Saturday we went for a walk along the front at Blackpool and here are a few images from the walk (1st Image is from Friday night for those that are picky). It was very windy but certainly cleared the cobwebs.
Saturday was the start of the Tour Of Britain Cycle race and I was there near the finish in Blackpool to get a couple of quick shots. It is not until you get up close that you realise how fast and how physically fit theses cyclists are. The tour is all over the UK this week and more details can be found on the Tour of Britain website.
Well it's about time I caught up with my blog a little and show you some of the things I have been taking pictures of. I have been very busy with weddings across the Pennines with Yorkshire Wedding Photographer Mark Pearson Photography and in fact since the end of May I have been a co-photographer with Mark for 24 weddings and I can say I have not only enjoyed immensely but also learned a lot. I will post some of the work that has come from these weddings at a later date. This weekend, my better half Jan and I took a quick overnight break in Blackpool and being a photographer who likes taking photos of just about anything, I of course took my camera with me. Friday night was the Taiwan entry of the World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool. It was raining extremely hard, so not the best conditions to get out the camera and take photos but I did manage to get some. Those trekking towels certainly come in handy sometimes. So below are the images. If you have an interest in photography and want to have a go at taking photos of fireworks here is the technical side. Camera needs to be supported, preferably on a tripod. Aperture of about F9, ISO 100, manual focus and either manual mode or bulb mode on camera. The shutter durations in these images are generally about 4-6 seconds. It is not too long before bonfire night so you may get chance to have a go.
On Friday 6th August 2010, I had the pleasure of being the wedding photographer at the wedding of Nicola and Pete at Ridgmont House, Chorley Old Road, Horwich, Lancashire. Pete has recently been diagnosed with cancer, has a broken leg and Nicola, with support from friends and family organised the wedding in 3 weeks and did a truly remarkable job.
The day started for me with the Bridal preparations at Nicola's Mum and Dad's house. Ian and Eileen made me feel very welcome and already there were many nerves although bridesmaids Talia and Claudia (Nicola and Pete's Daughters) were very excited at the prospect of the day ahead. Nicola had already been to get her make up beautifully done with Maria at Spit and Polish in Blackburn. Pictures of some of the details of the day were taken, including the beautiful dress from Tie The Knot in Blackburn and Flowers from Ruth Marriner Flowers Blackburn. Nicola Parkinson was busy being the hair dresser and it was not long before it was time for everyone to get dressed up. It wasn't difficult to see the pride in Dad's eye as Nicola and the girls looked stunning in their dresses. A few shots were taken and then it was time to head over to Ridgmont to meet up with the boys. Nerves were apparent and once we had received the flowers that had been forgotten, we took a few shots with Pete, Best Man Duncan and Dad, Harold.
It was then time for the arrival of the bridesmaids followed by Nicola in the cars supplied by Darren Griffin. The personalized number plates were a great touch and just one of the many things during the day that was to show how much Nicola and Pete are loved. On to the ceremony, an emotional ceremony it was, but it wasn't long before we were in the company of the new Mr and Mrs Boardman.
The weather again, was good to us and the rain held off for the group photos and shots of Nicola and Pete and it was time for them to have their wedding breakfast before the speeches. The speeches were truly from the heart and delivered beautifully. It was then time to head into the evening celebrations.
I would personally like to make a few thank you's. First of all, Ian and Eileen for making me so welcome at the bridal prep. Darren, the wedding coordinator and his staff at Ridgmont House, not only for being a great help ensuring I was looked after and ready for a wet weather plan but also making their day special. Doreen and Harold for having a great son, Pete. Nicola and Pete, for being so wonderful on the day and finally Lee Carus of Simply Floors in Blackburn who asked me if I could photograph the wedding.
Below is a small selection of images from the day on a slideshow so sit down and hopefully you will enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed taking them as this wedding was an honour to be part of.
Well here is a little bit about me. I was born in 1969 in Suffolk and was brought up in Suffolk until I left School in 1986. From there I joined the Royal Air Force as an Airframe Engineer. I was based in Norfolk for 16 years where I travelled to many countries with my job. From January 2004 until December 2009, I was posted to Moray in the North of Scotland. This where my love of photography escalated. Starting with landscape and general photography, I was to discover I had a real love of taking pictures of people especially weddings. The interaction with people of all ages was a breath of fresh air to me. This helped me to make the decision to leave the RAF after 22 years, relocate to be with my partner in Blackburn and spend more time on my passion of photography. Now with the support of Janet and many people in the industry I am striving to continually improve and put a smile on all the faces I ever work with. This blog will hopefully become a little insight into my new life and I hope it will be of interest to many people in the future.
Happy Reading.
Paul
