for comments!