Wedding Archives - Event and Wedding Photography

Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Karl — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:22:47 +0000

Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

I’ve photographed more Kettering Park Hotel weddings than any other venue. Mark, the groom, called me with less than three weeks to go ahead of his wedding to Vera.

It was never going to be a long booking. Mark described it as being a very minimalist wedding – they weren’t even going to exchange rings! For most of the lead up, they were going to do it without a photographer at all!

Mark & his now wife Vera are heading off overseas to celebrate their marriage in style with family and friends, and that was what their main focus was on. But, they eventually came to realise that they would like some pictures of the important people in their life on their official wedding day. And that’s where I came in.

Here comes the bride – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Kettering Park Hotel – Wedding Build-Up

A day out from the wedding, the forecast was absolutely horrific. The apps gave a 70%+ chance of precipitation every hour until 7pm. The ceremony was scheduled to take place at 4pm.

Kettering Park Hotel – Wedding Day

As the day itself progressed, though, there was hope. It would be tight, but it looked like it might even be dry enough for the ceremony to take place outside!

By the time I arrived at Kettering Park Hotel, the sun was shining and there were large patches of blue. All the weather apps were saying that once it stopped raining, that would be it for the day.

I met Mark and his family in the bar area. In all my many instances of photographing weddings and events at Kettering Park Hotel, I’d never done one in the Harrowden Room before. Mark showed me the way.

The Groom and his Best Man – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

As we walked back out from the room, he noticed the sky for himself, and we wandered up to the outdoor ceremony area to work out just how much effort it would take to make it outdoor wedding ready – they only had 15 guests after all.

Mark went off to try to find the KPH person responsible for running the day with a view to asking them to switch to outdoors. As it turned out, he hadn’t managed to do so by the time the registrars were ready to see him, so that ensured it was an indoor ceremony.

Kettering Park Hotel – Bride’s Arrival

Vera and her girlies were still to arrive, but they weren’t far behind. We did some arrival shots and they then shared a bottle of bubbles in front of the fire place.

Vera shows off the back of her wedding dress outside Kettering Park Hotel

The Bride and her Maid of Honour – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Black and white shot of Vera posing on the Kettering Park Hotel stairs

Pre-ceremony bubbles – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Pre-ceremony chill in front of the Kettering Park Hotel fire place

Unannounced, the Father of the Bride appears from nowhere and gets his first look at his daughter on her wedding day

The Father of the Bride grabbing a quick pre-wedding ceremony picture of his daughter – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Then it was Vera’s turn to be interviewed.

I headed back in the direction of Mark and the rest of the party, all of whom were outside and loving the sunshine.

Kettering Park Hotel – Harrowden Room Wedding Ceremony

It wasn’t long before they were all seated in the Harrowden Room ahead of the wedding ceremony. The gorgeous flowers on the registrar’s table had been lovingly put together by the family.

Beautiful flowers curated by the families of the bride and groom

Being German, Vera had asked for both herself and Mark to be seated for the formalities – apparently this is the norm for German weddings!

A cheeky peck on the cheek from the Groom – Kettering Park Wedding Photographer

Reassuring hand holding during the wedding ceremony

Mark had promised that it would be a short and sweet wedding ceremony, and it certainly was, but, before it had concluded, the heavens absolutely opened outside! What a lucky escape we’d had!

We did it! – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Arms were raised in the air as the newlyweds prepared to head back down the aisle, and out into the under-cover garden area, where more bubbles awaited them.

Yes! Bride and Groom celebrations – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Kettering Park Hotel – Outdoor Wedding Drinks Reception

The rain continued to fall, but we remained optimistic we’d be able to get outside and get some shots in the garden.

An arm around the shoulder from the Groom to his new Father-in-Law

I’ve got competition! – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Post-ceremony catch-ups – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding

Happy Couple & Group Shots

The optimism waned a little for a time, but eventually it did stop, and we got some very cute couple shots and all the necessary group shots before it started to rain again.

Mark & Vera were great sports and really good fun on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Mark & Vera were great sports and really good fun on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Relaxed couples pictures – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

The Groom holds his new wife aloft on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

A brief break in the rain for some quick group shots – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Back under cover, where people chatted and caught up, and a few more pics were taken.

As things started to wind down and guests started to head off towards the venue where they’d spend the rest of the day, the sun put in a proper appearance.

Vera holds her stunning artificial bouquet – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Mark and Vera were keen to take advantage. Vera assured me that the sun being in her eyes (something I would normally try to avoid due to the usual squinting that ensues), she was more than happy to “burn her retinas out”, so that’s what we did!

