RT Weddings – Wedding Photographer Blog

Wedding Photography at The Roebuck Hotel in Ware, Hertfordshire

After the warm dry start of May, I was really hoping that the weather would stay nice for my Friday wedding, but after the Thursday where it didn’t stop raining I became increasingly doubtful. The forecast was for a showery day! However, I awoke Friday morning to sun streaming through my window and was very relieved to see the weather men at the BBC were wrong! I arrived at the Roebuck Hotel (http://www.theroebuckhotel.co.uk/) to find that Katie the bride wasn’t quite ready… They never are… :)

But Katie was well worth the wait and she looked absolutely stunning all in white. She was wearing a beautiful dress, a sparkling necklace that her father had given her and was really glowing with joy.

The rooms at the Roebuck aren’t huge, but even in the smallest of locations it is possible to get some group shots of all the Bridal Party and didn’t they look happy.

The staff at the Roebuck Hotel were very very accomodating and helpful throughout the wedding day and the registrar had no objections to photography throughout the service, even allowing me to use my flash (which was a relief as the lighting in the room was a tad dark). Katie and Craig wanted a complete selection of photographs from formal to casual and also lots of natural expression.

I was even able to roadtest my new lens, the Canon 75-200mm F4 USM IS (http://www.canon.co.uk) which was superb at close ups and also candid style shots. I was also relieved to find it is nowhere near as heavy as the old 80-200 F2.8 L series lens. Lens and camera fit neatly into my ThinkTank Pro Speed Belt holster (http://www.thinktankphoto.com), leaving me free to capture with my main camera.

Although the Roebuck doesn’t boast the biggest or most extravegant grounds (if I’m honest, it is fairly limited for outdoor photographs compared to some venues I’ve experienced), I did manage to find some angles which really worked and the open top balcony area is really quite pleasant. I enjoy the challenge of making the best from a location and I’m sure you would agree that the photographs reflect this.

By switching to my zoom lens I managed to capture some great energy and movement from the children who were excitedly running around and throwing confetti at each other, it was fun. By converting to black and white the imagery can look much stronger and really bring out the emotions involved.

I always like to take the couple around to various spots at a venue and capture some romantic looking shots. We found some great locations, although tight cropping was needed to avoid displaying the side of the building or unsitely road signs from the main road which runs the otherside of the hedgerow.

At the front of the Roebuck I used the entrance looking out to capture the following photograph. Again slight blurring of the background has really made this photograph come alive. I think the photo gives a feeling of “a relaxed couple”, and by them holding hands a symbol of “partnership”.

On a wedding I try to capture all of the individual details, from the flowers, table decorations to the balloons and the cake. These can all be used in the design of the album as background fades, the perfect finishing touches to symbolise the day. I do think that natural lighting and the glow from candles can add to the mood of a photograph.

Katie and Craig really loved the idea of having a portrait studio set up at their evening reception they even mentioned it on their invitations. This did mean I was kept very busy, but added to the already large selection of photographs. The “evening reception portraits coverage” is all part of my full day wedding day service and adds to the bride and grooms album choice and is a great way to capture family and friends who may not have been able to attend the ceremony.

Katie and Craig even made use of it themselves and can you blame them? I thoroughly enjoyed playing a part on their wedding day and cant wait to start designing their album!

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings

“Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby”

Not wishing to turn down work on a Sunday, I attended a Ruby Wedding Anniversary at Fanham’s Hall in Ware (http://www.fanhamshallhotel.co.uk) and took my friend Cheryl along with me as an assistant. She has had some photographic experience in journalism so I left her snapping away merrily. The venue at Fanham’s is fantastic and boasts some of the best gardens in the county.

After a rather wet Saturday I was again surprised that the weather stayed dry and slightly overcast, which is great as it reduces those harsh shadows sometimes causes by harsh sunlight.

The beauty of having another photographer snapping away is that you can capture moments when people are most unaware or occupying themselves like this gem that Cheryl captured.

Margaret and Trevor were given my services as a present by their daughter Sally and she especially liked the natural style photographs like this one of the happy couple.

Fanham’s is also a great location for indoor photographs as the bar area is extremely well lit with natural daylight, which meant there was no need for flash and I was able to use my zoom. By there being two of us, it meant that people quickly became immune to our presence.

These kind of shots will really compliment the formal posed shots which were taken and would look great in a personally designed book.

It wouldn’t be an occasion without the cute grandchildren running around and hiding.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and managed to capture a really good coverage from the party and I hope that the couple are pleased with our results.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings

Wedding Photography at Pearse House in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire

After the perfect weather on my first wedding of the season I was not disappointed by my second wedding. Another beautiful May Saturday and this time the wedding was all at one location, Pearse House (http://www.pearsehouse.co.uk/). Yvette and Dennis wanted a casual selection of photographs and asked if I could capture the emotion of their special day. I do enjoy being less intrusive and the freedom of taking a more journalistic style of wedding coverage. Although I still included some formal group shots, but I do get these done quite quickly as I know this can be a hassle for all involved if they go on too long.

As with most venue based weddings, the registrar was very accomodating with regards to the photography which meant I could capture the ceremony up close and personal. The flowers were supplied by Shirley’s Flowers in Sawbridgeworth (http://www.shirleysflowerdesigns.co.uk/).

Ah, the confetti shots… I find it works well to ask the confetti throwers to surround the couple in a horse shoe shape and am usually pleased with the results.

With the use of a tight angle I have managed to avoid the housing estate and just captured the couple and the greenery in the background, all from the upstairs balcony.

Dennis and Yvette had a mini casino on their evening party with roulette and black jack which I had not seen at a wedding before and it went down rather well. I don’t think the banker will be beating a hand like this below.

As part of my wedding service I also offer the option of evening portraits and a mobile studio using the lastolite HiLite setup (http://www.lastolite.com/hilite-backgrounds.php). This can really add to the selection of photographs for the couple and is also fun for me too.

Another great day, with a great group of people!

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings