After seeing lots of articles the last few weeks regarding the 75th anniversary of the crash landing of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in Sheffield, we decided to head on down there for a little family walk and visit the spot dedicated to the 10 USAF Airmen that lost their lives that day.

The story has garnered lots of media attention recently, after a journalist spotted Tony tending the memorial and listened to his story.  Posting the info on social media, the attention received was staggering and a memorial flyby was held on the 22nd February - 75 years after the crash in 1944.
Unfortunately, we couldn't get to visit for the flyby, but about 10,00 others did - including relatives of the air crew.  The sight must have been awesome!

Tony had been playing in the park with friends that day, as the battle damaged B-17 bomber appeared low over the rooftops searching for a place to land.  Seeing the children on his hopeful landing spot, the pilot eventually crash landed in the trees, resulting in the loss of all on board.  The pilot, Lieutenant John Kriegshauser, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in minimising the loss of life through his actions.
The 'Mi Amigo' was returning from it's mission to Aalborg, Denmark, where it had come under attack from German Focke-Wulf fighters - resulting in heavy damage and 3 mortally wounded crew members.  The pilot and copilot managed to navigate back to England through terrible weather conditions, but suffered engine failure over Sheffield, forcing them to land.

Tony has tended to the crash site since 1953, after learning the significance of the crash and how the pilot had spared the children's lives at the expense of their own.  In 1969, a memorial was built by the RAF to honour the airmen.  Tony has selflessly tended to the area almost daily ever since.

On our visit, we'd been at the memorial for only a few minutes before Tony himself approached us through the trees.  We weren't expecting to see him, but we were so glad we did.  It was an honour to shake the hand of this gentleman.
He also posed for a photo with my little Sea Cadet, who wants to join the Navy when he's older.  Such an awesome memory for him to treasure.

When asking about Tony's personal wreath laid at the back of the memorial, he told us that that's also the place reserved for his ashes to be laid when he passes.  That certainly brought a tear to the eye.  What an amazing man.

A few more snaps.

We left Tony to be interviewed once again and carried on our little walk.

Endcliffe Park is a lovely place to visit.  Even on a gloomy, rainy February day (typically it was red hot the day before we went!)

For more info on the place, click HERE.



Some more snaps from our walk.

Gear used: Fujifilm X100F

A few weeks ago I had the awesome honour of shooting the beautiful wedding of Joanne and David.

The entire day was held in Whitley Hall, a beautiful 16th Century mansion set in the countryside on the outskirts of Sheffield.  I've been looking forward to shooting here for a while - the place is an ivy-clad beauty with lovely grounds full of wandering peacocks.

The day started a bit different to most - it was my eldest boy's 16th birthday.  So after a cup of tea, we dragged his lazy teenage bum out of bed and forced him to open his presents before I left.  I'm pretty sure he went back to bed afterwards! 

Jo didn't want any bridal prep, so upon arrival I had a little nosey around the grounds as the guests were arriving.  David soon appeared so I snapped a few shots before everyone was ushered into the ceremony room.
Once the coast was clear, Jo and the girls made their way down and it was time for business.
Pretty soon the vows were said, kisses were kissed and the happy couple headed out into the glorious sunshine.
The day was an absolute belter - beautiful blue with a blazing sun.  I'm pretty sure everyone almost had to be dragged back inside for the food!  Once the meals had been had, it was time for the speeches - and the best man was looking a little green!  Despite the nerves, he pulled a belter out of the bag. 
Along with some pretty incriminating photos of the Groom! 
Everyone had a good laugh and it was back into the gardens to soak up the rest of the sun.
Well, after the surprise birthday cake that is!

After enjoying the rare Yorkshire sunshine it was soon time to head back inside for the cake cutting and the first dance. 

People laughed, people loved and people lived.  Pretty much prefect.

Thanks for having me guys - it was awesome. 


Here are a few images from their day.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting the awesome little intimate wedding of Michelle and Richard over in Rotherham.

