Amanda & Stu’s gorgeous engagement session is special for two reasons. Not only did the couple find their photographer Shell de Mar on Rock n Roll Bride, but it’s the groom that is the big Rock n Roll Bride fan. I love that I have (a few, carefully selected and super special) male readers who can see past all the pink and glitter and enjoy the wedding fabulousness. So it was Stu who excitedly told me all about their shoot with Shell.
“We first came across Shell via an engagement shoot featured on Rock n Roll Bride. We loved the way she managed to capture colours, fun and love (all the important things in life!). After we got in contact with her, she asked us to provide a bit of info about us and, looking back at the emails I got verbal diarrhoea and listed of a whole heap of stuff. I mentioned our love of bright colours in everything (clothes, art, movies, music and animals. I mentioned our Sphynx cat (Uzume aka Zoomy – named after the Japanese goddess of joy and happiness) who we obviously wanted included in the photos as she’s part of the family! I mentioned that we got engaged in Venice; that Amanda makes colourful glass jewellery; that we ski… and the list carried on. Thankfully this didn’t scare Shell off and she seemed as enthusiastic as ever!”
“Inspired by all of this, Shell came up with a whole heap of suggestions including a link to eBay to an item with 100 multi-coloured balloons! Woohoo, ‘Up’ here we come! So, the day of the shoot came and so did the weather. Rain and wind. Unfortunately (or fortunately as it turned out!) this made it impossible to take the 100 balloons on the train with us, so we went with the 10 heart shaped purple balloons in 4 bin bags, 2 colourful umbrellas and 2 heart shaped chalkboards we had bought in Switzerland the week before and we postponed the ‘Up’ shoot until a later date. Great decision! The photos from Part 1 are awesome! The colours from the graffiti on the South bank (you can’t see the strange looks we were getting from the skaters!), The Charlie Chaplin – who asked to borrow Amanda’s mirror, so we asked to borrow him! The giant ampersand, The yellow staircase, The aquarium – all awesome!! And we had such awesome fun posing, jumping in puddles and generally larking about. Even when the wind blew a bag full of the balloons down onto the beach of the Thames, meaning that I had to clamber down and run along the beach after them (much to the amusement of the tourists), it was still fun!”
“So, Part 2! The leaves turned and the weather finally became our friend, Shell made the trip out to us to meet Zoomy – who she loved – how can you not!? We love the shots of the 3 of us. Just beautifully sums up a happy chilled day at home. And yes, Zoomy got in the bag on her own – she likes being inside stuff. So, off to the park with the balloons – with Amanda and Shell claiming not to know me as I walked down the street with 100 multi-coloured balloons!. Shell suggested a load of props to attach to the balloons – 2 pairs of my boots, my mini skateboard and a couple of bottles of our favourite tipples – St Germain and Bombay Sapphire! So after a day of bubbles, balloons, boots and rolling around in leaves the shoot was over.”
“And the photos… well, see for yourself… awesome, just awesome! Shell has a knack for capturing fun, love, personality and all round happiness – check out the colours! And the black and white romantiqueness as well. And the shoot was SO much fun as well!”
Stu warned me that he might have rambled a bit but I had to share all this info with you too. I love how excited their photos made them!
Huge love and thanks to Amanda & Stu and of course the ever fabulous Shell for sharing these today
