Travel and Wedding Photography in Turkey

Something else from New York....

2011-05-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Leaving LHR - and yes it's all HER baggage.

So, as you know, we were in New York (a while ago now) and I had this whacky, silly, stupid idea to take shots of my daughter's favourite soft toy in various locations. On her holidays I suppose. And there would be a few comments from the featured toy along the way. The idea was to post it on Facebook, which we managed to do when we got back, but then the password was forgotten and lost and likewise the email address to access the account for updates. (kids, huh?) Facebook then threatened to shut it down, as I kept trying with the wrong info, so I shut it down myself. So there.

At Bryant Park ice rink

Classic diner for breakfast

Now I have remembered all those cute shots - I'm going to take a risk here, and put them on my Blog instead. Maybe not such a 'professional' thing to do, but I think it's funny.

The star of all these photo's is called Little Nut Brown Hare - LTBH for short. Not sure why, but you can probably see for yourselves. She had a great vacation over in the Big Apple, and told all her friends when she got back home - I think they were a bit jealous though.

Outside the 'Friends' (series) apartment.

My favourite shot is when she is on the NYPD patrol car (see below) - looking like she's about to be arrested and thrown in the slammer for the night. The crime: loitering with intent, in the posession of a fat, furry tummy and floppy ears - extremely dangerous when in Times Square. Although the guy in the car seems to be laughing somewhat....

Next time, look out for the soft furry toy in other locations....Can't wait!

Hotel lobby

Hanging onto the Empire State

Off home with BA

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Just taking a rest stop officer........

And now for something completely different.....

2011-03-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

sunrise from the hotel window.

So, recently, I found my self in New York....And it was cold....

The first day there was grey, drizzly, damp. Great though for a spot of shopping and coffee drinking, along with a trip to the Metropolitan museum, which you actually need a week to explore, it's so huge. Luckily, just when I was losing the plot from artistic overload and aching feet, we came accross a lovely balcony cafe area, overlooking the main entrance hall, which served chilled white wine. What a lifesaver..... The walk back later through a snowy Central Park was so much more enjoyable and somehow had a bit of a fuzzy feeling around the edges. Lovely.

Day two arrived with fantastic weather for some photos- clear and blue (still cold), so a trip to the top of the Empire State building, in time for the sunset, was the plan. A bit busy, as I think a few other people had the same idea, good thinking!

In the next few days some shopping had to be done (rude not to), so we tackled Macy's later in the short trip - but be warned. At 8 stories high and two whole blocks long, even armed with an 'instore' map, you will end up getting lost. And I swear, I walked inside that building further than all my sightseeing wanderings that took place outside....

But there was one shop that I really enjoyed, and by chance it was just one block away from our hotel. (which is very close in New York standards). The B&H Photo Store. As they proudly say in their big expensive magazine adverts: 70,000 square feet of Gear. (Yahoo!) But strangely, I didn't get lost in that particular mega store, and I found loads of great kit, all shiny and new - all the latest 'must haves' for any aspiring photographer. Although there was a shed load of stuff that I wanted to walk away with, I managed to stay calm, be rational, and think of the price tag attached. So I came away with a couple of remote trancievers that will trigger a flash system from quite a distance. Through walls apparently. Haven't tried that yet. Planned for the next few days...

So, here are some of my favourite shots from our mini trip to New York in February 2011. Hope you like them. And by the way, a wierd thing happens when you are there for a few days - every morning you find yourself awake at 7am sharp, feeling all fresh and wonderful, and not tired at all. Very strange. I think it's called Jet Lag - great stuff! That is until you return back home and have to sleep for two whole days to get over it.....

The third recent wedding Gallery...

2011-01-25T04:17:00.000-08:00

This one is from May 2009 - although it doesn't look so obvious - it was HOT!

The weather I mean.....

The second wedding gallery

2011-01-25T04:04:00.000-08:00

This time from June 2009 - guess where?. No prizes - sorry, it's just too easy.....

Recent Wedding Galleries...

2011-01-25T03:41:00.000-08:00

Real weddings, real photos in the order they were taken. The aim is to tell the story of the day and the unfolding events, the nerves before and the relief afterwards....What fun!
Three very different weddings with three lovely stories to share.

The first is from September 2009, in Turkey - where else?!... The others will follow shortly.

On the road in Turkey..

2011-01-06T04:40:00.000-08:00

Following on from my last (and so far, only) blog, I'm sticking with the driving theme, and taking you down a few of my favourite roads in Turkey. Mainly to show you the fabulous views along the way and how rural it all is once you leave the comfortable confines of the tourist resorts behind. Although it's a vast country, and you may imagine that getting lost would be so easy in such a space, maps are not always essential. I find them useful mainly to find out what a particular mountain range in the distance is called, or maybe the hazy shimmer of a small nameless Greek island off the shore. Otherwise, you just follow the road. Because there usually is only one and no alternatives. If you want to go to Izmir/Antalya/Fethiye for example, just take the main road and you'll get there, with maybe a few photo stops along the way to slow you down.

