No, not since the last blog post...that was only a week ago.  This is a new phrase Evan is using at the moment.  We stop at the level crossing to let a train go by.  He's very excited as usual but the train seems to be taking its time to get there.  "Daddy, we've been here for ages and ages!"  Great.  Then yesterday he's bartering to go to the park.  We really don't have time as E and I have to go to supermarket quickly before guests arrive for lunch.  "Daddy, we go to the park?" "No Evan, we don't have time" "Daddy, we can go to the park, I don't mind"  I bet you don't...

I've been a bit slack on Evan photos lately.  So to satisfy my sister etc (BTW family, have a look at the wedding images as one of them is actually for you).

A young David Hockney does his abstract paintings on the kitchen table

Looking for a bit of Euro 2008 violence!

Last Wednesday I finally made it to a Formula One testing session at Silverstone.  I've been wanting to go for years but things kept getting in the way.  My father-in-law (the crazy man in the photobooth at Vicky and Matt's wedding), Duncan Kerridge and his son Blythe enjoyed a great day of screaming cars and excellent views.  Having been to a few British Grand Prix in the past I was loving the easy movement of the crowd.  You could sit just about anywhere you wanted (in the bits that were open) and move about without a hassle. 

I have to give a big thanks to Duncan's mum, Annie.  She actually let us borrow some of her lenses (she's into wildlife) and without them it wouldn't have been the same.  Even with a big 400mm lens we did bump into a chap from Fastlane Fotos with a 600mm lens.  A bit of blabbing and some charm he actually let us try a few shots with our camera.  Duncan was quite good, but I couldn't even see a car in the damn thing.  It was just too big.  He used a 1.4extender with a 400d making it around a 1300mm lens.  God help him.

To view a slideshow click the image below (whilst there are lots of shots of cars, there are some interesting documentary images as well):

Finally to this weekend's wedding.  It was great to see my old friends at Woodlands Park Hotel.

Lucy and Phil -- Kingswood and Woodlands Park Hotel -- Saturday 28 June 2008

Princess Leia...eat your heart out

Lucy's lovely dress

The chief bridesmaid gets to work....I think this was attempt number 3

Friends don't let friends 'hoist'...its an in joke for those of us who were there

1..2..3..4..5..6 -- taking the expression "give me a hand" just a bit too far

The veil was so heavy it took two of them to lift it

Rock me, Amadeus, Amadeus and Amadeus

Phil took great delight when seeing it was only the pizza man who had arrived early at the door

No..pepperoni on half (oopps, wrong caption)...I meant to say, Lucy and Mike take a few last minute instructions

A full belly and a Tic-Tac later he was ready to receive the bride

I wasn't allowed to do much in the church...so I leave you with this parting shot

Just a wee natural moment in the car.

Meanwhile, back at Woodlands

My favourite window...

...Not my favourite wallpaper...but it is distinctive :)

Lucy and Phil discuss the possibility of sloping off to Glastonbury

Safe in the knowledge that Neil Diamond wasn't on until Sunday they opted to stick around for the evening's festivities


This was mega cute...11months and already doing Twinkle Twinkle with Daddy

Penelope Pitstop dawns her goggles for a closer look

I can confirm this guest was very keen on Jay-Z headlining Saturday night

The tables had to take a quiz...and it wasn't even a school day

Great socks...but not very well strategically placed.  When asked by the vicar
"who gives this woman to be married to this man", Mike had to stop, lift
his trouser leg and double check before admitting it was him.

FAMILY (Mine) Stop here...nice shot of a smiling guest...but my gracious
Does she not look like cousin Melissa?

Lucy takes more than a few mental notes during the Best Men's speech

Strictly Ballroom

"You are the Dancing Queen..."

EH...do you want a copy?

And now a few from Darren, the Boy Wonder

I'm on floor doing the shot you see above in my bit and he's over here.  Great stuff!

Lucy's sister Katie (only a newlywed for about 5 weeks) sees the roles reversed

I'm up in the Kings Suite doing the 'everybody' shot...but Darren is on ground level

...getting some awesome views of the guests

Nice work Darren!

Last night I got this from James:  "Just to prove that the world is indeed a small place we met Lisa and Tim at Heathrow. They were on the same flight as us....and staying at the same hotel for their honeymoon. Lisa spotted us from the photos on your blog."  So Disney were right...it IS a small world.  2 couples, both clients of mine, meet as a result of the blog.  Go figure.

