30 December 2014 My favourite wedding photographs from 2014
I only take on a few select weddings to photograph each year. These are some of my favourite images taken during 2014.
1. Tatiana Von Preussen’s wedding to Philip Womack. It was pouring down with rain when the bridal couple entered St Andrew’s Chuch, Wingfield in Suffolk but after the ceremony there was no royal carriage awaiting the Princess instead after we had photographed the family group, they took the short cut through the overgrown churchyard. It was a real pleasure to photograph their wedding and meet their lovely families.
2. Dominic Smith & Helen Snowden were surprised to hear a toot on our horn as their wedding car stopped at the traffic lights in Altrincham. We were following them to the reception at Statham Lodge, Lymm,in Cheshire.
3. I’m not a fan of very posed photographs but sometimes you get the unexpected – in this photograph the groom and ushers were larking around and it produced a great photograph.
4. Surrounded by family and friends, Jon & Laura leaving St Michael’s Church, Stoke Prior in Worcestershire for their wonderful reception at nearby Redhouse Barn.
Princess Tatiana Von Preussen’s wedding to Philip Womack, St. Andrew’s Church, Wingfield, Suffolk.
Helen & Dominic en route to their reception at Statham Lodge, Lymm, Cheshire
Jon & Laura’s wedding at St Michael’s Church, Stoke Prior in Worcestershire. The reception was at Redhouse Barn.
SAVE GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL – 26 January 2014
An assignment for The Guardian in Liverpool this morning – With the Save Grassroots Football campaign gathering pace, supporters held a protest at the Woolton FC pitch and asked that 7.5% of the Premier League’s revenue is spent on the game at grassroots level.
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My Top 10 2013 Street Photographs – 25 December 2013
These are my Top 10 Street Photographs from 2013 all taken on my Leica M9 with a Summicron 35mm f2 lens.
Reading the online and paper versions of the daily papers on Kensington High Street tube – London July 2013
Piccadilly Bus Station, Manchester. There are so many interpretations you could give to this photograph !! – Manchester August 2013
Not sure if this ‘human sun worshipper statue’ was part of the Five Amazing Attractions !! – Blackpool July 2013
Liverpool waterfront with a mist hovering over the Mersey looking towards Birkenhead. Reminiscent of New York! – February 2013
Market Street Manchester. Not quite sure what’s going on here! The pigeon was after the KFC crumbs but as for the random shoes, who knows, the lady didn’t have any shoe laces? Phone a friend! – Manchester March 2013
Relaxing on the pier – Blackpool July 2013
I discovered this interesting side street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter – Manchester March 2013
Colour coded rubbish off Tib Street – Northern Quarter Manchester January 2013
Late night diner – Manchester August 2013
Young tourists sheltering from the torrential rain are harassed by a stranger wanting a cigarette. Their facial expressions say it all! – London August 2013
Mayfield Depot, Manchester – a new superclub – 27-11-2013
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Mayfield Depot a disused railway station in Manchester could become the biggest nightclub in the world and dwarf any venue on these shores.
There are clubs that can hold more people in Ibiza but they make use of outdoor space, Mayfield would be all under one roof.
Council licensing bosses have approved plans which could ultimately see the Warehouse Project take residency at Mayfield.
The building on Fairfield Street next to Piccadilly Rail Station has been granted permission to hold 25 DJ-led events a year.
Although no formal agreement has been reached, talks between the Warehouse Project and the team behind the renovation of the building have taken place.
Initially, nights at the venue will have a capacity of 2,500, but that could increase to 7,500 if police and fire chiefs are happy with how they are run, according to the licensing committee ruling.
A range of other arts, dance, music, fashion and food events are also expected to be held at the depot as part of the ‘cultural centre’ plans.
The approval follows months of speculation that the Warehouse Project, Manchester’s internationally-renowned series of club nights, could move there.
It is an awesome building and I was recently privileged to be allowed to take photographs there. To see more of my Mayfield photographs click here.
For its part, the Mayfield Depot Management Company Ltd (MDMCL), which has hatched the scheme, claims it will create a landmark cultural space akin to the Old Truman Brewery in east London.
The old parcel depot was reborn as a cultural destination earlier this summer during the Manchester International Festival, when it hosted one of the centrepiece events, Massive Attack vs Adam Curtis.
