greg's blog

Well maybe it's not top secret - but - it is truly awesome!

I caught up with Janice and Stu ahead of their upcoming wedding on a Battleship! how cool is that! (i'll be bringing my travel battleships to use during the ceremony and everything)

Anyway - We had a blast and jumped in muddy puddles and generally had fun...

This one sums up the shoot for me... more to come of course :)

Answers to what I'd just said in the comments please :)

This weekend was very busy for me. Firstly I've recently opened Blandford Studios, and secondly I had a few photoshoots lined up this weekend.

First up is Kathy and Keiths Engagement Shoot. We met up in my new studio and went off on a mini hike around.

This is one of my favourites where both Kathy and Keith stood on super slippery logs and didn't fall in the river... next up Highcliffe castle and the sea :)

(You can see a sneak peek from the studio session over at super awesome dorset photography studio.

I was lucky enough to be invited along as an 'expert' for the Shooting Weddings with Damien and Julie Lovegrove workshop. This was the first time I'd met damien in person after quite a few twitter conversations.

I also got the chance to look at some of the images for Damien's upcoming fine art book (Launch soon), some fabulous images there too.

Anyway onto the wedding workshop, it was great to see Damien in action and his teaching style is brilliant, full of enthusiasm and really focused on taking your skills forwards and making you stand out from the every growing wedding photography crowd.

I'll not bore you with a full breakdown of the course (you can see the full itinery on the link above), but, it's nicely structured with a real focus on the practical stuff. Everyone gets personal tuition no matter what their level, so you need not worry if you're not a seasoned veteran, though even if you are you'll pick up some tips and this course will give you the kick you need to take your photography and creativity to the next level.

Julie Lovegrove is the other part of the team and her teaching style compliments Damiens brilliantly (hope the hand gets better soon!). Julie is much more natural light than Damien, and she took the attendees through some great ways to shoot the bridal preparations whilst Damien covered the groom. Some great stuff in this bit too, together with some fab tips on how to achieve those stunning images that will sell time after time no matter what the location.

There is also a section dedicated to shooting at the church and ceremony, with again some really original ideas on how to get some ace wedding that will make you stand out from your peers and give you the edge with some brilliant angles (I'll not elaborate on this any more you'll just have to go on the course to find out :) )

In the afternoon we shot some Bride and Groom portraits, again with a mix of flash and natural light and some really useful ideas to help you make the most of any location making your images stand out and how to direct the bride and groom, and what to look for lighting wise.

It was also great to meet Marko who does the post production work, top fella and great to see him work on the images from the day.

The day ends up with a slideshow of the images taken that Marko has done some very quick edits on, and then a chance for any questions. Top day!

So I guess the question would be would I recommend this course to fellow photographers? and if so who would I recommend it to?

The answer is of course I would :)
I'd recommend this for pretty much every photographer who not only photographs weddings, but, also peolpe, as it's all about the light. Sure a lot of it focused on the wedding and certain parts that only happen at a wedding, but, a lot of this is also applicable for shooting portraits (though damien also runs a good few portrait courses that will no doubt be even better for this purpose! - If I end up on one of there I'll of course let you all know how it is - hint hint damien :))

Here are some images shot by Damien and Julie with many thanks to them both for their hospitality and good humour on the day!

the groom getting ready

the veil of the bride

Lovely wedding ring detail shot with a great shadow

A great portrait of the groom

another great portrait of the groom with OCF

Leaving the church

an off camera flash special!

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B+B Weymouth Jurassic Coast Landscape Photography Course

Jurassic Coast Photography Break at B+B Weymouth
Saturday 26th February 2011

Explore the Jurassic Coastline with its rock formations that record 185 million years of the earth’s history; stunning unspoilt cliff walks and beaches, the Jurassic Coast provides an inspiring location for a landscape photography break in Dorset. This naturally stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is on the B+B Weymouth’s doorstep and we have joined forces with local photographer Greg Thurtle
to offer budding landscape photographers the chance to learn how to successfully capture the beauty of the Dorset coast on camera.

The photography course will concentrate on one of the most geographically interesting areas of the Jurassic Coast – Chesil Beach. Chesil is one of the finest barrier beaches in the world. It is made up of pebbles and shingle and has stood up to the full force of the Atlantic for thousands of years. It protects the Fleet, which is the largest tidal lagoon in Britain and a place of international importance for its birds and wildlife. This beach has inspired many creative talents including Ian McEwan with his novel ‘On Chesil Beach’.

