Peter Thomas Photography: The Blog

Well I’ve been working hard today (on my day off!), so time for a wee story…

A few Saturday’s ago, I met Gordon and Claire to take a few engagement photographs. They wanted to meet at Whitehead, as that’s where they got engaged. So somewhat bleary eyed (this wasn’t helped by the petrol station coffee that turned out to be hot milk!), I arrived at 9am. It wasn’t long before Gordon & Claire’s infectious sense of humour had me back on full steam.

I knew they wanted a few photos where they got engaged. Naturally I asked Gordon to show me the famous spot, and to my horror he pointed to the top of a cliff, way, way off in the distance. Off we set upwards, and upwards, and upwards (there is a little exaggeration here – but it makes it more interesting), and upwards, and upwards…and upwards.

Claire wasn’t exactly wearing hiking boots (see below), but she steamed up the cliff path no problem. As for me, laden with camera gear (thats my excuse), the legs where fairly starting to sting…Putting a brave face on things ( but inwardly about to die) I was excited to see the land level out a little…and just then disaster struck. To my deep deep horror, we were presented with the sign below:

So our hike up the hill seemed in vain and I couldn’t believe it…

Actually, it might have been the  best thing that happened as a quick look around and we found a field and got down to work!

Now in one corner of that field was an old, dis-used building. I remarked it might have been an old army building ( actually it turned out to be a less glamourous cow shed) and suggested we head over. At this point I do indeed think that the guys thought I was totally away in the head, and to be honest there was a really, really really good chance that this wasn’t going to work out – but luckily we got the next few shots which I totally love:

The way down was somewhat less dramatic:

Above Left: don’t think I’ve taken a photograph where the blue in the background is actually the sea below..

So there you go – a really fun morning’s work – and no need to go to the gym for about a week!

Peter Thomas Crymble engagement engagement, whitehead

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!

Peter Thomas Crymble Favourite Pictures Add new tag, ballybofey, dunadry, greenisland, knockagh lodge, limavady, northern ireland, photographs, wedding, whitehead