November 30th - Dave and Kay's wedding at Rogerthorpe Manor

Dave and Kay chose Rogerthorpe Manor as the venue to renew their wedding vows after getting married nearly 17 years ago. They couldn't have picked a better day with clear blue skies, golden sunshine and frost. However, the ceremony wasn't until 3pm which, combined with near arctic conditions and sub-zero temperatures, meant little time for outdoor shots but we did our best before retiring indoors!

November 29th - In Hadrian's footsteps

They say save the best till last and today was no exception! I headed to Northumberland to photograph Hadrian's Wall for the Walk Britain book; this was my final assignment and, boy, was it good?! The weather forecasters said simply "fog!" for the whole of England today but I decided to play a hunch that high in the hills of Northumberland the fog would not persist and for once I was right. However, I remained undecided for way too long and it was only with an hour and a half to spare before dark that I hit the ancient Roman monument above Housteads, but I caught the best light and as the sun set, it cast warm colours over the very frosty ground. Here's one for starters. Worst thing about it though? It reminded me just how soon the sun is going to set after tomorrow's 3pm wedding :¬(

November 25th - keswick and Borrowdale

More landscapes for the Walk Britain book and this time a real killer walk up Fleetwith Pike in Borrowdale, but the views over Buttermere were well worth the effort. The weather was stunning for once - blue skies, cold and even a dusting of snow in places. I shot from dawn till dusk and bagged some images I'm pleased with for once. After descending Fleetwith Pike and undergoing a knee transplant, I headed off up Walla Crags above Ashness Bridge for some stunning panoramic views over Keswick with the ever impressive Skidaw as a backdrop.

November 23rd - Elly and friends in the studio

Birthday girl Elly arrived at the studio with seven of her friends for some fun portraits as well as some serious stuff of herself. Despite the sub-zero temperatures in the studio (did I mention it's being refurbed again?!) we managed both things I think. Portrait sessions make great birthday gifts so get in touch if you fancy a go. Here's a selection from today for a sneaky peak.

November 22nd - Yewbarrow Crags

After yet another week of preparing wedding albums and canvas gallery wraps from portrait shoots, it was good to get out to continue with the landscape commission. This time, a 5am start got me into the Lake District on the high fells around Wast Water in the south-west Lakes. The walk today was incredible! A short but very steep blast straight up the southern face of Yewbarrow and it really took its toll on me! As well as having to walk up the fells, I'm carrying a camera bag that weighs the same as a small child, plus a tripod as well. Add to that that I'd put my thermal longs John's on to combat the cold weather (I know, the thoughts of me in long John's doesn't exactly conjour up a Calvin Klein ad style image!) and I was steaming like a large Turk in a sauna by the time I got to the top. The final leg of the walk involved a hand scramble up the steep scree and rocky face. Coming down was no easier either, a real knee cruncher and my legs were like jelly by the time I got back down. I hope the images were worth it for :¬o The first shot is a view across the valley to Scafell Pike and the second shot shows the assent to Yewbarrow. Notice the two tiny trees on the ridge to the left - these should give an idea of scale. The third shot is looking from the southern summit along Wast Water.

16th November - High Cup Nick

Continuing my landscape commission for the Walk Britain book, I headed for Westmoorland and High Cup Nick, a classic U-shaped glacial valley above Appleby. The walk was not too strenuous, just a long drag along a green lane but the views were well worth it. The size of the valley is immense and it is truely a remote corner of Britain with nothing but moorland all around and, of course, a great view towards the Cumbrian fells.

15th November - Mercedes-Benz showroom, Wakefield

Did some dusk shooting today as a speculative gamble for a project that I've been invited to submit photo content to. More of this as/when/if it unfolds, but I did like this shot of Mercedes-Benz, Wakefield although it has to be viewed large to appreciate the detail. The key to this type of shot is to shoot when it's not fully dark and there's still light in the sky.

12th November - The Ibbotsons in the studio

Sarah, Paul and little Daisy hit the studio today for a lively portrait session. Daisy was like a rocket on all fours and it was a real challenge to keep her in the frame! I've shot wild peregrines easier than that!

11th November - storbybook wedding albums

Another completed storybook wedding album hits the printers today. Again an A3 landscape album and I think it looks fabulous, especially with the pages from the trash the dress shoot we did in the Dales. I've included a page of images from just prior to getting the dress wet!

9th November - Rememberance Sunday

8th November - Charlotte, Wayne, Ellissa & Poppy in the studio

A fun family shoot in the studio this morning gave the Critchleys some great ideas for Christmas gifts :¬) Young Ellissa was a natural in front of the camera and it didn't take long to snag some great images.

7th November - Toyota brochure work

Taking a break from the rigours of wedding album production to welcome on board new clients Toyota Industries. Toyota have commissioned me to shoot some products for their fork lift truck brochures and spare parts manuals. One of the things I like about my job is the different challenges that it throws up - every shoot can be something completely different from the last one and oil filters are no exception :¬)

4th November - wedding albums

Been busy sorting out wedding albums in time for Christmas so not done a great deal else this week. The hard work is not over after the twelve hours or so shooting a wedding, there's all the aftermath too - generating web galleries and designing storybook albums. Although some of the album companies provide a layout service, I do enjoy doing this myself as I have complete control over the final product. Here's a sample page from an A3 storybook album of Donna & Simon at Bagden Hall, Scissett.

1st November - Jennie and David's wedding at Monk Fryston Hall

Jennie and Dave chose the fabulous setting of Fryston Hall for their marriage and wedding celebrations and, as I'd hoped for, we got some fabulous weather too. Unfortunately, winter afternoon weddings mean very little time for shooting before dusk sets in, so it was a case of changing my normal workflow and shooting the couple straight after the ceremony and leaving the formals until later. The autumn colour provided a great backdrop and the colours were enriched by the warm yellows of the low winter sun. The sun, however, did not provide much in the way of warmth for the shivering bride!

Want to see more? Visit the October blog for landscapes, portraits, goths and a bit of glamour too!