A sneak peek from the beautiful wedding of Steven & Harpreet x
Tag Archives: laurenbythesea photography
Kent Wedding Photography: Turkey Mill- Lewis & Rox
The Orangery at Turkey Mill is a stunning location for a wedding in any season but with the Spring here it really is at it’s best. You don’t need me to tell you we’ve had a real lack of sunshine in the UK though so to say we were all over the moon when the sun came out to play on Roxanne & Lewis’ wedding day is a huge understatement!
Though the morning was grey, it cleared up just in time for the ceremony and shone down on the grounds into the early evening making for some gorgeous light! Guests were clearly doing their sun dances that morning! They did become Mr & Mrs Summers after all, so the sun needed to make an appearance!
It was such a beautiful day full of colour, love, friendship and warmth. I had so much fun. The live band The Locals were amazing too so I boogied a bit from the photobooth.
Thank you Lewis and Rox for letting me be a part of your day and cannot wait to hear about your honeymoon around Asia! Here’s a selection from the day…..
Lauren xx
If you’d like to see the full gallery to get the idea of what a full day of photography will capture, Roxanne has kindly agreed to let me make their full gallery public so follow this link http://laurenbythesea.zenfolio.com/roxlewisturkeymill/slideshow
The Portrait Diaries: Day 26
Sometime a photo takes you by surprise. This is one of those. We’d just changed set ups during a dance photoshoot so this was an inbetween shot while I tested the light and these ladies got themselves ready and into position. They were all very talented and inspirational dancers with incredible flexibility that I could only dream of!
Shortly after this, I got the shot we’d set out for, to capture them leaning back with their legs straight up in the air. I will share some more soon but for now just wanted to focus on the fact that though this isn’t the shot I was briefed to get, that’s the whole point. In the inbetween moments, magic happens and you can’t set a brief for that. That’s what I’m there to capture as a photographer. Not only those staged moments, but more importantly the magic inbetween.
I really love the expression on her face and the way the light is radiating around her. I also really like the contrast of the girl to the left looking down whilst the girl in the center is looking up. It’s as if they’re praying. Can a photo be spiritual? I think it can.
What do you think?
Lauren xxx
Margate Wedding Photography: A Quirky Homemade Wedding Full of Love & Laughter
I’m excited to share with you some photos from the wedding of Liza & James who got married earlier this month at Aberdeen House in Ramsgate, followed by a fun-filled reception at the one of a kind Walpole Bay Hotel in Margate.
I really do enjoy spending the day with the bride & groom and their families, sharing in all those moments of excitement and anticipation.
There’s always a couple of things that stand out in my mind from each wedding and this day was no different. The personal highlight for me has to be the moment in the photograph below. The bride’s house had been buzzing all morning but started to empty until the only people left were Liza and her son Jordan who was accompanying her to the church and giving her away.
I can still visualise the excited look of anticipation on Liza’s face as I too left the house, one of realisation that this was really happening and she was soon to become Mrs Drake! Liza had told me previously that it would probably really difficult if not impossible to get a photo of Jordan because he hates having his picture taken. So I was really happy that I’d managed to make it bearable for Jordan and captured a really special moment I know that Liza will forever treasure.
Other great bits:
- The gorgeous light pouring onto Liza’s unique dress (which was made by her Mum) and Liza trusting me to take her dress outside under an umbrella to find that light. (Thank you!!)
- The cutest little dog I have possibly ever seen! I very nearly hid him in my bag and took him home!
- The proud look on Jordan’s face as he walked his Mum down the aisle
- The sound of four children collective playing the vintage keys of The Walpole Bay Hotel’s piano. ( look out for this photo in the slideshow)
- The quirky collection of vintage goodies in every nook and cranny of the reception venue. Amazeballs!!
- The huge grin on Liza’s face when her and James were pronounced man and wife! (See below)
Thank you to Kate Malyon who was my glamorous assistant and great company for the day and congratulations to Mr & Mrs Drake who have just returned from an amazing honeymoon in Paris!!
Enjoy the slide show and let me know your favourites in the comments section below. This one is mine…. pure unadulterated happiness!
Lauren xxx
Keep Calm & Go Glamping: 18 photographers and 1 amazing weekend in Oxfordshire
Two weekends ago saw me driving off on a mini adventure to the Oxfordshire countryside. Why you ask? Well, to join my Shooting Sisters for some glamping good times!! I’ve known these ladies for about ten months after we formed an online group of photographers from all over the UK. Formed by Jo of Summer Love Photography and Becky of Becky Male Photography who wanted to create an all female support network, nobody quite knew where it would lead but straight away knew it was something we wanted to be a part of.
We couldn’t all make this trip but 18 of us (eventually) made it together for a weekend to remember. Some of us got lost en route, some of us arrived in the pouring rain, some of us forgot our tooth brushes, and some of us slept in pyjamas, two pairs of socks, a jumper, dressing gown and under two duvets and STILL couldn’t get warm- but- I think I can safely say that regardless of the lack of sleep, or any other obstacle the weekend threw at us, we all took so much away from the weekend (and I’m not just talking about the leftover cider!)
Knowledge was shared, advice was given and friendships were built upon. We brought our online group to life and proved the value of our great support system many times over. Being in a job where we quite often sit alone infront of the computer it is so nice to have the opportunity to share experiences and hopes and dreams with people who are on the same page and understand the hard times from a first hand perspective. I genuinely think our support has contributed to one another’s success and given us the confidence to pursue our dreams. More importantly than succeeding, we have given each other the confidence to fail because now we know that even if something goes wrong, we will all be there to pick each other back up, dust each other down , learn from it and start over.
