Summer Bridal Photoshoot

It feels like forever since I’ve written anything here – so many ideas so little time! Although I’ve quite enjoyed a little breather, I’ve been doing a lot of styling for Instagram and it’s been really nice to let things slide a little here. Last weekend however I took my kids to beautiful Norfolk for the weekend, and a weekend at the coast has inspired me to revisit this bridal shoot from the Summer. I have always intended to share this here as I’m really proud of this body of work, but you know… time, and Instagram 🙂

The photo shoot was for the new website of Serendipity Brides. The owner Lisa is an old friend of mine, and we’ve worked together before in this capacity (she provided the dresses for this shoot, which some of you may remember) and I’m always keen to be involved with anything Lisa does. Her style is amazing, and Serendipity sells the most wonderful wedding dresses I have ever seen! I knew we’d have a lot of fun with this, and when a trip to Norfolk was mentioned for the shoot it was an added bonus.

There is something a little special about Norfolk. It’s a part of the country I really love. It seems to have a slightly slower pace, a timeless quality somehow. This is embodied perfectly by the house and gardens at Narborough Hall. Honestly, I have never seen a more perfectly photogenic place. The house itself has the perfect balance between characterful and pared back grandeur. Flaky paint, vintage furniture, a beautiful staircase with the wooden steps left bare, and the banister wrapped with ivy. The gardens are possibly even more stunning. A Wind in the Willows style lake with a little jetty and rowing boat, rambling roses climbing metres high over huge garden walls and outbuildings. The flower beds were filled with cow parsley and wild flowers, yet the lawns were immaculately trimmed. There were rusty old wheel barrows that you would happily pay a fortune for in a vintage shop just casually lying around, and even old bird cages and zinc buckets and baths. Prop heaven!!

I can’t even begin to tell you how pretty this place was, and were it not for the absolutely horrendous weather the day we were there, I’d have taken more photos of it all! Believe it or not this first section of photos were taken in the pouring rain! Whilst the model Danielle sheltered in the porch way, the photographers braved the elements, but I really love how these shots turned out. The porch way provided lovely side light and the portraits are beautiful. After this we retreated inside and explored the venue. Nadina modelled for us in a wonderful empty room, with the rain and wind lashing against the gorgeous ivy clad windows. Lisa’s little girl Marley also did a fabulous job modelling as a flower girl.

The venue were so kind and hospitable, giving us completely free rein to explore the house and gardens, move anything around and help ourselves to props and furniture. After exploring the house we found the barn, where wedding receptions are often held. Twinkly fairy lights adorned the beams and and window light provided a rather magical setting. Finally, around 7pm we caught a break in the weather, and headed out in the gardens. Although there was almost no light I’m really happy with the edits on the garden pictures, somehow you get the impression of a summers day although it felt like November! We finally gave in around 8pm, our fingers stiff with cold and arms aching from carrying kit and heavy cameras. The models were seriously amazing though and soldiered on all day.

I love working alongside other photographers, and on this day I was lucky enough to work with Niki Wright from Niki Wright photography. Niki is a much more experienced photographer than me and is very generous with her knowledge. I am always very happy to learn and see how other people work, and it’s always fascinating to see how different the results from two photographers can be! You can see Niki’s beautiful photos from this day here. I made the difficult decision earlier this year not to accept work as a wedding photographer. Although I really enjoyed the weddings I have photographed, it’s too difficult for me at the moment to fit regular weekend work into family life. Despite that I always love the chance to be involved in something like this, to work alongside professionals in so many fields and to really immerse myself in photography for a period of time. It’s very inspiring, and confidence giving.

So a huge thank you to everyone involved, and especially to Lisa for involving me! Some of these images will be on the new Serendipity Brides website when it is launched soon. Please see the bottom of the page for credits of everyone involved.

Thanks for reading!

Hannah x