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Mayfield Depot © Howard Barlow
Bank of Dave – November 19th 2013
I’ve just completed a really interesting photography assignment for the French newspaper Le Monde. The subject is entrepreneur Dave Fishwick who has opened the ‘Bank on Dave’. Dave, a mini-bus supplier from Burnley, Lancashire, got so fed up with the way the banks were operating that he decided to set up one of his own. He managed to beat all the regulatory problems and convince the FSA of his case. Dave offers savers 5% and already has a 2 year waiting list of eager savers. He loans to local businesses who desperately need it and any profits go to charity. Channel Four did a recent documentary on him Bank of Dave – Fighting the Fat Cats. All power to him and a great guy! Two of his clients I photographed were Sarah Mottershead who runs the Burnley Bridal Boutique selling wedding dresses, and Rachel McClure who runs Garland’s a florist shop in Oswaldtwistle.
Bank on Dave
Garland’s florist Rachel and Simon McClure
Dave talking with local shoppers outside his Bank in Burnley
Dave with Sarah Mottershead of Burnley Bridal Boutique
Bank on Dave
Dave meeting with his bank staff – love the clocks.
Wedding Industry Awards 2013 nomination – October 26th 2012
I am delighted to have just been nominated for The Wedding Industry Awards 2013. One of the very first weddings I covered was for Hello! Magazine in 1991, Pete Waterman’s wedding at Daresbury Church, Warrington to Denise Gyngell former dancer with 80’s dance group Tight Fit. As well as the commission from Hello! I also took Peter & Denise’s official wedding day photographs.
1991 Peter Waterman wedding at Daresbury church, Warrington
to DENISE GYNGELL former dancer with 80’s group Tight Fit
Facebook fan page, Leica M9 and puppy Baxter – 12 October 2012
I have created a facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/HowardBarlowPhotographer showcasing everyday photographs all taken on my Leica M9 with 35mm Leitz Summicron F2 lens. This photograph of our 16 week old Working Cocker Spaniel, Baxter, was in black & white mode, straight out of the camera with no post production work. Follow my fan page for new photographs each day.
Horse Racing for The Guardian – 2 October 2012
It’s been a while since I have covered a horse racing story. Yesterday The Guardian commissioned me to photograph at Chester Racecourse where they were trialling the introduction of hurdles. Competing against other specialist racing photographers it was very satisfying to come up with the scoop picture – Trainer Donald McCain’s horse ridden by jockey Jason Maguire fell at the last hurdle. Never nice to see a fall but fortunately the horse and jockey were only winded. See Guardian story with – http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/oct/01/chester-hurdles-trial-officials
Trainer Donald McCain safely leads the fallen horse back to the stables, followed by jockey Jason Maguire.
Our new puppy Baxter helps out with the gardening! – 4 Sept 2012
Our new Working Cocker Spaniel puppy Baxter is now 11 weeks old and like all babies quite a handful. He has already bitten through my printer cable and has hidden countless numbers of socks. His greatest pleasure, like Kerry and I, is gardening! Well kind of gardening, as you can see from the photographs taken on Sunday. Baxter’s idea of gardening is to take our gloves when we are not looking and bury them in a big hole, he’s not quite got the hang of pruning either, more chewing up our precious plants! Like all our previous dogs Baxter certainly has lots of character !!
Four Weddings and a funeral…..July 2012
These are some of my favourite images from the four weddings I have photographed over the last few weeks. Ben & Suzy were married at Jacksons Row Synagogue and had their reception at the Great John Street Hotel in the city centre of Manchester. Another Manchester city centre wedding at the Town Hall and reception at Rain Bar for Nadine and Dave. Kate and Dave were married out in Cheshire at Sandhole Barn in Congleton and Steve and Nathalie had an outdoor wedding in the lovely grounds of the Saddleworth Hotel. Most of the wedding couples who have visited our home over the last 18 months have been welcomed by Lily our lovely springer spaniel. Sadly Lily left us this week and is now chasing rabbits in doggie heaven.
Our entry for the village scarecrow competition – June 2nd 2012
Kerry and I entered our village scarecrow competition this weekend with our version of Zara Phillips jumping our garden hedge! A lot of fun and turning lots of heads from cyclists and cars passing by ! 
Pre-wedding shoots – May 23rd 2012
Ben & Suzy – I can just see them in their wedding outfits sliding down here!
