Over the last couple of days  I have been  back up in the Lakes with the lovely Aspire Photography Training. This time it was to spend time with one of their bespoke groups to talk about how we approach and photograph our weddings. Group 35 were amazing bunch of guys, really enthusiastic and keen to learn. On the first day I just joined the group and the end of the day to listen and observe whilst Catherine & Jane talked about the marketing side of the business. It’s always interesting listening to the questions that the Bespoke members put to both Catherine & Jane. I’m listening very closely because there is always something new you can learn from these guys.

On the second day I took the group through the whole process of photographing a wedding, from planning to execution.  We were joined on the shoot by a lovely couple, Sarah & James who were lucky to get married on the fab island of Sicily. They acted as our models as I took the group through how to set up and shoot an engagement shot. Then in the afternoon we headed out into the village of Burton in Kendal for some wedding pictures, first to the lovely church and then off to a beautiful location to do the couple shots.

As ever the day was set up and organised by the fab Rachel. She is an ace stylist and always puts in a superb effort. Here are a few of my pictures from the day.

We recently spent a fantastic day at Amy & James’s wedding in the beautiful countryside just south of the North York Moors national park. The ceremony was at the methodist church in Helmsley  and the Marquee reception was on the grounds of the Star Inn at Harome It was a really stunning spot and gave us loads of fantastic photo opportunities.

As usual I spent the morning with the girls while Lou hung out with the guys putting the finishing touches to the marquee site. After a lovely ceremony (and a few drops of rain) everyone made their way back to the reception for drinks, some canapes and some amazing food (naturally!!)

It was an amazing and great day and we’d like to thank Amy & James for inviting us to be a part of it.

Lou & Phil xxx

We spent a fantastic day with Katie, Craig & their guests at their wedding recently. The ceremony was at the lovely church in Sutton upon Derwent near York and the reception was held at Castle Howard. This was a first for us as we’d never photographed a wedding there and it was a real treat – about as photogenic a location as we could ask for.

It was a fantastic day with a little bit of rain dodging when we were doing the group shots, but it stayed fine when it really mattered and we were able to wander around the stunning gardens for Katie & Craig’s couple shots.

Congratulations guys – it was a real treat to spend your day with you.

Phil & Lou xxx

We spent a fantastic day recently with Rhonda and Chris for their wedding in Sheffield. Their day was filled with lots of personal touches – Rhonda  wanted an English country fete feel to the day so there was loads of bunting everywhere which had all been made be her friends and family. The church was decked out in white bunting which made for some really great photos outside.

Continuing the feel of the day, the reception was held at Bradfield village hall right next to the village cricket pitch. There was a game going on which really added to the atmosphere. Inside the hall the theme continued with the tables beautifully decorated and more bunting festooned around.

Rhonda, Chris and their guests were great to be around – a really fun bunch which meant we got some ace shots after the meal when everyone was relaxed and letting their hair down a bit!

The night was rounded off by and ace Beatles tribute band who had everyone up and dancing to a bit of ‘Twist & Shout’

Chris and Rhonda, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day. It was beautiful in so many ways and we loved being there with you and your guests

Love and best wishes to you both

Phil & Lou xxx

These were Rhonda’s first shoes and her wedding shoes. A gorgeous idea I thought. Made me choke up a bit!!

Here’s a quick peek at a few images from Kat & David’s fab wedding on Saturday, first at St Josephs church in Harrogate then onto Ripley castle. Everything about the day was relaxed and fun – we had a gorgeous couple, a Vera Wang dress, very entertaining best man, routemaster bus and triplets for bridesmaids which got very confusing! Anyway the full post will come in a couple of weeks after Kat & David come back from honeymoon but for now here is a sneaky peek of the day.

Kat’s wedding present to David – tickets to the British Grand Prix – got a great reaction from the guys!

We gave you a bit of a sneak preview of Laura & Andrew’s wedding a few days ago so here as promised are some more pictures of their day.

It was a great day and the weather as amazing. The location was Wynyard Hall which was a new venue for us, but an amazing place and one we’d love to work at again. The hall itself is beautiful with stunning high ceilings and grand rooms, and the grounds were just lovely, full of daffodils. The staff at Wynyard were fantastic and the day ran really smoothly.

Laura and Andrew were married in the chapel in the Hall and afterwards all their guests were able to enjoy drinks on the terrace by the lake in the sunshine while we took the new Mr & Mrs R off for a walk around the grounds for their couple shots.

We stayed on as usual until the evening reception when the party really got going. All in all it was a fantastic day and a really good start to our busy wedding season.

Many congratulations to Laura and Andrew – here are a few more pictures from their day.

