Family Photos at Hengistbury Head

I thought I would take a little break from editing to share this gorgeous family shoot with you...   

I totally love spending time with families just doing what they love doing, and it's just awesome when I get asked back again!    I met Zoe, Piers and Mirabelle a couple of years ago - there's a gallery on my website!     Zoe got back in touch with me and asked if I fancied a trip to Hengistbury Head to capture some shots of them all at the beach.     Anyone who knows me will know how much I love being by, in, or on, the sea, so I was totally excited.   We were keen for some sun so this trip was arranged and then re-arranged a few times due to our unpredictable weather, but one fine day I set off down to Dorset.   I have spent a lot of time down there with family and friends, but Hengistbury Head was new to me...  I don't know if it's because the beach is pebbled, but on an August Saturday, in the scorching sun, in the middle of the school holidays, there was hardly anyone around!      

Mirabelle was in her element running in and out of the sea... as was I!    I only wish I had better water housing on my cameras because I would have been right in there myself!

I took so many photos this day - here are a collection of some of my favourites.

I am happy to travel ANYWHERE you and your family or partner love to be, so if you are interested in a shoot like this please do get in touch for a quote!   

 

Burbage & Easton Royal Cricket Club Fundraiser at Upavon Golf Club

On Friday 12th August 62 people gathered for the inaugural 2016 BERCC golf day, hosted by Upavon Golf Club in Wiltshire.    This was to raise funds for the club, and also provide the perfect opportunity to hold a raffle in aid of Prospect Hospice.   The hospice is an incredible charity that provides support and care to patients and their families at the most difficult of times, and it is only with continued donations that they can reach the £7.2 million required to sustain this amazing service. 

The day began with bacon rolls and a briefing from the club professional Richard Blake, before players headed out to their tees in anticipation for the shot-gun start.   The competition was fierce under the blazing sun, and a fantastic day was had by all.

Once players had completed the 18 holes, everyone returned to the club house for ham, egg and chips, followed by presentations and the raffle.     The raffle raised an incredible £770 pounds for the hospice, and this would not have been possible without all the generous donations  from a whole host of businesses and supporters.

HUGE thanks to the following donators: Matthew Kellow, Julia Chandler, Upavon Golf Club, Crosby & Lawrence, Buildbase, Newbury & Crookham Golf Club, Barnes Coaches, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Hampshire County Cricket Club, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, W Mundy & Son, The White Spoon in Cheltenham, Steve Ward Golf Pro, David Dudley Jewellers, The Palm Restaurant, Mr Farragher, Bath Rugby Club, and Bath Golf Club.   

Many thanks also to all the tee sponsors for the day: Thrings Solicitors, Paul Lavis, Dave Britain, Dale Bird, Deano, Acorn Builders, Acorn Construction, Moonrakers Pub, AB Electrics, Mark Lund, Wards Decorators, Pewsey Vale Coaches, Pewsey Radio Vision, Urban Jungle Roadshow, Macer Cricket, Tom Rosier Physiotherapy, and Delagua.

Dave's Croyde Stag do

Stag do’s.   There are usually some strict rules…  no girls, no photos, and definitely no posting of photographs.     So when one of my best mates asked me along on his stag do that was when the rules began to get broken.    This was quite likely to be one of the most photographed stag do’s in history … 

I met Dave when I lived in Oz, along with a group of other awesome individuals (they know who they are!)…  and for the last 14 years Dave and I have been meeting up to surf then make light work of a bottle of Jim Beam.    He had always said that he wanted his stag do to be a surf weekend, so I was chuffed when I got invited.   I wasn’t the only girl.    You know when you meet someone and you wished you’d met them properly YEARS ago… well Shirley is one of those girls…

I LOVED photographing this weekend - just like I LOVE photographing any other important event in people’s lives.   I reckon you can probably get an idea of how much we laughed…  

In possibly an even more unprecedented move than someone allowing me to publish photos of their stag weekend, I actually relinquished the strap on one of my beloved D750s to someone else (I blame the sambuca), so in an unusual move you might find a pic of me in here…  

It is ironic that I can’t actually make Dave and Lynsey’s wedding because I am photographing another wedding! …  but luckily I am still going to be able to make it there for a couple of JB’s towards the end of their special day  : )     

So here it is... this is the little story of Dave's stag do ... the edited version...         : )

Martina and Phil's Streatley Wedding

This sunshine filled day began for Martina at Justyna's fabulous salon in Reading, with her bridesmaids and some special family members.    There were plenty of bubbles whilst everyone had their hair transformed for the big day!      I helped with lifts back to Martina and Phil's home where everyone finished getting ready, then travelled on to The Swan at Streatley to meet Phil and await the arrival of his bride.   Martina arrived in style in her Uncle's awesome blue Rolls-Royce, and there was fabulous air of excitement and anticipation as we waited for the big moment, where Martina's very proud Grandad walked her up the aisle to a beaming Phil.    After a lovely ceremony I had some time just with Martina and Phil to capture some pics of the newlyweds together, then there was plenty of time for lots of photos on the lawn.      Before dinner Phil's best man Lawrence gave a cracking speech that made Phil wince a few times which is always good to see  : )       Then once evening guests arrived the newlyweds got to hit the dance floor with their guests for the rest of the night.  

