I love urban settings - probably because they provide such a contrast with the usual garden and lawn settings of most Norfolk and Suffolk wedding venues. That’s why I was thrilled when Liz and Laurence agreed to come out at dusk and play in the subway passages of St Stephen’s roundabout in Norwich. John, my husband, generously offered to chaperon us and my bags, but it was quite safe in the end and there were tons of young folk on their way to bars and clubs!

The location was as urban as they come - fluorescent lights, tiles and grafitti walls - of benign kind, painted by the local pupils and representing the highlights of Norwich cultural scene. But the colours were so gorgeously jewel-like!

Liz and Laurence were very fun to shoot and the location really suited them. Liz is very fun-loving and has a beautiful radient skin. Laurence looks quintessentially English - a kind of Oasis band boy look. By the time we finished it turned really dark and we grabbed a few shots in the city wall ruins as well. I’ve never noticed them until we took a wrong exit and emerged from the subway just outside of the Iceland shop.

Anyway, here are some images from this shoot. I hope this will inspire more folks to choose urban themes for their sessions (of course, their location will be completely different!).

In this post: pre-wedding shoot, urban location, Norwich, St Stephens roundabout

You must remember Wendy and Max from their pre-wedding session photos in Cafe Rouge back in February. I just had a pleasure of photographing their wedding!

Wendy was getting ready in a small cottage with exposed beams inside. She received a bunch of greeting cards just as I arrived:

The shoes (here I am experimenting with split-toning where the shadows are tinted blue and the highlights are different shades of sepia; something a bit different from the classic black and white look):

The bride:

The boys in the church:

The groom was busy so I had to brush up my safari techniques and sneak in on him from behind the plant with a telephoto lens:

Wendy’s grandma during the signing of the register:

Wendy broke into tears as she and Max were coming down the isle. It was so touching. John, my husband, was second-shooting for me on the day, and caught this shot:

Wendy outside the church (another split-toned image):

Departure for Stower Grange (in black and white - now you can see the difference):

Wendy’s dad:

Little flower girl - she was a treat all day:

Wendy and Max preparing to enter the breakfast room:

After the speeches:

In this issue of my blog: wedding photography St Georges Church Stower Grange Norfolk

I am so NOT a business person!!! I was trained in all things artistic - painting, photography, history of art, but finances are a total blind spot for me, so I constantly seek ways to improve myself in this respect.

Julie from NWES (http://www.nwes.org.uk/), an organisation that provides support and training for new businesses, has promised to find me a mentor. It will be someone who is very good with all things financial and I will be hanging out with him/her for a while in hope that advice will rub on  me!

Meanwhile, I have attended recently a motivational talk by David Scarlett, also known as “The Soul Millionnaire” who recently wrote a book with the same title. He is a financial advisor but the talk was not about money, but about improving personal effectiveness in 90 days.

The first key to success, according to David, is to have “goal of your soul”, to ensure the purpose of your life and your business is far greater and nobler than earning money and paying the morgage. Those 85% of small businessses that fail within the first 5 years fail not because they run out of money, but because they run out of emotion, because money alone cannot motivate you enough and sustain you enough in difficult times.

His “goal of the soul” is to touch the lives of one million other people through his advice, books, public talks and mentoring programmes, hence the name “The Soul Millionnaire”.

Well, his talk did touch me because it resonates with me and with the reason why I started photographing weddings - passion for people and desire to create truly meaningful images inspired by their love for each other, their willingness to commit to each other for better or for worse, and their tenderness.

Again and again as I press the viewfinder to my eye, I do not see just a photo to be taken, I see the patterns of human bonds, connecting my couples to the past and promising an amazing future for years and years to come.

This is why I am asking you to send  me your blogstories, because I need to know if I reach you, if what I do IS meaningful…

Just want to take a chance and wish you Happy Easter!

Our Russian orthodox Easter (”Paskha”) is not until next week though…

The latest pre-wedding shoot took place on the beach in Caister-On-Sea in Norfolk. Louisa and Jonathan chose this location because, although they live in Norwich, they take their dog for walks there. The dog was left at home on this occasion and we all set off to the seaside to have some fun.

I must say that these two really know how to have fun - and run - and jump!!! I am sure we’ll have a blast on your wedding day!

Anyway, here are some of their photos:

In this post: pre-wedding shoot, lifestyle photography, beach, Caister-On-Sea, Norfolk

For their pre-wedding shoot Donna-Marie and Steve have chosen the UEA old Law School building in Earlham Park in Norwich., because Donna-Marie studied there. The aim was just to get to know each other better to be more comfortable on a big day. I had a sneaky objective of practicing my sun flash technique. Both Donna-Marie and Steve were great - Donna has a fantastic bubbly personality that really shines though! Here are some photos from this shoot.

Trying the cross-processed look to  distress the brick wall:

Yes, we are human and we do lunches! Met today with Duncan and John, two local wedding photographers, at Pizza Express in the Forum. Here’s the proof:

John (ever so averse to be photographed himself):

Duncan (his hair artistically decorated with a yellow gerbera flower):

Me (no comment):

I must assure you that no flower has been hurt or damaged in the course of this lunch!

Victoria from Serene Consulting asked me to take a few portraits of herself for her website, which I did:

Then on the way out I noticed an awesome light through the blinds on the kitchen wall. Victoria was a good sport and allowed me to move the furniture a bit, and posed for me on the floor against the wall:

Perhaps it wouldn’t do as a publicity image for a consultant specialising in counselling teenagers, but it is still a very effective portrait.

I was commissioned to photograph a launch of the new lodges by Oaklands Hotel. The lodges are a complex of modern long stay flats with a lounge and a bedroom,  plasma TVs, a balcony and a small kitchen. They are designed with a view of catering for a family on holiday or a business person on a prolonged project. I was quite impressed with the facilities!

But the most remarkable part of this launch was a marquee with a live stream, foloiage, and a bridge built for the guests. It was completely black inside, with tiny stars blinking from the ceiling - very pretty! And very difficult to photograph because I had to handhold at 1/15s at ISO3200(!) in order not to spoil the atmosphere with the flash.

I thought the live stream was the best feature. It was designed by my friend Jonathan Compston from “Ridyards The Plant People” (http://www.ridyards.co.uk/).

I had a pleasure of photographing of Michelle and Stuart’s wedding at Dunston Hall near Norwich in Norfolk. I shoot at Dunston Hall very often - it’s only 10 minutes away from where we live. The challenge is to unlearn everything I did at the last wedding and to see the location from a completely fresh perspective.

Here’s some photos from this wedding.

The dress:

The real rose petals confetti basket from Margaret Emms florist:

The engagement ring:

Getting ready:

The boys:

The girls:

Michelle and Stuart’s private session:

The evening:

In this wedding category post: wedding photography, Dunston Hall Norwich Norfolk, Margaret Emms florist.