The Blog

Wrest park is one of Britains largest and most important 'secret gardens' its a place I love to photograph. I've shot here many times before,  but this session was a little bit of fun working with an amazing new and upcoming Make up artist, and a couple of designers I love. The Wisteria was in full bloom and made a perfect setting for this colourful dress with it's splash of green and yellow. It was amazing to see Chantelle at work applying the colourful make up that fitted the volumous dress by Louise O'Mahoney. Bespoke jewellry was made and supplied by Under a Glass Sky, the vintage buttons just looked adorable. Please take a peek at something I did during some time off shooting Weddings.

The bridge is always a favourite spot with visitors, wide and graceful, surrounded by amazing planting, it does just make you want to skip over it.

The Wisteria in the Pear orchard is just a fantastic sight...its 180 years old and all from one plant.

Massive thanks to Wrest Park, for letting me take these photos. I highly recommend Chantelle her skills are amazing and will definately be working with her again.

Model Ellen

Dress Louise O'Mahoney 
Make up and hair Chantelle Quince
Accesories Under a Glass Sky 

Sharon Cooper is a Hitchin based Wedding and portrait photographer, who specialises in creative, emotive and fun location photography.

Emma and Richard are two people who are just meant to be together.  They wished for a relaxed wedding surrounded by all their loved ones, the sun shone and so did their smiles.  The venue they chose was beautiful South Farm, filled with animals and gypsy caravans, the gardens are jam packed with beautiful flowers and it's surrounded by open fields. It was an absolute pleasure to capture this amazing and love filled day. Their words for each other and tenderness just knocked me sideways. The speeches were the most moving Ive ever heard, I shed a tear or two from behind my camera. Emma made a beautiful bride in her divine Jenny Packham dress and hot pink cat-jewel and flower encrusted irregular choice shoes. Rich said over and over he was the luckiest man in the world to have her as his bride. The flowers were divine, hot pink peonies and roses.  The table decorations were each a unique assortment of objects, thoughfully chosen for those sitting on each table, ranging from a pile of books to subbuteo players. The bride had written a touching, personalised message to each and every guest on the reverse of their place setting label. The room was decorated with printed photos of the couple with words quoted from various books.  The music loving couple had chosen their favourite records for the table numbers and made a 'chart rundown' to list the table plan. The whole relaxed day ran smoothly and happily with the great help of the amazing team at South Farm.

Instant photography is something they both love, there was stacks of film for everyone to enjoy.  Their hand made postbox - cute with E for Emma and R for Richard. 

Bride's Dress : Jenny Packham

Bride's Shoes : Irregular Choice
Flowers : Stephanie Rose
Cake : Made by James
Venue : South Farm

This is a selection of the images from the day, family and friends can view the online gallery, password is available from Emma or Rich.

Sharon Cooper is a Hitchin based Wedding and portrait photographer, who specialises in creative, emotive and fun location photography.

I hope you enjoyed this visual recap of the day, does it tell the story? I hope so, please let me know what you think.

Talented graphic artist Katerina put her amazing skill and artistry to her very own Wedding invitation. A beautiful hand made book, for her 'Hotch Potch' Wedding, with stitched pockets, mis-matched ribbon and jam packed with the loveliest sentiments laid out in the most exquisite and creative way. 

One of my favourite pages, has to be the 'What to Bring' page...

Wellies, jellies,

feather eyelashes and stick on taches.

Ponchos, parasols,

dancing shoes and stick on tattoos.

Flip-flops, lollipops,

fairy wings and Singapore Slings.

Sun hats, fun hats,

Doritos and mojitos.

Maracas, prawn crackers,

crate of ale and a racing snail.

Picnic rug, furry snug.

a bright pink sari, and a bottle of barcardi.

Milky bar, folk guitar.

oh what the hell, a movie star!

I literally shed a tear when I read that this special message to the ladies.

"Over the years I have been so lucky to be part of your life. Your love and strength has carried me through life's ups and downs. I have one request for my wedding day. As I step forward to join with Pablo, I would like to hold in my hands a bouquet of flowers, one of which comes from you. So please bring with you a single flower or foliage. No particular colour or species, just one of your choice"
How beautiful that each bloom will make an amazing 'Hotch-Potch' bouquet.

Derek and Diana have their very own wardrobe, with clothes for those invited to cut out and decorate, then the bride will compile the  images on a wedding website.

What an amazing work of art, I want to look at it over and over again....

Katerina is a graphic designer using  visual communication incorporating type, colour, shape, photography, illustration, painting, and digital imagery. Her design strengths lie in an eclectic, illustrative style, which feature predominately in the logo portfolio as well as in her wedding collection.   She creates eclectic, eccentric, whimsical, wedding stationery and strong, clean, elegant graphic design.

Photographed in Hitchwood bluebells
Thanks to Felix for loan of the folk guitar

Which page is your favourite and what ideas do you have for your own wedding invitation, Id love to hear, leave me your reply in the comments... :)

Sharon Cooper is a Hitchin based Wedding and portrait photographer, who specialises in creative, emotive and fun location photography.

The Bluebell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air:
It's blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit's care

I love wild bluebells and have been photographing them for years, these bluebell woods are captivating and send me giddy with excitement. The canopy overhead affects the blooms and the range in colours.  Much later flowers this year, yet as spectacular as ever. With a carpet of blue, the beech trees allow the dappled light through to make a magnificent show.  This shoot features Maddy, the bluebells with outfits and accesories supplied by Jolly Brown Vintage and Tatty Devine.

The ever changing light dance through the leaves overhead and produce a range of completely different colours. From vibrant cold blues and greens one moment, to pretty warmer tones another.  All part of the adventure, listening to wood pidgeons as the sunlight danced creating colours, magic and life. 

Maddy's pretty curls and dip-dyed ends looked amazing with the vibrant colours.

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Model:Maddy
Styling:Hannah, Jolly Brown

Clothing & Accessories, Jolly Brown
Jewellry: Tatty Devine from Jolly Brown
Boots: Top Shop

Big thanks to Maddy and Hannah. Have you got a favourite place you love to return to over and over, perhaps at a particular time of the year? Id love to hear about it, please leave me a comment here..

Sharon Cooper is a Hitchin based Wedding and portrait photographer, who specialises in creative, emotive and fun location photography.