Not quite Heli-Skiing but a Heli-Wedding

Just over three weeks ago I returned back from Méribel and the French Alps, ready to start another busy summer season of Wedding Photography. Just before I drove off the Eurotunnel train my iPhone burst into life with texts and emails. That's not unusual I guess after having been out of reception, but one of the emails had a slight air of panic about it.

It read "Hi Martin, my name is Libby, the Mother of the Bride of the wedding you are photographing next weekend. Can you phone me ASAP please, I need to talk to you." Blimey, I'm not saying I panicked..... all right I did panic right away. Weddings can often have complicated, how shall I say this, family situations that can affect a few things. I pulled over as soon as I could and promptly called her. I needn't have worried. Libby explained that she had booked a surprise wedding present for her daughter and soon to be husband, and that I was to be part of, and must also keep secret. To cut a long story short, Libby had changed the mode of transport for travelling between the church and the couple's farm which was where their reception was being held. The tractor and trailer was to take them away from the church, as originally planned, but then deposit them in a local field where a helicopter would whisk them away (that's the surprise present part). Libby wanted me to capture the couple's reactions when they first saw the chopper, and also to capture the flight as well.

How cool is that? Part of my job was to fly in a helicopter. That's similar to part of my job, as a ski instructor, is to ski powder with lovely people. After finishing that phone call, I then drove away from Folkestone feeling very happy and looking forward to the summer. It was a fabulous wedding, and one that I will blog about shortly over on my wedding photography website, www.hemsleyphotography.co.uk .

The photo above shows myself, Jenny and Will half way through the flight above Warwickshire. Don't they look happy and gorgeous? Not sure where my five chins came from though. It looks as if I've been whacked by a cricket bat as well. Granted I ate a few too many pizzas and tartiflettes over the winter, but I'm not THAT fat.

I had a lovely chat with Michael last week, he is blowing his trumpet again. So we are both back into our summer careers full swing. You might be interested to read one of Michael's previous blog posts to help give you an idea of his summer work, titled 'Back to Bach'. As usual please feel free to leave a comment below, it's easy to do. Don't forget you can also keep in touch with us via our Facebook and Twitter account thingeys. Have a great week everyone. Live With Passion.

Martin