BEST OF 2012

This year, I thought I'd put my twelve personal favourites of the 2011 wedding season. Though not an easy choice to make, whittling down hundreds of images from dozens of weddings....as of today - New Year's Eve, these are my 'immediate' top 12 images.

In no particular order or month, these images stand out to me as a photographer, for their varied qualities - some images being more staged, or traditional, whilst others a little offbeat. Hope you like them...and no, they're not going to be a calendar for 2012!

First up is an unusual reportage image of Sophie at Crewe Hall. A winter wedding meant for a dull, overcast day, but just before sunset the clouds broke and gave us literally ten minutes of beautiful low, golden winter sunlight. Sophie was being helped by one of her bridesmaids around the hall for a formal shot. Chasing behind I spotted this and shot it on the run....

 

Shooting Sarah in the hairdressers having her hair and makeup done, one of the stylists who knew her was jokingly complaining of being tired from a previous late night.  I waited for my moment to pan around from Sarah, (who was held quietly captive in the chair) - to grab this shot. I just love the way the poster mirrors the stylist's face...

Paul - the father of the bride was quietly running through his speech as daughter and bridesmaids were getting ready in the lounge. I quietly followed him and managed this shot of the reflection in the hall mirror. A square crop finished the composition off perfectly for me....

Hannah & Dan were married in Liverpool. En route from the church, via Penny Lane, to The Palm House, we shot a selection of images live from their car. No..I wasn't wearing a seatbelt (sorry), but by kneeling on the passenger seat I manged one of my favourite wedding images ever. Totally offbeat...

During my shooting day, we do put aside around 15-20mins to shoot some lightly directed formal portraits. Taken in the Lowry, this image of Alexandra & James was fully directed by myself. I had noticed the image of the man looking on at them, and asked them to just sit facing me. They went one better of course, and made the image the success it is.

Viv & Paul's wedding in York was the most unique of the year. No bridesmaids, speeches, formalities, backed by two superb musicians playing beautiful medieval music, their wedding was a dream to photograph. The venue was The Treasurer's House, sitting literally in the shadow of York Minster. Taken just before the family group shots, this image of the musicians playing seemingly alone, but cleverly using the room's acoustics as a natural amplifier was stunning to witness.

Taken in a pub in Chorlton, Manchester, Tom was checking a text message from his bride-to-be, as his little nephew attempted to help himself to his bottle of beer. Nice try young man. Taken in very low lighting conditions with a 35mm f1.4 prime lens.

This shot of Lisa with her dad is a special image for me. Lisa & Dave were finally getting married after a tumultuous, roller coaster year of illness for Dave. At early points in the year, the wedding looked almost certain not to happen, for serious and obvious reasons. But all came good; Dave pulled through and there they were. The look on Lisa's face sums up the sheer joy of finally getting to the aisle. Knowing all this, no photographer would be able to shoot this image without a lump in their throat...

Steph was famous for being punctual for everything. But, every bride has the prerogative to be late on her wedding day. This image was taken at The White Hart Inn, Lydgate. Steph was literally across the road from the church, getting ready at The White Hart. I love this shot of the ever-smiling minister braving the wind and showers (with me!), patiently waiting for a bride....for a 2pm ceremony. Thanks for this one Steph...love it!

Sometimes it's the simplest of images which command a place in my Top 12 of the year. This image of Nicky & Martin is one of my favourite images ever. I pretended to change memory cards in the camera, leaving them to do their own thing. They did, beautifully - while they 'waited' for me. Naturally lit, with a touch of flash to lift the image a little, this image works so well for me.

Peckforton Castle this time. I was standing outside waiting for the happy couple to appear for the 15 mins of formal portraits. Rebecca emerged first, waving her bouquet to some family members behind me. I quickly grabbed this image. I love the scale of the bride against the overwhelming stonework, and the lovely touch of human interest given to the image.

Taken at my final wedding of the year, this formal portrait of Sarah & Dan worjks beautifully for me. Manchester Town Hall is a stunning place to film in (ask Meryl Streep), and no Christmas wedding would be complete without a formal image of the happy couple. The subdued colours, sheer grandeur of the masonry inside the town hall, plus the lovely Christmas tree adds all the required elements for timeless classic Christmas wedding image. Yes - unashamedly setup, but loving this shot.