Gideon's Bar Mitzvah - The Park Lane Hotel

Last Saturday I left the Wedding Photographers in Essex to the cold wet and windy weather and went to the Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair to Photograph Gideon's Bar Mitzvah

I had previously met Gideon and his family the week before for a family photo shoot.

The room was magnificently decorated in a Red/Black theme.

The dancing was wild - I wouldn't have expected anything else.

The highlight of the evening was when Gideon sang on stage with Diana Vickers of X-Factor fame.

A fantastic time was had by all - I left a very tired Essex Wedding Photographer or should I say Bar Mitzvah photographer at the Park Lane Hotel.

For all his family and friends Gideon's Bar Mitzvah Photographs are now on line.

Kristy and Tom's Wedding and Wedding Photographs Down Hall Hotel Essex

On Saturday Essex Wedding Photographers CourtOnCamera had the pleasure of photographing Kristy and Tom's Wedding at the Down Hall Hotel Essex

Kristy's two sisters (shown top left above) were amongst the seven Bridesmaids in attendance.

The ceremony was held in the magnificent Prior Room of the Hotel

In the evening I was able to try out for the first time my new Lowel ID light in front of the floodlit facade of Down Hall

Throughout the day I had the great pleasure working alongside my good friend and Toastmaster - Andrew Morgan, and for the first time Cheema of SVS Videos, not to forget Anna the Wedding Coordinator of the Down Hall Country House Hotel

All Photographs of Kristy and Tom's Wedding and Wedding Photographs Down Hall Hotel Essex are copyright THE Wedding Photographers in Essex - CourtOnCamera

An Essex wedding Wedding Photographer does Memphis

Having 34 relatives in the USA (at the last count) this Essex Wedding Photographer tries to visit them as often as I can.

On this Occasion my cousin Len his Father-In-Law Don and I got in a car and made the 8 hour drive from Indiana to Memphis Tennessee - the home of the Blues and Rock and Roll.
It goes without saying that Gracelands - the home Elvis was top of the list of places to visit.
What struck me about the mansion of perhaps the most famous recording artist ever was how it felt very much a home to be lived in.
It also gave a fascinating insight into the contemporary designs of the time - cathode ray TV's in banks of 3 reflected in glass ceilings.
Pleated fabric walls and ceilings in the snooker room.
Most poignant was The Kings last resting place in the grounds of his home alongside his parents and twin brother.
Memphis is of significant historical interest and houses the National Museum of Civil Rights centred on the Lorraine Motel. It was was on the 4th April 1968 that Dr Martin Luther King Jnr was shot when he left room 206 - the motel is perfectly preserved as it was on that fateful day.
The Sun recording studios are also located in Membphis - Jonny Cash, Elvis started their careers here. The list of recording artists that have used this studio which is still in use could fill a book - Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis and U2 are but a few.
The bullet hole in the studio window was an unexplained mystery however - I thought it better not to ask!

The Lansdowne Club Annual Art Exhibition

On Monday I took time out from being an Essex Wedding Photographer to attend the Launch of The Lansdowne Club Annual Art Exhibition - It is also where I fence (once in a while).
Opening the exhibition and pictured above, fell to David Whitehouse the Club Chairman.The star exhibit was without a doubt an Installation - "Mal de Dents" (Acrylics and Piano), by Club Members and International Artists - Usher and Gallant.

All photographs copyright Wedding Photographers Essex - CourtOnCamera

The English Toastmasters Association - THE Toastmasters for Essex and the UK

Yesterday in my Essex Wedding Photographer's role I was invited to join my colleagues within the English Toastmasters Association for a Trafalgar Day Celebration and Training Event at the County Hotel Wedding Venue Chelmsford.The event was co-ordinated by my good friend and Essex Toastmaster Richard Palmer

Sue Lees from Sue Lees Consultancy also attended to guide members in their web development and promotion strategies. Whilst I gave a short presentation on "My Mates in the Wedding Business".

As a Wedding Photographer in Essex the importance of a good Toastmaster cannot be understated.

Photograph at the County Hotel copyright Essex Wedding Photographers - CourtOnCamera

Carenna and Gareth's Wedding Photographs at Boreham House

On Saturday Essex Wedding Photographers CourtOnCamera had the great pleasure photographing Carenna and Gareth's Wedding at Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and Boreham House Wedding Venue near Chelmsford.
Throughout the day, the Toastmaster was my good friend Richard Palmer, the Disco in the evening was provided by Classic NomadIn the 1930's Boreham House and the surrounding 3000 acres was owned by Henry Ford.
I think the weather surprised everyone - it was glorious! Richard (with his red coat always on) was on hand to look after Carenna and Gareth throughout the day, he was especially welcome arriving with a timely drink of iced water - served of course in Crystal glasses.

I hope to be invited to photograph many more Weddings at Boreham House .

All images are copyright CourtOnCamera Wedding Photographer Essex

Jo and Barry's Wedding Photographs Ponsbourne Park
On Sunday I had the great pleasure in photographing Barry and Jo's wedding at Ponsbourne Park near Hertford - This Essex Wedding Photographer became a Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer for the day.
Although the morning started out cloudy and damp the afternoon broke out into bright sunshine - an absolutely glorious day.
After the obligatory smoochy first dance, Barry and Jo broke out into a Jitter Bug - no easy feat in a wedding dress.I was really taken by surprise (and absolutely delighted) in the evening when Barry requested a photograph with an old family friend. It had been less than 6 weeks since I had photographed Mr John Conteh - former Light Heavyweight Champion of the World at a Celebrity Golf day at Hanbury Manor in aid of the Essex Disabled Sports Foundation.

All photographs by CourtOnCamera - The Wedding Photographer Essex and now Wedding Photographer Hertfordshire

Tea and Toastmasters (no marmalade)

One of the greatest pleasures that I have is meeting my good friend and Toastmaster - Richard Palmer (seen below with Lucy and Steve when I photographed their wedding at Ivy Hill last month) and members of the English Toastmasters association.
Yesterday I met newly enrolled Toastmaster Geoffrey Cornwell from West Sussex. We discussed at length the role of Toastmasters and how from an Essex Wedding Photographer's perspective we can work together to ensure the happy couple's day goes without a hitch (other that between themselves).

All photography copyright CourtOnCamera Wedding Photographers in Essex

NetCom92 - The absolutely Complete Entertainment System

Taking a break from being an Essex Wedding Photographer, this week I put my commercial photographers hat on for Graham at Result.

The problem with photographing such an amazing piece of kit as the above complete entertainment system by NetCom92 for their new brochure and website, is that you can't take it home ... I REALLY WANT ONE as did both the models Carly and Jason .

I had better start saving my pennies and photograph a few more Weddings in Essex.

The Wedding Photographs of Ashley and Helen All Saints Church Edmonton and Gaynes Park

This Friday I had the great pleasure of photographing Ashley and Helen's Wedding at Edmonton and Gaynes Park near Epping Essex - An Essex Wedding Photographer's dream.

The service was conducted by the Rev Barry Oakley who has known Helen throughout her life (I believe he Christened her) and who came out of retirement to perform the ceremony.

Entertainment for the little ones was provided on the day by a real Princess .....
Throughout my good friend and Toastmaster - Ted Prior ensured that everything ran smoothly. Wedding Photography in Essex and at Gaynes Park could not have been more perfect!

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.

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.