THAT WAS 2019!

Towards the end of January 2020 I joked with another photographer friend that as my final wedding of 2019 was on NYE, and my first of 2020 was on the 4th January, that it would probably be around March by the time I got my yearly round up done. I didn’t for minute think it would actually take anywhere near that long. Anyway, I’ve just finished it….And todays date is the 5th June! To be fair though, no one could have expected what would happen in the first 6 months of 2020.

But enough about now, that is for the (no doubt relatively short) round up of 2020. This is a reflection on 2019, yet another amazing year and my busiest by far, filled with moment after moment shared with awesome couples up and down the country on one of the best days of their lives. Pretty lucky eh?!

My fave bits…

2019 started down in Cornwall, Mousehole to be precise. It was the first time I’ve photographed an elopement, which definitely puts your ‘discreet‘ skills to the test when it’s just the couple and you all day. Fortunately Doré and Leon are literally the coolest couple ever (Leon has Vox salon in Manchesters Northern quarter and Doré is a DJ) so it was a total honour and privilege to spend the day with them. Other highlights include flying between venues in a helicopter, experiencing more Indian and Chinese weddings, working with ‘Mr Wilsons second liners’ - just the most amazing live band, photographing the wedding and event managers wedding for all of James’ places and Being asked to judge the German ‘Masters of wedding photography’ awards, before wrapping up with a bang on New years eve at Mitton hall.

I’ve returned numerous times to some of my favourite venues; Eaves Hall, Mitton Hall, Holmes mill, Browsholme Hall, the Outbarn, Bashall barn and Peckforton castle, and also finally photographed at some stunning Cheshire venues for the first time such as Arley Hall (Tommy Shelby’s house for the ‘Peaky Blinders’ fans - I LOVED it there!) Delamere manor (our Gary Barlow’s old gaff) Sandhole Oak barn and Thornton Manor as well as places further south like the fab Offley place.

This is Reportage, The Masters, and Fearless

2019 saw me pick up a number of prestigious awards, but I was particularly proud to make the top 10 (#9) in the world for ‘This is Reportage’ (last year I made the top 30) and the top 10 for the second year running in ‘The Masters of UK wedding photography) (2nd 2018 and 3rd this year) I was awarded 7 ‘Fearless’ awards which are like the oscars to wedding photographers and tied no.1 in the world with ‘Photographers keeping it Real’

2020… Erm, I mean 2021!

2020 was due to be an incredible year with weddings in Mallorca, Spain and France, as well as the wedding of another great wedding photographer to name a few, and if got off to a great start. That’s all going to be 2021 now, but I have some amazing weddings booked at the end of the year which I’m so excited for. I’m making the most of this ‘time off’ to make sure I come back even better.

Thank you

So all that’s left is to say a huge thanks to all the couples who trusted me to capture their weddings in 2019, I’m truly grateful to be able to do this for a living. It’s so hard narrowing these pictures down. I started with about 1200 images, then 700, then 500, 450, and so on… If I was to do it again, I’d probably end up with different images.

Lastly, an enormous thanks to my extremely patient wife Vic…x

Hope you enjoy looking through, Dave