Bob McEvoy Photography

Wedding Blog

Julie Ward & Andrew Callen

What a great wedding this was, it was so full of happiness. I think I have never met a bride who smiled so much as Julie did on her wedding day.

One of the really pleasant things about being a photographer is that you get to share little moments of the day that the guests don’t see. Carolyn (my assistant photographer) and I went along early to the couple’s new home before the ceremony, for they planned to leave in the car together. Our plan was to use their home surroundings to good advantage, to set their portraits into their environmental context. We set up the D2x on a tripod for natural light shots in the lounge and took some initial shots of the groom, then waited for Julie to come down, ready in her bridal gown. She arrived! Out on the stairs, with Andrew eagerly awaiting her, and catching his first sight of her beautiful cappuccino coloured dress, there was sheer delight on both their faces. I grabbed the D100 that Carolyn had been using, and began to shoot! Their first kiss was just the beginning of the most perfect day!

For technical interest, this was my first experience using Gary Fong's new 'whale-tail' flash diffuser. I'd been using his light-sphere diffuser, but apparently this new gismo is the last word, the ultimate flash diffusion system for on-camera flashguns. Or was it just another gimmick? I must say that it certainly softened the light, causing no appreciable shadows. It's a bit fiddly - but then it was its first time out!

The locations chosen for the wedding complimented the emotions. The little church nestling in the Co. Antrim countryside outside Larne is idyllic, with a beautiful garden owned by the caretaker, just next door. We used both locations, and then went to the waterfall at Glenoe for a portrait of the Bride and Groom. If you’ve never been to the waterfall, it’s really worth a visit. Set in a lovely glen, with a picturesque little wooden bridge, it makes the perfect backdrop for a romantic photograph. The ground was wet, following all the recent rain, but I’d brought along some bubble-wrap to keep Julie’s dress clean, but I couldn’t do anything about the wasps! We survived, got the pictures into the camera and left for Knockagh Lodge, where we did some family groups and some pictures of the larger bridal party.

At the evening reception we went back, this time Janette (my wife) joined us and we did Wedding Formals, with instant prints for those guests who wanted to take away photographs of themselves and of the Bride and Groom. (We had made a handful of prints from earlier in the day available for the Bride & Groom to share with their friends)

It was a great day, and thank you both for being so lovely to work with, so patient and willing. May you have every happiness in your future life, and in your new home.