Tony Howell is a professional landscape photographer, based in Somerset, with over thirty years experience in the field. His love of the natural world is evident in his uncluttered compositions and the feeling of peace they convey. This month I was lucky enough to go on a photoshoot with him, to find out what being a pro landscape photographer is really like and how Tony creates his tranquil images. This feature has been published in the March issue of Photography Monthly.
From better deals to the hottest hotels and made-to-order travel itineraries, your computer holds the secret to happy holidays. In this feature published in Windows: The Official Magazine I share my top ten ways to organise your best ever holiday.
I took a week off last week and went on a road trip around the stunning Scottish highlands, here are a few of my photos.
Modest guestlists lend themselves to unusual and exceptional venues. Be inspired by my top 5 venues for small and chic weddings in the UK, which you can read in this month’s Perfect Wedding magazine.
Here are my top five:
1. Temple of Apollo, Stourhead, Wiltshire
Who for: Romantic couples who want a beautiful, classic and intimate ceremony. The garden temple will seat 30 guests to witness your wedding.
What: A tranquil paradise. Situated in one of the finest landscape gardens in the world, the stone built Temple of Apollo, built in 1765, is truly stunning. Looks familiar? You may well have seen it in the proposal seen in remake of Pride and Prejudice. If it’s good enough for Keira Knightley Matthew MacFadyen…
Why: It’s timelessly beautiful and will provide a magnificent backdrop for your photographs.
Marriage license: Yes
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
2. Millbrook Estate, High Bickington, Devon
Who for: Nature lovers who want to be married hidden away, in a breath taking valley. Millbrook specialises in weddings for up to 20 guests, they also do ‘Runaway Weddings’ for less than four guests…
Why: Stunning and very private, Millbrook is set within a valley location of 32 acres of beautiful countryside with lakes, wild flower meadows and mature woodland. Marry in the extremely intimate secret garden conservatory or in the summerhouse, which has enormous folding doors to let the outside in, and a huge fireplace for roaring log fires in the winter months. The venue even offers private dinning for true romantics.
Marriage license: Yes
Website: http://www.millbrookestate.co.uk
3.Forter Castle, Perthshire, Scotland
Who for: The Bride and Groom who want a venue fit for a King and Queen. The castle can accommodate 16 for a sit down meal or up to 24 for a buffet and sleeps up to 12.
What: This16th century fortified tower is like something from a fairytale – it’s been lovingly restored from a ruin to retain it’s original character and charm, but with opulent modern-day comforts and even boasts its very own chapel. The surrounding highlands are unspoilt and sure to impress.
Why: It’s dramatic and intimate at the same time.
Marriage license: Yes
Website: http://www.fortercastle.com
4. Nash Point Lighthouse, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales
Who for: Quirky couples looking for a unique place to tie the knot. The spectacular Lighthouse can hold 25 guests, over two floors.
What: One of the few operational lighthouses where you can get married, beautiful Nash Point Lighthouse is situated on one of the cleanest, sandy coastlines in South Wales and noted for its variety and birdlife. You’ll be treated to a spectacular view while you say ‘I do’ – a great choice for those with an affinity with the sea.
Why: It’s a deliciously different option and a real statement about who you are as a couple.
Website: www.trinityhouse.co.uk
5. Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe, Devon
Who for: Couples who want to a beautiful, informal ceremony at the beach. Tunnels Beaches encourage weddings for up to 60-70 people, with the option of more even guests.
What: A network of hand carved tunnels lead you to a tidal Victorian bathing pool and stunning sheltered beaches, where this chic, contemporary venue lies. Get married in the Thatched Gazebo overlooking the sea, with a sublime view of the rugged coastline and the sound of the sea.
Why: It’s a stunning yet understated choice and the scenery will look fantastic in your photos.
Marriage license: Yes
Website: http://www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk
There is so much going on in the South West this month, it was tough gig deciding what to put in 247: the region’s biggest and best lifestyle magazine. Lots of big acts are visiting our sunny shores this month – we interviewed covers stars; Noah and the Whale, met Southampton rockers; Band of Skulls and had a good old chin wag with hugely popular sing/songwriter; Maverick Sabre. As Always, we’ve got loads of home grown talent for you too – see our interview with Devon hip-hoppers; The Breaks Collective, meet Falmouth-based singer/songwriter Sarah RK and check out the work of Truro-based photographer, Jessica Augarde, in this month’s retro-inspired fashion shoot. We’ve got all the usual music reviews, action sport, food, culture, film and music listings too.
If you live in the South West pick up a free copy from a range of shops, bars, pubs and clubs, or, if not, read online here.
In this tutorial for the February issue of Windows: The Official Magazine, I show how to save lots of time and effort by simultaneously making the same adjustments to groups of photos, using IrfanView’s powerful batch conversion tool.
247 magazine: the indispensable music and lifestyle guide for 18-30yr olds throughout the South West of England.
There’s so much going on in the South West of England this month – I was spoilt for choice when editing together this month’s issue. There are gigs galore plus a gaggle of festivals announced too (see our news section) that, if they haven’t already gone, your January blues will disappear in no time. Rose tinted glasses? Yep, there are some lovely ones in our Valentines Day themed Retail Therapy Section. Oh, and if you’re out to impress a crush this month – we bring you our pick of restaurants using local produce. This month we meet Chinese Sky Candy: electro indie kids from Falmouth, interview Wycombe-based rockers, Young Guns, who bring their tour to the South West, find out about new hotly tipped Devon three-piece, These Reigning Days and also chat to Drum ‘n’ Bass DJs: Serial Killaz who are headed for Plymouth. All this plus fashion, music reviews, extreme sports and our comprehensive listings guide. Read the magazine online here.
Planning on crowning your wedding gown with a covetable treasure from a beautiful bygone age? Good choice: there is something wonderful about wearing a piece of jewellery with a story – and shaping its next chapter.
This month I had the enviable task of writing a complete guide to vintage wedding jewellery for WED magazine – it was the most enjoyable wedding-realated feature I’ve written to date, and not just because it involved looking at lots of lovely sparkly jewes! In the feature I explain the difference between vintage, antique, estate and heirloom jewellery, as well as how to age rings, provide questions to ask when buying vintage and teach all about the hidden meanings of vintage jewellery. Did you know diamonds symbolise consistency, hence there use for engagement rings, coral was said to protect against evil, rubies mean passion, amethyst’s signify devotion, emeralds show hope and pearls symbolise tears? Fascinating!
Click the pages for a larger view. Published in this month’s WED – see www.wedmagazine.co.uk or buy online here.
Perfect Wedding magazine is one of my favourite wedding magazines, so I’m always more than happy to contribute to the monthly glossy. For this 2012 Fashion Special, I spoke to top bridal stores and designers, including my favourite dress maker: Candy Anthony, to compile an 8-page essential guide to choosing the perfect wedding gown. If you’re a bride-to-be I recommend you have a read – researching this feature has certainly made the somewhat daunting, but super exciting, task somewhat easier. Perfect Wedding Issue 65 is in newsagents now.
In the second installment of a new series I’m writing for Photography Monthly, I spend a day with Brad Wakefield, an editorial photographer, employed by the South West News Service: the largest independent press agency in the UK. The day saw us cover a repatriation funeral at Bath Abbey and was quite an eye opener…
This feature has been published in the February edition of Photography Monthly, out now.
FREELANCE CONTENT CREATIVE 