What I loved about 2019

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css=”.vc_custom_1481564211855{padding-bottom: 35px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I can’t believe we are here again, at the start of another new year reflecting on the last, hoping against hope that we have something to show for it and that we will find some way to wrap it all up in a big bow and be able to say “2019, sorted!”

 

But, realistically, it doesn’t always work out that way, does it?

 

2019 blessed me and kicked my butt in equal measures. Having to move house mid wedding season and 2 days after a lovely relaxing holiday was not the chill vibe I was hoping for 2019. However the weddings I photographed MORE than made up for any disaster I had to survive. I can’t wait to show you some of my fave images from them right now!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][blockquote text=”‘Okay so I am sobbing. We both are. They are absolutely fucking phenomenal. I actually can’t get over how good these photos are. So much better than we ever imagined. Honestly, you are the BEST.’ – FRAN & DAN” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][image_with_text image=”34366″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I started and ended 2019 in one of my happiest of places – Wales. Spending New Year in Tom’s mum and dad’s caravan is quickly becoming a tradition for my own little family. A big reason is because it means our dog Maggie doesn’t have to survive through the multple fireworks displays that are held in our neighbourhood. But spending time in Wales is also so special to me because I’m a country-bumpkin at heart (to Tom’s displeasure). Nothing fixes my head and heart more than spending time in nature! If you’re feeling crap, don’t reach for that tub of ice cream/bottle of wine; put your walking boots on and get outside! Take my word for it!

 

After spending so much time in my own head in 2018, I was primed and prepared to change my entire attitude about life in 2019. I planned multitudes of events to go to and enjoy over the year, including mine and my partner Tom’s first beach holiday together. (We’ve been together 10 years – can you believe we’ve never been on a non-wedding related beach holiday!?)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][blockquote text=”‘AMY! OMG, we absolutely LOVED our slideshow! Thank you so much, so many amazing pics and just all the feels! I’m going to be watching it on repeat!.’ – VICKY & STEVE” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”34561″ img_size=”500×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”34560″ img_size=”500×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”34559″ img_size=”500×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”34558″ img_size=”500×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Unfortunately, the worst also happened around the same time as our long-awaited (hopefully relaxing) holiday – our landlord bloody well sold the house we lived in, so we had to move right in the middle of wedding season!! Can you believe it!? The way it worked out it meant we had to do the big move just 2 days after getting home from the holiday. I was lying around the pool in Lanzarote thinking about how I was going to box up my office equipment. Eye roll.

 

I’m honestly not sure how I survived; having to pack and unpack a full house while shooting one of the busiest wedding seasons of my career. I think I was getting by on pure adrenalin towards the end![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][image_with_text image=”34382″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]2019 was FULL of weddings up and down this gorgeous country of ours. I spent a lot of my working year whizzing about the country in my little car, heading here and there to cover events and weddings, as well as getting the chance to stay over at some bloody gorgeous hotels and AirBnB’s.

 

One of my favourite parts of this job is getting the chance to visit so many gorgeous places and venues. Whether I’ve shot a venue once, twice, 100 times, NEVER – it doesn’t matter. If I have a connection with the couple then I KNOW my images are going to tell the exact story of that day regardless of location, lighting, weather, familiarity, etc.

 

This year I got to visit London THREE TIMES (all in Shoreditch though, weirdly), Isle of Skye, The Lakes, Cornwall, Pullborough, South Wales, Tunbridge Wells & Llangollen (North Wales).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][image_with_text image=”34367″][/image_with_text][blockquote text=”‘How can I put this… FUCK. ME. You are amazing! Watching that slideshow brought all the gorgeous memories flooding back. Thank you so much for all you brought to our day. We are in love!!!’ – LUCY & JEZ” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of my favourite things to fit in around a very busy wedding season is a STYLED WEDDING SHOOT (or 3).

 

2019 didn’t give me much time to plan my own styled wedding shoot, as it is genuinely like organising a mini wedding (and you’ll find out under the next image why I know that!!)

 

However I was lucky enough to get asked to photograph some styled shoots that were dreamed up by a few other lovely wedding industry people. Look out for those blog posts coming soon!! [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][image_with_text image=”34460″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I also got to photograph my MUM getting married to her lovely man, Michael. Not only did I photograph her big day, but I also helped her plan the wedding. And BOY, did I get an eye opener. Even though I had never planned a wedding before, I had all the insider knowledge so I thought “how hard can it be??”

