We have been busy lately with wedding meetings, pre shoots and preparing for our September weddings. Also we have increased our prices with another rise due early next year. So if you know of anyone looking for a wedding photographer now would be a good time to make a booking.
We photographed a pre shoot two weekends ago for one of our September clients Chris and Zoe and would like to share some of the images from the shoot.
Chris and Zoe chose the location of Hardwick Park. The weather was great so we set off on a walk around the grounds stopping at a few different locations to take their photographs. At the beginning of our pre shoots we like to spend a little time just chatting, catching up and explaining what we are going to do on the shoot so everyone can relax.
At the beginning of pre shoots every couple feels a little awkward for the first couple of shots, Chris and Zoe were no exception but they soon relaxed and began to enjoy the experience, which becomes evident in the photos as the afternoon went on.
On the shoot we kept things simple, I just used my long lens in order to give Chris and Zoe some space while they interacted with one another. While Emma was holding my flash for the times it was required. Chris and Zoe were very natural in front of the camera and it really shows in the images.
A picture within a picture. As I was taking the previous shot I liked the reflection and zoomed in and created another image. It's a shame the reflection wasn't a bit clearer but it's still something different. I'm always looking for pictures within pictures to add a little variety!
We were lucky with the light as it was a slightly overcast afternoon, perfect for natural light photography. I asked Zoe to just look off into the distance to have that nice light fall on her face creating this lovely portrait.
Some of you will will recognise this scene from a previous wedding a Hardwick Hall. I think it makes a wonderful scene for a portrait of our couple.
Next it was time for Chris to have a portrait taken of himself. I chose this wall from a stone bridge as a location for Chris as It was a bit more rustic and provided him with something to lean on for an easy relaxed pose.
This scene was literally a stones throw from the bridge, ( excuse the pun! ) The light was great and I visualised this image immediately. I intentionally positioned Chris and Zoe in the top left of the image as the branches framed them nicely and the path leads your eye right to them.
Then around the corner another shot presented itself with this backlit tree. I just asked Chris and Zoe to interact with each other a little while I took a couple of shots. To be honest the light was so good that afternoon I could have spent hours there.
There were too many great images from the hour or so with Chris and Zoe to share them all here, so we will wrap up this post with these last two. I couldn't resist this shot against the ruins wall. The shallow depth of field really makes Zoe stand out.
For me personally this is my favourite image from the shoot and was actually one of the last. We had finished taking photos and were chatting on a leisurely walk back to the cars when I spotted this sensational light and just had to make an image. I asked Chris and Zoe just to have a bit of fun with each other and I made this photograph. The elements that work for me are their great facial expressions, their hand play and the amazing light on them, I love it!
It was great meeting up with Chris and Zoe again and we are really looking forward to shooting their wedding in less than two weeks. They both agreed that they really enjoyed the pre shoot and that it was a really good idea, not just for the photos but for a chance to meet us again close to their wedding day and now they have nothing to worry about as they know exactly how we work.
That's it for now keep stopping by for more very soon! Ken.