The Jurassic Photography Break includes a one/two night stay at the B+B Weymouth and one day of landscape photography with Greg Thurtle:

Friday 25th February: check in from 2pm

Recommended dinner at Mallams restaurant
Saturday 26th February 2011

7.30am onwards: Full English Breakfast at the B+B Weymouth
10 am: Meet in the B+B Weymouth guest lounge for coffee and a safety/logistical brief. The day’s itinerary and route will then be set out.
10.30am: Minibus transfer to Chesil Beach
11am: Two hour photo-shoot to include:

• Description of basic camera setup / tripod / filters.
  
• Tuition / Direction for each group member
  
• One2One with each participant to check their progress (include camera settings/best angles/things to watch/look out for)
  

1pm: Lunch at The Cove on Chesil Beach. This will be an additional cost
2pm – 3pm: More landscape photography
Further tuition and assistance given to each group member where necessary
Being available for any questions/advice the participants would like.
3.15pm: Mini bus collects to return to B+B Weymouth
3.45pm – 4.30pm: Showcase and feedback session with afternoon tea provided by The Phoenix Bakery www.phoenixbakery.co.uk served in the breakfast room at the B+B Weymouth

Photography, travel and afternoon Tea - £95 per head
Please book the accomodation and course at the B+B Website

I'm pleased to announce a new photography course in conjunction with Norburton Hall.

Creative Photography at Norburton Hall
Sunday 6th March 2011
Escape to the relaxing and creatively inspiring splendour of Norburton Hall in Burton Bradstock, Dorset to enjoy a day of photography with Greg Thurtle. This stunning Edwardian country house is the perfect backdrop for rest, relaxation and creative expression; where decorative detailing, reflecting the Arts and Crafts Movement and expansive grounds with mature trees provide complete photographic inspiration.

Weekend accommodation in the cottages at Norburton Hall is available from £140 per person (based on 2 people sharing) and includes Friday,Saturday and Sunday night (4th / 5th / 6th March) with the photographic course taking place on Sunday 6th March (10am – 5pm), giving guests the chance to explore the stunning coastline and surrounding countryside during their stay. The accommodation may be booked online at Norburton Hall.

And the Photography can be booked directly here.

Guests staying at Norburton Hall are free to enjoy the estate’s undulating lawns and woodland, in the picturesque village of Burton Bradstock at the westerly edge of Dorset’s famous Chesil Beach. Explore the miles of beaches on the famous Jurassic Coast, hunt for fossils or just relax, make the most of the tranquillity and simply laze the day away. Visit Bridport with its Saturday Market, famous food outlets, independent retailers and bohemian community. Set out to walk the South West Coast Path along this World Heritage Site. Hit the Literary trail, uncovering the Dorset that inspired Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen and provided the backdrop for such classics as Moonfleet and The French Lieutenant’s Woman.

This Photography course is one of the many workshops at Norburton Hall which is focussed on inspiring and embracing creativity. The day’s event will cover basic camera set up, using tripods and filters and one to one tuition. The morning will be spent at Norburton Hall discovering and capturing the wealth of Arts & Crafts details, furniture and architecture all of which has been lovingly collected and restored by owner Karen Venn. There will also be a chance to explore the grounds capturing the natural beauty of the Hall’s setting, (weather depending). After lunch at The Three Horseshoes, serving local Palmer’s Ale, the course will move on to the geographically stunning location of Burton Bradstock beach, part of the Jurassic Coast. One to one tuition will continue along with experimentation with filters, different apertures and shutter speeds. The afternoon will close with a reflection on the day and a chance for all participants to present their work, enjoyed in the guest lounge with tea & biscuits.

Photography course cost: £100 per person includes tuition, morning and afternoon tea (does not include pub lunch or materials).
Detailed Information

• Your should bring a camera that is capable of letting you control the shutter speed and aperture of your camera ( Digital SLR preferred ) Bring with you a standard lens (18-55, 24-70) as a minimum, if you have a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens then please also bring these too as they will give you more options.
  
• If you want to capture details of the hall and surrounding area then you may also want to bring a macro lens.
  
• A sturdy tripod will ensure you get the very best images.
  
• Bring enough film/memory cards for the day. The course structure is subject to change depending on weather conditions on the day.
  
• Waterproof clothing and stout footwear is advisable
  
• There is a 20 minute walk from Norburton Hall to the beach at Burton Bradstock which includes slight inclines.
  
