Fed up with all this rain, when is Summer coming back? Can’t believe I only shot this a couple of weekends ago down at the lake at Bowood House in Wiltshire. Let’s hope it’s not long before we can get our frisbees out again!
Countryside
Pre-Wedding shoot with a bigger twist… #weddings #dogs
Recently Clare and Conor booked me for their wedding photography at Notley Tythe Barn. I love a rustic wedding at a tythe barn so if you are getting married at one of the Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Wiltshire tythe barns please do get in touch!
I was at a wedding fair at Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon, near Thame and Clare and her Mum came by to see me and introduce themselves. We had a chat and before Clare left she mentioned bringing their dog to the pre wedding shoot. I really enjoy photographing dogs, I could photograph dogs all day long and in my time have photographed all sorts from terriers to Newfoundlands. It’s been a while since I have photographed an Old English Sheep dog but Clare and Conor brought their 8 month old ‘Old English’ with them to the shoot, called Eddie! I was a little taken back when I opened the door but not quite so as our cat who sensed something large and hairy at the door and legged it upstairs.
We headed off into the nearby South Oxfordshire fields with Eddie and we all had a blast. I am very much looking forward to their wedding later in the year at Notley Tythe Barn
Here are a few of my favourite images from the shoot.
#Bridal #Wedding #Photography at Le Manoir
Living very close to Le Manoir in Oxfordshire I am very lucky to be able to offer wedding photography coverage at Le Manoir. It is a fabulous wedding venue in Oxfordshire and the perfect venue for a smaller wedding. As I am so local I often get enquiries for wedding at Le Manoir and photographed a lovely wedding at Le Manoir last year and will add some images soon to my wedding photography blog. In the meantime here is a bridal photography photograph from Le Manoir that I took a couple of years ago. I love the colour of the brides hair against the wisteria and look forward to working there again soon.
To see more of my wedding photography from Le Manoir and from wedding venues around Thame, Oxford, High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Marlow and Henley on Thames please visit my wedding photography gallery on my website.
http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk
A #Ramsbury #Wedding #Wiltshire
A few weeks ago Jack and I were back in Jack’s home village of Ramsbury, Wiltshire. It’s a place very close to my wife & I as that is where we kindled our relationship; over a few coca-colas in the local pub,The Bell. Still that’s another story for another day. In the meantime, a mutual friend of ours and the bride and groom’s recommended me for their wedding photography.
Laurie and Chis are local to Ramsbury and got married in Ramsbury’s Holy Cross Church with a reception at a nearby barn called Wick Bottom Barn near Barbury Castle, Marlborough. The barn is a great venue if you are looking for a blank canvas to put your own stamp on and Laurie and Chris really made it their own. Typically for August we had a few heavy showers but this did not dampen proceedings too much. We managed to do the few group photographs outside of the church and a picture of everyone at the barn, in between showers!! Then the rain stopped for a good half an hour and we nipped off into the nearby Wiltshire countryside to get some pictures of Laurie and Chris together. The barn is well positioned for Marlborough and Swindon and the M4 yet is set in an idyllic location with absolutely nothing surrounding it except rolling countryside!
With speeches before the meal we stayed to capture them before leaving everyone to enjoy the rest of the day. Laurie and Chris also had the great idea of asking those with tents to camp over in the grounds surrounding the barn. There was a great selection of tents there but none as cool as the tent Laurie and Chris had for the night, a bell tent lent to them, complete with chandelier, by my sister-in-law.
Laurie and Chris are now on their honeymoon in Venice but here is a sneaky peek of some of the images from their big day.
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…..
Gaynes Park Wedding Photography, #Essex
Last month Jack and I photographed the wedding of Jane and Ben at Gaynes Park in Essex. Jane’s sister Rachel and I used to work together and have kept in touch ever since and in fact I photographed Rachel’s wedding a few years ago too so I know the family fairly well now!
Ben and Jane choose to have a vintage handmade style of wedding and they chose a great venue to hold their big day. Gaynes Park is a stylish and contemporary barn wedding venue set in the grounds of a historic country estate in Epping, Essex which has been in the Chisenhale-Marsh family for generations. There is a collection of various barns, one of which offers the chance to have an outside wedding ceremony if good weather. Should the weather not be favourable there is a large south facing orangery that can accommodate the civil ceremony too!
After the ceremony there is large walled garden for the drinks reception and lots of great locations for fabulous wedding photography.
It really is a smashing venue if you are looking for something rustic, rural and yet fairly close to London! In the evening you can even see Canary Wharf and the skyline of London in the distance!
Jane and Ben choose one of my Stylish wedding albums with a magazine layout and metal cover which is now all designed and with my lab for printing. Here are a few pictures from their big 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!
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.
What does it taste like you say? Try for yourself!!!
Mark Lord Photography 