The bride shows off her beautiful outfit – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

“You’re next!” – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding

Always Book a Wedding Photographer!

It had only been a booking of a couple of hours, but it delivered a lot, and I’d like to think that Mark & Vera were happy that they’d decided to have a photographer present after all Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

It was lovely to meet Mark & Vera on their wedding day. Here’s wishing them all the very best for the future!

Looking for a Short-Duration Wedding Photographer?

While I’m not able to accept such short bookings a long time in advance, please don’t be afraid to get in touch to enquire about my availability if you’re still searching for a wedding photographer with only a handful of weeks to go before your big day. If I can help, I will!

More Information

If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

For more information on what happens when you decide you want me to photograph your wedding, please see: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work

While every wedding is different, there are certain elements which are usually broadly similar. Take a look at a typical wedding day to get a feel for the primarily documentary wedding photography style I’m likely to employ for your big day.

There’s much more work involved in photographing a wedding than just rocking up and taking the pictures. I’ve put together this guide to explain why wedding photography can seem expensive but it’s really not.

And if you are still on the hunt for your perfect snapper, here’s a list of questions you should ask a wedding photographer before making your mind up.

Try Before You Buy Wedding Photography – For a limited time only

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The NEXT Evolution of Karl Drage Photography

Karl — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:52:12 +0000

My photography seems to be on a constantly-evolving journey, which, in my opinion, is the way it should be. Stand still, and you run the risk of going stale. As such, I’m always on the lookout for new techniques, ideas, and simply different (usually better) ways of doing things. So what does the future look like, and how did we get here?

The Start of the New Journey

After starting to make the switch to mirrorless cameras at the end of March 2022, I photographed a wedding a couple of months later and became quite disillusioned while editing the pictures. The converted RAW files that Lightroom had churned out from the bridal prep part of the day (admittedly in quite a dark room) were as noisy as anything. They were horrible. I did some reading around and discovered that this issue was not unique to me!

To cut a long story short, I ended up incorporating a new piece of software into my workflow. For a while, it was a massive learning curve, and it added days onto the already-lengthy process of editing a full wedding. BUT the main thing was that I was far happier with the output. Not only did the edited images now meet the standards I expected, they actually far and away exceeded them.

You’ll have to wait to see what this one is, if it makes the final cut for 2024

Digital or Print?

Ironically, this left me somewhat disillusioned in another way. We have become a generation who are quite happy to view things at little more than thumbnail size on our phones on social media etc. Pretty much anything looks good at that size (and if it doesn’t, it must be REALLY bad).

Google actually punishes us photographers if the quality of our images impacts the speed at which our websites load – we appear lower in search results as a consequence!

We spend so much time and money trying to produce the highest quality imagery that we can, only for it to then have 90% of that goodness compressed out of it in order for it to be sharable and likely to be seen by potential clients on the internet. It makes no sense.

The Answer is Print

As a direct result, I have found myself printing an awful lot more. Not only that, I have started printing bigger. I have never understood the point of printing photos at 6×4 (you’re wasting so many pixels and therefore details), and with the quality we are able to output today, it makes even less sense. Big prints look incredible!

There will be an acrylic fronted photo album in my 2024 product offerings

New Print Products

I have started to purchase sample products from a number of print houses that I’d never previously used. Over the last few weeks, the products have started to arrive, and some of them have literally blown me away. They convey the image quality I am looking to show perfectly and are presented in truly beautiful ways. These are heirloom products that will stand the test of time.

2024’s Offering

I’m still to finalise precisely what I want my final offering to look like, but it’s fair to say that stunning, high-quality print products are going to feature prominently in my packages in 2024, across all genres I photograph. It’s time to step things up.

This lovely folio box is one of the items that will almost certainly featuring in my 2024 product offering. Check back next year to find out what’s inside!

The images attached to this post are little more than teasers of some of the items I intend to offer. There will be plenty of new wall art products, too. There are still plenty more items on order that might prompt a slight rethink. Check back in early in 2024 to find out what made the final cut!

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St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Karl — Mon, 22 May 2023 13:55:55 +0000

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

A recommendation from a guest (always a very satisfying way to land a booking) who had seen me work at another wedding led to me photographing Laura & Robbie’s St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham Wedding.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – History

St. Leonard’s Church in Rockingham is a historic church that can trace its origins back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest surviving structures in the area.

