Best of 2018: the Colour Edit

Bridal Preparation

Tessa & Dan, Leonardslee Gardens, September 2018

I actually chose three images from one wedding to represent how I tend to approach capturing the bridal prep. First, a fun "dressing gown" shot, which wouldn't have made the final cut had one of the bridesmaids not turned round with that great expression just as I pressed the shutter. I love it when candid moments happen within posed situations - there's another one further on in this blog in the group photo section!

Tessa & Dan, Leonardslee Gardens, September 2018

Those of you who actually read (anyone?!) my last blog will know that I'm always on the look out for interactions between close family, especially between a bride and her Mum if they're together during bridal preparations. As Tessa's sister Jodie (whose wedding I captured two years previously) buttons up her dress, the bride shares a special moment with her Mum.

And below, Jodie's best "Something About Mary" impression. I love injecting a bit of humour into a couple's slideshow, so needless to say, this one made it in!

Tessa & Dan, Leonardslee Gardens, September 2018

And now for a different kind of image, but a scenario that takes place during most bridal preparations. I always feel slightly cheated when the cork pops cleanly. Not this time!

Emma & Richard, Blackstock Country Estate, December 2018

Capturing a few hair and make up shoots is often an important part of the bride's story - in this case Helen the bride is a professional make up artist herself, so it was fun to photograph her applying lipstick to her oldest flower girl as the youngest - her daughter - looks on.

Helen & Ian, Brookfield Barn, August 2018

The Ceremony

A lot of ceremony photos work best in black and white - especially in a church setting. For this colour blog, I picked the first three of these largely for the colour element: Clair alighting The Big Lemon bus outside Angel House; the foliage on Brighton Bandstand as Sharon and her Dad (with matching green tie) walk down the aisle; the stunning interior windows of Sussex Uni Meeting House.

Clair & Rene, Angel House and Hotel Du Vin, Brighton. August 2018

Sharon & Alex, Brighton Bandstand and Hotel Du Vin, June 2018

Kirsty & Greg, Sussex Uni Meeting House & Chez Mal, Brighton Marina July 2018

This was my first time photographing at Sussex Uni Meeting House and wow, what a fantastic space! There's a narrow spiral staircase leading to the balcony so I saw my chance to create a panoramic as Chris the charismatic Chaplain was delivering his sermon. The image was made from several shots which I later stitched together in Photoshop. I also damaged one of my cameras descending the stairs and had a hefty insurance excess, but that's a story for another day!

The images below are all about expression: Vikki's fun personality matched by her Mum's great smile; and Sophie stealing a glance at her husband to be. Good wedding story telling has a great deal to do with capturing expression.

Danielle & Vikki, Lusty Glaze Beach, May 2018

Sophie & Ben, St Audries Park, Somerset, October 2018

The Bridal Party

I didn't set out to include posed bridal party photos in this blog. Almost every wedding has them, but they don't tend to set my world alight. However, as I browsed through the weddings, I stumbled across these two photos that I love. The first, a copy-cat kiss that lifted an ordinary line up into a moment to remember. I'm happy to say that Lauren and Ash choose this one for their album over the more traditional smiling at the camera one!

Lauren & Ash, Old Thornes Golf & Spa Resport, August 2018

And the second, a grab shot of the groomsmen charging towards the sea after their ceremony at a new seafront wedding venue, Brighton Harbour Hotel. Unposed, fun, and full of personality. My kind of group photo!

Franki & Josh, Brighton Harbour Hotel, August 2018

The Reception

It proved virtually impossible to choose my favourites from this category! The variety of images is endless, but in the end I opted for fun and games with both children and adults, just to narrow down the field! All completely un-posed, candid moments, which is how I capture whatever's going on during this part of the day. Except, you could argue, the croquet photo, as I asked the player to wait until I was lying flat on my belly on the grass to take his shot!

Sam & Dan, Worthing Dome, August 2018

Clair & Rene, Angel House and Hotel Du Vin Brighton, August 2018

Sophie & Ben, St Audries Park, Somerset, October 2018

Jane & Dave, Lusty Glaze Beach, October 2018

Jamie & Peter, Selden Barns, July 2018

Helen & Ian, Brookfield Barn, August 2018

And to finish the reception images with one of my favourite happy moments of the year! Sophie and Ben love to relax with a competitive Wii game, so their parents arranged for Mario Kart Wii to be set up as a surprise after their wedding breakfast. Apparently Ben always beats Sophie, so the bride was especially elated to win on her wedding day. I wouldn't have missed that moment for the world.

