Wedding fayre this coming week at The Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon

This Sunday I will be at The Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon (near Thame) at their wedding fayre. It will be on from 11am to 3pm and if it’s anything like normal it will be brilliant. Lots of lovely food to try and an open bar! The friendly staff we will able to show you around and answer any questions you have.

Here are some pictures of Grace and Brian who had their wedding at The Notley Tythe Barn last year. So if you are planning your wedding please do drop by and meet lots of lovely wedding suppliers who can help you with your Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire wedding.

More details of The Notley Tythe Barn barn can be found here

Laura and James’s #wedding @stokeplace

It’s been a while since I have worked at Stoke Place but it’s certainly one of my favourite Buckinghamshire wedding venues and only a stones throw from London. It was a real pleasure to work there again as it’s a great location to have a wedding reception. The grounds are wonderful with established parkland and a lake for the guests to enjoy the reception and pretty splendid for great wedding photography too!

The interior of this Queen Anne Manor House retains all of its old charms and features, updated with handpicked modern designer pieces giving you great backdrops for your wedding photography should the weather turn.

Laura and James’s wedding was great fun with a few moments that still make me chuckle…. Those that were there will know what I mean!

I have just posted a selection of images onto my Facebook page here so Laura and James can have a sneaky peek whilst on their honeymoon.

Here are a few of my favourite images from the day…..

#Hambleden #Oxfordshire #Countryside for #NCW13

Many of you have asked where my image that featured on the front page of ‘The Life’ supplement of The Sunday Telegraph last week was taken.

I took this picture just a couple of weeks ago in the picturesque village of Hambleden, Oxfordshire. Always a favourite spot for me to go to when I’m out and about in the Chilterns as to me it’s a quintessential English village. I had just been to the farmers market in the village which happens on the 2nd Saturday of every month (you must go if in the area!) and was talking to a lady who recommended the spot opposite her house for a good view of the village. Thankfully those few shots I took of the village from her recommendation paid off as the Editor of the Sunday Telegraph chose it for the front cover. I must buy the lady a cuppa and a slice of cake next time I see her in Hambleden.

Here is the full frame image that you will be able to enjoy from you computer screen along with a few more of my favourite images taken in recent weeks.

That’s it for National Countryside week for this year supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund. We have an amazing countryside out there for us to explore but remember our countryside did not just happen. It’s evolved from years of hard work from dedicated people who have worked the land we now all enjoy so much. Whilst the weather is still so great why not head out with the family and find your own favourite spots local to you and don’t forget your camera!

To find out more about The Princes Countryside Fund please click here

Heritage Harvest – using traditional skills to grow traditional cereal crops – #NCW13

A couple of weeks ago I met John Letts who runs Heritage Harvest in the Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire area. John and his small team help farmers grow heritage cereals for thatching straw and grain and distributes bread and flour through the Oxford Bread Group. The Prince’s Countryside Fund have helped John by giving him a grant to develop his business further. The Fund’s grant has helped to establish a demonstration farm and education centre of heritage wheat varieties in collaboration with a group of 100 thatchers, organic farmers and traditional millers. Their aim is to reduce the UK’s dependence on imported thatching materials while encouraging the development of this traditional skill and providing a valuable diversification opportunity for farmers. 10 school visits have taken place and 2 summer placements for agricultural students completed. The flour is now being used in 4 lines of Astons organic bakery and is available through the Tru Food Group with 350 members.

On a personal note John made me understand the problems we could potentially be facing as a result of global warming and how farmers need to diversify and change their farming methods in our ever changing climate. I was also introduced to some of the earliest forms of wheat including Einkorn which is one of the earliest forms of cultivated wheat dating back to 7500BC. John was very kind and loaded my car with eggs, 4 bags of flour, a sourdough starter and some fresh fruit picked from his allotment. Mrs Lord has since made some delicious sourdough bread using Einkorn and Rye flour.

Keep a look out for Heritage Harvest’s website, John is an excellent supplier of flour to anyone who enjoys baking real bread!

To find out more about the Princes Countryside Fund and how you could help please click here.

In the pictures below John is weeding the borders of the fields with a scythe, he does use motor driven vehicles for sowing and harvesting but enjoys using traditional tools where he can. I was given the opportunity to have a go with the scythe and lets just say I will stick to using a camera!

West Wycombe house and village from the air! #NCW13

Recently I was asked by EJ Churchill a nearby clay pigeon shooting ground to do some aerial photography of their ground from the air. I was reserved a helicopter with a local helicopter company & the door was removed so I did not have any glass to contend with. I was belted and gaffer taped in and off we went! We were only up for 20 minutes but long enough to get some great shots of EJ Churchill and then a few pictures over the magnificent West Wycombe Park and House.

Only two years ago I had never worked at West Wycombe but I have now photographed several corporate events, schools leavers balls, gun dog events and The Prince’s Countryside Fund charity events there. The house offers England’s finest example of Palladian architecture set amongst Rococo follies and temples in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is truly a breathtaking place and an amazing venue for weddings! If you are getting married at West Wycombe house and looking for great wedding photography then please get in touch by clicking here.

Here are a few pictures from the air of the house to whet your appetite for a great Buckinghamshire wedding venue! To find out more about having your wedding reception at West Wycombe house please take a look at their website by clicking here.

