Thursday, August 18, 2011 | Wedding
Claire and Sean came to London from their Surrey home with three of their friends to get married at Westminster Register office then have some wedding photos and champagne around the South Bank Centre. Â The joy of a midweek wedding is that places like the South Bank Centre are a little less busy and we were able to get some photographs near this summer’s installation of beach huts with just Claire and Sean that would not have been possible on a busy weekend. Â Here is just one from their wedding portrait session – the back of a beach hut as part of the South Bank Centre’s 50th anniversary of the Festival of Britain.
Sunday, April 24, 2011 | Art
London’s South Bank Centre kicked off its summer season of events this weekend by installing a beach and sky gardens around the Royal Festival Hall to mark 50 years since the Festival of Britain. Lounging on a thick grass lawn a couple of storeys up in the heat was probably one of the best things you could do – unless you wanted to dodge the water jets of Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms. I chose the warm option.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 | London wedding, Wedding
Possibly my dream venue combination – London’s South Bank Centre and the Hayward Gallery – were where Helen and Mattie celebrated their wedding a couple of weeks ago. Â I’ve been going regularly to both for the past 20 years and am strangely fond of the grey concrete buildings that have undergone a facelift in the last few years. Helen and Mattie held their ceremony in the South Bank Centre’s St Paul’s Roof Pavilion, then took their guests to the Hayward Gallery for a private view of Ernesto Neto’s exhibition The Edges of the World before returning to the roof pavilion for dancing and more partying.
Helen was walked into their wedding ceremony by her brother.
Then there were drinks on the outdoor deck.
We started Helen and Mattie’s portrait session by waiting for the lift – and making the most of this red counterweight that floats onto the St Paul’s pavilion floor when the lift is on a particular floor (no idea which one).
Wooden panels, the Thames riverside and sunlit balcony also came into play.
Time for the Hayward – with some guests stopping for a break along the way. I especially loved some of the contrasting footwear.
The wonderful thing about the Neto exhibition was its emphasis on fun and interaction – including a funky pool on the Hayward’s roof. Guests had been invited to bring their swimming costumes and this is most definitely the first time I’ve ever photographed a bride and groom in a bikini and trunks – and the first (& hopefully last) time I’ve had water splashing towards me and the camera.
One of Helen & Mattie’s guests was a keen photographer – so I took a couple of portraits of him – you can decide which is his best side.
Helen and her family really got into the swing of the exhibition.
Helen and her new mother in law – how sweet are they!
Helen, Mattie and I LOVE the Hayward’s concrete stairs, although they don’t usually have such stunning light fittings as this.
Outside, the light was fading and it was time to return to the South Bank Centre for partying … and a few more portraits on the way.
Guests who had gone ahead await Helen and Mattie.
Helen does a quick check that Mattie is choosing something suitable … Mattie is thinking perhaps Duran Duran. 
And the party is properly underway.
Sunday, July 25, 2010 | London wedding, Wedding
I’m not going to say much because I’m so tired I’m almost dribbling … except that here is one from Helen and Mattie’s wedding a few hours ago. It features the South Bank Centre’s distinctive 1951 net and ball carpet designed by Peter Moro and Leslie Martin, which Helen and Mattie very much like.
Thursday, April 22, 2010 | Engagement portrait, London wedding, Portraits
Here is a full blog of Ruth and Bruce’s London engagement portraits on the South Bank. What was especially fun with the shoot was the randomness that strangers can create in portraits. Much of the time, strangers are very polite and will wait for you to take a photograph before they walk in between you and the subjects, which can be lovely, and sometimes it’s just fun if they don’t see what’s going on and just want to whizz by on their scooter.
One of the locations featured in these portraits is an absolute fave for Bruce and he was very excited when we were there. If you think you might know which location and perhaps why, do please post in the comments – I’d love to hear from you.
