Good Morning Everyone,

Welcome to the wedding photography at The Old Rectory, Brentwood, Essex of Nicola and Daniel.  At Pengelly Photography we photograph civil weddings and church weddings and I do love the variety of both; Nicola and Daniel were married at St Laurence’s Church, Upminster, Essex; the church had a really nice aspect and I was particularly enthralled by the stonework.  After the wedding service we then moved to The Old Rectory, which is an exclusive wedding venue, they really have made the best of the venue’s features and the house has recently been refurbished, so lots to create the perfect backdrop for your wedding.

Now for today’s images and we kick off with a tranquil image of Nicola who had a classy Hollywood look about her.  This image has a calming quality about it and is further enhanced by the soft tones added in post production.  When editing it is very important not to overdo the post production process.  I see so many overly done ‘vintage’ and softened images now; for me an image should wow in the back of the camera and any small enhancements only add to its beauty.  If it doesn’t wow in the back of the camera it will just look like a bad image that has been over processed.  This image of Daniel was taken at the church and I am using those lovely wall textures to give power to Daniel’s pose and his face is enveloped in a soft light to draw the viewers’ eye. Well done Daniel looking mighty fine there.  I always like to utilise a venue’s architecture and muted colour tones give a yesteryear feel to this image…not vintage!!!!  I do love framing my wonderful couples in different ways and the symmetry of the door frames Nicola and Dean beautifully here; then I have given depth to the image with the tree in the foreground with a shallow depth of field to draw the viewers’ eye towards Nicola and Daniel.  All of these things give emotion and depth to my wedding images.  A wedding day is so romantic and special; I want my images to take Nicola and Daniel right back to those moments so the love they felt for each other is always remembered and never fades.

On that rather heartfelt note Sabrina and I wish you all a wonderful weekend and we I will post image of the week sometime in the next few days.  Whatever you are up to have fun

Kevin and Sabrina

Week Twenty

Sabrina and I do love photographing weddings at Crondon Park, Stock, Essex.  Not only do they have the fantastic reception room but some amazing grounds and views too.

There is a long winding drive that makes for some dramatic car shots.

So here we are at the wedding of Stacy and Steven who were married at St Michael’s Church, Fobbing,  Essex before their reception at Crondon Park.  Stacy knew what she wanted and she wanted this shot in the corn fields, well you don’t need to ask me twice and I was over the moon as this was a dream shot for me.

We love the lines in this image, we have the symmetry (I love symmetry) of the horizontal lines, with the use of depth of field to draw us towards Stacy, the veil has soft lines that continue to hold our eyes on Stacy then we gently waft around the image looking at the beauty that surrounds her.

We love it and every time I look at this image I know why I love being a photographer and it is then I know all my training and qualifications were worth the blood sweat and tears that went into getting them.

Well perhaps not blood, definitely sweat and tears though!  Sabrina now says I am being over dramatic; I am a photographer I am meant to be dramatic….;)

Kevin & Sabrina

Week 18

Yes let’s go for it and have a Pengelly classical wedding image taken at the wedding of Holly and James at Gosfield Hall, Gosfield, Essex.  You really cannot beat a good window so when one comes along the Pengellys grab it!

Holly and James are two Doctors and I have great admiration for their work; one lovely memory I have from this wedding is James playing the grand piano while we were photographing Holly by that same window.  He was serenading his beautiful new wife and it made me quite emotional to witness such a special moment.  James played so well he could have been a concert pianist.

I love this image because it is a classic of mine, but also because it reminds me of that moment and the love they share.

On the flip side, chopsticks is about all I can manage…

Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine, think a BBQ will be the order of today

Kevin and Sabrina

Good Morning from the Pengellys,

Today’s blog is from the wedding of Claire and Luke who were married at Woodhall Manor, Woodbridge, Suffolk and again we were photographing a very fun couple and this set the scene for the whole day

As soon as you drive to the entrance of Woodhall Manor the first thing that greets are the beautiful wrought iron gates and a notice “by appointment only”, now that’s exclusive and will make you feel a million dollars on your wedding day.  I know I have said it before and I am saying it again, but this is yet another beautiful venue we have on our doorstep and I love having the opportunity to photograph there.  We were blessed with the weather on Claire and Luke’s day; bright with a little diffused cloud for even light.  In the summer months when the sun is very high in the sky a cloudless day can be limiting so diffused cloud early in the day is a bonus, but you can guess it I want that all to go away and then have a beautiful evening sky when the sun is low and a golden warmth embraces the earth. Yup like all good photographers I am never happy, always seeking perfection!

