Retrosight Photography

Wedding: Laura + Stephen

2012-01-11T17:16:00.000Z

The blog has been in a wee hibernation, but behind the scenes there's not been so much slumbering! There has been some exciting developments around Retrosight, and 2012 is filling up rightly. I'll follow that news up soon, but for now here is a selection from the last wedding of 2011, with the wonderful Laura and Stephen...

Smiles, laughs, great shoes, and super moves all in huge quantities at this wedding, and a wonderful warm joyous glow despite the chilly weather. Take a wee peek and enjoy the beaming smiles of these happy newlyweds :)

Nathan Jess Promo Shoot: Part 2

2011-11-19T13:52:00.000Z

So here's the sunshiny second half of Nathan's promo shoot! One perfect November afternoon (where's this snow, eh?) we set off into the park with a ladder, some twine, and a flock of paper birds... and left having received lots of curious looks, a couple of inquisitive visitors, and having captured some beautiful sun-flare, bokeh, crunchy leaves and warm autumn goodness.

Again let me say... make sure you download Nathan's single "I Am Redeemed", being released through Kingsway, and for sure check out his album too. So much good music in this guy.

www.nathanjess.co.uk

Nathan Jess on Facebook

Nathan's Album on iTunes

Nathan Jess Promo Shoot: Part 1

2011-11-19T13:35:00.002Z

Been looking forward to sharing this shoot for the past few weeks, and with just over a week until Nathan's single release... here it is!

Having been a little caught out by the clocks changing (earlier sunset) and our elusive location choice, we didn't get to use all our ideas, so we revisited the shoot for a Part 2 one gorgeous autumn afternoon. The two shoots have their own flavours to them, so I've split them into separate posts - in this one, enjoy some rugged scenery, tall marshy grasses, and tranquil lough-side tunes...

When I was thinking of possible locations and plans for this session I loved the idea of using origami birds, and pitched the idea. The only problem was that neither of us had done origami before, and we had less than 24 hours. Cue a quick lesson, a couple of trials, and much folding, and we were on our way.

Props to Nathan and Gemma for sloshing through the marshy location with me - make sure you check out Nathan's single "I Am Redeemed", it is wonderful. And download his album. And tell your friends.

www.nathanjess.co.uk
Nathan Jess on Facebook
Nathan's Album on iTunes

Wedding: Ian + Amanda

2011-11-15T23:24:00.000Z

May I introduce you to the newly-wed Jordans - who, according to a website the bride's sister pulled up, are 100% compatible! [If confirmation was needed on the wedding day, I think that would suffice ;) ]

I worked on some of the images in a cafe, and must have been getting some looks as I giggled to myself - never have I seen such an outwardly excited groom at the altar, waiting for his bride to come down the aisle! Ian was almost jumping on the spot, grinning from ear to ear and hardly able to contain himself... so wonderful to witness! I had such a great time with this couple and their bridal party and families, and was so happy to be a part of the day. Oh, and check out Amanda's funky purple shoes! And the gorgeous wedding cake details (hand made by Amanda's sister)... And the UH-MAZ-ING first dance!

Engagement Shoot: Beki + Travis

2011-11-02T17:57:00.000Z

We couldn't have the season pass without a nice autumnal shoot now, could we? And what a day for it! Facebook was buzzing with photographers excited about their shoots yesterday afternoon, and I was happy to be among them. What made it even better was a last-minute visit from this American groom-to-be to see his lovely fiancee in Northern Ireland, a few hours of which I got to share with them for some sun flare-filled engagement photos. Love love love!

Christmas is a-coming...

2011-10-28T19:21:00.000+01:00

...and the offer's looking good!

I have a special limited number of 'Gift-Shoots' available for snapping up (pun slightly intended) until Christmas Eve - perfect as Christmas presents for your parents, grandparents, partner, friends, or perhaps your next-door neighbour if you're feeling generous!

What is a Gift-Shoot?

A Gift-Shoot is a 30 minute portrait session, with a disc of full quality edited images for you to print, share and enjoy.

When can I do my shoot?

Depending on availability, the Gift-Shoot can be redeemed before December 10th if you want to use the images as a photo gift for someone special, or after December 27th if you want to give the shoot itself as a present (in which case a nicely presented gift voucher is available).

