Jonathan Bean Photography Blog

The Wedding of Suzy and Dave

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Suzy and Dave's wedding at the ever-lovely Ashton Memorial in Lancaster this Saturday was originally set for August, but on discovering Suzy was due to give birth on that same day (!) was moved back to November.
Some awful weather kept us indoors for most of the day, but everyone was in fine mood to celebrate, and after a fun (!) bus drive across the Trough of Bowland to the fabulous Inn at Whitewell, they did just that in a gorgeous candle-lit marquee.
Suzy looked amazing in a dress made by her mum and Dave kept amazingly calm throughout. What a great couple. Thanks for inviting me to record your day!
Here's a few shots...

www.beanphoto.co.uk

A white sheet and an orange t-shirt

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:58:00 +0000

A few weeks back I posted some shots of my young nephews shot simply in the rear yard with a white sheet background and natural light.

Today's post is another from that series, featuring a young friend of my lads who popped by just at the right time!

www.beanphoto.co.uk

The Ian McMillan Orchestra at Litfest09

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:20:00 +0000

I had been intending to present some daily pictures from this year's litfest events but an unexpected illness in the family instead kept me largely away. But here anyway is a snap taken during rehearsals of the Ian McMillan Orchestra event from last Saturday held at The Dukes.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

New Wedding albums

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:26:00 +0000

I've created a few sample storybook wedding albums recently with a simple, one picture per page design to offer clients choice and as an alternative to my traditional style album.
Let's contrast and compare...

The 'Traditional' style album.
A 40 page (11" x 9") album which holds up to 40 7" x 5" prints, loosely inserted into the album and held in place by traditional non-permanent mounting corners. Prints have a thin white border on black pages, and can be removed for framing etc. Window on front to hold cover image.

The 'Storybook' style album.
A 44 page (7" x 7") professionally printed book which holds 40 images printed onto the book pages. Printed cover front and back. Suitable also as a parent album. Additional copies can be purchased directly from the printers. To preview some samples click on the boxes below.

Catherine & Pa...

September 20th 2009

By Beanphoto

Book Preview

Rose and Dave'...

September 13th 2009

By Beanphoto

Book Preview

Kate Pullinger at Litfest09

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:45:00 +0000

Kate Pullinger snapped at Litfest09 at The Storey last night.
www.beanphoto.co.uk

Meet the family!

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Although it doesn't seem it, it's actually 2 years since I photographed Andrew and Lesley's wedding, and recently they called me up to say they now had a one year old - Iona - and could I take some shots of the 3 of them together. Absolutely! And here's a couple of faves from last weekend's shoot. And thanks to Mrs Beanphoto for the editing on these! Girl done good!

www.beanphoto.co.uk

RIP Irving Penn

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:02:00 +0000

I just heard the sad news that the photographer Irving Penn died this week, aged 92. Irving Penn was inspirational to me as a young student and to this day I adore his close-up portrait work. RIP.

Happy Birthday to me!

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:02:00 +0000

Today is my little blog's 3rd birthday, my how time flies, look how much it has grown! They grow up so fast don't you think? It only seems like yesterday it was but a twinkle in my eye. It'll soon be throwing strops and having tantrums, and before too long it'll be off to make it's own way in the world (wide web).

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Catherine & Paul's Mitton Hall Wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:52:00 +0000

Catherine & Paul's wedding at Mitton Hall was a great day. The love these two displayed for each other was clear throughout the day. Mitton Hall is a great venue, and whoever put in that order for a bit of nice weather did a fine job! What glorious sunshine! Here's a few of my favourites from the day... (click to see larger versions)

Anna & Jim's Ashton Wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Anna & Jim were such a great couple to work with, and their intimate family wedding at the Ashton Memorial brought a splash of sunshine to a grey Lancaster day. Here's a few favourites from the day...

And a fuller slideshowat the bottom...

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The Wedding of Rose & Dave

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:42:00 +0000

I've had a busier spell than usual for September weddings recently, and surprisingly, considering the summer we've had, almost no rain at all.
So, a couple of weekends ago I was at St. Joseph's in Lancaster, a beautiful Church, with great light, for the wedding of Rose and Dave. The reception was at Barton Grange near Preston, both were 2 new venues for me. It was a great day and here's a few of my own favourites...

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Litfest09 brochure

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:03:00 +0000

The Lancaster Literature Festival brochure hit the streets at the end of last week, with a nice photo of a pile of festival authors books that I took in somewhat rapid time, but I think turned out well and looks pretty good. You can flip through the brochure by clicking on the pages. And if you'd like to know more about the festival, pop along to the litfest website for full details and to buy tickets.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Flax019 nearly here!

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:02:00 +0000

It's been a while on this blog since I featured some Flax writers, but this last couple of weeks as Litfest has prepared to publish Flax019: Mostly Truthful, I've had the pleasure of meeting and shooting the portraits that will feature on their bios and possibly in the publication too. I've no idea yet, how the pics will be used, and it's always intriguing to see how the designer Martin Chester will choose to work with them, so watch this space to see the finished results.
The writers featured are Katherine Woodfine, Adrian Slatcher and Kate Feld.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Some September Sunsets

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:52:00 +0000

We have had some spectacular September sunsets this week... here's a couple. The first taken on the road past Quernmore looking over the Morecambe Bay and the second at a petrol station on the A6 near Garstang, on my way back from a wedding job.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Exhibition News!

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Those lovely people at The Museum of Snapshot Photography have just sent news of an exhibition at The Winter Gardens in Morecambe.
The exhibition called "Decisive Moments" runs from Sept 5th to Sept 27th and presents photographs and true tales from ordinary life.
I'm a big fan of snapshot photography, so am really looking forward to this.
Spread the news now...

