Blog Feed: Chris Mann Photography - wedding & portrait photographer Surrey UK

2012 Tour of Britain pro cycle race came through our village!

Published on 2012-09-16 13:13:34

The last stage of this year’s Tour of Britain professional cycle race came through our village of Wonersh today – twice in fact (once on the outskirts and then, on the second loop around Surrey, through the village itself) – so of course I had to go and get some photos. The stage itself ran [...]

Ken and Ann’s Golden Wedding

Published on 2012-09-06 11:29:23

Last weekend I drove down to the New Forest to photograph the celebrations for Ken and Ann’s 50th wedding anniversary. They were a bit startled to see me at first I think, as the photo coverage had been organised as a surprise gift from their children Victoria and Simon… But they took it all in [...]

Guildford Register Office wedding photos – Richard & Dawn

Published on 2012-09-05 10:28:31

Richard and Dawn’s wedding at Guildford Register Office was a small family affair – nice and simple and straightforward – and the weather was kind to us when we went outside after the civil ceremony to do some photos in the grounds of Artington House. One aspect of this kind of lower-key wedding that I [...]

Knepp Castle Horsham wedding photos – Juliette & Howard

Published on 2012-08-17 09:36:51

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot alongside my good friend Ian Johnson, covering Jules and Howie’s wedding celebration in the grounds of Knepp Castle near Horsham. I call it a “wedding celebration” as they had already done the legal stuff at the Register Office – this was a celebration officiated by [...]

Liz & Jonathan’s engagement shoot

Published on 2012-08-13 10:51:06

I know I always talk about the weather when I post photos, but when you shoot outdoors most of the time as I do it’s an important topic! Last Wednesday Liz and Jonathan came over to chat about their wedding day plans (they’re getting married at Hartsfield Manor in October) and we took the opportunity [...]

Sharon & Mark’s Guildford Wedding

Published on 2012-08-09 08:56:30

One of the things that’s fun about photographing weddings is that they come in all shapes and sizes – some are grand affairs with guests numbered in the hundreds, some are low-key, intimate family affairs, like Sharon and Mark’s wedding at Guildford Register Office. Everybody was relaxed and happy and the whole thing went off [...]

London 2012 Olympic Cycling Men’s Road Race

Published on 2012-07-31 06:18:00

Well it would be silly not to… when the Olympic cycle race passes by less than 6 miles from your home, it’s a must-watch – especially when Team GB had a good chance of medals! So on Saturday morning I put my Canon 1D and a couple of lenses in my backpack, jumped on the [...]

Skye & John’s engagement shoot at Guildford Castle

Published on 2012-06-26 10:12:58

At last, some sunshine! It seems like we’ve had nothing but rain for weeks – but when I met Skye and John in the grounds of Guildford Castle last Sunday morning the weather was kind and we had the sun peeking through the clouds at least some of the time! Skye and John are getting [...]

IHS Global sales event Sofitel Heathrow

Published on 2012-06-19 08:36:23

Last week I covered a sales event for IHS Global, the leading business information, research and forecasting company, who have offices all around the world. Their top sales and marketing people came together at the Sofitel Heathrow for two days of intensive discussion, seminars and networking – but also some fun as well! The cabaret [...]

Lucie & Andrea – wedding photography at The Landmark London

Published on 2012-06-19 04:00:15

There were double celebrations on Sunday June 3rd this year – not only was the Queen celebrating her Golden Jubilee with a river pageant on the Thames, but also Lucie and Andrea were married at The Landmark Hotel in Marylebone! We certainly had a much more comfortable time at the wedding, as some very unseasonal [...]

Lucie & Andrea at The Landmark London NW1 – sneak peek

Published on 2012-06-07 06:47:35

Here are just a few photos from Lucie and Andrea’s wedding at The Landmark Hotel in London last Sunday – more soon!

La Samanna resort in St. Martin, French West Indies

Published on 2012-05-16 13:53:36

Last week I flew out to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, to shoot a corporate video for an American company at the five-star resort of La Samanna, on Baie Longue on the French side of the island (St. Martin is shared between the Dutch and French – the northern part being under French jurisdiction [...]

Family portrait photo sessions can be easy and quick!

Published on 2012-02-19 07:06:32

I was looking through my archives the other day and I came across this photo session – and it got me thinking about why many people don’t have professional photos of their family… I think there is a perception that having a professional portrait session is going to be a long and tedious affair, with [...]

MyVision photo workshop in Guernsey

Published on 2012-02-11 03:51:59

A year goes by so quickly – it hardly seems like 12 months since I was in Brighton helping to run the 2011 MyVision photo workshop – an annual event that gives professional wedding and portrait photographers a chance to flex their photographic muscles and try something different by documenting a local business or person. [...]

Thinking about a destination wedding?

