It’s been a busy week with a half day’s aerial shoot on Monday, a full day’s wedding on Tuesday, photographing the recording of BBC Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet yesterday and being filmed myself today for an episode of Channel 5’s ‘The Hotel Inspector‘ with the lovely Alex Polizzi. I’m glad I’ve got a quiet day tomorrow to try to get caught up with processing!
Yesterday’s recording on Cromer Pier for the Kitchen Cabinet show was great fun. I was asked by Darby (editor/producer of this show and Gardener’s Question Time AND most importantly a friend and former wedding client!) to arrive at the pier for 4:30pm to photograph the recording of the podcast and get some shots of the panel for pre-show publicity (and for use as a title image on the BBC iPlayer). It was lovely to meet the host and UK food legend Jay Rayner and the other panelists (Dr Annie Gray, Andi Oliver, Paula McIntyre and Jordan Bourke). We had a few minutes to play with and the light was lovely so we did a few quick shots before they headed in for soundchecks.
The show itself was great fun to watch with local appearances by Julie Davies (Davies Fish shop) dressing crabs live on stage, Philip & Henry Search of Henry’s Coffee Shop in Cromer, bringing along their award winning crab sandwiches, and BBC Masterchef finalist, Norfolk-legend and macaron maestro Tim Kinnaird providing a crab-shaped macaron.
The Kitchen Cabinet episode airs on 5th May and the Hotel Inspector episode with my ugly mug in it will be aired sometime in September.
Below are a few shots from yesterday’s recording on Cromer Pier. I totally forgot to get any behind the scenes shots from the Hotel Inspector filming today (which I was kicking myself about all the way home (tricky to do when you are driving at the same time!)).
The BBC East team did a nice write up with some of the shots as did the EDP….
BBC report: https://bbc.in/2JohKAf
Below, recording the podcast in a huddle out of the wind!
Below, Philip & Henry Search discuss the intricacies of crab sandwiches….
Reiko and Jackson’s wedding last Saturday was an absolute joy to photograph. Amazing people, stunning venue, great weather, costume changes, kimonos, a wedding cake like no other, a rowing boat, one of the best first dances ever and so much more.
I started the day’s coverage with a few quick preparation shots as Reiko had the finishing touches added at Jackson’s family home, a gorgeous converted barn in Gunthorpe, deepest North Norfolk.
I had met Jackson & Reiko (and Jackson’s mother Rebecca) the previous week and we’d all clicked instantly so I knew it was going to be a fun day. Especially as I knew we were in for two stunning silk kimonos (one for Reiko & one for Jackson), certainly not something I see at most Norfolk weddings. I think we should encourage more kimonos at weddings, the colours were beautiful!
Reiko’s nephew Taka, ring-bearer and all round legend was great fun. He spoke about two words in English and I only knew one word in Japanese so we communicated in smiles and gestures, he had a great day, such a nice little fella, a real credit to his parents.
Look at that wedding cake! Sadly Jackson & Reiko’s little dog Bibi passed away a few months ago and they were determined he would feature in their wedding celebration somehow and feature he did!
The rose petal scattering didn’t go quite to plan!
The celebration complete and confetti scattered I put the drone up for a few quick aerial shots…
Jackson & Reiko were such good sports, they took to the rowing boat in all their finery for some photos and thankfully there were no spills. I’m not sure that kimonos have much in the way of buoyancy!
I sometimes ask couples to have a little practice of their first dance if they fancy it. It can create motion in the pictures and can be quite fun, I got a sneak preview into Jackson & Reiko’s incredible choreographed dance!
Just before the meal Jackson & Reiko changed into their English wedding outfits, Reiko is a nanny to the little girl in the photo below. Her reaction to seeing ‘Princess Reiko’ in her beautiful white dress for the first time is priceless!
The catering & event planning was provided by the talented Tom & Hayley of Hatter Events – they were kind enough to recommend my services to Jackson & Reiko in the first place so huge thanks to Tom & Hayley, you guys rock!
