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The thing about shooting weddings between Christmas Day and New years day is that it allows me to curb over indulging, as well as getting some fresh air running about chasing images to capture the moments of a wedding day. Of course the weather may be cold but it is always dry and rather bright. What about the low light? Some ask. Obviously it gets dark early this time of year, but it is winter after all.
Brenda & Shane were not concerned by any of this low light nonsense. They were getting married late December and just wanted somebody to get the job done, no messing about. I loved...
During 2011 I found myself shooting many weddings on Mondays, generally if I’m shooting a Monday wedding it is a couple from outside Ireland getting married in one of the many candid hotspots around the country. But this year was different, many couples were making contact and informing me of their wedding which would be on a Monday, I even shot a wedding on a Sunday this year! But that’s a story for another time. One of the most memorable of these Monday weddings was the wedding of Sinead & John. Sinead & John were married on a bank holiday Monday early June this year, they...
The most important aspect of shooting a wedding is the dynamic of the couple. Second must be the area where the reception will be held. More often than not these are the things that determine how expansive the final set of wedding photographs will be. Sometimes weather plays a part but as far as I’m concerned that is less important. The bride & groom, their families, wedding guests, and the venue definitely give the strongest indication of what the final set of wedding pictures will be like.
While I work in Kerry quite a bit it’s more or less Killarney hotels that I find myself...
One venue I visited for work more than any this year as a wedding photographer was Maryborough House, Douglas in Cork. I hadn’t been there for over a year yet made several appearances there all through the summer, and it has always been a venue which I love to work at. The staff & management are great to work with, the gardens are fantastic and even if the weather is not so good, as it has been for most of the is summer, it is still an enjoyable wedding venue to photograph. The marquee which serves as a drinks reception area works a treat for me and I never fail to get a great set of...
Since the Civil Ceremony came in to being it has opened the doors to some lovely venues and unique locations to hold weddings. Statistics say that one in every five weddings is now a Civil Ceremony and this number will only grow and grow. The Civil Ceremony is quick and exciting. From a Photographers point of view, my own that is, It can be a real challenge and one I thrive upon. One of my ideals is to never slow the day down with commands, stopping the ceremony to get a certain shot or other nonsense but to let the day flow. That is what being a documentary photographer is about. Document...
Debbie and Kais came across my work on Facebook and once directed to www.philipbourke.com they contacted me right away to shoot their wedding, and there’s nothing I appreciate more than when a couple see my work and get excited by the potential in my photographs and make the call and get the booking wrapped up. Debbie called me and we had a chat about certain images that she liked, she spoke of the natural way I found images of not just married couples, but guests and all characters and aspects of a wedding day, and she was very enthusiastic about the relaxed nature and the overall pace of...
Brides staring at clocks & blowing veils & brides drinking pints of Guinness. These are probably the three ideas, or rather, clichés that come to mind when some think reportage photography. I know because I hear about it so often. It can be all these things and none of these things. If it’s all these things then that’s all you probably want or will get. The big cliché and nothing further. Perhaps all three together in one image. When asked once would I get these type of pictures I said I didn’t know. As a documentary photographer, how can I know months in advance what images...
Each year I would probably shoot up to 40% of weddings from couples living outside of Ireland. Sometimes the couple will have ties to the country through family relations but on many occasions it’s simply the lure of the place especially when it comes to locations in West Clare (perhaps the self catering Quinn Castle or Knappogue Castle – two venues where I have covered weddings for American couples) or West Cork, with Gougane Barra or Innishannon House being popular. With each instance the strongest factor is that the couples who make contact with me are looking for a photographer who...
The first Wedding to be held in the Cork City Gaol went ahead on New Years Eve 2010 and I was privileged to be asked to record the event. Roisin & Peter were great to work with and they just let me go to do what I do best and that’s exactly what I did. They love the fact that I work within a documentary photographic style and knew they’d get something cool and original. The final set of pictures numbered in the region of over 600 or so images. A healthy set of pictures considering the time of year. TV3 were there to record the event for their News Story on New Years Day and...
The new site has been a work in process over the last while and images are being added sporadically. Yesterday the philipbourke.com FAQ page went up. The FAQ will deal with a few different issues but the one I want to highlight is Photographic Style. While probably all the couples I have worked for completely understood my philosophy with regards to how I work there are always a few potential clients who don’t, and that’s why I feel an FAQ page is needed. I know that those who ask numerous questions through email, or make contact without first viewing my website, do so while...
Brenda & Shane Honan & Garyvoe
Mar 22nd, 2012 |
no responses
The thing about shooting weddings between Christmas Day and New years day is that it allows me to curb over indulging, as well as getting some fresh air running about chasing images to capture the moments of a wedding day. Of course the weather may be cold but it is always dry and rather bright. What about the low light? Some ask. Obviously it gets dark early this time of year, but it is winter after all.
