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Ninjas in Outer Mongolia!

Things have been a little busy lately preparing a submission to the Sheffield International Documentary Festival Meetmarket. This is for makers of documentary films. Those that make it through have the opportunity to pitch their film to a huge number of commissioners from around the world. It’s like Dragon’s Den for doco makers 🙂

For those that don’t know, since before my car accident a few years ago, I’ve been making a documentary about ‘ninja’ gold miners in Mongolia – nomads who lose their herds to climate change and turn to illegal goldmining in order to survive. I finally have enough energy to be able to work on the project again; the storyline is more relevant than ever with a state of emergency declared in Mongolia last year after one of the harshest winters to date, with livestock dying in their millions and Fairtrades impending introduction of a Fairmining Gold Mark .

It’s not photography, but I thought I’d share with you the quick teaser we put together. Mongolia is an extraordinary country of great beauty, strength and grace and with the longer film, I hope to pay testament to that as well as this little bit of sensationalism!

It is thanks to the good will and hard work of many that we have got this far, but right now special thanks go to Gansukh Baatarsuren, Robin Grayson, Rachel Grierson, Tom Sharpe, Sasha Djurkovic, Lucia Ashmore.

If you want to watch the teaser, click on the grab above or go to http://www.vimeo.com/14604803

A few BTS stills:

26 Aug ’10
A country affair: eco, rustic wedding at Folly Farm

**AS FEATURED IN WEDDING IDEAS JAN 2011 ISSUE!**

A day in the country
Bunting, haybales, teepees, a hogroast and bluebells…this was a truly country affair. The Avon Wildlife Trust’s glorious Folly Farm [www.follyfarm.org] bathed in surprisingly glorious sunshine, atop the Mendips, was the perfect venue for this rustic wedding, embellished with plenty of lovely decorations handmade by friends and family and a fabulous dress made by the seamstress extraordinaire Gill Cockwell of Gilly Woo Couture (www.gillywoo.com).

A fortunate accident
I wasn’t even meant to be there. Someone else’s misfortune had turned into my good fortune; Faye and Dave’s wedding photographer pulled out a month before the wedding. Without a contract to protect their investment, they were left in the lurch. With little notice, they had to find a new photographer. Photographs for several feature articles had to be delivered. As the wedding promised lots of handmade touches in a rustic setting, I originally recommended Rosie Parsons [www.rosieparsons.com] and Owen & Charis at O&C Photography [www.oacphotography.com], with the intention to second shoot. It would have been an honour to work with either of them.

A different challenge
In the end, Faye’s friends, Chris Marshall and Mike Clarke, took up the gauntlet and then she asked me to come along too. Between them, the videocameraman and yours truly, things were…interesting. The main challenge was keeping the others shooters out of the frame! For me, my favourite shot of the day came at sunset. I always carry an extra wide angle lens in my bag, but rarely put it to use at weddings. The couple were sitting for some of Chris’ pictures on a bench by the pond. Suddenly the pond was filled with all the colours of the sky and I realised that having very few minutes before the sun disappeared, I cleared everyone out from around the pond and got my shot.

Added bonus
Faye kept the cost of her wedding to a minimum by trading off goods, services and favours (!) against the promise of press coverage. I was more than happy when she selected my pictures to be submitted to Wedding Ideas magazine [www.weddingideasmag.com] , which were featured in the January 2011 issue, to be followed by further publications.

Some of the highlights (scroll down to bottom for full gallery)

Folly Farm Orchard

Bunting galore

Hats off to you kind sir

The arrival of the bride

Traditional decor

Delicious nibbles prepared by a chef friend shipped over from New Zealand

The bride arrived in style

A wonderful gnarly tree standing atop the hill

Faye, the blushing bride

Cute bunches of local blooms

Centrepieces made by the talented matron of honour

What character!

Heavens above

Into the night

Illuminating

Spellbound

Ole!

Gleaming smile and ring

Knees up!

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7 Aug ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: Togs

Some of the incredible talent behind the photographs.

After a full day of shooting, shooting, shooting at the first Photography Parlour get together, some of us still had energy to get a bit to eat, all sat around one table (well several actually) for a great feast hosted at the ever brilliant One Stop Thali. I took a few snaps of people around the table.

JOSEPH YARROW [www.josephyarrow.com]
Bristol documentary wedding photographer – capturing moments with style

CHARIS & OWEN WARRELL [www.oacphotography.com]
Pembrokeshire wedding and portrait photography – creative, warm and romantic stories

KIRSTEN MAVRIC [www.kirstenmavric.co.uk]
London lifestyle portrait photographer – contemporary, fresh work

MARYANNE HAWES [http://www.lightanddayphoto.com]
Chepstow family portrait photographer – relaxed, fun portraits

DOMINIQUE BADER [http://www.dominiquebaderblog.com]
London wedding and portrait photographer – beautiful, classic images

CHANELLE SEGERIUS & CRAIG BRUCE [http://www.segeriusbruceblog.com]
London husband & wife wedding photography team – high end photojournalism with flair

Last but not least, the amazing ROSIE PARSONS [www.rosieparsons.com]
Devon wedding photographer – funky, fun, contemporary weddings

Thanks for running the Photography Parlour [http://www.thephotographyparlour.com] and arranging this amazing G2G Rosie!

