CourtOnCamera - Professional Wedding Photographers Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire

2008-07-24T11:01:00.004+01:00

The Barn Brasserie Great Tey - A beautiful Wedding Venue

On Wednesday I met up with Toastmasters my good friend Richard Palmer and Malcolm Brown (as Toastmaster based in Devon) at the Barn Brasserie at Great Tey. The purpose of the meeting was two fold - to emphasise to Malcolm the ways in which our two professions can operate together to ensure the Bride and Groom have a thoroughly enjoyable and memorial day secondly to view the Barn Brasserie through the eyes of wedding professionals.

As a Essex Wedding Photographer I was very impressed indeed with the Barn and beautiful surroundings - The food was superb too - The basil and tomato soup (without Brush) was to die for.

2008-07-22T07:39:00.009+01:00

Lucy and Steve's Wedding Photographs - St Mary's Church Great Baddow , Furze Hill and Ivy Hill

On Saturday I had the great honour and pleasure to be invited to photograph Lucy and Steve's wedding at St Mary's Church Great Baddow. The reception being held afterwards at Furze Hill and Ivy Hill Margaretting.

Lucy has a great love of horses, and what better way to arrive and leave the church than in a carriage drawn by two greys provided by Heritage Horse Drawn Carriage Masters.

As is fitting Lucy got carried away.........
My good friend Richard Palmer was the Toastmaster for the day - as well as providing the evenings entertainment with the Classic Nomad Disco.
Richard is also a family friend of Lucy, whose horses are stabled next to Richard's Office, and whose family home he passes every day.

Absolutely no pressure then on me as an Essex Wedding Photographer, having been recommended by one of the country's top Toastmasters, to photograph a friends wedding at Furze Hill and Ivy Hill in his presence!

2008-07-18T10:10:00.002+01:00

Abi and Russell's pre-wedding photographs at the Whitehall Hotel Broxted

Yesterday evening I met up with Abi and Russell at the Whitehall Hotel Broxted for their pre wedding shoot and planning meeting. Abi and Russel are being married in September at St Dunstan's Church Hunsdon by the Rev Marc Dunstan (no relation) with the reception to follow at the hotel.

Now for the commercial bit: CourtOnCamera THE Professional Wedding Photographers in Essex are delighted to have been invited to photograph Abi and Russell's wedding.

Now for the techie bit: The above photograph was taken with a Nikon D3 1/60sec f5.6 at 6400 ASA.

2008-07-17T16:21:00.006+01:00

The Miracle Shammy - As seen on TV

Taking a break from photographing weddings in Essex, I have just spent the morning with the team from Silver Fern Sales LtdWashing windows..........

mopping up milk.........

and wine......
growing cress......
cleaning the kitchen.......

and drying a very very soggy doggy.

All for the promotional box of the Miracle Shammy soon to be seen in just about every major domestic outlet within the UK and on TV

Tonight I am meeting Abi and Russel at the Whitehall Hotel at Broxted for their pre-wedding shoot. I am resuming my role as an Essex Wedding Photographer and I will be photographing their wedding in September.

2008-07-13T12:04:00.010+01:00

Clay Pigeon Shooting Coaching and Corporate Days in Essex - Sayes Park Shooting School

Yesterday I took a break from my usual role as a Professional Wedding Photographer in Essex, and put on my other hat - that of Qualified Clay Pigeon Shooting Coach.
Instructing alongside my good friend John Farley, Chief Coach and owner of the Sayes Park Shooting School (shown instructing above) a superb corporate day was held for local company AV-TV Satellite and Cable.

2008-07-12T06:34:00.007+01:00

Pre Wedding Photographs Pledgdon Barn - Chrissie and Sam

On Thursday I met up with Chrissie and Sam for their planning meeting and pre-wedding photo shoot. Chrissie and Sam exchange vows next month and have invited me to photograph their wedding.

We met up in Central London and following the planning meeting walked over to a local park for the shoot. The problem was with the sun shining it was very difficult for this Essex Wedding Photographer to get up and face the journey back to Epping on the Central Line which was facing disruptions.

2008-07-11T09:30:00.008+01:00

Celebrity Golf at Hanbury Manor

On Tuesday 8th July, I had the great pleasure to be asked by Result Marketing to attend Hanbury Manor and photograph the Celebrity Golf Classic. The tournament was held to raise funds for a wonderful charity - the Presidents Sporting Club and The Essex Disabled Sports Foundation.

