This wedding was a real treat for me. My clients Catherine and Niall, are two of the most delightful people I have ever met. Niall’s speech later in the day at Ballygally Castle was one of the most emotional I’ve heard all year. And Catherine’s three bridesmaids really shared every moment with the bride.

The weather was beautiful – warm and sunny – perfect for relaxing on the lawns of Ballygally Castle. Here are just a few of my favourite images as I continue the editing.

WEDDING TIP #1 – WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY
As a photographer, clients often ask what I think about them hiring a wedding videographer to film their day. I have mixed opinions on the subject. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best in the business (and I will be happy to pass along their contact info to any of my future brides). I have also worked with some of the most obnoxious, obtrusive, annoying, and unprofessional videographers too (I will also be happy to provide the names of those to avoid as well).

Right now, I’d say about a quarter of the weddings I shoot have a videographer. I really don’t have a problem with them as long as they are professional and respectful of what is going on during the day. Too often, I am hired as a wedding photojournalist, to document the day as it unfolds and fly-on-the-wall-like as possible, only to find that the client has hired a video crew, that is in your face all day long with a big ol’ rolling tripod and bright light that lights up the place like Blackpool illuminations, posing everything and turning your day into a bad reality show.

When my sister got married, I told her for the price of an average videographer, she could buy a top of the line digital video camera, and give it to our uncle. The quality of those cameras is amazing and our Uncle Davy did a great job. They took the raw footage and edited it on their iMac and made a cool little DVD. Of course, that is no replacement for a high end videographer who would do an amazing job, but in my humble opinion it is a better option than hiring a budget videographer.

So, if you are one of my future brides and you are thinking of having a video please contact me if you’d like the names of a like minded videographer who will do a fabulous job. Or at least contact me and I will let you know who to avoid at all costs.

With Monday being a professional photographers day off :) I’m quite lucky because I get to go to baby swimming classes with Corrina and Caro. Earlier in the day I also got to see her for the first time rolling over on her front all by herself.

She really surprised herself and giggled. Here she was seconds later – still enjoying the moment!

Last week I took some time away from the business and spent a lovely few days in France with the family. Corrina got to meet her cousins for the first time and it was just great to amble the days away with the kids even though Corrina was feeling a bit poorly.

Naturally, the camera was never too far away and I managed to capture some really lovely personal photographs.

Et voici quelques unes de mes preferees.

Last Friday saw me back in the beautiful Corick Country House Hotel (I’d also photographed Ciara and Jonny’s wedding at Corick House back in March). It’s always a pleasure to work here – the location is fantastic and the staff are always very friendly and welcoming.

Grainne and Leo tied the knot earlier in St Colmcilles just outside Armagh – the very same church Grainne’s parents were married in all those years ago.

Grainne’s Dad Joe looked proud as punch walking his daughter up the aisle!

Here are just a few of my favourites from their day.

On Sunday I was back at the Galgorm Manor Resort and Spa near Ballymena for Clare and Darren’s wedding. Darren’s family had flown in from Norwich for the wedding so it was great to see the sun shining for everyone especially after the rain in the morning.

The ceremony was in the wonderfully atmospheric Phantom House – one of those locations that is ‘photographically dark’ inside and has lots of directional light and little space to work with. However, so long as you don’t resort to the intrusiveness of flash – with a little thought, creativity and good timing you can get some really special photographs.

Here are just a few of my favourites from their day.

My first wedding back in Northern Ireland since my trip to Barcelona was for Jenny and Fergus up in the Glens of Antrim on Saturday. This is where I had photographed Orla and Stephen’s wedding last August and it was great to be back beneath Lurig Mountain and right there on the Antrim coast again.

Jenny in fact grew up around the headland at Garron Point – a location close to my heart ever since Caro and I moved back from London eight years ago. As it turns out, Jenny’s sister Sandra had actually emailed me five years ago in admiration of my Garron Point landscapes. So it was great to finally meet her and lots of their friends, family and neighbours.

This wedding was just lovely with great weather, scenery and lovely people. I really seem to be blessed with lovely weddings this year. Fergus’s nieces had that special ‘kids during ceremony’ sense of fun.

Anyway, onto the pictures – here are some of my early favourites.