Published on 2011-12-11 04:09:52

At this time of year, as the British winter closes in, I’m sure quite a few couples are thinking “why don’t we skip the traditional UK wedding and jet off and get married somewhere warm?” Not a bad idea, for sure, as long as you consider all the pros and cons. A destination wedding can [...]

An Amazing Halloween Party

Published on 2011-11-04 10:23:55

On Sunday I photographed an amazing Halloween party which was given by a local family – 130 guests enjoyed some great food and entertainment, including an array of scary but fun characters… Peter Pan and Tinkerbell were on hand to look after the smaller kids, while the older ones (and adults) were pleasurably frightened by [...]

Photography talks at the Apple Store

Published on 2011-11-03 05:50:29

Here’s a date for your diary – next Wednesday (November 9th), as part of Photography Week at the Apple Store in Regent St London W1, a photographers’ group of which I am a member will be giving a series of talks on a variety of topics, ranging from documentary wedding photography to portraits to personal [...]

IOH Chairman’s Ball & Awards at Four Seasons Park Lane

Published on 2011-10-31 12:44:22

Last Friday evening I headed up to the newly refurbished Four Seasons hotel in London’s Park Lane, to photograph the annual Chairman’s Ball & Aspiring Manager’s Awards for the Institute of Hospitality, London branch, ably assisted by my brother Simon. Many of London’s top hoteliers were represented at the awards evening, which took the form [...]

Brympton wedding – Felicity and Mike

Published on 2011-10-03 07:31:53

Photographing weddings at Brympton is always a pleasure – the venue is just so perfect, with historic buildings and the lake and parkland to use as well. Felicity and Mike were married there early in September – and the weather was just right, a few clouds around to provide shade but also plenty of warm [...]

Suzanne & Duncan’s wedding at Brympton – part 2

Published on 2011-09-29 05:17:52

Here are a few more photos from Suzanne and Duncan’s wedding at Brympton D’Evercy… I will be posting the full password-protected image gallery here later today – family and friends who want to access it should contact Suzy and Duncan for the password. And please leave a comment for the bride and groom if you’d [...]

Brympton wedding – Suzanne and Duncan

Published on 2011-09-06 04:40:27

Last Monday I headed down the A303 to Somerset to photograph the wedding of Suzanne & Duncan at Brympton D’Evercy. Family and friends were out in force to share the day with them, at this most elegant and historic of venues. I’m working on the edit at the moment, and will post some more pictures [...]

Joanne and Rob at Castle Combe

Published on 2011-09-01 06:57:40

Oops, I’m getting a bit behind with my blogging – it must be summer! Busy editing, both stills and video, at the moment… Anyway it’s a pleasure to post some photos from Rob & Joanne’s wedding at Castle Combe – a fantastic West Country venue – I was shooting with Gareth Cooper of GMC Photographic [...]

scenic photos – destination wedding Chamonix, France

Published on 2011-08-16 06:08:37

This past weekend I’ve been in France, filming a destination wedding in the very pretty alpine town of Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, in the shadow of Mont Blanc. The movie will be posted on my wedding films website, www.lumierefilms.co.uk, in a few weeks’ time when I’ve had a chance to edit it all together, but in the [...]

James and Jo’s wedding at Cowdray Park

Published on 2011-06-30 08:43:36

If “The Sun” newspaper were reporting on James & Jo’s wedding, the headline would have to be “what a scorcher!” Last Sunday was an exceptionally hot day – which made for some great pictures, but wasn’t th

Suzy & Duncan’s e-shoot at Crystal Palace Park

Published on 2011-05-26 14:18:30

Million-year-old dinosaurs, a giant gorilla – Crystal Palace Park in South London is home to some strange creatures – in statue form at least! But it’s also a beautifully landscaped location for an engagement shoot, which is why I a

Daniel and Susie’s engagement shoot at Danbury Lakes

Published on 2011-05-15 12:58:35

Last Saturday I braved the joys of the M25 to drive to Danbury Lakes in Essex, to shoot an engagement session with Susie and Daniel. They are getting married in their local church in July, and we arranged to meet … Continue reading →

New sample album

Published on 2011-05-15 05:21:27

While I’m very happy with the quality of the albums that I get from my two main suppliers, Jorgensen and GF Smith, I’m always on the lookout for something different to offer my clients, and at the SWPP show in … Continue reading 

James and Jo’s engagement shoot at Winkworth

Published on 2011-05-07 12:28:59

The recent very warm and sunny weather may have upset a few gardeners, but it’s been great for photography! On Easter Sunday I met Jo and James (along with their two dogs Lottie and Daisy) at Winkworth Arboretum, for a … Continue reading

doing the “tourist thing” in London

Published on 2011-05-03 04:02:59

When you live in or near a big city like London, I think it’s easy to take it for granted – you are familiar with all the famous locations and facilities like theatres, art galleries and museums, so you don’t … Continue readin

