Today was  somewhat cooler than of late,  lower temperatures,  light showers and a bit of a breeze. Mark and Mary arrived at Alexander House Hotel, to capture the celebrations of Lindsay and Trevor’s wedding day.

After greeting the groom, we headed up to the brides changing room, to capture the story of the bridal preparations.

With a glass of champagne to calm those nerves, Lindsay beamed, as her hair was pinned and beautiful ringlets created, her make up artist working with a proud mother and friend looking on.

The young bridesmaids looked gorgeous in their cream dresses with pale pink sashes – colours that themed the day in a subtle, delicate way. Lindsay’s bouquet was a simple, yet stunning, ensemble of cala lilies, whilst the bridesmaids carried cream and pale pink flowers, soft, subtle chic and girly.

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The MPA (Master Photographers Association) annually holds its awards, at both National and Regional levels.

Mark, has previously won numerous National and International Awards including the highly sort after two MPA Oskars, so this year he entered a variety of photographs from client sessions in the studio, wedding and travel images.

With over 250 entries at the Regional level, competition was tough.

Mark was delighted to win both the ‘Classical Portrait’ and ‘Pictorial / Landscape / Illustrative’ (with a beautiful image of ‘The Racetrack’) categories. As well as these he received an ‘Award of Excellence’ for his ‘Cherubs’ photograph, three further ‘Merits’ in ‘Fashion and Beauty’, ‘Contemporary Portrait’ and ‘Pictorial / Landscape / Illustrative’

Are all Photographers the Same?

Winner of the Pictorial / Landscape / Illustrative catergory MPA SE Region

Winner of the Classical Portrait MPA SE Region

The wedding team arrived in full force to a relaxed parents house, where Lisa was preparing for her big day. Lisa and her bridesmaids had just returned from the hairdressers, their excitement was evident, yet in a cool, calm and collected manner.

We photographed all the key details that make up the special day, which was so well thought out and planned. A day to be remembered forever,  captured in both memories and visuals, to be cherished always.

With rows of wedding  ensembles hanging on the wardrobe, matching the perfect lines of bridal shoes – all the little details were recorded, fitting together to make one big picture: Lisa and Matthew’s wedding day.

Wow what a scorcher!

The first weekend in June greeted us with sizzling summer sun (up to 32 degrees!), a fabulous day for Lisa and Andy’s wedding celebrations.

Mark and Mary started the day to be greeted by a cool, calm and very happy bride at her parent’s home in Horley. The house was bustling with pre-wedding excitement as the bridesmaids, brides parents and a few others helped with the preparations. After capturing bridal preps, precious moments, floral details, and the bridal dress, Mark left to join the boys and a few of the Bride & Grooms loved ones at the local pub for pre wedding photos.

Back at the house, the bride stepped into her beautiful dress, a gorgeous strapless gown, embellished with diamante and ruching on the left hand side, with a tied corseted back, which the bridesmaids assisted with tying. Mary captured the moments around the home, whilst Chloe, the youngest bridesmaid at 3 years old, smiled sweetly and awaited the further excitement of the day. The transport came in form of a double decker ‘wedding special’ bus, the perfect ride for the short distance to the church.

Mark captured (Read on …)

Today was the day when Rachel & Charles chose to wed, and what a day of celebrations it was! The preparations were well underway as Mark and the wedding team arrived at the happy couple’s home, on the stunning Royal Earlswood Estate.

With hair and make up artists in full flow, the house bustled with excitement and emotions.

The subtle details of the Benjamin Adams shoes, and intricate detailing on the gorgeous halterneck bridal gown, were captured before Rachel stepped into her dress, complete with Cathedral Veil and tiara – our beautiful bride was ready!

The white vintage  bridal car boasted co-ordinated ribbons of the chosen colour theme. Lavender with deep purple and delicate crisp whites.

Once the formal pre-ceremony photos had been completed with the bridesmaids in purple floor length gowns, and the brides family, the car set off, leaving Mark to capture Rachel in the beautiful parkland and tree lined driveway, before heading onto St Mary’s Church in Reigate .

A slightly delayed start  (Read on …)

As we arrived at the bride’s parents home in Tadworth, the sun was shining and the sky blue, a great start to a wonderful day!

