As some of you will know, I am a bit of a history geek and my young man is an architect in the making, so since it is renowned as one of the most important Elizabethan country houses in England, Hardwick Hall had been on both our ‘must see’ lists for some time.  Neither the house nor the grounds disappointed.  Designed by Robert Smythson for the infamous Bess of Hardwick, the house has changed little since it was built in the late 16th Century and so really is an extraordinary place…

And of course, it being a Saturday at a National Trust property, we were lucky enough to meet Bess herself (quite a character she was too!), as well as some of the Elizabethan riff raff who were lingering outside the grounds of the house.

In the grounds of Hardwick Hall, you can see a slightly earlier house which was used as guest and service accommodation after the new hall was built. The Old Hall is now a rather beautiful ruin, with exceptional views over the Derbyshire countryside.

Of course on the way home we simply had to stop at the Old Bakewell Tart shop!!

Contax 645 | Kodak Portra 400 | Order Prints Here

I’d like to introduce you to Sarina and Quan.  I met up with them and their blue Vespa at Farringdon Tube Station in the heart of London a couple of months ago and we took some pictures…

Looking forward to photographing Sarina & Quan’s wedding at Kew Gardens in just 3 weeks time!  : )

London Engagement Photographer

…and these…

…and rather a lot of journeys in these…

…(sadly not Austin Sevens – but several less interesting four-wheeled machines!).  In short, I’ve been away.  With a couple of short routine spells in London photographing couples in love and a week interpreting in a French Oil Refinery (ask me what the word for ‘furnace’ is in french, or ‘spanner’ or ‘gasket’!) behind me, I have a lot to catch up on!

Turning on my computer for the first time and watching the emails roll in, I can’t believe the difference a few days away from civilisation makes.  So to everyone who has sent me an email or left a message over the past week or two, thank you so much for your patience.  Expect a reply very shortly.

Contax 645 (except 1st image) | Kodak Portra 400 | Order Prints Here

And just yesterday, the lovely Lou from Whimsical Wonderland Weddings featured Betty & Seng’s ‘I ♥ London‘ photography shoot on her beautiful blog.  Watch this space next week for another London engagement featuring a gorgeous couple who may or may not arrive by Vespa!!

One of the loveliest couples I have ever had the pleasure to work with, they are oozing with fun and positivity.  Hailey and Andrew are two people to whom smiling just comes naturally.

They are fast approaching the end of their time in London and planning their move back home to Canada where they plan to tie the knot!  Just like Betty & Seng, they wanted some photographs to remind them of their time together in the great british capital…

London Engagement Photographer

Jamie popped the question to Louise in the sunny seaside town of Aberystwyth on their three year anniversary.  She said yes (of course!) and the very next day I motored down through Wales to take their photograph…

Engagement Photographer Ceredigion

Contax 645 | Kodak Portra 800 | Order Prints Here

Early one Sunday morning in March I met Stephanie and Mike who had flown over from Jersey for a brief 24 hour visit to Mike’s hometown of Liverpool, where they’ll be tying the knot in May!

Thankfully they brought the sunshine with them and, fueled by one of the best-looking full english breakfasts I have ever seen, we spent a couple of hours exploring Liverpool’s quiet morning after the night before streets…

Engagement Photographer Liverpool