Infocus #2

This month, I am featuring a man who is multi talented. A guy I have got to know quite well over the last few years. I first came across him as a bass player in one of my favourite wedding bands, then his name was constantly being mentioned in conversation with family and friends, especially those who went to Glenabbey [a church outside belfast]. From then, I have had lots of opportunities to chat to him about wedding band stuff and more recently photography. So not only is this man a bass player in one of Northern Irelands busiest wedding bands but he has branched out into wedding photography. So feel like I'm killing two birds with one stone in the feature, an insight into two strands of the wedding industry. 

Darren, how did you get into both wedding band stuff and photography? 

The band today is a million miles away from how it started out and who we started out. People will read this and 'no way you did that?!?' Its hard to put a precise date on when it started. In the formative years there was a youth conference in Whitley Bay, Mannafest in the Ulster Hall, various youth clubs and events mostly all in churches. We essentially started out as a worship band. Then friends asked if we could put a 2 hour set together for their wedding. It spiralled from there. We have never advertised, its always been word of mouth. We only recently joined facebook as a band. Some of the people who have played with us have gone on to better and bigger things. The photography? My line into Wedding and Family Photography has been a long process. It wasn't something I was initially drawn to. In fact there are still other areas of photography I enjoy. I'd always been interested in photography and had several people I knew to look up and listen to including Gordon Ashbridge(legend). I bought my first film camera just after I got married - a little while ago. After a few years I decided to do a course. And I found that most of the basics I already had read about. So I left. Then my friend (who now works with me at weddings) Martin Spence said he was going to do it. So eventually I went back and completed the course. So I actually have a professional qualification. And while that doesnt always mean anything - it keeps me happy.. Dylan McBurney another photographer I admire had just completed the course the year before and i was told to take a look at his website. He had by this stage shot a few weddings.His style was completely new to me. It was fully reportage. It got me more interested. Then it was my turn for a bit of stay at home parenting. During this time I have been able to build up a bit of a portfolio and just over 2 years ago did a friends wedding for the first time. It went from there.

Whats your favourite thing about what weddings on both fronts!? 

The guys in the band. I think the reason we work is that we have fun and people see that and want to join in and be a part of that. But its the time in between when the supper is on or after its over when the band sit and chat and have stories. So many stories. 

With wedding photography, Its like you become one of the close members of the family but for just that day. Only you get to see probably some of the most intimate parts, glances, smiles, tears, between a bride and groom, a groom and best man, a bride and her father. I love being part of that. Its always a special day and to be able to share it with so many couples means I consider myself quite fortunate to have the job I have.

Why do you do it? 

Anyone who plays an instrument will know that you just love being able to do it. Anywhere, anytime where there is a group of people. Being able to do that and then for people to enjoy that is a great feeling (even if you are not the most accomplished musician). 

Its about telling stories. And the biggest enjoyment I have is telling stories with a charity I work with (see below).On another note a few friends had also shown me their wedding albums and I thought I could do that. There are alot of amazing and great photographers in this little part of land. Probably more talent per square ft than anywhere in the world. But there are people that are not so good and so if I and all this other great talent is around, there will be less work for those guys who are not so good.

Whats the most challenging thing? 

BAND: Everyone in the band has another job. So balancing both can be tricky and obviously the other jobs always come first. Also getting towards 12.30/1 am and playing those last few songs! You might see some of us with our eyes closed! Then having to pack all the gear away. I reckon we will still be doing this in our 60's and 70's only our kids will be carrying in the gear then.

PHOTOGRAPHY: The weather in this country! The first two weddings I did were a complete wash out. I had to skip a few plans and think i was on about plan D for the first ever wedding. Also each wedding I try to make unique to that couple. So I try to not use the same old poses for every wedding I shoot. That keeps the work challenging, fresh and therefore enjoyable.

I would like to thank Darren for taking the time to answer a few questions!

-dc

*The charity Darren referred to is called Stand By Me

Stand By Me (www.standby.me) use Darrens photos to document their work. The charity works in areas some other charities wont go. They rescue kids from poverty and give them food, a home and education. Darren has been out a few times to Ethiopia and it drastically changed his life. The money he makes goes to paying for his trips out with the charity. He pays his own way. He would like to do work for other charitable organisations in other countries - so if anyone takes a look at what he has done and you can contact him through his site . Stand By Me are also always looking to send out photographers, so if this is something that you would be interested in, please get in touch. The Ali Bennett Band give 25% of their fee to Stand By Me. In an climate and industry where it is all about getting as much money as you can, its great to see people standing up for more than just increased personal wealth! 

