David Islip Photography Blog

Wedding and reception at Bury Lodge, 28 June 2008, Kelly & Mark

2008-07-03T12:17:00.005+01:00

Our last wedding during June 2008 was for Kelly & Mark. The ceremony took place at St Theresa of Lisieux at Stansted Mountfitchet followed by a reception at Bury Lodge Hotel. Kelly & Mark enjoyed a very warm day and had great fun with their guests and the Bridal Party.
The gardens at both the church and at Bury Lodge made a fine backdrop for their pictures.

Wedding at Layer Marney Tower 21 June 2008

2008-06-30T11:15:00.005+01:00

Sara & Simon were married at Layer Marney Tower , located in the Essex countryside. We have some lovely relaxed and fun photographs of them enjoying their day.

We worked as a team with Richard Palmer as Toastmaster & Pauline from Bouquet Garnet Caterin g to assure the day ran smoothly and on time.

Wedding Photography at Creeksea Place

2008-06-20T16:33:00.002+01:00

Creeksea Place is another venue we have been asked about, so we have uploaded the album from our last visit here.

Wedding Photography at Braxted Park

2008-06-20T16:05:00.003+01:00

A potential client asked recently if we had photographed any weddings at Braxted Park in Essex as there was not a sample on the website. Problem solved Braxted Park album here! More venues coming soon.

Babies

2008-06-20T12:00:00.004+01:00

As well as weddings we do photograph a number of babies. Young Ferdi shown here, had been photographed by another photographer and his parents were almost at the point of not using a professional again! Thankfully they found us and we have a grateful new client!

Regional Print Awards

2008-06-20T11:33:00.004+01:00

David was awarded three Certificates of Excellence for wedding photography from the Brentwood Group of the MPA & BIPP this week. The competition was open to photographers from London, Essex and the South East of England.

Wedding in Colchester, 14th June 2008, Wendy & Wayne

2008-06-20T11:01:00.003+01:00

Wendy & Wayne had a stylish and fun wedding. Wendy arrived at Colchester Town Hall in a red London bus. The wedding ceremony took place in the council chamber which provided a fantastic setting for the ceremony photographs. The whole wedding party was then transported in the bus to Castle Park for some family groups and a few shots of the happy couple. Despite there being hundreds of people in the Park we have managed to make it look as if they had the park almost to themselves! The next stop for the bus was at the Abbey Gate to drop off the guests for a reception at the Officers Club.

Wedding at Crabbs Barn 7th June 2008

2008-06-11T16:08:00.003+01:00

Despite heavy rain Laura & Ed kept up happy smiling faces all day during their wedding at St John's Church, Layer-de-la-Haye and reception at Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon. We made use of the covered areas for the family groups, while the rain was coming to an end. Although the ground was wet Laura wanted to brave some outdoor shots and we were happy to oblige.

Photography at Stockbrook Manor

2008-06-11T15:45:00.002+01:00

The unfortunate tale of Nicola & Ian who booked a part-time ‘professional’ photographer to take their wedding pictures in February this year. The ‘photographer’ had a good digital SLR and a great DVD presentation (possibly shot at a training day with models?) but he had regrettably, no clue about real life wedding photography. Thankfully the couple managed to get their money back and were advised to contact a member of the BIPP about re-staging some more pictures. When we last spoke to Nicola she was excitedly going through the pictures that we have just provided.

To para-phrase John Ruskin ‘sometimes you can pay too much but by not paying enough, you risk losing everything’.

The only organisations that represent full time professional photographers who are qualified and properly insured are the BIPP & MPA

Wedding at Polstead, Suffolk. Sophie & Alex

2008-06-04T06:39:00.004+01:00

Sophie & Alex created themselves a wonderfully relaxed wedding at Polstead Church and a marquee in the grounds of Polstead Hall. The Suffolk sunshine put the final touch on the day.

Wedding at Gosfield Hall, 25 May 2008

2008-05-29T18:26:00.003+01:00

To complete our weekend, Clare & Lee were married at St. Catherines Church, Gosfield and then on for a reception at the magnificent Gosfield Hall. The rain from the morning cleared to leave a slightly damp & grey day which was not a problem to us, especially with a venue like Gosfield Hall. Clare & Lee picked a great team to enhance their day, the Bridal Party, the Vicar, the video, the Toastmaster, the staff at Gosfield all made the day go well, right through to the fireworks.

Lee is the second Dagenham & Redbridge FC player we have photographed - we are now looking for promotion up the football leagues.......

Wedding at Gaynes Park, 24 May 2008

2008-05-29T17:36:00.003+01:00

Saturday took us to St Alban's Church, Coopersale
and then on to the beautiful Gaynes Park for the wedding of Nicola & Paul who proved to be a great fun couple and open to most of our suggestions! We had to work hard to prevent the strong wind from making a mess of the pictures. Nicola & Paul can look forward to a good selection to choose from.

