It's rare that I upload a folder of images just of myself to Love My Dress, I'm actually very camera shy and don't always think I look great on photos, but this mini-shoot I participated in yesterday was quite special to me – an opportunity to try to find some confidence in front of the lens with a photographer who would allow me to relax and just be me, no awkward posing or anything like that.
After receiving an invitation to hook up for a few photographs and spot of coffee, yesterday I met the wonderful Ashton Jean-Pierre. Fashionably late as always, I found myself stepping out of a taxi at 1pm and on to the beautiful cobbled stones of Columbia Road in East London, famous for it's Sunday morning flower market. I was due to meet Ashton in Campania, a gorgeous cafe on the corner with Barnett Grove.
I'm not frightened to admit that I was a little nervous about this meeting, Ashton is profoundly deaf and I was worried that I was going to make a real idiot out of myself trying to communicate and end up offending Ashton or something. I couldn't have been more wrong…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Ashton Jean-Pierre
From the moment I arrived and was greeted with his glorious smile, I knew I was going to be just fine with Ashton. We chatted for a little while about film {Ashton shoots in film} and wedding photography and the Most Curious Wedding Fair that were were both due to stroll on to after our mini-shoot.
I quickly learned that communicating with a deaf person when you have almost non-existant sign language skills {I did try!} is not as scary a prospect as it might sound. Infact it's a lot easier than I thought it would be and within moments, Ashton and I were enjoying a conversation like we were old friends and I felt completely at ease in his wonderful company…
Campania is lovely, a tiny little cafe with a rustic charm meets skinny jean kind of cool, home baked loaves, wonderful antique decor and just enough room to breath in and squeeze past the ladies on the back table supping their tea over gossip to get to the tiny rest room at the back.
I've never been to Columbia Road before but was really looking forward to my visit. My friend and makeup artist Lucy Baker, who made my eyes look a whole lot less tired for this shoot, used to live nearby and was telling me I'd just love it and to enjoy the atmosphere…
I didn't want to be too glammed up or 'over the top' for these images when it came to what I was wearing and my hair, and so I asked Severin Hubert of Hepburn Collection if he'd style my hair in relaxed style – with a few signature waves, of course! Working with Sev is a complete joy every time, I cannot recommend him enough.
I loved how Lucy applied the subtlest shades of blue and green to my eyes too, to match my dress – a little turquoise vintage number from the 80's {who'd have thought we'd be wearing vintage from the 80's so soon?!}, a purchase I made from the Peekaboo Vintage concession at Oxford Street's Topshop – my leopard print scarf was also from Peekaboo Vintage…
Ashton and I chatted about the barriers he faces as a deaf photographer – how people will see his work and love it, but may be nervous about booking. I could understand this caution, but cannot emphasise enough how there is no need for any.
Ashton will always have an interpreter during the initial consultation stage with any couple interested in his work, and on the wedding day itself, he works independently and very capably, using his skill and unique view of the world to capture beautiful images on his trusty Pentax. The fact he works with film makes his images all the more appealing to me…
After the shoot, Ashton and I walked on to the 'A Most Curious Wedding Fair' Exhibition that was being held at York Hall in Bethnal Green, and Ashton took a few more photos…
One of my fave bits was the man with the oysters {complete with tabasco!}. Not sure my breath was fave of the day with too many people after that mind…
Yes. They are real fireworks…
I was so pleased to finally meet Becky Hoh-Hale {see here wedding here}, the event organiser…
Debbie Carlisle of DC Bouquets below – who had some beautifully exquisite new brooch bouquets on display…
I'd like to thank Ashton for his time for that beautiful two hours in East London when I could just forget about everything and be me for a little while. Ashton – I can't wait to meet you and Shel for that lunch I'm treating you too.
If you would like to find out more about Ashton Jean-Pierre and his wonderful photography, please visit the Ashton Jean-Pierre blog or Facebook page. Ashton can be contacted via this email address and can be found on Twitter.
Huge thanks to my friends Severin and Lucy for making me look a whole lot better and feel a lot more confident on my way to this shoot! 🙂
Any feedback welcome, but please be kind 🙂
Much love,
Annabel
♥
Photography – Ashton Jean-Pierre
Dress + leopard print scarf – Peekaboo Vintage via Topshop, Oxford Street
Vintage Coat – A little antique shop in Whitby
Sandals – Topshop
Hair – Severin Hubert, Hepburn Collection
Makeup – Lucy Baker