Our boys...

Today we celebrated our sons 1st Birthday! Ollie is our second son and he is just brilliant! He has the best cheeky laugh ever! 

EASILY the worst thing about being a professional photographer is that sometimes the last thing you want to do when you at home is to take photos, however photos of my family are really important to me! So today I wanted to make the best of good [well average to be honest] weather, a great occasion and an empty play park! 

We are very fortunate to have two beautiful and health boys. Reuben has such a great sense of fun and is very attuned to other peoples emotions! Ollie has mischief written ALL over his very cute and slightly chubby cheeks!  

Having kids is hard but even whenever your tired and just want to sleep, its hard not to feel very blessed when we spend time with these two!  

Lots of blog posts coming up in the next week or so, so keep an eye out!

-dc

Alan & Lynsey // Galgorm Wedding

2012 was a mental year... 

Lots of weddings, portrait and commercial work, we also added another little person to our family. The last wedding of the year was right at the end of 2012, leaving me with a good few weeks off. This was a welcomed break! I got the chance to pause, rethink, rebrand and rest. However, by the time March came around, I was ready to go again! Armed with a new lens and a new website, I started the year with a great wedding. Great for lots of reasons, but mostly because I knew the bride and she's all kinds of brilliant! 

Alan & Lynsey where getting married in Whitehead Methodist and then on to the Four Seasons at the Galgorm. However, before I 'hand' [excuse the pun] I dropped into Alan's family home to catch him and his brother putting the final touches to their look! 

Then back on the road and down to Whitehead to see Lynsey. After a very relaxed house, which included a lot of food thanks to Lynsey's mum.  

The day then went according to plan, minus being FREEZING, especially down in Whitehead. There was a very personal service at Lynsey's home church and then straight up to Galgorm. 

Enjoy  

-dc

Make Up: Leah Lamey [Bride] & Magda from Bank Beauty in Larne [Bridesmaids]

Wedding Band: Rio

Cars: Champaign Moments 

Infocus #1

Without doubt, one of the best things about running a business is the people that you get to meet.  

When I sat down with Andi, my friend & designer to think through not only what I wanted the new site and brand to look like, but where I could take the business. The process of branding is a strange one, you want graphics and a 'look' to accurately reflect the business and your own personality. He managed to clear my head from all the random thoughts and focused on the way I wanted to run my business. Northern Ireland is a small place, you don't have to be doing something for long before you look around and realise that you have met some very talented people. Whenever I started the business I didn't want to shy away from other photographers or businesses. I wanted to embrace them. I wanted the strength of my business to be that I wasn't afraid to hide my admiration for other work, even other photographers that might be considered 'competition'. The amazing thing about photography, or any art form, is that it allows the viewer to make up their own mind. Does that mean that I may miss out of some work because whilst looking at my portfolio, a couple or business see another photographer I have referred and book them instead? Yes I'm sure it does, however, I feel that life is more important than to always be looking out for the opportunities to sell yourself and/or push yourself forward!

So, I have decided I want to jump in with two feet. I am new to this whole blogging thing and wanted to set aside some time to chat with other businesses, photographers, videographers etc and see what makes them tick and maybe show off some of their work. Launching 'Infocus' I want to regularly blog about others and what they do. So here we go...

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Infocus #1 - Adam Smyth Films 

It was a wet and cold February morning in a hair saloon in Ballyclare and I had just turned up to take some photos of a groom as he got a turkish shave on the morning of his wedding. When I arrived there, there where two gentlemen already there with a whole range of equipment. It was clear these guys where shooting video, but I wasn't aware who they where! Over the next year or so, I had the fortune of working with them on a number of occasions. Reuben & Adam where shooting for Show and Tell. This was Reuben's business and had Adam along to shoot with him. Their work was outstanding, fresh, clever and colourful. 

Adam decided to go out on his own, in a blaze of glory Adam stormed out of Reuben's office with the song, 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us' blaring out of the tiny speakers in his iPhone. Well, thats how I wish it had happened. Unfortuantely I'm told, it was a lot more civilised than my slightly exaggerated story. 

This week I got the chance to ask Adam some questions about work and life and a few things in-between. 

Adam recalls picking up a video camera for the first time whenever he was 18, he was involved in shooting some video for the local church and found that he had a real love for it and obvious talent, although he wouldn't say latter himself. His humility got the better of him whenever he priced for a corporate shoot with a famous confectionary company. He had just started out, so charged them £100.

"I thought I was doing well until I found out the guy who normally does their videos normally charges £16,000 per video, needless to say I felt foolish".

