Wedding Photography at Britwell House, Oxfordshire

One Snowy Day in Spring…

Laura & Fred basked in the hot sunshine of March 2012 and decided to set their wedding date for a year later.  Spring 2013 however didn’t materialise.  By the time the big day arrived winter was still clinging on stubbornly with its icy fingers.  We did what Brits do best; sleeves were rolled up, last minute weather related adjustments were made and a stiff upper lip was displayed by all. The weather simply enhanced the excitement and created a sparkling, magical atmosphere. Everyone snuggled in safely for the ceremony and Laura gracefully arrived at Fred’s side.  Serene and smiling throughout, Laura was determined to keep calm and carry on with our plans for the photographs.  Donning her practicle boots and armed with a huge surge of adrenalin, Laura hitched up her dress and strode down the steps of Britwell House to play in the snow with her new husband. None of us felt the cold as we took in the beautiful gardens and marvelled at the beauty of the house dressed in white.

This was one of those unique days where fate played its part…Britwell House is a fairytale venue for a wedding. Laura & Fred are a fairytale couple & a true joy to be around.  And the snow made the fairytale complete, the frosting on the cake.

To see more of Laura & Fred’s Snowy Wedding Day click here

Wedding Greeting Card

Britwell House

Wedding Shoes on Swan

Wedding Flowers

Bridesmaids Hands

Usher

Wedding Ceremony

Bride and Groom

Bridesmaids

Bride and Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids on the stairs

iPhone Wedding Photo

Snow Wedding

Snowy Wedding

Snow Kiss

Bride

Bridesmaid

Bride

Bride & Groom in the Snow

Audi Wedding Car outside Stately Home

Book Cover Artwork – Kelly Jo Photography

The Empire Cinema lives once more

What a wonderful thing.  I’m so excited and in awe of how fate works.  An author over in America is having his book published and was looking for an image for his front cover.  The image of my beloved Empire Cinema in Bridgetown, Barbados, came to his attention and he immediately wanted it for the book.  Today I have ceremoniously handed the image over to the publisher and off it goes….all ready to be famous.  The book is to be published in July and when I manage to acquire a copy I shall of course be showing it off to all and sundry.  Here’s the image which featured in a earlier post all about the precious, hauntingly beautiful Empire.

The Empire Cinema, Barbados

Frosty Day

A moment to reflect

It was -5c when I left the house at 7am this morning.  Foggy motorway, spluttering & chugging cold engine of my poor old car, slippery lanes.  But then the sun came out and I was surrounded by a sparkly winter wonderland.  I got to my job on time, a beautiful location shoot at The Crown, Playhatch, near Reading.  I was photographing gorgeous sofas and chairs for an upholstery company – all sumptuous velvets and decadence.

When I left I followed the cross country route to take in the spectacular scenery.  For a change I took my time and found a beautiful scene near Watlington.  It really does feed the soul to have some photographic ‘me’ time.  I love Winter.

 

The Empire Cinema, Bridgetown, Barbados

Waiting patiently to be beautiful again

I just had to show you some of what I’ve been getting involved with out here in Barbados. I’ve blogged before about what was the old Empire Cinema in Bridgetown and want to tell you a little more about it. I had passed by this jaw-droppingly beautiful building many times over the years and one day couldn’t resist the urge to get inside to photograph. Since then I’ve been back to photograph several times & I have donated the images to a very special foundation created to save the majestic Empire. The photographs have been used on their website and in their promotional material.

BEAT Barbados are tirelessly campaigning to bring the Empire back and plan to transform it into a state of the art yet sympathetically restored centre for performing arts. If it goes ahead, The Empire could be the leading entertainment venue in the Caribbean! CEO and Founder of BEAT Barbados, Jim McGowan (seen below exploring the projection room in inappropriate footwear for such an activity) has dedicated the past two years of his life to persuading government to back his proposal, along with getting plenty of financial backing to make this happen. Some extremely well known celebrities are among those championing the project. The Empire is causing a real buzz in its own crumbly, silent and patient way.

