Flower Photography at Crocus

It's not often that I get the chance to do any photography for myself anymore. In fact the last photo I took (that was not for a client or pictures of my kids and holidays), was probably a good 3-4 years ago. I was active at a camera club then and frequently entered competitions.

Nowadays, the business keeps me so busy that I see the bluebells in the woods and promise myself that I will go and photograph them this year, and before I know it, it's been 4 years and I haven't been anywhere near the bluebell woods.

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING FLOWERS - There, I've said it. I've admitted to being a closet flower photographer.

So on Saturday 27th June, Crocus, the worlds best online garden centre (in my humble opinion) opened its doors to the public, and they did not have to invite me twice. I spent a delightful morning there photographing all the wonderful varieties and georgeous colours and shapes. I think I was there for about 3.5 hours, and didn't even cover half of the site.

Of course I ended up buying a boot full of plants, including some fabulous roses, but that goes without saying, doesn't it? ;-)

I had a long chat with one of their buyers, Mark Straver, and he gave me an excellent overview of their operation, the workings and some good tips on a couple of problem areas in my garden. I was very disappointed that the tour that was advertised on the email that I had received from them was done so in error and was only applicable to the previous open day that was held a few weeks earlier (before Chelsea). But as I said Mark did an excellent job at answering any questions that I had.

Here are a couple of the images I took that morning (obviously only a very small selection, because you can just imagine how many I took over the 3.5hr period.)

Enjoy

A day at the Races

The month of June for me says ASCOT!! Yes Wimbledon starts etc, but the higlight of the month is Royal Ascot.

Until now I have only ever watched it on the Television, but this year I got the opportunity to go and assist my good friend Nikki Hill on her assignment.

I was very excited in the week leading up to the day, but nothing prepared me for the feeling of putting an official "Royal Ascot Press Badge" around my neck!!

I had a wonderful time photographing a very well known Bollywood star (whom I'm not allowed to name) and all the glamorous people that attend Ascot as guests. There was a fashion show, glorious food, (lots of) strawberries and of course the Queen - to whom I could get very close due to the fact that I could go into the Press enclosure right beside the Parade ring.

Don't be mistaken, it was extremely hard work and by the end of the day I could hardly walk as my feet were hurting so much, but I had a fantastic day!!

Nikki, I don't know how you did it 5 days in a row!!

Here are a couple of shots from the day... (only non-client specific ones allowed!)

A Christening on a fabulous day in June

On a sunday morning a couple of weeks ago, I was asked to come and photograph the christening of Oliver, Emily and Harry.

Unfortunately the vicar wouldn't allow me to photograph anything inside the church, so we arranged for me to turn up at the end of the proceedings and take some photos outside and then at the party afterwards at the house.

65 adults, 19 children, Hog roast and beautiful sunny weather, all the makings of a fabulous party to celebrate such a special occasion.

Here are a couple of images from the day...









And this is me playing with the food - although my mother always told me not to... ;-)

Oscar - all bright eyed and bushy tailed!

Last weekend I got invited round to a beautiful house just outside Beaconsfield to photograph little Oscar.

He and his family are visiting from Harare and they took the opportunity to get his photographs taken a couple of days after his 1st birthday. Wow, what a clever little boy he is, toddling along and listening for any sounds of airplanes overhead.

We only had a short time to play around and get to know each other as his daddy was flying back to Zimbabwe later that afternoon. But I'm sure you'll agree with me that we made the most of the time we had and got some great shots of this fabulous little boy...

Here are some of the shots from that Saturday morning.







(and this is me playing around with an aged photograph look...)

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Last week was my (not so little) boy's first birthday, and it's got me thinking about the last year.

But before I go on, let me introduce Ryan, my gorgeous boy!!



The year has absolutely flown by and I wish he didn't have to grow up so fast. He has developed his own little personality and he knows just how to wrap me round his little finger. All he has to do is smile, and I think you will all probably agree - how can you resist this?


HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!

May you always light up my day.

Thomas, oh Thomas, what a natural!

A couple of weeks ago I photographed young Thomas and WOW!, he was such a pleasure to work with. He was a complete natural and what's more I think he enjoyed it the experience just as much as I did.

His sister already features on a lovely canvas on a wall in the conservatory, and he was keen to have his picture taken so he could join her. I photographed Anna in November, and he's had to wait until now!

He helped me pick some changes of clothes and I must say that he's got an eye for what would look good on camera. He's got a wonderful sunny character and I think it shines through in the images.

I absolutely adored my time with him, and by the way, I've already put dibs on being his preferred photographer if he should ever have a modeling career...

Here are some of the images from the day.







Click here to view another post with fabulous children

Malmaison Oxford

On Wednesday, I had an excellent meeting (and a wonderful lunch) at Malmaison Oxford. What a suberb venue for a wedding, in fact for any event!

They can cater for anything from the smallest wedding of 20 in one of the Turret Suites, to very large weddings in a Marquee in the grounds of the Oxford Castle. There is also the original Prisoner's Visitors Room or a Roof Terrace overlooking the prison and castle mound.

Obviously there is countless opportunities for stunning photos in the prison itself or in the castle grounds, and of course yours truly is now the preferred supplier.

So if anybody is interested, give me a call and I can tell you more. But in the meantime, here are a few photos I took when I was there...