Happy 2010?

Well, I guess we all made it through the night, and we are now in the reality of 2010. Having watched the celebrations in London, and having done our ritual of standing on the doorstep and turning our money over for better fortune, it is clear the world has slowly changed where I am. It used to be that we would stand, glass in hand, and wish our neighbours a 'Happy New Year' whilst we all listened to the ships hooters on the river. Now the neighbours do not venture into the cold night air, and the hooters are drowned out by the ever-increasing crescendo of fireworks exploding around us. I live in the dream of having things go back to as I remember them, but I am afraid it is a dream that will never be fulfilled, so I look forward to 2010 with little hope in my heart of any progress for the better. I echo the words from a recent radio broadcast, that there is only one commandment we need today and that is 'to do unto others as we would have done unto ourselves' and the rest will all fall into place!

New Year - New Wedding

As the year turns and we enter 2010 thousands of couples across the country will be thinking "It is this year we are getting married!" and finally their planning, which they have thought about many times through their engagement, will all come to fruition. At last they will join friends and family to celebrate the ultimate act of commitment and love which so many of us before have taken. They will spend hours excitedly choosing dresses, venues etc. for their big day - but what about a photographer? It is OK leaving it to Uncle Fred, but what if something goes wrong? Will he have a back-up camera? Can he cope if it is raining (hope not!) etc. etc? Weddings are stressful enough - trust me, I have been to over 1,000 in the 30+ years that I have been photographing them - without having to worry whether you are going to have memories to look back on. Whether it is St. Pauls' Cathedral (yes, I have photographed one there) or whether it is a small select hotel, you need a professional to record the first day of the adventure we call marriage. And remember, wedding photography is not expensive, it is priceless!

Standing up too close

In the words of Lerner & Loewe: "Have I been standing up to close or back to far". Yesterday I had the tremendous pleasure of photographing a young lady who I have known since the day she was born, but who has now blossomed into a fun and charming young woman. I have a feeling she will be in front of my camera again!