David McNeil Photography

Viva Las Vegas

David — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:49:52 +0000

So, I’m back from India – for just one day only – as I am heading out to WPPI Las Vegas, the biggest gathering of wedding photographers in the world. Of course, it’s not just fun and games as I will be shooting with the delectable blogger extrodinaire Kat from Rock N Roll bride, as well as the talented Nubby Twiglet (who designed my website) and the fabulous blogger Gala Darling while I’m there.

..oh, and I also have an engagement shoot in San Francisco as well :)

I’ve held back some of my favourite weddings to from 2011 to blog when I get back as well, including a fantastic wedding in Cyprus and all my Christmas weddings too. I have some new web galleries on the way and will be mentoring 12 new students on the Traines Eye Academy programme so after two months of chilled out bliss in India it’s back to a full calendar of fabulous weddings to look forward to in 2012. Engagement shoots are all set for April, and I’m about to book my flights for a wedding in Australia – surely one of the highlights of the coming year.

So, as I head off to the airport to meet the pink-haired one – here’s a quick shot to remind you how much she loves me…

Wedding -Bella & Stu, Camden Place, Chislehurst

David — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:11:33 +0000

It’s no secret that I love a good wedding day portrait session, but as I have said in previous posts, probably my favourite part of photographing a wedding is the ceremony. It’s such an honour to be part of that moment when two people come together and make those vows – sometimes (and I know it will shock those who know how manly and tough I am) I even get a bit emotional myself.

Bella and Stu’s wedding ceremony was one of those times – there was a whole lot of love in that room and it’s difficult not to be moved by it. One of my best friends commented that, looking at theses photographs, ireally made them understand Bella and Stu’s feelings for each other. As a wedding photographer that must be one of the best compliments somebody could pay me – and it’s my biggest goal to achieve at every wedding I shoot.

Bella, our beautiful bride, looked amazing in her 50s styling and gorgeous shoes and I loved her slightly bee-hived hair-style (girls, it never fails!). In my mind, it suited Bella and Stu’s fun approach to the day and made this wedding such a blast to shoot. Stu was just as well turned out (and I think it was his emotions that got me in the end!)

Big thanks to both families who made me feel a big part of the day :)

Wedding – Harriet & Matt, Buxted Park

David — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:04:22 +0000

Harriet & Matt’s e-shoot was such a lovely, chilled out affair I knew their wedding was going to have a smilar vibe, with the added bonus of being in a wedding venue I’ve wanted to shoot in for a long time – Buxted Park in Surrey.

I knew from the shoot as well that Harriet was going to be a bride with style, and her beautiful beige dress, exquistely different shoes, and perfectly matching hair piece went so well together with bohemian elegance that suited the venue incredibly well.

Lots of little personal touches made the day complete, and with the August sunshine beating down it was a day of complete joy to capture. The only thing missing was Harriet and Matt’s little Pug dog who, although sadly couldn’t make it to the wedding, was definitely there in spirit!

‘

‘
‘

‘

Wedding – Lindsay & Mike, Chiswick

David — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:51:10 +0000

I love it when a bride has a real sense of style. I also love it when a bride has a wicked personality. Add in that this particualr bride is another ex-pat Scot in London AND chooses a RED CANDY ANTHONY dress AND looks like something from the golden age of Hollywood AND wants some edgy wedding portrait shots and, oh my goodness me, you’ll only go and have exactly the type of weddng I’d love to shoot :)

It was also lovely to meet somebody who understood, and with whom I could indulge in, my Scottish sense of humour – Bonus!

Lindsay and Milke had a relaxed ceremony on a sunny Monday at the beginning of August. With a red London bus to transport everyone from the church in Chiswick to the reception in Ealing, and plenty of kilts on display it was the perfect marriage of North and South, and made me more than a little homesick.

After the ceremony I knew Lindsay and Mike wanted to mix up some safe shots with something a little more urban – something that suits me down to the ground. Shooting in Chiswick is always fun, especially near the A4 as there are some wonderfully gritty locations to choose from. It also helped that Lindsay and Mike gave me so much time for the shoot, and I think it shows in their finished set. Thank you!

‘

‘
‘

‘

‘
‘

‘

Wedding – Katharine & Sim, Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham

David — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:14:02 +0000

Some weddings try to break the mould, but Katharine and Sim planned a wedding that really did break the mould by them doing everything exactly the way they wanted. When couples do this I always love seeing how their interpretation of a wedding comes to life – it’s such a joy to see!

First thing was organsing the portrait shoot around Birmingham city centre before the ceremony. When couples do this it really gives me so much time to create a full set of images that look fantastic. Birmingham city centre provided a great urban backdrop for the uber-cool Kath and Sim. A floral dress instead of a typcial white one for Kath, and a slick modern suit for Sim. Definitely, without a doubt, one of my coolest couples of the year!

A ceremony and reception at Hotel Du Vin was followed by a great tasting meal at the couples favourite Thai restaurant. All of this added up to a very chilled out, relaxed and informal day to celebrate their wedding.

E-Shoot – Peter & Jo, Lyme Regis

David — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:38:32 +0000

I’ll be emailing all my 2012 couples very shortly to get your engagement shoot details organised. You might, like Peter & Jo, decide to have your bespoke e-shoot by the sea and in the UK we are really quite spoiled by beach resorts, like Lyme Regis, that make the perfect spot for a shoot.

