Bridal shoot at Arley Hall - product and places photography

I've been a Cheshire wedding photographer for nine years now and in that time have got to know many of the other leading wedding suppliers in the area.

Ian Lloyd is one of the premier florists in the country, and I've known him for several years.  He runs the Flower Shop in Wilmslow, and asked me if I'd like to create some images for a new advert he wanted to run in bridal magazines.  Of course, Ian knows a lot of people in the wedding industry, including many other photographers, so I was flattered by his request.

He wanted to shoot the images at Arley Hall, a place I know well and work at regularly.  I introduced him to Katie and Lesley, who run Lace Bridal in Hale, people I've also known for several years, and who provide stunning designer wedding gowns.  They were delighted to be asked to be part of the shoot and suggested a dress by Vintage Rose Bridal.  

One of the things I most admire about Ian is his inventiveness.  He's most definitely not afraid to think outside the box.  So, we decided that in this bridal shoot there would be no bridal bouquets - instead Ian would create other object to illustrate his skills, and to complement the dresses and setting.

Here are some of the results:

Make up on the day was provided by Allysa Moss, who runs Blush by Allysa.  She can be contacted at allysa.blush@hotmail.co.uk.  It was a welcome return to Arley for Allysa, whose wedding I shot there in 2006!

Hair was done by Joe, one of the stylists at Peter Marcus hair salon in central Manchester.  Thanks to you both for all your hard work on the day.  And a special thank you to Roweena, our model for the day.

Last, but by no means least, the whole day was filmed by Craig from Unforgettable Memories, a fine videographer and all-round good guy.  His film can be viewed here.

Please enjoy the photographs and feel free to leave a comment.

If you have any products you'd like photographing, either on location or in the studio, please give me a call on 01565 777186 or email me at info@martinhambleton.com to discuss the project.

Commercial building photography

This latest post describes a commercial photography assignment that is different to the norm for me.  For a start, there were no commercial portraits!  And secondly, it ran over a long timespan.  From start to finish, this project lasted over a year.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys planned to demolish an old, dilapidated Art Room and replace it with a double storey building that would house a new Art Room and Food Technology classroom as well. I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in following the development of the build, from demolition of the existing building, through the construction and handover of the new one, finishing with images of the new classrooms in use.

I have photographed a lot of buildings.  As a wedding photographer I have taken images of beautiful stately homes, country houses and modern hotels.  Some of my past commercial clients include the building company St Modwen and the Midland Hotel after a multi-million pound refurbishment.  But this would be something different.  I'd never photographed a building being destroyed before.  There was also the time issue.  I would see this project at different times of year, in different weather and light conditions.  It was going to be an interesting challenge.

Here is the existing building.  Oh, did I mention the tight space it fitted into?

And then ....... it was gone!

Then the concrete base was poured and the new building began to take shape.

Already it looked so different.  But then the scaffolding was put up and the hard work really began!

And then there were recognisable rooms.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the finish article, in all its glory, and in use:

What a transformation eh?  

It was a great project to track.  I'd like to thank the Head, Mr Tim Gartside, for asking me to photograph the project for him.  I enjoyed every minute of it - even in the depths of a freezing winter, in a building with no windows and no heating!

If you'd like to discuss a commercial photography assignment you might like me to cover, I can be contacted at info@martinhambleton.com or please call the studio on 01565 777186.