A quote I think sums up our group perfectly: “Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow”- Albert Einstein
What started as a support network of 26 photographers has transformed into something much, much more than I think any of us had even considered. I’m really excited to see the group continue to grow, not only as a group, but to be a part of everyone’s individual journey and see how we can all help each other to be the best we can be. I feel really honoured to be a part of something so positive and genuinely life-changing.
I have a massive place in my heart for everyone of these ladies and know that each and every one of them will continue to do great things.
Here’s a little slideshow of my photos from the weekend along with a group shot courtesy of Becky Male and our lightpainting collaboration courtesy of Anna Bowkis.
Lauren xxx
THANK YOU SISTERS!!!! xxxxxxx
Please check out the following links for a different perspective of the weekend and leave some love for my amazingly talented Shooting Sisters on their blog. I’ll be adding more links as they are published so check back for more. It’s always amazing to see the same experience through different eyes and that is the beauty of photography….
{The Portrait Diaries} Day 25: More than just a leather jacket
For me this is an oldie but a goodie. I came across this photo again recently while cleaning up my hard drive. A few years back my cousin had asked if I would photograph her son Max in the leather jacket his late and much loved Uncle Andy had given him, as he was starting to outgrow it.
So armed with his favourite bear for company we set out to get some great shots of Max looking super cool in his leather jacket. This is my favourite, I think because of the way he’s holding on to that bear so tightly, as if they were his memories and love for his Uncle Andy. That jacket is so much more than just a jacket. It represents the love and kindess Andy showed to Max growing up. It’s so special and important to be able to capture and keep these moments in time. I know his Uncle Andy would both love this photo and be incrediby proud of Max, he’d probably buy him a new leather jacket too.
Lauren xxx
Herne Bay Bump to Baby photography: One very loved bump & one very lovely sunset
I am so so excited to post these photos as this bump shoot only happened last weekend but Hayley, one of my oldest friends in the world, gave birth to little baby Woods yesterday!!!!! Can you feel the excitement or shall i do a few more exclamation marks!!!
So it looks like there will only be a week between the bump and baby photographs, that must be a record?
Congratulations Hayley and literally C.A.N.N.O.T. W.A.I.T. to meet the little man. *Recites to self ‘Must not get broody, must not get broody’….*
Look out for some adorable newborn photos coming soon…. and if you’re expecting, please get in touch!!
I would really love to record this very special time for you.
Lauren xxx
A Vintage Kent Wedding: Jo & Tom
I had a fabulous day second shooting for Samantha Jones Photography in Lenham back in June. Jo & Tom work with animals & tractors so it was apt that they got married at St Mary’s Church, Lenham which conveniently backed onto their own farm land next to Tythe Barn, their reception venue. And what a gorgeous reception venue it was! As a bonus, the field at the back of the barn was full to the brim with daisies which made for some great photo opportunities in the late sun while I assisted with the off camera lighting.
So much effort had gone into every single detail of the styling of this wedding I was overwhelmed by all the sheer beauty. Bunting, bird cages and butterflies not to mention the most georgeous table settings with home made jars of jam and lemon curd for wedding favours. Jo & Tom had a tractor for their cake topper and even ventured onto the bouncy castle later in the afternoon! What a day!
Thank you to Samantha for having me along and to Jo & Tom for letting me be part of their wonderful day. It was truly beautiful!
Lauren xxx
{Brighton Music Promo Shoot} The Victory Dolls Part Four: Working Girls
Well here it is the fourth and final instalment of my shoot with The Victory Dolls.
I have a bit of a door fetish and so I was very excited when we managed to work an amazing yellow door into the shoot! The working girls outfits were my favourite and an opportunity for a bit of fun. Despite the heat the girls were still smiling and looking amazing. We strolled down Brighton streets and the girls sung as they biked along in the sunshine. It was like being in a movie.
They really are very talented and now have me listening to 40s and 50s tunes as I edit. It was a fantastic era both for music and fashion which has really inspired me. Thanks Vicky, Emma & Catherine for being such a pleasure to work with. Let’s do it again soon! Wishing you every success and looking forward to seeing The Victory Dolls go far!
Lauren xxx
{Brighton Music Promo Shoot} Part Three: Tea & Cake at Blackbird with The Victory Dolls
Welcome back to part three of The Victory Dolls shoot!
As if photographing three beautiful girls in gorgeous vintage clothes in Brighton wasn’t enough to my whet my creative appetite, we then had a break from from the blazing sun and took a tea break at Blackbird. (The best tea rooms in Brighton, if not the whole of England!)
The Victory Dolls looked right at home in the old-fashioned interior of the traditional tearooms and I felt as if I had truly gone back in time!
I love looking at old photographs and the walls were covered with them so I was in heaven. You could just picture the people from those photos sat in such a place many years ago enjoying tea and cake. We were looked after well and made to feel very welcome so a big thank you to the lovely staff at Blackbird for your great service and letting us take photos in your lovely shop.
Next time you’re in Brighton, make sure to find Blackbird in the South Lanes and have a cup of tea and very generous slice of yummy cake! Even their ladies’ room is amazing! Blackbird are also on Facebook! Go like ‘em up! And laurenbythesea too if you’re not already following, it’s the best place to see what’s going on in Lauren land. Make sure you’ve got a nice cup of tea and at least a biscuit to hand because you’ll definitely want one after this…
Lauren xxx
