The gales had died down just hours before, replaced by “Frozen Planet” icy temperatures. My shooting location was a blow up ‘Log Cabin’ parked at the back of the dance venue (aka gym – but well decked out).

Despite asking for some light during my reckie earlier in the day on 9 December, none was provided and resorted to getting camera focus by torch light held between my legs. I’d already rigged up a flash on a tripod and hidden it behind a snowman as I had to be a bit creative in this  6 foot by 8 foot plastic interior. Then power cuts caused a serious deflation, knocking reindeers and my flash over – but got a shot of the blow up on the way back up. Only on uploading the images later did I see that the remote flash had gone off inside. I gave up trying to stick the antlers back in its head! Fortunately I had a builders tungsten bulb mobile light and rigged that up.

Bloody cold shoot, in the most awkward circumstances. But as ever with 1 Scots, always a good bunch.

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After Rik and Jenny attended a friends post wedding party earlier in the summer, they asked me to cover their own big day.

Married at Duddingston Kirk we had hoped for photos around Arthur’s Seat but as (bad) luck had it, mist descended.

Anyway made the best of it and got a few of Jenny on her own later after the meal.

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Booked for Scottish Annual Dinner and Awards for Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment at The George Hotel Edinburgh on 8 Sept. Fab setting.

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Lisa and Jamie were married in Thailand a few weeks before they had their reception back in Scotland in June 2011.

I had the pleasure of photographing them along with family and friends at the fabulous John Hope Gateway at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh. A chilly (June!) night didn’t put Lisa off from photos around the gardens and at the Glasshouse which she had visited often since childhood. There are too many great locations to choose from so we weren’t stuck for choice. 

“Thank you so much for the photos which we received.
They are fantastic, there are some real special ones there which I am looking forward to developing, framing and showing off!!
Many thanks again for all your efforts, you really captured the whole evening and for all your help and patience with all my requests!”

Lisa.

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One of the gains of photography is the various experiences of meeting those you come in contact with.

From a recent enquiry through a business listing web site for Cpl Stevie Gibb, and in competition to other photographers, I won the opportunity of covering the Homecoming Ball for the Corporals Mess of 1 Scots at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh in Oct 2010. The Royal Scots Borderers is the name given to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS). 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Scots_Borderers

From this I ended up doing the group (80!!) photo for the Regimental Sergeant Majors’ (RSM) In/Out dinner – a dinner for the leaving RSM and incoming RSM. This particular event was delayed as the outgoing RSM was in Afghanistan. I was also asked to cover a second Ball – this for the Sergeant’s and Officers Mess the following Saturday.

I think this was my first ever ‘touch point’ with the army, a barracks, the various ranks, civilian access to a barracks and more. From a life in (hospitality) business and now photography, this was a new world. At every point of contact all I can say what a great ‘bunch of guys’ and I include Sgt Sarah Learmonth (who booked me for the Sgt’s Mess Ball). And at one time exiting the barracks had good chat with the MOD guards.

Anyway both evenings were a pleasure to do. Ball gowns and smart uniforms were the order of the evening. I was there to photograph couples and groups, unfortunately with not the best of backgrounds. The huge gym was transformed with marquee interior drapes, balloons and lighting.

I found out that on the Saturday afternoon of the Sgt’s Ball there was the Homecoming Parade from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Park where there was to be the medals presentation by the Lord Provost and Brigadier Richard Felton and other top army officers. Through my contact at Dreghorn with Sgt Major Mo Morrison I offered to photograph the parade and ceremony for free and make the pictures available.

An exhausting run/stop/run down the Royal Mile following the troops ended with the medal’s presentation in Holyrood Park for all who had just returned Afghanistan.

Already there in Holyrood Park were the injured soldiers and I was shocked to discover one young man there waiting to accept his medal and who had lost both legs and most of his fingers. Some other photographers took his individual picture but I couldn’t and instead took one of him being video interviewed – shown below. Seeing these guys was humbling, a full realisation in the flesh of what is sacrificed on our behalf. And whilst the able bodied in their ranks opposite also received their campaign medals, they will also have come back with their own memories of their 6 months tour – and not least of 3 comrades killed in this time.

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Sarah and Stuart were nearly not the ‘main attractions’ at their own wedding  judging by the four boys, two of whom were the Pageboys.  

Lovely little wedding  in the City of Edinburgh Suite at Lothian Chambers. Then some pictures down by the galleries on The Mound and then on to the hotel.  

Page boy before the ceremony

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Lucky devil – not only does he have the pleasure of giving cocktail lessons to over 90 glam women but he gets the thanks too!!

2 Sex in the City Cocktails - only for a kiss though!

Part of a fab event at The Living Room centred on Sex and the City films, two barman gave lessons in making cocktails to a sell out event. Hand massage, make up and a fabulous hat hire company all added to the evening which also supported a charity.

Not quite ‘baltic’ but the sun did make an appearance to take a bit of the chill off so that photos could take place outside the Kirk in Currie. Umm… it was May 1st!!

I assisted Maria Falconer (Maria Falconer Photography) at a wedding for 150 guests at the church and afterwards in the decked out church hall nearby.  As ever the children take the best shots – maybe.

VIE at Home (previously Richard Branson’s Virgin VIE brand) held their leadership awards and gala dinner at Edinburgh’s Dalmahoy Hotel. VIE is a home selling programme of quality cosmetics and jewelry.

Ros Simmons, the new CEO, who bought out the firm from Branson, gave out numerous awards with some to group managers with turnovers of over £1.5m

A sparkling event that was great fun to cover – as you can see!

I received a lovely letter from Jean Hotchkis following their celebrations at Edinburgh’s 5 star Caledonian Hotel for which I was delighted to be asked to take photos for the evening.

“16 March 2009. Dear Simon, My husband and I would like to thank you so much for all the effort you put into the photography for our diamond wedding celebration. The results are excellent and will contribute a great deal to our memories of a very happy event. Yours sincerely, Jean Hotchkis.”

About 50 family members of all ages and from the UK and abroad joined to celebrate. I was asked to take family group shots and cross family generation shots, as well as the whole group on the hotel’s grand staircase.

A great night which I enjoyed covering.

 Funny where life takes you. I had worked at the Caledonian Hotel many many years previously as Personnel Manager and then Conference and Banqueting Manager in the good old days of British Transport Hotels when Donald McLeod was the General Manager.