I was chatting to a lady recently about her daughter's wedding photography. She admitted the photographs were not her cup of tea - too many black and white documentary images, and not enough posed family photographs. Sounds like my kind of photographer! Her daughter had organised the photography to her liking, but the mother was disappointed that she didn't have a posed photograph of her husband and herself together.
At the weddings I shoot, I don't suggest specific posed photographs unless a couple has written them on my 'group photographs' list or if they ask me at the wedding. More often than not I am busy shooting all the events and details of the day and don't stop unless asked.
Here's a tip for any of my brides and grooms to be for this coming wedding season.. Let your guests know that I am primarily a documentary photographer, and if a guest or mother of the bride wants a shot of themselves with their husband/child/auntie I am more than happy to oblige. Just ask!
I'm just back from Winchester where I photographed my cousin Aislinn's wedding. Elmer was in attendance, and was looking very dapper in his new baby wedding outfit!!! This is him at the end of the night with my sister:



(Actually I may be 12 months or older in the above image..)

Elmer has inherited my big mouth. And my teeth. And maybe a bit around the eye area. Otherwise he is a complete miniature Steven.
Considering Elmer is mostly mouth, teeth and eyes i suppose that means he has my ears!? You forgot he also has your cheeks, which make up the rest of his face. Ears are fine, useful too.
(08.18.10 @ 01:26 PM)Actually he has my mum's dad's ears. But the rest of him is all you!!
(08.18.10 @ 10:15 PM)We inherited that flooring by the way. Nothing wrong with your Grandad's ears Sinead...apart from the size! Wish we'd had you around to take better photos!
M x
Here are a few images from his first long haul flight, and his travel companion baby Erin...


Happy babies: Things wrapped in plastic, and Thing with buttons on...

Elmer enjoys Grandad's famous pasta dish...

Me and my dad...

Elmer meets Max the dog...

Elmer and his adoring Gran...

Isn't he cute?! I must say, the flight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The babies loved all the air hostess attention and behaved admirably.
I'm so excited to be back in the UK! I have a fabulous wedding this week in a beautiful old Cardiff church and hotel...
We're so excited to have you back! Can't wait to see you and meet Elmer in Whitstable next week xx
That boy has great taste in hats. I'm sure Grandad will agree.
(08.09.10 @ 10:04 PM)that hat is sooo cool!! great photos Sinead, looks like everyone is having a great time
(08.09.10 @ 11:18 PM)Yes, Steven. It gives his face definition, as his grandmother would say. Notice how Max stays just out of reach? He's no fool that dog.
(08.10.10 @ 12:19 AM)




I remember when Elmer was 3 months old my sister said "Nine months is my favourite baby age". I thought, how can he get any cuter than he is now? I stand corrected. At 9 months, Elmer has perfected his hearty, side-splitting giggle. He finds everything funny; Steven choking on a fish bone; the dog wagging his tail; me sighing over a boring spreadsheet. It's nice to be reminded of how ridiculous we all are.
Before I leave for the UK next week I have another very cute baby to share on the blog...
So the countdown begins.... 25 days until we all reunite and most importantly get to meet Elmer!! And I agree... nine months is the cutest age!
(07.19.10 @ 06:01 AM)I see he's got some grass in his mouth, Dog piddle free i hope. Chewing on grass, this boy is going to be a real farmer. Now all we have to do is teach him to say 'aw schucks"
(07.19.10 @ 02:46 PM)It's so strange having a birthday in New Zealand. Getting presents in winter feels like Christmas to me!
So.. this year I had a lie in (big deal!), a cooked breakfast and then we walked a track just down the road from here by Sullivan's damn. Steven bought me super-rich chocolate cake which I am going to force down now with a bit of red wine. Yum.




I know... SO cute!
This time last year I was pregnant with Elmer, we ate out at a fancy restaurant and I was drooling over Steven's white wine. The year before we were in China eating noodles after a Peking Duck disaster. Hopefully next year I will be having a party in our BRAND NEW HOUSE!
Happy birthday! Looking forward to seeing the house take shape. A happy blog reader in Welly xx
(07.15.10 @ 11:27 PM)Happy belated birthday, Sinead! What a great idea to do a birthday blog each year - fab photos as ever. Elmer looks gorgeous.
(07.15.10 @ 11:32 PM)hey happy birthday Sinead! And happy travels too, will have to catch up when you get back (and its all hot and everything : )
(07.16.10 @ 10:10 AM)HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!! You had a lovely day by the sound of it and that track is lovely one to do with kids, we did it before Hunter was born and would love to do again in summer. We could all go together andhave a picnic.





oh my gosh look at him ooooh what a dude!! love his outfit...he's grown too, even a few weeks makes a difference though his outfit is very big boyish hee. miss you guys!!
(08.25.10 @ 12:19 AM)You're right there Liana! He's starting to look like a proper grownup little boy. You can see how he's changing. On skype he still looked the same but he was sitting down. It's the ever increasing height, at this rate he'll tower over me by the time he's four
(08.25.10 @ 07:44 PM)He really looks like you in this one Steven!
(08.25.10 @ 08:13 PM)