I captured the bride’s sister, Marie’s wedding in December and I was really looking forward to seeing the family again at Clare’s and Brian fabulous wedding at the City Hotel.

Clare and Brian are head over heels for one another and this was evident through their day which was full of love and lots and fun. We made it to the Craft Village for photos before visiting the walls and we were in for a big treat when we got to board one of the Clippers for photos on Derry’s quay. Later on that evening we also made it out from some photos at the Peace Bridge and then the couple took to the dance floor to party the night away!

Clare looked stunning.

Clare and Brian were serenaded by this busker playing ‘Amore’.

It was a privilege to get to shoot some images on board one of the newly arrived clippers!

To see more of Clare and Brian’s City Hotel wedding check out the slideshow below!

Some of the awesome vendors who helped make this day happen!

Venue: City Hotel

Bridal Gown & Groomswear: Tomorrows – Tel: 028 7126 8001

Florist: Cathal Flowers Dungiven Tel: 028 7774 1279

Make-up: Colourme Bootiful 078 8904 0350

Hair: Matthew @ Suede Tel: 028 7136 1123

Videography: QML Video

Band: Squealing Pigs – Tel: 078 9471 3683

Last year while shooting Erin and Christopher’s wedding at Solis Lough Eske Castle, I met Erin and David. They asked me for a card and when I got chatting to them I knew we would get on like  a house on fire. They are both so much fun to be around and are sooooo nice, so capturing their wedding day was a lot of fun.

Meeting while at university, Erin and David have grown ever closer over the years and laughter was never far away for the couple. In the morning I had the chance to capture the atmosphere at Erin’s parent’s home and everyone was blown away when she emerged in her wedding dress for the first time.

Awaiting his bride at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Steelstown, David and best man Christopher were in great form as we shot a few fun images. On seeing each other at the altar, both David and Erin looked overjoyed and a smile didn’t leave their faces for the duration of the service! After some group shots at the chapel we made our way to my brother’s house where Erin and David ‘s main images together were captured. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the rain was near torrential and as ducked for cover and took every lightening of rain to capture a few quick shots it was clear that the rain wasn’t dampening spirits one bit!

Arriving at the The Belfray County Inn, both Erin and David couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw their stunning wedding suite. The Belfray puts on a great evening and host Paul kept spirits high throughout the evening. Speaches had people crying tears of joy one second and tears of laughter the next and as the night unfolded Erin and David were joined in their first dance by their flower girl and Erin’s niece.

Erin’s something borrowed, something blue…

Erin and her sister Aiveen sharing a joke as they got ready.

Erin’s dad was bowled over to see her.

Erin looked really stunning on the day.

How cute is this one!

I love this image of David and best man Christopher.

Despite the rain my brother’s garden is such a great location for photos – he’s put so much effort into it over the last couple of years.

These a re a few we shot later in the evening when the weather dried up a little.

To see more of Erin and David’s Belfry Country Inn Wedding CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Some of the awesome vendors who helped make this awesome day happen!

Three years ago, shortly after launching Converse Model Agency (CMA), I organised a photo shoot at Beech Hill Country House Hotel to showcase some of the models on the books and to try and get bridal work. I love shooting weddings at the Beech Hill and although I think my photography style has evolved since then, I thought it might be cool to share the photos. You may have seen some of these on the Beech Hill Country House Hotel’s promotional materials and website as I provided them for letting us use the venue for our back drop.

Two of Ireland’s most beautiful girls, Miss Earth Northern Ireland, Kayleigh O’Reilly and Miss Ireland 2009, Laura Patterson.

The guys, Brian and Christian were great fun to shoot.

Katie Stewart and Kealan Kelly looked great as a couple for the day!

Some of the awesome vendors who helped make this shoot happen!

Venue: Beech Hill Country House Hotel

Hair: Connor Grant @ Oasis – Tel: 028 7126 2509

Makeup: Katie Bell – Tel: 075 2206 1575

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridal Showroom

Groomswear: Black Tie Showroom

It was not only the weather that got Damien hot under the collar when he first met the stunning Orla in Sydney, Australia. Confiding in best friend (and best man), Olly the next day: “I’ve met the one,” it was clear that Orla had stolen Damien’s heart and likewise Orla’s heart was set aflutter by a kindred spirit from home. Years later, and Damien and Orla’s love has continued to thrive and grow. Orla and Damien (along with their dog, Lizzie) have created an amazing life for themselves, their wedding is a milestone and the beginning of even more great adventures in years to come.