An exhausting day, but I can’t wait to do it again! Thanks Rosie, Vicky and everyone else to made this day such a success.

30 Jul ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: Miss Cherry Delight

Saving the best for last, these pictures of Miss Cherry Delight (Gemma) are my personal favourite from the day. I loved shooting Gemma. The combination of her striking looks, amazing vintage dress and colourful tattoos made for a very individual look. These images are my favourite from the day because they have a real cinematic feel, as if they are stills from a film.

For me, the best shoots are ones where the model connects with the camera and the magic happens; an emotion or a feeling is created with the image, a story is told and you want to know more. Most models can smile, strike a pose and stand so a dress looks good, but to convey something of yourself or a character through to the viewer is what makes models like Kate Moss more successful than another girl down the street. Sometimes you have chemistry with the model, sometimes it’s a complete surprise until you see how the images are shaping up.

It was a great surprise to find that I could make this kind of connection during a shootout. Gemma has a great look. I hope to work with her again!

I’ll let each of these tell you their own story:

Credit where it’s due…

Model:
Miss Cherry Delight (Gemma) http://www.modelmayhem.com/1663173

Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.com

Dresses
www.vintagedress.co.uk

China and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Catering
www.mcbaile.com

Cakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.uk

Flowers:
Floriture www.floriture.com

Makeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

28 Jul ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: Clara

Clara is a natural model with a great contemporary look that the camera loves. Between organised shoots, I snapped up the opportunity to get a few shots with her.

I loved the clean lines of the gown she was wearing and the fabulous floral pendant created by Floriture. Together with her mass of curls, Clara had a striking silhouette. The sun was high in the sky, making exposure tricky, but with some care, I got some of my favourite images from the day that really had the feel of a glorious summer day aboard a yacht.

Through the looking glass:

Pausing for thought:

Classic styling:

On the deck:

Clara wasn’t the only one that loved this floral pendant by Floriture:

The beautiful Clara B, who will be plenty in demand after this shootout:

Stunning corsage from Floriture:

Deep in thought:

The fashion shot:

Credit where it’s due…

Model:
Clara B http://www.modelmayhem.com/1417038

Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.com

Dresses
www.vintagedress.co.uk

China and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Catering
www.mcbaile.com

Cakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.uk

Flowers:
Floriture www.floriture.com

Makeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

27 Jul ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: Sylvie

This was my first full shoot with a model at the G2G. Sylvie is a stunning model, whose dark features and olive skin are a combination of German and Bulgarian ancestry. She was kitted out in a beautiful vintage wedding dress, gloves and matching accessories, courtesy of Vintage Dresses. A bride in a beautiful gown is always centre of attention and this was no exception.

We headed along the harbour then caught the little ferry (with bemused ferry master!) that took us over the SS Great Britain, we snapped a few pics there before being ushered on by the powers that be. The sun was particularly harsh during this shoot and Sylvie has the longest false eyelashes on, which looked stunning, but lead to dark eyes on some of the pics. Still, I like this set of photographs for the spirit that they show, thanks to the energy that Sylvie put into her work.

Photographing at a shootout is a very unique experience, some groups took it in turns to direct the model, in others it was a complete free for all, which I’m sure is good paparazzi training. Sylvie took this in her stride. She is a fantastically proactive model, who was very responsive to direction. It’s always great to work with a model who enjoys being photographed, which is no mean feat with ten cameras pointed at you!

If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.

Ladies and Gents, Sylvie…

Bristol Fashion:

Ahoy there:

My favourite shot of Sylvie, with the coloured houses of Clifton Wood in the background:

Wonderful vintage accessories provided by Vintage Dresses:

Harsh shadows, but I love this shot of Sylvie, strong and spirited:

Sylvie loved to striking a pose:

Anchors away!

The Titanic shot:

Onboard the Harmony megayacht:

Alice in Wonderland:

Credit where it’s due…

Model:
Silvi http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1216312/0

Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.com

Dresses
www.vintagedress.co.uk

China and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Catering
www.mcbaile.com

Cakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.uk

Flowers:
Floriture www.floriture.com

Makeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

12 Jul ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: The Captain’s Table

Alas, I had to miss the beginning of the Photography Parlour G2G in June, but made sure I didn’t miss out on shooting the incredible spread that Vicky from Vintage Teasets, Cake Matters and Floriture had prepared on the Captain’s Table onboard the Harmony Megayacht. A cornucopia of cupcakes, flowers, chintz , vintage furnishings, pearls and whimsical detailing, all set on the handsome dark wood table.