Thank you again to Jackson & Reiko and their family & friends for making me feel so welcome at their stunning North Norfolk wedding celebration. It really was a blast to photograph, I hope the handful of shots in this blog post reflect what a terrific day it was!
Footnote: I had this glowing review from Jackson & Reiko on my Google Review page, thanks guys, really appreciate it!
The full gallery of Reiko & Jackson’s stunning North Norfolk wedding is on my Norfolk Wedding Photography gallery page here.
• North Norfolk wedding photographers • Wedding photography Norfolk • Norfolk wedding photos • Wedding photographers in Norfolk •
It’s been a great month for the PR machine with my photo of Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain appearing in The Woodland Trust’s Broadleaf magazine, two double page spreads in Cameracraft magazine, images submitted for publication in the Grand Designs magazine and an appearance on a long-running national TV program in the next couple of weeks.
I can’t publicise what the show is or when it will be aired yet but you can be sure I will once I have the clearance to do so!
There are a few other national projects in the pipeline and some aerial filming for a popular BBC2 series this year. 2018 is proving to be a very busy and interesting year.
Corinne & Tom must have a crystal ball, their wedding reception was ski chalet-themed and sure enough we had snow on the week of their wedding, almost too much snow – in the days preceeding their wedding there were concerns that people may struggle to get to the wedding! All went well though and the roads blocked by snow drifts cleared the day before and a safe journey to the wedding was had by all.
Big kudos have to go to Philippa Pease of Purple Chilli Events for putting together this amazing wedding reception. I have to say that I don’t think I’ve seen a marquee transformed to such an amazing extent before in all the years I’ve been doing weddings. It looked INCREDIBLE! They had trees, skis, toboggans, walls papered to look like stone chalet interiors, a cosy bar, firepit, tree-enclosed dancefloor, snow and every other detail you could imagine, it was a masterpiece as you will see below…
Corinne didn’t want preparation shots so I just did a few quick photos of her dress & shoes before heading off to the church where I found Tom and the chaps greeting the guests as they slipped & slided (slid?!) through the snow…
Owing to the church having no heating some guests improvised!
Formal bit done it was back to Corinne & Tom’s and the Ski Chalet for their wedding reception. The lighting in the marquee was fantastic and makes for some beautiful colours in the below shots…
After the meal and speeches Tom & Corinne had a surprise for their guests in the form of the legendary Kit & McConnel (formerly of Kit & The Widow, well known for touring with Joan Rivers and making a number TV, radio & Broadway appearances over the last few decades). They were incredible and had everyone in stitches.
And so to the first dance to kick off the evening party, these guys sure knew how to cut a rug and the dance floor got a serious pounding!
Thank you to Tom & Corinne for having me as their wedding photographer, it was a great wedding to photograph, party on!
• Thornham wedding photography • Wedding photographers in North Norfolk • Norfolk wedding photographer •
I’m pleased to announce I am now one of the Norfolk wedding photographers featured on a great new wedding suppliers site – The Wedding Secret. It’s a great UK-wide resource for wedding supliers and venues, well worth a look to help with planning your wedding.
So, as of today my business is a teenager but don’t expect any stroppy mood swings, it’s all celebrations here!
13 years ago today my business was registered as limited company and came into being. What initially started out as an escape route from working in IT at Virgin One Account has become one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It’s taken me to places and introduced me to people I couldn’t have imagined I’d be meeting and provided me with a lifestyle and creative occupation I absolutely love so with 13 being my lucky number I thought I’d better celebrate this one.
I commissioned the talented Emma Thorburn at Buns of Fun to make this fantastic cake replica of one of the Canon 5D MKIII’s that I use on a daily basis. The tools of my trade.
