As promised (and finally!) here are my favourite shots from 2011. This is simply to show you just that – my best shots of the year. Naturally each wedding had many great shots – but these are what I consider to be the best from each one. 29 shots in all. I’ve tried to choose a variety of shots, but it’s interesting to see that most of them are black and white, and most of them are of the couple. Enough talking, let’s see ‘em!

What a sad thing for this great city. The Contemporary Urban Centre is closing down. Apparently they have had to let down 21 brides! I was therefore privileged to be able to be the photographer at the last ever wedding at the CUC. Just very glad, not only for myself but also the bride and groom, that we weren’t on that list of 21.

I don’t think I will ever get tired of photographing weddings in Liverpool you know. Just down the road from the fabulous Town Hall (where I shot Aash & Anita’s first ceremony) is 62 Castle Street, a nice blend of classic architecture and modern interior design. Just watch out for the stairs – they’re tricky! But the thing I enjoyed most about John and Jodie’s wedding was the sunset and the fact that we were out in it. Liverpool just seems to rule when it comes to the crepuscular, and their wedding day was no exception. Considering the weather we’ve had today, I think we were a tad on the lucky side.

Oh, the sounds, the colours, the smells…

I think I know what I want to do for the rest of my life now.

Having now completed my first Indian wedding, I have decided (very-much-tongue-in-cheek here!) that I only want to photograph Asian weddings from now on. Here’s my reasons:

1. The groom is celebrated as much as the bride. With a horse and conch shell blowing.
2. Hardly anyone is wearing a regular colour suit.
3. The bride is dressed in a sari so bright and beautiful that only photos can do the experience justice.
4. There’s food. Indian food. Lots and lots of Indian food.

These are just the things that have stuck in my mind. But I think the best thing about the whole day was the family warmth and the fact that I can now count Anita and Aash as friends, not just customers. Lovely. Anyway, let’s have a look at some of those pictures!

This is the start of my first Asian wedding. Not just one event, but three! Well, actually 4 if you count the Sangeet, which unfortunately I already had a booking for. The first part was at Liverpool’s exquisite Town Hall. Next it’s a traditional Hindu wedding celebration at Craxton Wood Hotel on Wirral followed by a big family party at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool City Centre. Wow! That’s going to be a LOT of photos!

Here’s some from the Town Hall.

Well, it had to happen eventually – after 10 years in this business, I’ve finally been rained on. This is not to say that I’ve never shot a wedding on a rainy day – that would be silly, but I’ve certainly never got wet before Chelsea and Phil’s day in September. Fortunately, weddings are about love and joy and not the weather, so in spite of it all, we still had a great time and got some great shots!

Man, I love my job!

Ruth and Peter’s wedding at Inglewood Manor was just a peach – a beautiful bride with eight crazy bridesmaids and a gorgeous little flower girl and a venue of the calibre of Inglewood Manor meant I was onto a good thing from the start. Couple this with the hot, hot, hot weather we had on that day – after days of rain – and everything was sure to come together  just fine. Which, of course, it did…

This has been my busiest year ever – and the most fantastic for venues and amazing couples with amazing photography results. I’m well chuffed with how this summer has gone! Here’s one of the highlights:

Helen & Stuart – Hillbark Hotel, Wirral

Wow – when I visited Hillbark, I thought I’d died and gone to Wedding Venue Heaven! This place is just stirling – the best venue I’ve yet to shoot at. And Helen & Stuart were just the best to shoot. What a riot! Helen looked stunning – not a bad achievement when you consider that her beautiful dress had already been worn for her wedding in Costa Rica – Stuart’s birthplace. Pura Vida! (as they say in Costa Rica – having met Stuart, now very much on my list of destinations to visit!)

Well, we said we’d pop some up, so here they are. Some from Holme Pierrepont Hall in Nottingham, some from Framingham Pigot and Costessy Park Golf Club in Norwich. Enjoy!

Wow, what a weekend that was! Over two thousand shots, and well over 400 miles. Phew! Both shoots went superbly, and as soon as I’ve time, I will pop some shots up here. They’re worth the wait, believe me. Well, I would say that, wouldn’t I?