Queen Anne Cottage: Garden Open Day Sunday 25 June 2017

All proceeds collected on the day will be donated to several cancer charities.

A week today and Michael's lush, grand garden will be open to the public.  It's also the last year with the scheme so make a note in your diary to attend so it won't be open to the public like this again.

Queen Anne Cottage was the banqueting house of Whitehurst Gardens which were originally the walled garden of Chirk Castle. The garden was built in C17 for productive and ornamental purposes. Queen Anne Cottage and its near garden is now owned by a professional gardener who has made a tremendous effort to build and plant a beautiful garden around his unique home.

Small woodland cottage garden on two levels set around C17 summerhouse. A selection of unusual trees, shrubs, herbaceous and old roses are set off by lawns. The garden is on a slope with a few sets of steps and will not be easy for those who are not able bodied.

Sunday 25 June (1 - 5pm). Admission £3.50, children free.  Home-made teas. 

Refreshments in aid of Friends of Whitehurst Gardens.

Visitors also welcome by arrangement May to August, phone to discuss refreshments. Admission £4.00, children free. 

Michael Kemp
07958 670771
mikekemp40@yahoo.co.uk
www.fwg-heritage.org

I'll be on assignment but I'm hoping to be making an appearance before the end of the day!

Ray

Gwydir Castle: A visit I will never forget.

Why do we enjoy old things so much like clocks, buildings, cars, peny-farthings and castles?

The AGM of The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust took place last Friday.  The reception was held at Gwydir Castle, Llanwrst.

I was in heaven when I walked through the very old wooden castle door into the court yard.  The entrance to the castle was draped in white roses.  It was a delicious very and one I had to photograph.

We were allowed to explore the gardens and surprisingly were aloud to explore the castle too.

I was nervous with excitement.  

There were peacocks everywhere, literally, constantly displaying their grand feathers and making the high pitched sound that they make.

It took me a while to get Llanwrst from Prestatyn as I had just photographed a wedding there.  The roads, annoyingly, were crowded with cyclists whom it was impossible to overtake due to bends in the road.  However, the views were stunning and made up my annoyance.

Wales is so lush at the moment.

Cheers and thanks to the owners and WHGT members Judy Corbett and Peter Welford. 

Such an amazing experience.

www.gwydircastle.co.uk

www.whgt.org.uk

Wedding Photographer: Kasia & Jon

On my blog soon, Kasia & Jon's special day in Prestatyn....

Wedding Photographer: Wedding season approaches...

As wedding season approaches, I'm planning this years events and also meeting clients for next years weddings.  

I do so love to be apart of your special day.  It's such an honour to be invited to be a part of another family and to photograph your day in my style of photography.  My style is not for everyone just like not every couple is a match for me. 

I do so love those intimate moments  when I walk away with newlyweds and we get creative.  I never know how or what I'll capture but it's always an enjoyable experience for me and hopefully for you.

I have butterflies in my stomach at this moment while writing this and the thought of the magic I will see and capture very soon.

Believe it or not, I'm an extremely quiet, shy man.  I love intimate, small weddings most I guess because of my shyness.  I'm more of a one-to-one person than a group person.  I'm a creative introvert who leaves his shell on your special day and then I take your memories home and give the final product to you with my name written on each and every hand crafted image. 

The wedding experience is unique like me. 

Happy approaching weekend.

Ray

North Wales Photographer: A day at the monastery changed my outlook on life and has made me question my atheism...

It was the last full day of my holiday with my partner and family.  At this time, it felt like I was truly getting to know this beautiful family.  Funny times, quiet times, special times, emotional times but a welcome I will never forget.

So looking forward to seeing them all again soon.

Everyone else had decided on a day by the pool so we decided to get in the hired car and explore the local monasteries in and around Silikou, a village in the Limmosal district of Cyprus.

I was getting used to this morning view on our balcony....

We walked into the monastery and were greeted with silence.  All that we could hear was a slight breeze brushing through the olive trees.

The courtyard leading to the cloisters had the most amazing views.  The silence was soon broken by friendly little cats...

We both walked around the monastery and were suddenly greeted by a Ghanian monk.  He was so kind, calm and warm.   He showed us around his cloisters and his magnificent church.  As we walked into the church, I was amazed by the ancient paintings and how flamboyant it was.

I've always been an atheist.  Many years ago I came to the conclusion that God didn't exist.  He was completely fabricated.  Some people just needed to believe in God.

But then I met this monk.  He was so intelligent, caring and kind.  It bothered me that someone that intelligent could believe in God.

He explained that he was here for two years and would then move on to another monastery.  It was his was of seeing the world.

He spoke about his religion which was so interesting to hear and I came away with so much of what he said that it did change my outlook on life.  It changed my outlook on religion.

To be yourself in this world.  To accept yourself and value everything we have.  To forgive those who have been bad to you.  Not to hate but to love.  To treat people you want to be treated.

