Alison & Mark at Cooling Castle Barn

Last week's run of three weddings was tiring but satisfying! I've been looking forward to Alison & Mark's wedding for ages, since they booked us at Cooling Castle's wedding open day last year. Alison loves being photographed (which is a rare quality in a bride!) and I knew we'd get some gorgeous shots of the two of them.

Their wedding took place outside in the fantastic gazeebo, and the sun shone - happy days!

I know Alison will have spotted this blog before I've finished typing it - she's been bombarding me with emails demanding to see them so here we are Alison....just for you!

Justine & Chris's pre-wedding shoot

With their wedding just around the corner on September 4th, it was time for Justine & Chris to get used to having their picture taken!

Together with their spaniel Marley, we headed for Whistable on a sunny weekend, early - before the place went mental! They soon got into the swing of things, as you can see.

Sarah & Neil's church wedding and Chilston Park reception.

With three mid-week weddings followed by a weekend off and a monday wedding, last week felt odd, and I'm still not entirely sure what day it is!

Sarah & Neil booked us a couple of weeks back to shoot their intimate wedding at St Mary's church in West Malling and we were told 'LOTS of pictures of our little girl Megan!' which we duly undertook! With 18 guests, it was a very different day and we had time to capture lots of fabulous images (without lots of family shots, we could spend time on story telling....) including one image (below) which must rate as one of my favourite pictures of all time.

After the ceremony, it was off to Chilston Park for the wedidng breakfast, with music supplied by Stirling Austin - a superb band I'd not come across before!

Here's a few from their day.






Technically rubbish - but i loved it!













Finally, THAT shot. I really think this is one of the top three photographs I've taken at a wedding, I just love the light and moment.

Justine & John - Newick Park

Russ very rarely lets me blog mainly because I always post far too many pictures! So while he is out doing what he does best (shooting a wedding that is!) i'll blog!

Justine & Johns wedding was at the lovely Newick Park. One of Russ's favourite new found venues, and yet again the sun shone on him! It was a beautiful day, planned and organised wonderfully by Claire & Matt from "Weddings with Unity" and Justine & John were a really lovely couple. When Russ came through the door he was beaming which means he's really enjoyed himself and has got "some crackers" as he would put it!

So I need say no more, I give you some of "the Crackers"!

Emma

Rebecca & Lawrence's wedding in Central London

So, the best city in the world, good weather, two fabulous venues, a gorgeous bride (and a handsome groom of course!) - Saturday's wedding with Rebecca & Lawrence was one that Katie and I had really been looking forward to.

After seeing the girl's at home, it was off to Trinity House, overlooking Tower Bridge for the ceremony. Afterwards, two Routemaster's took us to Pall Mall & The RAC Club for the reception.

A wonderful day, I absolutely love photographing weddings in London - the energy and buzz is so contagious. Our final picture of the day involved Katie stopping the traffic in Pall Mall so I could capture a picture of the two of them strolling down the middle of the road!






























Finally, Katie's photograph of Rebecca arriving was one of my favourite's from the day!

Karl & Helen's E-Shoot

With a Church Wedding followed by a marquee at Helen's father's farm, Karl & Helen's wedding should be a quintesentially English affair - even if it does take place on US Independence day!

It was off to Canterbury for a shoot with them last week, to chase away the fears!

Here's a few from their pre-wedding shoot.

Ashley & Brooke's e-shoot

It was an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds on the beach last sunday, when I met up with Brooke & Ashley for the pre-wedding shoot.

Their wedding is to be held in September at Chilston Park - hopefully the weather will be as good as it was for their shoot last week. I'm sure we'll be fine, September seems to be the most reliable month of the year!

Here's a few images.

Justin & Emma

It was a pleasure to meet Emma & Justin on Saturday, to discuss photographing their wedding at The Royal Naval College at Greenwich next year.

Following a stroll through Whitstable to give them a taster of how we photograph on the day, I was delighted that they chose us for their big day. The Royal Naval Museum is one of those venues that has long been on my radar as somewhere spectacular to shoot a wedding, so I can't wait!

In all honesty, meeting Emma & Justin, and demonstrating how we work made me realise that it's a great idea to photograph couples who are considering us for their wedding photography. It's really important that you're comfortable with your photographer, or the images just don't 'happen.' So if you've got any doubts, why not call us and we'll be happy to prove that we're anything but the stereotype bossy wedding photographer!

All we ask is that you can confirm your venue and date are booked, and we'll be happy to take you out for a relaxed, fun engagement shoot - show you som ealbums and answer any questions - then you're free to go away, and decide in your own time whether Level Eleven is the photography company for you.
















Is it just me, or is SuBo everybloodywhere?

