Gemma and Pauls Wedding Blessing, Canvey Island

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This weekend was the hottest that the UK has seen for quite some time, and when the weathers good there's only one place anyone should be, the beach!

Having said that, there was the wedding blessing of Gemma and Paul that needed photographing but having photographed them earlier in the year on their free pre wed shoot I had an idea they were a fun couple that might be up for anything. The photography test drive had been in snow and the wedding blessing was in extreme heat so there really couldn't have been anything more different! (click here to see their pre wed photography test drive)

The day started at Paul's parents house where everyone was getting ready, as Paul and Gemma had married the week earlier in St. Lucia it was a very relaxed and fun environment with everyone mucking in with the preparation.

As you can see from the slideshow below it all went without a hitch and was a magnificent day enjoyed by all.  You can download this slideshow via i-tunes and have it on your i-phone / player by clicking here.

 

Having enjoyed the wedding blessing ceremony all the guests headed to a friends nearbye house where a marquee had been erected whilst, Paul, Gemma and I headed out to the beach.  When we arrived the tide was on it's way in meaning we had to work super fast in the small area of sand we had left.

 I must say Paul and Gemma were fantastic to work with and in some cases brave.  I find if the Bride and groom are willing to go with it and be brave it opens up all sorts of exciting possibilities when it comes to composition.   I even found enough of an excuse to go for a paddle whilst taking the pics and I was very tempted to go the whole hog and dive straight in, the water was so cooling.


It's a common mistake that people think bright sunshine is good and makes best wedding photography conditions.  In fact the complete opposite is true and harsh bright sunshine can cause all sorts of problems.
  
However a little bit of tactical positioning and knowledge meant we could use the sun to our advantage and capture some fun and dynamic shots.


All in all a fantastic day spent with lovely people.

Being a Granulocyte Donor

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So about a week ago a friend on facebook sent out an urgent message that someone who's son was seriously ill desperately needed donors from blood group A pos to give blood.  I new this was my blood group (being an ex-soldier) and rang the number on the message to see if I could assist in some way.  What followed was a short conversation with the young lads (Billy) mother who explained they were desperate for people who could give up some time and travel to Londons Kings College Hospital. 

I think at this stage I should say that I am no way a medical expert and my writings here are only my laymans terms understandings of what is happening and why, if anyone reading this need further information or has medical queries please seek advice from an expert.


Here's an explanation written by Billy's mother on the "Get well soon Billy" facebook page explaining his condition,
 
"on the 25th of January Billy was admitted to T12 NORTH at UCLH ... This is a teenage cancer trust ward and although billy does not have cancer he has a life threatening illness... The illness is called APLASTIC ANEMIA which he has severe... Aplastic anemia is a condition where bonemarrow does not produce sufficient new cells to replemish blood cells.. patients with it have lower counts in all 3 blood cells .. white, red and platelets.. BILLY HAS IT VERY SEVERE... he has had a course of ATG which we will find out soon if it has helped.. but in the mean time they are looking internationally for a bonemarrow donor and possibly another course of ATG.... he will need antibiotics, platelets transfusions and blood transfusions very often"

I haven't met young Billy yet, he's not really up for strange visitors, but an exception was made when JLS visited the hospital (see image below captured by the sun newspaper) although Billys dad told me when the new prime minister, David Cameron, visited Billy decided he wasn't of enough importance and as such didn't grant him an audience, lol.

So Billys mum passed on my details to the hospital and within an hour they had phoned and asked me to travel to London for a blood test the next day.  I travelled up at the appointed time (well I got a bit lost and was a little late) but they took the samples they needed and sent me on my way.  I have to be honest I didn't really know what I was getting myself into at this stage and I'm guessing there'll be a few people out there searching the web in the same boat which is part of the reason why I'm writing this blog post, to explain my point of view and perhaps answer some questions people may have.

The next morning I received another call from the hospital telling me I was in fact a match (I told them that, but I understand they had to confirm it) and could I come along tomorrow for more tests. 


So the next morning I found myself on the train again travelling back into London.  This time I had to go to Kings College Hospital at the Apheresis Unit, I arrived at the same time as two other people who I was later to find out were Billy's dad and one of his sisters who were there for the same reason I was.  The staff in the Apheresis unit are excellent, they talked through what the procedure would be and how it would all happen.  The basics are the blood would be taken from one arm and put into a machine that separates it into the various make up and they then extract the white blood cells (granulocytes) that fight infection.  The rest of the blood is then mixed up again and put back into the body via the other arm.  Having had all this explained it was a case of more blood being taken for screening (Hep B/C, HIV, HTLV, CMV, Syphilis etc) and a thorough medical including an ECG and blood pressure check.  The final thing was a private interview with a doctor who explained the procedure again and gave me the opportunity to ask any questions I may have.  It was explained that as long as everything was OK I would be given tablets to take and an injection to have the day before I was due to come in so my body would increase the amount of white blood cells it was producing.

Tuesday came and I got the call that I was needed on Wednesday and I should take the tablets and the injection.  Here's where I'm lucky in that my parents are both nurses so there was no hassle finding someone to administer the injection, although to be honest its something I could have done myself if needed. I hardly felt them at all (I had 2 because I'm a big guy) and I can honestly say it's nothing to worry about.


That evening I had some of the side effects they had warned me that were likely and they included a feeling in my lower back as if someone had put in a bicycle pump and given it a couple of pumps (that's how I can best describe it anyway) it wasn't at all painful but I was aware that it was different.  Apparently its caused by the bones working overtime creating all the extra white blood cells that were to be harvested the next day.  The other side effect I had was not being able to sleep, as the tablets were doing their thing.  To be honest neither were a major problem and as I write this blog entry 24 hours after taking them most of the effects have completely worn off.