#Hedsor House #Wedding tomorrow……

Tomorrow I have a beautiful wedding at Hedsor house, Taplow, Buckinghamshire. The wedding service is in Henley on Thames and then the reception at Hedsor house. I am very excited as Hedsor is such a splendid wedding venue and great for wedding photography. The Bride and Groom are really up for having some pictures taken in the grounds at Hedsor so fingers crossed the sunshine will be out and everyone will have a wonderful time. With some great props supplied by the bride there will be some amazing photograph opportunities. So keep a look out for the sneaky peek on my blog……. you will not be able to miss these pictures……

In the meantime here are a few images from the last wedding I photographed at Hedsor House.

Antonia and David, Wadham College and The Tythe Barn

Last month Jack and I photographed the wedding of Antonia and David at Wadham College and then onto the beautiful Tythe Barn, Launton, Bicester for the reception.

David studied at Wadham so it was a great choice of venue to wow their guests who were mainly from Belgium and Wales. Wadham College is in Oxford’s city centre and is surrounded by architectural splendour and history. The architecture of Wadham College is simply stunning and offers great backgrounds for photography. Having photographed several Oxford colleges in recent years I always get excited when I get another enquiry to photograph at such magnificent venues.

After the service the reception was held at The Tythe Barn, Launton, near Bicester one of my favourite wedding venues in Oxfordshire. Will & Emma who run the barn have restored this historical building beautifully & their attention to detail shows in every wedding I have had the pleasure to photograph there.

Here are a few pictures from Antonia and David’s stunning day. Please see more on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/marklordphotography and please LIKE my page for regular updates and offers in the future.

For weddings at The Tythe Barn I offer up to two complimentary hours into the evening if you book me for 6 or more. For more information either pick up a leaflet next time you visit The Tythe Barn or email me for details.

In the meantime enjoy the pictures…..

A busy weekend coming up for weddings…..

I’m currently busy designing a lovely album for Danielle and David who’s wedding took place last weekend at Great Fosters, Egham. Keep a look out for a sneaky peek once they are back from their honeymoon – there are lots of great pictures!

Tomorrow I will be photographing a wedding at the wonderful Silchester House in Hampshire and then Sunday I will be at the Compleat Angler Wedding Fair in Marlow.

So if you are looking for a photographer for your wedding day please come along and see me and a wonderful lady photographer called Maria who will also be attending. There will also be an array of other wedding suppliers all recommended by The Compleat Angler.

Doors open 11am until 3pm. Come along and see one of Marlow’s best wedding venues on the river River Thames.

Here are a few images from Gemma and Paul’s wedding from a few years ago at the Compleat Angler.

Wet and windy wedding advice…..

With the unpredictable weather we have these days who really knows when is the best time of year to get married. I’ve photographed glorious weddings in March and weddings where it’s hammered down in August. Whatever the weather the show must go on and regardless of the weather everyone will still have a great time.

But from experience here are a few tips in case the weather is not quite want you wished for.

1. Hire or buy some white umbrellas. These will be invaluable for you and your guests who need to go outside and being white they will be nice and bright underneath for some photos. Most quality venues should have some but it’s worth checking beforehand.

2. Pack wellies and enjoy the puddles. It’s popular now to pack the Hunter wellies in case of bad weather and are a great look in the photos and a nice contrast to the Jimmy Choos!

3. Give your bridesmaids a small can of hair spray for windy days and a pack of hair clips just in case it’s windy and your hair gets blown around during the group photos.

4. Ask a bridesmaid or close friend to come with you when you are having photographs with your groom. A bridesmaid can be on hand to help with hair adjustments or to rearrange your dress.

5. Have a back up plan. What will you all do if it rains all day long and you were planning an outdoors reception? Speak to your venue so you know where you and your guests can go if it’s wet outside.

6. Speak to your photographer and ask them where they plan to do the group photos if the weather is bad. A good photographer will have some portable flash heads they can set up to do the group photographs indoors.

Regardless of the weather you will have a fab day as you are surrounded by your family and friends and those that love you both.

Finally in my 15 years of photographing weddings I have never photographed one where it has rained ALL day long. Call it the luck of The Lord!

Princes Countryside Fund charity clay shoot at West Wycombe Park now online

For those that attended the magnificent West Wycombe Park yesterday for the Princes Countryside Fund clay pigeon shoot hosted by Sir Edward Dashwood the images are now online and ready to view. Please contact me or the Princes Countyside Fund for the access code.

If you were not lucky enough to be there you missed a real treat. Fabulous weather, generous hospitality and brilliant clay pigeon targets presented to the guns over a variety of stands. The day started with speeches from Rob Fenwick of E J Churchill who organised the event & set the course & Mark Price Managing Director of Waitrose on behalf of H.R.H The Prince of Wales. With top UK and International clay shots there with some impressive shooting, namely from George Digweed, Ambassador to The Princes Countryside Fund, Charlotte Kerwood and Micky Rouse who put on a fine demonstration afterwards. Also showing their support to the fund were Phil Vickery, Cornishman and England Rugby Pro and Heston Blumenthal the highly renowned chef.

The fund raised approximately £50,000 yesterday with the generous support of several of its supporters who attended the shoot along with friends of the fund.

I am the official photographer to the Princes Countryside Fund and some of the projects I have photographed for them can be found further down this blog. The fund is there to support rural communities, train farm apprentices, and educate the public what goes on in the British countryside.

With many farmers suffering with the bad weather in recent months losing crops as well as their livestock the fund has donated nearly £600,000 to farmers and their families since the new year.

To find out more and to see how you can do your part in helping rural communities please checkout the Princes Countryside Fund by clicking here

In the meantime here are a few images from yesterday.