At my age I don’t normally wait for the post with baited breath. Usually its more bills, notice of mortgage rates going up etc. in general, depressing stuff. Last week was different, I actually got a couple of (unexpected) birthday cards in the post, and I got a call on Thursday telling me my new sample storybook album would be delivered on Friday. It was like youthful valentines days again, watching & hoping, only this time I was not disappointed. The album arrived in a fabulous hard case, the heady smell of leather & glue wafting through the air, yes, it was that good, I knew how Sile Seoige felt at the Kylie Gig !! (google it !). Ok, maybe a little over the top, but, the album looks & feels great. Genuine leather cover, fantastic quality printing, and, its all hand made in Ireland. The albums come with a choice of cover options & sizes and represent real value for a superb quality product that will stand the test of time. I am also expecting another sample storybook, similar as the first one received, but just a little different, with options of matching parent albums & mini albums. The second one is a couple of weeks away yet.

Along with this album I will also be launching my timepiece product which is an all inclusive package with coverage from preparations through to the first couple of dances. This package can be tailored as required to fit budgets & tastes. Just ask for details.

I have attached a few pics of the new album below, unfortunately they don’t really do it justice as the album has to be seen to be fully appreciated, and finally, many thanks to Babs & Colly for allowing me to use their wedding pics for the sample.

I attended a table quiz in Donabate Golf Club recently in aid of the local boys school. We had a great night, but that’s a story for another time. We did the usual buying tickets etc. for spot prizes, and knew we were on to a winner when we were told that it was €5 for a strip (cue plenty of schoolboy style smutty laughs etc…!!) Anyway, I digress, and back on to the reason behind the blog. My better half won a spot prize of a tin of biscuits & voucher for a local restaurant. When we got home the biscuits had a short life, but, while doing my best imitation of sesame streets cookie monster I was suddenly hit with a blast of nostalgia. The reason ?? A chocolate ring biscuit with a pink jelly on top. I hadn’t seen one in years and all of a sudden I was transported back to my childhood and the Christmas tin of biscuits, including the elusive aforementioned chocolate ring with pink jelly. Being the youngest of 5 kids I rarely got my little hands on one, but there was always the second layer – perhaps I might get that one ?? Woe betide anyone who dared venture into the second level without all the first level being fully cleared – inevitably the second layer was broken into by my parents when we had been shipped off to bed, and we were left to finish the slightly soft mariettas or custard creams. And so began the year long wait for the next tin !! The biscuits in question could not be bought in their own packet, they only appeared in the large tins. I was surprised at how vivid my memories were (although I’m sure Arthur G. had a small bearing !!) but I could nearly smell the tree, which was mighty strange as it was an artificial tree, which, like my head, became threadbare with each passing year. I could certainly remember the box of Lemons Christmas Assortment, the Clarnico Iced Caramels which were pink & white lumps of icing & toffee which kept Dublin dentists in jobs for many a year, the paper decorations, Christmas dinner watching Top of the Pops, the plucked turkey hanging on the back of the bathroom door, always with a drop of blood on the beak – I could go on, a ton of memories came flooding back, all brought on by a biscuit !! If you have stuck with this till now, I will explain what this has to do with photography. This is what I want my photos to illicit, memories, brought on by looking at an image from a family wedding. A wave of nostalgia, a “do you remember” moment. This is also why I have, over the years, focused more & more on reportage photography, trying to capture a moment rather than a pose. Yes,  its nice to win competitions, its great to get recognition from your peers, all our egos can do with a bit of massaging every now & then, and I will continue to put my images forward each quarter for judging,  but, the biggest reward and the real test of a photograph, would be that in 20 or 30 years time, it can bring memories of a wedding day back to one of my clients. This is what I strive to achieve and this is what keeps each wedding fresh & unique.

Had a strange & varied week. All kicked off well with the IPPA awards, then had a shoot for the local parish priest – looking for a panoramic shot of the side of the church, and “while you are there you can do a few of the inside as well” type of thing. Dropped an album off to a very happy couple in Newbridge.  Started on a shoot for a small cafe chain in north county, great thing is that you get to eat & drink the props !! Was twitching all the way home !! Met a lovely couple, Mary & Cyril last night who booked me for their 2012 wedding – taking place on Friday 13th July !! Laughed off the superstitious element, but when I got into my car and tried to drive home from Dunsaughlin (usually 35 mins) began to wonder. Visibility was about 20 yards, so crawled most of the way home and took me nearly an hour. Have a ton of stuff to get through this weekend, some of which hopefully will be unveiled / announced shortly, and then getting ready for the boys junior infant photos in the local school – always a trial, but good fun. One thing that has come out of last week however is, despite whatever crap is thrown at me over the next while, I’m sorted for good coffee, and have I now have a better chance of getting into heaven !!  Have a few pics from the week below.

Firstly, for anyone looking for John & Brendas wedding – just scroll down !! (or feel free to read this as well (“,).

Last night was a big night for awards, I think there was something happening in the States, but the real hype was at the Burlington Hotel where the IPPA were hosting their annual dinner & awards night. Although I had been shortlisted in three categories, I had no expectations, but it was an excuse to put on a tux, a la James Bond, complete with Bond Girl looking stunning in a LBD !! I was delighted to find out that three of my images (one in Child Portraiture and two in Wedding Reportage) are to be included in the IPPA exhibition which will be touring the country for the next 12 months, but, to add to the night I was thrilled to be presented with a certificate of excellence for my work in Wedding Reportage. The standard of photography during 2010 was extremely high so, when the exhibition comes your way, I would encourage you to go and have a look. Finally, thanks to all the staff in the IPPA for putting on the event and the enormous work involved in the planning & execution of the travelling exhibition.

Friday 25th was a wedding with a difference for me,  it was in my local parish of Donabate & hotel was only 20 mins drive away, so, a rarity – I was home in time for tea, and to vote !. The weather behaved itself, despite the forecast it stayed dry enough to head up to Ardgillan for a few shots, and then into Balbriggan so Brenda & John could vote – caused quite a stir in the polling station.  It was strange knowing quite a few guests & family members at the wedding, but nice being able to have lots of little chats and the neither Brenda nor John were demanding or fussy in any way, the only direction I got was to get a photos of the cake toppers (the bad mood bears…google them!) and Brenda wanted a photo beside the big cow in the hotel ! See shots below. My one disappointment was that I wasn’t there for the dancing, as I would have liked a shot of Brenda, in her wedding dress and her converse runners !! – A few draft pics below, just click on any pic for a bigger version.

I love photographing weddings – the excitement, the whole buzz, the happy couple. Each one is different, has new challenges and different results. But, I also just love taking photographs. I was thrilled a while ago to be asked to take photos of local golf links – Corballis – for their new website. This lovely little course is just 10 mins from my house (an added bonus !) and, this is the best bit, being so close I could drop down when the weather looked good. Can you imagine asking a bride to put off her wedding till it was less windy, more sunny etc. – you get my drift ! So it happened that I was down at the course last Friday, 18th and the wind was howling, it was bitterly cold and fairly miserable. Whereas this made for some great moody shots (which I will work on as a pastime type of thing) they would not be great for the website. Roll on this afternoon – clear blue skys, a lot warmer than it looked, and ideal for showing off the course at its best. Hopped in the car and 10 mins later was walking around a beachside links taking photos. What a nice way to spend an afternoon. A few pics below (incl some from Friday).