Derbyshire Diaries - The Great Big 2017 Round Up!
In which I am very thankful for an amazing year
Over the course of 2017 I started a new feature on my blog. Every other month I have been writing blog posts about what I've been up to... sharing work, music and stories from my life. I'm so excited to do the same throughout 2018 as it's been so helpful putting together this post... there were so many adventures that I almost forgot about, photos taken, films crafted and memories made.
Sheffield Wedding Photography & Video | Sam & Roxy
Lakeland Vibes and Confetti Chaos
It's time to blog another wedding! I have a wonderful collection of weddings from last summer to share with you over the next couple of months and I'm making a start with Sam and Roxy's colourful and sparkly celebration. It definitely cemented my love of confetti cannons and it was wonderful heading to the Lyceum theatre for their first look
Didsbury House Hotel Wedding Photography & Video | Becky & Jack
Smiles, Tears, Friendship, Home and Happiness
It seems like July only just happened, and yet here we are in November as I look back on some of my weddings waiting to be blogged and start work on Becky and Jack's wedding at the wonderful Didsbury House Hotel. As always I will be handing over to them to tell you about their wedding planning and how their day unfolded... but not until after you've taken a few minutes to watch their highlight video below!
Tunnels Beaches Wedding Photography and Video | Soleil & Dave
Oakley Hall Hotel Wedding | Rex & Louise
It's time for another wedding blog post! This time it's Louise and Rex, and I'm going to hand over to them to tell you about their day in their own words. Just as soon as you've had a look at their highlight video below... let's do this thing...
THE SOUNDTRACK
Want to listen to Rex & Louise's favourite music from their day? Click the image below to hear a Spotify playlist, featuring Belle & Sebastian, The Beatles, First Aid Kit and more!
OUR WEDDING PLANNING PROCESS
We started planning a few weeks after we got engaged, which was 7 months before we got married.
Our biggest challenges were finding a band - there are lots out there so we became really picky! Finding a venue as we both had slightly different ideas, but we found a compromise! Everything else was surprisingly easy, just took a lot of time researching.
We enjoyed choosing the music/songs together and decorating the venue together. It made it even more special walking into a room knowing you'd created it together and spent time over it.
the story of our wedding
The bride stayed at the venue with her bridesmaids in a cottage next to the hotel and the groom at home with his best men.
Bride and bridesmaids got up nice and early to have breakfast together and start work on the hair and makeup. Groom and best men could afford a nice lie-in!
Both felt pretty nervous until we the ceremony began then it was a non-stop amazing experience that we will both never forget!
All the uncertainty and nerves disappeared when we realise how much fun it is getting married and being surrounded by everyone you know and love.
The speeches were both our favourite bit. Everyone did and amazing job and we were super impressed. Even the best men who tight roped along that fine-line.
The band and best-man dj were brilliant. We barely left the dance floor from first-dance until 1am and received such praise from friends and families about them.
It was just such a fantastic feeling all those people being there for us and making the effort. Some even went the extra mile, like the bride's aunt Debbie who made a really wonderful cake with fantastic attention to detail.
As everyone has been warning us it went too fast but we are so happy to have such brilliant photos and a video to remind us of the day.
ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDING
Not to be so apprehensive on the day - but nobody can really be told that.
We listened to people's advice about taking time out of the day to spend I together and glad that we did.
“ Our day has been captured so beautifully. The photos are so magical and full of life. We are having a hard job picking the best ones to get printed as there are just so many!
Our video is wonderful, we are so happy we have that as well. The editing is brilliant, we have watched it SO many times!
There are plenty of photographers and videographers out there but your style offers something a bit more than most I’ve seen. You have a real skill for taking photos that capture a moment and also an eye for seeing backdrops and frames.
We are so grateful to have them.”
The West Mill, Derby Wedding Video | Charlotte & James
“We love it we love it we love it!!! So many lovely little moments that I had forgotten or didn’t see! The amount of people who have said “I want a video just like that!” Or “I don’t usually like wedding videos but that is amazing!!” Thank you for sharing your talents with us and leaving us with mementos that will last forever ”
When The West Mill opened in Derby, I knew I would absolutely love shooting there. I mean... a wedding in a beautifully converted mill building with killer natural light AND it's ten minutes from my house? Yes please.
What better way to shoot The West Mill for the first time than Charlotte and James' wonderful Christmassy wedding. I met them when I photographed Charlotte's sister's wedding back in the summertime and when they got in touch about their day I was so excited!
They booked my video only package, which includes a shorter highlight film (above) and a longer extended version. While I really love combining photos and video, I do really enjoy having the freedom to concentrate solely on the filming at weddings from time to time. To get to do this at my new favourite venue... well... I was most definitely in my element!
Here's their extended film!