I'm still a bit skeptical...you know, the old saying, if its too good to be true and all that.  Well, recently I stumbled upon a government scheme where you can have additional insulation installed in your house for relative peanuts.  The bloke from the firm turned up earlier today, did a quick measurement and confirmed the price would be £199.   I don't imagine I could get the materials for less than that.  Not only that, but they are also re-lagging the pipes and insulating the header tank.  Stay tuned and I'll let you know when its all done. 

Evan's hours at nursery are going to be increased from July.  Its hard to believe that its only just over a year until he starts school.  Where has the time gone? 

This past weekend was a bit of a different experience for me -- in fact, it was quite a few new experiences.  The biggest was shooting the wedding of a family friend.  'High pressure' shooting isn't anything new.  I've shot 5 wedding photographers weddings over the past few years.  So I know all about that.  But shooting for a family member is a different story.  On top of that I also had a gallery of well wishers (read pi** takers) in the in-laws as well as Nicola and Evan. 

You may have noticed that I mixed the phrases family friend and family member in the same paragraph.  Technically we aren't related but as they've known each other for nearly 40 years its kind of a given.  I even refer to the bride's parents as Auntie Chris and Uncle Mike.  Go figure. 

As for Vicky...well, I've known her since she was 11.  I've known her since she was into all those boy bands...err..umm...well, to be honest, she still is.  Either that or Matt made a big mistake buying Boyzone tickets as a wedding day present. 

Matt, on the other hand...well, I've known him for around 4 to 5 years.  He's often referred to as the worlds best son-in-law.  I suppose now he gets to prove it.  He's the only guy on the planet who comes to your house, offers to make you a cup of tea and even cleans his cup (and yours) when he's finished.

I suppose I should just get on with it...as I know there are loads of family out there checking the blog. 

I did a few more images than normal for Vicky and Matt...I hope everyone else won't take that personally...but I do get the chance to make a few more cheeky comments that way.

There are 2 weddings from this weekend.  For the record, I reckon Martin ain't such a bad son-in-law either :)

Victoria and Matthew (you've got to be joking -- VICKY AND MATT)
Pyrford and Oatlands Park Hotel -- Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Everyone tried to convince Mark (Vicky's brother and Best Man) to shave
but as he pointed out..."I live in Dubai...everyone there has a beard"

Oh yeah...the obligatory shoe shot...no ovens or shower curtains this week sadly

Although not invited to the day, Ernie the wedding dog, does his bit to everyone festive

Just a little reminder...in case I forgot

"Shane....no Ronan....no Matt...I give up!"

Seconds later this whole touching scene of loyal family dog and a coming of age daughter was
shattered when Barney (or Buster, I can't remember which is which) did what all boy dogs
like to do....yes, you can finish the thought all on your own.

Now...I feel like calling her Victoria

Its nice when family members listen "do it by the window with the lights off"...magic

One of my favourite shots...intimate yet sophisticated

Auntie Chris watches her baby put on the final touches

I could be SO misleading about what Vicky was saying to her dad...but in fact it was just "I broke the loo roll holder"

I do love a good veil

"Cup of tea?"

Yes...I think I recognise you...have you been at one of my weddings before?

Vicky arrives and catches a first glimpse of the church and her waiting bridesmaids

Sadly this about the only church shot I have.  The verger is a nasty piece of work (and no, I ain't worried about lightening strikes)

Both myself and Chris (video man) agreed that this the most confetti per size of group ever!

MattZone 17

The dining room was second to none

If you look closely you can see the pink theme running throughout the entire day

All available light...no video lights...so shooters, don't ask.  Hard to believe she was 11 once.

Matt couldn't help getting into the action

He looks like he just won the lottery :)

Damn hot (can I say that?)

2 best men, a combined speech and wee practice

Mike and Ash ignore the hubbub and play a friendly round of Connect 4...

...whilst Evan proves to me that ate all of the ice cream (not much of a challenge really)

"Welcome to Brides-R-Us drive thru .. can I take your order?"

Touching speech or just realised Matt forgot to set the series link on Eastenders...you make the call

Matt has just come to realisation his best men are going to do him proud (or he's going to do them over -- and make a cup of tea shortly after)

Matt's mum just about holds it together even for the bit where one of the best men relives the
story of how Matt actually saved his life when he was 9

Uncle Mike (and some dodgy geezer on the left) rejoice in winning the speech timing sweepstakes

Faces optional

Not a perfect shot...but I love the emotion

Hey...wait a minute...the first dance is over so what's going on here?  Could it be I finally had someone
purchase the consummation package add-on?  Nope, in fact, Matt (now adding perfect husband to his
list of achievements) had bought Vicky an amazing evening dress --can you guess what colour?

