Once again I find myself starting an entry with an apology for not keeping this site as up-to-date as I should be!

It has been a busy few months, with weddings, nightlife bookings, my first engagement shoot and various promotional projects.

I’ve been working behind the scenes on an entirely new look for this site which I hope to have up and running before too long, along with a selection of the photos from John & Dorothy and Russell & Sara’s weddings, as well as Peter & Lindsay’s engagement shoot. I’d like to thank all of them for inviting me to work with them, I had a blast!

My last wedding this year was my first as a ‘second’. Confused? Read on…

Craig and Eilidh held their ceremony at the beautiful Glen Tanar estate, just outside of Aboyne.

The ballroom was used as the space for the ceremony, reception and ceilidh. The first thing that strikes you as you walk in is that almost every available surface is covered with mounted antlers from decades of hunting on the estate, which is fine until, through the wonders of photography, they appear to be sprouting out of top of the groom’s head.

With 120 guests for the ceremony there was plenty to cover, so Craig and Eilidh opted for two photographers, myself and James Kelly. James and I have a really good working relationship, having teamed up before to cover events, though this was our first wedding working together.

James, being the official ‘first photographer’, had the honour of driving us to and from the venue, organising the group shots, designing the album and racing from the bride’s house to the venue after shooting her preparations.

I on the other hand, spent my morning drinking tea (and a cheeky glass of champagne) with the groom’s family, capturing them getting ready before casually strolling the 100 yards or so from the Groom’s cottage to the hall. There were a few photos needing taken along the way, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from enjoying myself!

Craig’s family made me feel incredibly welcome and relaxed, and that just set the tone for the whole day, in spite of things running behind and the persistent drizzle. Thankfully, Eilidh’s meticulous preparations made everything run that little bit more smoothly.

James and I had spent the day before scouting the location, and I’m glad we did. The ‘fishing pond’ actually turned out to be more of a full blown lake, and provided the perfect setting for the couple’s portraits. There was almost no wind, and the water was like glass.

With two photographers we were able to work quickly, with James shooting from the far bank to capture the couple reflected in the water whilst I set up the lighting for the car shot, as well as grabbing my favourite shot of the day.

I then took on the role of ‘voice activated light stand’ (to quote Ryan Brenizer) for the group shots, getting thoroughly drenched in the rain while the guests sheltered under numerous golf umbrellas. Then it was back to the warmth of the hall for the speeches, cake-cutting, dinner and ceilidh.

Thanks again to Craig & Eilidh for having us, it’s a day that will stick in my mind for a long, long time to come.

Well, this is a post that’s long, long overdue.

Steve & Kim heard about me through a friend of a friend, and after a chat in one of Aberdeen’s many pubs (usually it’d be a coffee but it was a bit warm that day) they decided to take me on. “Be as creative as you like.” What photographer doesn’t love hearing that?

I had a great time on the day, with the Duthie Park Winter Gardens providing a beautiful backdrop to the ceremony. Then it was on to Inn at the Park until the wee small hours for the reception.

Thanks again to Steve, Kim, their family and guests, and congratulations to the happy couple on the birth of TJ. Wishing you all the very best for the future!