Ben & Suzy – this will make a great shot strolling across Deansgate on their wedding day
Nadine & Dave – all set for their sunshine wedding this week
Nathalie & Steve – you can’t see the wellies on this shot
A few weeks before each wedding we photograph, Kerry and I arrange a pre wedding shoot with the couple. Either here in our rural village setting or at the wedding venue. This gives the couple a chance to get to know us better and begin to relax and feel comfortable in front of the camera, it also gives us a chance to talk through all the final details of the wedding day. My style is very non intrusive and these pre wedding shoots are always a lot of fun. This month I photographed Ben & Suzy who getting married at Jackson’s Row Synagogue and who are having their reception at the fashionable Great John Street Hotel. We walked through the route they will take on the day, strolling through St Johns gardens, crossing the busy Deansgate road in the heart of Manchester’s shopping area…..Another city centre wedding Nadine and Dave are getting married in a couple of days at Manchester Town Hall with the reception on the roof at the Rain Bar, will be fantastic with this great weather which is set to continue! Nathalie & Steve came to us for their pre wedding shoot in the country, Nathalie swapping her high heels for a pair of our wellies! for the photographs in the woodland area behind our home. They are to be married under the pagoda at the Saddleworth Hotel, beautiful setting.
Pre wedding shoot at Sandhole Barn – 2nd May 2012
As the weddings for this year are revving up, I photographed a lovely couple, Kate & Dave, last night for their pre-wedding shoot. We met at Sandhole Barn, Congleton, where they are to be married next month. As a venue it should prove to be great for the photographs. I always arrange to meet wedding a couples 5 or 6 weeks before their big day giving us chance to run through and identify the distinctive features that will make their wedding unique. I’m always looking for these shots as they are a vital part of the celebration and make the special memories in years to come.
Who was Father McKenzie in the Beatles Eleanor Rigby song ? – 21 December 2011
I photographed the unveiling of the Eleanor Rigby statue seat in Liverpool in 1982 for the Daily Telegraph. Uncle Charlie Lennon sat on the seat next to his ex army friend Tommy McKenzie who told me he was THE Father McKenzie. It was only yesterday when I sold one of my limited edition photographs that I decided to find out more about who Father McKenzie and Eleanor Rigby were. On researching I have found countless explanations. The name of the 1966 song’s character was actually Father McCartney for a while, but Paul didn’t want anyone to confuse this with his dad, so one account has Paul thumbing through a telephone directory until he came up with McKenzie. The one person who claimed to be THE real Father McKenzie was not a priest but Tommy McKenzie a friend and fellow army veteran of Uncle Charlie Lennon. He was also the compere of the Beatles five concerts at Northwich Memorial Hall between 1962-63 and a close friend of the band when he lived in Liverpool.
My photograph of Father McKenzie (left) with Uncle Charlie Lennon at the unveiling of the Eleanor Rigby statue seat in Liverpool 1982
Eleanor Rigby was originally a Miss Daisy Hawkins according to Donovan whom McCartney played the song before it was finished with completely different lyrics. Paul also claims he came up with the name Eleanor from actress Eleanor Bron, who had starred in the Beatles film Help! However, it has been pointed out that the graveyard of St Peters Church in Liverpool, where John Lennon and Paul MCartney first met, contains the gravestone of an individual called Eleanor Rigby. Paul McCartney has admitted he may have been unconsciously influenced by the name on the gravestone. In the 1980s, a grave of an Eleanor Rigby was “discovered” in the graveyard of St. Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool, and a few yards away from that, another tombstone with the last name McKenzie scrawled across it. During their teenage years, McCartney and Lennon spent time sunbathing there, within earshot of where the two had met for the first time during a fete in 1957. Many years later McCartney stated that the strange coincidence between reality and lyric could be a product of his subconscious, rather than being a meaningless fluke. The actual Eleanor Rigby was born in 1895 and lived in Liverpool, possibly in the suburb of Woolton, where she married a man named Thomas Woods. She died on 10 October 1939 at age 44. Whether this Eleanor was the inspiration for the song or not, her tombstone has become a landmark to Beatles fans visiting Liverpool. A digitised version was added to the 1995 music video for The Beatles’ reunion song “Free as a Bird”.