• Lunch at The Three Horseshoes is optional
  

It's been a long time coming but after much help by some friends the new photographic studio in Blandford Forum is now open....
It's imaginitively called Blandford Studios.

So if you're in the blandford area (or anywhere in dorset) then please feel free to pop in for a tea or coffee or even just for a chat!

See you soon!

I've just become a contributor to another website aimed and aspiring professional photographers.

First up is a review of some Lowepro bags (which are awesome by the way).

I got the keys to my new Blandford Studios shop today!

Now comes the hard slog to get it ready for first customer viewings next week!

Here's some photographs of it being decorated!

Enjoy and see you in there!

It's located and 17 East Street, Blandford Forum - and i'll be getting an expresso machine :)

This is what it looked like when we went in...

This is us painting

and this is us after the first coat of paint

Can't wait for it to be finished!

I've recently joined the Cherubs Scheme, with the view to working more with babies and families. I love babies, kids and family work. I really enjoy seeing how cute they are and how they react!

I recently did my first 'Cherubs' Shoot, so here's a couple of sneek peeks from the shoot.

These were all shot on location at the childrens house - so they were much more relaxed!

and whilst her sister was around too I thought I'd do a little portrait of them both together.

Love the eyes on this one.

Baby, Family and Portrait Photography in Blandford Forum

I've been offering pre-wedding and engagement shoots for a couple of years now as a way to get to know me before your big day.

I've also been offering 'In Love' photoshoots for a while too, now though it's coming up to Valentines day. The beauty of these shoots is that you don't need to be getting married or even engaged to enjoy them!

Simply buy the photoshoot below (for you or a family/friend) and relax knowing that you're going to get some awesome photos!

So what are you waiting for? You know you want to:

Today saw a colloboration with fellow Dorset based wedding photographer Andy Rapkins from over at Cloudlight Photography.

We got along the beautiful Helena and she donned (is that the right word?) her wedding dress once more and teamed up with the fabulous Green House Hotel in Bournemouth for the day.

The Green House Hotel is truly stunning inside! It's been completely rebuilt to use ethical suppliers, local suppliers and sustainable products - I am looking forward to photographing many eco-friendly weddings there over the years to come!

Also a great big thankyou to Tracy from Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery for sending us some necklaces, earings, bracelets and Hair pieces.

Another first here was using the Lowel Id Light - and I loved using it - more on that later.
Anyway enough waffling and on with the show (of the photos :))

Love the light in this one streaming through the doorway - really highlighting the gorgeous dress that Helena is wearing.

This one is shot with a really wide lens to get the perspective you see hear - love the way Helena is posing here and also how the lines of the Blind lead you away

Love the thoughtful look in this one and in mono it adds to the mood of the sunlight through the gorgeous wooden slats.

Thats all for now folks - be sure to check back for some of the others... there are some amazing ones from this shoot!

Photography by TP Photography - Dorset Wedding Photographer

In case you wondered where i have gone then fear not! I'm working away behind the scenes to bring you several exciting new projects.

I'm happy to say I completed my personal 365 project (take a photo a day for a year) - in fact so much so I'm doing it again this year! (see posterous here.

Here's a photo montage of all the photos last year....

And here's one of my favourite wedding photos from last year...
(I have so many more i want to share)

One project I'm excited to share is the new photographic studio that I'll be opening in blandford forum, called imaginatively 'blandford studios'.... watch out for that at the end of Jan/Start of Feb!

Lots of exciting times ahead!

Bring on 2011!

Happy New year to all my past, present and future bride, grooms, clients, friends and family!

It's been another great year here at TP Photography and it's always a great time to reflect on the past and look forward to the Future.

In 2011 I am planning on opening a photographic studio in Blandford Forum, here I'll be able to shoot portraits of families, babies, couples, chocolates, bacon - anything really....

So Roll on the new year and here's a montage of photos from the year!

Happy new Year and may next year be filled with fun!

Wish all my past, present and future bride and grooms and everyone else who knows me a very merry christmas and happy new year.

Here's a message from my daughter....

In case you didn't notice it snowed a lot in dorset - in particular near me in tarrant hinton.

It was pretty bad out - but i went out and braved the artic conditions to take some images for you.

Here are a selection of my favourites.....

a self portrait with a giant snowman I found exploring!

and a portrait shot of the snowman :)

and of course a bird on a branch in the snow....

the local village hall

snow hill!

and finally some berries