After countless years of travelling down these same roads, I have come to know them very well, to the extent of how fast (or slow?) to take the corners, where the pot holes are and more importantly, where the police speed traps are. As they tend to sit in the same place each time. What a surprise! No wonder they look so bored....

A one legged farmer perhaps?

So here are a few shots of some of my favourite corners, usually with a beautiful view to distract your attention, which doesn't help when negotiating those hairpins. And some of the local residents as well, a common sight in the countryside. But there's something that I don't have any pictures of, and it seems to be something very strange going on out there on the highways. Where ever I go, invariably I will see lost shoes in the road. Not a pair, mind you, always just the one. Usually old, cheap and scruffy. So, here's the thing - are there loads of one legged farmers lurking in the fields not needing the extra shoe?And if not, how come these poor hardworking people can afford drop their one shoe and not bother to pick it up? All very strange!And then there are the trails of vegetables, which are also intriguing. You'll spot a lone tomato in the middle of the road, then, with regular intervals, a few of his mates along the way. This can go on for a fair few kilometers, which can be amusing if you are alone and very bored. Which I usually am. And for added interest, this trail could consist of aubergines instead, or perhaps satsumas, depending on the time of year. (Fruit is very seasonal here). In high summer the vegetarian road kill will often consist of huge lumps of ripe watermelon suitably splatted on the tarmac. Very colourful...

But as I mentioned, no photos to show you of this wonderful fruit salad road melange (oh, how French), but maybe next time I'm out and about, I might have a go. Meantime, enjoy the views!

Monday morning blog...But it's now evening. How did that happen.

2010-11-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a start: - to blog, or not to blog - that was the question, which has been bothering me for a while now. But it seems that everyone and anyone, plus their friends, are stuck in the blogosphere these days, so if you can't beat them...I think you know the end of that one. So this is my first attempt at blogging, with the aim of some light entertainment wherever possible along with a fair bit of plugging for my profession, as a freelance travel photographer. So be prepared for a few photos here and there and some other completely irrelevant content. Hopefully interesting...

Classic wedding car from Provence

Although I'm British, I live in a faraway exotic land, or at least it's quite far away from Britain, but maybe not so exotic when you get to live here. But at least every day is a bit of a challenge and getting to grips with a different culture is always a treat - but by culture, I don't mean the ancient monuments and classic ruins which abound in this area of the world - I mean just the every day life of a foreigner living in someone else's land.

Take driving, for example, one of my favourite topics since living here and the source of many tales and near misses. Plus countless swear words, shouted at full volume whilst in the confines of my own car. Phew..

Used to have one just like this - but no adverts..

Forget those safe white lines, smooth surface roads with proper lighting all around and even those very old fashioned 'cats eyes' to guide you on your way. Or maybe even a few cones - which I know is a popular topic back in the u.k. Over here I have managed learned how to drive the 'local' way -with my hand positioned over the horn at all times, eyes on the rear view mirror as well as the side mirror, just in case a wide eyed maniac may try to manouver a cunning stunt from either direction.. Checking for potholes which weren't there yesterday, and watching the driver in front who may perhaps occasionally indicate if he feels like it today, but if he does,it will invariably be right when he is actually turning left.Hmmm.

But at least I have learned to focus my 'assertive' (or is that aggressive perhaps?) driving skills since living here with no journey ever accused of being boring. Not like those lovely safe motorways you have back in the U.K...(yawn) No fun there. But there is an upside to all of the mayhem going on where I am (oh yes) - you can find yourself between the cities/towns, out in the wild open wilderness of the countryside and mountains, when there is the slow realisation that the road in front, as well as behind, is EMPTY. Imagine that!? Fantastic. Especially accompanied by a bit of top notch driving music. (Top Gear, eat your heart out - but I don't have a Ferarri).

Then the fun bit starts again when you hit the urban dwelling spaces - and people, bikes, kids, animals, not to mention the cars, start flying at you from every direction..Talk about the seat of your pants.

I have added a few car shots to go along with this opening blog - but not from the country where I live. These are way too civilised...Food was good there too...

More to come later.

My New Wedding Photography Website

2010-11-25T12:08:00.000-08:00

In March this year I launched my new Wedding Photography Website as a website dedicated to photographing your special day. This is a new web site in addition to my main travel photography website.

I hope you enjoy the website and find the services useful.