On the morning of the wedding I shot the bridal party in Shine Hairdressers in Limavady where the girls shared stories and were giddy with the anticipation of what the rest of the day would bring. Orla, who is a beautiful girl in all ways, looked positively radiant. I went onto Orla’s family home to shoot photograph her dress etc and when Orla and her bridesmaid’s arrived I captured a few natural images of them. Arriving at St Mary’s Church, Limavady I had a few minutes with the groom and groomsmen. Damien looked very sharp indeed and I could tell he was excited to see Orla. I love shooting in St Mary’s as the light is beautiful. During the service Damien dropped the ring which got everyone laughing, and he remarked in his speech later that night that he would challenge any man not drop the ring with a girl as stunning as Orla! Love it!

After the service we went to Drenagh Country House Estate for photos and it was great to have this location as the backdrop for photos of Orla and Damien’s families and their bridal party. It was then off to Waterfoot Hotel in Derry for the reception. The Waterfoot’s a lovely and intimate venue for a wedding reception and I shot the room and guests before people sat down for the speeches and their meal. Orla’s signing board went down a treat, not sure if there’s any more room around it to write! During the meal I prepared a same day slideshow, which Orla, Damien and their guests seemed to love. After the meal, the couple took to the dance floor before being joined by their wedding party and the rest of the guests, who all partied into the wee hours!

Orla looked incredible.

I love Orla’s wedding dress.

Orla’s bridesmaid’s, Zara, Maria and Karina are great craic.

Damien and the groomsmen looked very sharp.

Love this, it’s so natural.

Really like this shot, Orla and Damien look so happy.

This is one of my favourite images, so cool!

I love all of the images above in the circle, Drenagh Country House Estate is an amazing location for wedding photos.

I have to say, for me the staff at the Waterfoot are simply outstanding – great to work with and the service is excellent.

To see more of Orla and Damien’s Waterfoot Hotel Wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Some of the awesome vendors who helped make this awesome day happen!

Venue: Waterfoot Hotel

Makeup: Wynetta O’Connor – Tel: 077 0639 3490

Hair: Trina Curley @ Shine – Tel: 028 7776 2761

Flowers: Anne Marie McStocker

Car: 3D Limos

Wedding Cakes: Bill Duncan – Tel: 075 2672 9258

Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Ti Amo Bridal

Groom + Groomsmen’s Suits: Black Tie Showroom

Venue Decor: Canterbury Tails

I promised to post some weddings from before I started the blog and I couldn’t wait to blog Erin and Christopher’s wedding at Solis Lough Eske Castle last June. Erin is the sister of one of my best friend’s wife (Sara), and I have known her for years. Christopher is a class act, a true gentleman and a good laugh. They are one of the best looking couples around; Erin looked stunning in her wedding dress and Christopher was very sharp in his suit. What made this wedding stand out for me was the personalisation, attention to detail and quality throughout – and I believe this was all planned in a relatively short space of time.

The ceremony was said by Father Martin in the Convent Chapel in Thornhill and after we travelled to Donegal to Solis Lough Eske Castle for the reception. The venue is truely incredible. From the food, to the room, the service, and the surrounds blow me away everytime I visit Solis Lough Eske Castle, so it’s a photographers dream to shoot there. As an added bonus the sun split the sky all day, which is always great, especially in Ireland!

Amazing venue, bride and groom and weather made sure this wedding was unforgettable.

Lovely images captured of natural moments between Erin and her sister, Sara.

I love this image – this is what most grooms are like waiting to catch a glimpse of their beautiful bride.

Again, just a 100% natural moment.

The looks captured during the service evoke a lot of emotion and are the things people remember when they look back at their wedding photos.

This image is my favourite of the day. Erin and Christy look incredible and the background is incomparable. I’ve got this as a huge framed picture in my studio and the couple also have one hanging in their home.

Shot while I was driving behind – I swear someday I’ll have an accident doing this – but it gets a cool photo.

Another image I love from their wedding –  they look great, as does the car and Solis Lough Eske Castle.

I like getting these little details when shooting the room.

The staircase in Solis Lough Eske Castle is amazing and provides lots of photo opportunities.

A lot of brides like getting their photo in front of this window, Erin looks great, her dress is stunning.

I remember the speeches being really, really funny and very heartfelt – the perfect mix.

Outside also worked well for the family formals.

It’s always good to get an image of all of the guests. This image was cropped for a double page spread in Erin and Christy’s wedding album.

Erin with her niece, Thea.