Actor Daniel Evans for The Observer – 27 November 2011
Daniel Evans photographed in Sheffield for today's Observer
It’s not every week one has a full page photograph published in The Observer (although I have had a few), so it was a particular pleasure to open the paper this morning to see my photograph of actor Daniel Evans. I went over to Sheffield on Tuesday evening to photograph Daniel at the Crucible Theatre where he is artistic director. Jay Rayner’s interview is about him taking on the lead acting role in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. The Observer asked me for a bright picture that would have impact as a full page. The Crucible couldn’t provide the back drop I was looking for so after a quick reccy I did the shoot at the Lyceum next door on the set of Buddy. We only had a few minutes between Daniel finishing his Company rehearsal and the curtain going up for Buddy.
Devonshire Dome wedding – 21 November 2011
What an amazing venue the Devonshire Dome in Buxton is. A couple of weeks ago I photographed Viv & George’s fantastic wedding day there. It was once a magnificent 18th century stable block built by the 5th Duke of Devonshire. The dome was completed in 1882 as the Royal Devonshire Hospital and is over 150 ft in diameter, bigger than St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and was once the largest unsupported dome in the world and still is in Britain. The autumnal colours outside were just beautiful with lots of light coming through the dome, for a photographer at this time of year this was a big bonus.
Viv & George's wedding under the giant dome
Viv and her dad arrive at the Dome
Best man John
Viv & George take a walk around the grounds after the ceremony
Breaking from tradition 'a pork-pie wedding cake'
Downing College, Cambridge wedding – 10 November 2011
I was in Cambridge again a couple of weeks ago to photograph Emily and James’s wedding at Downing College. As with all weddings I like to do a recce of the venue before and the college did not disappoint, the chapel and grounds looked beautiful with the autumn colours against the magnificent columns. At the rehearsal Emily, her dad and bridesmaids play acted how they would arrive for the wedding, in the low setting sun they mimed arriving in the wedding car, a lot of fun and helpful for me to test out the challenging lighting conditions as the wedding party entered the chapel. I was really pleased with the results on the day, the black & white shot of the bride and her bridesmaids coming through the doors worked amazingly well, the recce certainly paid off. The wedding itself was a fantastic day, Emily & James and their families were a pleasure to photograph. The reception was across the road at the University Arms Hotel.
Emily, her Dad and bridesmaids mime arriving in the wedding car
Emily and party arriving at Downing College chapel
Bridesmaids eagerly await as Emily slips into her wedding dress
James and his bestmen head for the chapel
An ushers notes for the day !
Father and Grandfather of the bride arrive at Downing College
Eagerly awaiting the bride
Page boy
Emily and her dad prepare to walk down the aisle
Wonderful available light for signing the register
After signing the register Emily & James enter back into the chapel
A classic wedding group set against Downing College chapel
Grandfather drives the new Mr Mrs Hutchison to the reception
Emily's parents head back to the reception
My rock music photographs now on t-shirts – 19 October 2011
I have teamed up with a new aspiring company Don’t Talk To Me About Heroes. They have signed up “12 of the greatest music photographers” to produce a series of t-shirts. So if you like my rock band photographs they are now available for you to wear through donttalktomeaboutheroes.com in amazing quality. The website is only a few days old so have a look. Aki, who has set up this photographer’s project called me this morning to say my shot of Tom Verlaine is one of the favourite hits and selling well. Creative Review have just done a very positive write-up and used 2 of my images in their article. Let me know what you think !
Tom VERLAINE frontman of New York rock band TELEVISION, Free Trade Hall, Manchester 1977
BLONDIE - Free Trade Hall, Manchester 1977
Iconic Manchester landmarks commission – 6 October 2011
I have been commissioned by leading Manchester law firm KUITS to provide wall art for their refurbished city centre offices. Over the last couple of months I have photographed buildings Kuits have been associated with, along with other iconic Manchester scenes. I have had the photographs printed as Giclée Fine Art Prints (pronounced “gee-clay”). They are extremely high quality, archival grade, digital prints that use an ultra fine inkjet printing process to produce photographs of intense colour and vibrancy. Giclée printing is widely regarded as one of the very best photographic and fine art printing methods currently available. You can view and purchase these and other photographs on my website. Great gift idea.
Manchester URBIS building
Manchester Salford Calatrava Bridge from Deansgate to the Lowry Hotel
Manchester Spinningfields district reflected in a silver diner - no not New York!