Thank you to EVERYONE that has supported me throughout the last thirteen years, whether that is through the encouraging words & lovely feedback or hiring me to photograph various fantastic events, properties and people and providing me with some amazing opportunities and fun along the way. Thank you also must go to my amazing children Charlotte and Will for being understanding when I’m not always there for them as I’m out shooting a wedding and of course to my far better half, Leanne, for her ongoing support and sounding board for my various crazy ideas.
Happy Birthday to me, here’s to the next 13 years, onwards and upwards!
Below is a timelapse video I made of Emma creating the masterpiece…
The Pigs at Edgefield has a serious following and it’s clear to see why, a truly unique place offering luxury accommodation in their amazing spa rooms and an innovative menu. I have friends that travel the world and still say that The Pigs is their very favourite place. Such character and friendly service with all sorts of little treats and surprises in store.
Last week I spent a couple of days back at The Pigs to do an image refresh featuring their new Spa Suites, the spa treatments, jacuzzi and some more of their mouthwatering food. The perks of being a commercial photographer in Norfolk eh?!
Chef Ben knocked up some masterpieces for me to photograph. I’m a sucker for slow-roasted pork belly and this is the best I’ve had. With a new way of preparing the pork belly, Ben has found the most succulent and tasty way I’ve yet seen and when it’s served up with black pudding, crackling, homemade apple sauce and their bacon & beans it’s an absolute triumph!
Another great addition to The Pigs is their custom Shuffle Board, we booked a table there for lunch last Sunday for Mother’s Day and the Shuffle Board was a big hit with our gang!
Anyway here’s a selection of the shots from last week…
To view more of my work as a commercial photographer in Norfolk please follow this link to my commercial gallery. You’ll see I am also a food photographer, property and interiors photographer and much more! This year’s clients alone include the BBC, Gresham’s school, Bacton Gas Terminal, Sheringham Golf Club, Blakeney House, Arnolds Keys, Waterside Estate agents, Brown & Co agricultural agents, Price cabinet makers, renowned artist Brian Lewis, and many more.
In a first for Norfolk’s Coast Path today a helicopter was airlifting heavy path building materials on Beeston Bump/Hill at Sheringham on behalf of the Norfolk County Council Trails team. I popped along to get some shots for the local press and was amazed by the speed of the operation. This pilot, for Skyhook Helicopters, certainly knew his craft, it was a very efficient process from collecting the one ton bags to depositing them at various stages along the hill.
Below are a few shots and a short video showing some footage I filmed. Please excuse the soundtrack, I couldn’t help myself!
It’s been a very busy start to the year with various property photography commissions and there have been some really incredible places for me to shoot.
I enjoy property photography, I have a system and a gear set-up that I know will get the results I want time after time, I get to see some amazing houses and inspiring interiors. My work as a property photographer is pretty much split 50:50 between shooting for estate agents and photographing holiday homes. The basic principles are the same in that I need to make the rooms look bright & inviting, cosy or airy, spacious & welcoming but with estate agents it’s all about enticing people to book a viewing. Unless there are specific fixtures and fittings that will be sold with the house it’s mostly about the wide shots of the rooms, a few exteriors and if appropriate some aerial photographs to show the grounds and location.
With holiday property photography it is obviously important to still get those wide angle shots of the rooms but I also make a point of getting lots of ‘Detail Shots’, or cameos, of the various features which give the property it’s character. For the Detail Shots I generally use a 50mm lens with a wide aperture (usually around F2.2) to get a nice shallow depth of field (you know, a blurry background!) sorry, I’ll try to avoid getting too technical here.
Below are a few of the properties so far this year (is it really March already?!) which really stood out for me.
The first is Thatched Barn in Mundesley which I photographed for a regular client of mine: Arnolds Keys. Thatched Barn is a beautifully refurbished 4 bedroom barn conversion available for a cool £670K, check it out on RightMove here.
Next up is Liberty House in Suffolk, they don’t have a website built quite yet for the holiday let but as you will see from below it is a huge and stunningly decorated property with extensive grounds and even has it’s own private indoor swimming pool! What an amazing place.
