Sam & Larry, Villa Padierna, Marbella

I often say how lucky I am. I don't actually believe in luck at all, so I guess I must be 'blessed'.

This week, though, I shot a fantastic wedding at the beautiful Ritz-Cartlon Villa Padierna near Marbella, and couldn't help thinking all day 'how lucky am I?'. Sam and Larry, the bride and groom, came all the way from Chicago to tie the knot here with their friends and family.

What a delightful, fun and caring couple. They gave me the time to get the shots I really wanted to get for them, but the truth is I could have gone on and on. Sam looked absolutely stunning, whilst Larry stayed cool, calm and collected, despite temperatures in the late 30's celcius. They both made my job so easy. Thanks, Guys.

Sam & Larry, Villa Padierna, Marbella - Sneak Peak

Magazine Shoot

I met a very interesting person earlier this year, by chance really. Having agreed to do a favour for someone who needed some quick promo shots I ended up doing the shoot at the salon of a very successful and well renowned make up artist who is now based here in Marbella. My new friend, who shall remain nameless, made his name working with the world's top models on the catwalks around Europe and New York.

So here I was, suddenly working with a real pro. He is extremely creative, and has turned out to be incredibly supportive of me and my work, although I can't work out what I've done to deserve his help and support. I am so grateful for it though.

Anyway, we were recently asked to create a collection of shots for an upcoming magazine article (can't say which yet) and I ended up back at my friends salon to do the shots. I think he is a genius and hopefully this comes through in the shots below.

New arrival

Whilst we're on the subject of music, tomorrow should see the delivery of my new baby! No, not the patter of tiny feet, but the arrival of my new bass. I think it's a thing of beauty. I have an audition for a new band, so just need to get the fingers warmed up a bit.

Long time, no post

It's been way too long since I last posted, so I am going to try and make a better effort of this whole 'blog thing'. Our life and business continues to change positively so it's not like I don't have stuff to write about. So my mid-year resolution is to post, post, post, and not necessarily just about photography.

So where are we? Well, 2009 has been a monumental year so far. It feels like everything has changed, or is changing. Yes, times are hard, but we seem to be in demand, we have some very nice new customers, and people are still getting married. But our business is changing. We are getting involved in so many new and exciting things it's hard to catch your breath some times.

Music has always been my number 1 passion, above photography (which is number 2) even if I am completely honest, and this year we have made countless new contacts in the music business and a large part of commercial and marketing business is now primarily aimed at promoting, producing and marketing musicians and musical artists. This new area of our business has come as a complete surprise to us, although, in hindsight, it shouldn't have. And this has given us the confidence to really dive into new areas of business for no other reason than we enjoy them.

For me, music is my life and everything revolves around it. It's taken me a long time to realise this. Photography is very similar to music. It is art, and for me that means it has no other use other than to give people enjoyment. That's it! Music and photography are simply about providing enjoyment to others, and yourself, of course.

So I am lucky. I get to take photos for a living and am increasingly involved in various aspects of the music 'industry'. What more could I ask for? Well, with passions number and and number 2 taken care of, I guess I just need to get involved with Leicester Tigers rugby club to make it 3 out of 3!