Professional commercial, portrait photographer West Yorkshire, covering Wakefield, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Pontefract

Julie & Stuart’s pre-wedding shoot at Walton Hall

August 19, 2009

I met up with Julie and Stuart this evening to run through their wedding details ready for their big day on 4th September. Although they’re holding their reception at Hatfield Hall, we chose Waterton Park (or Walton Hall as I still call it!) for the E-session. The light was stunning as we went through the planning meeting but was falling quickly as we began to shoot – the nights are really drawing in! The E-sessions are a great way for couples to get a taster of what its like to be the centre of attention and have a camera pointed solely at them and its also a great way for us to bond before the big day. Despite their trepidation, I soon had them relaxed and feeling entirely at ease for the shoot and, if the weather is anything like today, we’re going to have a good time on the day!

pre wedding shoot at Walton Hall

Engagenet photo shoot at Walton Hall

Wakefield wedding photographer

John Gardner E-session pre wedding shoot at Waterton Park Hotel

Wedding photographer Waterton Park

by John

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Jinny in the Studio

August 19, 2009

What a contrast! Last time I photographed Jinny she was just a few weeks old and here she was today a few months on and what a difference! Talk about pocket rocket! There wasn’t a single moment where she sat still for more than a few seconds making it very hard for a poor old guy like me! There’s me thinking weddings are hard work :¬o

by John

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The Griffiths family portrait shoot

August 17, 2009

I was invited to the Griffith’s house to shoot a family portrait for a golden wedding celebration at their house near Penistone. There were 15 people to shoot in total but fortunately there was plenty of space in the garden to set up the shot and while we enjoyed the glorious late summer evening light, the midges were busy enjoying us!! As well as seven grandchildren, there were also seven golden labrador pups – who could resist?!

by John

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Natalie’s Trash the Dress Part 2: Waterfalls in the Dales

August 16, 2009

No rest for the wicked! Still shattered and exhausted from yesterday’s wedding, I was off into the Dales this afternoon to shoot Natalie’s ‘trash the dress’ part two! Regular visitors will remember Natalie’s ‘Celebrate the Dress’ shoot on the millstone grit outcrops of Derbyshire a few weeks ago, but not content will huge vistas and golden sunsets, Natalie wanted to get the dress wet. So, it was off to my favourite trash the dress waterfalls in the Dales to try and get her some images to finish off the album.

Despite the glorious weather when I headed from home at around 2:30pm today, it clouded over and we had heavy rain for the whole of the shoot. It wasn’t so much the rain we were bothered about, after all, we were both deep in the icy waters of the plunge pool beneath the falls! No, it was the low light levels that caused the problems – it’s difficult to drag the shutter to bring in the background without going so slow that motion blur and ghosting set in. Photography is not as easy as some folks would have you believe :¬o

Even if you didn’t have your wedding shot by me, you can still make up for it and get your ‘trash the dress’ shoot done professionally :¬) And don’t forget, it doesn’t have to be a wedding dress – why not do an unusual shoot in your prom dress?!!

by John

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Nicola and Danny’s wedding at The Old Golf House Hotel, Outlane

August 15, 2009

Nicola and Danny have had me booked for quite some time, so it was great to finally get to shoot their big day! The service was held at St Joseph’s Church, Batley Carr and then on to a reception at The Old Golf House Hotel, Outlane near Huddersfield. This was a new venue for me which was great as I love shooting in new places, and the grounds were well kept and offered some good photo opportunities. The evening was rounded off with dancing to the live sounds of The Tabbs!

by John

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Jonathan & Adela’s wedding at Kings Croft Hotel

August 8, 2009

Phew! Today was a real scorcher for the wedding of Jonathan and Adela at St Cuthbert’s Church, Ackworth with lots of bright sun and summer heat for once! Things were all running smoothly and on time until, during the photo session with the groom and ushers, Heather asked for the rings to do some close up shots. The looks on the faces of the men was priceless as they realised the best man wasn’t joking and the rings actually had been left back at the hotel! It was such a good job Heather asked for the rings during the photo shoot, rather than the vicar asking during the service!! I suspect a few more ounces of carbon were released into the atmosphere as Wayne sped off to retrieve said items :¬) Anyway, the vicar took it all in her stride and the ceremony kicked of just 20 minutes late, but every cloud has a silver lining and it meant I got an extra 20 minutes with the bride before she went into church.

After the ceremony, the wedding party moved on to Kings Croft Hotel where they enjoyed drinks outside without even the slightest threat of rain and we were able to walk the bride all over the grounds without fear of dirtying the dress. I took the opportunity of shooting again for a short while in the wonderful evening light too. A good day all round really!

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by John

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