A Wedding Photographer's Year - My year in words and pictures

What a year!!!  I can't believe it's gone so quickly.  Those of you that know me well will know that 2011 started a bit oddly.  17 days into the new year I was made redundant from my job as a business advisor at Business Link.  I knew it was coming ever since the spend review in October 2010, so I was prepared and ready.  And I knew deep down that that was my big opportunity to make that big bold leap into self employment and follow my dream to become a full time photographer.  Let's not pull any punches here, it's been tough the past 12 months adapting to a life of being my own boss and the pressures it has put on my family.  But above all, it's been fun!  And that's what I try to do with my photography...make it fun; for me and my customers.  


2011 has been my busiest year yet since I began my journey as a photographer back in 2003.  It seems like I have been on an endless stream of wedding fayres/shows, bridal consultations, meetings, networking events and phone calls.  But the hard work has paid off.  I have worked with some amazing people and I can safely say that, in terms of the weddings I've covered, every single couple has been a delight to work with.  It's great to be able to come home after a day behind the camera with a smile on your face and to hear people saying things like "You clearly love what you do!".  Damn straight!  It's the best job in the World, not just capturing memories and emotions but moments, split seconds that could be lost forever but instead are saved for a lifetime.


I was asked the other day why I love being a photographer so much.  And it dawned on me.  It's not just because of my over-riding passion for capturing moments and making people happy.  I'm a people watcher.  "It's like sitting in Starbucks.  I go to Starbucks to enjoy a cuppa but also to watch people.  See their reactions, their expressions, their moods.  I could sit in there all day people watching.  And that's exactly the same with my photography.  I watch people and capture their moods, emotions and expressions..."


I've really found my way of doing things this year.  I have found an approach which works and which my customers love.  I still don't claim to have a particular style.  I'm a photographer who would like to think can adapt to most or any style depending on the job.  As a friend said to me recently, "You had your wings clipped for too long.  Now you've spread them and it shows".  


My year hasn't just been taken up with wedding photography.  I have had several opportunities to mix my photography with my other passion - music.  I've covered several gigs this year and have been introduced to some real talent; Make No Mistake; Cohesion; B-Type; The Bolts; Teetha; Alaska Young and Pete Brown.  I've also been at the other side of the camera a bit too whilst playing the drums with my new band Seven Seas of Whey Aye.  


There's also been a bit of commercial photography mixed in there working with local businesses to provide not just imagery for their marketing material but also commissions to be installed as artwork in their offices.  Working on the commissions was superb as it took me back to the sort of photography which I loved doing when I got my first SLR camera when I was 13.  Getting out and about, capturing scenes from around the UK.  It was almost like going back to the hobby side of photography.


And that in a nutshell was my year in words.  It's certainly been an interesting one with it's fair share of ups and downs along the way.  A huge thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read my blog, view my images and leave me such lovely comments over the past year.  I'd also like to thank the following folks too for their amazing support, without which I doubt I'd be here right now posting this:


Vikki at House of Mooshki 
Donna at The Timeless Table
Beverley Bennett, Hoss Modhavi, Kelly Hearne and Dave Wall.
My superb assistant and best friend Julia
My long suffering friends who have had to put up with hours and hours of me fretting and worrying about things (I've had countless slaps across the chops to bring me to my senses!  One friend in particular has left several virtual red hand marks on my chops!)
And most importantly my wife, Joanne and our two kids.


And that's me for 2011.  I can't wait for 2012 to start as it's already looking like it's going to be busier than 2011.  I have some superb weddings in the diary at some amazing venues!  Watch this space!


I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and that all your hopes and dreams come true in 2012.


And if you're on Facebook, remember to follow my page here.


....and now my favourite images from 2011.

Brides at House of Mooshki

Brides at House of Mooshki

Brides at House of Mooshki

B-Type

B-Type

B-Type

Make No Mistake

Make No Mistake

Pete Brown

Amsterdam

Blyth Beach Lollipop

Glendale Show

Old Bewick Church

New Customer Testimonial - Gemma and Graham (North Shields Registry Office)

I received this amazing testimonial from Gemma and Graham today follow their wedding which I shot at North Shields Registry Office earlier this year.

"We are so incredibly pleased with our photos, they are even better then what we could have imagined.  Being a budget bride, I was worried about finding a good photographer but from the start Jamie had us at ease and worked with our budget and kept in touch throughout the planning process.  On the day Jamie was like one of the family and I don't think anyone even noticed he was there!!  The resulting photos are amazing...who would have thought I was in North Shields!!!

I can't recommend Jamie enough as a person, and the photos......well they speak for themselves!!!"

Thank you so much guys for your kind words...it means a hell of a lot to me.

Gemma & Graham's Wedding (and big red bus!) - North Shields, Tyne & Wear

From the second Gemma contacted me to enquire about my availability to capture her wedding I had a good feeling about working with her and Graham.  Her enthusiasm was infectious, telling me about the low budget wedding she was organising, the plans she had and the ideas for the photography she had.


Meeting them beforehand we superb.  Both were so excited about their big day and the more I spoke to them about the day, the more excited I became....especially when they dropped into the conversation the Routemaster bus they had hired!  I couldn't wait!!


Waiting outside North Shields Registry Office, overlooking the River Tyne, the sun beaming down, Graham was relaxed and mingled with his guests.  Not long after being ushered inside, Gemma arrived, a little too early, in a classic bright red convertable Triumph sports car.  It looked amazing! The driver was asked to go around the block to give Graham and the guests some time to sort themselves out.....but the car wouldn't start.  This didn't matter though.  Gemma was still all smiles, while the car got a bump start.


After a short ceremony, all the guests congregated in a nearby park for a blessing by a vicar before boarding the Routemaster while Gemma and Graham jumped in the back of the Triumph and headed off to their reception at a nearby club.  It was stunning.  


Their reaction to the photos was mind blowing and I cannot thank Gemma and Graham enough for choosing me to capture their magical day.  I always aim to stay in contact with the couples I photograph...it's safe to say I think I have friends for life in Gemma and Graham.