Mark and the team arrived as the preparations were in full flow, and captured some of the finer details of the dress, floral bouquets and wedding accessories before the bride stepped into her beautiful dress.

As the minutes progressed, laughter and girly giggles resonated around the home, the emotion and excitement apparent! Once all the last minute touches were completed, we headed out onto the green to capture some photos of the bride, bridesmaids and her immediate family pre ceremony, as well as individual shots of the bridal party.

Mark and the team headed off (Read on …)

Mark and the team went to Alexander House Hotel on Friday 26th March to photograph Sarah & Steve’s wedding.

We arrived and greeted the bride to be, who was relaxing in her suite with her bridesmaids, as her hair was being curled and make up was being applied. A relaxed atmosphere was certainly the order of the day as the bridal party sipped on champagne, and prepared for the special day ahead.

Photos were taken capturing every moment, the beautiful bouquets provided by Zara Flora, and all the delights and sparkles and laughter that filled the room.
Mark and Graham headed to the bar – to see the Groom and best man for some informal shots before the ceremony, whilst Mary stayed with the ladies to capture putting on THE dress!!
The bridal dress was a stunning vintage strapless dress with embellished detailing under the bust, and a sweeping train to complement the style. Diamonte encrusted shoes added the finishing touch, whilst the bridesmaids looked beautiful in sage green strapless fitted dresses and cream shrugs.

The ceremony was held in (Read on …)

This year was the 30th anniversary of the WPPI convention held in Las Vegas with new records being set for attendance – over 14,000 people.

Our trip this year covered 3556 miles in 17 days. Our hired jeep, a Ford Escape, had just 4 miles on the clock when we collected it!!!!

Saturday 20th  – Sunday 21st March

This morning we had a short (by our standards) hop over to San Francisco – time for a bit of sight seeing, a ride on a trolley bus, dinner and bed! The following morning we just had time for a quick drive to Sausalito, some photos of the Golden Gate bridge, then off to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK.

Thursday 18th – Friday 19th March

We spent the next two days exploring Yosemite NP, quite a change in scenery from our usual desert climes! Our hotel was a relatively short drive (20 mins) to the park entrance, however it was another hours drive to the valley floor. Large areas of the park are closed at this time of year due to snow, but even so there are still areas you can access in relative solitude. Our two “golden hour” sunsets were somewhat disappointing (and somewhat chilly!!) but I like the slight hint of colour in this photo.

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On Sunday, Mark and the wedding team were out in full force, photographing Dawn and Mark’s wedding at Alexander House Hotel, our first wedding of 2010.
We arrived at the hotel to meet the groom and his best man for some shots with the rings, and the rest of the grooms ‘A’ team in the bar before the ceremony to get some informal photos, before heading up to the brides dressing room, where Dawn was getting ready for her big day.

With hair and make-up artistry in full flow, the room was filled with cheer and laughter as we photographed away, capturing those precious moments, intricate details from gorgeous Tiffany jewellery, the beautiful bridal gown,  the bouquet and not forgetting the shoes!

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This time we are driving along the Gold Coast from Cairns to Sydney, as it is Jackie’s (my better half) special birthday this year. Whilst we are away the studio will be open as usual so contact Jane if you need any help.

Cairns our first destination .

Our journey started with an eleven hour flight to Hong Kong, then a further eight and half hours to Sydney, followed by a mere three hours and some change short hop to Cairns. After travelling for 34 hours door to door we finally made it!

We are spending the first couple of days here just getting over the travelling, before picking up our hire car and beginning the drive back to Sydney. I’ll post as and when I can get access to the internet.

Cairns is a lively and vibrant town and is used to get access to the Great Barrier reef . There is no beach here, so they’ve built a pool and beach on the Esplanade. There are lots of trendy bars and clubs and the nightlife is fairly hectic! Late nights are followed by lazy mornings with street side coffee bars abound. This is in total contrast to the expensive looking boats and luxury hotels around the very pretty marina. Cairns I would say is a town of contrasts!

Tomorrow we are exploring Kuranada, so hopefully will post some photos from our trip!

Kuranda

Today we took the skyrail up across the rain forest to Kuranda, where we visited a butterfly sanctuary and wandered around the small town before returning to Cairns on board a real steam train.

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