I met up with Dave and Jen before the wedding just to confirm a couple of things. Everything seemed to be in perfect order, that made me happy.
What made me smile is that Jen expressed a desire for something, anything to go wrong on her day. Everything seemed to be going so smooth that just the slightest bit of drama would of added a sense of normality to their day. I liked that!

Dave and Jen chose the Bristol Marriott Royal for their ceremony and reception. If you know Bristol, you'll know this building, sitting at the bottom of Bristol's Park Street, home to my favourite coffee shop and Banksy artwork. The hotel stands with a buxom bronze Queen Victoria outside keeping the draft out.
I had never been inside before, but I loved it. I can't wait to shoot there again. It really was a pleasure.
So, congratulations Dave and Jen, you're both incredible. You deserve each other. Enjoy your life together.

*Live music provided by my favourite wedding band to work with ever, "Sound Awake"

Neil and Kat got married up in Liverpool back near the end of last year, there were still leaves on the trees, bright golden they were.
I had never visited Liverpool before so for me it was quite exciting. Everywhere you turn has some reference to the fab four, (no, not the Backstreet Boys).
Neil and Kat held their reception at the incredible Sefton Park Palm House, a conservatory palm house built in 1896. It was beautiful inside and out, with a huge variation of exotic plants.
At a few times throughout the day I looked out of the window...the whole building is basically a big window to be honest...and noticed 3 or 4 wedding cars drive up to the front gate, brides were getting out of the cars to have their picture taken with the house in the background. I felt quite lucky to be inside a building that obviously was a popular landmark that meant a lot to local people.
During the evening reception I was talking to one of the guests, she said that when she was a little girl she used to come to the palm house on a Sunday with her parents and read the newspaper. It was much warmer in the Palm house than what it was at home. Apparently, it was quite common for everybody to do this, it saved on heating costs!
Now the Palm house has been beautifully restored and it's a pleasure to be inside.

Neil and Kat didn't have the best day weather-wise, It was a typically chilly northern late-Autumn day with lots of showers. Personally, I can't stand the rain, but I do like how rain makes people huddle closer together to try and stay warm and dry under one umbrella. It makes for great pictures. That panic that hits people when the heavens first opens is quite a funny site to record through photographs. Californians might have a steady supply of golden and lush light, but we've got the rain and atmosphere!
I'll keep on telling myself that's how I like it.

Regular readers might recognise Neil here, he's appeared on the blog before along with another couple which I'm very sure you'll recognise.

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the bottom of the page!

I was recently asked to second shoot for a good friend of mine. A photographic friend at that! Cue, the second half of Taylor Barnes Photography.
Early on in this little blogosphere,  I showed you a wedding that I helped to cover of Ben and Selena, I've always viewed their wedding as a groundbreaking one for me, photographically speaking. So helping the very talented Selena out at a Bristol wedding by being her second shooter was a pleasure. It was also great to just take a back seat and cover the little moments from Richard and Victoria's wedding without the pressure. Lovely!
Another thing to make me smile was that this was my first wedding with my new camera. (Ben and Amy's wedding was the day after this wedding)
Lets just say I was in my element!

The ceremony was held at a church in Long Ashton, and it was certainly one of the most bright and photogenic churches around but unfortunately it wasn't much of surprise when I was told that there would to be no pictures during the wedding ceremony.
I won't rant...this isn't the place, but I'm sure you know how I felt about that, you know, with it being called "wedding photography"

Still, whatever.
We then went on to cover their ceremony at Berwick Lodge where the staff kindly allowed us to take pictures.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my vision of the day.

Ben and Amy decided to hold their wedding at Hurst House in Laugharne, just outside Camarthen.
It was probably one of the last warm days of the year, and in beautiful surroundings, that tends to be the cherry on top.
I hadn't had a chance to do an engagement shoot with Ben and Amy. Their day would be the first time I'd of met Ben, I knew what he looked like, Amy had sent me a letter bearing a personalised stamp with their insanely good looking faces on with my own little invite inside.
I won't show the stamp, you'll have plenty of opportunities to see their faces a little later on, instead here is living proof that someone (Ben & Amy) think that I'm an "extraordiniare"...of sorts.

Ok, less bragging, more blogging.

So, as usual, I was a little nervous covering this wedding, I had heard that Ben had previously had a bad experience of wedding photographers, so it was up to me to give us photographers a good name again.
In my little mind, I had imagined this tyrannical figure of a man who would smash my camera to the floor each time I breathed the same air as him. Terrified, I was.

If you're a regular reader of this blog, I think that by now you would of guessed that going by the usual calibre of my grooms on here, I couldn't have been more incorrect.
Ben was a true gentleman. You could say that he was a perfect match for Amy.

Let me show you some pictures from the day and hopefully you'll get sucked into the day just as easily as I did.

In case you're interested, the two winning images can be seen here.
If you were considering having your wedding here, don't hold back from booking. It's in such a great location and it's so convenient because there is often no driving from Bridal prep-house to church to reception venue. Everything under one roof!
Just make sure they light the fire for you. The smell is so relaxing!

Unfortunately, the first time I met up with Samuel & Kayleigh was on their wedding day. Due to some worrying family health, the date had been pushed forward and it seemed like everybody helped out to make everything run smooth. And it did!

