Holly and Brogan - Peak District
The Peak District never fails to disappointment me.
At times its easy to take this natural treasure for granted, but surrounded by stunning views and backlit by a perfect soft light made Holly and Brogan’s preshoot something truly special. I loved walking over the tops with them and although the temperature started to dip, I wouldn’t have insisted on shooting anywhere else.
This is how it went.
Charlotte and Joe - Nottinghamshire Country Club
This was my second visit to The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club.
The first time was the amazing November wedding last year, but this time it was now at the height of summer and we had free range for our pre-shoot pictures.
I really love The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and exploring it together with Charlotte and Joe was so much fun.
This is a few from our session together.
Just family days and a whole bunch of smiles
I first met Grace and Chris back in January this year, hearing their wedding plans over coffee.
Grace and Chris are due to be married in the Fall of this year, but were keen to incorporate their family into their pre-shoot.
For their family session Grace and Chris chose a summers evening to to explore the English countryside and we joined by Ashton, Finley, & little Ollie. This is a few from our session together.
Charlotte and Sam - St Mary’s Church Wombwell
Charlotte and Sam’s amazing wedding, was one of my first weddings of the 2020 wedding season. But even though April and May have brought with them so many changes, their wedding remains one of the most important wedding days I’ve had the privilege to capture.
Charlotte and Sam were married at the magnificent St Mary’s Church in Wombwell. Their day was filled with so much love and laughter, through bridal prep to their first dance. Everyone made us feel welcome and although both Heather (Second Shooter) and I were their to document there day, we felt part of the celebrations.
Looking back, every one of their photos tells a story of love, laughter and friendship. And whilst we may have to endure these current struggles, distancing ourselves from the ones we love, it’s important to remember that these will soon pass and be replaced with many more moments like these that matter the most.
So here’s to Charlotte and Sam, Family and Friends and a little sneak peak into their fantastic day.
Charlotte and Sam - Locke Park
The recent weather has made it really challenging for me to squeeze in pre-shoots at the start of this year. If it’s not raining, it’s blowing a gale and then just because it can, mixes it up with bit of sleet and snow. With such a variation with the weather, I’ve had to cancel so many pre-shoots and hope to fit them back in when the weather picked up.
However, we were determined to overcome this challenge this weekend and in the mist of a schedule fun run in Locke Park - Charlotte and Sam, along with their second shooter Heather, ventured out into Locke Park.
Yes, there was some challenges, lots of runners, large puddles and a bit unpredictable weather.
But it was so good!
A new website launch
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been currently working to launch a new website.
I've met some amazing couples over the last three years and visited some truly awesome venues.
I wanted to include as many of these as possible.
So its time for something new and I'm digging the new style.
LabLogic Ball – Center Parcs
I’m always a little behind on blogging, but after being invited to document the annual LabLogic Ball at Center Parcs, Sherwood Pines I couldn’t help but share these on my blog.
This year LabLogic decided to try something a little different and invited everyone to come in fancy dress. I couldn’t believe how amazing everyone looked and overall it was a privilege to be a part of something so fun and unique.
These are a few of some of the amazing costumes.
Abby and Sean - Haarlem
The last wedding of the season and what a way to end the year.
Abby and Sean’s wedding at Haarlem Mill was simply amazing!
Even the December rain didn’t put a dampen on this magnificent wedding at this stunning venue.
This is how their wedding happened.
Dee and Aaron - The Nottinghamshire
Dee and Aaron’s Christmas wedding was perfect from start to finish, the rain passing over and providing us with a beautiful soft glowing winter light.
This wedding was one filled with love and laughter, surrounded by Dee and Aaron’s family and friends.
After a magnificent firework display, Dee and Aaron danced into the evening.
I’m so glad to be part of this.
Samantha & Allan – Van Dyke
Photographing Samantha’s and Allan’s wedding, at the Van Dyke Hotel is a wedding I will forever have fond memories of. From their preshoot with their family at Whitwell Woods, I knew it would be a special day, with truly an amazing family.
Van Dykes is always a beautiful venue to document and today was no exception, as everything was perfect for both Samantha and Allan. From the early hours of bridal prep, Allan’s arrival in the VW Camper, through to their reception in the evening was a joy to be part of.
It was privilege to document their day and when they invited me to be part of their day they truly meant it.
Here’s to you all and all the future memories you’re yet to make.
This is how their day went
Memories that last forever
I am excited to announce that from this Fall, I will be introducing a new range of products to Lee Towndrow Photography.
I always look for products that help to represent my creative style, my work as a photographer and characterise my brand. More importantly it’s finding those unique products that your story truly deserves, one’s which you’ll love to show to your family and friends, keep on display, but at the same time preserving your memories for a life time.
they would be the ideal presentation box for Lee Towndrow Photography.They are the perfect way of sharing your story with friends and family at home, at work or in a coffee shop.
Each one of these stunning, handmade, wooden presentation boxes comes complete with an engraved front, USB stick and a selection of 6×4 prints from your wedding day, which you can instantly share with your loved ones. I am happy to announce that they will be available to order from late September and can be included as part of your wedding collection.