 

My mum wanted a small wedding, just family and a few close friends, so we whisked them down to St George’s Hall with just 2 witnesses (my sister Hannah and Michael’s daughter Louise) and me as their photographer. After this we headed home and put the finishing touches to mums garden party. Unfortunately there was chance of rain so we hired a marquee (always a good idea to have a plan B) but the rest of the day was completely DIY. My sister being a professional make up artist did my mums make up and my partner Tom being a professional wedding DJ handled the music. 

 

I will be posting a little blog about my mums wedding and all the problems we faced in the run up. It was certainly a great learning curve for me and I can’t wait to impart some of my new knowledge on my future couples. (God help them, haha!)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][blockquote text=”‘Literally speechless! The photos are everything we could have possibly imagined and much more, we cracked open the fizz, and cried out eyes out reliving our day. ‘ – STACEY & NICK” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][image_with_text image=”34379″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I may have experienced one of the most stressful months of my life in September 2019, but there’s no way it was going to put a dampner on such an epic year. 

 

THE GOOD SHIT

 

  • I SHOT MY 200TH WEDDING! WOOHOO! Another incredible milestone!
  • I hit 4000 followers on Instagram! You can follow me by clicking here.
  • I shot 38 bloody gorgeous weddings for 76 equally as gorgeous people. 27% of those weddings were away from home, which meant I travelled away from home 10 times last year! While I had an amaaaaazing time, I think I will be keeping my yearly wedding total to 30-35 from now on. So enquire soon, before I book up!!

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”34548,34547,34546,34545,34543,34542″ img_size=”1000×700″ onclick=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

  • Photography Farm featured one of my wedding images as its “Farmers Image of the Week” << click here to read all about how and why I created this image.
  • I had an image from one of my 2016 weddings featured on a Huffington Post article about brides who rock a suit on their wedding day.
  • One of my 2018 weddings was featured on the front cover of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding magazine.
  • I COMPLETED A BOOK CHALLENGE by reading 30 books in a year, 5 more than I read in 2018. So I will be challenging myself to 35 in 2020.
  • I also met the drag legends Chad Michaels, Farrah Moan and Miz Cracker – AND CRACKER SLAPPED ME! 😂
  • I met Scottish legend, Neil Oliver… AGAIN! He follows me on Insta & Twitter too, we’re basically mates now.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][image_with_text image=”34392″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I would also like to thank everyone I have worked with over the last year; all the second shooters, the models, the videographers, the wedding suppliers and industry specialists. Farrrr too many to name tag you all, but honestly, I hope to work with you all again in 2020 and beyond.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][blockquote text=”‘So we’ve just watched our slideshow… Twice. Omg it’s amazing. I couldn’t see through the tears to start with. We loved what you’d done. ‘ – AMANDA & JESS” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][image_with_text image=”34501″][/image_with_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]So here is what I’ve learned over the last 12 months that I’d like to pass on to the awesome people who read my blog.

 

Don’t wait for happiness to come to you, YOU go to IT! Stick on your wellies, grab your dog, head into the countryside and breathe the fresh air. Throw on your favourite music and let it filter in through your bones until you’re dancing all over your house. Also, if you’re feeling extra stagnant why not get a hobby that ISN’T part of your job! Maybe learn a new skill or start a new hobby – in 2019 I started writing to new penpals and in 2020 I will be starting to write my very first novel. (Btw, hobbies don’t have to be a side hustle to make you money, you can just do them for fun!)

 

JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO SOMETHING!

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34556″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34555″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34552″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34551″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34554″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34557″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][blockquote text=”‘Oh Amy!!! We’ve watched the slideshow a million times this weekend! Looooads of tears, laughing, gasping and giggling! They’re beautiful. Thank you so so much! You’ve captured such special moments. We’re over the moon!!!’ – FAYE & BEN” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#1fb9c4″ background_color=”#ffffff” border_color=”#ffffff” quote_icon_color=”#0a0a0a”][vc_empty_space][vc_separator type=”normal” border_style=””][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Please enjoy everything my 2019 had to offer (get ready for it, there are over 100 images here)! I can’t wait to see what 2020 holds for me and my amazing couples!

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left”][vc_column][vc_column_text]A bride and groom silhoetted against sky with the Liver Building in the background.

An intimate black and white portrait of a bride and groom with their eyes closed.

A small bride and groom near church windows with sparkly lights in Albert Hall, Manchester.

A bride and groom in black surrounded by smoke during a sunset at Duddon Mill Farm.

A bride and groom stood in front of a warehouse building wearing sunglasses in Liverpool.

A bride and groom silhoetted amongst lots of colourful confetti.