So for today’s images; just look at that architecture and I had a hankering for muted colour tones to give a retro feel to this image.  The Lord and Lady of the Manor are partaking of an afternoon stroll before high tea; that’s what was in my head when I took this shot.  Ooooh I do love a bit of symmetry with the added bonus of reflection and this image has the lot.  The diffused clouds have allowed the richness of the architecture and the reflections to shine in this image.  So we’ve had high tea, now we are on a stroll before dinner; this is just a nice relaxed shot of a couple really enjoying their day.  Oh, there are those leading lines again…fabulous and we had great fun with this image; I love the look on Claire’s face here and there was laughter and happiness abound.  Our last image of today is my weather house shot, but with five not two and I am always on the lookout to find new and novel ways to photograph families on the day, it creates fun and moves away from too many formal group shots.

Am I getting back to normal I hear you say?  Well nearly, April was an extremely hectic month and it is only now that I am managing to draw breath!  Yesterday Sabrina and I drove to Birmingham with our son who was playing football in the ESFA final; alas they didn’t win but it was a tight game and the team did us all proud.  Well done lads you were in the final, so were are very proud parents today.

Look out later in the week for image of the week.

Kevin and Sabrina

Week Seventeen

I am still topsy turvy here so sorry for the irregularity of the posts at the moment.  We had Easter then I have been training, Judging and assessing.  This week sees me assessing and judging the national competition before actually being a photographer then I will be off the Northern Ireland training again; gosh I feel dizzy!

Anyway back to image of the week; this is from the wedding of Nurani and Claude and they were married at Braxted Park, Braxted, Essex.  Their wedding day was fabulous because not only were we treated them looking wonderful in their western wedding outfits but after the ceremony they changed into traditional dress.  Sabrina and I were treated to the most wonderful banquet too; what an experience

I love this image because it oozes vibrancy, the strong, rich summer colours in the gardens fit perfectly with their absolutely beautiful wedding clothes.  The bridal outfit is really heavy to wear but it really is something just stunning.

Kevin & Sabrina

Yes you guessed it; you don’t hear from me then I am like a bus you hear from me three times in one week!!

Today we are featuring wedding photography at Smeetham Hall Barn, Bulmer, Essex with the lovely Felicity and Ian.  Sabrina and I do love a bit of Smeetham; it has walls, woods and quaint houses so lots to work with.  As you can see from the imagery the day was gorgeous; both Felicity and Ian were incredibly relaxed and wanted to us to do what we wanted to ensure that we created their wedding story.

So to the images for today; Felicity wore the most beautiful silk wedding gown the fabric just flowed over her resulting in the most flattering line.

The gown and accessories had  a very art deco influence, and the warm tones used in this image are a homage to something out of Agatha Christie.  Felicity’s sublime pose has added to this further and I was very pleased with the overall look when I was editing their wedding; good work team!  You really can’t beat a good bit of brick wall and Smeetham Hall Barn has these in abundance, the shallow depth of field along with the leading lines of the brickwork takes us straight the Ian, looking mighty fine in black and white I might add.  I think you might be able to see a Pengelly signature group shot coming up; I do like a nice bit of variety in the groups and I always find the movement and variation of expression in these images most pleasing.

Ah the woods with a soft light with a little extra softness added in post production, classic and beautiful.  I have put this image in for two reasons this week; firstly to show a nice bit of architecture and secondly to demonstrate subtle placing and posing.  The less experienced among our profession may get caught out by the many lines of this beautiful building and rather than use it to enhance the couple it would just detract.  I have placed Felicity and Ian at the tallest part of the building and their heads are contained in that panel.

This has the effect of ensuring the building works with them in the image rather than against them and all lines lead to them.  You have the opportunity to admire the architecture without Felicity or Ian becoming lost it in, which can so easily happen if you get this wrong.  Ahhh gone into trainer mode again and a ‘look’ (chaps you know the one I mean) from Sabrina!  Last but certainly not least the cake; this was so special to Felicity as it was made by her Mum in the shape of the barn.  Just look at the detail it truly is amazing, now that is one talented lady.

I have said it before but I am hoping to return to normal once I return from Northern Ireland working as a photographic judge for the BIPP and presenting a seminar about Pengelly Photography

If you could bear with me over the next couple of weeks but keep checking back.  If I get another ‘look’ I know I had better pull my socks up!!

Catch up soon,

Kevin and Sabrina

Week Sixteen

This is a documentary wedding image from Butley Priory, Woodbridge, Suffolk and we had a smashing day with Madeline and Mark and the picture you see today sums up their wedding; just full of joy and laughter.  I have been really lucky to have been the photographer at some weddings with the best cars and this one did not disappoint…ooh yes it was a Maserati just the sound of it coming down the road was brilliant.  You know a good car when you hear the thrust of an engine and the vibrations in your chest as it approaches.  Step aside Clarkson, Pengelly is waiting in the wings to present Top Gear!!