The end (for me!) of a great day (I believe they partied on until the wee hours). I submitted some of images of Erin and Christopher’s wedding to Solis Lough Eske Castle, and you may notice some from their website. I am one of their preferred photographers and I can’t wait to shoot another wedding there soon.

Oh what a year! 2010 has been a year of major changes in my life and I feel so much happier with the direction things are going in. This time last year I was in Australia, I shot a friend’s wedding south of Melbourne in the incredible Mornington Penninsula and the break away gave me an opportuity to reflect on where I was at. In 2007 I started a PR agency and then a modelling agency, I was also involved in a range of other projects and I had anywhere from three to ten people working for me on different projects. From starting my business in 2007 I literally worked seven days a week eight in the morning to nine or ten at night most days. The result was a good little business, but zero life outside of work. When in Australia I came to the realisation that I didn’t want to continue in the same way I was and decided to make some major changes in my life in 2010, the key one being to develop my passion, photography.

I am blessed that so many incredible brides and grooms have engaged me to deliver an incredible set of wedding images for them. Wedding photography has taken off and I have a lot of weddings in the diary for 2011, which I am so excited about and even some for 2012.

I thought this would be the perfect time to do a review of my favourite images from weddings I have shot in 2010. It was very hard to narrow down which images to include – I could have had 100 on here, but I selected the images which demonstrate the direction I want to take my photography in.

Ok, so technically the three images below are from December 2009, but they are three of my all time favs – they are from Tom and Lorelie’s wedding in Melbourne Australia.

The guys all met while learning golf together and just before I left to go and shoot the bride I came up with this idea – love this shot.

Lorelie was such a beautiful bride – this image really captures the natural interaction among everyone and the sense of fun on the day.

This image is so fun and I love the colours – the venue was incredible – check out Lindenderry.

This image is from Maggie and Tendayi’s wedding in May – this shot isn’t staged, I caught Maggie’s mum look on proudly at her daughter.

Again another image from Maggie and Tendayi’s wedding – the couple live in Scotland, but they came back to Northern Ireland to get married in the Cathedral in Derry and then had their reception at the Radisson Roe Park in Limavady. Such a fun photo!

Gemma and Carl are such a awesome couple. They had a destination wedding and were having a wedding at home to celebrate with friends and family at the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry / Londonderry. I got a chance to shoot with the bride and groom before the blessing and then set up a photo booth to shoot the guests which was a blast.

This shot and the one below blows me away – great couple (Erin and Christopher), stunning location (Lough Eske, Solis, Co. Donegal) and amazing weather!

I love this shot I got of Alana coming up the stairs in the Beech Hill Country House Hotel where she was married in July.

I shot this image at Claire and Andrew’s wedding in Edinburgh in August at Kirknewton Stables – I love shooting against brickwork and the casual nature of bride and groom is exactly what I am looking for in my wedding photography moving forward.

This image and the shot below were captured at Sinead and Jonathan’s wedding in August at Summerhill House in Wicklow. The group shots had ran over that day and I was keen to get some more portraits of the couple and when I saw the lights outside the venue I knew I would be able to get some really cool photos. I now always push to get images outside at the end of the night – weather and schedule permitting of course!

In September I had the chance to shoot Edel and Paul’s wedding. The weather was typically Irish (wet), but we got a break in the rain to shoot against these boats which were adjacent to the venue (Redcastle Carlton Hotel, Donegal).

This shot and the one below was from Cathy and Rob’s wedding in October – I love this image, I got everyone to have a bit of a boogie and the result looks so fun and the colours are incredible.

This shot was taken in the arch at Beech Hill Country House Hotel – it had just stopped raining and the sun was glaring, but I managed to hide it behind the arch to get this image.

Thanks to all the couples who I’ve had the pleasure to capture their wedding day in 2010 – can’t wait to do it all again in 2011!

I’ve tried to make the viewing studio really comfortable with leather couches and have decorated it like a sitting room so people feel at home when they come to view albums.

The room is open plan which I love (lots of light).

The studio itself is compact, but I make the best use of the space. I have Bowen lights and I just bought a Calumet set to hold the backdrops, which is much handier for changing backdrops quickly.

The hub! This is where I do all my editing of images – it was the conservatory of my house, but makes a great little office.

As you can see I have all the gadgets a man could want – I am a sucker for Apple products.

Meeting in work, Rob and Cathy are perfect for each other and throughout their wedding day this shone through. In the morning Cathy looking looked simply radiant in anticipation for meeting her husband to be at the altar, while Rob waited in the stunning setting of St Mary’s Ardmore looking forward to greeting his new bride. Throughout the ceremony, as the couple exchanged loving glances, it was evident to everyone that the couple are a match made in heavan.