St Audries Park Wedding Photographer Sophie & Ben, St Audries Park, Somerset, October 2018

The Couple Photos

This is the part of the day where the couple get to spend a little time alone, with me tagging on for good measure. This images are typically taken after the ceremony but sometimes into the evening too during Summer weddings. Still fun and relaxed, but with just a touch of direction for me to capture the newly-weds in good light, and with great expressions.

Jamie & Peter, Selden Barns, July 2018

I took Jamie and Peter for a short stroll away from their guests before their reception (above), then later the newly weds changed into shorts and casual shirts and I grabbed some lighting to make the most of the evening sky behind Selden Barns.

Jamie & Peter, Selden Barns, July 2018

Kirsty & Greg, Sussex Uni Meeting House and Chez Mal Brighton Marina, July 2018

At Kirsty and Greg's wedding, we enjoyed a walk in the South Downs en route from their ceremony to reception venues. And in the evening, the couple were up for some artistic fashion-style images too, making the most of several great backdrops afforded by their Chez Mal reception venue.

Kirsty & Greg, Sussex Uni Meeting House and Chez Mal Brighton Marina July 2018

For my couple photos, it's important to me to showcase the venue and its surroundings. OK, so it it's raining, we're not going to be outside for long, but even just one or two memories of those first few hours as husband and wife are special to capture. 2018 saw me at beaches in Brighton, Worthing and Cornwall, plus stunning woodland, beautiful grounds surrounding barns and even a castle:

Hayley & Matt, Leeds Castle, June 2018

Sophie & Ben, St Audries Park, Somerset, October 2018

Sam & Dan, Worthing Dome, August 2018

Tessa & Dan, Leonardslee Gardens, September 2018

Franki & Josh, Brighton Harbour Hotel, August 2018

Lauren & Ash, Old Thornes Golf & Spa Resort, August 2018

Mally & Ash, Blackstock Country Estate, September 2018

Jane & Dave, Lusty Glaze Beach, October 2018

Sophie & Ben, St Audries Park, Somerset, October 2018

Katy & Raj, Worthing Dome, July 2018

Emma & Dan, Gildings Barn, October 2018

Clair & Rene, Angel House and Hotel Du Vin, Brighton. August 2018

Mally & Ash, Blackstock Country Estate, September 2018

Jane & Dave, Lusty Glaze Beach, October 2018

Danielle & Vikki, Lusty Glaze Beach, May 2018

The Speeches

The speeches were particularly funny this year. And I do mean laugh out loud, tears rolling down the cheeks funny. Even for me, on a couple of occasions! I anticipate the punchline to make sure I capture the exact moment. These always make it into the album, and Lauren & Ash's (below) was no exception.

Lauren & Ash, Old Thornes Golf & Spa Resort, August 2018

Champagne toasts are all part of the fun, although depending on the seating arrangements, can be difficult to capture, with everyone suddenly standing up and leaning into their tables. I love this one of Emma and Alex though, with the bride's great expression and all the out-of-focus arms adding to the sense of movement and atmosphere of the moment.

Emma & Alex, Marquee at Private Residence, Dunsfold June 2018

The Evening Celebrations

And finally to the evening fun, from sparkler arches to the dancefloor. You can't beat sparklers for a bit of after dark fun, whether a great sparkler arch or simply taking long exposures of guests making silly shapes or hearts. Timing is everything - if I can get rich colour in the sky before it turns black, I will. Although it's often a balancing act to fit it in around the wedding breakfast or first dance from October to April.

Jane & Dave, Lusty Glaze Beach, October 2018

Most weddings end the day with a dancefloor, and I love it when everyone gets a little crazy! Especially when there's a great band or DJ that gets people dancing and I can capture creative shots with tons of atmosphere and energy, like the one below.

Helen & Ian, Brookfield Barn, August 2018

I'm not sure what the relationship is between the groom and his dance partner, but the cheeky tapping on his backside represented for me the warmth and affection in their relationship. It's the little moments...

Helen & Ian, Brookfield Barn, August 2018

Well, that just about sums up my absolutely fantastic 2018 wedding season! I really, genuinely loved every wedding and can't imagine the coming season will top that, but you never know! My 2019 wedding season kicks off in February at Blackstock Country Estate, and sees me returning to many of my favourite Sussex barns, historic Worthing Dome, plus Worthing Pier's fabulous Southern Pavilion, amongst others. And I'm looking forward to exploring several venues that are new to me, including Tunnels Beaches in Devon (which looks absolutely amazing!) and, further still, Archerfield House in Dirleton, Scotland! Bring it on!

Hungry for more? Click here for a quick 2 minute video featuring 100 photos from Jenny's 2018 weddings!

Bye for now!

Jenny x