Don't forget, if you're getting married locally to me I offer a discount on weddings nearby. So if you're getting hitched in Derbyshire get in touch soon!
Wedding Photography and Filmmaking - 2016 Highlights
2016... well it was a bit of a funny one hey? Just a quick disclaimer before I continue... I'm about to put myself out there. I think there's not a lot of point in blogging if it doesn't help you get to know me a bit better... so here goes. *Deep Breath*
It was a tough year for me... not just because of what was happening in the wider world but because my own personal 2016 was a year of upheaval and change. At times I felt like I'd been turned inside out, trying to put myself back together despite illness, stress and a lot of heartache. The reason why I'm sharing this is because despite all these things something amazing happened... and when you're grateful for something it's probably a good thing to put a great big Thank You out there:
I am so damn grateful for this job. Seriously, how can I thank my couples enough?
Even in the darkest bits when I felt totally lost and couldn't see an easy way forward... weddings were my refuge. Love and cake and tears and proper hugs and daft moments and wisdom shared and trembling hands and belly laughs and ridiculous dancing and the most beautiful quiet moments. They were a reason to get from one week to the next, work to be done that felt valuable... that made me feel valuable despite everything else happening. The times when I felt like myself.
Thankfully, things began to get so much better over time and I now feel happy and well again... I can let go of last year's troubles and keep hold of some truly awesome memories.
So that's quite enough waffle from me hey? Time for some visuals! First up... the video! This year more couples than ever opted for my photography with video highlights package. The closest call was a couple who phoned me up the day before the wedding telling me they suddenly realised they would really regret not having one and asking to add it on... it's now one of their favourite keepsakes of the day!
Narrowing down all my favourite footage from the year to the length of just one song (How We Met (Cherry Pie) by Teen Canteen) was so tricky but I really love the result.
So without further ado... 2016 in video...
And now onto the pictures! Last year I photographed more weddings than ever... and in total I delivered 34,016 (!!!) images to my wedding clients. It's taken weeks of chipping away but here's the collection of 250 (I know, it's still loads but my initial selection was over 500!) that I've narrowed down to share with you today.
Well, if you made it through this post... perhaps you deserve some kind of medal. I promise I will be better at narrowing down photos by this time next year.... Probably.
If you're engaged and like what you see get in touch to book me for your wedding photography!
2017... bring it on. More adventures, more fun, more moments like this.
To 2016 and the people who put me back together, even if they didn't realise it at the time: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Jill + Michael | Wedding Photography and Filmmaking
Ahh, it's always ace to get to go North of the Wall and shoot a wedding in Scotland and Jill and Michael's wedding at Fingask Castle was absolutely awesome. If there's one thing I really bloody love it's a wedding with a ceilidh! Check out their video below and take a sneaky look at their photos!
Madeline + Javi | London Wedding photography & Highlights Film
Another London wedding! Yay! It was my first time shooting at Stoke Newington Town Hall and the Council Chamber there is a dream to shoot. After we really, really tested the theory that you can never have *too* much confetti we hopped on a vintage bus to The Royal Inn On The Park which had been decked out like the 50s prom you never got to go to. Balloons! Garlands! Balloons! Balloons!
It was one heck of a party.... watch the video below and then take a sneaky peek at their photos! Balloons!
“We love the video so much! I cried happy tears. We’ve watched it so many times already. We are both so so happy with what you have done, thank you so much. You’ve captured the day perfectly. I’m so happy I found you! ”
MJ + Rick | Wedding Photography and Filmmaking Preview
Self-confessed crazy cat people Rick and MJ got hitched in Knutsford at The Belle Epoque. The Art Nouveau styling of the venue was perfect for their wedding and their love for Paris. It was a beautiful and very emotional day with heaps of personal touches. Watch their video below and then have a little look at their preview photos!
“You’re a superstar, the video had us crying happy tears in the sun in Morocco. It couldn’t be more perfect. You’re truly fantastic.”
Sarah + Lukas | Cold Harbour Barn Wedding Photography and filmmaking preview
From the moment I arrived to capture Sarah getting ready I knew from her Totoro onesie, Moria chalkboard wall and Star Wars paraphernalia that it was going to be an amazing day. I absolutely loved how they decked out the gorgeous surroundings at Cold Harbour Barn! The cake toppers! The ale bottle decorations! All the little references to things they love! It was awesome. Check out their video and preview images!
“Hannah we absolutely love the video!!! It has perfectly captured the feeling of the day thank you so so much!!!”
Ellie + Tom | Carsington Water Wedding Photography & Filmmaking
Well, it's been a little while since my last blog! I'm on a major catch-up mission now that I have internet in my LOVELY new home. So here we are with Ellie and Tom's wonderfully relaxed tipi wedding just outside Matlock in Derbyshire's beautiful Carsington Water.
