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.

Kirsty & Derek

Kirsty and Derek had found a lovely venue that I was unaware of until they booked me last year.

The Old Kirk at Glencorse near Edinburgh sits in the lovely grounds of Glencorse House and provided an amazing atmosphere for the day.

The luxurious marquee was beautifully appointed and provided a really nice quality of light for me to photograph.

I like to try something new with the rings at every wedding I shoot and when I saw this old book and a shaft of light in the Old Kirk I had an idea...

Derek and Gordon were looking good and staying calm before the ceremony.

The bridesmaids and maid of honour, Vicki, Angela, Kerry and Janice were in good spirits when they arrived at The Kirk - in fact they were fair bubbling with excitement!

The ceremony was one of the most hilarious I've ever attended. The minister was a real raconteur and had everyone in stitches.

After the ceremony we were taken down to the lake for a few pictures. It gave Kirsty and Derek a chance to relax in each others company as Man and Wife and in such a beautiful spot it was easy to wind down a bit.

Davina, Alisha and wee Lily were looking absolutely great and played their part as flower girls perfectly They were bundles of energy keeping everyone entertained all day.

Kirsty and the girls wanted fun photos and helped me out by playing along with everything I suggested. The shot with the legs will appear soon...

Names: Dylan and Jack, Occupation: Page Boys, Likes: Sgian Dubhs and golf karts, Mission: to find out how to get these things started

Everyone's favourite on the day (after Kirsty of course). Lily is such a cutey.

A fine set of speeches before the meal. I think the boys enjoyed their dinner all the more for having the speeches out of the way!

An excellent band and a nicely rehearsed first dance made for a great start to the evening.

So, Kirsty and Derek, what a lovely day and one I hope you'll remember with happy memories forever. Thanks for inviting me to be there as your photographer and I'll be in touch soon with the rest of the pictures from your Special Day.

Best wishes

Andy

If you would like to send Kirsty and Derek a message please use the "comments" button below.

Olivia

I photographed Sian and Chris's wedding last year and I was delighted when Sian asked me to photograph their new baby Olivia. At 6 weeks old, Olivia is cute as a button and it was lovely to spend time with Sian and Olivia as we tried all the tricks to tease a smile out of her. Eventually, Olivia started to fall asleep and then smiled to herself as she thought happy thoughts and nodded off...

As part of my YearOne package, I'll be back for more photo sessions when Olivia's 4 months, 8 months and 1 year old and I'm really looking forward to seeing her grow up.