With 2014 now behind us, I’ve been looking back through all the weddings I’ve photographed over the past 12 months, and I’ve enjoyed seeing how the overall feel of the pictures changes with each season. As we get ready for the exciting 2015 wedding season, here’s an overview of what happened at Gomes Photography during the last year:
January
Rest, rest and a bit more rest.
February
February brought my first wedding of the year at Gaynes Park, and luckily it also brought some fantastic weather – practically unheard of for this time of year. The combination of the wintery environment, coupled with the shining sun provided so many opportunities, and I am proud that one of my Gaynes Park pictures won a gold award with the Societies. Sadly, the weather turned a bit as February drew to a close, and I was faced with floods when photographing Heidi & Tim’s wedding at the Surrey National Golf Club, but that didn’t stop us getting some amazing shots.
March
March was a busy month for me as the early spring is when many brides and grooms begin to search for wedding photographers for the following year. However, despite my busy schedule, I was only too happy to make time for Kim & Tom’s wedding at Camden Lock, and Katherine & Craig’s wedding at Old Kent Barn. Both locations were new to me as a London wedding photographer, and the bizarrely warm weather allowed me to take full advantage of the surrounding scenery.
Another first for me during March was acting as a Jewish wedding photographer for Jennifer and Andrew who got married at the Park Plaza Victoria. Initially out of my comfort zone, I quickly learnt about the fascinating Jewish wedding traditions, including the Tisch and the Bedecken.
April
In April, I found myself back once again at Gaynes Park for Victoria and Jonathan’s wedding. I was last at this beautiful venue back in February, so it was a great opportunity to see how the surroundings had changed as the cold winter transformed into a fresh spring and really brought the gardens alive. Later in April I was asked by Marie and Andy if I’d be interested in doing an engagement shoot for the couple. I had already been booked to shoot their upcoming wedding at Northbrook Park, and had a great time really getting to know these two prior to their wedding day.
May
May is a month that really stands out for me during 2014, not just for the amazing venues I was fortunate enough to shoot in, but also due to the memorable characters I met. One couple that really stands out are LJ and Jamie who married at Fawsley Hall. These two were so passionate about their wedding photos, and I love it when brides and grooms really take an interest in their wedding album. Jenna and Glen also stood out to me – they married at Wasing Park, but I’d first met them many years ago at another wedding I was shooting.
As for venues, I had the pleasure of shooting at Essex’s Crondon Park for the first time, I experienced the beauty of Haileybury College in Hertfordshire which is set amongst 200 acres of lush green parkland, and I even photographed a wedding at the prestigious (and highly exclusive) St Paul’s Cathedral – that’s an experience I’ll never forget! Luckily I don’t have to wait too long to go back as I’m photographing another St Paul’s Cathedral wedding in 2015.
June
Although I’d been hectic since February, June is when the wedding season really kicks up a notch, and I had a number of weddings on the books this month, including a wedding at the Painted Hall in Greenwich. This is a hugely popular venue due to the intricate artwork adorning the walls and ceilings, and this was to be just the first of many weddings I’d be shooting at the Painted Hall this year.
June brought the opportunity for me to say hello to some familiar faces as I photographed Marie and Andy’s wedding at Northbrook Park following their earlier engagement shoot, and also a chance to visit Leeds Castle in Kent for Jarmila & Davids wedding. This month was made extra special with two destination shoots that took me out of my comfort zone – a trip up to Skibo Castle in Scotland for Hedvig & Ander’s post-wedding party, and also a jaunt over to Malta for Stefanie & Avnish’s celebrations.
July
This month, I photographed two weddings in quick succession that couldn’t have been more different, and this is something I really love about my job. Daisy and Ben married at the chic, stylish, and contemporary Bingham Hotel, while Katie and Laurence married at the more traditional Middle Temple, which offers spectacular views from its rooftop location.
July’s weddings definitely made sure I was always kept on my toes, especially when it came to Miray & Adam’s wedding, which included four – yes four – different venues in typical Egyptian style. Fortunately, this was the hottest day of the year and the venues included beautiful spots such as the East Winter Gardens, so it was a true pleasure to be a part of.
At the end of the month, I joined Natasha & Richard at the historic 11th century St Albans Cathedral for their beautiful summer wedding.
August
This month, I found myself once again back at the Painted Hall, this time for Sai & Paul’s wedding. I never get tired of shooting at the Painted Hall – one of my absolute favourite wedding venues in London. I also enjoyed a flying visit up to Glasgow for Tara & Mark’s wedding at the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel, and had the chance to further hone my skills as a Jewish wedding photographer for Charlotte & Ben’s wedding at London’s Hotel Russell.
There were many highlights in August, including shooting at the Kensington Roof Gardens which I hadn’t realised was licensed for weddings – it’s got arguably some of the best views in all of London – and a wedding at the Admiral’s House at the Old Royal Navy College. I’m proud to be the approved photographer for this venue so I know the place inside out, and I love shooting weddings here amongst the incredibly history.
September
September was a chance for me to further perfect my Jewish wedding photography skills at Rachel & Paul’s wedding at Sopwell House, known for it’s spectacular gardens. However, although I now felt up-to-speed on the Jewish wedding traditions, September did bring some challenges for me as a London wedding photographer – trying to choose shooting locations from the million excellent choices at September’s venues!
During this month I visited the Old Royal Navy College which is steeped in history, the exquisite country house at Stapleford Park, and at a private country home for Katie & Jack’s wedding.
October
As summer was drawing to a close and autumn was beginning, it was a pleasure to also work at one of the country’s grandest country houses – Gosfield Hall – which I think really comes into its own as the weather gets a little cooler. It’s warm and cozy, and it’s ideal for beautiful autumnal weddings. Fortunately, the weather played nice and I was able to take the dramatic sky shots that I’ve become known for (no, they’re not photoshopped!).
November
I had anticipated November to be a quiet month as the main wedding season came to a close, but I was mistaken! Lucy & Storm contacted me to say they would be getting married in just 6 weeks time, and wanted to know if I was available for December. I never turn down an opportunity to photograph the lovely Northamptonshire countryside, so I spent this month fully preparing for the winter weddings coming up next month.
December
Along with Lucy & Storm, I had another winter wonderland wedding to shoot in December. My final wedding of the year took place just before Christmas, in the Great Hall at Eltham Palace. Although it was bitterly cold out, the art deco interior made us all feel warm and comfortable, although I did drag the couple outside to get a photograph in front of the magnificent sunset.
Well that was 2014. Writing up this brief summary has again made me realise exactly how lucky I am to do the job that I do. I get to meet some incredible people and I look forward to staying in touch with them as they go from clients into friends.
If you’d like to sit back and watch this 3 minute slideshow showing a photo from every wedding. Of if you prefer please scroll down and see the montage I created.
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If you’re going to watch in Full Screen mode please click the settings button and select 1080p
Here’s some of my favourite photos from 2014.
Finally to all of my stunning Brides of 2014 🙂
It would be remiss of me not to mention the amazing Photographers and Assistants who joined me throughout 2014 and made everything you have seen about possible. Wedding’s wouldn’t be the same without the help and support of these fantastic folk.
John Erskine
Soven Amatya
Bernard Pretorius
Oli Sandler
Csaba Grosz
Jim Davies
Nigel Latham
Richard Purvis
Peter Flowers
Peter Denness
Dewan Demmer
Adrian McGonigle
Martin Cheung
Mark Nortcliffe
Leo Dolan
Konrad Mroczek