It was just such a fun and informal day complete with a VERY impressive wedding bakeoff (check out the pyrotechnics on the winning cake!)
Here's their wedding video and preview photos!
“This is beyond our wildest expectations! You have captured the day so well and have had us all in floods of tears again.... I swear that every time I watch it I notice something new and I have a new favourite bit! I had this horrible post-wedding fear that my terrible memory would mean that I forgot important little parts of the day but the video has meant that I’m not scared of that anymore!”
Claire + Leon | Wedding Highlights Film & Photography Preview
It may have rained and the vintage bus might have broken down (big shout out to Liverpool City Explorer open top tour bus for rescuing the stranded guests!) but Claire and Leon's wedding in Liverpool was so totally joyous.
Liverpool Town Hall was the perfect spot for their ceremony and all their personal touches were at home in the lovely light marquee in the gardens of Aigburth People's Hall.
Here's their highlights film and preview images! So excited to send these guys their full set of shots very soon!
“This is truly amazing we absolutely love it!! You have captured every little bit of the wedding and the pure emotion that happened THANK YOU XX”
Rachel + Jamie | Wedding Photography & Video Preview
Oh my goodness. I can't even. What a wedding.
There's so much to be said on this day but for now I'd like to just throw a load of gorgeousness right at you in the shape of Rachel and Jamie's wedding film and preview photos!
“The video is amazing!! Thank you so much! We love it... you’re awesome! ”
Claire + Zac | Derbyshire Wedding Photography & Video Preview
Claire and Zac met through their shared love of barbershop singing. About 18 months ago they sat me down and told me they were going to have a joint 30th birthday party. Except it wasn't a 30th birthday party. It was a secret wedding. What a day it turned out to be! They had an intimate ceremony with their closest family and then their guests turned up for their birthday party... after Claire and Zac sang with their choruses the truth was revealed to their guests and they had a ceremony with personalised vows and a gobsmacked congregation of friends and family. It was wonderful! Here's their video an a preview of the photos! Wow, wow, wow!
“Hannah just has this 6th sense of knowing where to be and when to get that perfect picture. 18 months is long time to keep a secret - and she takes great pictures! I can’t believe how perfectly she captured our day!”
Jenny + James | Peak District Wedding Photography & Filmmaking Preview
Back when I first moved to Derbyshire when I was 14, Jenny was one of the first people I met. She was wonderful then and wonderful now and it was such a joy to be part of her wedding in the Peak District. Better still was finding that she's met someone just as awesome as she is in James.
It may have rained a lot and the roof may have leaked a little but the atmosphere was never less than totally and utterly joyous. Just writing about it I'm still grinning.
So, without further ado... here are their preview images and highlight video!
“Hannah the video is AWESOME.
You are magnificent.
Thank you for being so fantastic!”
Charlotte + Richard | Wedding Photography & Filmmaking Preview
More bouncy castle weddings please! Charlotte and Richard met when their work as cabin crew brought them together and their wedding in Marlowe was so full of heart and family and fun and daft moments. Take a look at their video below and this preview of photos from their day!
“Wow how amazing our video is. When asking our friends what they wished for from their wedding day, a video to remember is always the reply!!! Hannah, you did not disappoint. It’s perfect!!! From the music, the quality, the way you capture our emotions and love - everything and more of what we could ever have imagined. Your dedication to capture our day has given us memories we can re-live for years to come. Thank you Hannah and team for your patience, talent and professionalism!! There are not enough words to explain how appreciative we are. Without a doubt, Hannah and her creative input are greatly recommended. Our video is our most treasured gift to ourselves. Thank you!
”
Hannah + Torri | Destination Wedding Photography and Filmmaking in Ravello
Wow! It's so hard to find the words to explain Torri and Hannah's amazing wedding in Ravello, on the Amalfi coast of Italy. I love travel and destination weddings and Ravello may just be the most beautiful place I've seen yet. It was a long and hot day but such an adventure... the atmosphere was incredible with so much laughter and dancing.
Take a look at their highlight film and photos below!
“Amazing, amazing, amazing! Oh Hannah, tears in my eyes! We absolutely LOVE it. You’ve captured such beautiful (and silly) moments, it’s just perfect.”
Pricing for destination wedding photography and filmmaking is bespoke. If you're getting married abroad please get in touch with as many details as possible.
Hannah + Ian | Wedding Photography and Video Highlights Preview
Hannah and Ian's super-cute tipi wedding in Lincolnshire was just plain awesome. The whole day had a relaxed festival vibe and so many homemade personal touches. We even lucked out and caught the most perfect golden light at sunset! Have a little look at their photos and highlight video below!
“Just thrown our bags down and watching this was the first thing we did...you’ll be surprised to hear I did a big cry! Its perfect Hannah!”