To book a Gift-Shoot or find out more email me at amy@retrosight.co.uk

Engagement Shoot: Nicola + John

2011-10-26T17:27:00.000+01:00

When John said that he and his fiancee Nicola were keen to have their shoot in Castlerock, I had what I thought was a brainwave (knowing that they were regular surfers)...."You should bring your boards!" Em...yep, turns out I had pointed out the obvious... Unfortunately it was a little choppy to get out on the boards at the time, but we couldn't not include them as props in the shoot! We had the perfect little window of dry weather that afternoon, and John and Nicola were so gracious when their shoes got filled with sand after I asked them to take them off shortly before the wind picked up... oops!

Thanks guys for giving me an excuse to visit the beautiful north coastline and have fun with you, as well as getting some nice shots of Downhill for myself. January will be here in no time!

Wedding: Emma + Yannic

2011-10-25T00:02:00.000+01:00

When one of my favourite people in the world walked into the church to marry her beloved, I instantly welled up and had to remind myself what my job was! Thankfully I composed myself to capture this beautiful, peaceful, God-filled wedding. Here is one of the most beautiful people I know, who somehow becomes even more beautiful when she is looking at her husband, who I know is going to take better care of her than any man could, and do everything in his power to make her incredibly happy. Bless you both, here's to many wonderful years and many great adventures for you together. But for now, hurry up and get back here to see more photos!

Oh, and this is a long one... so grab your cocoa, get comfy, and enjoy a bedtime photo-story :)

Engagement Shoot: Emma + Yannic

2011-10-24T22:43:00.000+01:00

I. Love. This. Couple. I love how they met, I love how they grew together, I love how they are together, and I love that Yannic loves my dear wee Em so much. Shooting and editing these photos made me smile so much because of all that, and I could not be happier for them.

Wedding photos to follow very soon!

Wedding: Jason + Eleanor

2011-10-24T22:01:00.000+01:00

From start to finish this day was relaxed, sweet, and fun, as New Zealand and Northern Ireland came together to celebrate this wedding...and New Zealand even brought the haka (which, close up, is pretty intimidating with just two guys - how does any rugby team stand up against a whole team of All Blacks doing it??). El and Jason took the drizzle in their stride and appeared to love every second of the day, and I couldn't help but do the same with such a lovely couple. Hope you two are enjoying married life in Oz!

Wedding: Emma + Andy

2011-09-19T10:06:00.000+01:00

Never before has so much pretty bunting been seen in one day... When Emma and Andy chatted through what their day was going to look like, I knew I was going to need a bit more memory for my camera - talk about details! A beautiful walled garden at the groom's parents' house, decked in hundreds of yards of bunting (of course), lawn games, homemade elderflower and ale, an Italian ice cream cart, and (my favourite part) a Bluegrass band to entertain. When the onset of rain stopped the first dance happening as planned under the big tree, everyone was just moved inside where the band perched themselves on the stairs and Emma and Andy danced in the hall - a magic moment! And that was just one part of the day...

The ceremony was held in the impressive Derry Cathedral with its ornate dark wood and lovely tiled floor, and the reception in a marquee a few miles away. The effort put in to dressing the venue certainly paid off, and it looked incredible. Check out the sweet, unusual favours - little muslin bags of bird seed! Loved this day, loved this bridal party, love this couple. Congratulations Mr and Mrs ~~Good~~ Great!

Wedding: Emma + Mark

2011-09-14T16:22:00.000+01:00

Emma and Mark's wedding was my first after being away for a couple of weeks, and what a sweet return to work it was. Funky shoes, stunning bride, beaming groom, and rain that stopped just in time for some beach shots. It was yet another day of kind families - from the bride's dad who looked after me and made sure I got everything I needed, to the groom's parents who kindly tried to save me from a spider that had stowed away in my lens bag (it took every ounce of bravery and professionalism to keep myself composed moments before Emma and Mark were announced at the reception - eek!

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Kelly, what a wonderful day - may be it a mere taste of the awesomeness to come.

