One of my new years resolutions is to post a few pictures from each wedding on the blog…so here goes the 1st!
Taken in January 2010, at the Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Every Christmas, I face the feedback from friends and family that I spend much more time behind the camera than in front of it!
The fact is I spend so much time taking photographs, that I often escape being the subject of their photographs.
So just for fun, here’s a self-portrait taken during a recent commercial shoot at a garden centre. 
Peter has been awarded a ‘Licentiate’ of the Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland (PPANI).
Members of the PPANI must be full-time and properly insured - and its a mark of quality in a photographer. To gain the Licenciate, Peters work was judged by a Fellow of the PPANI to be of an acceptable, professional standard. View Peter’s PPANI profile here.
Peter is also a Licentiate of the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers (SWPP).
Its great to be able to share your photographs with friends and family. We happen to be a big fan of Facebook - and now we’ve added a really easy way to share your wedding photographs on Facebook.
Browse to the client area on our website. Find your wedding, and click the ‘View the album’ link. On the right you will notice a ’share this on Facebook’ link. Click that and the rest should be obvious - a link and picture will be posted on your Facebook wall.
If you have a video in your client area - you can also share that. Click the ‘View video’ link and you’ll see the same ‘Share on facebook’ link!
We’ve also made numerous little improvements and fixes to our website. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. One of the most obvious changes is in the ‘Show all photographs’ section of each wedding - there’s now a handy page dropdown making it easier to find the image you want. For all you Apple fans, the website is now fully compatible with the latest version of Safari.
We are exhibiting at two major wedding fayres:
- 4-6th September: Wedding Extravaganza show at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast. Find out more at http://www.weddingextravaganza.co.uk/
- 18-20th September: Wedding Journal Show at the Kings Hall, Belfast. Find out more at http://www.weddingjournalshow.com/
Why not call in and say hello! We have a number of free tickets for both shows. If you would like one email us here. We have very limited numbers. One ticket per couple. The only condition is that you call round and say hello!!
Something a bit different! I recently covered two concerts - one in the Waterfront Hall and one in the Millenium Forum, Derry. It was good fun - my legs were sore for a week after climbing all those steps at the Waterfront! The concert included Keith & Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend and the New Irish Choir and Orchestra. There are loads of photographs, so I’ll just post a few of the more interesting ones:
In my opinion one of the most challenging photographs to take at a wedding is of the bride coming up the aisle. Churches can often be dark, flash photography is sometimes banned - and all this while shooting a moving object. Of course, a professional photographer will be able to work with whatever the conditions, but here are a few hints to help.
1. Walk in Slow motion!
No matter how long the aisle is, walk slowly! I’d recommend walking at approximately half-speed. It may seem slow, but it will give your photographer time to take a few pictures. It will also give your guests (and future husband!) more time to admire you.
2. Organise the Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids usually walk down the aisle first, although there is no set rule. Whichever order you choose, make sure they also walk slowly.
Leave a good space between bridesmaids
Most importantly, think about the timing between bridesmaids. If they are too close your photographer will struggle to take a picture of the middle bridesmaid. As a general rule of thumb, the 1st bridesmaid should be three-quarters up the aisle before the second starts to walk up the aisle. For impact, it is often best for the bride and her father to wait until all the bridesmaids have reached the front.
Think about where they should stand when they arrive
At the rehearsal, have a practice run and make sure the bridesmaids know where to stand when they arrive at the altar. Make sure they aren’t blocking the videographer!
Help the kids
Flowergirls and page boys are great at weddings. Depending on their age, you may wish to have a bridesmaid accompany them up the aisle.
3. Smile!
Enough said!
Just about to go up the aisle! Photograph by Peter Thomas Photography
4. Don’t forget the orders of service!
A minor detail, but you may wish to ensure that whoever is officiating the service has orders of service for the bridesmaids and bride. There’s nothing worse than singing a hymn with no words!
5. And the same applies when you are coming back down again!
All of these suggestions equally apply when the bride and groom are coming back down the aisle. It is often best for the bridesmaids to wait until the bride and groom have completed their journey down the aisle before they start. This means that your photographs won’t have other members of the bridal party in the background.
And finally…
Coming up the aisle is an important but small part of your day. The hints above are just suggestions - if you don’t get time to think it through don’t worry - just walk slowly and enjoy!
Here’s the second and final part of my favourite pics for April. Hope you like them.
1. Phil & Sara
This was a great wedding for me - as it was held in my church and I know the bride and groom (and quite a number of the guests) personally. Congratulations Phil & Sara!!
Above: Photographers are always looking for great, natural facial expressions…thanks Sara!
Above: I’ve never been to Larchfield Estate before - its a great venue. We came across this little out-house which makes for some interesting pictures.
Above: One of the detail shots - the light curtain makes for a great effect.
2. Darren & Laura
I’m obviously posting way to many pictures on this article - can’t help myself! Sorry if its a little slow to load! The 24th April took me all the way down to Burren (near Warrenpoint). I’ve been to most hotels in Northern Ireland at this stage - but it was great to visit a new photograph location - ‘Domantine Conference Centre’ - I’ve posted some photographs below.
