It's Sunday evening, I've had a lovely weekend off work due to some unfortunate rain yesterday, last night I ambled down to the Northumberland Hussar with Holly (it's a great dog friendly pub if you're around the Heaton area of Newcastle) to meet my lovely friend Laura and friends.  I've really decided to take my life and fate into my own hands and that really starts with me going out and meeting people and having a good time, just because I don't drink/smoke/eat sugar doesn't mean I can't at least have some fun.  

I was talking last night about the more scary elements of suddenly finding yourself single after 15 years in a relationship, I mean the last time I was single the Nokia 5510 was in fashion, Big Brother hadn't been broadcast and reality tv was Dale Wintons commentary on supermarket sweep. I don't even want to think about what happens on dates these days and I think if I am really to re-enter the world entire a la Bridget Jones then someone is going to have to buy me a manual.

I had a lovely evening though and it was just nice to be out for a couple of hours, I was still home by 9pm at the request of Looby who messaged me saying she'd made me a gift but I was not home to receive it and it wouldn't wait until today or even possibly an hour later, it turns out she'd made me a lovely card thanking me for everything and telling me she loved me, definitely worth coming home to although I'm sure she could have been quite happy with her brother for just 1 more hour!

This week ahead has so many highlights, I'm on a blogging assignment for The Bells of Hemscott, I'm photographing Nethermined, a Minecraft convention at the Park Hotel on Saturday, I'm meeting 2 new babies in their homes and I have another couple of portrait sessions in the park, I've also decided to work bank holiday Monday so if you would like a portrait session anywhere in the North East please get in touch.

In addition to all of that I am editing 2 gorgeous weddings, one 10 hour one and one 1 hour one, it's an incredible contrast but I feel that I still was able to produce something magical for my lovely couple who's wedding I went to for just 1 hour on Friday afternoon.

I love this because it's a portrait I always wanted to shoot, I had it in my mind before I even got to the wedding, there's something fascinating and magical I think about wedding portraits on a busy shopping street and there's nowhere better to find that than Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre.

I've produced an up to date pricing brochure with wedding photography pricing from 1 hour upwards and I'm currently offering a complimentary pre-wedding photo shoot with images on disk worth £335 for all bookings of 2 hours and upwards just until my wedding photography business really kicks off again (if you're wondering why I took a year off and am restarting my wedding photography business you might find this post helpful).

And so it's Sunday night and I am excited and enthused by the new and exciting week ahead, not just professionally but also personally, I just hope now that I've found it again I get to have my renewed love of life forever again, it's only when you have lost something that you realise just how valuable it was and there's simply nothing more valuable than a love of life.

If you would like the latest copy of my wedding photography pricing or you're simply looking for a photographer in Newcastle please get in touch via my Website/Facebook/Email

The wedding of Gemma and Mick, The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have one of those mad weekends where I shot 2 weddings, unbelievable both weddings were sunny ones, I'm pretty sure it's only been dry and sunny on days where I've shot weddings this year, maybe I'm a good omen, haha!

So the first wedding of the weekend was Gemma and Mick, they married at St Pauls Church in Whitley Bay followed by a gorgeous pink reception at The Grand in Tynemouth, there were many many cute children at this wedding so I was in my element!

A very handsome group of groomsmen don't you think?  Mick is a fitness instructor, he's very tall!

Gemma arrived quite late, looking splendiforous in an amazing gown, I had to do a couple of quick photographs and then let the lovely vicar get on with the wedding!

Gemma might look calm and smiley here but she was very nervous and shaking, thankfully once she'd joined Mick at the front of the church the nerves just seemed to wash away, amazing what happens when you finally get to stand next to the love of your life.

and 45 minutes later after a lovely ceremony they were married!

and they finally got to have that first kiss as there'd been no kissing in the church, I have to admit that it always makes me a little sad when the vicar doesn't let the groom kiss his new wife, I'm sure God wouldn't mind.

a few crucial group shots later and we were ready to go off to the beach for some portraits!

it was quite a busy Friday on the beach, a school trip even gave Gemma and Mick a big cheer and a clap which I thought was lovely!

we got some beautiful portraits on the beach, or nearly on the beach, Gemma had realised that she should have worn some flat shoes or wellies to go on the sand but it wasn't a problem and we just stayed on the ledge.

Of course The Grand in Tynemouth has such a gorgeous staircase it would be rude not to use it for a couple of portraits.

Gemma had a gorgeous pink colour scheme which suited the gorgeous room at The Grand so well and wowza look at this cake with the swans on top, sensational

and all too soon after we'd got there it was time to leave another lovely couple to party away the day and night, it's a shame I didn't get to stay for the first dance with this one, I have a feeling it was sensational!

Gemma sent me a lovely email the other day to tell me that they all think the photos are amazing, it's always lovely to hear, I hope they have many many happy years together.

If you want to talk to me about photographing your  wedding in  Newcastle, North of England or maybe somewhere further afield in the UK or even overseas then please do get in touch either via my website (if you're viewing on a non flash device like iPhone or iPad I also have a website without flash here or of course you can call me on 07918 121838.

My next wedding is in Kendal in the Lake District and I can't wait, please let me take some sunshine!

Caroline and Claytons Wedding, Vintage/Pulp/Fabulousness

Just before Christmas I shot one of my favourite weddings of all time, the combination of influences by Chanel/Audrey Hepburn and Pulp combined with the beauty and gorgeousness of Caroline and Claytons wedding were to make it one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever shot.

Caroline was so beautiful in her vintage veil and dress, a true beauty to behold

 and if you are thinking that this guy looks familiar, you should see him with his glasses on, he's the spitting double of Jarvis Cocker from Pulp!

Those nervous last moments as you're about to walk down the aisle

and those tender moments during the ceremony when you give your all to the one you love most in your life

and then before you know it you are married and it's wonderful and happy and you can even start breathing again!

how gorgeous is this little bridesmaid?

all of the kids plus a large amount of confetti

we went off to the beach for some portraits, Tynemouth in December could have been chilly but it was more like an autumn day than a winter one

Our happy, gorgeous couple

moments of tenderness

and then they started singing "Common People to each other and I got to stand back and click, a very cool moment

So very much in love those two

Thats some love and a campervan

after those beachy portraits we winged our way to the Hotel Du Vin, possibly the most chic hotel in Newcastle, seriously cool and if you book your wedding there ask for Dan to look after you, he's one of my most favourite master of ceremonies, when we renewed our vows at As You Like It Jesmond he looked after us.

Sharing a tender moment in one of the chic suites and OMG look at those boots, geniune vintage and absolutely amazing!

The speeches were just lovely, I cried when Clayton gave his speech, that man is a true romantic

I have to say that most people in the room were in floods of tears because it was such a beautiful speech

Caroline and Clayton, I hope that you have a long and happy marriage, its easy to see that you are soul mates, thank you so much for choosing me to help you document your wedding day.

If you are planning your 2012 or beyond wedding you can book at 2011 prices until the end of January, just contact me through the website