I have known Debbie for a number of years; we first met after her sister Angela booked me to photographer here wedding back in 2011. Debbie who was a keen amateur photographer at the time had taken a look at my website and was impressed with some of my images. So much so she phoned and asked if there was any chance she could assist me with a wedding shoot. She was keen to see what was involved and learn for the experience. I am always impressed when people show initiative and a willingness to learn so had no hesitation inviting her along to my next booked wedding. Debbie assisted me for a full year and had a great eye for detail and composition. She consistently captured images I had missed or didn’t see during the day; exactly what an assistant/2nd shoot should be doing. Debbie had to hang up her camera and take a step back from weddings when she fell pregnant with their daughter Penny. She did however get in touch straight away when Grant popped the question to make sure I was available to photograph their special day. The venue was to be the House for the Art Lover in Bellahouston park in Glasgow. For those who do not know this building was designed in 1900 for a competition by the famous Scottish architect/designer Charles Rennie Macintosh. For 90 years Mackintosh’s concept remained merely that, an unrealised design on paper, until 1989 when Graham Roxburgh, the Consulting Engineer, who had been responsible for restoring the Mackintosh interiors in nearby Craigie Hall had the idea to build the House for an Art Lover.
The House for an Art Lover
The idea of House for an Art Lover
The idea was to create an elegant country retreat for a person of taste and culture. Mackintosh’s imaginary client was someone who enjoyed lavishly entertaining his guests in sophisticated surroundings and in great style and this certainly hit the mark for Debbie and Grant’s big day.
Debbie started the day getting ready at her parent house, the only fly in the ointment was that the florist had delivered the wrong flowers, however the right ones did turn up on the eleventh hour returning the stress back to a more manageable level.
The ceremony was held in the music room which provided an extravaganza in white, rose, violet and green, with metallic silver and gold. With the warm afternoon sunshine creating patterns of the window panes and creating lovely warm rich lighting conditions for me to photograph the service in. After the service everyone went out to explore the grounds were I used the mature gardens as the backdrop for the group shots. I then took the newly married couple for a walk around the rest of the grounds including the walled garden for some more romantic shots.
The rest of the day went without a hitch even down to the fact that Penny (at only 20 months) decided it was time for a nap just before the speeches and the meal; meaning mum and dad could relax and enjoy the food.
The evening reception got off to a good start with the DJ filling the room with lively music and with people taking the opportunity to fill the black and white checked dance floor.
