I’ll take a lot of wedding photos this year – tens of thousands of them in fact. And we’re only barely halfway through the year. So if I told you that I think the image above, featuring Sinead and her nephew Sean, will be my favourite wedding photograph of 2011, you might appreciate just how much I like it. In fact I don’t just like it. I love it. For me, at least, it’s one of those images where everything – composition, exposure, emotion, lighting, environment – comes together perfectly for that 1/100th of a second in which I was lucky enough to press the shutter. And just when I thought things couldn’t get better, it even has a reflection! Win! It was taken last Friday in Kilshane House, where Sinead and Brian were celebrating the second half of their wedding day. I love Kilshane House – it’s a fantastic venue with lovely staff, who are a pleasure to work with, and a beautiful function room. And I found out on Friday that it’s also a great venue for a rainy-day wedding, as the magnificent conservatory, lovingly restored by owners Jane de Roquancourt and Finbarr McLoughlin over four years, brings the outside inside.
As Sinead and Brian arrived at Kilshane the rain was pouring down, meaning this was as close as we got to an outdoor shot all day, as the staff made a tunnel from umbrellas to shield the bride and groom from the elements:
Once safely inside, it was time for a glass of champagne as some beautiful soft light streamed in the front door, making my job all the easier:
I stole Sinead away for a couple of minutes for a few bridal portraits – this is probably my favourite, helped by the fact that she was both relaxed and happy – there’s no better subject for a photo:
We had some fun in the conservatory taking formal and not so formal bridal party photos – here’s one of the more formal ones:
Sinead’s granny was kind enough to hold the bouquet for a moment when I needed it out of the way, and even kinder to pose for a photo as she did so. I just love this:
The cake topper that Sinead had chosen was being kept a secret from Brian, because it the bride in it was wearing her dress. The groom is wearing Brian’s rugby jersey. I did think how funny it’d be for Brian to tackle Sinead in the background of this photo to mirror the cake top, but it might have been a step too far!
No wedding is complete (for me, at least) without on of these types of photo – here the guest asked them for a picture just as we left the function room after the cake shot. They were happy to oblige, and I was happy to get this shot:
A nice touch was the fact that, as they guests were seating for dinner, Jane and Finbarr – the owners of Kilshane House – sat with Sinead and Brian to share some champagne until it was time for them to make their way to the Orangerie and be announced into the room.
And finally, a quirky shot I spotted just before I left – I don’t know who the legs belong to, but I couldn’t resist taking this:
lovely shot of the cake and couple in the background.
and the last one of course.
Great colors! I especially love the last shot!