Kimberley & Paul – Sitwell Arms
For Kimberley and Paul’s wedding, I got an opportunity to document their day at both The Sitwell Arms Hotel and at The Proact Stadium, which is the home of Chesterfield Football Club.
As soon as they mentioned that they were going to have a first look, I knew this was going to be an amazing day. I loved being able to document Pauls reaction as he opened his eyes and saw Kimberley walk down the stairs.
This was such a wonderful experience to be part of and something truly special and personal to both Kimberley and Paul. They were one of the happiest couples that I had ever had the pleasure to work with.
This is how their day went.
Charlie & Ashton – Norwood Park
This is the story of Charlie and Ashton, who were married at the magnificent Norwood Park, surrounded by countryside in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Their entire day was perfect through bridal prep, their heartfelt emotional ceremony and partying late into the evening.
Charlie and Ashton, along with their family and friends, were a pleasure to work with and I was so sad for my day to end.
I wish them both all the best for the their future as they start a new family together.
This is how their day went.
Jessica & Christien – Cressbrook Hall
This is the story of Jessica and Christien, who were married at Cressbrook Hall in the Peak District. The beautiful 23 acre estate is made up of woodlands, countryside parks and it’s very own mansion dating back to 1835.
They gave their vows outside under the archway, watched on by their family and friends, before partying the night away to the sounds of The Natterjacks.
Jessica and Christien are truly two of the most incredibly kind and caring people you will ever meet and It was a pleasure to document their wedding.
This is how their day went.
Genna and Nay – Norwood Park
This is the story of Genna and Nay who were married at Norwood Park, surronded by beautiful orchards, oak trees and lakes, on a
gorgeous sunny September day.
They were married under the sun, watched lovingly by their family and closest friends. There were so many moments and memories I will take away from this wedding. It was beautiful from start to finish, filled with so much emotion from two of the most kindest and generous two people you will ever meet.
Here’s to you and all the new adventures yet to come.
Hello Spring, that soft morning light
Oh, how we’ve missed you. It’s been far too long since you hibernated away for the winter, but I’m so glad your back.
Living in England, especially near the Peak District, we don’t really experience seasons the same as other countries do. The weather here doesn’t seem to slowly get warmer in spring, or colder in winter. It just seems to happen, as each day has a mind of its own and more often than not will be a mixture of cloudy, rainy, windy, drizzly, freezing and at times a little bit of sunshine….its so unpredictable.
A Chatsworth wedding in the snow
This is the story of Hannah and Jamie, one which begins on a Sunday morning in late March. Their day started by waking upto a soft blanket of white snow, that fell in a flurry through the night and now spread for as far as the eye could see.
Hannah and Jamie’s wedding day couldn’t of been more different from their pre-shoot in the fall last year. Colourful autumnal leaves spread out in a sea of colour were now replaced with shivering trees huddled in snow coats. The ceremony and reception were both at Chatsworth House, which is a truly remarkable venue in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside. What made it extra special was the drive over the tops as the snow fell lightly from the sky.
The little moments and pre-shoot vibes
There are many reasons why I love engagement sessions and pre-wedding shoots. Maybe it’s the calmness of it all, or the quirkiness of some of the locations, or maybe when it comes down to it, it’s because this is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other better, you, me and the camera.
My aim is to tell your story of your love and your individuality. I love to hear your ideas, of how your story will unfold, where it will start, where you want to go and the moments we will capture. The best part is everyone’s story starts differently and where it starts is entirely up to you.
Picking your location should be personal choice, it should reflect you both and be somewhere you enjoy being, or means something special to you both. Just because you’ve seen a location that someone used before, or if there is a perfect pond nearby doesn’t mean it’s perfect for you.
It’s important that you’re comfortable in your surroundings, as you’ll straight away feel more relaxed and at ease. So, if love embracing the outdoors and surrounding countryside, pick a location that represents this. If your adventurous head off the beaten path, look for woodland trials or beautiful vistas high in the Peak District.
It doesn’t always have to be stunning views, or blossoming flowers. Subtle locations provide just as much variety and often mean so much more. Did you meet at the station, stolen glances as the train pulled in to the platform? Was your first date at a coffee shop, or a picnic in the park, or perhaps he proposed as you strolled down the canal as people stopped and smiled…I’m sure you get the picture.
But don’t worry if your location doesn’t come to you straight away, I’m always happy to give pointers, to help you find the right place for you both. Just make sure wherever you decide to go, is personal to you.
Once you’ve decided on your location, you’ll need to decide when to go.
Ideally, we don’t want any rain, but that goes without saying. And the light is best when the sun is starting to drop from the sky as it creates a warmness and a subtle glow, so late afternoon onwards. In summer I would recommend around 7:15pm depending on the sunset, which I will always check closer to the day. In spring it’s always earlier, especially as the nights draw in a bit sooner, so this all depends on the month we go.
Alternatively, we can head out early in the morning, before the sun starts to stretch and rise from it’s slumber. You’ll have to be early rises though, often meeting about 5:30am in the summer, as this allows us to capture the best light and at times if we’re lucky a haze that pops out on your photos to life. I always suggest these times, as not only does it provide the best light, but the crowds will have gone, or not yet arrived and we’ll be free to roam making the most of the session.