Chris & Marie's Wedding

29th May saw us back at Chilston Park for the wedding of Chris & Marie. A really relaxed day, with lots of (happy!) tears and laughter. Marie & Chris made their own vows to one another which didn't leave a single dry eye in the room...!

Anyway, enough words, here's some pictures!

Vicky & Russ's Wedding at Whitstable All Saint's Church

Vicky & Russ held their church wedding at Whitstable All Saints on May 23rd. I'm often worried before church weddings - so many vicars contrive to ruin couple's albums with their rediculous rules preventing us from photographing weddings in 'their' church.

No such problems with Father Simon! A genuinely lovely feller, and a charismatic, warm speaker. If only more were like him! Following a delightful ceremony, we were off to Quex House for the reception, where the weather allowed us to make the most out of the beautiful grounds.

Fantastic day with a fantastic couple - good luck to you both!

You can see their album HERE

Vicki & Chris' e-shoot

Vicki & Chris booked us way back last year at the Detling Wedding Fayre for their big day at Leeds Castle. I've wanted to shoot a wedding there for some time (it's on my list of places I've wanted to photograph a wedding!) so i was delighted that they chose Level Eleven to provide their album.

Here's a few from a hot, summers day down the beach!

Katie flies solo! Emma & Aaron's wedding in Hadleigh.

For me, the June 6th was D-Day in more ways than one! I was shooting my first wedding alone without Russ, back in my home town of Hadleigh in Suffolk.

I couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple to capture the happy day of, Emma and Aaron.Emma looked absolutely stunning and I got some gorgeous shots of her in her beautiful dress. It was a day full of fun and laughter and a few tears (of happiness!) And despite the forecast, constant sunshine!

A brilliant day had by all, here's some pictures from their day.

Katie

Clare & Paul's E-Shoot

Clare & Paul's wedding is mid july at Cooling Castle, it's come round so quick! We had a great time with their shoot on Whistable beach despite the weather trying to wreck it! Now, just need to dig out my Open Water diving qualification and talk Paul into that refresher course!

Kathryn & Jame's E-Shoot

Well, the blog entries are stacking up - what with blogger and facebook to upddate, it's a full-time job in itself, and July's not even here yet!

So, here's a few from Ramsgate a couple (cough!) of weeks back with Kathryn & James. More details to follow!









Smack Boys???

Justine & Jon's Pre-wedding shoot

Justine and Jon have chosen Newick Park in East Sussex for their wedding in three weeks time, so it was about time they had their warm up. Together with Lolly The Lab, we took a wander and snapped some really nice pictures of them together.

Here's a few, from a late-night-blogging-got-to-be-up-early-tomorrow-for-a-wedding-Russ!

'night all!























Finally, the gorgeous Lolly!

Kat & Duaine's Wedding at Vaulty Manor

Well, it was a long drive, but worth it!

Katie and I ventured into the very depths of Essex last week for the Kat & Duaine's wedding - and it was a cracker! We had so much fun on the pre-wed that I just know the wedding would be fantastic fun and produce great images.

As usual(!), I was right! Kat & Duaine really threw themselves into the fun of it and the images just got better and better!

Here's a few from a brilliant day at Vaulty Manor and if you'd like to see the album, take a look HERE (I was joking with Duaine when we did the pre-wed that he does 'Gangster' very well so the music chose itself!)

I love my job!

Demelza & Shaun's pre-wed at Deal.

Whilst we were down in th eold smugglers town of Deal, we took the opportunity to photograph Demelza & Shaun, who are getting married at Dorton House, Dorking this year.

With great weather and a great couple, we had lots of fun and got some great images. Camera shy? Not these two!

Heather & Dam (and Marley's) Pre-wedding shoot

Well, it's getting crazy-busy here but just enough time to post a few pictures from heather & Dom's pre-wedding shoot at Deal last week. As you can see, we worked hard not to let Marley steal the show....and almost succeeded, but she certainly featured in a lot of the pictures.

Thats what I love about shooting couples before the day - finding out all about them, getting an idea of what they want from their wedding day images and what's important to them - pre-wed's are an essential part of great wedding day images!

Heather & Dom are getting married in September at one of our favourite venues, 'The Lost Village of Dode' - take a look at an album from this amazing, unique venue HERE - its worth a look!

Lauren's shoot with Katie

A few weeks back whilst on a night out on Ramsgate with my wife, I spotted Lauren. Well, you can hardly miss her! A stunning looking girl who's party trick is getting doormen to give her free entry into London nightclubs in the mistaken belief she's Jodie Kidd (seriously!) We handed her a card and asked her if she's like to come out for a shoot and having checked out our website, we were delighted she got in touch. As it happened, I wasn't able to make it, so my assistant Katie stepped in for me. The two of them had never met before, and Lauren had never been photographed before.

I'm delighted with results as I was devastated that I couldn't do it - and Katie did an amazing job. But my turn will come, and as soon as possible, we'll defintely be asking her to model for us again!