Dawn & Ross's Wedding at Hipping Hall

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:17:00 +0000

Dawn & Ross' wedding at the fabulous Hipping Hall near Kirkby Lonsdale was an absolute joy. How the rain seemed to clear and some rather glorious sunshine appear from nowhere during the service seemed almost divine.
Hipping Hall is a photographer's dream venue, and I can't wait to return.
Dawn and Ross were a great couple, who both really got into the spirit and enjoyed their day.
All the best to you both!

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Joanne & Lee's Wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:15:00 +0000

Joanne & Lee's wedding at the very charming St. Michael's Church in Cockerham may well have been one of the prettiest weddings I've photographed. Heavy rain certainly didn't dampen the spirits either of the couple themselves, or their guests, and the reception dinner laid on at The Pickerings Country House Hotel in nearby Garstang was delightful. An English cream tea party with individual jam pots made by Joanne (and her aunt?), some glorious-looking cakes ( I resisted!) and the party was entertained as they ate by the excellent Howard Wing who sang some rat pack classics and had everyone dancing on their chairs by the end of his act.
A memorable day indeed, my best wishes to Jo & Lee (and thanks for my jam!).

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Lancaster. Morecambe. etc.

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:41:00 +0000

I like to think of the Lancaster and Morecambe district as a very special place, small enough not to get lost in and big enough not to feel hemmed in. When I moved here in late 1998 from Peterborough, I know it won me over very quickly. I love the city, and it's vistas, and the views over Morecambe Bay, I love promenading at Morecambe seafront, I love that I can see the Midland Hotel from my bathroom window in Freehold!, I love being only minutes away from the Forest of Bowland, the Silverdale and Arnside areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the South Lakes, and I love the creative and entrepreneurial spirit which imbues the streets, the culture, the inhabitants and the shops.
Last week a new guide (Lancaster. Morecambe. Etc.) was launched which exactly captures this feeling, and I thought I'd share it with you. Better still, visit the website, subscribe to the blog, follow them on flickr and buy a copy!

www.beanphoto.co.uk

A proud dad moment

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Allow me if you will a short proud dad moment, because this last weekend eldest Bean boy Stanley not only came home with the Year 9 Pupil of the Year award but also played his first live gigs with his band at More Music's Stages venue and at the West End Festival. Sadly Friday's wedding meant I missed the first gig (but the soundcheck on Thursday sounded great!) and some appalling traffic and a late change to the performance schedule on Saturday meant we arrived only in time to see him walk off stage! (you cannot imagine how gutted we were!).
Go Stanley!

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Nicola & Dave's wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Nicola and Dave married last Saturday at The lovely Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park, followed by a reception at the historic Royal Kings Arms Hotel, Lancaster (featured by Charles Dickens in his story of “The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices”). We were blessed with a gorgeous day despite the doom-laden weather forecasts and a great day was had by all.
Nicola's beautiful flowers were by Catherine at Flowerstop, but sadly the designer of the fab dress has slipped my memory!
I'm not normally this quick to post shots only a couple of days after a wedding, but Nicola emailed to say she is super excited and can't wait, so who am I to disappoint? Hope you like them! (click on the image to see a larger view).

Addendum: A note from Nicola tells me that her dress was designed by Rina Di Montella.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Happy Birthday Toby

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:58:00 +0000

This month Toby is 2 years old, Happy birthday Toby!

http://www.beanphoto.co.uk

Chris & Rachael's wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:45:00 +0000

A couple of weeks back it was Chris & Rachael's wedding at the beautiful St. Peter's Church in Heysham, overlooking the wonderful Morecambe Bay, a great location that I can't wait to come back to.
For all their excitement and exuberance, I thought it was a rather lovely, tender wedding. Chris is a bit of a joker, but I think the biggest laugh of the day came when Rachael practically squealed "I Will!" when asked if she would take this man! A great day, and I wish them both well.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

When You're A Boy (Boys Keep Swinging')

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:54:00 +0000

My young nephews came to visit last weekend, and rather like with my own 2 lads, I find I'm quite fascinated how at around about the same age, all of them have started to develop their own individual styles, so how could I not take the opportunity for a quick photoshoot with the 3 of them (Stanley, Archie, you're next!), so stitched together into the one portrait are George, Charlie and Louis.

www.beanphoto.co.uk

Dawn & Andrew's wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:26:00 +0000

A couple of weekends ago I was back at one of my absolute favourite wedding locations to shoot Dawn and Andrew's wedding. The Ashton Memorial in Lancaster has just about everything you want in a location, great architecture, fabulous light, great character and gorgeous views.

A really great couple, Andrew arrived in style at the venue driving a giant tractor! Dawn burst into tears the moment she stepped through the Ashton's doors and then spent the rest of the day smiling and laughing her head off. Aren't weddings great!

Here's a few favourites from the day.

Abi & Mark's glorious mixed faith wedding

johnnybean@gmail.com (Jonathan Bean Photography) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:50:00 +0000

My third wedding for May this year was a real stunner, Abi and Mark's wedding at Trinity United Reformed Church in Lancaster was a real pleasure to attend.

Not only were these guys great, and the day a fascinating mix of faiths, but I absolutely fell in love with the church itself, a little treasure tucked away in the City Centre, and it felt very special that Mark's father, the Reverend of the Church was conducting the service.

After the ceremony there was a real English summer tea party feel as drinks were served in the church courtyard. Abi, Mark and myself (with Suzy along again for the day) took a stroll through the nearby sun-drenched park on Dallas Road for some lovely portraits, then back to the Community Centre for a Sri-Lankan wedding breakfast.

A little video from the day...

Thanks Abi & Mark for having me along to record the day.

www.beanphoto.co.uk