Delighted that, in the final heat of the IPPA photographer of the year, I received eight awards, six “Highly Commended” and two hard to achieve “Merits”. These images are judged by my fellow peers and professionals so it means a lot to receive any awards, let alone eight !
Having shot Anne-Maries sisters wedding, and having spent many happy summers on Achill this was a wedding I was really looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint. I spent the weekend in Ostan Oilean Acla on Achill Sound and the hearty breakfast set me up perfectly for the day. Despite pliers being needed for the final dress adjustment, horizontal rain (Achill is famed for four seasons in an hour…not a day….an hour !!) and a few kamakazi sheep the craic & laughs were flying, all helped by the Dublin / Mayo banter (All Ireland Final looming) – the whole wedding was nicely rounded off when I received this lovely message from Anne-Marie and Stephen.
“Hi Kevin, the photos landed safe and sound on Friday. We both can’t get over how AMAZING they turned out. With the weather being so bad we were a little anxious on how many we would have. All we can say is you’re truly are a magician with a camera 
We really are so glad to have made the 10 minute dash outside between rain showers to take some pics. They are unbelievable, you really wouldn’t think it was the same day! We are delighted to have these photos to relive our special day and share with our family and friends. We cannot thank you enough for everything you did for us on the day and the producing these amazing pictures. We’ll have no problem recommending you to anyone looking for a photographer for their special day. Warmest regards Anne-Marie & Stephen O’Malley“
One thing you get from experience is being able to anticipate certain moments and trying (and hoping) to be in the right place, at the right time. No chance to do things over, you have to get everything right, composition, exposure, focus etc….when it all clicks (no pun intended) into place you end up with a “moment”. One of the bridesmaids had told me that morning that Sineads Dad wore his heart on his sleeve and not to be surprised if he got emotional, so, when Sinead was ready, I positioned myself at the back of the room behind her, had the camera set up as I wanted (I didn’t want to be bursting out flash) and hoped……..
During the summer I had the privilege to shoot the wedding of Aimee & Thomas. From the moment I arrived till I left during the dancing, I was made feel so much at home and welcome, which made my job so much easier. Add in an incredibly relaxed couple, slightly mad bridesmaids, and a great venue….even the swarms of midges couldn’t pt a damper on things. I was so delighted to receive this lovely feedback from Aimee & Thomas ” We are truly overjoyed with our photos! They completely exceed expectations .They capture the whole day in a beautifully natural way and really enable people’s personalities and emotions to shine through. A tear or two was shed watching the slideshow for the first time! We cannot thank you enough Kevin! You were amazing on the day; extremely efficient and professional but so relaxed and easy to get on with. Not a minute of time wasted! Then the end product just re-emphasised that we were sooo lucky to have you ! Hope nobody ponders over booking you because they would miss out big time!! We’ll be in contact in the new year re an album. Warm wishes, Aimee and Tom”
The pressure was on when I travelled up to Oldcastle to shoot Sarah & Ronans wedding, not only does Sarah run her own Beauty Rooms, but there were no fewer than 4 couples among her guests whose wedding I had already photographed, and they knew a few others as well !! I needn’t have worried as from the first moment I walked in the door till I left just as the meal started I was made feel right at home (it didn’t hurt that I knew so many guests !!!). The sun was really strong on the day but luckily Crover House has a few spots in the shade which were great for the photos. The cherry on the cake was the lovely email I got from Sarah just after she received her photos ” Hi Kevin, received my USB today in the beautiful package. And I have literally just went through my photos (was too excited to wait for Ronan) and all I can say is wow. To say I’m blown away is an understatement. They are stunning and I cannot emphasise enough how perfectly you captured the whole tone of the day. Lots of fun, laughter and big smiles!! So now is the hard job of picking 70 images! Thank you so so much you really are so talented. Sarah “
Always great to hear back from another happy couple 🙂
“To Kevin
A huge thank you or being part of our wedding day in April. We are truly delighted with how fabulous the photographs are and how you captured all the precious moments of our day so brilliantly. The photos on this card are some of our favourites. We thank you kindly, it was a pleasure having you involved in our wedding.
Love Eilis & Garrett Kelly.”