Engagement Shoot: Amanda + Ian

2011-09-12T15:08:00.000+01:00

Another day of threatening weather - but we just missed the rain, and didn't let the winds stop us! We embraced the changing season and the turning of the leaves for this early Autumn shoot, cheered on by the odd passer-by...

Just about a week and a half to go until the wedding, can't wait!

(On a side-note... Amanda has the most amazing hair, straight out of a shampoo ad with her tumbling waves!)

Engagement Shoot: Katie + James

2011-09-11T00:46:00.000+01:00

This shoot nearly didn't happen today... I woke with the sound of wind and rain coming from outside, and nearly at the same moment I got a message from Katie suggesting we postpone because of the weather... A quick look at the forecast and we were given hope - sun for the afternoon! I was hopeful, but it really was grey and wet... You really would not have thought it from how the afternoon turned out, wowza!

Katie and I went to school together, and I was delighted to hear from her again; even more so when she told me she was getting married and was interested in having me shoot the wedding. There's always something particularly special about shooting weddings for people you know...

James and Katie, I had such a laugh with you today - you're awesome! If I find Snowy I'll send him your way :)

Wedding: Adam + Alex

2011-09-05T17:08:00.000+01:00

Every part of this day was just fantastic - from Alex's parents' beautiful old house and antique furniture (perfect for perching shoes and other accessories on) to the wonderfully fun bridal party, and the sweet ceremony (with amazing music) to the lively dancing in the evening. And of course, Adam and Alex - what a couple. How gorgeous is Alex? And how proud a husband is Adam? Enjoy!

Wedding: Laura + Thomas

2011-08-31T15:57:00.002+01:00

I've been looking forward to this wedding for a while, since I was a guest at a wedding at the same venue and spied lots of pretty little spots to shoot at. I was looking forward to it even more after hanging out with Laura and Thomas for their engagement shoot - such a fun and funny, lovely and loving couple. Laura's smiles from ear to ear as she got out the the car at the church were magic, and the 'wow' that I spotted Thomas mouthing when he saw Laura for the first time said it all. There was such a huge amount of love for this couple from the people around them, and those who had the opportunity shared that love in their speech (and had even me tearing up, gosh darnit!). Stellar couple, fantastic wedding.

Wedding: Taryn + Mark

2011-08-27T19:05:00.001+01:00

Imagine going to the North Coast of Antrim in summertime.... Imagine the perfect weather that we rarely get in this country... Now imagine a wonderful wedding day with a gorgeous and funny bride, and her sweet and lovely groom. That was this day.

(Then there was the bonus flock of sheep fleeting past the church, the busload of tourists waving congratulations, and the miraculous recovery of my lost mobile phone - quite the event!)

Congratulations to you both, you're wonderful!

Wedding: Elaine + Roy

2011-08-15T23:58:00.000+01:00

Meeting this couple has been such a pleasure, and although I love weddings and always feel the importance of the day for the couple, it wouldn't be so often that I would feel moved... But I don't think I have ever met a bride who was so radiant with joy (even through the nerves), so sweetly excited, and so besotted with her new husband.

It's wonderful to feel a connection with a couple, and it's made even better when you get to meet the family and friends behind them on the wedding day - people who make even a stranger who is just turning up with a camera for the day feel like part of the family.

Elaine and Roy, with all my heart I wish you every happiness and every blessing in your marriage, you are two wonderful people, and a beautiful couple.

Engagement Shoot: Eleanor + Jason

2011-08-15T01:03:00.003+01:00

New Zealander Jason and Fermanagh-born Eleanor tie the knot in less than a week - whoop! In what is shaping up to be a lovely, chilled day in a great venue, but more on that after the wedding ;) It was a first for me to meet with a couple over Skype to chat weddings and share sample photos, and I was well pleased when they decided to go ahead - even from the other side of the world I could tell that they were a wonderfully sweet couple.

We visited an old favourite place of mine that I hadn't been to in a couple of years, and I was so pleased to have this old friend greet us...

Another first for me, instead of an engagement ring the bride-to-be has a gorgeous Swarovski watch - sparkle sparkle!

My fact for the day - when Maori (native New Zealand) people meet they greet each other by touching noses twice - it's called hongi, and is done as so...

