A Beautiful ‘Beloved’ Session in the Park…

It is huge a privilege this – being a 'blogger'.  Don't get me wrong, it's darned hard work at times {everything is when you are self employed!}, but bottom line, I get to share inspirational, emotional, beautiful photography with my readers – images that celebrate love, passion, and adoration – and all those unspoken 'things' that two people with a special bond share between one another.  There's not really very much to complain about that now is there?

I'll not deny that at times, as I'm sat preparing my next 'real wedding' feature, I feel the pressure to get it right; to balance words sensitively alongside images – to create a story of love of one special day that reminds my readers what it's truly all about, whilst all the time staying true to the vision I'm trying to craft through my blog, the skill of the photographer, and honouring the couple's wishes too.  But I love immersing myself in that world – stealing moments as images are uploading, to stop and ponder over that tender embrace, that moment they kissed, that adoring glance, all those magical moments in time recorded so honestly and beautifully on camera.   Indeed, wedding photography is something I think I will forever be drawn to for the rest of my life, and I have never had a greater respect than I have now for anyone who is able to pick up a camera and produce such wonderful imagery…

Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Marianne Taylor

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On Sunday this week I had the very good fortune of being able to chat with one of my photography heroines, Marianne Taylor.  Marianne is pretty much legendary in the 'wedding blogosphere' – every wedding blogger wants to feature her work {one wedding blogger was lucky enough to have her photograph her wedding recently}.  Pulling me to one side of a very busy function room this Sunday afternoon, and carefully extracting her trusty ipad from her handbag, Marianne proceeded to show me the photographs you see on this page.  Whilst I love that Marianne is so unassuming in the brilliance of her own work, I think she must have known without any hesitation that I'd fall for these photographs in an instant, for the subjects are two good friends of mine, and anyone who knows me knows how much I adore them.  It wouldn't have made any difference however if I'd have never met this couple in my life – this type of photography is what truly moves me, and makes my hairs stand on end with excitement, my heart beat that little bit faster.  This is what I mean when I say it is a huge, huge privilege doing what I do.

This is Severin Hubert and his wife Roz.  And before I go on, I just want to invite you for a moment to stop and observe the way these two people are with each other in these photographs…

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Severin is a hugely talented hair stylist who offers the most wonderful wedding day hair styling and concierge service for Brides.  I've worked with Sev a few times now, here and here for instance, and you can see more from Severin and his business 'Hepburn Collection' on Love My Dress here.

I make no apology for declaring it out loud that I think he is the most super-talented hair stylist in the world – and he and Roz are two of the loveliest, kindest {and indeed most hard working!} people I've ever met too. I feel so lucky to have them as my friends.

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Photographer Marianne told me about how this beautiful, fun and moving shoot came about...

"Roz & Severin are known as one of the hardest working (and also the loveliest!) couples among wedding professionals. Most of the time they are super busy running Hepburn Collection, creating beautiful hair styles for brides and models.

Since they are literally always working and rarely have time to spend quality time together, Sev decided to surprise Roz on her birthday with a booking for a Beloved session with yours truly. Personally I think Roz & Sev are pretty much the ideal couple I had in mind when I decided to start offering dedicated Beloved sessions, a couple who has been together for a long time and deserves to take some time out of their busy lives to reconnect and to enjoy each others company…"

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"At first Roz wasn’t sure about being in front of the camera (oh I know how she feels!), but she bravely agreed to the session – and I’m so glad she did. Below are her thoughts about the experience in her own words…."

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"When I was asked by my lovely husband Sev, "Do you fancy doing a shoot with the ever so talented Marianne Taylor?" naturally I said yes. That was until I realised the shoot was going to be of us! Some of you will know that we too work in the wedding industry and understand a little about the job of a photographer, but when you are the subject of the shoot that's an entirely different story! So my next response was, "Noooo, I look awful in photo's, I won't be able to relax." Now come on ladies, how many of you out there all say the same thing? A lot of us, right?

Reluctantly I agreed. It's OK I have six months to prepare for this, I could go and have a radical face lift, change my glasses, have my teeth whitened. Of course I didn't do any of those things…I simply didn't have the time or money!"

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"The day arrived. Now what could Marianne do with a tired married couple who quite frankly could potentially ruin her lovely camera? You will be amazed! Our shoot was to be at Bushy Park and it was an awesome day – the sky was blue, not too cold and the colours of autumn were breathtaking. So far so good. Now for the serious stuff!

Our minds were racing. How is she going to do this? How will we respond to her instructions? Now of course I couldn’t possibly tell you all, as this would ruin ‘the experience’ but let me just say, she was incredible and we felt so comfortable in her presence. I would even go so far as to say, 'it was easy'"…

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"I had always thought these shoots were primarily for the engaged couple just before their big day. BUT believe me when I say that they can be for anyone. I’m sure most of you will agree that being married can sometimes be a little busy so taking time out is really important. This shoot for us was like therapy, we laughed until it hurt, felt re-energised, relaxed and more importantly we had reconnected. Marianne and her camera had captured something very special between us – being in love…"

Being in love.

Love

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I am so delighted that I've been able to share these photographs with you today.  If you would like to learn more about the concept of the 'Beloved session', which is the most wonderful photographic opportunity that has been designed to help couples reconnect with each other, please contact Marianne Taylor [who you can also follow on Twitter and Facebook}.

You can learn more about the work of Severin Hubert and the bridal hair styling services he offers by visiting the Hepburn Collection website.

I hope you have enjoyed looking through these very special, intimate and beautiful photographs as much as I 🙂

Lots of love all, I'm off to prepare for my 1pm webchat with the 'You & Your Wedding' team!

Annabel xXx

 

 

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The concept of the 'Beloved photoshoot' was created by Photographer Jesh De Rox, who now trains fellow photographers in the technique.  More than just 'photographs', the beloved shoot experience allows the photographer to work with a couple in an entirely new way, helping them to re-bond and learning how to reconnect with one another on a spiritual, truthful and honest level.

The 'Beloved Movement' has a website which is currently under construction, but you can listen to Jesh De Rox talk about it here. and photographers may be interested in reading this interview.

 Marianne Taylor has undertaken a number of Beloved photoshoots and you can see them all here on her website.  If you are interested in learning more about having your own Beloved photoshoot with Marianne, go here.

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Annabel

Annabel View all Annabel's articles

Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.

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