It may be stormy but #LOVE is in the air…..

I’ve had several orders placed over the weekend from various shoots and thought I would choose one of these images for my blog post today. It’s from a pre wedding shoot I did in the local countryside near my home last year of a couple who’s wedding is later this year.

I love the composition of this pictures, with the nettles giving some foreground interest, the dramatic sky and of course the lovely expressions on the couple. My portrait shoots or pre wedding shoots are always very relaxed and fun and it’s a great way to get to know each other before the big day. For the bride and groom, it gives them confidence in knowing how they look in front of the camera, and for me I can see if I have any serial blinkers!

Portrait Photography Oxford

To see more of my portrait and wedding photography in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and beyond please visit http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk

#Royal visit to #Sherston Old School, #Wiltshire

A few months ago I had the pleasure of being the official photographer for HRH Prince Charles’ visit to Sherston old school in Wiltshire. With several press boys and girls there I was privileged to be the only photographer to accompany HRH into the building on his visit to Sherston old school.

Sherston old school is a great community project helped by The Princes Countryside Fund, one of Prince Charles’ charities. To find out more about the fund and to see how you can help please click here. To read the ‘Sherston Cliffhanger’ and all about the Royal visit please click here. To see the images I took on my first visit to Sherston old school please click here.

In the meantime here is one of my favourite images from the visit, I just love the enthusiasm of the little boy in the middle! Wiltshire followers of my blog please keep a look out in your county magazines for more of my images from the visit.

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

#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!!!

It’s National Countryside Week this week….. #NCW13

This week is National Countryside week and in the last few weeks I have not only been photographing fabulous weddings, lovely people and drooling dogs but I have been busy taking photographs in our glorious countryside. So every day this week I will post a few images of our beautiful green and pleasant land.

A little bit of colour to cheer us all up from #Waterperry Gardens.

With all this rain and cold weather I though we all needed cheering up so I just had a look at some of the images I took at Waterperry Gardens a few weekends ago on a jolly with Mrs Lord.

Becky armed with Instagram and me with my camera we had a great time photographing the blossom at it’s best in the orchards of Waterperry as well as many other plant varieties. I want to try a few things out with floral photography, something less precise and more artistic than the technically perfect images of flora we see in catalogues and magazines. I hope to make several visits to Waterperry this year and build a collection of more expressionistic images of flora and botanical images for future use in the countryside part of my business.

Here are a few working images I have put through Lightroom to share with you.