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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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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From first meeting Charlene when she was supporting her hotel’s charity event at the Clan Gathering in Edinburgh in July last year time has flown by. Asking if I would cover her wedding in Edinburgh, it seemed an age away.

But on 2 July 2010, after photographing her and family at her mother’s house, she tied the knot with Kris at St Patrick’s church in Canongate, then on to Salisbury Craggs for photos and then to the reception at Prestonfield Golf Club.

Super wedding to do and a super day – thanks Charlene and Kris.

Glorious day up by the Salsibury Craggs

Cute!

At Prestonfield Golf Club

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.

Fred MacAulay (BBC Scotland) was the keynote speaker at the gala dinner at the Signet Libraray in Edinburgh during the annual conference for the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG).

Err… dead pan funny as ever. I only intended  to get a few shots at the start of Fred’s piece but found that I would have advertised my departure right in the middle of the 230 guests and of his delivery.  A sure target to be picked on!!

At the request of Chief Operating Officer, Marco Truffelli, I covered free of charge their Annual Charity Ball in Dundee on 19 March 2010, which was held to raise funds for CHAS - Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. Nearly £30,000 was raised.

James Brown, Magician and Pickpocket was flown specially from Dorset for ‘pre dinner pickpocketing’. Absolutely terrific. Seeing is not believing in this case, with several card tricks for me on a one to one in a quite spell and I just couldn’t work them out.

And you can see the expression on the girls faces in this photo as they witnessed the lady’s watch filched without noticing it until it appeared behind her shoulders.

Over £32k was raised…

Umm…   I said ‘JUMP ‘ and, well, jump they did!

Cool – a hotel General Manager, a Director of a premier Scottish catering company, a hospitality consultant, the MD of a top events company, the PA of a chain of boutique hotels, the Editor of a Scottish catering magazine, top PR company MD, all managed on my command to hit the air at the same time. Took two shots – and they had barely had time to have a drink before the evening started.

I was covering the HIT Dinner in Glasgow for the second year - 18 March 2010.

I have a shoot tonight at the old Central Hotel in Glasgow.

Now owned by Principle Haley, who also own the George Hotel in Edinburgh, it is due for a major refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory days.

David Welch, the area Director for both hotels, has briefed me on the spooky event planned for tonight. Guests are buyers of events and large functions and the aim is to let them see the hotel before work starts. Dry ice, smoke effects, ‘decrepit waiters’ and eerie lighting are all in the mix – should make for an interesting photo challenge!!

The hotel used to be part of one of the best hotel operators of yesteryear – British Transport Hotels. More on that when I update my blog after tonight….