If I were to set an exam on the content of my Web site, of all the featured weddings therein, I’d lay money on Pam getting an A-star. She could add that to her top flight grades for scone making, cheesecake baking and having a constant care for the welfare of others (for her services to the proselytisation of tea consumption there’s no qualification I know of that might fit the bill; maybe a honorary doctorate would suffice). Pam first contacted me with an admission to being an online stalker of my blog; I told her that I liked to think of it as having a readership. At numerous points over a period of a few different days as we discussed the build up to her marriage to Martin or how the day was progressing as it came about, Pam would make reference to this wedding or that wedding that I’d photographed, homing in on a specific detail that had inspired her choices or she’d simply enjoyed. I must say this proved to be the best tonic to the existential crisis of wedding photography I’ve yet experienced, solid vindication of the fact that I had actually been part of those occasions I’d observed, experienced and documented.
I photographed the wedding of one of Pam’s school friends, Sue, back in 2010 in Dorset. Thus the connection was made. Pam & Martin live in West Lancashire. They were to marry in West Yorkshire on New Year’s Day 2011. I stopped off en route twixt Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to photograph a wedding in Cheshire before heading on for my first meeting with Pam & Martin, in person, and a wee spot of camera desensitisation in the woods.
I always have two of the things on me and sometimes the best way to grow accustomed to the things is to wrestle with one of them…
It turns out that Pam is quite a dab hand with a camera herself, even one with back button focusing enabled. I never realised though that so much muscular energy was expended through my forehead when I take photographs…
Had she not been so busy herself come the time, I’d have had Pam second shoot the wedding with me…
Pam’s portrait of Martin. A solidly framed perfectly glazed Johari Window of a man with some good hints and tips on grooms’ footwear for weddings; sandpaper the soles so you don’t slip.
Perhaps I took my camera back too soon. Perhaps not…
Light the blue touch paper…
A couple of days later, come New Year’s Eve, I headed back over to Pam & Martin’s home (from Southport where I’d holed up for the period, not from Dorset I hasten to add) where Ella entertained everyone with her Taekwondo skills…
… while Martin cooked up a mean lasagne. When I say mean, I’m using the parlance of course. It was actually a generous lasagne. I had a second portion. It was delicious. Martin kept crediting Jamie Oliver for the quality of the food. I didn’t spot him there myself…
A timely note on the very best of Northern hospitality. Mark is Pam & Martin’s next door neighbour. He was off to see in the New Year in Blackpool. He left a key so I could make use of his home for the night, before heading across the border on New Year’s Day morning, fully refreshed with a good night’s sleep. I’d not met Mark beforehand, nor did I during my stay. So a big public thank you, Mark, for your incredible generosity and trust. I don’t think I broke anything.
On an unrelated note, sprouts; I concur…
And there I was, in Yorkshire, at Wood Hall. There is a two hour break in the narrative of the day that I’m all too aware of, but I was driving. With both hands…
Goes together like a horse and carriage (I didn’t spot that at the time. For the alleviation of my script-writing sins, it may have been best had I not spotted it subsequently)…
Follow the wellies…
Perhaps no surprise that the hotel gym was rather empty, what with it being New Year’s Day and all. Plenty of space then for Martin to limber up for a sprint up the aisle…
Harvey; Best Rabbit…
My new assistant photographer, still getting to grips with my instructions on decorum during ceremonies…
… though I do appreciate the lengths she’s prepared to go to to get the shot…
Why, for me, the ceremony is the single most important aspect of the day to document, can sometimes be summed up entirely in a single image…
And it is done :~)
Contact Yorkshire Wedding Photographer Phillip Allen : phill@misterphill.com : 07870 696248
by Phillip Allen
show hide 13 comments
Shyann - Such a sweet wedding!! Awesome work Phil, you the master!! ;)
Albert Palmer - Pam’s got a nice rig! Love that lens.
Beautifully natural photographs as always Phill. Really nice way to start the blog post too – very relaxed.
John Patrick - I love your B&W’s which doesn’t mean I don’t love your color ones too. Great work sir!
Az - These are ace Phil. Looks like you were invisible to them, they must have been so at ease in your company.
ed peers - Superb work Phil. As always…
Leah Muse - What an awesome wedding! Love how you got such intimate moments.
Linus Moran - Great set of images Phil with great narrative as ever !
Kevin Mullins - Incredible work as always Phil. Well done.
James Pearson - Wonderful images and a beautiful wedding. I particularly love the pictures in Pam’s room during the preparations and your new assistant photographer sneaking under the table during the ceremony! The ceremony being “summed up entirely in a single image” is spot on.
Mark (Martin's neighbour) - Thank you for the reference Phil
Louisa Coulthurst - Beautiful wedding photos! I love all the real moments you have captured like the kids playing!
Heather - Gorgeous work! I love the angle for the ceremony shots. Well done!
Phillip Allen - Thank you all :~) and Mark, many thanks once more for your kind hospitality!