I can’t believe it’s been less than two months since I left Méribel and returned back to England, so much has happened. My Driving Instructing work is chugging along nicely, sometimes stalling in rush hour, kerb whacking, scaring local residents and being on the receiving end of ‘sweaty moments’. But what’s different this summer is a subtle move into Wedding Photography.
I attended another amazing photography workshop, this time specialising in weddings, within a week of getting back. My mate Canon was more than happy clicking away at different subjects instead of the usual landscapes that have dominated over the last few summers. Plus my mate Canon (7D) was joined by yet another sibling, official name 5D Mark2, but let’s name her Canon again shall we?
A considerable amount of effort has gone into studying in order to continually improve the quality of work. I’ve very much enjoyed the process of developing my skills further, and so far with positive feedback from my peers.
I was fortunate at the beginning of June to be an assistant to a Pro Photographer based in Nottingham. It was an amazing event with a church wedding and then a reception at a gorgeous country house in the heart of Nottinghamshire.
I was given special permission to attend under the direction of the Pro by the Bride and Groom. It was great fun working alongside people who share the passion of their work again, this time photography rather than skiing. One candid moment was catching Matt the Groom being looked after by one of his Ushers applying last- minute sun block protection without them realising a camera was pointing their way.
A second breakthrough this summer has been meeting another Pro Photographer, this time more locally in Warwickshire. Dani has been a Pro for twelve years with a huge amount of experience. She is a very busy photographer with a massive workload specialising in commercial work, mostly in London, and portraits – some in London again, but also at her studio close to Leamington Spa. I first met up with her for a coffee, we soon clicked and spoke for ages about goals and aspirations within the industry. Again it was really exciting being with someone who was passionate about their work.
A few days later after our meeting, I received a text at 6.30 one Monday morning saying - “Martin, fancy coming along to a Wedding next weekend and second shooting with me?” Damn right I thought, but blimey a 6.30am text, crikey how busy are you? So off I went with both Canons in tow and shot away.
Dani knew the Groom very well; he is one of her favourite printers. So the wedding was a very relaxed affair, except for a slightly restrictive church shoot due to the Vicar, but that’s something us photographers need to work around. Good job we went to a local landmark of Hatton Canal Locks which is a special place to the Bride and Groom.
So what’s in the pipeline for the rest of the summer? Where do I start? Driving work continues, fitness is plodding along. But my photography is going bonkers. I have four of my own weddings coming up in the next two months. One of which will be back in Méribel of all places, but then three days later another Wedding in the Lake District. How’s that for keeping a mountainous theme, even in my new Wedding Photography career? Any other opportunities will be a real bonus.
I hope you are all having a fab summer.
Martin
