Fair enough!

Just back from three days at the Gawsworth Hall Arts and Crafts fair and.....

Well, I'm tired, firstly. It's hard work manning a stand for three days solid. I'm a bit gloomy too, because it wasn't as much of a success as I'd hoped, and I'm wondering if it's worth bothering with another Craft fair in the future. People were just not spending money, basically!
Admittedly, the weather didn't help. Hurrah for the great British Bank Holiday. Not so much the roar of the crowd than the thunder of rain on the roof of the marquee!
Don't get me wrong..visitors loved the photographs, but were reluctant to part with their cash. I think the value of photography is slipping down the pan. Each of my flower shots has been hours in the making, yet anyone with a mobile phone thinks they're now a 'photographer' so can, in their mind, get the same shot of a bloom..a damn sight faster and..most importantly, at no financial cost whatsoever!
I'll think about it all again with a few days' distance between me and the fair. I might get a different perspective on it. Meantime, Wedding head back on again today, as I'm in the middle of making three different albums, and gearing up for a 'Big One' at the weekend with the Wedding of the daughter of a Lord and Lady!

Insult and Battery!

A brief Blog about shops and shopping!
 Yesterday I was at a camera shop. I won't say which one but it sounds like Wildings!
I've started shooting flowers again, as part of my Florescence project. I shoot on 120 transparency film, using a Mamiya 645, but needed a new battery. Trouble is, the camera's getting a little long in the tooth, and its battery's not as widely available any more. So, I'm at the shop, asking if they have it. "It's for a Mamiya", I explain. "A what?" comes the reply!
Dear me...the young lad's surrounded by point and shoots, yet hasn't even heard of one of the finest makes of camera in the world (I've got three!)
Anyway, speaking of 'amateur' cameras...Wednesday's Wedding was filmed by a Videographer. As we finished recording the signing of the register we both turned to get back down the aisle, and had to squirm through a mass of guests, all aiming their Sure-shots at arm's length towards the couple. Video-man and I made it to the back of the ceremony, and he said "It's like a bloody branch of Dixon's up there!"
However, it'll be my turn to be a shopkeeper this weekend. I'm having a spot at a three-day Arts and Crafts fair at Gawsworth Hall, near Macclesfield. Lots of prints, cards and canvasses to be had, so come down and see how I do as a shopkeeper!
I won't be as loud as the lady in the photo, though. She was Edie Barnes, and ran a stall at Eccles Market. I photographed her in 1977, and the shot's in my 'Don't Miss That' book.
Buy !!

Deep breath...

Love watching for those last minute nerves when I shoot a Wedding. That moment before the bride takes the plunge and heads down the aisle. Got some good 'nerves' at yesterday's Wedding, but giggles soon replaced the tension and the day was fantastic. New venue for me, too. Heaton House Farm, near Leek in Staffordshire. Always fun to check out good locations for shots at new places. See how I did here...

Home, sweet home!

Martinstown, Dorset! Well, I had to go, didn't I!
Lovely time too, apart from the weather, but the misty conditions made for some romantic views, like this one of Thomas Hardy's house in Higher Bockhampton, Dorchester. (Did I really think I'd be sunbathing on an "English beach"?)

Reality check on the way home, though, with a 2 hour wait in a jam on the M6. A quick hello to this lorry-driver who seemed to think he could park on my car..and yes, he is using the phone at the same time!

Knotted Hanky at the ready...

Blog break as it's time for a little 'r n r'...off down South for a long-weekend (Of course I deserve it!)
I see it as my 'Bank Holiday' because next weekend is the big three day arts and crafts fair at Gawsworth Hall.  So, a spot of culture (Going on a Thomas Hardy tour)..and hopefully some sunbathing on a good ol' English beach! (Oh, and I might take some photographs as well...Busman's holiday and all that!)

Catch ya later!

Swanky 'Do'....

I'm flattered to tell you that I'm one of the sponsors of a bit of 'Swanky Do' that's coming up!
I'm offering an auction prize of a Portrait Sitting and Framed Print at a Ball in Manchester in September.
More details nearer the time...

Meanwhile..great news! The couple whose Wedding I shot TWO YEARS ago have been in touch to ask if they can now order a DVD of the shots so they can choose their images....Hurrah!

