It started to snow when I arrived at the cottage yesterday and it's still snowing now with over 10inches. A perfect opportunity to get out my camera and capture this ancient cottage and grounds....
Happy Christmas.
Ray
North Wales Photographer: Visiting friends...
That time of the year again when time seems to be on our side a little bit more and we get the opportunity to see people again and nurture new and old friendships and discover the interesting locations of friends....
So looking forward to a quiet Christmas and New Year.
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Mastering Exposure Manually
Hi there and it's time to discuss manual exposure. You constantly let me know via email or messenger that you find it hard to master manual exposure so it's about time you were helped so here's a basic run down of how it's achieved.
You must first and foremost read your cameras manual and if you don't understand it read it again and again. It's so important to understand how your camera works. You drive a car after you've taken lessons and the same is true about photography!
For the photograph of the swans in the photograph below, manual exposure was used with spot metering. The spot meter (the circle in your viewfinder) was positioned over the nearest swan. Looking at the meter +2 stops of exposure compensation was given to render the swan as white with detail.
Think about what's just been said.
Cheers and happy snapping.
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographers: Matthiew & Diane's barn wedding...
in weddings
We all the most magical engagement shoot a few weeks before their but their special day was even more magical.
Let the photos do the talking...
One very special day.
See you soon with the album and thank you for asking me and letting me into your family.
Ray
North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Matthiew & Diane's Wedding
This afternoon. I'll be blogging about Matthiew & Diane's barn wedding.
Stay tuned at about 5pm today!
Beside the Thames, below the Bell Tower & among the tombs of the Tradescants...
It will probably be, so far, the pinnacle of photographic career when I photograph in London on Friday evening. I don't really do nerves anymore with taking photographs but I do have butterflies and thoughts about the evening. Will the lighting be satisfactory, etc.
Dress: Botanical chic. I have my new plant motif braces and waistcoat!
I'm just going to enjoy it all and thank my lucky stars that have been asked to photograph it.
Why do I adore London so much? If this makes sense, I'm an ant there amongst millions of ants!
Ray
North Wales Photographer: Colour correction in Lightroom....
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 & 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.