The stars turned out in force.

John Conteh - former Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, much to their delight, joined the young sportsmen and women who were to benefit from the tournament, in games on the lawn at Hanbury Manor.

The Result Marketing Team shown above with former England (37 Caps) , Richmond and Wasps rugby player Jeff Probyn (rather fetching shorts) took the day very seriously. The warm up was highly entertaining......

.....as too was Jeff.

My mother-in-law was absolutely ecstatic to find that Mike Baldwin had not died - I explained that he was in fact an actor - Johnny Briggs MBE - but you know what soap addicts are like.

I have just taken over an allotment in Epping - Johnny insisted in giving me some very helpful tips on how to clear the long grass.....

......and deal with disappointments in life.

With Adger Brown entertaining them, you could hear one of the several First Choice Marquee teams chuckling their way down the fairways. Adger is described as one of the most versatile comedians on the mainstream circuit of cabaret.

Sir Henry Cooper OBE needs no introduction - a sporting legend.

Sir Henry is shown with the First Choice Marquee first team.

Following the tournament there was an evening meal, charity auction and presentation. It was great to put down my cameras for the first time that day and relax as a guest of Graham and Result Marketing.

The above photographs are small selection by myself throughout the day - they are copyright protected - enquiries with regards to copies and licenced usage should be directed to Graham Paffett at Result Marketing Ltd on 01279 429 372

2008-07-06T18:08:00.006+01:00

Joanne and Barry's Pre-Wedding Photographs Ponsbourne Park

This morning I met Joanne and Barry for their pre-wedding shoot at Ponsbourne Park where they are getting married next month. Barry tried his very best not to drool over my camera, but was re-assured by it's water resistant qualities (it was raining outside).

For the technically minded and of course for Barry, the above photograph was taken on a Nikon D3 rated at 6400ASA on a 80-200 Nikkor Lens 1/100sec F5.6.

I managed to get back home for the start of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and to witness Lewis Hamilton's amazing win.

On Tuesday I am photographing a Charity Golf Tournament at the Hanbury Manor in aid of the Presidents Sporting Clubs. The list of celebrities attending include: Sir Henry Cooper, Bob Champion and Frank Bruno but to name a few.

2008-07-03T16:53:00.005+01:00

Rebecca Court BA(Hons) Fine Art

Ok I am a proud father - I admit it. Yesterday my wife and I attended the graduation of my eldest daughter Rebecca from the Norwich School of Art and Design , at St Andrews Hall Norwich.
St Andrew's Hall was built over 600 years ago and was the home of the Dominican friars.
Rebecca was awarded a First Class Honors Degree. Her final thesis and exhibition focussed on what has been lost in London's East End as a result of development for the 2012 Olympics.

I was fortunate to be able to stay at the Norfolk Club less than 800yards away from where the graduation ceremony took place. Although founded in 1770, the Norfolk Club has only occupied the present premises at 17 Upper King Street since 1887. The hospitality shown to my wife and I was truly first class, we both look forward to returning in the not too distant future.

All photographs shown above were of course taken by CourtOnCamera - Wedding Photographers Essex

2008-06-27T18:52:00.004+01:00

Meet Emily and Oliver - Rag Dolls

Please meet Oliver and Milly posted as a special request for Jo, who's wedding to Chris I am photographing in April next year at Gaynes Park.

Oliver above is 3 years old his favourite habit is waking me up in the middle of the night (lately about 4am) for me to turn the bathroom cold tap on for him to drink (the water fountain being far too common).

Emily above is just 6 months old, has a different way of waking me up slightly earlier in the morning - an exposed big toe (she is very selective) is lovingly bitten.

2008-06-27T09:19:00.004+01:00

My Daughter Rebecca has appeared in the Eastern Daily Press (26 June) under the headline "'Thought provoking' student art on show - to Quote"Rebecca Court, 22, who achieved a First in a BA Fine Art, is exhibiting a multi-disciplinary installation that looks at what has been lost in London's East End as a result of development for the 2012 Olympics "

Rebecca's Graduation is next week - Due to the extreme cost of embarking on a Fine Art Degree, perhaps I should insist on being introduced as her Patron!!!

