Novemberwedding in Hamburg

Really, how can one have a wedding in the rainy month of November? The sun goes down early and if one has bad luck the weather is cold and rainy. No blue sky, no sunshine. This description fits on this wedding and again does not at the same time. Stephie und Tymek decided themselves to get married in November and brought sunshine by themselves to this day with a lot of cheerfulness. These two are the best example that it does not come down to external circumstances but to the bridal couple. The story of their wedding already began earlier: This summer they married in Las Vegas at the one and only „Elvis“, who has the license to marry. But the wedding in November was supposed to be a little bit less trashy.

Thanks to the date being so far towards the end of the year, there were no other marriage ceremonies on this day. This was especially fortunately as Tymek had forgotten the rings at the hotel and had to back to get them. The hotel is worth to be mentioned, too, of course: The couple stayed at the Moevenpick Hotel. There, in the tower suite, they spent their wedding night and got ready before the big appearance. This 4 star hotel is located in an old water tower in the Sternschanzenpark and the view from the suite on the city is simply incomparable.

Stephie’s dress somehow reminded me of the music video Novemberrain from Guns N‘ Roses, although the dress in that video is a little bit more 80’s style. Therefore the wedding in November matched again after all. Following the marriage ceremony we went to the Speicherstadt and took the portray photos in the approaching dusk. Very helpful in this situation was my LED-videolight, which I learned to love in the months during winter. My colleague Nils supported me during the shooting.

After that, the party took place in a place called „Altes Zollamt“. It was organized by the people from Nordevent, who did a great job as they always do. Following the outstanding food, DJ Ivo helped to create the right party atmosphere. The wedding cake and the sweet „sins“ were brought by Zuckermonarchie.

Did I forget something? Yes. I would like to know: Would you marry in November and if yes, why?

Traditional Sikh Wedding in Coventry

In June, I ended up working several times abroad, including two times in England. The bridal couple married straight away two times, first time in a „classical“ English ceremony and a second time the Indian way in a traditional Sikh ceremony. This was the first time I encountered an Indian wedding and I really enjoyed it. Of course, it rained the whole day. But that’s just the way it is in England…

Wedding in Hedingham Castle

This year I had a chance to photograph an English couple again. These two I have even photographed twice. Once they have married „traditionally English“ in Hedingham Castle in Essex, the second marriage was Indian. My reportage of the sikh ceremony will follow in a separate blog post. Hedingham Castle is located in Essex, just 100km north-east of London in a picturesque English countryside. I was picked up from the hotel by Betty, my British colleague, with whom I will photograph all english weddings in the future. Luckily I did not have to drive on the „unusual“ left side ;-)

In the old norman castle, build in the year 1140, there was the largest preserved norman vault hall in Europe. The wedding ceremony was held in this beautiful hall with candlelight. Near the castle there was an old manor house that offered a beautiful view of the gardens and lake. During the reception I photographed the portraits there and then we went to the tent behind the house for dinner.

Love walk

The other day in Hamburg, I had visitors from Paris who I was meeting to talk about their wedding in Chianti. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Review of 2011’s Photography

The „Best of 20**“ postings are always piling up in the blogs of the colleagues at the end of the year. What what is actually „Best of“? Is the rest then just „fine“? It reminds me all these casting-shows, where they compare artists with each other till there is only one left. But is it actually possible to press art, photography and music in such a evaluative, upon its technical and creative level, concept?

I say no. As we know, we can always fight about taste. I find it very difficult to classify and to evaluate some photographs better then the others. Especially wedding photographs have their very personal value, even within one family there are different favorites. Granny surely prefers another picture, then the wedding couple.

That is why I name the year-overview not the „Best of“, but an expedition through the year. Wedding photography divided in engagement- and couple-shootings, details and decoration and the flow of the day.

I had a chance to accompany lots of wonderful couples, was on Sylt many times, as well as in Essex, London, Faarborg (Denmark), Berlin, Kassel, Nordheim, Hamburg, Lüneburg and Glücksburg.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Free spirit

A freed spirit is beautiful, but who achieved that? In the hotel Freigeist („Free Spirit“) in Northeim you might find some help, it is an oasis in the middle of a big forrest. I shot there the amazing wedding of Mona and Martin, with many Best Men and Bridesmaids giving the wedding a soft international touch. Best men and Bridesmaids are not very common in Germany.