As some of you know, I’m currently giving the blog a much needed face-lift. But as I do that, I’ve been thinking how strange the blog really is. It’s partly a business blog, a showcase for real-life weddings and portraits. Yet in another way its personal too, it gives people a little insight into who I am. With that in mind, it’s very strange that faith never gets a mention. The reason for that is a fundamental issue with business blogging – you can’t be 100% honest. People don’t want to read about a difficult day, a mountain of admin or be challenged about stuff. People like positive stories, and maybe even a wee bit of gossip (I know that after writing the title,other photographers will be reading this just incase I’m going into wedding video! (I’m not, sorry to dissapoint!)). The other reason is that faith in N.Ireland has got wrongly mixed with lots of other stuff which noone wants to talk about.
Talking about faith is a risky business – and it could well be risky for the business.
But today I’m going to break ranks. If you are offended by the three letter ‘G’ word then turn off now. They’ll be another wedding post for you soon.
I found this video at 3am this morning – and to be honest it touched me. I identified with it immediately. Firstly, looks like Ian founded a pretty decent production company. Secondly, he has long hair in the photos 
. More importantly though, I spend pretty much every day being at marriage days, looking at marriages or talking about marriages. Marriage is important to me. Yes it pays the bills, but its important for deeper reasons than that. So when I saw this couple who have suffered so much, yet who’s love for each other and God is so evident – its hard not to share. Hopefully it inspires you a little.
No matter if you think this is awesome or a little crazy – feel free to shoot me a mail or write in the comments below. And if you thought I was going into wedding video, you can write a comment too
p.s. you can read some of the back-story at http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/why-we-got-married
Peter Thomas Crymble
random
faith, video
When I started photography, I declared I never wanted to be a portrait photographer. “Weddings are my thing” I used to say. I guess I had no children of my own at the time – and didn’t fancy studio work too much.
8 years on, that statement is a little ironic given the trophies sitting here on my desk! Thing is, I’m really enjoying doing portraiture! You get to meet such a wide range of interesting people. It’s almost like speed dating (without the romance) – you get introduced to people for a short time, have a laugh with them then we part company. It’s fun,relaxed. So there you go, I’m now also a portrait photographer and I love it!
I also realise I don’t blog many portraits. I guess its more difficult to get permission etc with kids, but I’ll try to post a few more. Today let me introduce you to Tiernan and Odhrin. Two of the coolest little dudes. Was delighted that there mum wanted something a wee bit different!
I really love this photo of them looking at each other. Brotherly love
Oh, love this next one too:
Definitely a cute baby:
I always knew having a studio in an industrial estate would be handy. Red shutters!
 
For the last 2 months we have had road works right outside our door. They’ve gone now, but I’m told they are returning…
Anyway, I was determined to do something with all the signs etc – but just never got round to it. Tiernan gladly obliged . This photo is the only good thing to come of weeks of cleaning dust out of this studio!
And finally – kinda like this one:
Peter Thomas Crymble
portraits
baby, children, kids, portraits, portraiture
There must be something in the water at the Bell household – 3 weddings in little more than a year! It was great to be back with them for Kathryn & Tom’s big day..
Here’s a few photos, starting with the bride’s house:
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Now to the church..
A few wee tray bakes are always welcome after the service. Naturally, for purely professional reasons and to ensure I was deeply immersed in the atmosphere of the day, I had to test a few. My job really is difficult – and having to carry out such trials is always stressful. I came through though, and I can attest that the Caramel Squares passed this test with flying colours.
After that, I looked round to find a lovely lady in a bowler hat in one corner and a toddler playing drums in the other. All in a days work
 
So the plan was to go to Castleupton for a few photographs. The weather was a bit iffy, but we thought we would go for a few minutes anyway.. I’m glad we did:
Love the next one:
I don’t do many weddings with bowler hats – so its kinda compulsory to do the hat throwing photograph. This is highly dis-encouraged – each hat is worth £200 and I didn’t fancy footing the bill for damaged hat…but this isn’t a bad ‘non-throwing, throwing’ picture…
Time for some indoors at the Templeton:
And later it dried up a little:
The games were good fun:
And finally the cake…
Peter Thomas Crymble
Real Weddings
templepatrick, templeton, weddings
Over Easter I took a few days off and the family went camping. After 22degrees the week before, what could go wrong?!?
Was good fun – the kids loved it. Here’s a few photos:
Here’s a pic of the tent and our wee heater – which was very handy given it was completely freezing outside. Cosy enough inside though.
Rained the whole time, so we bought these indoor shoes to keep the tent clean:
The Ipad is handy when it rains:
And Ben kept an eye on the new lambs…
…and had  a run on the train:
The drainage wasn’t too good, and this puddle emerged at the front of the tent:
This is what it looks like when your child lands in the puddle head first . We couldnt help but laugh
Thing was, wasn’t long till the whole place was a puddle. I was sitting in the main tent and suddenly I heard this *BANG*. Looked out the front door and the front living area of the tent had disappeared!! It was at the other end of the campsite. The ground was so wet the pegs wouldn’t stay in the ground. I reckoned that was our cue to hit the road homewards . I think we will remember the trip for some time!
Peter Thomas Crymble
Random Pictures
camping, family
Well it was a pretty big night on Sunday for us! I must admit I don’t really enter awards and competitions much. But this year I decided to enter the PPANI (Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland) awards. I really like what the guys at the PPANI are doing – lots of great seminars, a good forum to bounce ideas off and a feeling that the organisation is really moving forwards.
Anyway, I was in for the ‘Open Portrait Photographer of the Year’. I kinda though I might have a chance for that one but it was still great to win it! Â However, when ‘Licenciate photographer of the year’ was announced I was a little surprised to win two awards! I got to kiss Katie Larmour on the cheek for the second time (a real chore ), and then I sat down thinking my night was over….
I was hardly even paying attention when they were announcing the ‘Overall Portrait Photographer of the Year’. Next thing my name was read out – and I was seriously seriously shocked! I’m a real critic of my own work (perhaps too much sometimes), so to get some of it recognised was a real shock to me! Good job you don’t have to make a speech , I don’t think I could have said much. It definetly made dusting off the old tux worthwhile! You can see a few wee iphone photos over on the facebook page.
Thanks to everyone who has helped get us to this stage – and especially to my two awesome staff Arlene and Kelly! Special mention to Arlene who is also a very patient (and extremely hot!) wife.
Talk soon! Peter
Peter Thomas Crymble
portraits
 
 
Latest 3 comment by:
Thought that was very touching and it opened my eyes to what really matters in life.
hey thanks Cheryl
Looking forward to your wedding too 
))
Wow!! What an amazing story, thank you for posting. I sometimes feel God has taken a second seat when organising a wedding, then something like this comes along, makes you take stock and puts things into the right order…Lloyd and I are blessed to have found each other and I just pray we have the same love and devotion as this young couple for both God and each other. Well done you for breaking the mould and posting such an inspiring story.