Lyme Regis was special as it was where Jo fondly remembers her childhood holidays and where they often visit together as a couple. Choosing a place that is special to you can make the shoot even more memorable and enjoyable, so do think carefully!

Despite the wind, and bright sunshine we had a great time wandering around the town to get the shots. It’s great seeing summer again!!

Jo and Pete’s wedding was in Bristol in September and was absolutely beautiful! I’m a bit behind in my blogging, but it’ll be blogged soon and you’re in for a very special treat when I do :)

Wedding – Nikki & Paul, Gibson Hall, London

David — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:24:11 +0000

The start of Nikki and Paul’s wedding was lovely for me as I ended up in Chiswick, where I used to live, to capture Nikki getting ready. There’s something very special about getting ready in your own home and it helps you understand your couples a little better!

Although during the taxi ride the weather seemed a little ominous, the July rain did little to damper our spirits as we headed into the city for Nikki and Paul’s wedding at Gibson Hall in the city of London.

As soon as the ceremony finished the sky lightened and we were able to get the group shot and the portrait session around Leadenhall Market underway! Nikki and Paul were loads of fun and so, so easy to work with. Loads of smiles guaranteed!

The reception kicked off with the Photobooth – fun as always, and thanks to second shooter Adam Trigg for manning it! – and then a very novel way of choosing the first dance – all guests suggested a song, and picked at random, it ended up being The Greatest Day by Take That. Cue some cheese here… I’m sure this ended up being Nikki and Paul’s greatest day :)

Wedding – James & Zoe, Preston Court, Kent

David — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:58:39 +0000

A couple of my wedding photographer friends have shot weddings at Preston Court this year, so I was pleased when James & Zoe sent me the link to their venue and I though, “Yes! That’s the one with the carousel!” and kept my fingers crossed they’d like to book me. They did :)

From their engagement shoot I knew they were a glamorous couple, and Zoe looked so amazing on the day, with the final touch of Emmy shoes completing her look perfectly.

The venue lends itself to a relaxed day, and with many of their guests being nearly as crazy as James (!) it was certainly a fun affair – with Paella and BBQ being served for their wedding breakfast. Of course, we also managed to use some old steam trains and the infamous carousel in some of their portrait shots.

I’d love to shoot another wedding there :)

Wedding – Liz & Will, Shoreditch House, London

David — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:38:08 +0000

Shoreditch House is one of my favourite reception venues in one of my favourite parts of London – and Liz and Will chose to have their ceremony in arguably the best of London’s town halls, Islington – so it all made for a much anticipated wedding in my 2011 calendar!

Throw in that Liz and Will are a gorgeous couple and I knew it was going to be a memorable day :)

I love that Liz had each bridesmaid in a different colour, and with a different bouquet, making her wonderfully elegant dress stand out even more. It’s also great to see a groom pay as much attention to his outfit, and Will certainly was the dapper gentleman in his tweed suit and bow tie.

After the ceremony we used the great variety Shoreditch has to offer for some portraits. I love that in Shoreditch I can turn a corner, not know what is around it, except that it will prbably give me a great background to use :)

I’ll also have to ask Aussie Liz for some tips for a wedding I’ve booked next year in Melbourne! Might be a bit further to travel than a few stops up the East London line!

Wedding – Issy & Gareth, Bryher, Isles of Scilly

David — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:01:45 +0000

I know I’ve said this before – but one of the biggest perks of my job is getting to see parts of the UK, and the world I might never have had the chance to before. I’ve never sought to be a “local” photographer and have shot weddings as far north as Aberdeen, and now, as far south as the Isles of Scilly for Issy and Gareth’s wedding on Bryher.

I have always been one up on most of the population in that I did know where the Isles of Scilly were (I’m sure many of the people I told thought I was going to Italy, Guernesy, or the Hebrides!), a few miles west of Cornwall. However, I didn’t know much about them other than that the beaches were supposed to be some of the most beautiful our country has to offer. Issy filled me in about life on the islands at our meetings and the engagement shoot and it got me so intrigued – imagine a place where there is no traffic, where neighbours leave their doors open and unlocked, and where Issy’s gorgeous mum, runs a little business making the most divine fudge I’ve ever tasted. I booked my helicopter flight, got my friend and top photographer Kim Hawkins along for the ride and waited for the wedding with so much anticipation.

I cannot stress how kind and friendly the residents of Bryher were – Kim and I were given our own barn to stay in for the few days we were there, and nothing was too much trouble. The weather was glorious and it was amazing to escape the bustle of London for a short time. The island was peaceful, tranquil and the perfect place to have a wedding.

Despite their being a little bit of rain in the moring that put a stop to our plan to shoot Issy and Gareths portraits pre-ceremony, the sun came out in the afternoon and gave us the perfect light to bring out all the wonderful colours of the wedding and of the island. I could talk forever about how much of a wonderful time I had – but instead I think I’ll just let the photographs do the talking.

..and if you can, please visit the Scilly Isles, and when you do – make sure you taste some of the Veronica Farm fudge :)

Big thank you to Kim Hawkins who, among others, took all the shots of the guys in the morning.