New Captiv8 website

just uploaded the new website. It's not that different from the previous version apart from the intro which I'll allow to speak for itself!!! Would like some feedback on it if anyone wants to let me know their thoughts!! www.captiv8.uk.com

*tip - turn volume on and get ready with the mouse during the intro!!

Don't Box Us In interview

I was recently asked to do an interview for the Don't Box Us In website, which is a very modern website, showing an alternative style of wedding photography. The website is run by the amazingly talented Sofie Louca of Amorphia Photography so thanks to her for asking me to do this. I was very flattered to be asked. Interview is here--> http://www.dontboxusin.com/

Telephone Problem sorted

Office number (01847 805248) is back to normal again. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Internet is back to normal as well after a couple of days not working.

Why I Do This Job

Today I had one of those "Why I Do This Job" moments.
After a very stressful weekend, I was feeling pretty crap this Monday morning. At that stage where you wonder why you bother. So, I'm sitting in front of my computer feeling stressed and a bit emotional when I get an e-mail from a bride who recently got married and had just seen her images for the first time.

It simply said "Four Words for you - Oh My God Amazing. You have such a great gift John. I am blown away"

Well, I have to admit that it caught me in a moment of weakness and I actually had tears in my eyes! Yes it's a business at the end of the day, but these type of comments mean so much to me and really make all the effort worthwhile. All the late nights of editing, all the stress, all the worry, everything, forgotten in a few seconds.

Feel a bit sad posting this on my blog but I think it's an important part of what I do. I run a business, but I really, really love making people happy, and sometimes you forget how important and special it is to have such an important job to document the biggest day of someone's life. It's a great feeling when someone gets emotional about seeing images you've created. Tears - even better!! I get caught up in the emotion often, I've actually had tears welling up at many occasions during the day of a wedding. It's an emotional day and despite doing 250 of them I still get the same feeling. I still get hairs standing up on my neck when I see genuine emotion between bride and groom.

I think when I stop feeling these emotions I will know it's time to quit.

I should point out that I do get loads of messages just like today's but this just seemed to come at the right time. Turned me to a sentimental numpty :-) I'll be back to normal soon.

Telephone Number Problems!!

Please note that as from Wednesday morning I will be temporarily unavailable on my office number 01847 805248. Please contact me on my mobile 07789 557586 and I will call you back. Hopefully won't be a problem for too long. Sorry for any inconvenience.

SWPP Image Competition

Latest Gold winners in the SWPP monthly competitions.
I haven't had as many entries as usual lately, but they've done okay really!

Latest Gold awards:

May:
Wedding Traditional

June: Never entered!!

July:
Children

Wedding Traditional

Groups

Pentland Utd League Champions and Highland Cup winners

Congratulations to Pentland Utd FC who had an amazing week, clinching the Caithness 1st Division midweek, then winning a record breaking 6th Highland Amateur Cup on Saturday. Congratulations to them on their success.

League Champs

Highland Cup Winners

Royal Visits

HRH The Duke of Rothesay returned for his annual visit to stay at The Castle of Mey and I covered several of the events he attended. First up was the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army. There was a service in the Parish Church Wick to mark the occasion.

Portmahomack Wedding

My first time to Portmahomack - what a beautiful place!! Today's wedding was Donna Mackay and Craig Mackay of Tarbatness Road in the village. They were married at Dornoch Registrars with the reception back at Portmahomack Hall. What a day we had!! Haven't had so much fun at a wedding for a long time! They really enjoyed the photography which makes my job so easy! We stopped at a few places for photographs and I am very pleased with what we got! They had a superb Buick car from The Wedding Service With Buicks in Dornoch. Amazing car!!

Here are a few of my favourites so far.

Invergordon 25th July

Travelled to Invergordon for the marriage of Jill Sutherland Fraser Road, and Iain Lohse, Gordon Terrace, Invergordon. They weremarried at Invergordon Church with the reception at the Lochardil House Hotel in Inverness. We did most of the photography at the hotel, in the gardens and indoors using the great tapestry! What a beautiful day it was, but way too sunny for my liking (and a black shirt was a bad choice) with harsh lighting forcing us to find shade!

Jacqueline & Bruce

Today's wedding was Jacqueline Mackay, formerly from Papigoe near Wick, and Bruce McArthur. The couple are both from Grant Drive Forres. The wedding was at Wick Old Parish Church with the reception at Portland Arms Hotel in Lybster.

It was a poor day, weather-wise. Very windy and heavy rain showers, although there were some nice sunny periods. We went to the funfair first for a few pictures and then headed out to Staxigoe Harbour where we were in danger of getting blown away!! So we then went to Lybster Mains where we got some shelter and finished the job!

12th July Keiss

Todays wedding was at Keiss Church with the reception at Mackay Hotel, Wick.

Louise Harrold who is formerly from Robertson Crescent in Keiss was married to Andrew Blyth. The couple live in Winchburgh, West Lothian now. It was a bit of a strange weather day. Windy, sunny and some dark clouds which threatened rain but it stayed dry for us. We had some fun shooting at Harbour House down at Keiss Harbour. It's a very old building which has been renovated and is now rented out for holidays etc. It's been a stunning restoration job. Really nice place!

11th July Wedding

Married today - Alison Manson, Tannach Road, Haster near Wick and Innes Sutherland, Bardnaclavan Place, Janetstown, Thurso. They were married at the spectacular Dunbeath Castle on a slightly windy but dry day. Reception was at the Weigh Inn, Thurso.

8th July Aberdeen

Travelled up from Edinburgh to Aberdeen for the wedding of Wendy Smith and Sava Tomin.

It was at the Palm Court Hotel on a scorching hot day. Wendy is the mother of photographer Susan Chalk from Peterhead, so she was on hand to keep an eye on me all day (and boss me around). Only joking Susan :-)

What a bunch of posers these guys were!! Ha ha great fun.

After 3 weddings and a trash the dress shoot in 5 days across 800 miles, I was glad to get back up to Thurso!!