When people ask why I do pre wedding photo shoots with my couples I tell them it's to:
a) get to know the couple better and vice verse. I never want to be a stranger on their big day. It's important for them to feel comfortable with me
and
b) to defuse the nerves about having their photo taken. Most people say to me they hate having their photo taken. The pre wedding photo shoot is designed as an hour of fun to show the couple there is nothing to worry about.
And this was definitely the case with Neil and Katy. We decided to have a stroll along Marsden Beach in South Shields. It was a glorious warm Sunday afternoon. It couldn't have been better. We spent an hour or so on the beach messing around skimming stones etc. I was impressed with Katy's shoes and how effortlessly she scrambled over the rocks in them!!!!
In the car park afterwards, Neil said "I was really nervous about doing this today. I was really nervous about getting my photo taken on the wedding day. But this was so easy! There's nothing to worry about is there?" My point proved! :o)
Anyway, here is a selection of images from our day on the beach.
Reading back through my previous posts it dawned on me that they are dominated by references to weather.....and this post is no different.
I first met Lindsay and David at a wedding show in Sunderland back in 2009 and between then and their wedding in June I feel like I've got to know them quite well. Following regular meetings I had in my mind how I intended the day to go and what shots I wanted to get.....group pictures on the sea front at Roker in Sunderland and bridal images in Roker Park.
However, mother nature had other ideas. I can cope with rain, but what we had on the day was close to monsoon. I've not seen rain like it for years. It was non stop from just before the wedding ceremony through to late in the evening....but more of that later.
I arrived at Lindsay's parents house mid-morning to be greeted by a scene I have become accustomed to over the years. Lindsay just back from the hairdressers frantically getting things sorted while trying to remain calm, dad running errands from house to house and mum getting panicky about timings. Meanwhile I got shots of flowers, invitations and jewellery while trying not to get in the way. I had a look at the dress and was blown away by it. A stunning white tie-back body with ruffled skirt. It glistened in the light shining through the window. It looked magical.
The ceremony was at South Shields Baptist Church. There waiting calmly was David. I'm not sure if he was nervous or not. If he was, he didn't show it. The church offered some interesting challenges. No central aisle, instead 2 aisles on each side of the church and a 360 degree balcony with bare wooden floors. The only real spot for me to get shots of David and Lindsay was from the balcony, however each footstep echoed loudly so I ended up spending the entire ceremony barefooted. Thank God I put clean socks on!
Ceremony finished, we were forced to conduct the group pictures in the church as there was no chance of getting anything done outside.
We made our way to The Roker Hotel in Sunderland and chanced a couple of shots on the sea front but the rain would not let up. This was the first wedding I had conducted at The Roker Hotel and I have to say, I was impressed. The staff there were brilliant and ably assisted me when I required them.
Later in the evening, there was a break in the weather so we quickly got the main wedding party together for some sea front shots before retiring to the bridal suite to get some shots of Lindsay and David together. Shortly after, I left them to dance the night away with Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 ringing in my ears.
My abiding memory of the day (apart from the rain) was the smile. Lindsay never stopped smiling once, beaming all day. Rain? What rain?
Thanks for a great day Lindsay and David and I hope you had a fantastic time in Italy on your honeymoon.