2008-06-27T06:08:00.005+01:00

Wedding Photographers in Essex and Toastmasters at Furze Hill

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet with my good friend and Toastmaster Richard Palmer together with Toastmasters Richard Waugh and Andrew Morgan - all based in Essex. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: firstly to discuss how as both Toastmasters and Wedding Photographers in Essex we can work seamlessly together for Brides and Grooms on their wedding day, and secondly to do a pre-wedding visit to Furze Hill where later next month Richard and I are working together at the wedding of Lucy and Steve

2008-06-27T05:40:00.004+01:00

Ashley and Helen Pre-Wedding Shoot by CourtOnCamera THE Wedding Photographer Essex

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Ashley and Helen for the planning meeting and pre-wedding shoot prior to their marriage later on this month at All Saints Church Edmonton and Gaynes Park (CourtOnCamera are recommended wedding photographers at Gaynes Park Essex).

The shoot took place at their home in Enfield on a somewhat gloomy evening - it had just started to rain. My trusty Nikon D3 and 85mm 1.4 lens coped well with the bad lighting and inclement conditions. For the technically minded the shot above was taken at 20sec F5.6 at 6400ASA in Ashley and Helen's front hall.

2008-06-24T11:03:00.012+01:00

Nicola and Ian's Wedding at Leez Priory

This Saturday I had the privilege of taking Nicola and Ian's wedding photographs at Leez Priory a wedding venue located in the depths of rural Essex. First founded in the 13th Century Leez Priory is a wonderful combination of rooms and features surrounded by beautiful grounds.

The ceremony was held in the tower which is only accessible by a narrow winding stone staircase to add to the atmosphere.

Fresh from photographing the Gherkin last year, I have started to develop both a taste and head for heights - Of all the wedding photographs taken, the group shot in front of Leez Priory carriage gate perfectly illustrates this. The question of course is how high was I when I took the photograph? Answers on a postcard to david@courtoncamera.co.uk.

2008-06-20T18:32:00.008+01:00

Wedding Photograph Album - Weddings at Layer Marney Tower It is for me one of the the most rewarding times (as it probably is for many Wedding Photographers in Essex), when the Wedding Album is finally delivered to my Bride and Groom. I just love watching them together open the album and look at their wedding photographs for the first time, but at the same time it is tinged with sadness in that it is the end of a very special relationship which has built up over in many cases a very long period of time.

Such was the feeling yesterday when I delivered to Jenny and James a beautiful album which recorded their wedding which I photographed at Layer Marney Tower earlier this year.

2008-06-19T06:29:00.011+01:00

Emilie's Choice - A new Wedding Album package by CourtOnCamera THE Wedding Photographers in Essex

As a professional Wedding photographer in Essex, I am constantly looking for new and exciting albums to offer my Brides and Grooms, my criteria is quite simple would I like this album for my Daughter's Wedding Photographs?

I recently went to a Mario Acerboni Trade Show and fell in love with a beautiful album which I am now offering as Emily’s Choice (my sample album arrived on Friday). This is a stunning a “Senesio” A4 wedding album from Italian Manufacturer Mario Acerboni. This album is hand made to order (taking 6-8 weeks) and has 30 sides, the cover is made of Quality full grained leather in red, brown, blue, green, or black with a simple but stylish design of an embossed vertical line across the cover, it comes with a choice of either black or white pages.

This album is strictly not for vegetarians - it has that wonderful smell that you can only get with new leather - I love it!!

2008-06-16T08:42:00.006+01:00

Jon and Georgina's Wedding at Gaynes Park and Theydon Garnon:

Jon and Georgina were married at Theydon Garnon Church on Saturday by the Rev Geoffrey Connor - Team Rector. Having seen Jon and Georgina at the Church on a number of previous Sundays where their Banns (from an Old English word meaning "to summon") were read, it was very special and a privilege to be able to photograph their wedding

From the church it was a short journey to Gaynes Park Barns where the reception was held, even though it started to rain nothing was able to spoil the enjoyment of the day.With the wedding photography at Gaynes Park taking place in the rain, how do you take a group photograph of the 130 wedding guests? As you can see by the photograph above I managed it. With the help of my trusty Nikon D3.

CourtOnCamera (wedding photographers Essex) are recommended photographers for Gaynes Park .

2008-06-13T07:51:00.007+01:00

Toastmaster Training:

Yesterday I had the pleasure in assisting my good friend Richard Palmer in the training of John Claxton a new Toastmaster from Oxford. Part of the training is to develop an awareness of other wedding professionals, what they do and together how they can ensure the Bride and Groom have a day to remember. It is surprising how this close co-operation is noticed by the Wedding Party and guests alike and is constantly commented upon - It is this total inclusive approach that makes Richards training unique.