A bride and groom laying down on grass at Tall Johns House, Wales

A bride and groom surrounded by lots of colourful confetti at St Georges Hall Liverpool.

A bride and groom dancing to a brass band outside the town hall in Llangollen.

A bride and groom kissing with beautiful scenery on top of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye.

A stylish bride and groom standing in front of a red door in Llangollen, Wales.

A bride and groom standing in the middle of a street with pigeons flying overhead.

A bride and groom biting donuts in front of a wall of balloons.

A bride and groom standing in front of a wall of fairy lights at Owen House Wedding Barn, Knutsford.

A man dancing at a wedding party with lots of colourful lights.

A bride and groom walking along a forest path laughung, at Cheshire Woodland Weddings.

A black and white portrait of a bride and groom standing close and smiling.

A bride and groom standing under festoon lights in the forest with their hands spread wide at Wise Wedding venue.

A bride walking down a dark aisle alone with red roses and her bridesmaids behind her at Wiltons Music Hall, London.

A bride and groom smiling as they walk along in the sunshine at Wise Wedding venue.

A bride and groom walking along a country lane waving blue smoke bombs at Tall Johns House Wales.

A bride with a colourful bouquet and headdress standing in front of a wall of flowers.

A bride and groom sitting on a step holding on to their wriggling little boys.

A bride and groom silhoetted in front of a stained glass window with clever reflections.

A bride and groom silhoetted against a blue sky at Duddon Mill Farm.

A close up of a wooden bow tie, a buttonhole and an engagement ring.

A bride and groom on stage with a brass band in Llangollen, Wales.

A bride and groom dancing amongst gold confetti at OH ME OH MY in Liverpool.

A bride and her bridesmaids wearing light-up trainers, at Devonshire Terrace in London.

A bride and groom silhoetted in the rain at night with Liverpool city behind them.

A blurred bride and groom in front of a funny sign in Manchester.

A bride holding a bouquet stood in front of a green door.

A bride and groom kissing under a neon altar at Wiltons Music Hall, London.

A bride and groom holding hands in front of a neon sign at Hinterlands, Liverpool.

A dad crying but laughing with his bride daughter.

A bride biting into the top layer of a chocolate wedding cake.

A groom kissing a bride on the cheek against a golden sunset in Liverpool.

A bride and groom pulling funny faces.

A close up portrait of a pink bouquet and ribbons blowing in the wind.

Wedding guests dancing on the floor raising their hands at One Fine Day, Liverpool.

Two brides with umbrellas in the Lake District.

A cropped image of a bride holding a pink bouquet stood amongst ferns at Cheshire Woodland Weddings.

A bride and groom dancing amongst falling white confetti at One Fine Day Liverpool.

A bride crying during speeches at the Ferry Inn on the Isle of Skye.

A little boy dipping his dummy into a pint of lager.

Two brides stood at the bow of a boat sailing acoss Lake Windermere.

A bride and groom laughing as family throw confetti at St Georges Hall, Liverpool.

A bride and groom laughing stood in front of a rusted wall with a red smoke bomb.

A bride and groom stood next to a graffiti heart in London.

A bride and groom celebrating in front of a moongate altar at Invisible Wind Factory Liverpool.

A bride holding up trainers and laughing at the West Mill Derby.

A close up of shoulder detail on a black wedding dress at the Ned Hotel, London.

Two bride kissing.

A father of the bride kissing the bride on the nose at Devonshire Terrace, London.

A party of bridesmaids and groomsman doing jazz hands at OH ME OH MY Liverpool.

A bride and groom surrounded by sparklers at Devonshire Terrace, London.

A bride stood in front of a Nina Simon graffiti in Manchester.

A man in a bear costume head drinking beer through the eyehole.

Two brides laughing beneath a blossom tree.

A red wedding cake with 3 blown out candles and trailing smoke.

A bride in a leather jacket next to a lake.

A bride from behind wearing a denim jacket.

A bride and groom stood on top of the Liver Building with a city skyline behind them.

A bride and groom shot from above as they do their first dance surrounded by a crowd of guests.

A bride with her 4 friends all laughing.

A bride and groom in black about to kiss in front of a sunset at Duddon Mill Farm.

A double exposure of a bride and groom at the West Mill in Derby.

A bride and groom laughing as they walk along in front of the Liver Building, Liverpool.

A bride grinning up at the confetti at the West Mill in Derby.

A crowd of people dancing at Oh Me Oh My, Liverpool.

A bride and groom and a brass band walking across a road in Liverpool.

A bride stood in front of a white door at Tall Johns House, Wales.

