Stefie & Jan //Irish Destination Elopement

Stefie and Jan's story has captured everyone's imagination.

When they realised that most of their friends and family weren't able to make it to their wedding in Germany earlier this year, they had to call the whole thing off. Although bitterly disappointed, they decided to turn the situation into a positive, and began to plan a romantic elopement during their honeymoon in Ireland. Their closest family and friends flew from all over the world to a tiny beach on the north coast of Ireland, to take part in one of the most personal, unique and heartfelt ceremonies we've ever had the honour of photographing.

Working with Stefie and Jan, and their little daughter Maya, has been one of the highlights of our year. Stefie is a photographer too, and somehow we just always seemed to be on the same wavelength. She was so far removed from a back-seat photographer, and just let us do our thing while she lived in the moment of her day. When a couple trusts the way you see the world, it always sparks your creativity more, makes you want to work harder, push further and give them something deserving of their trust.

This day was Stefie and Jan's vision. Stefie made a lot of things herself - the cake, the flowers, the details... But she was also helped by the wedding guru that is Grace and Saviour. Shevaun Rafferty did a really beautiful job with the ceremony, working in English, French and German on a cold and windy beach. Annabel and The Love My Dress community provided support and inspiration, and you can see how Stefie's story unfolds on their blog - starting with sadness, and transforming into gratitude and happiness.

//featured on Love My Dress

tags: This Modern Love, destination wedding photographers europe 

Duke Special //Oh Pioneer

Thought we'd show some different work today..

It's a privilege to have been involved in the wonderful world of Duke Special since it's beginning. I'm proud of the years of artwork produced as a result of a long-term collaboration with the brilliant design mind that is Sparks. Together we've designed and art-worked nearly every Duke Special book, CD, DVD, t-shirt, box-set, poster, badge and coffee mug out there.

Which brings us to Duke Special's latest studio album 'Oh Pioneer'. Partly inspired by a Will Cather novel of the same name, it's a very personal collection of songs on themes of adventure, exploration & the search for meaning. Inspired by the maps of old explorers, the CD design includes a fold out sea-chart where each song is its own typographical island to explore.

We made most of the album and promo photographs in a very cold February field, just outside Belfast. We had to shoot quickly, with frozen hands and wet feet, in the last of the winter sun. Turns out we'd make pretty bad explorers.

This is a brilliant record. You can get it from iTunes here.

& here's a previous post about making a Duke Special animation.

T

Trish & Francis //Giant's Causeway Moonscape

Trish and Francis came to Ireland from Hong Kong for a destination engagement shoot. After we'd spent the day roaming the wilds of the north coast, we wound up at the Giant's Causeway as the sun was setting.

As we stood in the car park Trish casually mentioned that she'd like to change into another dress. We'd no idea it was going to be this one! And then out from the suitcase came a bouquet (handmade by Trish's mum) and a sharp black suit. Wow! (we love surprises)

Although their Hong Kong wedding isn't until later this year, we didn't have time to explain to the last tourists and landscape photographers at the Causeway that evening, and accepted more than a few congratulations... What a perfect ending to the adventure.

This shoot is featured on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings today. You can read more about Trish and Francis' story there.