The day started with a little bit of Bridal prep at the Holiday Inn before we jumped into the cars and headed into Rotherham for Michelle to get into her dress.  After wowing everyone in the house, Michelle and the Bridal party jumped into the Daimler and we battled the traffic through Rotherham centre to Clifton Park Museum.  (Where I promptly got told off for taking photos in the reception - pesky museum rules!)
I whipped the camera away and went to check out the two rooms I was allowed to take photos in, the ceremony room and the waiting room - where I found Richard nattering away (and looking a little nervous!)
We were soon ushered into the ceremony room, ready for the Bride to make her entrance.
And she did.  Looking radiant.

Richard smiled like the cat that got the cream!

The vows were soon said, kisses were had and smiles-for-miles were the order of the day.
After being kicked out the side door*, we headed down into the park for some photos before heading on to the pub, where food, drink, dancing and singing awaited. 

Complete with the cutest little karaoke girl ever!

*Seriously venues - if you're going to run weddings like a conveyor belt, at least have some class rather than shipping the couples out as quick as you can!  #rantover.

Thanks for having me guys - you were awesome!


Here are a few photos from their day.

This afternoon we had a little home-ed trip to Heeley City Farm in Sheffield.
It's a pretty small place, with about 3 million chickens, some pigs, goats, and other livestock.
There's a few reptiles and spiders too, but they were mostly hiding away.
There's a little cafe on site and a little play area for the kids.  And a little petting zoo.  And a little garden centre.  And a little veg stall.
Like I said, it's a little place!

Alfie had some animal photography to do for one of his projects and Freddie Jay enjoyed looking at everything and going crazy in the playground.

Oh, and it's free entry!  Pop in and have a nosey if you're passing by...

Click Here for more info.

Some snaps.

One of my favourite things, when I'm shooting a wedding, is watching the antics of the little guests. 

The kids.

Kids are awesome.  And tiring.  And then awesome again.
I've got 3 of my own, so I know how they can go from the cutest things on the planet one minute, to making you want to pull your hair out the next.  There's a reason that people invented alcohol - and I'd wager a bet that a screaming 2 year old was behind it!

I love the little moments at a wedding - the ones that the Bride and Groom very rarely see until they get their photos back.  That's what I like to do.  I like to capture these little moments forever.  Photos that can be shown in 10 years time when they think they're all grown up!
I love these moments - bridal prep where two sisters are like little Princesses getting ready for the Ball.  Sneaking little selfies on their phones.  Ceremonies where the kids are that bored that they haven't realised the hymn book is upside down.  Outside the church where confetti wars are the best thing on the Earth for 5 minutes.  At the reception where they can't manage any more food, but demolish the sweetie cart in half an hour flat.  Sneaky fingers going for the wedding cake.  Bubbles and balloons - these are two of the greatest inventions to keep a kid busy that have ever been made!  The quiet moments, when two 10 year olds can sit in conversation like a couple of 50s housewives and two 15 year olds can chase each other around like they're 9 again.  The dancefloor, where they let loose like the adults daren't, when sliding is still the best thing in the world and swirly dresses make awesome twirls like they see on TV.
They all catch me eventually, and I get the goofy grin or the embarrassed smile or the covered face or the squeal of laughter.  Sometimes I even get a pose! 

These are precious moments.  Moments which can, and will, be cherished forever. 

There's one thing that kids can teach us - and that's how to live.  Now.  In the moment.  Live every second without a care about what's next.  Cry out your frustrations for a few minutes, but then carry on being the King or Queen of your world.
We all need to live like kids sometimes.

But, don't worry if you don't have kids, or there's no kids at your wedding.  After a few drinks down our necks, us adults soon shed the worry of adulting and start acting like kids again anyway...

Here are a few of those moments.

I thought I'd put a blog post together to show what I get up to in my spare time. 

