Family Portrait #Photography #Oxfordshire

It may be blowing to gale out there but we do get some beautiful days here in the Spring and Summer – honest! Here are a few family portrait pictures I shot last summer on a gorgeous day, the family owned a farm so it made sense to do the shoot on the farm. Farm yard locations for family portraits are one of my favourite locations as there is plenty to entertain the children and also some lovely backgrounds.

I offer a great family portrait shoot offer from just £25 to £75 depending on location. Why not treat your family to a family portrait voucher this year. All vouchers purchased before the 31st January 2014 will be valid until the end of 2014.

A portrait session is a great way of bringing an extended family together, can be great fun and you will have some pictures to show for it at the end.

Please call me on 01844 351218 or email me info@marklordphotography.co.uk for more information.

Check out my portrait photography galleries at http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk

Weddings at The Tythe Barn

A couple of weeks ago I was back at my favourite Oxfordshire wedding venue, The Tythe Barn nr Bicester. I have photographed several weddings there over the years and know the venue and staff really well. However, this wedding was going to be a little different….

Tim and Cat contacted me earlier this year to check my availability. On talking to them they told me about a few things they were going to do differently. One of those things was a ‘First Look’. I had never done a ‘First Look’ before but was keen to photograph one. A First Look is…. well a First Look at each other generally with the bride walking up to the groom and then looking at each other for the first time (that day!) Got it! Well, I was very excited about photographing my first ‘First Look’!

I was not disappointed. Tim positioned himself amongst the trees at The Tythe Barn and Cat approached from behind and it really was a lovely moment when they saw each other for the first time and made for some great photographs.

As Tim and Cat had seen each other now before the wedding ceremony we decided to do a few pictures of the two of them and a few family groups for those that were there. It was quite cool doing a wedding day in a different order, and also with a Winter wedding with it getting dark by 4pm it made a lot of sense to shoot the group photos and pictures of the bride and groom pre ceremony. Obviously this will only work if you are doing a ‘First Look’ but something I would recommend if you wanted to do things

Tim greeted their family and friends as they arrived whilst Cat was tucked away. We all then enjoyed a wonderful ceremony with some entertaining readings, a few more group shots and a drinks reception in the cow shed. Then another first for me was The Tythe Barn’s self carve roast, which went down well with everyone.

Tim and Cat had several lovely touches to the day with georgous flowers by The Flower Fairies and a massive LOVE by Vowed and Amazed.

Finally another cool idea Tim and Cat had was for the first dance, where Cat starts dancing with her Dad, whilst Tim eyes Cat up and then comes onto the dance floor, kicks Dad off and has his first dance with his bride. It was a lot more romantic then I have made it sound!

I am one of the recommended photographers of The Tythe Barn and have a special offer for all couples who get married at The Tythe Barn. If you are getting married there in 2014, 2015 or beyond please do get in touch. www.marklordphotography.co.uk

Grace and Brian’s sneaky peek – Notley Tythe Barn

A few weeks ago I photographed the lovely wedding of Grace and Brian at the Notley Tythe Barn in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire.

Grace and Brian had a civil ceremony at the barn with approximately 60 of their nearest and dearest. After the ceremony it was drinks, canapés and a few group photographs on the lawn before they had a Chinese tea ceremony with Grace’s parents. After the wedding breakfast the DJ was primed and the guests partied into the night!

Notley Tythe Barn is a wonderful wedding venue near Thame if you are looking for that rustic wedding venue. It offers great locations for your guests to enjoy themselves as well as fantastic potential for great wedding photography!

Notley Tythe Barn will be having a wedding fayre this coming Sunday (29th September) 11-3 so if you are looking for a wedding venue close to Thame and Aylesbury then you may want to check out Notley Tythe Barn.

See you there!

Here are just a small selection of images from Grace and Brian’s big day……

#Wycombe Abbey #Wedding and #Mandarin Oriental Wedding Reception

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of photographing Nicolette and Jonathan’s wedding at Wycombe Abbey and then onto the Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge for the wedding reception.

Having photographed at Wycombe Abbey before I was delighted when I received an email from Jonathan and Nicolette telling me about their wedding plans. Wycombe Abbey is a girls school in High Wycombe and the chapel has a few weddings a year for staff and ex students. The chapel is a wonderful place to get married set in the grounds of this historic school with stunning parkland which makes for some great locations for wedding photography.