So today was the day when the whole thing finally came together and my white blood cells would be harvested by the apheresis machine.  In no time (after more blood tests, blood pressure tests, temperature etc) I was made comfortable and a cannula (plastic needle) placed in each arm and connected to the various pipes.  The machine is switched on and for the next couple of hours I listened to my i-phone and read the newspaper.  I had hoped that I would be able to operate my laptop but it soon became obvious that wasn't going to be possible as the way the needle was in my right arm meant I couldn't really move it.  It's probably also worth mentioning that whilst a newspaper is just about doable I think I would have struggled to read a book because of the inability to do it one handed.

The process took around two hours and 15 minutes before I was finished on the machine a driver was waiting to whisk it away so they could give it to Billy immediately, which kind of impressed upon me how much it must have been needed.  After having been unplugged from the machine I was given another check over (more blood for tests, blood pressure and swabs) and a cup of tea.  I'm not sure when I'll be needed again but the likelihood is Monday I'm informed I can only do this a maximum of three times and everyone is hoping Billy's bone marrow operation is a success and he'll be able to start making his own white blood cells again.


Heroes and Zeroes

Heroes first, obviously Billy, I can't imagine how depressing it must be for a young guy (14) to be stuck in hospital feeling rough with continual blood tests and transfusions being given.  Keep smiling mate it won't be long before you're watching your beloved West Ham again.

Billy parents and family, for their continued support and love for the guy in trying circumstances.

The staff of the Apheresis Unit in King College hospital, a true bunch of professional and a pleasant bunch of people who couldn't do enough for me.

Joe Holland, who copied and posted the original facebook message on her wall alerting me to the fact I could do something to help.

and now the zeroes ...


The friends on facebook who didn't recopy and paste the message and in doing so reduced other peoples opportunities to help.  You personally may have been the wrong blood group or unable to help but someone you know may have been willing to, please remember this if another message comes up in the future.

The tape they use to hold the needles in place, it stings more than the needle does!

Photography Training Day - Phot Club!

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The first rule of Phot Club is, you talk about Phot Club!

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It's long been a bit of a thing with me that there are many people who want to improve their photography and I want to help in any way I can.  Too many photographers shun others trying to learn as if by sharing their knowledge and experience will somehow take it away from them.  I love my job and want others to share in the passion so a few months ago I decided to organise a one day portrait training course in Essex.  I was also very keen to keep the costs to anyone wishing to attend to an absolute minimum and I'm proud to say it was completely free.

I was really pleased that a merry bunch of photographers began to arrive from all corners of the UK.  Some had travelled many miles others from just around the corner but all came with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn.  There's something really special when a group of people gather who've never met each other but have a common theme that bonds the group.  The enthusiasm builds and in no time at all it's like they've been life long friends.

You can see some of the classroom work on the video below and don't forget you can subscribe to my videos as a podcast and watch them on your i-pods/phones by clicking here.

Unfortunately the video didn't show the slides very well but I think you'll get the basics of what we discussed by just hearing the commentary.

The day involved theory and discussion on various relevant subjects followed by practical outside in a varied and unusual choice of venues for photographs to be taken. 

If you think that one of these days may be beneficial for you then just join my facebook page (click like on the top left of this blog).  I'll add dates and locations of the next one there as soon as I've sorted out the date.

However be aware, if you do decide to come along then you have to abide by the phot club rules.  The first rule of phot club is, you talk about phot club.  In other words the information and knowledge you gain HAS to be shared.

I've seen loads of images the guys have uploaded from the day and I must say the standard is very high.   take a look on my facebook page (just click the like button at the top right of this page) to see some of them.

I'm really looking forward to the next one and I'm confident that the 20 photographers who attended the last one had a good time.

* Special thanks goes to Simon from Crooked Imaging for agreeing to co sponsor the day.  If you have any need of photography based goodies please check out his site by clicking here.  I strongly recommend the R-strap that he sells and wouldn't have a camera without one.

*Thanks to Ian Heyworth who's image of me and half of the gang in a field, I used at the top of this post.  Nice stuff.

Confessions of a Wedding Photographer

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Once upon a time in a land far far away (well not too far) a wedding photographer was deep in preparation for the days wedding.  He had prepared everything in advance the evening before, the batteries were charged the spare camera ready and the tripods packed.  Everything was in the car and the satellite navigation was set.  But something seemed wrong, he had that nagging feeling in the back of his mind.  The one that says you've forgotten something, he checked and rechecked the equipment and then decided whatever it was couldn't be that important.  As long as the cameras, flash guns and memory cards were all there anything else could be done without ....

So after a reasonably short drive the wedding photographer arrives at the brides house in plenty of time to capture the bride at home getting ready.  The sky had turned a little darker and it was starting to look like rain may be a possibility.  The photographer automatically started to check out the garden for a clean and dry area for the bride to stand for some outside shots.  It was at this stage he noticed his choice of footwear and a feeling of horror set in.  Instead of the highly polished black brogues (polished the evening before) on the end of his feet were a pair of blue fluffy house slippers.

To the photographer he felt like he had bright red flashing neon lights on his feet but Incredibly everyone at the house was so caught up in their own preparations no-one noticed.  The shoot went well and he managed to leave early gaining a vital 20 minutes before he was due to meet the groomsmen.  What followed was a mad dash to the nearest shoe shop and the quickest purchase of shoes known to man kind.

All in all disaster avoided, but a word of warning, breaking in new shoes at a wedding is best avoided.