I have a strong fascination with all things broken and abandoned.  I love rusty steel and twisted metal, broken stones and mossy rocks, shattered glass and age old bottles, broken clocks and worn-out watches.  I love to stand in a place where men and women once toiled and bled, the industry long since gone and their efforts forgotten.  I love the feel of walking down a hospital corridor where cries of joy and tears of sadness would never be heard again, just the eerie silence of something forgotten - maybe the occasional patter of dripping water from the now broken ceilings.  I love to sit in a chair where someone once spent the majority of their daily grind, see the random bits of graffiti carved into the desks, wondering who the initials 'JB' belonged to or whether 'Steve' still loved 'Alice'.  The sadness of some of these places can bring a tear to your eye, the thoughts of someone's job gone as another steelworks or mill closed their doors.  Some of the sights can be breathtaking too - the grandeur of the details in the building, the size of the doorways, the handwritten signs and the craftwork in the smallest window. 

So, here are a few snaps of some of the places that I've visited.  Abandoned mills, steelworks, factories, potteries, hospitals, asylums, collieries, churches, mortuaries, houses and mansions.  Broken RAF bases, trainyards, garages, farms and barns.  Lost cemeteries and junkyards.

I try to see the beauty in the broken.  The splendour of the past in the grime of the present.

Have a nosey through - someone you know, knew or loved could have once walked these halls, drove these cars, sat in these chairs and watched these clocks, just waiting for the weekend... 

A few weeks ago I had the lovely pleasure of photographing the wedding of Dawn and Callum down in Chesterfield.

The day started with a little bridal prep at the lovely Ringwood Hall Hotel, followed by a quick drive back into Yorkshire to Christ Church in Hackenthorpe for the vows, then back to Ringwood Hall for the wedding breakfast and evening do.

The day was blue-sky beautiful with the sun blazing down.  The bridal prep was a laugh as usual, with plenty of kids running round to keep everyone on their toes.  Balancing a chair on the bed to hang the wedding dress wasn't the best idea I've ever had, but I survived the wobbly deal unscathed!

After the prep, it was on to the church.

Callum was patiently waiting for his Bride-to-be.  He was also looking a tad nervous!
The vows were fun, with plenty of laughs thrown in.  Also plenty of tears from both the bride and the groom!
Pretty soon the vows were done, songs were sung and confetti was thrown.  And kisses were had - lots of kisses.

Back to the Hall!

We arrived back and chilled in the gardens while finishing touches were made to the room.
I whisked Dawn and Callum away for a few photos round the grounds, then it was back to inspect the room.  When Callum saw the memorial place setting for his father at the top table, the emotions ran very high.  It was an absolutely beautiful, touching moment.  I had a bit of a lump in my throat too!

Food was served, toasts were had, cakes were cut and dances were danced.

And lots more kissing too.

A beautiful, emotional day that I was privileged to be a part of. 
Thanks for having me guys - you rocked.

Here's a few images from their day.

A few weeks ago, I had the lovely pleasure of photographing the wedding of Emma and Adam over in Sheffield.
The entire day was held at Cubley Hall.  A beautiful little Hotel perched on the edge of the Peak District. 

The day started with a little bridal prep - first in one room while we waited for the Bridal Suite to be prepared, then we moved upstairs to finish. 
Bridal prep was a good laugh and, as usual, I terrorised everyone at the prospect of photos before the make up went on!
I skipped out after a while and just managed to catch all the guys turning up in a cool vintage VW bus.  A few quick snaps and it was back up in time to catch Emma being pulled round the room while having her dress fastened.  I always chuckle to myself every time I see a bride being fastened into a corset back - us guys have the getting dressed part pretty easy I reckon! 

Then it was showtime.

The wedding vows were taking place in Cubley's beautiful rustic barn.  Adam was waiting patiently at the end of the aisle for his bride to arrive.

The bridal party came in and smiles, as well as tears, were everywhere.

Vows were exchanged, kisses were kissed and cheers were had. 

After a quick room change around, it was time to head back in for the wedding breakfast.  Before everyone sat down though, the little memorial display set up on a vintage organ in the corner of the room held the attention of everyone who passed.  It was a beautiful moment to see the emotions of everyone who stopped and spent a minute sharing a little part of the day with the ones that couldn't be there.

We were soon ready for the speeches and, once again, tears were flowing as beautiful words were spoken.  The love definitely overflowed.

Thank you for having me there to capture your day guys, I enjoyed every minute of it.
I'll see you both again soon.

Here's a few pictures of their day.