I wish I had time to of met up with them before their bit day as they're a cracking couple.
Still, never mind. I always try my hardest to really get to know my couples before their wedding day so that they can feel comfortable around me.
It is always beneficial.

Kayleigh got her hair and make up ready in the keepers cottage before escaping to the Bridal suite to get into her dress without anyone spotting her. All good fun I thought!
Whilst everybody was in the cottage getting ready, I went out the backdoor to have a little explore.
Long story short: door closed behind me, locked shut, spent 10 minutes shouting for help. Of course, everybody found it hilarious! Good times.

On with the pictures then.
Just a little note about these fabric bouquets; Kayleigh made them herself and was very modest about them. Well done Kayleigh, we all think they're amazing!

The ceremony itself was a pleasure to cover. Real emphasis was put on making the marriage strong by making their God come first and by supporting each other and working as a real team. Often I find that church ceremonies aren't personal to the couple which is a real shame as it is such a personal day.
On many occasions, the priest/vicar/officiant has got the couple's name wrong and it's so embarrassing!
To save their own embarrassment, I've often been asked if I know the couples name.
"Sure, I'll tell you if you pay me real good money!"
Of course, there was no shame or mess-ups. Perhaps because my very own brother was best-man. It was very strange having him around, as I'm sure anybody will tell you!

It was a great wedding full of friends, old and new. Many of them previous clients of mine (a term that I hate using) 

Please enjoy the pictures, I know a lot of you have been looking forward to this wedding so if you've seen the pictures, please leave a comment and spread the word!

Thank you as always.

Joseph

Gavin and Lucy, what can I say?

Well, this isn't really me copping out, but I'm not going to say much about them. I really think that these pictures are a true reflection of their personality. That's not meant to make me seem like a photographer genius, it's just all about Gavin and Lucy.  So, I'm really going to struggle to not say anything about these two. Just enjoy.

I remember our wedding day. I don't remember the actual ceremony, but I do remember that it was great. I think I must of been a total scatter brain, which will come to no surprise to some of you but felt I just felt so nervous for no reason at all.
When you look at these pictures, just look at Gavin's face. He's doing what I tell all my couples to do; Stop and look around because your day will fly by so quickly its ridiculous. I bet Gavin and Lucy remember their ceremony so well and hopefully these pictures will help them.

They booked me after seeing another wedding in Manchester Town Hall, followed by the wedding reception in Didsbury.
Lucy and Gavin's wedding was held in the church, followed by an intimate but really fun wedding at Eleven Didsbury Park Hotel. I loved the hotel with its New York theme and gorgeous garden.
Little touches really made this a fun and unique day. Cinematic Orchestra played during signing of the register, Champagne in vintage tea cups and lace bunting tied to the trees were just some of the things that made the day so...Gavin-and-Lucy.

I'll hand the pictures over to you now.

A little while ago, I received a phone call from a lady with an incredible voice. Hints of English, Irish, Italian and French.
The lady was a certain Anna Debenedictis, a wedding, child and portrait photographer now based in Ireland
The good news was that she was due to give birth any day soon, the bad news was that she was due to cover Michael and Rachael's wedding but knew that there was a risk she could pop on their wedding day.
Cue the Mighty Mouse theme song!

So I met up with Michael and Rachael, had an engagement shoot with them, and a little while later I shot their wedding at the amazing Bristol Zoo.
By the way, you can view their engagement pictures a little later...
The zoo was an incredible place for Michael and Rachael to have their wedding. So many opportunities for amazing pictures as I'm sure you can imagine.
With it being England, it rained of course and with me only shooting for a couple of hours we were a little rushed, but we still had a great time.
It turned out to be a really intimate day that was all about family.
I would of love to of stayed around for longer as as usual, I was in my element.

Congratulations Michael and Rachael, you were an absolute pleasure.
Enjoy the pictures!

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and as always, leave a comment.
They make me feel all happy!
 Joseph.

I knew these two were going to be extra special when they sent me, along with the signed contract, a picture of the wedding cake they wanted and a hand written letter.
Sure, not that unusual, but when my couples do things like that, it gets me really excited about their wedding. It shows that they're passionate about their wedding day too!

We eventually met up in the beautiful city of Bath for an engagement shoot and we hit it off straight away. I remember Ed and Lucy saying that they were both nervous about meeting me, it felt a bit like a first date for them!
"What if we didn't like you?", they asked. Well...there's always that risk I guess!
In case you've not had a chance to look yet, their engagement pictures are here.

We drove the amazing journey to Aberystwyth along the mountain road and met Lucy as she got ready with her Mum and Bridesmaids at home.
After a quick little drive into the town we met Ed at the church waiting to marry Lucy.
Very nice.
On to the reception which was held at the Conrah Hotel which sits in 18 acres of amazing Welsh scenery.
I'd love to shoot there again, it's an incredible part of the world.

I was made to feel so welcome by all their guests which I'm always so grateful for.
My favorite moment?
Probably when Lucy's Nan was dancing to Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire!
Yeh, in fact that might be my favorite ever wedding moment!

Enjoy the pictures, ok?

Congratulations Ed and Lucy.