Katherine and Simon, Busbridge Church and Ramster, 2nd December

I’m often asked about timings and light at winter weddings – a ceremony at 3pm can mean it’s virtually dark when you leave the church. There’s no doubt an earlier ceremony makes for greater variety in the photographs and better use of natural light.

Katherine and Simon’s wedding had a wonderful range of pictures, from sunny natural light at the church through to the warm feel of Christmas at Ramster with its huge real fire. I’ve chosen pictures for the blog to reflect that, echoed in the fabulous colours of Kate Avery’s flowers which also feature in my selection.

The photos are simply outstanding – you have captured the atmosphere of the day perfectly …

This was a day that had everything and Katherine looked supremely elegant in every photograph – a wonderful day to be a part of. It’s good to know Katherine and Simon’s reaction to the pictures :

“The photos are simply outstanding – you have captured the atmosphere of the day perfectly and we shall treasure these for a lifetime”

Thank you both.

Melanie and Cieren, Send Church and Ramster, October 8th 2011

And now a quick trip back in time to October and to Melanie and Cieren’s wonderful wedding day. When I look at the pictures again I’m struck by the blend of captured moments and timeless elegance.

Black-and-white pictures are what got me into photography in the first place and the pictures here have that sense of beauty I’m always looking for – the picture of Melanie arriving in the car is one of my favourites.

Send Church is beautiful and from another time – and at the end of a single track lane, but thanks to some skilful ushering and considerable planning all possible logistical difficulties were overcome, with the added joy of a restored RT8 London bus. I’ve restrained myself on the bus pictures but it was a spectacular backdrop and a joy to behold.

The happiness of the day is clear in all the pictures

The Ramster pictures show just how much it has to offer and all in all this was a day with many, many wonderful elements that come together superbly. The happiness of the day is clear in all the pictures and I’m very grateful to Melanie and Cieren for their feedback:

“It was an absolute pleasure dealing with you” – I enjoyed every minute.

Rebecca and Dominic, Ramster, 22nd October 2011

You can never be sure of the weather at any time of year in this country – I’ve photographed weddings on Valentine’s day outside in the sunshine and spent the first Saturday in August trying in vain to protect my cameras from torrential rain.

What I like about Ramster is that whatever the weather does your day will be fine. Rebecca and Dominic’s day had a wonderful Autumn mix of arriving in sunshine, a ceremony in daylight, the warmth of evening light and a roaring fire.

My whole mission is to be something very different from the traditional wedding photographer – all the bride and groom have to do is enjoy themselves and leave the rest to me.

Many of my clients tell me they don’t like being photographed and Rebecca and Dominic made this very clear to me when I met them, but my whole mission is to be something very different from the traditional wedding photographer – all the bride and groom have to do is enjoy themselves and leave the rest to me. That’s just what happened here and the result is a set of pictures full of the joy, happiness and emotion of the day.

One final point – I’ve included the whole group shot because it is one set piece picture I’m frequently asked for. At Ramster it can be done outside if weather permits or as here indoors. To save anyone counting there are 153 guests!

Antonia and Nick, 27th August, St. Bartholomew’s, Haslemere and Ramster

Remember August? At this time of year as the hour is about to change and we head to winter time I’m always struck by the speed of the transition from high summer to darker more wintry days.

Antonia and Nick’s wedding at the end of August was everything you would want from a high summer wedding with loads of warmth and sunshine.

A very big thank you for being even more fantastic than we had even thought you would be! You really helped make it so stress free!

I’ve chosen pictures to reflect the combination of stylish elegance and fun that ran through the day, mirrored by the relaxed approach I use and resulting in pictures that give a feel of what it was like to be there. I was particularly pleased with Antonia and Nick’s comments:

“A very big thank you for being even more fantastic than we had even thought you would be! You really helped make it so stress free …these are spectacular! Have been in tears at work – thank you so much.”

Wendy and Tom, Ramster, 21/5/11

The busiest time of the year is here – all very exciting but making it hard to keep up with the blog at times.

Here are two posts that reflect the blend of styles different clients go for – the ‘about’ section of the site goes into more detail on this.

A walk in the grounds appeals to many Ramster clients

Wendy and Tom’s wedding at Ramster had the backdrop many people associate with Ramster, with masses of rhododendrons in flower – a walk in the grounds appeals to many Ramster clients and these pictures show why. But I think what makes these pictures special is the captured moments and the real emotion they reflect. Here’s what Wendy and Tom have to say:

“We have been absolutely blown away by how wonderfully you captured the day…The wonderful colours, light, composition and interaction you found just make the wedding seem even more special in my memories. So thank you for that and thank you for being such a kind and genuine fellow in all our dealings. It has been an absolute pleasure !”

And thank you both for your kind comments, I hope the move went well.

Gemma and Richard, St.Mary’s, Chiddingfold, and Ramster, 17th December 2010

My last post talked about the joys of winter light and Gemma and Richard’s day had it in abundance – with the added atmospheric benefit of snow.

Again too Gemma and Richard had wisely chosen a time for the service that had plenty of opportunities for photography before the light faded. The black-and-white picture outside the church shows the wonderful mix of deep blue skies and a light dusting of snow, whilst the setting sun as they emerged from the church gave a fabulous warmth to the pictures.

The photography at Ramster itself shows just what can be achieved in low light in winter – but enough from me. As ever at this wedding there were loads of very well equipped amateurs amongst friends and family and it’s very clear that many brides and grooms might be tempted to choose one of them to take their wedding pictures.