Go figure!

Numbers! The number of people getting married is at its lowest since records began! I read this in a business magazine the other day, and just when I was wondering whether I should have a go at feeling depressed I read something else. The mag ran a whole article on that perennial 'How to do your Wedding
on the cheap' idea, but..Hallelujah..it actually advises not to skimp on your photography! According to this magazine, the average cost of your Wedding Photography is around £1,000. (I agree, by the way!)
and it says "You'll still be looking back at your photographs in 20 years' time, so get a pro to do the job!"
You know my bias, but it really is crackers to have your pictures done as a charity job!

Oh, and if you don't remember Thelma Barlow...you are young!

STOP PRESS:....Confetti, the Bridal 'All-in-one' shop, has gone into administration! What does THAT say about the numbers of Weddings?!

Merry Christmas!

Well, that's it...summer's over! My birthday's come and gone and now every bloody pub I go in is plugging its Christmas dinners! My local's even got a Christmas tree on the bar !
I know it's a given that you brides have to plan ahead to get the venues you want for your Big Day, but couldn't we just slow down a bit on the seasonal leap-frogging?
Now, where did I put my Hallowe'en outfit?

Here we go, here we go, here we go......

Yep..it's the footy season again and I'm off to shoot....well, not football, that's for sure!
I was always rubbish at it...everyone keeps running about! I'm happier when I can control the situation, like this dazzling example where I skillfully got George Best and Ryan Giggs to stand either side of a poster advertising the video they'd just launched! Genius! Shame I couldn't get Ryan to smile..Sick as a Parrot!

Have to say that meeting Best was one of the early highlights of my career...got his autograph and still have it in my collection...along with those of Mohammed Ali and Margaret Thatcher who both signed when I asked!

Now, did someone mention two halves? Guinness please!

Roll on Summer....

Sod it..let's moan about the weather. I know we're having it easy compared with Pakistan and elsewhere, but isn't it a bugger! I don't have a Wedding this weekend (More birthday boozing to do!!) but I feel for all the Brides who have been so looking forward to this mid-August weekend for their Big Day. I feel for the snappers, too..it rather reins in one's creativity when you're stuck in some dark, crowded Stately Home/Hotel/Marquee..
Shot this on one of Di's visits to Manchester. It rained..she worked the crowd and smiled all day. Good advice for you Wedding Photographers this weekend!

The morning after...

So this was me at breakfast...only joking! Had a fantastic day yesterday, and as a Birthday treat headed over to Chester Zoo. Haven't been there in 20 years. It was great, and guess what...there was a Wedding on! Real life again today, of course..and I've just put in a major print order for the Art and Craft fairs that are coming up. Some amazing 10x8's of my Florescence series, together with some lovely 18x12's of my Travel Signs. Check out the full range here...
First fair is Gawsworth Hall over the Bank Holiday Weekend. See ya there?...

Party, party...!

Celebrations today..'cos I'm 50 !! Woo hoooo....
Day off and much drinking and eating to be done!
Reminds me of the time I'd shot my 100th Wedding..I gave the couple a bottle of champers and got them to pose by my corny number plate!

Bring on the next half century!!

What's in a name?

So, there you go...I've left Aston Villa..ha ha! It's still amusing to me when the guys (usually) at a Wedding find out they're being photographed by Martin O'Neill. Reminds me of a Wedding I went to a few years back...It was one of those unusual times when I hadn't been able to meet the Bride or Groom beforehand. I turned up at the house to shoot the Bridal preparations. "Hi, Catherine?" I asked of the young lady who opened the door. "That's me" she replied..and I dutifully set about following her around the house as she prepared. I photographed her drinking champagne, I followed her outside when she went for a crafty fag, I moved in close for some 'hair and make-up' shots...until she finally looked at me and said.."Aren't you going to take any pictures of the Bride?"....Wrong Catherine! Well, you'd have thought she'd have said something !!
(Oh, and I always try to meet my Brides these days!

The Signs are good...

I'm hitting the road this Autumn! Ok, not quite America, but I'm set to visit several Arts and Crafts Fairs around Cheshire and Lancashire, as I've come up with a great new set of shots from my travels around the world. It's called 'The Signs are Good..' and compliments my range of Flower, Music and Documentary Photography.
Available as 18x12 inch Pearl Metallic prints, or as canvas prints of various sizes, they'll brighten up any wall of your house. (Jeez, I've turned into a Smooth Radio commercial!)
Let you know when the Fair dates are.....

