Back in the UK, I was never interested in joining any of the UK photographic organisations. The SWPP (Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers) is disparagingly referred to within the trade as 'The Camera Club' (Okay, I admit I once joined for a year to get a free softbox - but only becuase it was cheaper than buying it!) and they organise some competitions, usually won by the same old faces - and they do so love a traditional image! The MPA (Master Photographers Asscociation) is meant to be for full-time pro's (which is debatable) and I really don't like the guy who runs it (I'm really sure about that!) Again, their competiton judging is often called into question by photographers who I respect. There's stories of gag-orders, legal threats and god knows what else, but suffice to say 'head office' is referred to by the membership as 'The Kremlin.' You get the picture! (boom boom!)

But here in Oz, we have the AIPP. The Australian Institute of Professional Photography is an enormously well-respected organisation which was always of interest to me. So, we've joined up, and are now accredited members of Australia's leading photographic organisation. This binds us to a code of conduct and means we can start entering competitions, something I've never felt the need to do before! Cross your fingers for us, this is an exciting new direction for me - and being the competitive sort of feller I am, I'm already dreaming up ideas of killer images which may win me some gongs!

I've been spectacularly bad at blogging recently - for which I apologise, but just been soooooo busy!

Anyway, just to check all's working well, I thought I'd share a quick pic of each of my recent brides and the snap below, one of my favourites from this year. I'm back home to Oz this week and I'll get lots more blogged and facebooked from the last few weddings and portrait sessions - Promise!

Rebecca - a fellow photographer's wedding day! http://www.rebeccamayphotography.co.uk/

Kirsty

Hazel

 Amanda

 Laura & Niall

It was off to Canterbury yesterday with Amanda & Jason for a post wedding shoot. They're an American couple from South Carolina and having got married, are travelling Europe and currently staying in Canterbury. Amanda found us via our website and wanted some nice snaps of the two of them together. Here's a few of my favourites from a fun session with a fun couple!

Well, still here in England for another few weeks but with the sun shining, it's not a bad place to be! Saturday saw me at Elvey Farm in Pluckley for the wedding of Sarah and Lee. This is the first time I've visited the farm which is lovely venue - a real piece of England set amongst the fields of Kent. The weather was perfect and Sarah looked stunning (Lee looked good too! ) for their wedding outdoors and the marquee reception afterwards. Fantastic day!

Rebecca's a photographer with her own busy,portrait business. Steve's a a lecturer in photography. So, no pressure then! But it's a great honour to be chosen by fellow pros to photograph their big day, which for Steve & Rebecca is to be held at Cooling Castle Barn in a couple of weeks. I've been really looking forward to this wedding since we first met ages ago at the Cooling wedding expo!

Well, it was windy and at times, pretty cool, but we got some lovely snaps at our pre-wedding shoot with Kirsty & Stuart. With their wedding at The Old Kent Barn just a few weeks away, it was time to strike a pose and get through the 'fear barrier' that most couples have when we point a camera at them! What we usually hear at the end of the shoot is 'actually, I quite enjoyed that....' - often from the groom! In any case, Staurt didn't look toooo terrified, and I'm pretty sure Kirsty enjoyed herself!

It was off to Canterbury last saturday for a pre-wedding shoot and get-together with Ashley & Matt. Their wedding takes place at Eastwell Manor, one of our favourite UK venues!

So, back in England for two months of weddings and it was great to meet up with Laura, Niall and the family and bridal party from their wedding in May back in Australia. First off, we went to Bodiam castle for a one-hour photoshoot with the bridal party. Then it was back to Niall's parents house for a quintessentially English blessing and reception, flowers, floral tablecloths, garden games, Pimms and a Ceilidh! But th eirony was of course, that having travelled to Oz for their wedding at North Stradbroke Island and been disappoited with the weather, the UK provided blue skies, red-hot temperatures and enough light to keep the most jaded photographer happy!

So, here's a few more of Niall & Laura - yet again, an easy and fun couple to photograph, a great group of guests and a fantastic day from beginning to end! 

Lauara & Wedding had flown in from England for their wedding at North Stradbroke Island but despite the weather deciding not to play ball - with high winds and rain on and off all day - it was a beautiful occasion and a wonderful day. This meant a wedding indoors, but we managed to get outside to take some photographs throughout the day.

Laura's a local girl from just across the water at Cleveland - and she looked stunning - no other word for it! She's also particularly camera friendly - so my job was easy! Niall managed to look cool in his clan's tartan (and probably WAS cool, as he was wearing it in the traditional manner....)

We first met up in 2009 at a wedding expo in England - whilst they were looking for a tog to photograph the blessing in July they're having on their return to Kent.

When we started speaking, it turned out that Level Eleven would be in Australia, just 100kms from their wedding venue on May 28th - and then, briefly back in the UK for their blessing! So, you've already seen the pre-wed shots, here's the wedding images, and the UK ones will follow in July!

Laura, Neil, it was a true privelige to photograph and be part of your day - I'm already looking forward to seeing you all back in England for Part 3!

Although we're based on Queensland's fabulous Sunshine Coast, we get plenty of enquiries from Brisbane, The Gold Coast and Hinterland. But our wedding this week is to be held on the fabulous North Stradbroke Island. After meeting up in Cleveland with Laura and Niall, a 45 minute ferry ride took us across to the island for a look at the venue and to take a few pre-wedding shots. Unfortunately, due to time-constraints (they'd only flown in from England a few days before!) we couldn't arrange a time for a proper engagement session but we snapped a few lovely photos and they settled into their stride well in front of the camera!

So, just a few days to go and we're back for the main event - in the mean time, here's a few favourites!

To the right of the picture is the headland where Laura & Niall's ceremony takes place.... not bad huh? 

 Reception in the Surf Life Saving Club!

Thanks must go to Laura's mum Helen for stepping in as a lightstand!

Looking across to the headland and SLSC where the ceremony will be held.