Last Sunday I met up with Helen and Gordon for a pre-wedding portrait shoot at Windermere. They are getting married in May and if last week is anything to go by, we're all going to have a lot of fun! I met Helen & Gordon when I photographed their friends wedding a few years ago and I was really pleased when the couple chose me to capture their day. I'm really looking forward to bumping into some familiar faces. I have uploaded a selection of images to my Facebook page, don't forget to 'like' it while you're there!

Click on the image below to view some of my favourites

If you've visited my website before, you may recognise Skye & Corin. I photographed their fabulous wedding at Packington Moor near Lichfield a couple of years ago and took some portraits at their home last year. Skye & Corin became proud parents to Harry in November and they've just been up to The Lakes to visit. We had a trip to the studio in Windermere on Saturday but we were cut short when the snow began to fall! I love to take pictures on location so we went for a short walk with Harry after breakfast this morning. It was a magical scene with the bare trees covered in fresh snow. I wanted to get a few images up on the site so they can see them when they return home this evening. I dare say I will be photographing Harry quite a lot in future!

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With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I am reminded of the number of times people have said to me "Oh, I wish you had taken our wedding pictures" or "We didn't have a photographer at our wedding and I've always regretted it" or even worse "A friend of ours who has a good camera took our wedding pictures and none of them came out!". All is not lost because you can still book a portrait session and have a beautiful album made. You can even wear your wedding dress if you still have it! 

If you're not married, a Valentine portrait session can be a great gift to yourselves. We can visit a location which may be special to you or I can suggest a place for us to have a stroll and take some very relaxed and informal photographs you will treasure forever. Get in touch if you want to know more

I've had the most varied week! I've  photographed a hotel, golf club, auction mart and then Opera Della Luna performing The Merry Widow at The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. I've been a regular visitor to the theatre since it first opened in 1999. Back then I snapped Dame Judi Dench with her late husband Michael Williams at the official opening. I've had only been to the Opera once before so it was a real treat when I was asked to photograph the dress rehearsal for publicity purposes. Opera Della Luna move on to Blackpool after their final performance in Keswick tonight (Feb 3rd). The company will be touring The Merry Widow for the next few months and you can find all the dates and venues by checking out their diary on their website (see link below). A huge thank you to Artistic Director Jeff Clarke for all his help.

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It is hard to believe the company that gave the world the Box Brownie, Eastman Kodak, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the USA. It's not that long ago Kodak was the force to be reckoned with in the photographic world. I've literally shots hundreds of thousands of pictures on Kodak film. It is slightly misleading to say they missed the boat when digital photography arrived. They were pioneers along with Nikon, Canon, Sony and of course Fuji. I shot my first digital picture at college in 1988 so Kodak has had more than enough time to come up with attractive products to equal their competitors. It's ironic that we now use cameras with so many mega pixels, only to try and create a 'film look' during post production afterwards. Earlier this week I was photographing Braemount House bed & breakfast in Windermere, soon to be renamed Rum Doodle, which features luxurious vintage decor. In one of the rooms they had a Brownie used as a bookend and I just wondered if that is what will become of my digital Canon EOS cameras in years to come?

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If you asked me to choose my favourite wedding or wedding photograph of 2011, I couldn't do it. Why? Because I enjoyed every single wedding and I have far too many favourite images to choose from. I love all the pictures below for different reasons, not because they are my favourite or best images, they are simply just a random selection. It doesn't really matter about me though, I'm merely a catalyst to creating a wedding album for couples to enjoy and help re-live their special day for years to come. Wedding photography has become a major part of not just my business but my life. I never ever thought I would say that but the people who trust me enough to commission me to take their wedding photographs, because they like what I do, matter to me so much. My one aim is to create meaningful images with real moments, real reactions and real emotions. I'm constantly looking for opportunities and perfect light. I look to my peers for inspiration and I'm forever trying to evolve as a photographer. My old college lecturer always said "you're only as good as your last photograph" and its very true. The wedding photography market is at saturation point and couples can find it a very daunting task to choose their photographer. I have no guidance other than to say find a photographer who's work you like, is within your budget and you like them as a person. To all those who said 'yes' to the above and chose me, I say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I really thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love doing and to allow me to produce something that you will cherish and be proud of. To those who have booked me for 2012/2013, I cannot wait to go into 'my creative zone' and do the same for you. I've been messing with some new settings this week, hence the random set of pictures below. I also put together a little slideshow and uploaded it to Vimeo (link below). I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year x

