Some years ago on a funky dancefloor somewhere in Leicester I met Rosa, a French woman who could shimmy with the best of them. Years later she asked me to photograph her 40th birthday party complete with red carpets, plastic Oscars and belly dancers. This was also a farewell to Leicester as she was moving to London.
A few months ago she contacted me saying that her good friend Valerie was getting married to Sean and would I be the photographer. This was to be Rosa's surprise gift to her friend and I was happy to do the work.
I arrived at the wedding venue to the sound of the guests who had flown in from France and the sight of a French Army Officer and his impressive collection of medals. A very jolly guest gave me a firm handshake followed by a high five before launching into speech in French. I recognised the words "chaud" and "assoiffé" so I assume he was hot and thirsty. I said the name of a French footballer who I don't think he'd heard of. I later met the English groom Sean who was as calm as a man queuing for an ice cream.
Valerie was late entering the ceremony room which gave the French guests the opportunity to engage in some humourous
"chat" with me. The level of my French is such that a few Gallic shrugs was the best I could offer. The ceremony itself was very moving with tissues being required by Valerie and many of the guests. After the ceremony I was about to set up the confetti picture when Valerie told me that because of the wind direction I needed to change plan. In 25 years I've never known a Bride to utter the words "wind direction". She was right of course!
I took the bulk of the pictures in the grounds of the party venue and feel that I created some excellent work. Asking the guests to cry "Vive La France!" worked very well and I got some very animated expressions. Valerie and Sean were very patient as my flash triggers decided to go on strike and I had to use spares. The group shot was helped by my standing on a raised skateboard ramp and the risk of falling to certain death added to the jollity of the group and the pictures worked very well.
Hog roast was on the menu and whilst eating, a lady approached and told me that she was very impressed with my approach and that I had made everyone feel relaxed. "Thanks", said I. After a chat with Rosa about Leicester and a conversation with a young couple about urban development (oh yes), I said my goodbyes and headed back for Shropshire.
It was a great wedding to photograph and I can't wait to edit the work and create a wonderful book for Valerie and Sean.
A few months ago she contacted me saying that her good friend Valerie was getting married to Sean and would I be the photographer. This was to be Rosa's surprise gift to her friend and I was happy to do the work.
I arrived at the wedding venue to the sound of the guests who had flown in from France and the sight of a French Army Officer and his impressive collection of medals. A very jolly guest gave me a firm handshake followed by a high five before launching into speech in French. I recognised the words "chaud" and "assoiffé" so I assume he was hot and thirsty. I said the name of a French footballer who I don't think he'd heard of. I later met the English groom Sean who was as calm as a man queuing for an ice cream.
Valerie was late entering the ceremony room which gave the French guests the opportunity to engage in some humourous
"chat" with me. The level of my French is such that a few Gallic shrugs was the best I could offer. The ceremony itself was very moving with tissues being required by Valerie and many of the guests. After the ceremony I was about to set up the confetti picture when Valerie told me that because of the wind direction I needed to change plan. In 25 years I've never known a Bride to utter the words "wind direction". She was right of course!
I took the bulk of the pictures in the grounds of the party venue and feel that I created some excellent work. Asking the guests to cry "Vive La France!" worked very well and I got some very animated expressions. Valerie and Sean were very patient as my flash triggers decided to go on strike and I had to use spares. The group shot was helped by my standing on a raised skateboard ramp and the risk of falling to certain death added to the jollity of the group and the pictures worked very well.
Hog roast was on the menu and whilst eating, a lady approached and told me that she was very impressed with my approach and that I had made everyone feel relaxed. "Thanks", said I. After a chat with Rosa about Leicester and a conversation with a young couple about urban development (oh yes), I said my goodbyes and headed back for Shropshire.
It was a great wedding to photograph and I can't wait to edit the work and create a wonderful book for Valerie and Sean.
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