As we stand, the Barbados Government is considering two proposals, The Empire – Theatre & Performing Arts Centre or….The Empire – A Micro Brewery. What do you think? Feel free to comment below, hope you like the images and find out more at BEAT Barbados here…

The Empire Cinema, Barbados

The Projection Room high up in the balcony.

When the Empire was originally a theatre this was through the left stage door. You can just make out a hand painted movie poster from the seventies on the right.

The side view of The Empire. If BEAT gets the go-ahead there will be a beautiful atrium added to this side of the building along with a gorgeous open plan space to breeze around in during the interval…

Stage Door

One of the three doors ‘backstage’, you can see the existing original balcony through the open doorway. The balcony would be sympathetically restored complete with new contemporary bar, cafe and rooftop terrace.

This is one of the old ticket ‘offices’.

Up in the projection room we found the old switch for opening and closing the curtains for the cinema screen.

The Empire Cinema Barbados

Some original seats up in the right hand side of the balcony. The Empire has lost a lot of its roof making it rather rotten and treacherous.  Standing there I could imagine the place crying out for help…I know, I get very emotionally attached.

Jim McGowan spending time in the place that has taken over his life for the past two years. With Jim’s passion, excitement and sheer tenacity this dream could become reality, giving Barbados & its people a place to be really proud of.

What do you think should happen to The Empire?  Speak your mind below…

HDR Photography – Boat Graveyard, Barbados

I had driven past this collection of sorry old tugs in Barbados several times but when I spotted ‘Ocean Kelly’ for sale I decided to stop and add these beauties to my collection of all things crumbly in HDR.  They make me feel sad but simultaneously hyper.  There is something about objects that were once important and the pinnacle of someone’s life, now totally abandoned and washed up, that makes me feel like I want to cry.  But then, they DO make good photos….

HDR Image of a wrecked fishing boat

Ocean Kelly Old Fishing Boat

HDR Image of a Old Fishing Boat, Barbados

 

 

 

Richard & Liz’s Wedding Day

The Tythe Barn, Launton – Oh, such a perfect day

 

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The anticipation had been building for weeks and finally Richard & Liz’s big day arrived on the 19th November.  I won’t beat around the bush, these two are totally bonkers. We’d had great fun mucking around at The Tythe Barn in Launton a couple of weeks before and I knew their day was going to be one to remember.  It all started perfectly with bright blue skies, chilly but gorgeous.  Liz made the rather splendid decision to stay in The Dovecote at Manor Farm next to the barn and that’s where I found her that morning, surrounded by her ladies.  Much beautifying occurred and merriment/sandwiches were had by all.  In the meantime, back at The Barn the lovely boys did a conga for me and showed off their personalised socks with pride.  The groom seemed relaxed and ready, the bride seemed relaxed and….late.  But soon she was galloping down the aisle and the rest is history, preserved with love by me and my camera of course.  This was one of those weddings where I really was sad to leave.  These lovebirds had simply invited me to photograph their wedding but as I left I felt like one of the family.  I’ll never forget this day and I wish Richard and Liz all the happiness they deserve.

Contact me for more information on Wedding Photography at the Tythe Barn Launton

HDR Photography Project – a sneak preview

The Empire Cinema, Bridgetown, Barbados.

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I’ve been working on a project for the past year and breaking from my norm.  It’s still in progress and I’m building up a body of work that’s going to be released to the world perhaps next year.  But I wanted to give you a sample of what to expect.  The images are HDR photography (High Dynamic Range) and I layer 5 identical images together taken at different exposures.  The result is very dramatic.  To add to this I’m obsessed with derelict buildings and this type of photography works rather well in such places. Textures, shadows, light and colours I find are rich and unique in these haunting, eerie, bewitching places. I’ve been lucky enough to explore and photograph such locations both at home and overseas.  Let’s start off with this one…the Empire Cinema in Bridgetown, Barbados. It started life as a theatre back in 1907 and was closed in the 1970s.  It’s in a terrible state of repair but still so beautiful and hopefully it will be restored one day. Please let me know what you think!