Our village’s Royal Wedding Fete

Published on 2011-05-02 06:00:27

Like most of the country, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was celebrated in Wonersh, the small village in Surrey where I live – but rather than a street party, everyone gathered on the village green for a … Continue readi

London wedding – Mark and Lelanie at The Orangery, Holland Park

Published on 2011-04-28 05:26:14

On Saturday 16th I took the train up to London to photograph the wedding of Mark and Lelanie, in conjunction with my colleague Lloyd Dobbie, at St. George’s Campden Hill, Kensington, and afterwards at The Orangery in Holland Park. The … C

Sunshine at the Swan Hotel, Bedford

Published on 2011-04-19 10:09:13

Here in the south-east of England we’ve been having an unseasonal mini-heatwave, with hardly any rain for the past month and many days of blue sky and sunshine. It was just such a day on Saturday April 8th when Andrew Dobell and I travelled up

Spring wedding at Fulham Palace

Published on 2011-03-26 06:40:50

Finally, it seems that Spring has sprung! Last Saturday the sun was shining and cherry blossom was starting to make an appearance, as I drove up to Hammersmith to shoot a wedding in conjunction with the estimable Mr. Lloyd Dobbie. … Continue re

A “Scrapheap Challenge” fashion shoot!

Published on 2011-03-17 13:13:10

As you’ll have gathered from recent posts, this time of year is the season when without so many weddings to shoot, I have time to attend workshops and seminars, and get together with other photographers to do practice shoots to … Continue

Photos from Gill Taylor’s workshop

Published on 2011-02-26 09:23:08

Another workshop to blog about – this time led by my good friend Gill Taylor, covering a wide range of topics ranging from posing and lighting to image editing and workflow. It was Gill’s first workshop so well done Gilly … Continue

A workshop in Brighton – and some photos

Published on 2011-02-14 19:13:25

At this time of year photographers migrate like seabirds – we don’t have so many weddings or portraits to shoot so we head towards the coast to brush up on our skills for the season ahead… Last week I was … Continue reading &#

Queensland flood relief

Published on 2011-01-27 04:52:53

I know Queensland Australia is half a world away, and we get used to seeing disasters on the TV so they don’t have so much impact any more, but when people you know are affected it brings it home how … Continue reading →

A behind-the-scenes shoot at Denbies Vineyard

Published on 2011-01-14 03:55:54

Some of you may know that I shoot video as well as stills – and although I usually keep the two separate, sometimes both sides come together! One such example was when I shot a “behind the scenes” movie for … Continue reading

Happy Christmas!

Published on 2010-12-24 05:32:24

Wishing all my clients, colleagues and friends a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year! (I reckon UK folks have had enough snow, hence the photo of palm trees and a sunset instead!)

Problems with Skype

Published on 2010-12-23 03:37:35

Skype, the internet-based phone service, is experiencing some network problems at the moment, so my main telephone number (0203 239 1313) is currently out of service. If you have been trying to call me, my apologies – my mobile number … C

New page – wedding venues

Published on 2010-12-22 10:25:55

As a convenience to my clients, I’ve added a page to this website with links to photo galleries of some of the venues at which I’ve photographed weddings – so if you haven’t yet decided on a venue, I hope … Continue read

Eve and Chris at Ramster, Chiddingfold

Published on 2010-12-21 13:50:36

So, for my final (stills) wedding job of 2010 I was off to Ramster near Chiddingfold, Surrey, in the company of local colleague Andrew Dobell, to photograph the winter wedding of Eve and Chris. It was a very cold day, … Continue reading →

Zoom’s Q3HD video recorder

Published on 2010-12-08 10:32:30

Okay folks, if you’re out looking for a Christmas gift to get me (you are, aren’t you?) here’s my current favourite – Zoom’s new Q3HD Handy video recorder. It looks at first glance pretty much like all the other small &#

Richard & Lucy at Thornton Manor

Published on 2010-12-06 14:56:26

Richard and Lucy’s wedding was at a venue slightly further afield than usual for me – Thornton Manor in The Wirral – but I always enjoy shooting at locations I haven’t been to before. My colleague Lloyd Dobbie and I … Co

Paul White’s studio lighting workshop

Published on 2010-11-13 13:23:40

I’m a great believer in learning new techniques and skills – however long you’ve been doing any job there are always ideas, tips and tricks you can pick up from other people – so yesterday I headed up to Enfield … Contin

Dharmesh and Rhahkee at Eastbury Manor

Published on 2010-10-26 04:29:52

Friday 13th – no problem! Dharmesh and Rhahkee obviously aren’t superstitious as that was the day set for their civil ceremony at historic Eastbury Manor house in Barking. Chanelle Segerius-Bruce and I teamed up again to shoot this one, a