Even Adams' criminology degree wasn't a massive help when it came to learning about shooting video at weddings, so gained his wedding experience working with Reuben at Show and Tell and realised that he loved shooting weddings. When I asked him what his favourite thing about working at weddings, he said; 

"The free food.... seriously though, It has to be the variety of quality people you get to meet, from the photographers you work with to the parents of the groom. I've made a lot of friends from collaborating with other creative people and making conversation with random people on wedding day. It's a hobby that I get paid to do! It never feels like work. I get a buzz from having to think in a creative way and there is a lot of freedom when you have complete control over creative processes... ..and the free food."

Adam has hit the ground running booking lots of weddings since going out on his own, when asked about the biggest challenges he faces at the minute his answer revealed a mind exploding with creative ideas and his awareness of the potential dangers; 

"The hardest thing is taking a break. I find it hard to switch off, there have been countless nights over the last few years where I have woken up with ideas and not been able to get back to sleep. I think it's vitally important for anyone within the creative industry to shut themselves off for a few weeks in the year and not think about work."

Adams talents don't just stop at video, a little known fact is that he can play clarinet to grade 6 standard and hopes this will send a shot across the bow of wedding bands like The Gents, watch out Craig Skene, if Adam decides to launch a wedding band, you guys could be in trouble! ;)

Adam has a 'MARCH MADNESS' offer on at the minute, you only have a few days left to take advantage of it [see below for details]   

Finally Adam wanted to thank everyone who has played a part in him getting to his point. 

Well a massive thank you Adam for taking the time to share and be the premiere Infocus feature. 

I leave you all with a taster with what skills this man processes, whilst on a recent trip to South Africa, Adam shot a wee film, however, people where so impressed that it was selected for submission for a travel film festival in New Delhi, you know just as you do! Enjoy and thanks for taking the time to have a read!

-dc

Well, what a start to the season...

As I was building up for the 2013 wedding season, I knew it would kick off with a bang with two in two days! And what a two days it turned out to be! 

First off was Alan & Lynsey at the Four Seasons in Galgrom Resort and Spa. I have known Lynsey for years and at a wedding last year I was really pleased to meet her new boyfriend at the time, Alan. It was clear they where so chuffed to be going out and it wasn't with any surprise when I heard they got engaged! I was really touched when the email came through from Lynsey to ask if I would do the photos! Even though the weather was FREEZING, it stayed dry and we got some photos outside!  

It was as the night was getting on at Alan & Lynsey's, that my mind started shifting towards Alan & Pearls day. I had heard that the weather was gonna get worse, so instead of risking it and driving back up to Coleraine I decided I would take advantage of my little brother living in Belfast and slept in his spare bed! I was up early the next morning to go to the shops to get some essentials as I hadn't planned to be staying anywhere, so fighting through the traffic and snow, I got to Culloden a bit early and decided to take advantage of their spa facilities to grab a shower. It was clear after I had freshened up that the weather was gonna play a major part of the day! Once I had all my gear ready to go and had triple checked that I had everything backed up from the day before, I started getting photos of the girls as they got their make up on! Alan & Pearls day not only had to deal with the ridiculous weather, but as we left the church in Stranmillis [about 5 miles or so from the hotel where the dinner was] and got onto the main road out to the hotel, the traffic stopped dead! It was clear something else had happened! A bomb scare had closed the only road to the hotel and it happens to be one of the busiest road in Northern Ireland too! So after hour and half in the car, the police moved away and we finished our journey back to the hotel. We managed to get a few photos done and we where only half hour late for the schedule. Alan & Pearl, did so well, just took everything in their stride. Really impressed with their positive attitude, even when the power went out during the meal! Also a big kudos to the band, The Proposals, who had to improvise when the power was playing havoc with their PA system! Then came the drive home... whilst slow and slippy, climbing into bed in the early hours was a welcomed activity!  

What a start to the season! More photos will be up once the couples are back from honeymoon! Keep an eye out!  

-dc  

ps - there a limited dates left in 2013, so if you are wishing to book, make sure you get in soon!  

Welcome to the new site!

Welcome to the new site, sorry its taken so long but wanted to get it right! Excuse any glitches over the next couple of days as I iron out some stuff!  

Feel free to look around and let me know what you think by commenting below! 

In the mean time, I have teamed up with Deborah Harper Beauty and come up with this great facebook/twitter prize. All you have to do is Retweet on twitter or like and share the post and you'll be entered in. Closing date is the 29/3/13 and a draw will be made at random from all the entries! Good luck and thanks for your support!

-dc