After meeting at the studio and having a chat about the day we started with some panning techniques on location at Vazon.  Ann Bowditch provided the cycling thankfully slow enough for us to shoot.  We used a variety of shutter speeds for different effects and as us usual only manual mode is allowed as all of the auto  features (camera guessing what you want) are banned!!!

Next we went out to the reservoir to look at using flash off camera.  Eden provided the moody look, something she excels at and we used some techniques to give the pictures contrast depth and atmosphere.   The pictures you see here needed very minimal processing as all the work we did before pressing the shutter made sure the pictures were 95% ready straight out of the camera.  Next we went down to Grandes Rocques for an ice cream and a few pics in the sun as I had a couple of vibes that Eden was getting a touch chilly………

After a bar great bar lunch at the Grand Mare Sam wanted a nap but we soldiered on to the south west coast for some low light landscape work.  The Hanois can be shot at all states of the tide, low tide just means a bit of a walk but all good for burning off the burgers!!!

As with a lot of great landscape shots the good action starts after the sun sets, this day was no exception and we were shooting 30 second exposures well after the orange orb had gone.

Then following evening we met at the studio for a review of the pictures and choccy biccies!  Everyone took great pictures and I hope to see you all keep up the good work and I’ll let you know of future courses very soon!

Thanks to Phil, Sam, Andy, Richard, Chris, James and of course Eden for modelling for us.

Picture by Andy Dovey

Picture by Andy Dovey

Picture by Andy Dovey

Picture by Chris Russell

Picture by Chris Russell

Picture by James Machon

Picture by James Machon

Outdoor studio set up

Phil showing excellent technique!

Picture by Phil Horsepool

Picture by Phil Horsepool

Me making sure the brolly nearly didn’t blow over………

Picture by Phil Horsepool

Picture by Richard Green

Picture by Richard Green

Picture by Richard Green

Picture by Richard Green

Picture by Samantha Robson

Picture by Samantha Robson

Picture by Samantha Robson

Dodgy looking bunch on the rocks!

We at Creative Photography love something a bit different and the bouncy bungy thing was certainly different and lots of fun!   I nearly wet myself watching and actually trying it out was hilarious.  There were a few with bad backs (cough cough) and they missed out on some great cartoon style entertainment.

The golf was fun too, Phil fast tracked us all with a 20 minute lesson which would normally take hours, thankfully he didn’t make us pick up the balls (couldn’t find most of em to be fair)

There were prizes for the furthest bungee run (Tim Holmes) and most accurate golf shot (Richard from Living Room).  If anyone is looking at growing their business and having fun at the same time give Kate or Nicole a shout and you could be next on the bungeeeeeeeeee……..

The weather was perfect for a bit of beach photography!  We started at Port Soif and made our way round to Vazon via Grandes Rocque for a great sunset picture.

These are great sessions for getting to know the couples and of course take some fun and relaxed pictures.

I’ve been teaching Ann Macdonald photography on a one to one basis on occasions for a while now.  Ann has always had a good eye for a shot but wanted to know a bit more about cameras/lenses/Photoshop and a few techniques for wildlife.

With an upcoming trip to Africa, namely the Chobe National Park in Botswana I met with Ann to go through a few techniques regarding camera set up and panning.  I’ve since been informed shooting moving cars along Vazon is wildly different to taking pics from the back of a landrover drive at speed over rough dirt tracks (next time I’ll give Ann a piggy back and run along to give the impression of Africa)

As you can see Ann took some great pictures, the vulture ones are my favorite but the eagle having his lunch is also a cracker.

After a bit of moving round with the chairs we had the perfect setting for some relaxed and fun pictures with everyone, you can’t beat comfy chairs when you are after relaxed pictures.

We wish you all the best in the future together, thank for asking us to photograph your wedding.

I bought an 85mm Nikon lens which is super sharp and gives an amazing out of focus area.  Eden was kind enough to come out for an hour while I tested it and we shot around the town area for some urban pics.

Shooting in urban areas is fun and challenging looking for different backdrops and compositions.  To be fair most here are so out of focus you can’t really tell what they are but that is another challenge, composing for a non distracting background!

Laura started her day with a fantastic view over the islands from her room at the Fregate, it was a fantastic day and with sun and hardly any wind (remember those days).  Dan decided to spend the morning playing a round of golf at St Pierre Park.

The ceremony took place at St James, a lovely venue with some a great view for all in attendance.  We decided to visit a couple of locations on the way to the reception, starting at the reservoir and then on to the cliffs at Icart.  The pictures show the great connection between them, so many great moments to photograph.

Back to the reception at L’Auberge for some fine speeches and cutting the fantastic looking cake.  All that was left is the party!

Thanks for asking us to cover your big day, we wish you all the best for your future in Oz together :0)

After some very relaxed and fun preparations it was time to head for the church, Catherine chose a horse and carriage which was a stunning way to arrive (I wondered what the hay was for in the church car park).  St Andrews is a great venue and a lovely ceremony followed with some very touching moments between the newlyweds.  The carriage ride back to the reception gave them some nice relaxing time together.

For their shoot we wanted to incorporate some spring flowers, bluebell wood was not in bloom and some early daffodil fields had been affected by frost.  Not to worry, we found the perfect crop half way up the Val De Terres!  With a bit of creative use of camera angles and lighting it could have been anywhere in Guernsey.

Back at the reception we were treated to some of the funniest speeches we have heard.  It’s the first time we found ourselves hardly able to shoot we were laughing so much.

Thanks very much for making us so welcome on your special day, we wish you all the best for your future together.

From time to time I am asked to shoot brides to be in similar settings as a present for their fiance.  I organised a date with the Manor and Clarice was kind enough to come along and model for me and did a fantastic job as always!  We used mainly natural light as the setting with it’s dark backgrounds and big windows was already perfect.

As the competition was held in sunny Jersey I asked Guernsey’s April Turvey if she would like to model for the shoot off, and of course hoping she’d scupper Colin’s shots by sticking her tongue out or summat.  To say the weather was unkind is an understatement.  Typically for Jersey it blew a force 8 for most of the day.  On the way over one poor traveler lost his breakfast and the flight was only 10 minutes!!!

We had planned to shoot some well known Jersey venues but due to the conditions we had to find shelter firstly in a cave on Plienmont bay then in a small castle in the woods.  April did a fantastic job in the freezing stormy conditions (and the warm coffee shops) as you can see by the pictures.

After a break at Big Verns for what seemed like half a cow pie and a few discussions on the origins of April’s name we went in search of some shelter for the final shoot.  The waterfront development looked good but sadly was far to exposed.  We ended up in another wooded area on the south west coast which offered plenty of shelter.

There are plenty of great places to shoot in Jersey, maybe next time!

Thanks to Colin for carting us around all day, I look forward to the return visit when it will be at least 90 degrees in the shade .

Oh, and the result……  A draw again!