Phil & Lou xx

Back on a cold Saturday in January we did Emma & Steve’s pre-wedding shoot. Well this coming weekend is their big day so I thought I would share some of the images with you. We spent the morning at Pontefract race course and I felt like a naughty kid again by having to jump over fences to get into the race course. Needless to say it wasn’t a pretty sight me clambering over fences.

I was great walking round a deserted race course and we managed to avoid the cameras to get some fun shots. Emma & Steve’s reception is at the Wentbridge House Hotel which is a fab place – Lou & I should know as it is where we had our wedding reception 15 years ago! Look out for some images from the wedding next week (Emma and Steve’s , not ours!)

Wow! where has the year gone. It has truly been an amazing year. We have met so many interesting people and been to some incredible places in 2010. It is difficult for us to thank everyone but first I would like to say thank you to everyone of our couples this year. Every wedding has been great to be involved with and we have been made so welcome by everyone on their special day.

We’re so lucky that we work with some amazing suppliers in the wedding industry so a big thanks and happy Christmas to them, especially Fiona at Firenza, Sally and everyone at Papakata Tipis and all the amazing venues we’ve worked at this year – Allerton Castle, Hazlewood Castle, Ripley Castle (so many castles!), Oulton Hall, Rudding Park and so many others. Also big love to James at Roeni who not only is an amazingly talented designer and all round lovely chap but also designed and produced the Barber Photography Christmas cards again this year.

Thanks to my friends at Aspire up in the Lake District who have continued to inspire me this year. I’m so proud to be part of the team up there and really excited with the projects for 2011. Catherine & Jane we wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for you guys.

In the my other world of 3B Media particular thank yous go to Hope & Social Si, Rich, Ed, Gary, Si & James and the peeps involved with them Ben  Mark Roo. You guys have given me the most fabulous experiences this year and long may it continue into 2011.

The lads of Cities Between Us – Josh Nimal Stef Jo & Val – You rock and we are looking forward to the new album in 2011. Skylarkin for allowing us into your inner sanctum to record you guys at work. Mike Heaton for letting us get involved with your exciting project ( More of which in 2011!)

Also of course big big thanks to Rob and Barns, my 3B partners in crime. These two guys have been my biggest inspiration this year. Opening my eyes to new worlds and seeing things that would normally pass me by. They make me as giddy as a kipper. We’ve got big plans for the future helped by the wonderful Hayley who has given us the belief and focus – so 2011 will hopefully be a great year for us.

Lastly a big thank you to my main partner in crime – my gorgeous wife Lou and mother to our fab kids.These guys are the reason we do this. Lou is someone who keeps me on the straight and narrow . Gives me kick up the backside when I need it but allows me to follow my dreams not matter how stupid they may seem at the time.

Lou I love you and you are all I could ask for .

Happy Christmas everybody and have a Happy New Year.

Phil xxxxx

There’s no let-up here at Barber Towers. After a really busy summer and autumn we’ve got an equally busy winter with lots of albums to design, pictures to edit and a general housekeeping ready to start the new year afresh.

So I though while I’m snowed in I’d do a quick catch up on some of the weddings I haven’t yet blogged starting with Helen & Dan’s who were married back in October at Hazlewood Castle. It’s a beautiful venue inside and out and this time we were lucky enough to go into the beautiful chapel where the ceremony was held. Although we’ve shot weddings at Hazlewood many many times before we’ve never yet been into the chapel so it was a lovely treat for us as well as a gorgeous venue for Helen & Dan and their guests.

As always I spent the morning with Helen and Lou was with Dan and the boys. Helen’s dress was amazing and she looked stunning in in as she walked down the aisle. The rain was kind enough to hold off and we managed to get lots of pictures of everyone outside in the gorgeous grounds – we’re always spoilt for choice for great locations at Hazlewood so it’s nice when we can use them.

The speeches were fantastic and after a first dance to an ace live band we left the revellers to enjoy the rest of the evening.

We had a great day with Helen & Dan and would like to wish them lot of happiness for their future together. We’re really pleased with their photos so here are a few to enjoy:

Phil & Lou xxx

Earlier this week I was back in the Lakes training with our good friends at Aspire Photography Training. Formally CPT they have now moved to another lovely location just outside Burton-in-Kendal. The studio is a former stable yard at Dalton Hall. This particular course was helping to create wedding portfolio. The fabulous Lisa Aldersley was the other trainer and we had 10 eager photographers who wanted some help in developing their wedding portfolio. The lovely Rachel from Aspire had organised a number of couples for us to photograph – so off we went into the cold and crisp Autumnal day and had some fun. The first couple we had in our group was Becky & Ben who were just so much fun in going through an engagement shoot.  Check out Becky’s yellow coat.

In the afternoon we did more bridal shots with Kirsty and Jordan. I loved the sunlight at the end of the day. Almost like Southern California in the evening but really  freezing cold.

Below is a slideshow at the bottom of some more images from the day.