Worcestershire wedding photographer - Birtsmorton Court

Philip and Amy - 12th Dec 2009

I'd had a few weeks off prior to shooting Phil and Amy's wedding (unbelievably being a wedding photographer means I still have 'stuff' to do when I'm not shooting weddings!) so it was nice to be back behind a camera capturing moments from their wedding day.

Despite having photographed weddings at Birtsmorton Court on many occasions, I'd not yet been there for a winter wedding. As you'd expect, this does make change the approach I take (a little) due to fast fading light, cold weather and muddy grass!

The wedding had a strong American contingent (as Amy is American), for which I'm sure the choice of Birtsmotron Court for a wedding venue made for great interest.

I've already posted a sneak peek from their wedding, but here are a few more shots to show how the day went.

Cool wedding shoes huh? These ones were in fact 'the evening pair', better on the dance floor apparently!

I made a post previously for my favourite wedding photo, however it was a tough decision.....the VERY close 2nd place went to this photo above (top right). Beautiful, delicate, simple....sweet!

Wedding flowers were by Jayne Pugh based in Worcester. They made a beautiful splash of colour for this winter wedding.

My favourite wedding photo - see the sneak peek for why.

Details-details-details....wedding dresses, flowers, bows.

Birtsmorton Court winter wedding. I'd have to be up at about 5am to shoot a summer wedding in that kind of light! Fabulous, and I had only a split second to capture it. Thank you clouds and Mr sun......you performed on cue perfectly - as did the swans.

The entrance door to the civil ceremony held in the main hall at Birtsmorton Court.

At this point I'll again bring up my love of veils. Get that! They look soooooo cool. Dark hair helps, but come on brides.....let's see more!!!

Ahh yeah, there is one inherent problem though (but that makes for more fun in truth) getting out from under the veil.

Signing of the register.....note: this is the REAL signing, not posed - yes, that pen has ink in it - careful! Possibly a joke lost on most couples but let me inform you how the register signing is always a sticky point for photographers.

Registrar: "we'll set up a posed photo of the register for you."

Matt: "thanks, I'll probably take a few though as they 'actually' sign it"

Registrar: "....but the data protection act, blah, blah, blah......"

Matt: Worry not, I shalln't zoom in on each and every word written on the page"

You get the idea, registrars are SERIOUSLY worried about me capturing a few names on the register, I however have no interest in that, and wish to see your happy faces signing away. Giving you a pen with no ink, having a blank page in front of you and asking you to smile at me afterwards really misses the point - In My Opinion.

This is a sweet moment, you possibly can't see the detail but Amy has a little tear running down her cheek - how cute.

I sometimes wonder how I look taking photos - hopefully my 'technique/style' is slightly more refined (although I doubt it)!

A natural light, unposed bridal portrait. Was Amy very easy to take photos of - it's something I keep having to ask myself?

No I'm not sure if he was pulling funny faces, or merely my camera captured a 'weird' moment. either way I'm laughing at it!

At this point I'll mention 'photographer intervention' to your photos. Yep....it was veil day AGAIN.

Matt:"ok Amy, just flick your veil up in the air in a kinda drifty way and I'll take a great photo" (my descriptions of how to pose and generally do 'stuff' really are phenomenal!)

Amy: "like this?"

Ummm...not quite as I'd imagined, although it's a fab outtake....certainly a keeper.

Ta na....the end result once we recruited the help of Phil. Husbands can be really handy you know.

This was very close to being my 'sneak peek'. I love the silhouette of guests in the reception as we headed back in from a few photos......to find this dude below (how col is he?).

A chair for a tripod. Fair play though, the light levels at Birtsmorton Court for the reception were remarkably low.

If you wish to contact me regards Worcestershire Wedding Photography please do so through my website Matt Davis Photography

Matt Davis Photography - Wedding testimonials

It's been a busy year at Matt Davis Photography HQ.

I've finally gotten around to making a small start on updating my wedding galleries, changed a few words here and there and added a new page for praise. (Yep, that's the bit you fine folk write to me after the wedding day!). Go take a peak and see if you've made and of the new pages.

I'm always pleased to receive comments, not always just from the bride and groom, often mums and dads, friends and family, or occasionally random folk out there who happen to come across my photos drop me a line. So thank you all for the time you've taken to either write me a mail, thank me in person, send flowers and wine (ok that doesn't happen so much) or write and send good old fashioned thank-you cards.

Birtsmorton Court Wedding Photos

Wedding sneak peak.

Bridal preps at Birtsmorton Court. Such an elegant, natural photo. This has to be one of my favourites from the weekends wedding.

Why you ask? Well, as part of the 'understand your wedding photographer season' let me enlighten you.

Simplicity: No colours are competing for attention. The tonal range is all similar. Overall it's smooth, rich and has an opulent feel.

Subjects: Strong storytelling is evident in just one frame. It's clearly part of the mornings preps. With the bride dressed it's only moments before she walks down the aisle to meet her groom. It's quiet, reflective and shows key elements from the day (flowers, bridesmaid, wedding dress, details, venue).

Composition: The image has sufficient room to breath, but isn't framed too wide to loose impact. All critical elements are included (hands, heads, arms etc - as you'd expect from a professional photographer!). I love how the bride makes a frame within a frame, by being surrounded by the curtains. The curtains do not break her outline either, keeping it clean and simple (had this have been taken 12 inches to my right that element would be lost).

Light: The bride is backlit, forming a wrap around of light, softening the edges of her outline and giving an ethereal look. The bridesmaids face has a beautiful rim light to define her profile too.

Documentary: Most importantly of all it's not posed. It carries higher regard in my opinion than other photos as it is far harder to capture (than say wedding couple portraits, or staged shots of any other nature).

As with any photo though, I do have just one niggle (although it's easily remedied). The radiator creeping just into frame on the far left. A crop in post production will sort this and produce a great photo for large print in their album.

There you have it, my thoughts on why I like this photo and what I'm looking for on any fast paced wedding day. It highlights the need to react to a situation in a split second (otherwise it's lost forever) and is what I believe to be the foundation of good wedding photography.

The full wedding post is now available here.