Ashdown Park Hotel Wedding Photographer: Sussex Wedding Photography: Clare and Gavin's Wedding at Ashdown Park Hotel

Just thought i would share some images from the wedding of Clare and Gavin that i shot a few days ago.

They were married at the spectacular Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex a beautiful country house hotel located in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. it must surely be one of the top wedding venues in the UK!



After a ceremony at the hotel, their guests enjoyed a drinks reception in the grounds over looking the lake at the bottom of the valley.

Although i am best known for my documentary style wedding photography, Ashdown offers so many possibilities, it was great to be able to try a few arty shots showing the amazing interior and the chapel in particular.

Thanks once again go to Lisa, Vinnie and the team at the hotel and of course, my good friend and Toastmaster, Stephen Hall for making things go so smoothly.

Here are a few images, all take on my Nikon D3s.











I love the drama of low key images



A few signature images to show off the magnificent chapel.











View my Wedding Portfolio here.

View my Portraits and Commercial Photography here.

Sussex Photography: Meeting the Legend that is Sir Stirling Moss

Thursday evening saw me working for Haynes, in Maidstone. The occasion was their celebration of 100 years of being a Ford dealership. Quite and achievement, especially in these very troubled days!

The brief was to cover a few photo calls and then to document the event for their company history.

At this stage i should thank my friends at the amazing Super Event for recommending my photography to Haynes in the first place. Owned and run by Tony Brewin they are one of the best event, marquee and catering companies in the UK today!

I was greeted by Andrew Haynes, The Chairman and Managing Director of the Group and to my surprise was informed that the guest of honour was one of my all-time heroes and living legend, Sir Stirling Moss.

Sir Stirling Moss and Andrew Haynes in the Model T Ford



On his arrival, i was invited up to the boardroom, along with Ruth, a photographer from the KM Group, to cover the brief "press call". I was amazed at how relaxed, ego-free, friendly and open Sir Stirling was! Here was i chatting on 1-2-1 with a genuinely awesome man and i have to admit that it was a struggle to remain professional for a second.

Checking out some historical photos in the boardroom.



Then it was back downstairs to the main showroom, where invited guests and dignitaries had gathered for drinks and canapés whilst mingling amongst a superb collection of Fords from all decades of the company's car production life. Highlight of the show was a 1910 Model T Ford that was still working condition.

After plenty of time for the guests to enjoy the party, a few low key speeches followed and then one lucky guest won the competition for a lap of the Maidstone one-way system as a passenger in the Model T.

Here are a few favourite images of Sir Stirling Moss, a true gentleman and superstar!

Sir and Lady Moss enjoying the party.



Andrew Haynes presenting Sir Stirling, a very close family friend, with a thank you gift.





Finally a quick shot of me with the great man taken by Ruth from the KM Groups.



You can read about the amazing history of Haynes here.

View my Wedding Portfolio here.

View my Portraits and Commercial Photography here.

Sussex Portraits: Post Prom Portrait Shoots

I thought i would share a few further images taken on one of our Post Prom Shoots.

This these were taken at Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour a fortnight ago together with Nicky Thomas. Working together is a lot of fun and our fusion of styles really makes for a dynamic and diverse set of images for our clients.

Again all were taken on my Nikon D3S.





Processed using my "cool blue" action in Photoshop.



You can view more of my award winning portraiture here.

Sussex Portraits: Post Prom Portrait Shoots

Last week, together with my good friend and colleague, Nicky Thomas I was working on a series of "Post Prom" shoots where teenagers are offered the opportunity to have some very special images created as they wear their prom dresses/suits again but away from the crazy prom events.

it also gives me an opportunity to try fresh and exciting ideas.

This is a project that we have decide to pool resources to promote as an off-shoot of our usual non-wedding work. So far it being very well received and is certainly something to build on over the coming month and years.

Here are a few of my favourite images from last week's shoot.

All are shot on the Nikon D3s with my 24-70 2.8 lens with RAW file processed in Bridge with finishing in Photoshop using my own actions.

A few from my "Avant Garde" set








Using my desaturate action for a different look.



Then a few images from my "Classical" set










You can view of my portraiture here.

Sussex Wedding Photography: "Photographer" or "Camera Owner"

After many conversations with colleagues, other suppliers and friends i have been thinking as to whether owning a modern day digital SLR makes a person a "photographer" or a "camera owner". The number of "horror stories" i have heard of late has really focused my mind on what really makes a photographer a "professional photographer".

My reasoning for thinking this is because it seems that everyman and his dog is a "professional photographer" these days. Without trying to sound bitter or hard, in the main most of these are in reality "camera owners" with aspirations to be a "professional photographer".