Dawn & Norman's Wedding at Cooling Castle Barn

It was good to be back at Cooling Castle Barn last thursday for the wedding of Dawn & Norman. It was also the first time I'd had the weather on my side and the wedding took place in the beautiful gazeebo in the gardens.

Afterwards, with a champagne reception (and under 11's football match firmly underway!) we took a few family and group shots then took a stroll with Mr & Mrs Downes for some pictures of the two of them together. There's loads of images from the wedding that we love, but we've pulled out a few for you to see whilst the couple honeymoon in the Caribbean!

Verity & Andrew's E-Shoot

I love it when I get told how much 'I hate being photographed!' and that's exactly what Verity told me before we took her out for her pre-wedding shoot. As you can see..... it all ended happily and I'm really looking forward to their wedding wedding at Chilston Park this summer.

Here's a few favourites from our session at Ramsgate.

Not our usual portrait session......!

Brace yourself.....

Meet 'Kylie-Marie' - a friend of ours who happens to perform a drag act at weekends. Who needed a promotional shoot. And talked me into giving him one yesterday.

Oh dear..... spending a day with KM & his/her? manager Neil has left me with a bad case of double entendritis!

Anyway, there's very little else to say other than it was great fun and pretty challenging (posing has to be carefully considered to avoid any, uh... unpleasantness!) But I'm pretty happy with the results, and the death of my playboy reputation is just something I'll have to live with!

There's a lot more, but these are a few of the ones fit for public consumption!


















Wouldn;t you love to see this on the front of one of Branson's 'flag carrier' airliners? At least WE got the flag the right way up which is more than Virgin does!





James is, of course, available for stag and hen parties.......!

Rebecca & Lawrence's E-Shoot at Whitstable

Rebecca & Lawrence were guests at their friend's wedding that we photographed last year and obviously we did okay, because it wasn't long afterwards that they booked us to shoot their own wedding this year!

I'm really excited to be shooting in London again, with the ceremony at Trinity House (for a obsessive boater like myself, a look round this gorgeous building will be a real treat!) and then we're jumping on a Routemaster to Pall Mall for a reception at the fabulous RAC Club.

So, plenty of time in central london with a big gang of good looking (Rebecca assures me!) groomsmen and bridesmaids to photograph! Guess we'll get to see how much I've learned from my Australian friend (and photo-hero!) Yervant - as he's undoubtably the best in the world at city shooting!

Lynze & Dom's E-Shoot

Lynze & Dom are tying the knot this year at Quex House in Birchington. This lovely venue is situated in beautiful grounds near the coast and we have plans to use the beach to it's fullest extent - so a trip down to Ramsgate main sands seemed a pretty good starting point!

I'm particularly looking forward to shooting the boys - Dom's choice of car is a favourite of mine and may get spoiled rotten in the photos!

Dawn & Norman's E-Shoot

Off in the sunshine on Good Friday (a sunny May bank holiday??? Greenpeace were right then - the climate's definitely *******!) for another engagement shoot, this time it was with Norman & Dawn, who are getting married this year at Cooling Castle Barn on The Isle of Grain. They brought their boys along, James & Thomas, and with an aunt and uncle in tow as well, we had plenty of variety in the images!

Here's a few from our shoot in Canterbury.

Gilliane & Darrens wedding at 'The Lost Village of Dode'

Dode is one of our favourite venues -absolutely unique and full of character dating back at least a tgousand years and built on a Pagan site. Take alook at the website for a fascinating history. With a maximum of just 40 guests, weddings are very intimate affairs. The owner Doug Chapman, describes himself as 'The Keeper' - according to ancient medieval law, one never owns somewhere like Dode - merely acting as the keeper for a duration. In fact, so steeped in history is Dode, that Doug has his own 'Hedge-Witch!'

Such was the venue for Gilliane & Darren's wedding last weekend. A fun filled day of emotion and smiles. Integrated with dinner was a murder mystery in which the guests and couple acted out parts in the grisley murder, making for some photos as they hunted about in the dark with only a candle for light (thanks god for Canons amazing low-light abilities!)

Here's a few fromour first visit this year to The Lost Village of Dode. Thanks for a great day guys, we got sooooo many great shots I don't know where to start - but I'm looking forward to shooting the baby shots too! ;-)

Vicky & Russ' E-Shoot

Excuse the quick blog entry - off for another shoot shortly but really eanted to add a few pics from Russ & Vicky's shot at Ramsgate harbour last weekend.

Back soon!

"Hi Russ

Just wanted to say a quick thanks once again for our shoot today.

We did find it hard to start with but hope we relaxed enough for some great pics! We enjoyed ourselves and just wanted to pass on our thanks for your time! We look forward to seeing the images!