Words can’t describe how delighted we are with our wedding photos …you captured the beauty and romance of the day perfectly.

After the day, when Gemma and Richard had had a chance to see everyone’s pictures, I asked them whether they thought it had been worth having a professional photographer. Here’s what they said:

“Words can’t describe how delighted we are with our wedding photos …you captured the beauty and romance of the day perfectly.

From the first moment we met you, we knew you understood the style and mood we wanted you to capture and the end result is testament to your skill, ability to understand and read individuals, your timing and all your hard work.

You took some stunningly magical photographs in the snow that will forever be the most wonderful memories of our winter wonderland wedding. You were always helpful before the day with our endless questions and requests and patient during the tense getting ready moments and on the day you were unintrusive and never once did we feel that we having to have our photos taken.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for a reportage photographer. You asked if we were pleased that we’d had a professional photographer, not only is the answer definitely yes, but we are so happy that it was you!”

Thank you Gemma and Richard, that means a huge amount to me.

Jo and Alex, Ramster 11^th December 2010

And now coming back up to date here are some pictures from Jo and Alex’s wedding in December – the 11^th was the Saturday it didn’t snow.

This wedding was a triumph of organisation by Jo – amongst the host of special details was a video during the speeches of Alex’s favourite song, mimed by many friends and superbly cut and edited. Look for the picture that shows Alex’s reaction. Alex contributed to the planning too – the first groom I’ve seen arriving at a wedding with his own personal survival kit of a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Alex contributed to the planning too – the first groom I’ve seen arriving at a wedding with his own personal survival kit of a bottle of Jack Daniels

As well as having elegance and beauty this wedding was also a lot of fun, which you can also see in the pictures. For those planning winter weddings it shows the special quality of the light in winter – in the pre-digital era my clients would often be concerned about wedding photography at Ramster in winter and whether the results would look dark.

The ceremony shots show there should be no cause for concern and the pictures from the speeches have a very attractive winter warmth to them, enhanced by all the details Jo planned so carefully.

So thank you Alex and Jo for a great day, I’m only sad it’s over.

Kirianne and David, Ramster, July 24th 2010

Remember summer? Sunny days and long evenings?

Catching up with the blog at long last on a cold autumn evening gave me a chance to remember another fabulous Ramster wedding. How often do you see the bride wearing red – here’s a chance to see how dramatic it looks.

If you put your trust in reportage photography you’ll be rewarded

Kirianne and her team got ready in the Stables at the top of the drive to Ramster and decided to make the most of the summer sunshine by walking down to the Long Hall. The result is the “Reservoir Bridal Party” picture – and as ever with my photography it was not posed, proof if any were needed that if you put your trust in spontaneous reportage photography you’ll be rewarded.

Similarly with the Ceilidh pictures, there’s a spontanaeity in the joy and happiness that just can’t be engineered in a posed shot – and I love the emotion of the pictures during the ceremony. I’m always being asked “what do you want us to do” and my answer remains the same – just be yourself and enjoy the day.

Stephanie and Warren’s wedding at Ramster, 16th October 2010

Stephanie and Warren’s wedding at Ramster in October was a good example of just what our climate can offer – after an unpromising start they ended up walking through Ramster’s spectacular gardens in warm Autumn sunshine and it was the sunshine that reminded me of my first wedding at Ramster fifteen years ago.

In those years Ramster has seen many changes – part of the courtyard being paved, wonderful new loos, the Stables being made available for brides getting ready at Ramster and a purpose built extension for new kitchens – all of which have made it a highly popular and successful wedding venue much in demand. Throughout those fifteen years wedding photography at Ramster has been a constant joy and I’m delighted to see more and more clients wanting to go into the gardens for some special photographs of just the bride and groom – they make a fantastic backdrop.

Every wedding is different

Stephanie and Warren’s pictures show the wonderful colours of the Autumn leaves at their best and the range of great photographic opportunities at Ramster – from the intimate and emotional moments of the ceremony through to the range of light and colours in the light in the Great Drawing Room. The pictures show what can be captured by photographing the speeches – great informal moments – and the range of reactions during the evening and the first dance.

They also show how every wedding is different – this was a day very much in their style reflecting their choices. It was a day of enormous happiness and great joy that was hugely enjoyed by all, including the photographer.

Laura and Richard, Ramster, West Sussex, Saturday 5th June

I’ve just put the phone down from talking to someone who hates being photographed. Most of my clients would agree and most are worried about how they will look in their wedding photographs.

When I met Laura and Richard last year it was Laura’s big concern – and why they chose an informal or reportage photographer. They had a wonderful day at Ramster in June, surrounded by friends and family, and I concentrated on their reactions to those who they know and love, including each other.

The results speak for themselves, from the emotion of the ceremony itself through to the humour of the speeches – they’ve forgotten about me and are caught wrapped up in their reactions to the day itself. But what did Laura think when she saw the pictures – that has to be the acid test:

“The photos are absolutely gorgeous so thanks very much!  I thought I was the least photogenic person in the world but you have managed to take some stunning photos of us both… I am over the moon that we decided to use you as our photographer as they really are a world away from any other wedding photos I have ever seen.  You really have captured what a perfect day it was for us all.”

And that pretty much sums up why I do what I do and the way I do it – thank you Laura and Richard.