A bride with a colourful floral headdress smiling at the camera in Cornwall.

Wedding guests shouting and laughing at a wind up toy race.

A bridal party stood on a stack of hay bales at Owen House Wedding Barn, Knutsford.

An intimate portrait of a bride and groom with twinkly lights all around at Owen House Wedding Barn.

A bride in black and a groom stood looking at each other in front of pink and teal walls.

A man and woman covering their faces laughing sitting on the floor.

A bride and groom walking along the street in London.

A bride and two groomsmen and one is drinking wine from a bottle.

A double exposure of a bride and groom with a leafy tree.

A bride lying on the floor with a floral arrangement around her head at Hinterlands.

A bride and groom standing in front of band posters on chipboard walls.

A bride pulling her tongue at the camera.

A cropped shot of a bride and grooms mouths laughing.

Three brides stood amongst floral arrangements at Hinterlands Liverpool.

A groom in a colourful suit clapping to a jazz band on a sunny road.

A bridal party running across a field towards pink smoke.

A bride and groom stood in front of a building as people run past.

Three bridesmaids from behind walking through a field towards the sunset.

A bride and groom in black stood in a red apple orchard at Duddon Mill Farm.

A bride in a black dress & long train stood in front of a window at the Ned, London.

A flower girl holding the bride and grooms hands as she laughs.

A bride and groom stood amongst a leafy bush with their eyes closed.

A man on a train catching bubbles.

A cropped shot of a bride and grooms legs and a bouquet as they walk along.

A bride and groom smiling at each other in front of a pale blue wall.

A bride and bridesmaids pulling funny faces holding pink bouquets.

A bridesmaid dancing with a big smile.

A cropped headless shot of a bride and her bridesmaids in pink.

A bride and groom kissing amongst red heart balloons at the West Mill in Derby.

A huge wild bouquet.

A bride and groom holding sparklers and umbrellas as they kiss in the rain at Owen House Wedding Barn.

A bride dancing amongst her guests.

A bride stood in the road with sunglasses on with her dress blowing in the wind.

A bride and groom swinging each other around on the dancefloor at

A cropped image of a bride and groom showing their outfits.

Groomsmen and a groom being silly.

A bride and groom standing on a hillside on the Isle of Skye with incredible scenery.

An overview of a quirky wedding venue Wiltons Music Hall in London.

A bridesmaid fastening the shoes of a bride.

A pair of Jimmy Choo heels in front of an original Banksy art print.

The back of a Caroline Castigliano dress.

A bride and groom sitting down in the Albert Hall Manchester.

A bride and groom sitting in tall grass.

A close up of a woman resting her head against a mans chest.

A bride and solder laughing in a field at sunset.

A little boy looking scared of bubbles.

A bride and groom cutting a cake with a Samurai sword and the groom is licking it.

A man in a red wig swinging it through the air.

A little boy hitting his mum on the head with a stick. Unknown[/caption]

A bride and groom dancing.

A group of friends all laughing on a dancefloor. Unknown[/caption]

4 beautiful wedding bouquest with tropical flowers.

A flower girl drinking a MacDonalds milkshake.

A bride and bridesmaid singing on the dancefloor with arms in the air.

A bride and groom touching noses in front of a sunset.

A bride and groom walking along holding balloons.

A fun group of friends being silly in a field.

A bride and groom dancing.

A group of friends all laughing on a dancefloor.

4 beautiful wedding bouquest with tropical flowers.

A flower girl drinking a MacDonalds milkshake.

A bride and bridesmaid singing on the dancefloor with arms in the air.

A groom holding his brides face and both smiling at Wise Wedding Venue.

A father kissing his daughter on her wedding day.

A bride and groom standing under a tree laughing.

Two brides celebrating on a dancefloor with arms raised.

A man popping his head through a hole in the ground.

A bride dancing as her groom follows surrounded by their guests all laughing.

A woman dancing with her eyes shut.

A hiker on a hillside with a bride and groom in the distance.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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  1. Oh my!! I love them all so much! I wish you could be my wedding photographer, if one day i’ll get married.
    These people are all different, but each of them looks absolutely beautiful in your photographs. I don’t even know these people, but got so emotional. For example, the little girl with the white dress and the white flower crown, oh my heart, what a beautiful moment you caught! I could go on and on …

    Much love from Switzerland

    1. Ah thank you so much Dominique! Well I do photograph weddings all over the world and I have aaaalways wanted to visit & shoot in Switzerland, so please remember me whenever you get engaged 🙂 I would travel to the ends of the earth for someone who loves my photography as much as you seem to!