Gemma and Neil... Scott!!

etting a break from preparing the exhibition coming up, Gemma and Neil kindly hired me to cover their wedding day yesterday, and as ever I want to share a few highlights with you...

The wedding took place at St Mary's in Selly Oak and the reception at Corus Hotel in Solihull, where Frank looked after everybody very well. Many thanks to all involved on behalf of the happy and very chilled out couple!

Not much to say today as I'm absolutely ready for a warm cuppa, english summer is in full downswing, and to put my feet up for a change! Just time to say Gemma and Neil... CONGRATS.. you are a very cool couple, nice and relaxed and I'm sure you're going to have a great time in Mexico... I'm kinda jealous! If you need any spanish phrases just let me know! And Neil.. I want to see sombrero photos on facebook when you get back!!

Joanna and John ... Married!

Coventry.... what more can be said... when the whole wedding breakfast receives word that their "football club" has won 0-2 and yours has lost 2-0 (yours being the club that relegated theirs many years back ;) ) then it's never a good thing to be the only Villa fan in the vicinity when the beer and wine has been flowing for a while...

Lovely couple, good weather, friends together, real good craic (yes I'm half irish)!

Enjoyed shooting Joanna and John's wedding the other week and thought I'd share a few highlights from the day. The b+w bias is pure coincidence, the whole set of previews is mixed as per my usual style... still waiting for the special couple who hire me to shoot all black and white!

And just a couple others... guess where these guys were off to...

This little missy loved it...

So there you have it... wanted to post this up for you to have a mooch.. extremely busy with the exhibition, check the post below this one!

The B-Strong exhibition is coming very soon!

Just a quick note to let you all know that the B-Strong exhibition is well under way and the next couple weeks will be extremely hectic but ultimately positive, educational and uplifting... Check out the venue's own entry, written by them, regarding the exhibition I'm shooting.. their theme, my images..

http://www.the-drum.org.uk/event/b-strong-by-damian-brown

Couple more happenings to show you when I get a chance... very hectic with weddings too.. it's that time of the year!

Until then... a preview (albeit with me in it instead of the artist that will be in the real version!)

And then became ... Becci and Mike Erbilur-Gray!

Cool couple, nice mix.. british.. turkish... and the smell of those cupcakes... yes, I've forgotten the rain already!

The wedding took place at Wethele Manor, a 16th century farmhouse out near Leamington Spa.. definitely a place worth checking out for a venue if you're local. The staff worked hard along with the bridal party and not even a spot of english summer downpour could beat the day... it was beautiful, a good laugh too! And those cupcakes... (well no I didn't try one, I'm not that pushy! Plus the photos of me shooting at weddings that are appearing on facebook aren't doing me justice!)

Definitely want to wish Becci and Mike all the best, I'm sure while they're out there in sunny Sri Lanka right now they'll be thinking of us all trying to work out what weather we'll get next! One of you lovely couples need to take me abroad to shoot your wedding ;)

As always, here are a few favourites and, as the youth would say, a few randoms from the wedding day:

And sorry.. I have to add this just for myself...

Lisa and Jason.... MARRIED!

Earlier this month I had the privilege of shooting Lisa and Jason's wedding over in Stone and Stafford. What a great day, chilled out couple, fun family and great guests. Oh and the food? Let's just say I've never had appetizers like those at a wedding before! I didn't mention Jason's a bit keen in the kitchen, did I?! Perfect man ladies? Well, he's taken!

The prep photos started with the girls getting their hair done at Salon 74 in Newcastle Under Lyme then into the house for everything else! The wedding ceremony was at Christ Church in Stone and the reception was at the White Eagle Polish Club.

You might remember the engagement photos from earlier this year, well here are a few favourites from the wedding day, hope you enjoy:

So there you have it, this blog post I chose to go all b+w and I think it works well.. still haven't gone all b+w on a wedding yet tho!! Could yours be the first?!

Birmingham Artists Session #1

In preparation and as a side project for an exhibition I'm shooting for The Drum (September til November) I shot a few artists from my city, Birmingham... A few I have known, respected, and once upon a time jammed with, and a few newer to me who I'll definitely be keeping an eye on.

Birmingham as ever is full of amazing talent that needs to be seen, experienced and nurtured. This city is home to many good things, many huge influences musically and artistically and long may that last.

For the strobists out there just two speedlights were used, some shots just one, and a softbox. The backgrounds were just painted walls, and one projector screen in one set.

A good session indeed and I'm hoping to run a few more soon to give local talent the "exposure" they deserve. Here are the previews:

Leeanne Stoddart - Poet (A'cappella/soul/hip hop .. according to her myspace .. to give you a better idea!)

Next up is Applz Sanra - Vocal artist and producer

Ahmed.. Film maker.. and I'm waiting for his website!

The one and only Juice Aleem - New album out very soon! I don't need to say more... do I? Ok.. one of the finest. (I have a preview copy!)

Kokumo - Dub Poet .. One very cool dude... ya heard!

Jaskirt Dhaliwal - Photographer of the exhibition currently on show at The Drum entitled British Asian Musicians. Check her out at http://www.jaskirtdhaliwal.co.uk

The What Supreme/ Wasif Sayeed - Hip hop artist.. (that's all i'm putting Wasif! It encompasses you man! HIP HOP - HIP HOP)

Of course I am one of Birmingham's strong artist presence so it's only right that I do what I can to help some of the people I meet with along the way.. check out their links (click on their name) and surprise yourself!