Click on the image below to view a few more pictures and a video slideshow

I've put on weight this year. It is hardly any wonder when you consider some of my commercial clients produce some of the best food and drink available! This year I've done work for Naomi Darbishire of Agnes Rose infused oils and vinegars, Joanne Wilson at Grasmere Gingerbread, Lisa Smith of Ginger Bakers, Mike and Helen Hindle from Kendal Cordials and Alex Brodie at Hawkshead Brewery. I've sampled a little too much of everything and will have to take it easy over Christmas but if you want to treat yourself, or someone else, then these products make great gifts and would be perfect in a Christmas hamper. Worth special mention is Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding too... I had some last night and it is THE BEST!

I've added their web links below. Also check out the Cumbrian Artisan site for other great local products

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One of my favourite and most memorable days of 2011 was the naming ceremony of Raphael. He is the son of our dear friends Sam and Ciso and the ceremony was held at Sam's Mum's house overlooking Ullswater. It was conducted by a multi-faith minister and was very personal to Sam & Ciso's family and friends. It was time to celebrate new life and reflect on what is actually important in our own lives... the people

We all enjoyed a wonderful barbecue and I took some of my favourite images of the year including one of my own daughter Alice sat in the garden. I hope you like them.

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It wasn't quite so chilly when I met up with the Gorst family for a portrait session. I've known Val and Wes for a long time and remember taking pictures of their eldest daughter Fay when she was no more than a few months old. Melissa came along a couple of years later and the girls are now beautiful young ladies.

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I remember bumping into Keane's Dad, Aubrey, on the maternity ward at Lancaster Royal Infirmary a couple of years ago. My own daughter had just arrived and Keane was on his way! Two and a half years has passed and I was delighted when Keane's Mum, Diane, called me up to book a portrait session. We had lots of fun and got some lovely pictures, I even managed to get Diane on a few. Like his Dad, Keane is rarely seen without a hat. I think it really suits him!

They ordered a large canvas and some prints from the session. Diane sent me a lovely email and said " it already takes pride of place. The quality is fantastic. Aubrey said it looks like if you touched it you could actually feel his hair!!!! We are sure the picture and images will be with us for years to come and to capture Keane at such a lovely age has been great"

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It has been a beautiful autumnal weekend here in The Lake District. Yesterday morning the Elliott family came over to the studio for a portrait session. It is two years since I have seen them and they are now a slightly larger family! We shot a few pictures in the studio but we were all keen to get outdoors. We had great fun down on the shore of Windermere, especially the dog who spent most of the time in the rather cold water.

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It's almost 2 years to the day since I last photographed these two fabulous girls. They now have a little sister and the whole family are coming for a portrait session next week. Autumn is my favourite time of the year and I love nothing more than having a stroll in the park with my own  family -  armed with a camera of course. We have a limited number of spaces for Autumn/Winter portrait sessions so get in touch early if you would like to book. We have a range of stunning framed prints, high quality canvases, beautiful hand made albums or you can simply purchase a disc of high resolution images with printing rights. Prices start from £95.00. Vouchers are available and make great personal Christmas gifts.

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I say monochrome... slight tweakage in PhotoShop

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I can't remember such a warm and sunny October day as Maria & Andrew's wedding day. They were married at Holy Trinity and St George Church in Kendal by Deacon Rev. Charles Woods who just happens to be Maria's father! It was then a short drive to their reception in Staveley at Hawkshead Brewery and Wilf's. It was a wonderful occasion with guests from the USA, France and all over the UK. It was a real privilege to photograph their wedding and, as I knew many of the guests, it was a delight to see many friends I haven't seen for a little while. The couple enjoy the outdoors and have just returned from an action packed holiday in Scotland. Black and white pix to follow!

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Every photographer who shoots weddings will tell you that one of the most satisfying parts of the job is handing over a beautiful wedding album to your clients. I decided to introduce Jorgensen albums into my range this year and I just got a new sample album this morning. Its fair to say that most of my wedding couples choose digital albums but a select few insist upon premium matted albums. Jorgensen albums are custom made in Australia and offer the highest quality materials and great customer service. I have to say I'm delighted with my sample album! The album in the photographs is Styla album with Premium leather cover and black bevelcore matts. It really is stunning and I'm sure many of my clients will be tempted by the sheer quality of these hand crafted albums. At least I get to keep this one!

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