We’ve just said goodbye to 2014 and after a few weeks in the Alps during January, ill be back in February throughly looking forward to the new year ahead. Before I look over the past I would like to say a HUGE thank you to those 68 brides and grooms whom have entrusted me with documenting their wedding days during 2014 and without whom I wouldn’t be able to do this crazy thing I call a ‘job’.
In my normal fashion for this time of year I have put together an end of year visual reflection on 2014 consisting of 100 wedding pictures from the 34 weddings I have been given the privilege to be apart over the past 12 months.
Also in my normal way, I made a false prediction last year that ‘I wouldn’t be moving about as much in 2014’ in fact I have ended up making it the year I have spent the least amount of time in the UK by spending nearly 15 weeks abroad including; a return trip to Denmark on the same weekend as last year for another wedding on Jutland and a shoot in Copenhagen. I also flew to Italy to photograph some wedding celebrations around Lake Garda in Malcesine. As well as visiting Morocco with some fellow photographers at the beginning of the year and then the single longest time outside the UK in South East Asia later in the year with Poppy (Thailand and Cambodia). I’ve also been lucky enough to travel and bump into one of my wedding couples in Dubai. In total visiting 10 countries, 16 airports and taking 17 flights across 3 continents, however I have managed to drive a little less this year, only 28,000 car miles ! More Travel Posts Here.
When not in the car I have spent some more time Home in Cornwall this year, with many weddings taking place in Devon & Cornwall but of course a few elsewhere totalling up the car miles including in Hampshire, Essex, London, Surrey, Wales, Leicestershire, Rutland, and two lovely weddings in The New Forest, an area very new to me but very much looking forward to exploring more. Throughout the year I have rarely visited the same venue twice, except on two occasions; one being the ‘Savile Club’ in London’s Mayfair and the other several times and only a few miles from Home in Cornwall being ‘Trevenna Barns’ which I’ve very excited to be visiting 5 times this coming year at various different stages of the seasons.
Travelling aside, its been great to spend so much time with such a wide range of people this year, not least family and friends but also fellow photographers, my couples and guests at weddings, many of whom I’m positive will remain firm friends for years to come. Its hard to quantify in words the rewarding nature of allowing me to become involved in such a personal and happy time in peoples lives and consequently being able to document and enrich lives for years to come. I love the nature of what ‘I do for work’ and have come across this quote by Simon Sinek recently that sums up my thoughts exactly, that is; ‘The goal is not simply to “work hard, play hard”’ … (which I most certainly believe in) but rather … ‘The goal is to make our work and our play indistinguishable.’ and I’m so happy to strongly believe this is happening.
Just a couples months ago I was honoured to receive so much positive feedback from my couples that had been gathered over the year and resulted in me being a regional finalist in the ‘Wedding Industry Awards’, a national awards event aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in the UK wedding industry. Fingers are crossed for a similar result in the ‘Westcountry Wedding Awards‘ which are announced in a few weeks time.
Looking to the future and an almost full diary of weddings in 2015, I can only wish for a similar year as the last; Documenting days for those who appreciate the value of visual records for years to come and doing so in a way that generates mutual benefit and hopefully leading to some more friendships along the way. Whilst I have very little travel, other than weddings, planned for this year at the moment, I have no doubt I will find some time to explore the world a little more in 2015.
A massive thank you once again to everyone who has been apart of my 2014 and made it a throughly enjoyable ride on this rollercoaster of life. I wish you all a fabulous 2015 and hope you like these 100 pictures I have picked out from the weddings I’ve been apart of in 2014. Narrowing it down to just 100 frames has been hard but I hope your’ll like this section of moments of huge excitement and tender love from across the UK & Europe.
To all you amazing people throughout 2014, I raise a glass too you.
And to everyone that will build 2015: Lets Do This! ;)
by Barney Walters
Beautiful, atmospheric set Barney. Well done! That last shot is awesome… so many others though. I hope you have a great 2015.
Cheers Paul. Likewise all my best wishes for 2015. Enjoy it.:)
Gorgeous work Barney, so much style, love your processing and the moments you capture. Just superb.
Thankyou Michael, loved all the fun moments selected in your end of year blog. Always seems to be someone laughing, love it ! – its a real lifter. :) I hope 2015 is all you hope for and more and thanks again for the advice earlier in the year re Lake Garda. Legend.
Lovely stuff Barney – some wonderfully creative work, what a great year!
Thanks very much Helen. Really appreciate it. All the best for your 2015 and hopefully catch up in person at some stage. :)