The church was originally built as a chapel to Rockingham Castle, a nearby Norman castle. It was dedicated to St. Leonard, the patron saint of prisoners and captives. Over the centuries, the church underwent several renovations and expansions, reflecting the changing architectural styles and needs of the community.

During the medieval period, St. Leonard’s Church served as a place of worship for the residents of Rockingham village and the castle’s inhabitants. The church’s notable features include a Norman doorway and parts of the original 12th-century structure. The interior boasts beautiful stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork, and medieval wall paintings.

In the 16th century, during the English Reformation, St. Leonard’s Church, like many others, underwent significant changes. The church embraced Protestantism, and elements of Catholic worship were removed. However, some medieval features were preserved.

Over the following centuries, the church continued to be an important centre for religious and community life. It witnessed further alterations and additions, including a Victorian restoration in the 19th century, which enhanced the church’s architectural grandeur.

St. Leonard’s Church stands as a testament to the enduring history and religious significance of Rockingham village. It remains an active place of worship, hosting regular services and special events. Its rich architectural heritage and historical significance make it a notable landmark and a cherished part of the local community.

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Wedding Day

As I’m sure you’ve probably noticed, the first four months of 2023 have been largely rubbish, weather wise. May started no differently, with showers and the odd smattering of sun pretty much omnipresent in weather forecasts, and those conditions were prevalent again for Laura & Robbie’s big day.

Laura had decided she didn’t want any of her bridal prep photographing, so I went straight to the church (conditions were amazing), where I was joined soon after by Robbie and his groomsmen.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

As guests began to arrive, I became aware that the bridesmaids (one of whom was responsible for my recommendation) had been dropped off by the castle, so I headed off up there to make sure I was in the right place to capture Laura’s arrival.

Guest arrivals – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

We took some more pictures of all the girls together before I grabbed some shots of them making their way to the church. The sky was seriously dramatic, too, but thankfully dry where we were.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Bridal bouquet by Sanbella Bespoke Floral Design

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Wedding Ceremony

With Robbie and the rest of the guests already tucked away in the church, it was time to get married!

Suddenly it gets very real! St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Conducting the beautiful ceremony was Revd Canon Ian Pullinger. Everything went perfectly, and before we knew it, Laura & Robbie had become husband and wife – well, wife and husband, technically, I suppose!

Revd Canon Ian Pullinger – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

One particularly ornate area of the church was the Funerary Chapel, where Laura & Robbie completed their paperwork. The bright, vibrant colours of the stained-glass window were particularly pleasing to the eye.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Confetti & Group Shots

We just about (physically!) managed to squeeze in a group shot of all the guests, before we did the confetti walk.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Confetti Time – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

After that, we broke down into smaller groups, releasing those who we were finished with to make their way to the reception venue.

Group photos outside St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

The backdrop was lovely shooting away from the church.

The groom & his groomsmen – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

The bride and her mum – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Laura & her sister – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Once we were done, we walked back towards the castle and the cars, periodically stopping to grab a few more pictures of the newlyweds. The skies remained dramatic all around, but thankfully dry with us. The scenery around there is so lovely.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Reception

Further down the hill, guests had gathered for Laura & Robbie’s wedding reception in the lovely village hall.

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

An amazing grazing platter at a Rockingham Village Hall wedding reception

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

The outdoor space is really pretty, and there are quite a few things for the children to play on. The weather did temporarily take a turn for the worse, but it soon improved again.

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

The wonder of backlighting – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall has a balcony inside, from which you can get some interesting shots of people just relaxing and having a good time. The particularly nice thing about this location is that there are fairy lights strung across the room, and with a bit of playing around, you can create some really cool shots in camera (no need to add things after in Photoshop!) – especially if you’re shooting with a long lens!

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Mr & Mrs – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Laura & Robbie cut their wedding cake, and I grabbed a few shots of their rings placed carefully on Laura’s beautiful bouquet (the flowers were by Victoria Martin at Sanbella Bespoke Floral Design).

Laura & Robbie’s gorgeous wedding cake – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Bridal bouquet + Wedding rings – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Cutting the cake – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

And that was me done! It had been a gorgeous few hours, and I was really please with what we got out of it.

Wishing Laura & Robbie all the very best for long, healthy and happy lives together.

SEARCHING FOR YOUR OWN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

For more information on what happens when you decide you want me to photograph your wedding, please see: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work

I’ve also put together this wedding photography FAQ list and my responses – Questions you should ask a wedding photographer!

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