Tag: reportage

  • Kate & John’s sun-filled Chateau wedding…in the Worcestershire countryside

    Chateau Impney Worcestershire Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    I’m soooo behind with my blogging! But here is a fab wedding from earlier this summer – a surprise day full of sunshine in between rainy days that ended with a glorious sunset which meant we could take advantage of the beautiful grounds at Chateau Impney.  Chateau Impney is a French-styled chateau that the original owner decided to build…in Droitwich, Worcestershire! It is currently undergoing renovation, bringing the bedrooms and suitably Rococo interiors up to par with the exterior.

    Unusually, I hadn’t met Kate or John before the wedding as I had to step in quite late in the day. I absolutely loved covering the bridal preparation – Kate and her close friends knew each other so well and were having a riot. They were super welcoming and I had great fun with them as they got ready, even though I had to turn down the several glasses of champagne they offered me 😉

    Kate and John met on a night out in Leamington Spa and have been together ever since. Kate works in HIV research and in lieu of wedding favours for the day, they made a very fitting donation to the National Aids Trust http://www.nat.org.uk/.  There was a lot of love in the room that day – all their friends were so happy to see them unite, including bridesmaid Anita who had detoured enroute from the Middle East to America to be there! After a dreamy sunset, the day was drawn to a close with a fantastic live band, including a set by John’s brother.

    Kate and John’s love for each other brims over throughout the photos of the day, a few of which I’ll share with you now!

    Credit where its due…
    Dress: Bea Bridal Southampton: http://www.beasbridal.co.uk/
    Hair and make up: Angela Fergusson https://www.facebook.com/AngelaFMua
    Other wedding beauty: Lou and Hannah at Halcyon Beauty: http://www.halcyonbeauty.co.uk/
    Cake: M&S with amazing sugarcraft flowers by bridesmaid Rachael!Florist: http://www.the-wedding-house.co.uk/the-flower-house/ (Kate and Wendy)
    Wedding stationery: http://www.bydonnablundell.co.uk/

    With thanks to my second shooter Kerry.

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Chateau Impney Droitwich Documentary Wedding Photography by Marie Man
    If you’re interested in stylish documentary photography for your Chateau Impney wedding or event, get in touch with Marie.

     

  • Zoe & Michael: Zoers and Lammers get hitched in a haunted house

    Gloucestershire Haunted House Wedding by Marie Man

    I’d been looking forward to Zoe (Zoers) and Michael’s (Lammers) wedding all year.

    It was a gloriously sunny day at a very special venue – Woodchester Mansion, one of my favourite places. Zoe and Michael chose Woodchester because they wanted somewhere local that was a bit different – that they could also take over and make their own for the day as many of their friends were coming from further afield. In a secluded National Trust valley, the house was never finished. As a result, there are fireplaces in mid air and floors that were never put in. A charitable trust was set up to save it from ruin and the team are now working hard on restoring it back to the state it was in when construction stopped. It is the kind of place that you want to explore as soon as you see it and so Zoe and Michael gave the guests time to have a look around the mansion before the ceremony – the mansion only had a basic track leading down to it, so guests had to be ferried by minibus down to the mansion.

    Zoe’s sisters live in Australia and America and are rarely together, so Zoe’s family hired a gorgeous house in Wooton-Under-Edge for the week. She got ready at Edge Beauty which was just next door with her sister Amy who was head bridesmaid. In the meantime, Michael was at a cottage in Ozleworth with his son and his ushers. You can see from the pictures that they took advantage of the lovely weather to bask in the sun amongst the lavender and butterflies.

    The wedding had lots of personal touches with their very own kegs of beer that Michael had brewed especially for the wedding, home-made favours and tables named after their favourite local places. They had been looking forward to the paella for a long time. So much so, that they were quite disappointed when the weather turned out to be so good that everyone was outside enjoying the sun instead of seeing the ‘live theatre’ of the paella being cooked. They couldn’t complain about that too much though as it made the setting so idyllic! And I can testify that the paella was very nommy indeed, equalled by the hogroast that fuelled people dancing into the night.

    Michael’s son Joe had a great time and pretty much stole the show with his speech and later on with his dancing too! But by far and away, the thing I totally loved most was that Zoe and Michael are simply a super awesome couple and it was clear how much they loved each other, and it was clear all their friends think they are awesome too. I love that you can see in their photographs just how happy they were to get married – you can see them giggling at each other and then dancing their way into the wedding banquet. In fact, there were plenty of laughs and giggles throughout the day. Thanks for a really fun day!

    Most of my coverage for the day is documentary, but as an experienced fashion photographer I also offer my couples the option to get more creative with the posed shots. As this was such a dramatic venue, I went for a variety of bridal portraits – I really wanted to shoot inside the mansion, so we went up into the roof, traversed scaffolding to shoot by the stunning rose window in the chapel, got creative with smoke and lighting in the scullery and still fitted in some natural shots outdoors. What a portrait bonanza! I hope you like them. Special thanks go to Morag who was helping me out that day. Without further ado, here are their photos (and apologies for lack of blogposts recently…lots of weddings will be posted soon!)

    If you are interested in documentary wedding photography, drop Marie a line.

  • A countryside affair – Bonnie & Will, Charlton House: Shepton Mallet, Somerset wedding photographer

    The Speech, Shepton Mallett Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Do you remember Bonnie and  Will? They had found me after being referred by an old school friend. After our fab pre-wedding shoot by Clifton Suspension Bridge, I was really looking forward to covering their countryside-themed wedding for them.