Why do I love this image; plain and simple it is what weddings are all about, fun, laughter and the excitement of the journey ahead in the knowledge that you are with the one you love.

Kevin & Sabrina

Good Morning Everyone,

I missed a blog post last week as I was one of the trainers at a superb training week in Wales.  We all had an amazing time and it was good to have such a talented bunch of photographers to train.

So this week we are showcasing the wedding photography at the Three Rivers Golf and Country Club and let me introduce you to Rebecca and Michael who were a joy to photograph.

The Three Rivers Golf and Country Club is a lovely venue.  It is of a modern design with some great lines and features that I like to utilise.  The one thing I love about my job is how varied it is.  No two weddings are the same, every one is as unique as the couple who are getting married.   I have photographed many weddings over the years and I relish the many variables that the day brings, but I relish them because I have trained extensively with some of the best photographers in the world and can really deal with whatever is thrown at me; and believe me the UK loves to throw weather curve balls on a regular basis!  I am now imparting that knowledge to my mentees and trainees who are professional photographers themselves and it is a pleasure to be a part of their photographic journeys.

So what little treats do we have in store today I hear you say…..

Let me introduce you to Michael looking magnificent in front of the Golf Club, I am using the leading lines to ensure that he is the main man!  Image two just shows the fun that Rebecca and Michael share as a couple, don’t you just love that look on Rebecca’s face!  I love finding new things at a venue and often they are overlooked by everyone; this lovely picture caught my eye and frames Rebecca perfectly; again being experienced in my job gives me the edge to see things that perhaps others may overlook.  I have included two sunset pictures today and balancing the light was so important here; I wanted to ensure that the colours in the sky remained rich and vibrant whilst at the same time lighting Rebecca and Michael so that they balanced perfectly with the setting.  I also love the way that the slant of the trees is the same as the slant of Rebecca’s posture and again this is all down to ensuring that I see these things and prepare for them before the shutter is even pressed.  Whoops I have gone into trainer mode there…sorry!  Last but not least another shot at sunset with the modern lines of the golf club behind.

Have a great week all and there will be a ‘Brucey’  bonus an extra image of the week to catch up.

Kevin and Sabrina

Week 15

Well I think this image from the wedding photography at The Barn Brasserie, Gt Tey, Essex speaks for itself!  You can just tell how much fun Jenna was having with the brilliant soul singer Irie Jay.

Jenna and Oliver really chose well as he had all the guests singing and dancing all day long to classics from legends such as Marvin Gaye and Barrie White and he sounded just like them.

Sabrina and I were having a little ‘groove’ between shots and when we got home I was tempted to get my kaftan out and serenade Sabrina with a bit of a Barry classic ‘let the music play’,  but her horrified look told me it was not a good idea!

I will try and blog later in the week in between training sessions….I wonder if my trainees would appreciate a bit of Barry whilst mulling over the complexities of posing and light; ummmmm

Kevin and Sabrina

Happy Friday Pengelly readers!

I am all topsy turvy this week due to Easter and everything blog wise has been a day behind; next week I am hoping to return to normal.  Today’s blog is from the wedding of Sarah and Sean who were married and Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf and Spa, Colchester, Essex. I remember this day as being so lovely and sunny, which matched the fun loving side of Sarah and Sean.  The venue has so many opportunities with glorious views and a vibrant and modern interior, which is light and airy.

They had two gorgeous children who were just a pleasure to photograph too, so moving on to today’s images.  I love this dreamy image of Sarah with her daughter, it is moment of calm during the preparations and time for Sarah to reflect on what they have achieved so far as a couple and the many wonderful times yet to come.  Look at this cool dude looking magnificent in his morning suit and shades; what a handsome little chap he is.  He is so cool only black and white would do for him!  Sarah is ready and just one last image as a single lady before heading off to marry her man.  I love the height that we have at this hotel and it really is wonderful to get some dramatic shots like this one; vibrant colours and sun so much so I can almost feel the heat emanating from the screen.  Ahh this image makes me chuckle and I just needed to make a feature of those fabulous shoes, such a contrast to the morning suits.  This image singly demonstrates how fun and quirky they both were.  This image just reinforces my last statement, Sarah is attempting to be all normal and ‘bridey’ but Sean has other ideas; I think from her wry smile she approves don’t you?   Our last image today is in muted colour tones and shows the magnificent landscape and a couple very relaxed with each other.  Oh and if you look closer just look at the colour
co-ordination of the flowers and shoes, now that’s not something you see every day…wonderful

Well it’s busy, busy, busy at Pengelly Towers again.  I am off training next week (me the trainer not the trainee) and Sabrina is holding the fort; what would I do without her, she is magnificent.

Have a great weekend.

Kevin and Sabrina