He's gone and clicked the clone tool...

I put this shot on Facebook yesterday because, half way through making a Wedding album, it suddenly dawned on me that I'd photoshopped a Wedding image .. and liked it! What's happening to me? When did this kick in? Will I be alright?...

Loving this album I'm working on at the mo, though - from a Wedding at Manchester Town Hall, last November. Some gorgeous shots and some real fun moments, captured forever .. and photoshopped for the time being!

I have to be honest and say that, so far, this year isn't looking as good as previous years for Wedding bookings, but yet another booking for next year came in yesterday, and it's starting to look like people are deciding to say 'Stuff the recession! Let's get married!' I hope so! I'll even photoshop their pictures for them!

Dancin' Queen

Working on a new Jorgensen album today and, much to my delight, here's one of the shots that the bride has chosen to  go in it. I just love the fun and joy in it - Christine and her bridesmaid bopping to their ipod in the hotel room as Mum has her hair done before the Wedding. This shindig was in May, which seems so long ago now that we're already in November. Where on earth is the year going? Well, I know where I'm going on Friday. I'm going to the re-opening of the Open Eye Photography Gallery in Liverpool. I'll be turning into a photo-groupie again as I'll get to meet another favourite snapper of mine, the American Mitch Epstein. Autograph-hunter head on, Martin!

Portrait of the ...

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. This was on the hoardings outside all the building work around Manchester Town Hall, and a very kind passer-by used one of my other cameras to get this 'snap' of me before I started work on Saturday's Wedding! Oh, Saturday's Wedding! What a blast that was! It was the civil ceremony of Chris and Fred, at the aforementioned Town Hall, and it was a really great day all round. 600 shots later and their Wedding is good to go!

Speaking of going, no sooner do I put a song by Edmundo Ros on my new Wedding video, when he goes and dies at the age of 100! God bless, Edmundo! Great tune, by the way!

So, I'll skip smartly along from yesterday's Manchester derby score, and let you know about a new project I'm getting involved in. Actually, I can't tell anything about it yet, but I shoot it tomorrow and I'm very excited! I've got another big awards ceremony to shoot on Thursday, too. I believe there are going to be about 700 guests at this shindig! Now that's a lot of people to put in the picture...

I shudda been in movies...

Oooh, get me with my selective colour! I'll be shooting through brandy glasses next! Anyway, just a quickie as I've got to shoot off to today's Wedding in a mo.. Fred and Chris at Manchester Town Hall. Pix to follow, naturally.... Just wanted to let you know that my new YouTube Wedding Video is up and running, and it's looking pretty good. Check it out! All feedback appreciated! Ok, to the batmobile....

Gizza kiss....

A sweet little montage from last Sunday's Wedding at Tatton Park, and I'm sure I'll get some equally good shots at today's Civil Partnership ceremony, too. I'm off to Manchester to see Matt and Andy tie the knot, and really keen to get some cool reportage as they amble between their three different venues around Albert Square.. Manchester Registry Office, the bar they're visiting for some refreshing sparkly stuff, and then the town hall itself for their reception.
Bring it on!

Rain, rain, go away...

A lovely moment from yesterday's Wedding, when Hannah married Mike at Mitton Hall, near Clitheroe. Unfortunately, the rain and drizzle hung around all day, so I couldn't take advantage of the lovely scenery - well, I coudn't see most of it! - but we all made the best of it with lots of shots in the hotel's sumptious rooms and the odd venture out to the front door! So, batteries charging as we speak, 'cos I'm off again tomorrow, this time to cover the Civil partnership of Matt and Andy at Manchester Town Hall.

Now somehow, in between all this Wedding mullarkey, I've managed to find the time to change my whole website, as I mentioned yesterday. (I'm so behind on my Coronation Street!) Amazingly, I've now uploaded 90, yes ninety, images to my gallery page, so you'll need a good brew and a steady supply of biscuits to get through it all. I think it's worth it, though, and it was a lovely trip down memory lane for me to compile the collection. There were just so many that I had to leave out, though!

Stop Press... this just in from Hannah's step-mum, and I quote..."Martin you are a STAR xxxxx"

Stand there! No, don't...

Was back at Manchester Town Hall the other day, shooting an engagement portrait for a couple who tie the knot there this September, and was rather dismayed to see that all my photo 'locations' are disappearing, one by one! The lovely arched corridor on the corner of Albert Square, where I often shoot pictures of the Wedding couple together, is now shrouded in wooden hoardings, as the re-development of Central Library continues, and in the square itself, where I would normally shoot my group and family shots, there is now a semi-permanent (I hope!) concrete arena being built for the forthcoming Spanish Festival!
Even inside the Town Hall, the Sculpture Gallery has now become a cafe, with a flat screen TV right in the place where I'd normally shoot a lovely portrait of the couple. What to do? Photoshop a tropical beach into the background? Hmmm....

To be continued...

This is my favourite Wedding Photograph of the year..so far! Shot it yesterday at my Manchester Town Hall Wedding. It's a sign stuck up on all the hoarding that's hiding the renovation work around there. Christine & Phil loved my suggestion for a shot next it, and completely went for the pose!
Have a look at their page  on my website here...
Now, just got to edit the other 937 shots, and no, I'm not kidding!