Manchester Sport City, Eastlands
Manchester Civil Justice Centre - law courts
URBIS and the PRINTWORKS
Nick & Kate wed in Styal – 24 September 2011
Nick & Kate got married in Styal, well Styal Lodge to be precise. A lovely purpose built wedding venue just outside Wilmslow in Cheshire. As a photographer there was plenty of available light, especially in the lounge area set aside for the bride to get ready. My favourite shot from the day was when Kate’s dad saw his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress.
Wow! Kate's dad sees his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress
Kate's bridesmaids help her into the wedding dress
Final touches
Kate all ready to go (except for that curler!)
The big moment, Kate & Nick make their vows
Caroline Castigliano dress v Nikon D700 – 10 September 2011
I’ve had my Nikon D700 cameras for nearly 2 years and never used the 3200 iso rating… until yesterday. The results with hardly any light on Katie’s stunning Caroline Castigliano were equally stunning. Katie & Steven were married at Davenport Green Hall, Hale in Cheshire. It was a beautiful wedding and after the poor recent weather, lovely for the wedding party to be able to enjoy the warm September evening.
Katie's Caroline Castigliano wedding dress at 3200 iso on my Nikon D700
Young usher Joshua lit by his i-phone at 3200 iso - reminiscent of the great photographer W. Eugene Smith's comment "Available light is any damn light that is available".
First dance at 3200 iso
window light at 400 iso
Katie and her dad Michael
Harrogate wedding commission – 4 September 2011
I photographed Mark & Deborah’s lovely wedding on Sunday. It was a very happy day, the venue was the Old Swan Hotel in picturesque Harrogate. These are some of my favourite moments…
Mark gets some advice from the Rabbi at the tish before the chuppah ceremony
Deborah in the bedeken room at the Old Swan as Mark arrives
Deborah circles Mark 7 times under the chuppah at the start of the marriage
Deborah
Mark and Deborah are raised up on chairs during the Horah (Israeli dancing) and hold the ends of a handkerchief symbolising a Jewish legal requirement known as kinyan sudar
Two recent commissions – wonderful August weddings – 31 August 2011
Having a wedding in August you would expect a good chance of sunshine. Sharmini & Kevin planned a beautiful outdoor wedding at Thornton Manor on the Wirral and that is exactly what they got, but it was touch and go right up to the last minute. With 15 minutes to ceremony time, all the guests were assembled in the marquee, then the rain passed and they made the decision to go ahead with their dream wedding outside. The setting was magnificent. Straight after the ceremony the couple slipped away and re-appeared sailing across the lake arriving in front of the marquee to the applause of their friends and family. For their amazing ‘first dance’ they used a giant keyboard to step out the music of Kraftwork.
Sharmoni & Kevin hit the 'piano dance floor' for their amazing first dance.
Sharmini & Kevin arrive by boat to their wedding reception at Thornton Manor
Sharmini & Kevin...just married
Signing the register
David & Clare were married at Menorah Synagogue, South Manchester where they first met as children in the cheder. These are some of my favourite pictures from a truly lovely wedding.
Proud Dad Alex walks Clare through to the chupah
David & Clare in a quiet moment after the ceremony
the littlest bridesmaid
Pre-wedding shoots last week – 8 August 2011
For every wedding I photograph, I offer a ‘pre-wedding’ shoot as part of the commission. I feel it is important to get to know the couple before their big day, it helps them feel more relaxed and confident about being photographed. It also gives Kerry and I a chance to sit down discuss the finer details of the wedding day. During August and September I am photographing five weddings; David & Clare at Menorah Synagogue, Sharmini & Kevin at Thornton Manor on the Wirral, Mark & Deborah at the Old Swan in Harrogate, Steven & Katie at Davenport Green Hall in Hale, Kate & Nick at Styal Lodge. They are all beautiful venues and promise to be very photogenic weddings. Below are photographs from their pre-wedding shoots.
Nick & Kate - wedding at Styal Lodge, Wilmslow
David & Clare - chuppah at Menorah Synagogue
Steven & Katie - wedding at Davenport Green Hall, Hale
Kevin & Sharmini - wedding at Thornton Manor on the Wirral
Mark & Deborah - chuppah at The Old Swan in Harrogate
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