Wedding at The Fennes Estate, 23 May 2008

2008-05-29T17:24:00.006+01:00

Sarah & Paul were married at St Mary's Church, Bocking followed by a reception at The Fennes Estate. Sarah & Paul had a fabulous sunny day and were lucky enough to have some pictures with the new bridge over the lake. The flowers were supplied by W.Flowers who yet again excelled themselves.

Wedding at Athelhampton House 17 May 2008

2008-05-23T10:10:00.003+01:00

While it was raining in Essex, we were lucky and were booked for the wedding of Diane & Doug at Athelhampton House in Dorset. The venue is quite simply stunning. Diane & Doug will have some great pictures all around the fabulous gardens.

Wedding at Spains Hall, 16 May 2008

2008-05-21T13:32:00.007+01:00

Natalie & Stephen were married at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Braintree followed by a Reception and Wedding Breakfast at the fabulous Spains Hall in Finchingfield, Essex. The combination of a fun couple like Natalie & Stephen, with an excellent venue, always helps us make great pictures!

London & Home Counties - Regional Print Awards

2008-05-13T08:49:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we won Certificates of Merit in both the wedding and portrait sections at the annual print awards. To quote the judge (Ray Lowe FBIPP) " the author is an exceptional wedding photographer"

http://www.bipp.com

The wedding at Spains Hall of Clare & David 10 May 2008

2008-05-13T07:51:00.005+01:00

Another visit to Spains Hall, this time for the wedding of Clare & David who enjoyed a fantastic and fun day with their families and friends in the glorious Essex sunshine. David made a 'big entry' by helicopter just before Clare's arrival by vintage Rolls Royce. We look forward to their return from Honeymoon (I bet Clare & David don't!) so we can show them the rest of their great photographs.

Update - a quote from Clare "thank you for our fantastic photographs! You have managed to capture our day perfectly. It was a pleasure to work with you both on our wedding day. You certainly exceeded expectations with such great photos."

www.divineoccasions.co.uk

The Wedding of Nicola & Neil 4 May 2008

2008-05-06T09:05:00.004+01:00

Sunday again took us to Crabbs Barn this time via St. Mary's Church, Great Leighs. Nicola & Neil have helped make themselves some great photographs to help them remember their big day. The day had a real Summer feeling at last.

The Wedding at Vaulty Manor of Gemma & Dan 3rd May 2008

2008-05-06T08:47:00.006+01:00

Gemma & Dan were married at Holy Family Church in Witham, followed by a Reception at Vaulty Manor. Gemma's sister & Chief Bridesmaid Nicola, said "you made the photography so much fun for us. I have been to so many wedding where it was boring". The day was helped along by Mervyn Rutter who is one of our favourite Toastmasters to work with. We hope Gemma & Dan have a great time on Honeymoon however, we are looking forward to their return so we can show them how good they and their families looked.

The Wedding at Crabbs Barn of Emma & Chris, 1st May 2008

2008-05-02T14:44:00.004+01:00

Emma & Chris had a great fun day at Crabbs Barn near Kelvedon (www.crabbsbarn.co.uk). The rain & thunder in the morning was some cause for concern but it all was finished in time for the wedding. Having T-Rex played for the First Dance was definitely something different which really suited the happy couple.

The wedding of Julia & Tim 29 April 2008

2008-05-01T09:20:00.005+01:00

Our second visit this year to Leez Priory followed on from Julia and Tim's wedding at St. Stevens, Great Wigborough, Essex. The weather was again a challenge with all four seasons in one day, but this worked well giving the happy couple time to relax with their guests in the beautiful rooms of Leez priory.

Julia & Tim's pictures are now available here.

English Toastmasters

2008-04-23T18:19:00.006+01:00

David & Sandra today attended the national conference of The English Toastmasters Association. David gave a talk about how Photographers and Toastmasters can work together to make a great day for Brides & Grooms. Other presentations included Linda Palmer on working with venues and a presentation by the Essex Registration Service. A very informative and educational day!

Prested Hall Wedding Fair

2008-04-23T07:50:00.005+01:00

Sunday 27 April 2008 will be our last public Wedding photography display until the Autumn. We will be at the lovely Prested Hall in Feering, Essex. The Wedding Exhibition runs from 11.30am - 4.00pm. Come and visit us in the library for a quiet relaxed chat.

International competition success

2008-04-21T18:21:00.005+01:00

Although we could not attend The Wedding & Portrait Photographer's International Convention in Las Vegas this year, it did not stop us submitting prints for the competition. Although not an outright winner Coastal Kiss has been selected to be included in the Album of 2008 winning images. The picture was shot in May 2007 at the wedding of Lucy & Mark at Watergate Bay in Cornwall.

Spains Hall, Finchingfield, Essex

2008-04-21T09:24:00.006+01:00

Our first visit to Spains Hall, at Finchingfield, Essex - www.spainshall.co.uk, to photograph a wedding revealed what a great place it is to work! The opportunities for locations to photograph in the well maintained grounds and gardens are fantastic; The staff are friendly, efficient and highly professional; the food by Le Talbooth was delightful. We have several more bookings for wedding photography Spains Hall in 2008 and look forward to working there again.