Simon's career spans more than 15 years as an art director in advertising and design. His extensive experience of both taking and using photography work together to cultivate an image and album design style that is all his own.
His aim is to bring less formality and greater freshness to wedding and portrait photography. It is this harnessing of creative photographer and designer that gives his work a wider vision and takes it into a different realm from the standard 'Smile, please' artisans.
Simon's approach also combines a high degree of professionalism with an easy-going nature. His belief is that the people he photographs should enjoy the experience as much as he does.
He is an international award-winning member of The Wedding Photojournalist Association, an international organisation composed of selected photographers recognised for their creative and technical skill.
Jennifer and Andrew are both former students of Trinity College Cambridge. After marrying in the beautiful chapel, the happy couple and their guests took punts all the way to Grantchester Meadows where their superbly decorated reception marquee awaited.
The weather was incredibly hot, and made the slow punt to Grantchester a wonderful experience for their guests. There was a lot of people enjoying the riverbank with many barbecues and parties going on!
Jennifer had spent many hours working on the table decorations, menus and styling. I think she did an amazing job, clearly someone who is gifted with both an academic and creative mind.
Maunsel House, Somerset, is a venue that oozes character. Stuffed full of amazing paintings, sculptures, machine guns and stuffed bears! I really could have spent 2-3 hours just wandering around photographing scene setting shots. The grounds are equally as wonderful, with the wedding breakfast being served open air underneath the cover of Wisteria covered pergola. Peacocks and Guinea Fowl wander around the tables and react with much noise everytime the guests applaud a speech!
Brenda and Chris added some great touches to the day, including an Ice Cream bicycle that the children (both large and small) really enjoyed.
Again, the weather was excellent, as it has been for much of the summer. The warm evening light being perfect for a stroll along the drive to Maunsel House for photographing some relaxed portraits.
July 15, 2010 - 1:30 amHelen Fullman - What amazing pictures! I can't wait to see them all!
Helen (the groom's sister!)
July 15, 2010 - 7:34 amJanine Swan - Simon, you have managed to capture all the emotions of the day. You were so professional in your work that I think no one noticed you clicking away - such beautiful, natural pictures. Stunning!
July 21, 2010 - 8:05 amSue Gower - Well done Simon you have reduced me to tears again and that's 2 weeks after Christopher & Brenda's wedding (groom's Mum!). Photographs are absolutely stunning and I am now trying to access the whole 400!!. Exceptionally professional and as Janine said we didn't even notice you were there.
July 21, 2010 - 8:31 amSimon - Hi Sue. Thank you for the kind words! Tears of joy are good.
If you are having trouble accessing the full gallery, then please give me a call. Regards Simon
I consider myself quiet a lucky guy earning a crust from photography, something I have always been passionate about and hopefully will continue to. I enjoy every wedding that I shoot, each one having it’s own character, but sometimes a wedding comes along that is really special to me and has all the qualities that make photographing it an absolute pleasure. This was one of those days…I think I drove home back to Essex with a grin like a Cheshire cat.
Pauline and Liam were a wonderful couple, friendly, warm and not afraid to show the intense love that they share for each other.
Their friends were a pleasure to be around, particularly the two young guys who have a passion for old film camera’s. I was treated to seeing such exotica as Blads, Bronies, Yashica’s and Leica’s, one of the fella’s admited his degree grant tends to get blown on ebay picking up these classic camera’s.
The guys married at Boughton Monchelsea Place, a wonderful venue with an incredible elevated view of Kent. Then after the ceremony they drove to Liam’s parents farm house in an Aston Martin DB6 for the garden reception.
The food looked amazing, which is no surprise as it was prepared by Liam who is a talented chef trained by the ‘Sweary Mary’ himself Mr Gordon Ramsey.
Here is a slideshow of 120 pictures from the day…be patient, I think it’s worth it….enjoy.
July 9, 2010 - 4:44 amClare - Hi Simon,
Absolutely love this! Stunning!
Who is the song by? It works really well with your images!
Clare
July 12, 2010 - 2:18 pmDoug Law - Great shots Simon... if ever I get married I will fly you to Canada
Doug
July 15, 2010 - 5:39 pmpauline - Hi Simon, thank ever so much for all these lovely pictures,we are so proud to show them to our family and friend.You have been capturing every details and every smiles,from beginning until end.We had so many feedback of how lovely and discreet you were,we all loved you!
I wish you all the best and hope to keep in touch,hopefully for another special event of our life.(THE BRIDE AND GROOM)
July 16, 2010 - 4:46 pmcristian Marques - Pauline and Liam amazing pics from your wedding ... I wish you both all the best and enjoy this new life together ok cristian xxxx
July 20, 2010 - 5:12 amtracy - of joandtracy - - It looks like the perfect day to me, I had a tear in my eye actually, lovely romantic and intimate pictures without being cheesy. And Pauline looked just fabulous. Brilliant!