An example can be seen above, with Richard escorting Lorna's Mother, Jan into Bocking Church prior to her marriage and wedding reception at Gosfield hall. The wedding photographs at both the Church and Gosfield Hall were of course taken by myself - CourtOnCamera.

2008-06-09T06:04:00.003+01:00

Black and White photographs are enjoying a massive surge in popularity, there is something quite timeless about an image without the distractions of colour. How often years later have you wished those fashionable purple shirts would disappear. The above photograph was taken at Greenstead Church near Ongar, but when?

See blog below for a clue!

2008-06-08T19:35:00.004+01:00

Having just received the latest version of Australian Photographer Yervant's Page Gallery software, which is specifically used when designing Graphi Studio Albums. I was interested to see what additions had been made to it. I was not disappointed, most of it's new features are linked to it's close integration with Photoshop and Graphi.There was no better way of testing the software than with a couple of images from Daniel and Fiona's wedding at the Reid Rooms on Friday.

Page Gallery is the de facto software used by the world's top photographers including Yervant himself and Bambi Cantrell - only available to professional photographers it comes of course at a suitably impressive price.

2008-06-08T12:28:00.006+01:00

Fiona and Daniel's Wedding at the Reid Rooms

Despite the threat of rain, the weather remained fine until late in the evening for Fiona and Daniel's wedding on Saturday at Greenstead Church Ongar and the Reid Rooms at Margaret Roding. Greenstead Church is generally accepted by manyas being the oldest wooden church in the world dating back to AD 654. A little know fact is that also the body of King Edmund of East Anglia (who died in 870 at Hoxne) is said to have rested there in 1013, on its way to reburial at Bury St Edmunds. Problem - how do you get out of a car with high heels when you are parked next to a grass lawn? As you can see Fiona got carried away by Daniel's soloution.

2008-06-04T06:13:00.017+01:00

The weather on Saturday was really quite amazing for Lorna and Stephen's wedding at St Mary's Church Bocking and Gosfield Hall. I really have to stand back and take a reality check sometimes, am I really getting paid to photograph two people at such a wonderful and happy event? I do soooooooooooo love my job as a Wedding Photographer in Essex.

As an added bonus the supporting crew were first class - Sue from Gosfield Hall really made us all at home, Theresa the Wedding Planner made sure we washed our hands before we sat down for our tuck, Phil Judd and the Video Crew were just plainly nice guys and are highly recommended, Mitch from Classic Nomad provided the music to his usual high standard, whilst my good friend and Toastmaster Richard Palmer made sure the day ran like clockwork - and tucked in Stephen's shirt when necessary.

Good things never last, the evening ended in fireworks - Lorna and Stephen's Wedding at Gosfield Hall was CourtOnCamera by THE Wedding Photographers Essex.

2008-05-30T08:11:00.005+01:00

When will it ever stop raining? Last night's pre-wedding shoot with Lucy and Steve was held in a stable with just a 100 watt bulb hanging high in the roof for light. We had intended to catch the "golden hour". Having spent most of the last 16 years in stables with my eldest daughter Rebecca I felt really at home. Lucy and Steve are getting married at St Mary's Church Great Baddow in July with the reception being held at Ivy Hill - the toast master will be my good friend Richard Palmer and the evening entertainment will be provided by the Classic Nomad Disco. Photography will of course be provided by Wedding Photographers Essex - CourtOnCamera

For the technically minded the above photograph was taken with a Nikon D3 24-70mm zoom 1/60sec f2.8 at 6400 ASA.

2008-05-26T18:02:00.006+01:00

It is very hard when you are just 8 weeks old to get excited when you are told that you are to get your photograph taken by Dave Court the well known Essex Wedding Photographer. But with looks like that who cares.

Please meet Chocolate Labrador Rosie Millar from Fiddlers Hamlet aged 8 weeks and 1 day.

For the technically minded Rosies photograph was taken with a Nikon D3 2200ASA 1/125 sec F2.8

2008-05-22T06:55:00.013+01:00

Whilst most of the Nation was watching the Champioms League final, the most prominent Wedding Photographers in Essex - members of the Master Photographers Association (MPA)and British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) were meeting at the Maylands Golf Club near Brentwood

The evenings highlight was a presentation by John King from Border Frames

I hear that Manchester United did rather well, which will please the Rev Clive Duxbury who is marrying Fiona and Daniel in June at the Greensted Church near Ongar.