alan mason . studio . goose hill . morpeth . northumberland . england . telephone (01670) 735563 email icarus2@ukonline.co.uk

 

Otterburn tower, near to Otterburn in Northumberland, contains lots of interesting features for photographers.
The building dates back to mediaeval times, though a lot of the facade looks suspiciously Victorian.
I think that the building has a really old 'core' with later additions,

The history of the Otterburn Tower includes tales of border reivers, basically feuding families who mounted raids across the England / Scotland borders.

I read something somewhere stating that the castle was once besieged by the Scots.

Anyway - enough of such things - on to the pictures !

Otterburn Tower (or is it Otterburn Towers Hotel ?) in Northumberland
was a fresh Wedding photography location to me, apparently they've only recently started to host weddings.

Time absolutely flew by at this wedding,
the groom remarked that he had been enjoying himself so much that he didn't know where the time had gone !,

I felt exactly the same, time had indeed flown and I had also enjoyed myself.

The good nature of the couple obviously helped - and so did the kind and helpful attitude of the staff of Otterburn Tower.

(I was given a really good tour of the castle when I turned up and asked to look around)

the castle frontage,

rather splendid eh !

however,
I once read that lots of windows dont' really help the situation in a castle,

(they let in arrows, canonballs and things) . . .hmmm.

well, it's a real castle - honest !

on the table, set for the wedding, favours take on the soft delicacy of butterfly wings.

Brides dressing are always fun to photograph,

This picture is taken in the bridal suite in Otterburn Tower,

A room full of character with a four poster bed and a really amazing fireplace - occupying what seems to be almost an entire wall of the room !

the fireplace isnt' actually in this picture - sorry . .
you'll just have to imagine it.

 

guests larking about

as guests do . . !

20 minutes or so were set aside for some posed pictures, of which this is one,

I think that there was a selection of about 400 pictures at this wedding.

I must learn to make less pictures . . . but the problem is . . I enjoy it.

I became fascinated by a bird,
a Gryphon or Pheonix perhaps,
which appears all over the castle.
.
It must have been part of the original owners coat of arms - a heraldic device of some sort.

at any rate - it is carved in lots of odd places.
It even appears in some of the stained glass windows.

I was determined to include the creature in one of the pictures,

it appears here - above the picture of the brides dress.

Phoenix . Gryphon . Pterodactyl,
wild budgerigar ??

 

a totally unposed picture

this little bridesmaid was simply standing in the doorway gazing at the grounds, when your friend with the camera noticed the rather lovely lighting around her.

so . click . . . . .done it.

then run off to take another picture of someone else !

Guests take their place at table. .

I finished the photography well ahead of schedule (as usual) which sometimes surprises hotel staff - they seem to be used to photographers taking ages over things.

I learned a long time ago - not to delay proceedings.

a chef will be preparing a meal - he really wants to make a perfect job.

delay the guests - and the food may be overcooked.

better to finish on time.

last picture . . .

currently my favourite wedding photo,

(though I change my mind on this every week)

A rose petal lying on the dining table at Otterburn Tower.