Lovely to meet you both, thanks for meeting up and dodging the raindrops with me! Looking forward to Friday :)

Wedding: Marc + Fiona

2011-08-10T17:17:00.000+01:00

Had it not been for the electrician setting up the lights in the marquee I would have let out a squeal of excitement when I saw the details at this beautiful garden wedding - flowers in tea cups, single strands of lavender tied with twine around napkins, an ale tent (yup, that's right!), and blankets for guests to relax on the lawn. Then, the best part, a fully in-love couple looking radiant and enjoying the day and each other so much.

Huzzah for perfect garden-wedding weather! Enjoy... I did :)

Engagement Shoot: Marc + Fiona

2011-08-10T16:21:00.000+01:00

I love it when a couple asks "can we kiss now?" - but of course!! Marc and Fiona, you were so sweet, and it was exciting to get a sneak peek at the beautiful setting where you were having your reception at home. Fiona's dad did an amazing job preparing his garden for the wedding, and his hard work paid off for sure.

Be prepared for cuteness in this post, and beeeautiful details in the next!

Engagement Shoot: Taryn + Mark

2011-07-18T01:04:00.000+01:00

I love how many gems of Northern Ireland my couples help me discover that I hadn't seen before! I've been wanting to visit the Dark Hedges in Antrim for ages, and the trip there that evening did not disappoint - what a sight! Such an eerie beauty, it must have made one impressive driveway back in the day...

After being treated to some homemade Canada Day cake (courtesy of the lovely Canadian bride Taryn) we set off into the beautiful evening sunshine, taking in some of the most beautiful spots around the North Coast. Mark, you were an absolute gentleman in putting up with the midgies! You're a fantastic couple, less than a week to go now! Whoop!

Engagement Shoot: Laura + Thomas

2011-07-14T12:00:00.000+01:00

Oh boy, I am finding these engagement shoots harder and harder to draw a small selection from! Either I am becoming increasingly indecisive, or my couples are becoming increasingly awesome.

These two people are pretty awesome though, so it may be the latter…

This was another case of finding somewhere near where I've live my whole life that I'd never ever been to before, and I love walled gardens! How that one went under my radar is beyond me. Glad I got to discover it thanks to this sweet and funny couple - Laura with her gorgeous big eyes, and Thomas with his earthy look (how well does that tree behind him suit him?)

Your wedding is going to be beautiful, can't wait!

Engagement Shoot: Emma + Mark

2011-07-07T19:21:00.000+01:00

Just a few days before this session I made the mistake of commenting on how I'd never really had a wet shoot... Oops. But funny things can happen when you're waiting to see if the rain will stop, like accidentally crashing a wedding! We took shelter in a restaurant beside Glenariff forest park, and seeing that there were wedding guests and a room set up, we assumed they were watiting for the bride and groom to arrive for the meal, and found a table in the room next door. Imagine our surprise when the guests all piled in with the couple and a ceremony began! A very simple, laid-back ceremony, without any decorations or formal seating, and the three of us sheepishly sitting at the back...

Moving on - the forest is amazing, with waterfalls and towering trees, and we braved the rain until it stopped. I was even treated to an awesome wedding speech joke, which I genuinely found funny even if a previous audience did not...

I give you the lovely Emma and Mark.

Wedding: Jo-Anne & Stephen

2011-07-07T16:58:00.000+01:00

Wow, the past couple of weeks have vanished in a haze of flowers, taffeta, ties and champagne (not drunk by me, mind), and I've definitely got some blogging to catch up on! Lots of lovely weddings and engagement shoots to show you, and a beautiful family session too.

Here is a classy wedding for you - the love both between and surrounding this couple was so beautiful, it was so clear to see how much their families care about them and how delighted they were for the newly-weds - it was such a pleasure to capture it.

May I also point out how gorgeous the flowers were, and how well they were used on the tables and cake...

Wedding: Ruth + Brendan

2011-06-22T23:06:00.001+01:00

Laughter, love and big families - that's how I would sum up this joyful day :) It was so fun to capture this wedding, having known the groom and his wider family for years, and seeing how happy he has made his bride. Congratulations Ruth and Brendan, may you have many many years of joy and blessing in your marriage.

