West Sussex sports event photographer. Goodwood Racecourse family fun day

Today I went to Goodwood Racecourse with my young family and attended their Bank Holiday Family Fun Day Race schedule. Whilst I have previously photographed a number of weddings at Goodwood House: http://www.goodwood.co.uk/weddings/weddings.aspx and The Goodwood Hotel: http://www.goodwood.co.uk/the-goodwood-hotel/the-goodwood-hotel.aspx this trip was purely recreational for me today.

Whilst I enjoy taking photos on a professional basis, I rarely take time to photograph purely for fun nowadays. I enjoy photographing equestrian events as an official photographer, but thought it would be fun to capture some images of these fantastic racehorses – and I much prefer photographing action and speed to equestrian ‘portraiture’ if that doesn’t offend you!!

They do put on a good show at Goodwood and there was lots of family entertainment, although its difficult to capture images from the main public viewing area as the railings are naturally blocking or restricting the view for photography at least. That’s not to say that you don’t get close to the horses as they gallop past, throwing mud and grass everywhere!!

I captured images from most of the races, but we left before the final race to avoid the crowds leaving at that time. Despite the chilly weather, my kids had a great time at this family fun day event.

There are a few images here, just to give you a flavor of the event. I hope to go back to another Goodwood event and take some more action shots – it was FUN.

As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Hampshire sports event photographer. Marwell 10K Running Race and Fun Run Photos

Today I attended the Marwell 10K running race and Fun Run, hosted by Eastleigh Running Club. You can view their main website here: http://www.eastleighrunningclub.org.uk/ There is a link on their home page through to the Marwell 10K. I was the official photographer for the event on 23rd May 2010 for around the 6th consecutive year. It was their annual 10K ‘road’ running race and Fun Run.

The event website is here: www.eastleighrunningclub.org.uk/marwell.htm and you can see a ‘Race Roundup’ if you are interested. The members and volunteers from Eastleigh running club, lead by Deb Tyler, do a fantastic job at this race, in my view.

We had very warm, fairly sunny and bright conditions and I managed to capture a good selection of images around the course and near to the finish area.

I photographed at around 2K and also about 400m before the finish area and was able to capture images of the vast majority of runners as they sprinted down the hill into the Wildlife Park.

The location for this 10K and childrens fun run is truly unique. The event is supported by the staff at the Wildlife Park, many of whom were running in the event. A couple of the runners are known to me as their wedding and events coordinators from Marwell Hall. Yes – you can get married at Marwell too!!

You can view their website here: http://www.marwell.org.uk/

Now in its 11th year, the money raised from the event for the Wildlife Park (many of the runners raise sponsorship monies for it) will go towards Marwell’s ongoing work to conserve endangered species and habitats, both locally and internationally, and to care for and feed the animals in the park. So it is also a race with a great cause.

You can view all (1400!!) images of this and other such recent events at my website: http://www.martinlewis.biz/ where I host my events and other (mainly wedding) photography. A couple are shown here just to illustrate my role on the day. Well done to all the runners who took part on the day from me.

The images will be available for viewing and sale to the runners very soon, typically within 24 hours of each event.

As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Wedding photographer in Hampshire. The church of St Thomas in Bedhampton and The Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth

Today I was wedding photographer at a local wedding at the church of Saint Thomas in Bedhampton, near Havant. I was doing the wedding photography for Ruth and James.

I started off my day at the venue nice and early and arrived just before the church was even open!! It was a lovely day for a wedding, just a little bright and with harsh shadows for photography.

After some photos with the James and his Best Man - Ruth and her Dad arrived in a fantastic classic Rolls Royce Silver Shaddow driven by Steve of Craneswater Wedding Cars. I have worked with Steve and his second driver Ray on numerous occasions and he is always proactive, experienced and cooperative to work alongside. You can see the website of Craneswater via the link on my website, or else try here: http://www.craneswaterweddingcars.co.uk/

We were lucky to incredibly warm and sunny conditions throughout the day and in complete contrast to what we have had lately. Having photographed the ceremony and signing of the registers, the 15 girl guides who were friends of the bride did a 'guard of honour' salute as the couple exited the church. We then opted for some photos on a playing field adjacent to the church, the church grounds and at the car, before the couple headed off to their wedding reception at The Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth.

The Brookfield Hotel website is also in the links section of my website and I adverise in their wedding brochure too. You can find them here: http://www.brookfieldhotel.co.uk/ I thoroughly enjoy working at the Brookfield Hotel and especially with their Wedding and Events Manager called Jamie Drew (01243 373 363) who coordinates all their weddings and other events.

After a few more photos and some time to mingle with their guests, the couple were announced into their reception meal and my job was complete for the day.

The images will be available for viewing for Ruth and James and their families very soon.
As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Wedding Photographer in Hampshire: Fort Nelson near Portsmouth

Today I was wedding photographer at a local Hampshire wedding at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth. I was doing the wedding photography for Joanne and Malcolm. I love working at this venue which has some quirky and dramatic views for wedding photos.

I started off my day with some images of the getting ready phase at Mum and Dads house in Denvilles, Havant. I was able to shoot some detail shots of the dress, shoes and ring cushion in addition to a little make up and preparation of the bride and bridesmaids – before scooting off the venue nice and early.