Jon and Nicolette live in Hong Kong so after a few emails and a chat with Jon on the telephone they decided to book my services, we then met up earlier in the year on one of their visits to the UK when they had their pre wedding shoot, at Sir Charles Napier, nr Chinnor, Oxfordshire. This was a great opportunity to put some faces to names and certainly helps break the ice before the big day!

The bride and groom together with their guests all got ready in London before heading out to High Wycombe for the ceremony in the chapel, at Wycombe Abbey. We all got from London to Wycombe in good time and everything was set. Nicolette had let me into a secret that she was going to play the piano in the chapel before she entered and neither Jon or the guests knew about this! Nicolette is a very accomplished pianist and teacher, having played solo in the Hong Kong Town Hall as well as other solo performances. On arrival at the chapel, together with her father and bridesmaids she crept up into the gallery which houses the piano and organ and played the most beautiful piece of music. It really was a magical moment and a privilege to have been there, looking down on Jon and the guests and seeing their expressions as the bride played away. Nicolette then went onto play another piece of music as the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle. It really was quite an entrance!

Nicolette and her father made their entrance to music courtesy of the organist and they had a wonderful wedding ceremony. I am really delighted with the wedding ceremony images, it’s always one of my favourite parts of the wedding, and I will never tire of seeing a groom’s face as his bride approaches or the face of a proud father giving his daughter away.

The wedding ceremony followed by drinks in the grounds of Wycombe Abbey where Jon and Nicolette cut their cake and we photographed the few group photographs they requested. I then photographed Jon and Nicolette alone before we all headed back into London to a drinks reception at the Mandarin Oriental. There was a short reception on the terrace at the hotel before guests headed into the ball room for the wedding breakfast. Jon and Nicolette entered the room and had their first dance before sitting for the wedding breakfast.

With speeches in between courses and a band playing there was plenty of entertainment for the guests and lots of great expressions to photograph during the speeches. The evening for us finished around midnight when the bride had a dance with her Dad. We then left the wedding party to relax and unwind at the after party which I believe went on until 4am.

It was an incredible day and one Jack and I will not forget. Thanks Jon and Nicolette for a fab wedding day. Here are a few images from the day to whet the appetite of Jon and Nicolette and their family and friends. Jon and Nicolette will be receiving many more images soon on a DVD destined for Hong Kong!

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

Frolicking in the meadows…. #NCW13

A few weeks ago I was photographing some gorgeous wildflower meadows and the gentleman I was with had his Land Rover parked near to us. I could see the back window a bit steamed up and something licking the glass and then saw these lovely faces looking at me.

‘Can I photograph your dogs’ I said ‘Of course, my wife will love that’ was the reply. I’m not sure who enjoyed the shoot the most, me or the dog!

Here are a few pictures of his dogs in the meadow.

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.

Pigs in the woods – National Countryside Week #NCW13

Following on from my post yesterday, this week I will be showcasing some of my countryside images taken in recent weeks. I know a man who lives locally who keeps free range pigs in a nearby woods in the Chilterns. I see Bruce and his produce at local farmers markets and have always thought what a wonderful experience it would be to photograph the pigs. A tweet came through a couple of weeks ago from @blackpigchills telling me the pigs were ready for their photo shoot. They have recently been filming for Downton Abbey for the next series so are getting used to life in front of the camera!

So one Sunday Becky and I travelled into the hills to meet Bruce and his pigs. We walked into the woods together and Bruce armed with a bucket of pig nuts gave the call. It wasn’t long before the pigs came trotting (bad pun) through the woods to us for a mid morning snack. It really was a fantastic sight, these pigs have a wonderful life in the woods with just 36 pigs to 14 Acres of land! That’s free range!!

The pigs are a cross of two rare and native breeds, the Berkshire pig and the Tamworth which when crossed produce high quality pork. Bruce has spent 8 years perfecting the perfect pig giving them the highest welfare standards and the most natural of habitats.

To find out more about The Black Pig in the Chiltern Hills please visit their new website by clicking here.

The Black Pigs produce can be found at The Quince Tree near Henley on Thames, Gather and Hunt, Marlow, and Ewelme Community Village Shop, Oxfordshire.