Ruth gave her nephews a small camera and told them to "capture their day", allowing them to record the wedding as they saw it - I loved that idea!

Engagement Shoot: Alex + Adam

2011-06-20T22:39:00.000+01:00

I love trees. I wish I'd climbed more as a child, but I try to make up for it from time to time now... Or I get other people to climb them for me.

Enter Alex and Adam.

I was delighted when they told me about where they wanted to have their shoot, but they weren't to know how excited I'd get about the tree we would pass on the way in - my goodness, such an ancient beast of a tree; deeply wrinkled, gnarled and twisted, hollowed out in places, but with life growing all through it. So incredible.

Thank you Adam for so silently bearing the hay fever that was getting to you as I had you lying in a field... I hope when you see these you'll think it was worth it (is it cruel to say I think it was...?)

I do love these photos...

Engagement Shoot: Elaine + Roy

2011-06-14T13:51:00.001+01:00

I always feel a little nervous when meeting up with potential clients for the first time, and it was no different when I met to chat with Elaine and Roy. However, within minutes of sitting down with them, warm mugs in hands, I felt completely at ease... I felt like I had been reunited with a long lost aunt and uncle! It was so nice talking about their upcoming wedding, how they met, and conversation freely flowing into more relaxed chat too.

The weather has been pretty unpredictable these past few days, so I was delighted as I drove down to Seapark, Holywood, to meet them for the engagement shoot. The sun was starting to get low, the park was alive with people walking dogs and kids playing on the climbing frames, kites were being flown, and poor Elaine and Roy were patiently waiting for me in another car park on the other side of the park... oops, sorry!

Elaine had mentioned before that she was nervous about the photos, but little did she know that what she would call nerves, I would call my secret weapon - I find that in those nervous moments of laughter and giggles I get my favourite natural shots, and my opinion still stands after this shoot...

Don't you think Roy has a great movie-star smile?

Thank you both for bravely stepping in front of the lens, and for being so charming and sweet - See you in August!

Final Shot: Elaine + Roy

2011-06-13T22:08:00.000+01:00

I love it when you finish a shoot on a high note - here is the final shot from Elaine and Roy's engagement shoot this beautiful evening. The rest of the blog post will follow soon...

Engagement Shoot: Andy + Emma

2011-05-25T01:36:00.002+01:00

Oh my, so hard to decide on what photos to choose for this selection! We thought we were going to have problems with our chosen location (another first date one, love it) as it was a Sunday, and a particularly busy Sunday, but we managed to work around it and found these beautiful bright-but-rustic barns to shoot in front of. So fun, and worked so well for us. I'm very excited about this wedding after hearing some of the plans, it's going to be a lot of fun, and lots of great details to capture - can't wait!

If you've visited my website, you may recognise this couple from the band shoot I did for Maguire & I - Andy and Emma, it was such a pleasure to have you in front of the camera again :)

Engagement Shoot: Jo-Anne + Stephen

2011-05-21T22:54:00.000+01:00

Would you believe that I have been living in North Down for pretty much my whole life and have never set foot in Ward Park, Bangor? After visiting there for this shoot last weekend I couldn't believe it myself! So many interesting little spots, and I think there is still more for me to discover... you might see this location crop up again some time :)

I mentioned in my last post about enjoying hearing about how couples got together, and this was definitely one of those stories. The romantic in me wonders if this couple, who have been living in the same town, may have passed each other in the street lots of times, not knowing that one day in the future they would be walking down the aisle - love it!

Engagement Shoot: Ruth + Brendan

2011-05-21T21:57:00.000+01:00

This brave couple did so well despite the wind in Donaghadee the evening we met for their engagement shoot. Such a nice, relaxed shoot on the pier, where I unknowingly took them along the footsteps of their first date! I always love hearing stories of how couples meet, get together, and get engaged - thanks for sharing your story Ruth and Brendan!

Wedding: Sujee + Adem

2011-05-10T00:16:00.000+01:00

It's not every day I get to photograph such a warm, colourful wedding, and I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to shoot Sujee and Adem's day, filled with Indian details and beautiful saris, not to mention a very happy couple...

