MINI CLICKS! A short video for those of you who like to use Lightroom. Here's just one of the ways I colour correct in Lightroom.
North Wales Photographer: Colour correction in Lightroom....
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Howie's Christening...
in christenings
Sqwarly showers were frequent on the morning of Howie's christening but you can't let the rain stop big occasions.
Fabulous time in Flint with so many special people. Let the photos do the talking...
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographers: Lee & Stacey's Wedding, part 2
And here's part 2 of Lee & Stacey's wedding. The continuation of the ceremony and onto the reception at Soughton Hall....
All the best to you both and thank you for asking me.
Ray xxx
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographers: Lee & Stacey's Wedding, part 1
This was a wedding I'd been waiting for for so long and for so many reasons. Lee & Stacey both had their wedding preparations in Flint and after the ceremony at Soughton Hall for their reception and stay over the weekend.
It comes in handy having two photographers during weddings to capture the all important bride's preparations and the groom's too.
Lee's prep was in Flint and Stacey's in Bagyllt.
This was one special day....
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Tay & Cecilia
My assistant and I drove dow the A55 and it was a concern that this wedding would be a total washout. Luckily, the sun did shine at the right time when we needed it.
We first visited the reception in Prestatyn, the start of Tay & Cecilias wedding preparations...
And then it was to the beautiful ceremony at Bodryddan Hall...
And that was one very special day.
See you guys in December 2017 for a winter shoot by the river...
Ray
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographers: Hope Mountain Engagement: Their souls belonged in the hills...
The next time we all meet again will be on their wedding day in 2018 at Llyndir Hall but until they enjoyed time together in a place special to them....
Diane & Matthew: Erddig Park Engagement....
They chose Erddig Park for their engagement photographs. The evening light created a wonderful romantic atmosphere as they walked hand in hand into the sunset...
Two-headed sheep!
Looking forward to a magical wedding very soon....
Ray.
International Wedding Photographer: Diane & Matthew's Engagement Shoot at Erddig Park
in engagement
When an engagement shoot turns out as magical as this, the wedding will be out of this world. On my blog soon....
Happy birthday, Cheryl.
Event photographer: Rob's 60th birthday bash...(warning: nipples on show!)
It was such a thrill to be asked to photograph my friend Sophie's father's 60th birthday celebrations. I covered the whole event at the Cricket Club, Whitchurch. From the moment guests arrived, the speeches, the funny group shot, the bonkers Photo Booth and the outrageous dancing on the floor....
The pictures say it all...
One very special evening...
Thanks for asking me.
Ray.
Wedding Photographer: Kasia & Jon
in weddings
I arrived almost two hours early before the ceremony in Rhy and later the reception in Prestatyn. `I decided to drive to the beach in Prestatyn and go for a wander. I love the sea and the smell of it. I love the sound of the seagulls and the feel of the wind from the sea. I love it almost as much as weddings, intimate weddings.
It was a warm June Friday morning and the wedding of Kasia & Jon...
Dad in his greenhouse 22 June 2014 - 3 years ago today.
I was looking through my large database of images and ironically I came across this shot I took of dad on 22 June 2014. Exactly 3 years ago!
So much has happened since he left us. I became self employed. I try my best to care for my mother. I see life differently now and love every moment of every minute of each day brings.
I do so miss him and still wake up every morning thinking about him and now I realise the importance of photography not just as my business but for my memories.
Photography is a memory. A beautiful memory.
Ray
Llangollen & District Gardening Club visited Queen Ann Cottage.
It was such a warm evening. We were about to get a large garden visit from Llangollen & District Gardening Club. Before then I decided to have a stroll before it would be filled with people.
I like the way this long grass hypnotises you to walk through it like brushing with nature if you like. Most of the plants are still green, surprisingly with all the warm weather we've had.
Thanks to all who came.
Wedding Photographer: Magda & Linus
It was a dream come true when I was asked to photograph this Eastern Europe style wedding in Connah's Quay. I have lots of good friends in the Polish & Eastern European community and so jumped at this opportunity.
I always get goosebumps when I photograph weddings in Connah’s Quay as my mother and father were married there.
Magda and Linus. A small, intimate wedding that I shall never forget....
One very special day.
Wedding Photographer: Anne-Marie & Richie
I had worked a long time ago with Anne-Marie. Always a bubbly soul and when I met her and Richie and family a few weeks before for a family shoot, they were equally as bubbly.
It was a hot morning when I woke on this summer Saturday and I just new it was going to be great for the ceremony at Bagyllt church and the reception at Springfields Hotel.
One special day...
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.
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.