Nether Edge Market

Every time I open the card drawer I hear a collective intake of breath and see their doleful eyes looking up at me. One will whisper 'is it me? is it me?' as they wait to fulfil their destiny and have a message of connection written in their fold.

This Sunday, as a treat, I am taking them on a group outing to the Nether Edge Farmer Craft Market to get some of them closer to their dream. Looks like I am going to have to find many pairs of square welly boots first so they can jump in the puddles.

Come and say hello if you're going to be there too. The market is 12-4 on Sunday 24th, Nether Edge Road, (we will be on Glenn Road).

Anna and Greg | Portrait

Meet Anna and Greg. 

I met* them at a wedding last summer and am going to be shooting their wedding in a few weeks. We went for a play in the woods during the last of the evening sun - the day before The White Queen behest that we would live in a land that was always winter and never Christmas (although it seems the last few days Aslan must have been near by - even if he's left again this morning). I had much fun - and loved seeing Anna break out in to many an infectious giggle. I was also pretty pleased we made timely use of a painted sign that has worn away to now say lover - when I drove past just days later it was rudely covered over with another sign. Opportune.

See you both in a few weeks.

*Hmm, think we might not have actually met then, thing I might just have seen them through the lens. Taking photographs creates hazy memories about what is real and what is not.

PS Oh I do love colours.

 All images ©KateCooperPhotography2012

Lauren and Mike | The Wedding

I met Lauren through her sister Becky - who I know for her gentleness and unfailing warm enthusiasm. It seems this is something of a family trait

There was many a moment when I heard guest's saying "oh that's so Lauren" about this detail or that, with her own gentleness expressed through her meadow-in-a-bouquet and the delicate tea pink of her bridesmaids. But this tenderness was evident in more than the material touches, visible also in the interactions between Lauren and Mike as a couple, between family members and seeing the tone of how the bridesmaids got ready together.

Gadding about together on the moors was fun - a very willing Lauren had packed the wellies - these two seemed quite at home in this environment. It was interesting to see how wearing wedding clothes out and about affects passers by and breaks down their English reserve.

I had fun at dinner chatting to Mike's family about quite a broad reach of existential topics - perhaps not the usual wedding conversation but I did (and do) enjoy the tussle of sitting with big questions and the mystery of not knowing the answers.

I loved the speeches - an excellent delivery by a nervous best man who surpassed himself in the moment. 

The Queen made a few choice appearances on her Jubilee weekend - an impulse purchase by the groom's brother that created a few giggles. Driving across Leeds to Ilkley Moors showed how the villages had laid out much bunting to express a country coming together. Such expressions seemed fitting for a day of families coming together in celebration too.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2012