My second child @ 34 weeks!

I'd been meaning to take some bump shots for a while, but needed to wait until monster number 1 was safely asleep in bed, so as not to get harassed. I decided I really wanted to try out some modern classical shots in black and white, and generally just play around with the lighting, poses, etc. I was actually really happy with the way it went, even though we did the photo in out cramped bedroom - at times I was led on the floor hunched up trying not to knock over the telescope that I got for christmas 2 years ago (and have shamefully only used about 3 times).

This particular shot reminds me of an old movie from decades ago - I think it's because of the lighting set up (natural light from a nearby window + flash as a hair light). Anyway, here it is, hope you like it!

An early start

Last week I got the chance to meet up with an old friend from school, whom I haven't seen since the day we left, in 1998. This is a crying shame, and it makes me wish Facebook had been invented 10 years ago.
Still, a couple of Saturdays back the four of us: me, my friend and his fiancee, and Alison, who did a great job assisting me, headed out into the sticks to shoot some engagement photos and generally hang out / discuss the wedding. Though camera shy, they rocked it and really made it easy to get good shots. We were in a valley, so only got occasional shafts of light, but one of these made a great backdrop, with intentional flare and backlighting. Here is one of those shots: More soon.

A morning at the beach

I've got an engagement photoshoot on sunday, so what better way to spend a morning than checking out a new location. We randomly stumbled upon what I think is gonna be an awesome location, by the sea in Lytham, Lancashire. Right there you've got the beach, a little waterfall feature, and a cool little bridge - can't wait to take my clients!

My little boy came too, and here's a picture I took. I think he was happy :-)

The old and the new

So, having just ordered a shed load of new equipment (thank you great grandma for dying and leaving me this money), I have an urge to dig out my wife's old Nikon N2000 film camera. Bear in mind that we've been married for 4.5 years, and I haven't so much as thought of trying to get it to work.

The more I get into photography, the more I enjoy the process of taking pictures. For me, photography is both an art and a science, so maybe this is why it appeals to me so much ...
Anyway, the plan is to find some rolls of film and enjoy just taking pictures at a relaxed rate.
Still can't wait for my sparkly new D700 to arrive though.

choosing gear

All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy
All looking at camera websites and no play makes Phil a dull boy

Through the Lens

Here's a fun photo I took yesterday. Just held my glasses up in front of the camera to see what would happen.

Kiss

So, today I've been trawling the internet looking for some really cool, kind of alternative wedding albums and photobooks. I still haven't made any final decisions, but am homing in like the Stealth bomber on Airforce One, from 24 season 4 (just watched the episode where the president is taken out). Anyway, I've found a couple of funky looking places, including Kiss photobooks, which is endorsed by Mike Larson, so must be good!