Mike and Nina's Wedding, Marbella Spain

Sam & Larry, Villa Padierna, Marbella

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!

Well, summer must be coming because it's gone a busy as hell. We're involved in a number of new projects at the moment as well as getting into to full swing with our weddings. We have two new ventures in the pipeline, which I'll post more details about in the near future hopefully.

For now, here are some quick shots from Tallulah and the Boy's Preview Show held at the fabulous Ogilvy and Mailer restaurant near Marbella last weekend.

I am putting the final touches to Tallulah's website (http://www.tallulahcabaret.com/) and everything should be up and running in time for Tallulah & the Boy's Preview show at the exclusive Ogilvy & Mailer Restaurant, near Puerto Banus, next week. I'll be the official 'smudger' for the evening and am really looking forward to seeing Tallulah perform.

I am also putting together Tallulah's new blog but she still needs a little encouragement to start posting. I find this a little surprising because she is such an interesting lady, who's life is full of rich experiences. Not only that but as a successful novelist (see 'The Crab Man') you'd think blogging would be second nature to her. That said, I have a feeling once Tallulah starts we won't be able to stop her.

Keep an eye out for shots from Tallulah & the Boy's preview show on this blog soon. Above is the artwork for some promo materials I put together for Tallulah.

.....and the boy

Following my recent promo portrait shoot with Tallulah, this week I shot her musical partner and extremely talented musician and composer, Warren. New promo material, website and video for 'Tallulah and the boy' (www.tallulahcabaret.com) to follow soon.

Tallulah

Hi

Long time, no post. Well, two weeks without Broadband doesn't help.

Anyway, wanted to post a couple of quick portraits I took last week of our friend, Tallulah. Tallulah is an ex-West End actress and singer who now lives here in Spain and can still occassionaly be heard singing at some of the top spots locally. What a voice. Really loved taking these photos of a truly amazing lady.

Phill Coe Photography Exhibition - March 2009 Spain

It's only a few weeks now until my next photography exhibition and I'm getting to the point where I need to narrow down my selection and get the chosen images to the framers. The exhibition will be held in a beautiful show-house villa near Benalmadena, Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It's been over a year since my last exhibition and I'm a little nervous as ever. Below you'll find some of the images that I am considering showing, please let me know your opinion, good, bad or indifferent.

Photo Exhibition - March 2009 Spain

Fun morning with the kids

Had a great morning this morning, photographing the 'carnival' at our local nursery, Costa Kindercare (http://www.costakindercare.com/). We've done a lot of commercial kids photography over the least few years but it's been a few months since the last one. I know people say 'don't work with kids and animals', but at least as far kids are concerned it is probably one of the most enjoyable things that I do.

Something struck me today though. Despite all the doom and gloom that we are seeing on the TV and reading in the papers every day, nothing brings more joy and fun to our lives than watching children play.

As the carnival was coming to an end this morning I turned round to look at all the parents who'd come to see their child take part in the fancy dress parade and all I could see was a sea of smiling, no beaming, faces. Pure and utter joy! And from something so simple. I know some of us are more fortunate than others but let's not forget what life is really all about and what actually makes us happy.