Brenda & Shane were not concerned by any of this low light nonsense. They were getting married late December and just wanted somebody to get the job done, no messing about. I loved...
Sinead & John at Ballycotton
Nov 30th, 2011 |
no responses
During 2011 I found myself shooting many weddings on Mondays, generally if I’m shooting a Monday wedding it is a couple from outside Ireland getting married in one of the many candid hotspots around the country. But this year was different, many couples were making contact and informing me of their wedding which would be on a Monday, I even shot a wedding on a Sunday this year! But that’s a story for another time. One of the most memorable of these Monday weddings was the wedding of Sinead & John. Sinead & John were married on a bank holiday Monday early June this year, they...
Denise & Nick at Ballintaggart
Oct 27th, 2011 |
one response
The most important aspect of shooting a wedding is the dynamic of the couple. Second must be the area where the reception will be held. More often than not these are the things that determine how expansive the final set of wedding photographs will be. Sometimes weather plays a part but as far as I’m concerned that is less important. The bride & groom, their families, wedding guests, and the venue definitely give the strongest indication of what the final set of wedding pictures will be like.
While I work in Kerry quite a bit it’s more or less Killarney hotels that I find myself...
Chantelle & Daniel at Maryborough
Oct 12th, 2011 |
no responses
One venue I visited for work more than any this year as a wedding photographer was Maryborough House, Douglas in Cork. I hadn’t been there for over a year yet made several appearances there all through the summer, and it has always been a venue which I love to work at. The staff & management are great to work with, the gardens are fantastic and even if the weather is not so good, as it has been for most of the is summer, it is still an enjoyable wedding venue to photograph. The marquee which serves as a drinks reception area works a treat for me and I never fail to get a great set of...
Catherine & John at the Crawford Gallery
Aug 17th, 2011 |
no responses
Since the Civil Ceremony came in to being it has opened the doors to some lovely venues and unique locations to hold weddings. Statistics say that one in every five weddings is now a Civil Ceremony and this number will only grow and grow. The Civil Ceremony is quick and exciting. From a Photographers point of view, my own that is, It can be a real challenge and one I thrive upon. One of my ideals is to never slow the day down with commands, stopping the ceremony to get a certain shot or other nonsense but to let the day flow. That is what being a documentary photographer is about. Document...
Debbie & Kais in Clonmel
Jun 2nd, 2011 |
no responses
Debbie and Kais came across my work on Facebook and once directed to www.philipbourke.com they contacted me right away to shoot their wedding, and there’s nothing I appreciate more than when a couple see my work and get excited by the potential in my photographs and make the call and get the booking wrapped up. Debbie called me and we had a chat about certain images that she liked, she spoke of the natural way I found images of not just married couples, but guests and all characters and aspects of a wedding day, and she was very enthusiastic about the relaxed nature and the overall pace of...
Do you See your Wedding Through Cliché or Concept?
Apr 27th, 2011 |
no responses
Brides staring at clocks & blowing veils & brides drinking pints of Guinness. These are probably the three ideas, or rather, clichés that come to mind when some think reportage photography. I know because I hear about it so often. It can be all these things and none of these things. If it’s all these things then that’s all you probably want or will get. The big cliché and nothing further. Perhaps all three together in one image. When asked once would I get these type of pictures I said I didn’t know. As a documentary photographer, how can I know months in advance what images...
Skye & Sam at Glengarriff Lodge
Mar 15th, 2011 |
no responses
Each year I would probably shoot up to 40% of weddings from couples living outside of Ireland. Sometimes the couple will have ties to the country through family relations but on many occasions it’s simply the lure of the place especially when it comes to locations in West Clare (perhaps the self catering Quinn Castle or Knappogue Castle – two venues where I have covered weddings for American couples) or West Cork, with Gougane Barra or Innishannon House being popular. With each instance the strongest factor is that the couples who make contact with me are looking for a photographer who...
Philip Bourke Documentary Photography: Cork City Gaol New Years Eve
Feb 23rd, 2011 |
no responses
The first Wedding to be held in the Cork City Gaol went ahead on New Years Eve 2010 and I was privileged to be asked to record the event. Roisin & Peter were great to work with and they just let me go to do what I do best and that’s exactly what I did. They love the fact that I work within a documentary photographic style and knew they’d get something cool and original. The final set of pictures numbered in the region of over 600 or so images. A healthy set of pictures considering the time of year. TV3 were there to record the event for their News Story on New Years Day and...
Notes on FAQ: Documentary Wedding Photography
Feb 23rd, 2011 |
no responses
The new site has been a work in process over the last while and images are being added sporadically. Yesterday the philipbourke.com FAQ page went up. The FAQ will deal with a few different issues but the one I want to highlight is Photographic Style. While probably all the couples I have worked for completely understood my philosophy with regards to how I work there are always a few potential clients who don’t, and that’s why I feel an FAQ page is needed. I know that those who ask numerous questions through email, or make contact without first viewing my website, do so while...