Exciting news... WPJA membership...

A great bit of news - I've just heard that I've been accepted as a member of the prestigious WPJA - Wedding Photojournalist Association. I'm really delighted as for me the WPJA showcases the best wedding talent in the world! Unlike many professional bodies membership is based on strict criteria so I feel very honoured to have made the grade!

Please do visit the WPJA website to enjoy some amazing images - I'm aiming to feature really soon in the competitions....

Even more lovely words !!!

Thank you so much to Rebecca who has just sent the most amazing message of thanks. The words are beautiful and a brilliant testimony to the power of stills photography.

I photographed Rebecca & Andy's wedding last June at Rogerthorpe Manor. The day was one of the wettest I can remember but this didn't damper any spirits and the beautiful light led to some stunning images....

"We literally cannot stop looking at our album. We are going to have the family round and open a bottle of champagne on Sunday and relive it all again. I am just amazed at how you have managed to capture the atmosphere on the day, in particular those moments, that spark of all our memories, thats now there forver in these images.

You manged to make everyone feel at ease and you have a natural gift for spotting those pictures that tell it all.It was an absolute pleasure,to have you at our wedding. The album is a delight, and exceeded our expectations,its something I am proud to pass on down the generations as the story of 'our wedding'.

I don't know if you are aware, but my husband and I are records managers, we look at what records should be preserved for how long and where they should be kept. Because of this we decided not to have a video, as DVDs, videos, tape as they all become obsolete over time and they cannot be preserved. Photographs continue to be the one product that stands the test of time that all other modern records fail to do. Its easy in everyway, you don't need any equipment or wires, you just pick it up and let your memory take you back to that day and all those other images in your mind outside the frame, come flooding back. Many people have commented that a video could capture sound and movement, but still pictures let you look closely, they allow you to examine the eyes and smile, and look a bit deeper. It's amazing how long we stare at those old black and white photos of the past and how much they tell us of our history and who we used to be. So many moments we wish to capture and freeze in time, only a photo can do that."

In short, I just wanted to say a big thank you for giving us exactly what we wanted-which is a bit of history that can stand the test of time, that will be looked at in every grainy detail long after we are gone."

Lovely words....!

Thanks so much to Katharine who sent this lovely text on return from honeymoon - it's really made my day!

"Olivia! Photos are fabulous! Just watched the DVD over and over and now too excited to sleep! You've done such a fantastic job - thank you so much. Look forward to catching up soon! K "

I'll post some photos soon from Katharine & Keith's wonderful day at the Devonshire Fell in Burnsall.

Lucy & Marc's Wedding at Burn Hall

It was an absolute honour to be asked by Lucy to photograph her wedding to Marc at Burn Hall. Lucy has recently opened the very lovely 'Platinum Bridal Boutique' in Yeadon with her sister-in-law Stacey, which I'm sure is set for great success.

The weather on the day was glorious with everyone enjoying an amazing BBQ and garden games outside on the terrace. Mental note - must find out where those amazing cupcakes came from as they looked so yummy !!

Emma & Matthew's Wedding at the Devonshire Fell

Another fab wedding day with Emma & Matthew at the Devonshire Fell in the very beautiful Burnsall. After documenting some girly getting ready moments with Emma in Addingham I had to hot foot it to Burnsall to capture Matthew's arrival by helicopter - thinking I had timed things to perfection I unfortunately got stuck behind a bumbling car of tourists who insisted on pootling along at 25 miles an hour - anyone that knows the road to Burnsall will appreciate that overtaking opportunities are non-existent! Had a horrible moment when the helicopter passed me overhead making me think I'd missed the boys but luckily it takes ages for the propellors to come to a halt so just made it in time for some great shots... Phew...



It was one of those amazing days when the skies clear just when you need them to so although there was some rain for Emma's arrival everyone was able to enjoy drinks in the stunning gardens and we were able to head down into Burnsall for some lovely shots on the village bridge. Music on the day was provided by the very fabulous Emley Brass Band. Emma had put loads of thought into the decor and look of the day and gifts for the girls included the pottery that had been painted on her hen weekend and instead of favours guests all received lapel pins representing donations that had been made to the British Heart Foundation in memory of Matthew's father. I stayed at the wedding until the dancing kicked off in the evening - it looked like it was going to be a fab party!!









For further information and wedding portfolio images please visit my website...

Operation Chicken rescue...

For those of you who don't really take much time to think about the source of your food this is definitely the post for you... My parent's have recently "rescued" 8 hens from a battery farm to give them a new life with a lovely free range existence. The birds were about to be shipped off for slaughter to be made into god knows what after one year of intensive laying. Each hen cost 50 pence...! My mum went to collect the birds and had to experience first hand the conditions these birds are subjected to - 10,000 birds in one massive shed with 4 hens to a cage the size of an A3 piece of paper.

I thought it would be really positive to document the changes the birds go through as they adjust from chicken hell to chicken heaven. The birds now have freedom to roam across an acre of land and a safe warm place to shelter at night time. These are a handful of images I've taken just to record the state of the birds in the first few days of their arrival - hope that I'll be able to show some more happy healthy birds in a few weeks...

My favourite place to chill !

Just thought I'd share a little secret with you... but don't tell everyone as I like the idea of it being exclusive to those in the know! La Rosa is one of my favourite places to go and chill for a few days - it's the most crazy, beautiful, random campsite you'll ever visit... Full of vintage caravans - eco friendly with a compost toilet in a gypsy caravan and no electricity - a fab box of dressing up clothes in the circus tent - romantic showers in a candlelit cowshed - the randomness goes on and on. I don't want to spoil the fun as you need to discover it for yourself but here's one little photo taken by my hubby that gives you an indication of the level of chill I achieved on our last stay! We also spent a night in the newly opened La Rosa Hotel in Whitby which is stunning - an amazing place for a romantic getaway... If you do make a visit say hi from Olivia & Jonny and my top tip is to ask for the Tinkers Van !