Ian and Gemmas wedding continued . . .

on to their wedding reception on the floors below.

They swoosh down the stairs – closely following a member of staff.

the plan is for Gemma and Ian to meet their guests on this floor – the landing leads to the Tunstall Gallery (it’s raining outside – so the guests are going to be circulating inside).
however . . . I mention to the staff
that I’m intending to leave the couple circulating with their guests
for ten or 15 minutes before taking them downstairs for some pictures.
the staff sieze this opportunity and take the couple away themselves
to look at the Great Hall.
I wander down there too – I might as well – I was hoping to catch the couple circulating with the guests at this point, but hey ho, adapt and survive I guess.
I adapt – and just follow the staff,





meanwhile – back in the Tunstall gallery – the guests are having a great time, Gemma and Ian have invited a magician – he’s currently baffling the bridesmaids.


It looks like there’s a choice if you’re very small. Canapes or lollipops.
or both.
oh well . . .

Lollipops win 🙂

I nip downstairs to get a handfull of pictures of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, close family – you know the sort of thing . . .
oh look at the ground – can you see the big clue that explains why we’re standing in a doorway ?

It’s raining. and as you can see – this really dampens everyones spirits.
well. not really. it would take a bit more than a drop of rain to dampen anyones spirits at this wedding !

I try to get a sensible picture of a bride and some bridesmaids.

Agh. I give up. sensible is boring anyway . . .

Gemma and Ian, sheltered from the torrential rain, in a doorway.

Oh – time is flying here – the guests have been ushered down from the Tunstall Gallery and they’re all in the Great Hall.
above – you see a table plan, with one bride and groom lurking behind it, about to enter the hall.

Everyone stands and cheers, applauds, makes nice noises as Gemma and Ian make their entrance.

one gratuitous picture of part of a small lego army that was employed to keep order on the tables at the wedding breakfast

Strum pluck and warble are busy again – this time tooting on a sax.

bored with ground level – I attach my camera to a kite and sail it above everyones heads for an aerial view

strange hand signals are spotted.
I bet you are wondering what they mean
well
I haven’t the foggiest.

still sailing above everyones heads, we get more views from up high.

back down to ground level – I notice a guest photographing a crumb.
or something.

I like to catch folks unawares – photographing them in unguarded moments, capturing their real character – not just a super smiley face put on for a camera – it’s the real person that interests me.


and this high vantage point is ideal for candid photographs which capture people just doing what they do best – being themselves.



guilty face.

a very 21st century picture. man using phone. it’s ubiquitous. I photograph things like this because they’re simply reality – he could be sending a picure of the wedding to a loved one – or checking a football score – who knows – but I still maintain that this is a very real portrait of this feller.
I bet he’s sending a picture to a loved one. it’ll be something nice.

If you want to keep your dignity – stay very slightly out of arms reach of any 18 month old wedding guests



Gemma and Ian – it’s their party and they’re clearly enjoying their day !

What’s going on in this picture, I wonder . . .
my guess is it’s a selfie.