Season's Greetings

Last week I was commissioned to supply some images to use as a Christmas Greeting at the reception area of the new Edinburgh University Library.

The photos were easy enough to source from my archive of landscape images and I chose various wintry scenes to meet the remit I was given.

Here are the 5 images I supplied...

...and here are the snazzy screens displaying one of the images.

A bit of publicity

I have an article in this month's The Northumbrian magazine. It's all about my other blog Northumberland360.com which is a "Photographic Diary of a Dog-Walker on the Northumberland Coast". Click Here to visit the Northumberland360.com blog

Marie & Gareth

My last wedding of the year and I'm so glad it was such a great day. The Apex International on Edinburgh's Grassmarket was the venue and it was a lovely combination of the modern hotel overlooking the ancient heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.

When the bride is getting ready there are loads of photo opportunities and it's a part of the day I enjoy photographing. Fiona and Julie were on hand to help Marie.

The girls were ready way too early but there are always last minute adjustments.

Gareth and his Best Man David waited patiently but Marie didn't keep them waiting.

The ceremony was very personal as Marie had been Christened by the same Minister (some years ago)

We were very fortunate to have access to the terrace overlooking the Castle for a few photos but we didn't stay out long and the Happy Couple were able to rejoin their guests for some fizzy and congratulations all round.

Marie and Gareth prepare to receive their standing ovation as they went into the wedding breakfast. Their guests fair raised the roof!

Great speeches all round. David's Best Man speech was a classic and very well delivered.

The first dance was followed by some fine Ceilidh dancing. For a Scot living in England this was particularly enjoyable.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Marie and Gareth. Thanks for having me there to share your day and I hope these few pictures bring back some memories while you're waiting for the full set which will follow soon...

Andy

A Week in Madeira

Our 3rd visit to Madeira - it's a gorgeous place. Quiet and peaceful with the most beautiful nature to walk through.

The modern art museum is in a 15th century fort at Funchal.

Street vendor, Funchal

In the middle of the island the mountains rise to over 4000 feet.

There is a vast network of "levadas" - man-made watercourses that take water from the damp North to the dry South and provide hydro power too. There is a small path adjacent to each levada, sometimes easy walking...

....and sometimes a bit more exposed.

On the North side, the climate is sub-tropical rain forest - all moss and ferns.

The South side is all palm trees and sunshine.

Brooks Williams

I spent the last two days in Bristol photographing US acoustic blues musician Brooks Williams while he recorded his new album with engineer Andy Bell.

Brooks played a gig on Wednesday night too with his friend and notable harmonica player Keith Warmington.

My only regret is that I couldn't stay all week - it was great fun and a pleasure to work with guys this professional.

New album range Part 2

I've been waiting for a few weeks for my new range of albums to arrive and the anticipation was well worth the wait. They're gorgeous!

I have a Seldex landscape PhotoJournal featuring photographs from Marie & David's wedding in Edinburgh last year and a Seldex Gallery album featuring Janneke's family photo session from this Summer.

The green box is full of cover swatches, enough to give anyone a headache trying to choose, so I'll be there to help on that one.

For an on-line version of the PhotoJournal click here

and for the Gallery album click here

Slideshows from recent weddings

I've discovered a new website which creates these on-line slideshows. I few of my clients have already been introduced to them and I'm learning new tricks all the time (like how to post them on my blog!

First is Victoria and Andy at Langley Castle nr Hexham on 24th August...



...and then Kirsty and Derek at Glencorse nr Edinburgh on 22nd August.

Victoria & Andrew, 24th August 2009

Victoria & Andy had travelled a long way for their wedding at Langley Castle. It's a great venue and their journey was rewarded with a bunch of friends and family ready to enjoy themselves.

It was a big decision whether to have the ceremony outdoors as the forecast wasn't great. The team at Langley Castle watched the skies while Victoria was being pampered upstairs.

Langley Castle is a very historic building and for centuries Ladies have used the light from this window for their make-up application. The lady in the portrait (with the ferret) seems to approve!

Did Victoria choose the dress or did the dress choose Victoria? Apparently not at all like the dress she had planned but it looked absolutely beautiful.

A very thoughtful gift.

I was with the girls for over an hour as they went through their transformations. One of George's spangly things worked loose in her hair but that's what sisters are there for...

...and it was a pretty good result when George and Victoria were ready for action.

Dad was left (almost) speechless. I can't begin to imagine the thoughts and emotions that go through a Dad's mind when he sees his daughter(s) at this point in the day, but I do enjoy being there to photograph it.

And so outside for the ceremony. It rained a little bit on the guests but they soon took shelter under a convenient tree and everything carried on as planned.

Both Mums gave very emotional readings. Andrew's Mum read from this cute little book which was very sweet.

Victoria, Andrew and I found a dry spot under the trees for a few minutes of "formal" photos.

The speeches were at the start of the meal and were great fun. The boys, all gifted, natural speakers, gave great performances and they were well received with the traditional mix of humour, emotion and embarrassment.

Victoria and Andrew's day was a lot of fun for me and all the guests and families seemed to be having a good time too.

Congratulations to you both and I'll talk to you soon.

Andy

If you would like to leave a message for Victoria and Andrew please use the comments link below.