Some people suggest that i shouldn't worry but the thing is, that i am passionate about my profession, my work and the standard of work and service clients deserve and it concerns me about the cowboy approach many "photographers" seem to take to wedding photography in particular.

Just by owning a decent camera, it doesn't mean a person is a professional, even if they are charging for their photography in the same way as if i bought a set of knives i wouldn't be a professional chef or if i bought a set of tools i wouldn't be a professional mechanic or a plumber!

Being a professional photographer is far more than owning decent kit and taking nice photographs.

To be a true professional requires a lot of hard work and many skills. Being professional in your approach towards dealing and working with clients, other suppliers, venues, colleagues etc is a huge part of being professional.

Keeping true and accurate accounts, paying taxes rather than trying to slip under the microscope and avoiding paying income tax, VAT and NI is what being professional is all about. The same goes for carrying adequate insurance, having good working practises, having enough back up equipment and having the right approach and attitude when working etc.

This all takes a lot of time and effort as well as costing money, but this is where realistic pricing comes into the equation.

Being a professional photographer isn't an easy option. Its easy to start off but getting more and more difficult to keep a sustainable business going these days.

It takes constant hard work and effort to keep your work fresh and exciting as well as profitable.

Anything less is unprofessional and in reality makes the photographer a "camera owner" rather than a "professional photographer."

You can view my wedding galleries here.

Sussex Event Photography: Jane Hathaway's 50th Celebration at Amberley Castle

Although the enquiry came at the very last minute after a recommendation from Amberley Castle i was delighted to be able to help out Mr and Mrs Hathaway with the photography of Jane's 50th birthday celebration.



A small gathering had been put together for this very special weekend and along with a few informal groups shots and portraits of Jane and her husband i was asked to capture some of the magic and atmosphere of the evening at one of the UK's leading luxury hotels.

The dress code was black tie so as is always the case i dressed the same to blend in with the occasion.



Here are a few favourite moments. For photographers, all the images were captured on my Nikon D3s using my 24-70 2.8 and 85 1.4 lenses, mostly without flash to retain as much atmosphere and warmth as possible. The interior shots were taken at with an iso range of 1600-6400 and shot mainly wide open.















You can view my wedding galleries here.

Grand Hotel Wedding Photographer: Sussex Weddings: Claire and Ben at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne

A couple of weeks ago i covered the stunning wedding of Claire and Ben at one of my all time favourite wedding venues, the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.

Rightly so, the Grand is the highest rated coastal Five Star Hotel in Britain.



Once again the amazing weather followed us and offered up the perfect seaside weather.

Claire and Ben were married in the beautiful Princes' Room, which always reminds me of a mini Versailles with its chandeliers and detailing.



Following a short drive for some private time, the couple returned to a wall of confetti and followed this with drinks on the putting lawn, the perfect private sun trap!



The brief was for mostly documentary style images but i was given a few minutes to capture some special images of the couple together within the interior of the hotel.

The wedding breakfast was held in the breath taking Compton Room and following opening speeches from Claire's father and Ben, dinner was served. A double act from the Best men concluded the formalities before the dancing commenced.



It was great once again to work with my good friend and toastmaster Stephen Hall who as ever ensured, along with the hotels' fabulous staff, that the day ran smoothly.

And once again it was lovely to see the "art" that is the work of the amazing Joanne of Elegant Stationery.

Here are some more favourite images of the day, all taken on my Nikon D3s.













You can view my wedding galleries here.

Sussex Weddings: Guess Who?

Thought i would share a quick "portrait" of a friend of mine.

Can you guess who it is?

Amberley Castle Wedding Photographer: Sussex Weddings: Karen and Kerry at Amberley Castle

Amberley Castle is always a magical place.

I was very excited to be covering the wedding of Karen and Kerry at such a wonderful Sussex wedding venue. Another wonderful Spring day welcomed me and i quickly was re-acquainted with the resident albino peacock.

Karen was joined by members of her lovely family from Peru and everyone seemed to mix extremely well, despite any language barrier.

Once again i was delighted to be working with Becky from BO-K and Joanne from Elegant Stationary, both who continue to produce stunning products for their couples.

Kerry and Karen wanted a relaxed, semi documentary approach combined with images of them showing off the beautiful venue and i was happy to oblige.

Another exciting thing about this wedding was that the couple kindly gave the green light for my good friend and very talented photographer and film maker, Nigel Harper to accompany me as we work on a new exciting project together.

I want to thank the wonderful staff at Amberley Castle who made my life so very easy on the day.

Here are a few favourite images, taken on my Nikon D3s and D300.

I love searching out images in mirrors!



The beautiful bride before leaving for Amberley.



A signature shot.





A shot sneaked through the door as Karen listens to the registrar before the ceremony.





















You can view my weddings galleries here.