    Letter from the heart - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Final preparations - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    The preparations took place in Bonnie’s home village of Croscombe in Somerset. She prepared for her wedding at her mother’s charming cottage and it was a real family affair with her brother Ben giving her away, her young brother James being pageboy and her cousin travelling all the way from Australia to be her bridesmaid. James was particularly excited heralding “Bonnie Alert!” when she came near. My favourite moments from the cottage are of Bonnie writing her speech (yes, she had one too) and reading a letter delivered from Will that made her weep (fortunately just before she put her mascara on).

    In the meantime, what better way for a groom to calm last minute nerves than enjoying a pint with his ushers and best man at the local pub before jumping in a Triumph Spitfire to make it to the church on time!

    Boys will be boys - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    The ceremony took place in the neighbouring village of Dinder, in its quintessentially English church. Real rose petals were strewn and despite a week full of rain, the sun shone for them gloriously. The couple and I made a sneaky stop off at a field overlooking Glastonbury Tor to capture their first few moments of married life. I love it when newly weds get to spend a few minutes away from the madding crowds and have a moment to revel in their new status! All too soon, it was onward to Charlton House near Shepton Mallett, recently under the new management of Duncan “Dragon” Bannantyne, for drinks on the lawn, Jenga, croquet, dance, lots and lots of sweets, flowers, a “real” cheese cake, cheese buffet and an all round damn fine celebration.

    Thank you to Bonnie and Will for inviting me to be part of and capture their day. Back today from their honeymoon in Greece, I’ve just found out that it’s also Bonnie’s birthday. Happy birthday Bonnie!

    Here are a few images that give you a flavour of the day, scroll to the bottom for the full gallery. With thanks to James Bailey for his brilliant second shooting

    Dinder village church - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Newly wed - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Wedded bliss - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Blessings - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Man and wife - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Will & Bonnie - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Beneath the old tree - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Hilarity - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Framed - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Thrones - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Flowerpots - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Rings of gold - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    A hat for all seasons - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Happiness - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Real cheese - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    We are family - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    I think we're alone now - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    A walk in the clouds - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Handmade with love - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Tuckshop treats - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    In the limelight - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Caught - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    [nggallery id=15]

  • Harmony, an urban wedding – Bristol wedding photographer

    Swept Away

    Kelly and Paul had a fabulous wedding that celebrated Bristol, the city where they had met and fallen in love.  I knew they had been planning a fairly no-nonsense wedding, so I was surprised when they announced that as well as the church and brasseries, they had booked…a megayacht!  The wedding played out at several locations across the city, starting close to where they lived, in fact Paul managed to fit in a swift pint at the pub before heading to church!

    The megayacht was a fantastic venue and after several frosty weeks, we were all delighted to see the sun come out to greet us which meant the guests could revel on the yacht’s huge upper decks, although I personally thought it was a shame that no one wanted to take a dip in the hot tub.  Although huge (with a lounge, dining room, several decks, dance hall, bedrooms and more!), working onboard did provide some photographic challenges in terms of space and lighting on the lower decks, so we had decided to do the couple’s shots at a park near their home.  Actually they loved having this part of the day to themselves, having a moment to cavort and bask in the sun and also take in the reality that they had done the deed. Shooting in the park was a fun experience with local ‘wildlife’ dressed in varying shades of neon wandering through our photoshoot. Gotta love Bristol.  

    I loved the moment during his speech when Paul revealed that when he first met Kelly, he had thought “this is the woman I want to marry.”  The stuff that fairytales are made of.  Weddings are such huge events, I feel privileged as a wedding photographer to share the rare moments that a couple spends away from the madding crowd.  As part of my signature style, I work with the couple to create key creative images that they would like to put on their wall in its own right, wedding picture or not.   From this shoot, I particularly love the series of pictures of them walking through the trees because their house is in the distance and has that much more meaning to them.  And of course, the images of Kelly, walking along the harbourside, radiant and buoyant with her love for Paul 🙂

    As usual, here are a few of my favourites, full gallery at the bottom.

    Preparations at The Greenhouse Salon

    The calm....

    Classic styling

    Classic styling

    Diamante is a girl’s best friend?

    Diamante is a girl's best friend?

    A church with a view

    A church with a view

    …I thee wed

    I thee wed

    One for the family album

     Say cheese

    Blessings from above

    Blessed

    In nature

    In nature

    A rare moment of solitude

    One moment in time

    Swept away

    Swept Away

    Half-full 😉

    Bottoms Up

    Ready and waiting

    Ready and waiting

    Finest dining

    Fine dining

    Sparkles and petals abound

    Awash with sparkles and petals

    The good stuff

    The good stuff

    Walking on air

    Walking on air

    Little Miss Sunshine

    Little Miss Sunshine

    Striking a pose

    Striking a pose

    All aboard!

    The Harmony II Megayacht 

    Radiance

    Aglow

    Through the looking glass, in the spotlight

    Through the looking glass, in the spotlight

    Starboard

    Starboard

    Disco 2000

    Disco 2000

    Survivor

    Peekaboo

    Sweetness

    Heaven sent

    [nggallery id=10]

  • 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:
    Trouble Beneath the Steppe

    Beneath blue heavens

    Horsemen Approaching

    Shock

    Deep beneath the steppe

    Blown out tyre

    The Gathering Masses

    The Bridge

    A long way from the sea

    The crew

    The Long Road Home

    On Location

    Monster Machine

    Soviet Legacy

    Retreating Storm

    Dreaming of home

    Shrine

    Green Pastures