Whilst I snatched a few snaps in between model shoots, I was lucky enough to find Sylvie who was posing for a few ideal housewife photos!

If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.

Without further ado…

[nggallery id=2]

Credit where it’s due…

Model:
Silvi http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1216312/0

Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.com

Dresses
www.vintagedress.co.uk

China and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Catering
www.mcbaile.com

Cakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.uk

Flowers:
Floriture www.floriture.com

Makeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

5 Jul ’10
Photography Parlour G2G: Janka

The Photography Parlour is a website and forum run by wedding photographer Rosie Parsons for aspiring pro photographers. The emphasis is mainly on vintage and wedding photography, but all are welcome! I love the articles she features on the site, from first assignment to ‘celebrity’ photographers!

Last month, she organised the first Photography Parlour G2G (get together) in Bristol, with photographers coming from all over the country for a shootout filled with vintage dresses, yachts, teasets, cakes and flowers!

The first model I worked with was Janka. A tall, stunning blonde with a versatile look who responded well to direction. I gatecrashed this shoot halfway through, by which time, Janka had started to take ill. She remained professional and stayed on until our session was completed, but the tension in her body became increasingly evident in as the shoot progressed.

So, she doesn’t look at her radiant best, but I’ve put these pictures online anyhow to thank Janka and the girls I was shooting with. If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.

Ladies and Gents, I present you with Janka!…

A little vintage fashion glams up Bristol Harbourside:

With the start of an unseasonally(!) good stint of weather (perhaps even a real summer), we were challenged by strong sun, but better than a storm!

Kirsten Mavric brought along this cute prop:

Glamour comes easy:

Classic beauty, the Harmony Megayacht that kindly hosted our event is in the background:

Fine weather for a 99 Flake:

Shades of lilac:

Credit where it’s due…

Model:
Janka www.modelmayhem.com/1556691

Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.com

Dresses
www.vintagedress.co.uk

China and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Catering
www.mcbaile.com

Cakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.uk

Flowers:
Floriture www.floriture.com

Makeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

30 Jun ’10
Story behind the image: The Big Blue

I was in Cuba and had hit a fair few of the more rural areas of Cuba from the wild untouched lands of lizards and lava to the dirt tracks atop sierra ranges. I had started in and had a bad time in Havana two weeks before and had had a stomach bug for most of the time since then. I was absolutely loving the country and its people, staying with local people in their Casas Particulares and eating local food, but I needed some TLC before returning to Havana on my way home.

Cubans are not allowed to transport foreign people in their own cars. We got around this by a Cuban hiring a ‘tourist’ car (how he did this, I do not know) and driving me anyway. He took me to Cayo Santa Maria, on an archipelago north of Santa Clara. He did this because he had never been there and was curious, as locals were not allowed on the island. We went over a hundred bridges linking the coral islands and when we reached the guarded barrier, he said he was my boyfriend and we were allowed through. I can’t imagine how strange it must have been for him to see abundance that he didn’t have access to on the other side of the barrier. He stayed for a cocktail and he left.

Dark rainclouds were on the horizon. A storm moved in and cleared just before dinner time. I ventured out over the slope that led to the beach and was astonished to find crystal clear shallow waters stretching out for a kilometre or so before the sea bed dropped off to deep blue waters. The completely still sea reflected all the colours of the sun battling the retreating storm, from orange to purple and back again, melting into the sea. It was impossible to see where sea ended and sky began, you were caught up in endless sea or sky and a moment of absolute serenity. I glimpsed an otherworld; brought back to Earth by the fish darting between my feet, brought out to play by the rain.

But no, I didn’t have my camera with me…the ultimate sin for a photographer. But I don’t think I could ever have recorded that moment anyhow. This picture was taken a couple of days later when the sun was presiding high in the Caribbean sky. Some people say that Cuba’s beaches do not shine. They have clearly have not ventured far. I went to several wonderful beaches in Cuba, this one was the best. I do hope it is never spoilt.

29 Jun ’10
And we have lift off!
Welcome to my (mainly) photography blog! Anyone who knows me will know that I have been wielding my camera at unsuspecting subjects around the world for more than 15 years now. My work has mainly centred around documentary photography, including weddings and music photography.

Sign up to my RSS feed if you want to be kept in the loop. What will you be signing up for, you say? Well, if I manage to keep this thing going, I will be:
- sharing the stories behind some of the images I’ve taken
- keeping you up to date on new photography projects
- giving quick glimpses into some of the other projects I work on
- making known my opinion on things photography related
And of course anything else I think is worth sharing! I’m new at this, so let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see. What can I say? Sorry it’s taken me so long…sharing my images and stories is long overdue!
24 Jun ’10