After some photos with the boys - Joanne and her Dad arrived in a fantastic classic Yellow and Black Rolls (as previously photographed at my wedding on 24th April at Marwell Hall!!). The weather was threatening to disrupt things at arrival time and so we quickly completed some shots at the car before heading inside to meet the Hampshire Registrars (based at Fareham Register Offices).

We were lucky to get mostly dry conditions after a damp, cold start - for some great opportunities for photos around the museum.

Having photographed the ceremony and signing of the registers, we opted for some photos in the courtyard and then on the exposed grass frontage, the ramparts and at various locations, before the couple headed off for a short break from photos and a drive in the wedding car. After a few more photos upon their return, the guests progressed swiftly via a receiving line to a great meal, provided by the staff of Green Parrot Catering. You can view their website here: http://www.greenparrotcatering.co.uk/ They provided me with a fab meal too – thanks!

The website of Fort Nelson is here: www.royalarmouries.org/visit-us/fort-nelson and I always enjoy working with the staff here and particularly Nicky who coordinates their events and weddings. It’s also FREE to visit and is great for children and also adults if you are ever in the area.

The images will be available for viewing for Joanne and Malcolm and their families very soon.

As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Equestrian Photographer in West Sussex. Wey Valley Riding Club - One Day Event at Fair Oak.

Today I visited a new location for me – Fair Oak - the equestrian One Day Event / Cross Country Course at Rogate in West Sussex. I was providing the official photography for Wey Valley Riding Club and their One Day Event event on 9th May 2010 – one of a range in their Omnibus 2010 Schedule.

You can view the website of Wey Valley RC and find details of all their events, membership, news and results here: http://www.wvrc.co.uk/

The contact for these events at WVRC is Storme Whittaker: email stormewhittaker@tiscali.co.uk Storme and her team of Committee Members and volunteers did a great job at organizing this event, which was very enjoyable to be part of.

The website for the Fair Oak Cross Country Course in Rogate is here:
www.fair-oak.co.uk

We had a dull and cool / overcast (but dry!!) day, which made for great opportunities for equestrian photography. We captured images of the first hour or two of the various dressage classes, before I focused on the outdoor Show Jumping arena. A second photographer and friend and experienced photographer called Mike French assisted me on the day and covered the Cross Country section – Thanks Mike.

It was a long day, with riders setting off almost continuously, at 2 minute intervals - all of which kept me fully occupied and pretty tired by the end of the event by late afternoon. The riders all seemed to have a great day and I saw many familiar faces (Elstead RC had a large entry for instance and I used to photograph their events on a frequent basis) and people having a great experience at this fantastic venue.

The images will be available for viewing very soon. For a limited time of around 4-8 weeks you can view all my images in the order online section on the website: http://www.martinlewis.biz/ There are a few images here, just to give you a flavor of the event.

If you are an event organiser and might require an experienced equestrian ‘official’ photographer – please feel free to get in touch to chat about your ideas and requirements and to see if I am free and available to help you.

As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Wedding Photographer in Hampshire. HMS Warrior in Portsmouth

Today was a local wedding at one of my favorite locations for wedding photography – HMS Warrior in the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth. I was doing the wedding photos for Su and John.

Su and her Father arrived in one of two white Rolls Royce Silver Spirits provided by local wedding car provider Barringtons Limousines. The second transported Mum and other family members. Barringtons Limousines pride themselves in being one of the only local prestige vehicle suppliers that have two identical cars of each type to offer their clients – a fairly unique selling point. You can view their website either through the links page of my website, or else here: http://www.barringtonslimousines.co.uk/

The ceremony was enjoyable to photograph and was on the ‘Half Deck’. The mood and atmosphere at this venue is fantastic, if a little tricky at times and not for the faint hearted photographer!!

We were lucky to get dry conditions after a damp, cold start - for some great opportunities for photos around the ship. Having photographed the ceremony and signing of the registers, we opted for some photos on deck and at various locations, before the couple and their guests headed below for a great meal, provided by the staff of County Caterers. You can view their website here, or via the link to them from my own website links page: http://www.countycaterers.co.uk/

The website of HMS Warrior is here: http://www.hmswarrior.org/

I always enjoy working with the staff here and particularly Julie and Andrew who coordinate their events and weddings.

The images will be available for viewing for Su and John and their families very soon.

As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.

Hampshire portrait photographer. High key white background childrens portraits

This morning was dedicated to shooting some contemporary studio portraits for a local family. All done in the fashionable high key style I captured some individual and sibling portraits of child and toddler twins, in groups & individually, whilst accompanied by their Mum and Dad (twins are a handful!!).


All of the children were local to me and the youngest two had been along to two previous sittings during their first year. It can be a good idea to capture some images of your baby at intervals throughout the first year. If this appeals to you – why not get in touch and see what we can arrange.


The images will be available for viewing for parents and their families very soon and there are a small selection posted here too, to give you an insight into my style and approach.


As always these images are © Martin Lewis Photographer and are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and may not be used for any purpose without written permission from myself.