Big Big beaming sunshine on my way down to meed Adrian of Blackwater Photography who was assisting me on this bright Friday. We convened at the Salutation hotel to go over the itinerary for the day. Kerry was also leaving from the Salutation, so we could get some time in shooting the preparations before we left for the registry office in Kendal. Kerry had booked me only six weeks before the wedding as the wedding was… Wait for it… A suprise.
Bringing their closest family and friends up to Ambleside for the weekend, they announced that they were to be married on the Friday to them all on the Thursday night!
Its safe to say that people were looking a little bemused still early on the Friday morning but thrilled that Kerry and Neil were to wed in Just a few hours nonetheless. Kerry and Neil had also done their homework and preselected some locations that they would like to be photographed at. I had never been to these locations before on a wedding and with no time in a busy schedule to do a recce, I had to have my thinking cap on on the day.
From the very beginning I knew that this was going to be a really nice, visual wedding, partly due to Kerry being stunning and also because people were already laughing before we entered the room.We had a quick shoot on the balcony outside that looks out over Ambleside.Forgot to put this one in earlier. Everyone was getting ready upstairs, so this was a good time to grab a shot of the dress at the hotel entrance.Looking around on the quick recce, we found this nice little hidey hole at the back of the lounge and on our return we were graced with the sun peeping through the blinds. This made what was a nice shot into a much much nicer one.The golden glow here is from the lamp just over Kerrys shoulder. I pulled it a little closer so it was a little over the ambient light in the room to create a nice contrast in this image, shot in the lounge at the salutation.
One last shot on the balcony of one of the front bedrooms at the hotel (kindly allowed by one of the housekeepers) meant that we had a great summer image with the Ambleside skyline in the background. I must admit to pre-visualizing this one when speaking to Kerry on the phone, so it was a nice one to get in the bag.
Not many tourists on the third floor balcony. Possibly one of the only places in Ambleside where they find themselves absent.
Off to the registry office in Kendal now, just a short hop on from Windermere and Ambleside. We quickly met up with Ian before heading in to get the low down on one of our locations for after the service. So began the nervous wait after that with the whole family. It was here that we found out that the following Saturday Kerrys sister, also attending the wedding was to be married. Emotional times indeed.
Kerry arrived earlier than expected and was taken into a side room with her dad and little girl, who was nothing short of angelic all day.Love this room. It used to be the council chamber and is now used mainly for civil celebrations. It is set out like you would expect a courtroom to be set out.One of the first runs out for the silent camera. I thought it worked a treat here as the registrar didn’t turn around once. Maybe we will start re-writing that no photography during rule that the registrars have.Wooo hooo, nearly missed this for clapping. Over the moon for these two and they seemed to take it all in their stride.. I didn’t get emotional, it was a bit of grit that the wind blew in.Lots and lots of confetti. There were only 14 people at the wedding, so everybody used two handfuls… Right off to Kendal Park for a few.This is my pick of the groups in the park, shot without the use of a flash and at one of the lenses most difficult settings. I love it when things work out though.This was shot just outside of Kendal on the road up to Windermere. Literally blink and you will miss this lane at Black Moss.This one a little further down the road was shot with Adrians help holding the flash just a little off camera. He is becoming a great wedding photographer and was a massive help. Thanks again.
After this challenging shot we headed to Windermere to catch the boat, but a little ahead of schedule we were allowed to park at the Lake Cruises office, which was fab. I do a lot of work with the Lake Cruises and their site has a few of my images on it. If you are getting married in the Lake District a Cruise on one of the bigger lakes is a great addition to the day.
As Neil was waiting for Kerry we walked past and I happened to have my camera turned on. I managed to snatch two of these with the camera upside down as I was balancing my bag. This was the best of the two by a mile.What a great idea! fish and chips on a wedding day is a great idea, especially when you are on a boat in the middle of the Lake District…. With Champagne of course.
Lake District, Water, Fizz, Fish and Chips? Does it get any better than this? Done with style and panache too.
Ironic that I was to be at Graythwaite the next week and we were on the other side of the lake at one point. This shot was taken on the journey to the drop off point at Ambleside next to the glamorous ferry terminal.This was taken as the crew were turning the boat around for our lift back up to the cars at Windermere. The evening light was sublime by this point. It always gets a little softer at this time of day and makes photographing in direct light much easier.Room for one more… Go on then!
The final image of the day was a little more unusual but works nonetheless. It was also taken on a rangefinder camera which makes it cool too, by default.. Seriously. They are the coolest cameras in the world and I get a massive kick out of using them to create images like the next one from the jetty with the Waterhead Hotel in the Background.
Possibly my favourite of the day. As my style of photography evolves into different areas and I gain newer experiences. Risky stuff like this only appeals more.
Thanks for everything both and best of luck in the future. Adam and Adrian.
Lake District Wedding Photography, 21 Mill Road, Glasson, Cumbria, CA7 5EE
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