Above: You may remember from part 1 about my current drive for mens photographs. I think this one is quite interesting as Darren is almost framed by the tree.
Above: - Its not often there is so much colour in the trees - so obviously we took full advantage!
Above: The couple walking along at the front of Dromantine.
Above: The rings in the flowers.
3. Thomas & Bronagh
The final wedding in April was closer to home - Belfast Castle.
Above: as well as this picture, at the Brides request we also did the group picture on these steps. It actually is possible to get 120 people on them!
Above: The type of journalistic-style shot I love - I’m obviously in a black & white mood today but looks equally good in colour.
Above: A sample album page. In this case I’ve used a great Bible verse which is read at many weddings, but it could also be a poem or song.
And thats it!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief selection of photographs. Its been a fun month!
As part of the regular ‘Favourite Pics’ series, here are the first batch of my favourite pictures, all taken during April 2009. There are plenty more for part 2 - but I need to wait until the couples are back from honeymoon and give permission!
1. Deborah & Joe
Really enjoyed my time with Deborah & Joe - here are a few black & whites. I really like this contrasty look. It was also good to catch up with Deborah’s sister who’s wedding I did last year.
2. Louise & Ryan
Another great day at the Dunadry - and probably the most organised couple in the world - the album has already gone to print!!
Above: This is the sort of documentary photo I love to take. It probably won’t make its way into the album, but its a great memory of a bridesmaid opening a gift she just received from the bride.
Above: the choir make a guard of honour on the way out of the church. Another nice documentary style shot.
Above: making the most of the rain - the trusty Peter Thomas umbrella comes into action!
3. Jackie & Joanne
My most local wedding recently (Whitehead & Greenisland), we had good fun down in HazelBank park. Great couple.
Above: men are often forgotten at weddings - and the bride gets all the attention. So at every wedding, I’m now trying to get a few really good pictures of the men. This one is in an interesting location - but I love the urban feel from the old grafitti.
Above: the first dance. Totally unscripted - they look totally in love!
Above: just to show you a fun storybook page layout. Makes you smile - job done!
4. Ian & Lorna
From a local wedding to the opposite extreme - I went through an entire tank of petrol at this wedding in Limavady & Ballybofey! A lovely service and a great location in Browns Gardens in Limavady. We just about beat the rain!
Above: A little bit of a ‘quirky’ image in panoramic - but I have to say I quite like it!
Above: as always the detail shots are important reminders of the day
So there you go - my favourite pictures in April 2009. They are all available for viewing at http://www.peterthomasphotography.com . Hope you like them - let me know! Part 2 coming in a week or two!
If there is one photograph that almost always makes its way into a wedding album, its the signing of the register. It captures that moment where a couple legally become man and wife!
Let me start by saying that when it comes to planning something like the Signing of the Register, there are no rights and no wrongs. Some churches are quite prescriptive and so you may not have a choice. You may also want the table to look a particular way.
The following is simply a few things to look out for, which will make your photographers job a little easier. Of course, a full-time, professional photographer will be able to make a good photograph out of most situations.
So here goes:
1. Watch out for large floral arrangements.
While a large floral arrangement on the table may look good and blend in with the rest of the colours, it can often hide the registry document. If you have flowers, they are often best placed off to the side (like above). If they are in the middle, the congregation often can only see the bride and a large bunch of flowers. The pen and register are completely hidden. This forces the photographer to stand on a chair or take the photograph at an unusual angle.
2. Buy a decent pen!
This is probably one of the most important documents you will ever sign! Quite often the minister / clergy / priest will bring a pen - and you would be surprised how often it is a cheap biro! You may wish to purchase a good quality pen, at least for the photographs. I always try to carry a good quality, silver pen with me to use for the photographs.
3. The Table
There is some personal preference in this - but I find that the best signing of the register photographs are taken when the bride is seated at a table. Many churches do the signing of the register while standing at a bench. This is fine but just something for you to think through.
4. Location
This one is entirely up to you! Some people like to sign the register in the main church, allowing the congregation to watch and take photographs. Others prefer to take a breather and sign in a side room. I’m not going to outline the pros and cons of both - its a personal decision.
5. The Background
Wherever you decide to sign the register, just take a moment and look at the background. Is it a pleasing background? Is there something in the way that could be removed? Often these photographs are taken in minister’s offices - and there are often posters, photocopiers, computers etc. in the background. Often a small change in the position of the table can make for a much nicer photograph.
A plain room off to the side of the church - yet a pleasing image. The bride is relaxed - note the quality pen and brides bouquet off to the side! Photograph by Peter Thomas Photography
And finally….
Don’t worry! Ask your photographer for direction and be safe in the knowledge that a professional photographer has probably seen it all before. Remember that the Signing of the Register is only a small part of the day - so no point in stressing too much about it!
