I went out to Cardiff during the big fall on Wednesday in search for some good snow images for my stock portfolio. Most of them are the usual snow scene with white landscape and trees covered with snow. But just when my fingers started to feel numb from the sub-zero temperature this young couple stopped about 100 yards away from me and started embracing each other! The scene was just like in the movies and was too good to be true..I quickly pulled my long lens and managed to have a quick snap before they parted and walked towards me. I didn’t even get the chance to meter the shot! Almost like a quick draw in a cowboy shoot-out.. and as the young couple walked past me, I had a quick glance on my screen and to my amazement the shot came out perfect! It made my day. Talking about luck huh?

Britain was hit by a massive snow fall last few days and for Wales it was the heaviest since the 80’s. Last Wednesday saw 5 to 6 inches of snow at our place. School’s closed and my wife was snowed in and couldn’t get to work..so for the first time ever since we moved here, we had the chance to enjoy the snow as a family! Being in Wales, it’s not easy to see snow this thick. Meet the latest member of our clan - ‘Mr. Sledge’ - name given by Danial

Football season has started here in the UK and over the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to cover several International and local league matches. Here are a few of my fav from each match.

September 4, 2009
UEFA Under 21 Championship 2011
Wales v Italy
The Liberty Stadium, Swansea (Home of Swansea City FC)

The Italy U21 team line up (Federico Macheda was on the bench)

Lorenzo Ariaudo (Juventus) of Italy (right) appealing against an offence after bringing down Simon Church (Reading) of Wales (left).

September 9, 2009
FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifier - Group 4
Wales v Russia
The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Russia 2010 World Cup team line up

Alexander Anyukov (left) of Russia puts on a tight defence against Chris Gunter (right) of Wales during their group 4 2010 World Cup Qualifiying match at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, September 09, 2009. Russia won 3-1.

September 12, 2009
FAW Welsh Cup - Round 1
Llantwit Fardre v Aberbargoed
Tonteg Park, Church Village

Tight clash - Llantwit Fardre (blue) lost 0-1 to Aberbargoed (red)

September 13, 2009
The Welsh Premier League
Neath Athletic v Bala Town
The Gnoll Stadium, Neath

Carlos Castan (left) of Neath Athletic and Osian Jones (right) of Bala Town race for the ball during their Welsh Premier League match at The Gnoll Stadium, Neath, September 13, 2009. Neath won 2-1.

Left: Craig Steins (middle) of Neath Athletic challenges Bala’s goalkeeper Jason Astbury.
Right: Carlos Castan (white) of Neath FC competes for the ball against Osian Jones (red) of Bala Town.

Neath Athletic player celebrate after Chris Llewellyn scored their winning goal during thier Welsh Premier League match against Bala Town at The Gnoll Stadium, Neath. Neath won 2-1. Picture taken on: September 13, 2009.

One thing I love about my job is that I get invited to all sorts of new places and they are all cool places! Last month I got to shoot a big asian wedding at Manchester United Football Club and last week I was invited to Egerton Grey Country House Hotel in Porthkerry, near Barry where Rhiannon is marrying her long time partner Neil. As always, I arrived early to have a look around and scout the place for some ideas for later. The place was just too perfect for a small english wedding. The classic english style property was situated on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by a breath taking view. There’s a small garden and tarrace outside the property - perfect for outdoor portraiture. The only thing that worries me was that it was a cloudy day and I can see dark clouds moving its way closer towards us! Forecast says “heavy rain with patches of sunshine”. When I arrived, there were still sunshine but by the time Rhi and Neil arrived it was raining like cats and dogs and I was starting to think that this is going to be another indoor wedding…thanks to UK weather!

But being a UK weather..it was also unpredictable..the rain stopped and the sun came out just as the ceremony was about to get started. I was so relieved because otherwise, there won’t be much to shoot since it was only a 10 guests wedding! that’s including the bride and groom and their two children. And so all went as planned and I had a great time working with the couple and their families in and around the property. Being a very low-key wedding, Rhi and Neil only invited both parents, brothers and sisters and their partners and also their two cute little children Gwen (1) and Gareth (3). Rhi and Neil met at work 12 years ago. Rhi now works in IT while Neil is a manager at a legal firm in Bath. This time there were no fancy wedding car or cake.. just a nice family lunch after the ceremony in a very posh and classic dining room.

To Rhi and Neil, thank you so much for the trust and I hope you guys like the photos as much as I enjoyed making them! I wish you both a happy life together. Here are some of my faves from the day..I don’t normally post shots of the location too much but this time it was too good to be left out! So here’s a very long one, ENJOY..

Egerton Grey - you can see the clouds starts forming above

The tarrace and garden outside the property - that’s a train bridge at the background!

The hallway by the entrance - I am playing around with some textures

The stairs leading up to the rooms

The Dining Room

Some detail shot of the table

One of the lounge or reading room

The Conservatory

And next door is the Drawing Room - where the ceremony took place

Rhi having a quick word with Paul the House Manager

Then they quickly went to the room to get change

The Room - my wife would die for a bed like that!

Neil was first to get changed

And he was all ready in two minutes!

Then it was Rhi’s turn to put the make-up on

Rhi’s twin sister Siân doesn’t want to get left out

Owh..did I mention the beautifully restored Edwardian Bathroom?

A quick cup of tea to relax

Quick shot with the sister before putting the dress on

Something “new and blue”! I guess the hotel room would be the “old and borrowed” then..

Some more detail shots..

The Rings

The Shoe

I just love the colour and can’t resist taking another shot!

The Bouquet

A helping hand from Siân

Look at that blue eyes..

Gareth (3) was waiting downstairs with Neil and the other guests

Now I know where he got the eyes from!

Gwen (1) with Grandad

The walked slowly into the Drawing Room

Where the guests are waiting

The ceremony began - I just love it how the sun light falls onto the couple

Taking their vows

Exchanging rings

The first kiss

Signing the register

Finally husband and wife - They walked out with the children

Then we take advantage of the sun to go outside for a quick portrait

Rhi and Neil were very easy to work with..very relaxed and willing

Somehow Rhi and Neil finds it humorous to do this shot - but I think they look AWESOME!

I love this one too - they look so loving and natural

A quick group shot - what a view!

Just the family

Then into the Conservatory for some more portraits - my fav!

and this one

this one too..

And then its time for lunch

Rhi really needed a drink after all that session

Same goes to Neil

Even the cute Gareth needs a sip

Some details of the food..

The hot bun

The beautifully crafted butter

The starter - Chicken liver parfait, homemade chutney and Melba toast

And that was the smallest wedding I’ve done so far - a lovely one too!

CONGRATULATIONS To Rhiannon and Neil..

I went to the GenQuip Stadium on Friday to cover a WPL game between Port Talbot and Llanelli AFC. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. For a full match report go here. Here’s the best shot of the day..

Neil Thomas of Port Talbot Town (in blue) trying to put in a cross during their 0-0 draw with Llanelli AFC at The GenQuip Stadium, August 21, 2009.