The reception was held at the stunning Beech Hill House Hotel, and while the weather was wet and cold, this did not dampen anyone’s spirits and bride and groom were up for trying out creative photos and poses. I love working with laid back and fun brides and grooms – it makes my job easy!

The flowers looked great.

I shot a range of images of Cathy’s Christian Louboutin Shoes and thought this shot was cute. Cathy’s incredible dress was made by the Synan O’Mahony, who has designed dresses for Georgina Ahern and Yvonne Keating among many others.

A range of images of the stunning bridal gown.

Cathy looked incredible.

I caught a few shots of her flower girl as she looked on. Love using mirrors as they really add depth to the image.

I shot the rings on Robs jacket – really nice fabric – the suits are from The Black Tie Showroom.

This wall was the perfect backdrop for images of the guys.

The chapel in Ardmore is really awesome.

Love capturing these candid looks during the vows.

A nice image of the whole family as they walked up the aisle.

The car Cathy and Rob has was very cool.

As it was raining at the time I shot the family formals inside the hotel.

Although everyone’s not looking to camera, I thought this shot was cute.

Cathy and Rob’s work colleagues from Axa.

I had a blast running and dancing with the bridal party to capture these shots.

Cathy looked amazing and the dress is WOW!

The light was a little changing for these shots, but I think I managed to pull them off.

I love this shot – the colours are incredible and the backdrop of the Beech Hill is unmistakable.

I captured this portraits of Cathy on the staircase of the hotel – she is so natural.

Cathy’s dad, Michael, gave a funny and heartfelt speech.

Some shots of best man and bride’s father delivering their speeches.

Bride and groom feeding each other a little cupcake – I prefer shots like this to the traditional cake cutting image.

Lot of images of the first dance, but this one is so fun.

Meeting through mutual friends a few years ago, Don and Jude are such an amazing couple, and on the engagement shoot earlier this week the love they have for each was clear.

On the day of the shoot the weather was typically Irish, raining heavily one minute and sunny the next. I texted Jude to postpone the shoot at 4.30pm and ten minutes later the sun was shinning and we had the perfect evening for the photoshoot. I captured some stunning images along the banks of the Foyle and then visited the Craft Village in Derry. Before heading home we also had a chance to visit the fountains in Guildhall Square for a run through!

I LOVE this shot – Jude and Don were really laid back in front of the camera, which made my job easy.

I had so much fun shooting with these guys.

I used this door in a previous shoot and love it.

The Craft Village is such a great place to visit – amazing for photos too.

Some nice individual portraits.

A stolen moment.

Running through the fountains is fun – looks like the water’s pretty high in these shots.

I was in London working from Sunday night and got back late last night. It was so nice to be back in London and to see my friends Conor, Giorgio and Claire on Monday night for dinner at Busaba. I love Thai food, but after two weeks in Thailand, I still think the Peppar Tree in Clapham Common is the best Thai food I’ve had anywhere. I thought I would be stranded at the airport last night as I missed the last Airporter, but managed to bag a lift with my good friend, Roisin, who was driving back from Newry for a meeting in Derry this morning.

So to bed at 1am last night and I got up bright and breezy this morning at 6am for the first BNI meeting in Derry. It was good to network with Derry business people over breakfast, but I’m not sure if I would like to get up at 6am once a week for networking.

Then I had the launch of Love Bridal Expo and I had a chance to shoot the stunning Libbi Roddy in a beautifull bridal gown from All Class Bridal Wear, Strand Road, Derry.

This afternoon Paul and Edel, whose wedding I am shooting tomorrow called into the studio. They are so excited about everything, and I’m really looking forward to shooting their wedding in the stunning church in Drung and then at Redcastle Carlton Hotel.

After that I had a motorbike lesson. I finally decided to learn this summer, after years of thinking about it. I love Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s, Long Way Down and Long Way Round series, but to be honest have been scared of motorbikes for years. I don’t know if thirty is too young to have a mid-life crisis, so I don’t think it was that, but I finally had a lesson and have been hooked ever since. Looking forward to getting my test in the coming months. I have thought up of a dream trip…to ride from New York to Las Vegas for WPPI.

Work on the studio has stopped this week with painting due to start on Tuesday, but I did receive some stunning studio samples today – think the studio is going to look so awesome when it’s done – it’s going to be a cool environment for people to visit when it’s finished.