That all sounds great, but what do I wear?
Wherever you’ve decided on going you’re going to need some comfortable footwear. If we’re rambling through fields and woodlands, I’d advise against heels. That’s not to say you can’t bring them, as I can always carry them by tying them to my bag. I always like to vary the photos as much as we can. That often means walking from one location to another, it won’t be an all-day hike but it certainly won’t be in one spot.
Always try and wear something that represents you both, mainly casual smart is the best way to go. Do you prefer flowing summer dresses and pumps, or are you more of a jeans and boots kind of girl? I always recommend staying away from transparent clothing, these never look good on photos and avoid loose baggy tops which often have the tendency to fall off the shoulder, leaving exposed straps.
If the style of shirts, blazers and long dresses appeals, then by all means go for it, but make sure its fitting to your location choice. These are best suited to urban areas or country manors where parking is close to the location of the shoot. They’re not suited to t trekking along woodland trails, or into the countryside as you’ll soon become hot, uncomfortable and at times a little muddy.
For guys shirts, plain t-shits and jeans are safe options, as long as the shirt doesn’t have any crazy designs, I always like photos with no logos as they’re more timeless. You also don’t need to carry any phones or wallets in your pockets or in your bags, they’re simply not needed for the photos, so you can leave them in the boot of your car. If you really need your phone, don’t worry as you can always put it in my bag, just in case if you’re expecting that urgent call.
So, when it comes down to it, the session is about you, the celebration of your love, your individuality and of course the love you share.
After all, that is all that matters here.
Timeless bliss
There are times when everything clicks, pieces come together and fall into place and when you look back over the images you find yourself smiling….
Karen and Andy’s wedding was just one of those moments, a day and a couple I’ll never forget. They were married on a chilly November day, in the picturesque town of Buxton and even though my part is now done, I still look over their images and remember what an awesome day it was.
Tips for your bridal preparation
After months of planning the morning of your wedding day has finally arrived. You’ll be filled with excitement, anticipation and at times a few nerves, but trust me that’s all to be expected. It’s an incredible experience and something you’ll remember for years to come. Its a morning like no other, it’s unique to you, one surrounded by family and friends, filled with smiles and laughter
So whether you’ll be getting ready in the hotel’s bridal suite, or in the comfort of your own home, the following tips will help to make your bridal preparation as stress free as possible and help in capturing some truly special moments.
Let there be light
Bridal prep forms an important part of your wedding day. You’ll be spending a significant portion of your day getting ready there, surrounded by your closet friends and family.
A spacious room is always most suited for this, as it allows me to move freely without getting in the way of your make-up artist or hairdresser and limits bridesmaids, or flower girls being in the background.
When capturing bridal preparations it is really important for the bride to be positioned in soft natural light. The make-up artist will normally position you close to the natural light from the window. This light is extremely flattering and can make all the difference in your photos.
Just remember to choose a spacious room, with ample natural light.
A tidy room
This will be the furthest thing from your mind on the morning of your wedding day. However, in doing so will ensure that you get the very best out of your bridal preparation photos. The idea is to remove distractions from the room which will be captured in your photographs. A simple tip, is to get your bridesmaids to quickly tidy up before you all start getting ready.
Bright rooms with the least amount of clutter and blank clean walls work best, but that’s not always achievable. Just try to make sure you’ve removed items from the windows, piles of clothes, boxes, carrier bags, luggage, or food wrappers which maybe on the floor.
Less is more
When capturing bridal preparations, I always recommend trying to keep the amount of people in your room to a minimum. This is especially important if space is limited, as small rooms soon become cramped when filled with bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of the bride, hairdressers, make-up artists and now me moving around the room documenting you getting ready.
Think about the size of your bridal party and the rooms in which are available for you to use, in the hotel, or at home. Look to use these rooms to free up space and clutter. You’ll be able to allocate these for your bridesmaids, play areas for the flower girls, or even to use them for storing bags and freeing up space for you.
Although it should go without saying, when utilising more than one room, always make sure you keep the best room to yourself. This is obviously the bridal suite in the hotel, but can be often overlooked when getting ready at home. The master bedroom is most likely the best location, but just make sure you keep the most spacious room with the best natural light, with the biggest windows.
The detail shots
It’s always useful to keep all the detail and sentimental pieces together, such as your dress, shoes, flowers, perfume, notes or gifts from your groom. This will allow me to quickly position these and document them without interrupting you, or your bridesmaids.
Often hanging the dress in the bridal room whilst getting ready, helps to capture the scene and tell your story. There are times though where I will look to move the dress and shoes to different locations.
Time
Even though you’ll be familiar with your timeline, it’s always worth sharing this with your bridesmaids or mum, so they can keep an eye on the days running order. Time can soon disappear in Bridal prep, so having someone there to keep an eye on the time is always a good thing.
Always try and be ready at least thirty minutes before you leave for the ceremony. Not only will you feel more relaxed, but it will allow time for more creative bridal photos, along with portraits of you and the bridal party.
