Fun with the kids

It's been a pretty busy period with weddings recently....so much so that my kids had realized that they weren't the subject of my cameras attention for a while...and they missed that. So we decided to take a few fun shots recently and these are the results.

The first shot is "all the boys" (Lauren was staying with her nanny when we took this). It's similar to the start of the old American comedy/sitcom "The Brady Bunch".

The second image is a composite (made up of three different images). Firstly, Lauren was put sitting on a chair and the image was taken from a low point of view to give some realism to the fact that we wanted to pretend that she was floating off into the air above us. Second and thirdly, I held Liam and Colin up in the air (they were grasping a sweeping brush) and remotely triggered the camera via the timer. The fact that their legs were dangling made the image look a bit more authentic. Finally, the image was shot against a white background which I replaced with a dramatic sky. The kids love the end result even though they don't always understand what I'm doing when i'm taking the images!

Lorraine & Declan

Lorraine and Declan recently married in Bushypark Church Galway with the reception in The Galway Bay Hotel.
Their wedding day was unfortunately the wettest that I've experienced....but it certainly didn't keep them from enjoying themselves on one of the biggest days of their lives!

Beautiful flowers from "A Stem Above".

Guests arrive to Bushy Park Church in pretty wet conditions

Declan, Shane, David & Kevin sprint for the church door as the rain comes down in sheets!

Taking some shelter in the church 

Bushypark Church

Beautiful flowers by "A Stem Above"

Galway Bay Hotel 

Lorraine, Declan and his buddies

The beautiful Lorriane

One of the best parts of the day for capturing emotions is during the wedding speeches. Here, Peter (Lorraine's father) recounts some lovely memories of Lorraine's early years.

Lorraine & Declan are presented with "Hard Hats" from a family member. I'm not sure if they were for protection from the best man's speech, or if it had to do with some of Declan's experiences while driving machinery with Oaklawn Developments?

Amusing stories about Declan's "dance moves" are shared by best man Shane.

First dance as Mr & Mrs Murray

Although Declan received a ribbing about his dance moves during the best man's speech, this move was certainly pulled out of the top drawer....both of you looking like professional dancers here guys!

Declan enjoying himself!

Siobhán & Colin

Siobhán and Colin recently got married in St Mary's Church Headford, followed by a reception in The Castlecourt Hotel Westport.
All of the "Child Of Pragues" that were left out in Headford the night before the wedding definitely did the job.....the wedding day was hot and sunny and everyone was in good spirits.

Wedding Rings

St Mary's Church Headford

Cong, CoMayo

The Monks House in Cong Co Mayo

Cong

Alan's offers up a few words for the bride and groom

The sun goes down on Siobhán & Colin's wedding day

First dance as Mr & Mrs Lee

PCH Debs

Well done to the students of Presentation College Headford (PCH) who had their Debs last week.

I set up a hi-key studio in the Anglers Rest Hotel where the students congregate before departing on buses to their destination.....which this year was the Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe.

Plenty of style and panache on display!!

Linda & Graham

Linda & Graham recently recently got married in the most charming church that I've been in for a while in Meelick. The day was the hottest we've had this year which led to a great "party atmosphere"......everyone enjoying their drinks outdoors and soaking up the beautiful day.

Linda doesn't show any signs of nerves during the morning

Linda and her dogs at her home. The dogs were brilliant subjects for photography (as well as Linda's horse), well behaved and worked the camera well!!

Graham, Mike, Keith and Paddy chillin' before the ceremony.

 church

Gerry walks Linda up the aisle

I was a bit slow here Mike wasn't I.........nearly caught you chewing the nails!!

No signs of stress or nerves here!

Linda & Graham stroll the beautiful grounds of Kinnitty Castle

Clare, Karina and Emer looked fabulous on the day....the lads didn't scrub up too bad either!

I think this image epitomizes the party spirit of the day.....all having fun with refreshments to hand!

First dance

Thanks lads for a great day.......throughly enjoyed the company of Michael Bracken on video also!!

SWPP Winning Image

This image came joint first recently in a SWPP (Society Wedding & Portrait Photographers) wedding competition themed "Let's Party". The image was taken at Gearóid and Olivia's wedding in the Ardilaun House Hotel with the beautiful Olivia being the focal point of the image.

The other images in the competition were of high quality so I'm pretty happy with this result!

Boudoir Photography

A boudoir is a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room. The term derives from the French verb bouder, meaning "to pout".
"Boudoir Photography" is a selection of images of a female dressed in a manner which is appropriate for her private room. I've heard a lot of discussions among professional photographers with regards to this side of their business, and in particular how popular it's becoming.....apparently there are thousands of brides in Ireland whom create an album of "boudoir images" which they present to their "husband to be" the night before their wedding.
I must admit that I had researched this type of photography.....but it didn't take me long to realize that as a male photographer, it would be quite difficult for a female to come into my studio, and within a matter of minutes, expect her to be posing.....possibly in a seductive and intimate manner....very quickly. This is something that I know I wouldn't be comfortable with, and in all likelihood, neither would the female subject!!
My friend and associate of Boudoir Girls Natalie Greer however specializes in this form of photography and I recently had the opportunity to assist her on a shoot. As I use the Canon 5D mark 2 SLR, Natalie wanted some video footage of a shoot to use marketing her business, so this was the main reason why I was present (honest to God Elaine {my wife!!})
I must admit to being a small bit tongue tied when the shoot started (....well it's not everyday that I'm confronted with a model in lingerie!!!) and it's easy to see why Natalie has become so competent at the work that she does. She built up a rapport very quickly with her subject and really helped her to come out of her shy shell. At all times she gave polite direction to the "boudoir girl" to help her get the most from the shoot while at the same time helping her to preserve her modesty. Natalie is also exceptionally good at creating themed shoots and this particular shoot was themed on Marie Antoinette. Well done Natalie and Sharon, you were both brilliant!!!
Below are a couple of images from the shoot.