Pink baby...pink!  Luckily Auntie Chris was nearby.  Matt might be the perfect husband but he ain't the perfect wardrobe assistant (thank goodness)

So...its like bridal prep all over again

Back to the party!

An amazing illusionist in my amazing new PhotoBooth.

Who is the haunting madman...leave me alone...you're in the centre...what more do you want?

Friday's wedding scared the bejessus out of me.  The weather forecast was horrid and the venue is great but not so great for a photographer in the pouring rain.  The rain never came but my preparations prompted me to try something new...something I had been thinking of doing for a while.  The PhotoBooth -- see below

Tessa and Martin -- The Vyne -- Friday, June 20, 2008

...yes, but where are the Lions?  Life at the Wedding Zoo

Word up to all you fathers out there (Sorry, for a brief second I slipped back in time to the early 90s).  Father's Day here is always good fun.  Evan never stops telling me how he made me a card at nursery AND at the fair AND with mummy.  So I'm the only dad with 1 kid and 4 cards.  Nicola was very kind and got me a subscription to National Geographic (I only read it for the pictures). 

We spent the day in Milford at Secrett's Farm Shop and Garden Centre's Centenary Celebration.  Basically it meant Evan climbing on every tractor built in the last century, having a tub of farm reared ice cream and a few fairground rides.  As usual we had lunch before we left and the hated our decision as there were loads of great stalls selling anything from hog roast to dim sum.

Next weekend should be an interesting one.  Firstly, on Saturday I'm shooting the wedding of a friend of the family.  But wait...there's more.  Not only will I know a number of people at the wedding, I will also have a gallery of well wishers who will also be in attendance.  Namely, Nicola and Evan, Diddy and Grandad, Karen, Malcolm and Josh.  Talk about pressure.  The only plus side to working with family is that you kind of feel obliged to have a canape or two (where normally I wouldn't dare).

Got a few great images of Evan.  The alarm clock stopped working...or so he thought.  So Evan the Builder to the rescue.

Oh no...there's a 'can we fix it' emergency upstairs...let's send in our crack team!

Evan attempts to mend the alarm clock...BTW...its a fuse problem

Toolset at the ready

Protective goggles, split with no visor, are required for a job like this

..not to mention some intense concentration

Can I Fix It?  Yes, I Can!

Clare and Stuart - Cain Manor - Saturday 14 June 2008

Keeping my streak of shoes in funky places alive

I've always loved the light in the bridal suite...provided you turn off the lights.

One of those 'no caption required' images

On of the coolest things about Cain Manor...the bride and bridesmaids can see everyone arrive, but no one can see them

Clare is quite friendly with a certain member of the Addams family

My plan to shoot and hope paid off

Charlotte, Stuart's sister, is on the floor, about to lift up her dress and holds a camera.  I looked away after this shot.

Clare and her mum discuss the impressive Dutch form in Euro 2008 and (thankfully) agree they might be peaking too early

"Yeah baby...you're hot" -- The hairdresser keeps her hands warm

Part 1 of the '4 Unwritten Rules of Cain Manor' (4URoCM) -- The clock and the bride during the registrar meeting

Pt 2 of 4URoCM -- Bride (with various accompaniment) going up or down the stairs

Part 3 of 4URoCM -- You don't need a flash for the processional (BTW, All brides take a leaf out of this wedding...
1 send the bridesmaids first, singly or on the arm of usher...allow them to make it the entire way do the aisle
...lather, rinse, repeat.  Then you come, slowly and make as much eye contactas possible.  The number of times I've had to
find a 5ft 3in bride behind a 6ft 4in vicar ain't worth counting.)

A few months ago I mentioned Cain Manor along side Clandon Park as my two favourite ceremony rooms.  Here's the proof!

A glassy-eyed bridesmaid...sometimes they make it so easy for me :)

Part 4 of 4URoCM -- never attempt the recessional from ground level

Clare's mum in sticky motion blur

I've never put shots of champagne on a blog...but these did look quite tasty

Groom reviews formals list (hey, you wrote it) and photographer takes a photo.  I'm a big guy...but not that big...
I've got two bags, one on each shoulder.Oh...about the hat.  I don't normally wear it, but my (near) bald head needed
a break for a few minutes.  I need something arty...perhaps I'll get a beret :)

I quickly learned that Stuart's family were very much i