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.”

Amy and Glen, Gate Street Barn, 29th August 2011

Amy and Glen live in Australia and had booked me by email after looking at the website online.

More and more people book me this way due to distance, either living abroad or many miles away from where they are going to get married – or through simply being too busy to meet, so if that’s you this post should be reassuring!

I’m now really happy with what digital black-and-white can offer my clients

For Amy the black-and-white pictures were a key element of the day and the selection here is mainly of Amy’s favourites, which explains the emphasis on black-and-white pictures – it’s what got me into photography in the first place and I’m now really happy with what digital black-and-white can offer my clients.

What does Amy think after the event ?

“The photos are fantastic and really capture the happiness and fun of the day …thank you so much. We had the best day of our lives and are really glad you were there to capture it. Your calm informal manner was much appreciated”

Catherine and Gerard, The Woodlands Park Hotel, Leatherhead, 27/5/11

This was a fabulously happy day, full of laughter and very relaxed. I’ve worked at The Woodlands Park Hotel many times over the years and will be back there later this month.

On both occasions I’m lucky enough to have Russell New of Blomster Designs doing the flowers and I’ve included an example of his brilliant work.

The joy of all concerned is plain to see …

I always say the pictures reflect those involved and although there’s a blend of photographic styles here the joy of all concerned is plain to see. Thank you both for a great day, the dance shots were perfect ending to the photographs and I drove away with a huge smile on my face.

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.

Angela and Andrew, Gate Street Barn, 25^th February 2011

And now a post from this year… After the snow before Christmas I was delighted there no challenges in getting to Gate Street Barn for Angela and Andrew’s wedding. I always look forward to the first weddings of a new season and I had three wonderful weddings this February.

From the end of January the days start getting noticeably longer, giving the opportunity for more natural light photography, especially during civil ceremonies.

We were able to get outside during the afternoon – very useful for any group shots and if the bride and groom want to escape for a few minutes on their own.

We are so pleased with the shots, you definitely captured the atmosphere, venue and people. We can’t thank you enough.

Not everyone in the world like being photographed and Angela was very honest with me before the day – she loathes it, so I was particularly pleased to receive the following message from Angela and Andrew when they saw the pictures:

“Andy and I have had a really good look tonight – without me crying!!!! We feel there is nothing we would change… We are so pleased with the shots, you definitely captured the atmosphere, venue and people. We can’t thank you enough. The memories were definitely worth the pain (to be fair it wasn’t that painful!!). As we are soooo pleased with the shots, please feel free to put them on your website and if you need me to talk to other photo phobics I’ll happily sing your praises.”

Thank you both.

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.

9^th October 2010, Vicki and Mark, The Church of the Holy Family, Heath End, and Northbrook Park

It’s still catching up time from the second half of last year and Vicki and Mark’s wedding in October  gave me the chance to return to Northbrook Park, a venue I’ve known for many years that has recently undergone enormous improvements and changes – it now comes with purpose built accommodation and loads of very discreet parking.

The old marquee is long gone and now the wedding breakfast is served in the Orangery with purpose built kitchens tucked out of sight at the rear.

My clients often ask me what I would like them to do – to which I always reply just enjoy yourselves and leave me to capture that.

This was a truly fabulous day and showed just what an Autumn wedding has to offer – wonderful rich colours in the subtle light during the day and then the warmth and intimacy of the fading light in the evening.

My clients often ask me what I would like them to do – to which I always reply just enjoy yourselves and leave me to capture that. Vicki and Mark’s sheer joy on the day has made for a fabulous set of pictures – their happiness shines out. Their guests too are clearly having a great time.

Thank you not only to Vicki and Mark but also to the two Best Men who helped me during the day – much appreciated.

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.