The next property in this post is Tolly House in Wells-Next-The-Sea, a bright & airy holiday property in the town of Wells, maybe not quite as extravagant as some of the other properties featured here but a lovely place to stay for a holiday in North Norfolk nonetheless…
The property below was a real treat to photograph, this time for a new estate agency to me – The Norfolk Agency. Verona House at Ashwicken is a beautiful home, built and lovingly furnished by the current owners. As previously mentioned, since it is a sale property I didn’t do too much in the way of detail shots, so these are just wide room shots but you can see what a lovely place this is…
Keeping on the theme of amazing holiday lets check out this place below. What a stunner! This property is Barn Drift on the North Norfolk coast near Cley. A 7 bedroom 18th century barn conversion decorated and furnished to the very highest standard. Obviously this was taken in winter and I should be heading back in late spring/summer to get some more flattering shots of the exterior, gardens and aerial shots from the drone but the photo below gives a good idea of the unique location of this property right on the coast at Cley.
Wye House, below, is a property I photographed for another regular client, the lovely Susie Hartley. Susie manages (and owns) a number of very high spec properties on the North Norfolk coast and the renovation of this holiday let in Blakeney had literally just been completed when I arrived to do the photography. As with all of Susie’s properties, Wye House has been developed with such care & attention to detail. It’s an absolute pleasure to photograph properties for Susie as I know they will always be beautiful. I have the easy job of going in once all the hard work and thought has been put into making these houses look amazing, I just have to capture all that amazingness as well as I can for the rest of the world to see!
Just look at this bathroom! How cool is that wallpaper?!
Last but not least is a charming little holiday cottage I photographed today in Sheringham for another regular client of mine, Mark Ashby. Kits Beck is in a great location close to the town & beach in Sheringham with off-road parking spaces for two cars (important in the busy summer season!) and again decorated and furnished to a really high standard. I was there today for a refresh of a few of the rooms that have recently had an update but I still thought it was worth including on here as it’s such a charming little holiday cottage.
Mark, the letting manager was kind enough to write me a glowing testimonial recently…
“It’s simple: Great photographs absolutely sell holiday properties. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Chris over the past few years and he has provided me with fantastic photography for four of our holiday homes here in beautiful North Norfolk. I know, from the feedback from guests and the immediate impact on bookings, that our investment in professional photography has paid absolute dividends and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Chris to any holiday home owner”
So there’s a few of the properties I’ve been lucky enough to photograph in & around Norfolk & Suffolk so far in January & February this year. If you are looking for a Norfolk holiday property photographer then please do drop me a line to discuss the options. I use a very simple pricing structure and guarantee a 24 hour turnaround time to provide the finished high resolution image files after photographing the property.
Good quality, professional interior photographs are essential to market properties whether for selling or letting. Many of my clients remark on what a big difference they see in viewings and bookings after uploading my photos to their websites. For the sake of a fully booked cottage or a quicker house sale it’s a small investment to make.
I don’t often post up family shots here in my business blog but we had a great day today and got some lovely shots so I thought I’d share a few.
Between myself and my partner Leanne we have 5 children so we get to be big kids ourselves as often as we like but we haven’t had a decent snowfall here in North Norfolk for a good few years. Five maybe? Possibly more.
So when we woke up this morning to see a good 3-4inches of snow had fallen and the schools were closed we grabbed all the warm gear and headed out to make the most of it. We spent the morning making snowmen, an igloo, a snow cat and hurling snowballs at each other. After an hour thawing out, drinking hot chocolate & having some lunch we got kitted up again (warm from the tumble drier!) and headed up to the golf course/cliffs at Sheringham for some sledging.
The conditions in the wind were pretty much Siberian, with bitter blizzards blowing across in the 45mph winds but we found some good runs in the shelter of Skelding Hill and spent the next few hours hurling ourselves down on various contraptions. It was so much fun! Here’s a few photos of our twice in a decade afternoon….