Congratulations Martina and Phil  xx

 

The Rangers - Caribbean Day

Last Saturday (2nd July) saw Burbage 1st X1 topple the league leaders Cheltenham.   The sun was out, the mood was good, and the team were all set for a Caribbean themed evening.  It's not often there's a bunch of inflatable palm trees and a couple of hot tubs warming beyond the boundary.   With Caribbean shirts on, stacks of Red Stripe on the go, and a DJ knocking out the tunes, it wasn't long before the hot tubs were in use, and it was a cracking evening all round.   Particular thanks to Nobby for instigating the night, to Leigh for hand-crafted fire pits, a self-made coconut shy and rum punch mixing...  and to JC, for an immense Caribbean themed props buying session in the run up to the day!   

Tomorrow (9th July) sees Burbage host Thornbury which will be another crucial game, as Burbage aim to build on last week's success.     

Go well lads...    Up the Rangers!

Lianne and Tom's Cornish Wedding - Part 2!

HENDRA BARNS CORNISH WEDDING

So here it is...  if you haven't seen my last blog post for Lianne and Tom's wedding please do have a look!   The last one was a blog of entirely black and white photographs...  now here is the colour blog of the same wedding  : )    

Hendra Barns is so beautiful... and the perfect setting for this gorgeous husband and wife xx

 

Lianne and Tom's Cornish Wedding - Part 1!

Hendra Barns, Cornwall

I have known Lianne for a long time, so when Lianne and Tom asked me to capture their wedding in Cornwall I was beyond excited.     The wedding was held at Hendra Barns, where there are the most beautiful converted barns for guests to stay, a gorgeous hand crafted wooden arbor which looks out to the lakes where you can say your vows.   It is such an idyllic setting, and it was just perfect for the small intimate wedding they wished for.    

I am quite aware that I share a lot of black and white images on my Facebook page...  I just find that I am always drawn to them!    When I looked back through Lianne and Tom's photos, there were so many I wanted to share, this what I thought I would do...   I would blog the wedding entirely in black and white... and then blog it again in colour      : )

So here it is... Part 1 of Lianne and Tom's beautiful wedding in Cornwall... 

The Rangers

BURBAGE RANGERS 1ST XI

I have a confession.   I am a bad cricket wife.   I don't get to as many of Mr C's games as I should or would like to...  this was duly noted last week when I got my own fine for taking four weeks to put in an appearance this season!

I don't have any other club to compare Burbage to, but it was very clear to me the first time I went along that there is something very special about this club.   That's because they are more than just a team... they are best mates and family.    On day one I was welcomed with open arms (and trays of jaeger bombs) by the players, the coaches, and the wives and girlfriends alike.   Somehow, on the first night Mr C introduced me to everyone, I ended up standing on a chair leading a chorus of Bastille's Pompeii...

As an official sponsor for the 1st XI this season, when I realised I could make last Saturday, I thought I'd go cameras in tow to document the day.    And it was a great day.   Burbage had another win, which was duly followed by a few beers...    I think these photos probably give a good idea of how awesome it is to be part of this club.

Long live the Rangers.   You legends.

Travel Adventures in Barbados

A couple of months ago I went to Barbados with my husband and mother-in-law.   It was a sentimental trip to celebrate the life of my father-in-law who we lost nearly a year ago because it was one of his favourite places.   Barbados is such an awesome island, and if you're looking for atmosphere on a Friday night you can't go wrong in Oistins.  We spent one day buzzing around the island in a mini moke, and found our way to Hunte's Gardens which are stunning.   The east and west coast are totally different - the Caribbean seas on the west mean (on the whole) calm gentle green seas, whereas the Atlantic on the east means a powerful rugged coastline.  Both stunning in their own way.   There's cane fields all over the island, and Barbados is of course home to the Mount Gay rum distillery - worth a visit if you're a rum fan!    Anyway hope you like the pics.

Stephen Chandler.   Always with us, and never forgotten.

 

A special evening on the Belmond British Pullman

In November last year we spent a very special black tie evening on the Belmond British Pullman.  Sponsored by Imagine Cruising, the evening was in aid of Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, where an amazing team of doctors and nurses cared for my painfully missed father in law before he lost his battle with cancer.    There are just no words to explain how incredible the hospice staff are, and we will be forever thankful to them.  The Pullman epitomises the glamour of vintage rail travel from the 1920s and 1930s, with every stunning carriage different, and we spent our evening in Perseus which was part of Winston Churchill's funeral train in 1965.   It was a particularly special way to raise money for such an incredible place.   Wroughton Prospect Hospice would not function without the support they receive from fundraisers - you can find out more about how to support the hospice here...    http://www.prospect-hospice.net/Supporter

Liv and Tom's Pre-Wedding Bash!

I was over the moon when my friend Liv asked me to be her matron of honour!   My husband was also asked to be joint best man, so this was going to be an amazing wedding for a whole number of reasons ... particularly as Liv and Tom actually met at breakfast the morning after our own wedding  : )     Their wedding was in Windsor, so the night before we all went out for a meal and drinks at Cote Brasserie in Windsor, and I couldn't help but take my camera with me!   So glad I did  : )      The food was great and we were entertained by the amazing magician Simon Alexander!    (http://simonalexander.net)   Here are a few images I captured that night ....