Suzanne & Andrew, The Swan, Newby Bridge

Thank you to Suzanne and Andrew, whose wedding took place at the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge on Friday 26th June. It wasn’t just sunny, it was HOT and humid. Luckily, the ballroom where the ceremony was held is air conditioned!

Bottles of essential, life-giving liquid on a day like today…

Not many people actually look good when they’re wearing the wrong jacket, but kids just know how to do it…

I don’t need to know ‘why’ to know that it’s worth taking a photograph…

Anyone work out who the groom supports?

A few quiet minutes amid the fun…

Evie Grace

Evie Grace is just a little over three months old, still quite small and with a great head of hair. Her Mum and Dad brought her in to get some photos before she starts growing properly and changes day by day.

Chocolet Bar Shope

I have to go back to Nepal one day. The dirtiest, coldest, most impoverished place I’ve ever been, but the one that’s had the most impact, nearly ten years on. And I’ve finally got started on scanning in the negatives from the ten rolls of film I took. I’ve put some prints on sale here.

This is what 18,000 feet feels like, just above Gorak Shep on Kalar Pattar.

A young boy peering out from his home at the mad foreigners moaning about carrying a 25 litre daysac.

And his local Spa shop, selling cold dring and hot dring…

If you’ve ever had a hard day, just remember these guys and think again. They make you feel very humble.

Helen & Bryan, Langdale Estate

A proper scorcher this one – had to top up the suncream during a brief break before whisking Helen & Bryan down the road to a favourite location for some more shots.

Langdale is one of the most popular valleys in the Lake District – with good reason. It’s fairly accessible but has fabulous views whichever way you look.

This is at the Langdale Estate, hidden by the trees…

Always best not to sniff the flowers too hard…

A favourite location not far away that shall remain secret -ish…

Sharran & Mark, Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere

Holbeck Ghyll is where Rene Zelwegger stayed during filming of Miss Potter, so needless to say it’s very nice. The view isn’t too bad either, even through the post-rain mist.

Sharran & Mark were good enough to wander around the grounds with me despite the wet grass. The gardens are so colourful at this time of year.

Champagne on ice…

Photographing beautiful people for a living…it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it…

Louise & Darren, Belmount Hall

Even I thought Louise’s Mum was being optimistic when she said the weather would be wonderful at St.Andrews Church in Coniston as Louise was getting ready. The hailstones over Hawkshead Hill did nothing  to allay my fears, but somehow, after the ceremony, the rain subsided and gave way to a glorious afternoon.

St.Andrews in Coniston

No, I didn’t make them do it! The ground was still wet from the rain so to save Louise’s dress, Darren just picked her up. Looks like fun…

A ‘moody’ sky so common in these parts. At least it gave us a beautiful afternoon…

Belmount Hall has a fabulous staircase for photographs…

Not The Weather Forecast

The BBC predicted four solid days of heavy rain in the Lake District over this weekend. So nobody came.

What we actually got was forty minutes of drizzle and four days of empty streets. Thank You London.

My advice would be to never, ever, base your weekends away on a TV weather forecast. The best for the Lake District is this. It’s aimed at walkers but will give you a more accurate idea than anything else.

Jackie & Andrew, Storrs Hall, Windermere

This felt like the first real summer wedding of the year. In fact the whole of the Easter holidays had fantastic weather in the Lake District, so my decision to throw a brolly into my car ‘just in case’ was quickly followed by an application of suncream. Good job too, as once the ceremony was over I don’t think anyone went back inside until it was time to eat.

Jackie & Andrew got married at Storrs Hall on the shore of Windermere on Easter Monday and they couldn’t have picked better weather.

The Temple is unique to Storrs Hall, a folly built by one of it’s early owners, and a great place for a photograph. It can be a bit breezy out there.

The heat of the sun in the lounge was making even the bridesmaids nod off before the ceremony.

Pippa & Louisa were fantastic. I have to be honest, it would be pretty hard to take a bad photo of either of them and they loved their part in the day.

…which included letting off the biggest Party Poppers you’ve ever seen!

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Wedding Venue: Merewood, Windermere

I seem to be getting a lot of enquiries for weddings at the Merewood Hotel just lately. I’ve done four weddings there since the end of June, ranging from photos on the lawn in front of the hotel, to indoor winter weddings. I’ve always managed to get outside at some point, if only for a few minutes.

There are lots of options at the Merewood for layouts, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to any two weddings that have been the same in that respect – great for the customers.