I love deadlines!

What a great day I had yesterday. I was shooting the Wedding of Melissa and Adam, at the Lymm Hotel.
It had drizzled all day then miraculously stopped when I came to do my shots. Thing was..I had 55 minutes to do the whole lot ! Needless to say I got the job done..and even had time to whizz the guys across the road and onto the Trans-Pennine Trail for some 'arty' stuff like this. Just got to edit the other 779 shots now!

School's Out...

So, school's well and truly out for summer, as Alice used to sing, and I had a letter today from a young lad looking for a position as an apprentice photographer. He's 18..the same age I was when I got my first job as a snapper, so I really wish I could help him, and indeed the others who write asking if they can assist me at my Weddings. Truth is I'm such a perfectionist I'd be chasing them up all the time and never getting any of my own work done...so...sorry everyone!

Speaking of Weddings..off to Lymm today for my latest. I've done office business portraits and industrial shots of a huge generator this week, so it'll be nice to tog up and put my Wedding Head back on.

Couldn't resist this shot when I was looking for a school-based image. I shot it for the Manchester Evening News to illustrate the start of the summer holidays. That little nipper? He's now 32 !

You're Barred!....

Poor Viraj Mendis! He's just been in the news because he can't get back into Blighty!
Remember him? He was given sanctuary in a Manchester Church after he claimed he'd be killed if he went back to his native Sri Lanka. Anyway, the priest who harboured him, Rev. John Methuen, has sadly died. VM wanted to go to the funeral, but it turns out the 'authorities' won't allow him to do so.
Bit of a difference to 1989, when he didn't want to go back to Sri Lanka, but HAD to! Boy, doesn't he look happy!! I was there to cover his arrival 'home', and shot him at the airport then at this press conference with Rev. Methuen. It was so hot there I remember drying my film by simply holding it up to the sunlight, and then I had to 'wire' it back using the big old wire machine of AFP. Made the front of the Independent if I remember rightly.
Oh, and guess what...nobody tried to kill him !

Join the club...

Just thinking of new ways to get my name out there...I'm reviewing the way I advertise and have updated a couple of magazine adverts, like this one for a Cheshire publication; I've rejigged my website keywords...and last night met an interesting bunch of Cheshire-based Wedding photographers who I'm going to pal up with to form a new 'Society' of snappers. Our website links should help get us all up the Google doody thing..and we'll be able to provide cover for each other should one of us be unable to get to a Wedding. It'll be fun to meet on a monthly basis to swap tales, ideas, laughs and hell, yes...moans!
(Seems I'm not the only one who still has a Wedding Album waiting to be collected .. after two years!!)

Sigh !

I was talking to a young photographer the other day and he mentioned he'd never used film. An unbelievable thing for me to hear, of course, but natural enough for someone who's just come into photography. It tied in with a couple of other things. Another photographer I met was telling me how he only used Velvia for his landscapes. It's a transparency (slide) film that delivers gorgeous rich colours. A lot of my Florescence series was shot on it, actually! Made me think back to my 'film' days, when you HAD to get the shots right because there was no easy-peasy checking the camera screen to preview your work. Made it kinda disappointing then, to hear the full story of the Last ever roll of Kodachrome. It's been given to renowned documentary photographer Steve McCurry, who I met in Manchester once. His shots are going to be the subject of a National Geographic programme, but he says he felt the pressure to get the shots right...so he shot it digitally first ! Aw, Steve !!

Looking for a suitable 'slide film' shot to drop in to this story, I found one of my 1970's shots of Northern Ireland. Kids and guns...and today some idiots there bomb a police station. Some things never change!

Any Road Up....

Bloody Council works!
What are the chances, eh? The big event at the Joy Division exhibition this weekend was the showing of the rare film Plan K..showing the guys' gig in Brussels. What happens? The council start digging outside and cut off the bloody 'lekky!! Grrr.....
Any road up..follow the signs to Macclesfield while you can, guys...the show's only on for this week.
Oh, and nice piece in the Mirror by Miranda Sawyer...