Living in Cumbria and working extensively in the Lake District, with its wonderful venues and spectacular scenery, has given me the opportunity of taking wedding photographs with a truly different feel.
It's about combining the really special moments of the wedding day with extraordinary locations - lakes, mountains, beautiful venues, tiny village churches - it's all part of the wedding celebrations.
The beauty of this profession is two fold;
- firstly, no two weddings are alike, and, in fact, in the Lakes, no two days are alike either! I've been lucky to work with some fantastic brides and grooms over the years, and we've always had great results by tailoring the photography and style to the individual couple.
- and secondly, I'm with people on one of the happiest days of their lives, surrounded by their families and friends, looking and feeling their best, and all concerned with having a wonderful time - and that's what photographing weddings is all about.
It's also lovely to know that, when the wedding day is over, it's my photographs that the bride and groom will look back on to keep the memories of the wedding safe.
As for portraits, I love the precision and polished finish of studio portraits, but equally, a portrait in the subject's own surroundings can tell you something truly personal about their lives and personalities and give the photograph a really individual look.
If you're wondering where these dogs come in, I work as a volunteer for the Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue and these are my 2 rescue dogs, Spencer and Finlay.