Wedding: Gemma + Ian

2011-05-04T23:26:00.000+01:00

Right in the middle of our beautiful early summer came this beautiful wedding in Bangor, with the reception in the Culloden Hotel. I had the great pleasure of already knowing most of the bride's family, so it was with joy and ease that I did my thing on the day, getting opportunities to chat to grandparents and aunties, parents and nieces, between shots. And there was a vintage ice cream van right after ceremony - what a way to let your guests cool off in the sun!

Engagement Shoot: Gemma + Ian

2011-04-13T01:49:00.000+01:00

I was so hoping that this evening would be dry and clear for this shoot, and I was well satisfied! A perfect evening with a lovely warm sun, and a beautiful, sweet couple in front of the lens. And they claim to not be photogenic... a likely story, as you can see...

Thanks you two, you were wonderful! I can't wait for the wedding in a couple of weeks, see you then :)

Remember when... Stu and Janine got hitched?

2011-04-12T13:52:00.004+01:00

Welcome to the first post in my "Remember when..." series, a look back over some shoots from the past year that so far haven't made it onto the blog or Facebook.

I've started with a particularly fun wedding - there were so many elements to the day that I loved, and Stuart and Janine really expressed their playful characters through details like serving up ice cream after the ceremony, having a Lego-decorated cake, providing each table with a huge bowl of sweets, and asking to get photos taken on the bumper cars in an arcade near the hotel... You can imagine my delight when that was brought up at one of our meetings!

The whole family was on hand to help Janine get ready, which made for some sweet moments.

You would have thought that, being dressed up and all, the bridal party would have gone easy on the bumper cars... Not so much! And I'm hugely glad they didn't...

The Mournes make such a beautiful backdrop...

Thanks to Stu and Janine for being up for such fun, and providing a lot of laughs throughout the day!

More Please

2011-04-08T18:08:00.001+01:00

To say I haven't been very good at keeping things up-to-date would be fair... but spring is upon us, and with it I'm welcoming in some change in how I work. That means more time to shoot for others and for me, more time to experiment and learn, more time to update my website and blog, and more work to share with you.

Soon I'm going to be posting a series called "Remember when...", looking back on shoots that I've done over the past year or so. I'll also be sharing some photos taken on my travels this past winter, and some shots closer to home.

Sneak previews? Oh alright then...

Much more to come...

Kelly & Padraic

2010-08-09T21:04:00.003+01:00

I felt so honoured to have been asked by this couple to shoot their wedding, and was delighted to get to be part of the day. They had decided to have both the ceremony and reception at their church, and organise everything themselves - the result was a beautiful, personal, unique day that I hope they can look back on with great joy for many years to come. They, their families, and their friends, put so much work into it, and boy did it pay off...

The handiest part of the wedding was that Kelly is my housemate's sister,

and she was getting ready at our house - no distance to travel then!

The groom's house is just down the road, so I got to flit between the two (also very handy!). Something I've come to discover about shooting weddings is that you often get called on to do little tasks while the bridal party are getting ready... pinning flowers onto lapels, fixing cravats, fastening waistcoat buckles - I love those moments! This time I polished the groom's shoe while he got himself ready.

Notice how the hall floor is almost the same in both houses? Perfect!

The best man was understandably a little concerned about forgetting something...

Kelly had her hair done at Vintage Rocks, with lovely retro pin curls and little pink pearls dotted through them - she was absolutely stunning, I'm sure you'll agree!

The ceremony was so relaxed and special - Kelly and Padraic's friends had helped them get the hall ready the night before with balloons and butterflies, as well as getting candles secured in wine bottles, folding napkins, and setting up the stand for the cupcake wedding cake.

Congratulations again you two, have a great honeymoon and thank you for letting me document your day!

New website and blog!

2010-06-23T22:41:00.002+01:00

It may have taken a little longer than expected, but the new and vastly improved Retrosight website is ready! I'm so excited about this, I've been looking forward to getting a new site done for about a year now, and I finally feel like I have somewhere I can happily point people towards... so let the shameless self-promotion commence!

This blog will allow me to post snippets of the latest projects, as well as things that I happen across that inspire me (little treasures I just can't keep to myself), and hopefully before long I'll have a bit of time to jazz the blog up a little. Well that's the plan at least!