July 27, 2010 - 9:17 amDebs - Beautiful photos, love the candid shots and the use of black and white.
Amazing day - thanks so much guys xx
This was a hot day. I’m thinking of asking couples if they mind me wearing shorts on days like this!
Sarah and Tom married at Theydon Garnon Church, then held their reception at the beautiful Gaynes Park in Epping.
The wedding was skillfully themed with a ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Tea Party look. Sarah is an Art Director, and used her graphic abilities to great effect. Infact, I seem to shoot an awful lot of weddings for couples who come from advertising and creative backgrounds.
I myself am a former Art Director before moving over to the other side of the camera, so I always enjoy photographing a wedding with an ad agency crowd.
I am delighted to hear that I one of my images was placed 5th in the recent WPJA quarterly competition. The standards amongst this international body of photographers is extremely high, so I’m chuffed to get a high placing in the ‘getting ready’ category.
The image is of Sarah getting ready at The Landmark Hotel London where the wedding service was held. The reception was at The Natural History Museum.
The first of my two weddings this week was at the beautiful Leez Priory in Essex.
Lesley and Nick opted for an outside ceremony under the towers. It was touch and go with the weather, but clearly someone was on their side as things brightened up in time for the service. This kind of situation is very tough to photograph as the light values differ greatly between the shade under the tower, and the hard sunlight outside…but, I like a challenge!
After the open air service, and after all of the guests had congratulated the happy couple, we went up into the tower to use some stunning window light for a quick romantic portrait.
June 10, 2010 - 8:48 amNicolas Clark - Fantastic pictures Simon, can't wait to see the whole portfolio! you certainly know how to frame a shot, the contrast and colours are brilliant, thank you very much for these special memories.
Nic.
Another fine day at Gaynes Park over the May bank holiday, where I was the wedding photographer to Sarah and Ian. I work at Gaynes Park on quiet a regular basis, I always try to find new angles for portraits on every visit. This keeps things fresh and challenging for me!
May 25, 2010 - 9:16 amMaria M. - Hi Simon Just had a little nose around - those last 2 weddings at Gaynes - beautiful.
May 25, 2010 - 12:57 pmadmin - Thank you Maria!
May 26, 2010 - 11:34 amKerry M - Really nice pictures Simon. It looks like a lovely venue! :)
Love the one of the bride being kissed.
May 26, 2010 - 1:30 pmadmin - Cheers Kerry. I'm getting to know Gaynes Park quiet well! Leez Priory tomorrow, then back to Gaynes on Friday.
June 13, 2010 - 4:43 pmSarah Sparkes - Simon, these are just a small selection of a truly fantastic set of photos that you took for us! We have had so many amazing comments from friends and family about how beautiful our pics are. We look forward to meeting you soon to put the album together!!! Sarah and Ian
I had two visits to Gaynes Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The first was the wedding of Sarah and Jannich who had travelled all the way from Singapore, with many friends also coming from Denmark. Eyjafjallajökull…(no it’s not a spelling mistake, it’s a volcano!) tried to scupper their plans, but failed miserably. I think just about everyone made it to Sarah and Jannich’s day, and had a wonderful time.
This was my first time shooting a wedding in The Natural History Museum, and I must say I like it very much! The Grand Hall looked absolutely amazing with stunning table decor an impressive job by the lighting crew.
The day started at The Landmark hotel where Sarah and Martin married. Then after a cocktail drinks reception the guests took London buses to The Natural History Museum, while the happy couple had a little time to themselves traveling in a classic Rolls Royce.
Here is a slideshow of around 90 images…please feel free to leave a comment.
April 14, 2010 - 11:33 amSarah Barrett - Simon, your photos are incredible. Thanks so much for all your hard work and efforts on the day. You really have captured my wedding in it's entireity. Can't wait to see the album! Sarah
April 15, 2010 - 2:45 pmBev Dorking - Just stunning! What fab pictures - they have certainly captured some of the magic of the day.
April 29, 2010 - 3:41 pmJanet Barrett - Wow! What amazing pictures! So evocative of the day & everyone looks great...Love the song too
Julie and Sam married at St Mary’s in Maldon, Essex. After the service we took the opportunity for 10 minutes of portraits in great light on one of the Thames barges, before the guys left to meet their guest at Layer Marney Tower.
This is typical of how I work as a wedding photographer. Most of my coverage is natural documentary photography, but if requested I’m always happy to quickly produce a few funky portraits.
April 18, 2010 - 9:55 amSam and Julie Gallagher - Simon, thank you so much for documenting our special day in such wondeful fashion. The photos are absolutely fantastic - we can't stop looking at them! - and your level of service and attention to detail was absolutely superb. I can't recommend you highly enough.
May 25, 2010 - 12:59 pmadmin - My pleasure guys...thank you so much for your kind words.
by Simon
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