Vicky and Russell"

'nuff said!

Flattered!

The 'Digital Wedding Forum' is a members-only website of 4500 photographers from around the world who shoot weddings. Every month somebody is voted as a 'featured member' - and much to my surprise a couple of weeks back, I was asked. I'm not sure what the criteria is, but it's nice to be recognised amongst so many amazing photographers.

I loathe all the UK photographic organisations and their silly competitions - without exception they're run by a click for a click and have no intentions of moving photography on in any way. In fact the main reason most give for joining 'the UK's only organisation for full-time pro's' is the discount you get on the credit card machine!

I'm much more flattered to be picked out by the 'body' of my work by people I respect - rather than becoming 'Tog of The Year' with one fluky image!

Here's the brief interview - if you've got five minutes to kill!


DWF - Let's start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.

RUSS - I’m 40 and live in a little village in Kent. I left Bog Street Elementary at 16 with zero qualifications or direction and eventually fell into Estate Agency in ‘94. It turned out I was a natural (mum's so proud!) so I opened my own agency 10 months later. I eventually sold it at the end of ’2005 when I realised I loved shooting weddings and hated estate agency! I’m married to Emma who works with me in Level Eleven. We’ve got a little black Staffie called ‘Chutz’ and an 8 month old food-to-pooh-converter called Hetty. In what little spare time I have, I play with boats and - bizarrely – hovercraft.

DWF - How did you become a wedding photographer?

RUSS - Back in 2001, I had a guy working for me that needed some cash quick and I bought a Canon SLR film camera off him for shooting car and hovercraft racing. It really bit me and I started photographing a few friends as well – I even enrolled on a college course. Finally, some education! Then a mate asked me to shoot their wedding, which was a bloody nightmare but they seemed happy with the results. I was happy just to have survived it and didn’t fancy weddings much after that. It was 2002 at a friends wedding that I got talking to the photographer – an eccentric, Versace wearing Serbian called ‘Dragan’ who was shooting on digital, drove a BMW M3 and made wedding photography look fun. He was wacky and amusing – the guests loved him and he reawakened my interest in shooting weddings. We ended up really good friends and he mentored me (it thoroughly embarrasses Dragan when I say he was my mentor but it’s true) He invited me to his studio, was absolutely open in everything he taught me and took me out on weddings. A month later I bought a Canon D60 and shot a couple of freebies. Over the course of the next two years, part time, I shot around 30 weddings before turning full time when I sold the estate agency in 2005. I owe Dragan a lot - without him I'd probably still be doing a job I hate.

DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?

RUSS - Without wanting to sound all ’Cecil Beaton’ about it, my biggest inspiration is beauty. I love Ferrari’s, sunsets, buildings with character and great architecture, fabulous clothes on pretty girls, pretty girls(!) Supermarine Spitfires, well-lit movies, amazing sculptures, stunning artwork and golden beaches. I could go on, but my biggest inspirations are rarely photographic, though there’s plenty of photographers who’s work I admire and I’m an avid reader of Dazed & Confused, id-magazine and the missus copy of Vogue. I don’t know whether it counts as inspiration or not, but I want to be good at what I do and I work hard to produce great work, appreciated by my clients. I like being recognised as a reasonable tog, and I’m not ashamed to say that I do enjoy the praise of photographers that I respect when I feel my work warrants it.

DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

RUSS - I guess it would be my consistent ability to make couples look good and give them a good experience. I have a lot of interaction with the couple and their guests on the day, and direct a lot of images. I make it fun which means I get some ‘life’ into my albums and I believe that reality often needs a nudge in the right direction before it makes a great image!

DWF- If you had to pick a favorite "Tool of the Trade" what would it be? and why?

RUSS - Fast lenses and my assistant Katie.

DWF - Care to share your favorite photograph? and tell us a bit about it?

RUSS - This has become kind of, my 'signature shot' and we use it on virtually all Level Eleven branding and advertising. I was lucky enough to shoot a wedding in Venice last year and all the pieces fell into place. Great location, good weather and light, good looking, willing couple.....happy days!

Kathryn & Duaine

We've had a few enquiries for Vaulty Manor in Maldon, Essex but always been booked for the date - so I'm really looking forward to Duaine & Kathryn's wedding in May. These two are so rediculously happy together, that it's going to be a brilliant day - I'm expecting some amazing photos!

Charlotte & Andrew's E-Shoot

Charlotte & Andrew’s wedding is another July date and with a church wedding followed by a ‘garden party’ theme at her parents home in Surrey, a quintessentially English affair!

It was great to photograph them before the day as we’d not met previously. But they quickly relaxed and we got some fantastic photos, despite Andrew’s streaming cold! As you can see, Charlottes affections are equally divided between her husband-to-be and her Mini! The yellow Ferrari just kind of 'crossed our path!'