Learn to love your enemies and to forgive.   I get at this moment in time his words meant so much to me.

To give with your heart. 

I don't consider myself and atheist anymore but I'm not quite sure, yet, where things may develop.

I've been enlightened and changed by this visit to Cyprus and the Ghanian monk.

Thank you.

Ray.

How everything seemed to change after meeting a monk in his monastery....

It was 30 degrees and the last day of our vacation, so we both decided to visit the local monasteries in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.  It was a profound meeting and one that changed my whole outlook on life.....

On my blog next week.

North Wales Photographer: Rob's 60th Celebration

Thank you for the warm welcome.

North Wales Photographer: Ian & Kelly at Hinderton Hall

My aim is to capture the feeling of the moment and of the whole day.  To hold a moment and preserve it.  To blend in and not influence the day whatsoever.  To capture the love.

I must admit that I was a little concerned when I woke up on this morning of Ian and Kellys wedding to see fine drizzle in the air.  I just hoped it wouldn't turn into anything more serious.  It didn't and the day seemed to open like a flower from sleep.

Hindertal Hall was the perfect venue for a wedding.  A private estate with a number of properties.  Kelly and bridesmaids prepared for the day at the gate house before moving on to finish preparations in the grand main house.

The photographs tell the story of this beautiful day.....

That really was one special day.

So pleased to hear the news that Ian and Kelly are having a baby.  The story continues.

Ray xxx

North Wales Photographer: This description just about sums up my photography...

Seth Godin, in his great book Linchpin: Are You Indispensable, said, "Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn't matter. The intent does." He went on to say, "Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another."

I share these thoughts with all my clients and it makes me feel so humble and respectful.

Ray

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: We Love Boho....

Before heading into my busy events period as North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer, it was time to collaborate with makeup artist Lizzie Griffiths MUA (www.lizziegriffiths.co.uk).

The theme of the shoots was boho.  We had the perfect model in mind:  Georgiaa-kayee Edwards.  Lizzie and I had both worked with Georgie before at Delamere Manor and were stunned by her beauty and professionalism.  She was the perfect choice.

We found the most glorious and beautiful garden that would complement the shoot in Chirk, Llangollen.

Let the photographs tell the story of this boho shoot on the most beautiful spring like Tuesday in April 2017........

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: How very boho...

The theme was boho, the setting was almost tropical and the photographs blew all of us away.  Later this week on my blog.

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: moving on is important

Busy at the moment clearing out my new office room and came across lots of old video cassettes and audio cassettes.

Time to move on, skip the rubbish and live in the here and now....

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Looking forward to spring and summer....

The first of April and the month of my birthday and so much more.  So looking forward to wedding season and to getting back in the garden to capture stunning some stunning views.

Have a special weekend with the ones you love.

North Wales Wedding Photographer: Kelly and Ian

On my blog soon, Kelly & Ian's magical wedding from Hinderton Hall, Wirral.

I can't wait to go back to that perfect day....

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Kayleigh & Craig at Rossett Hall Hotel

They met one halloween some 5 years ago.  Kayleigh had  known Craig's sister for many years and that halloween Craig's sister introduced them!

They added each other on Facebook but didnt properly speak until they bumped into each other in February.  They got together in the May of 2012.

A while later they got married.....

North Wales & Cheshire Photographer: Kayleigh & Craig at Rossett Hall Hotel

At last I'm finding getting the time to blog weddings that I haven't been able to.  It was my first ever wedding at Rossett Hall and it was made even more special and glamorous by the stunning Kayleigh Cheshire.

Coming to my blog in the next few days....

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Lizzie's 40th birthday celebrations

I first met Lizzie Griffiths MUA a couple of years ago during a wedding I was photographing and Lizzie carefully crafted makeup and hair for the bride.  Since then we've worked together on fashion shoots in some of the most beautiful locations in Cheshire.

Happy 40th, Lizzie.

Lizzie chose El Atalia, an Italian restaurant in Chester.  A wonderful location for photos and the food was to die for...

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Thinking of summer and a visit to the zoo

It was a hot, very hot day when I met the Andrews family at Chester Zoo....

What a fab day we had.

Thank you for asking me to tag along.

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: It's all in a picture....

I was tidying my room and clearing cupboards when I came across this beautiful mini album a friend of mine gave me after I had photographed her wedding about 6 years ago.

Each picture holds a special moment for me.  The one where Suzanne casually threw red leaves on her dress and sat on that bench at Lion Keys.

It hit home why I love photography, people and making those people happy....

North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: A Dream Shoot From This Stunning Venue Called Delemere Manor

I was tingling when my friend, and wonderful makeup artist, Lizzie Griffiths contacted me to be a part of this stunningly beautiful shoot.  Gary Hayes, BALTAZAAR came with a mouthwateringly beautiful selection of his dresses.  It was also exciting to hear plans for another makeup artist called Sophie Bruno.....

Let's see what these artists have to off in this painting like location called Delemer Manor...