Gordon Brown at David Blunkett's Wedding

DiddyDave

DiddyDave

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What an interesting Saturday I had assisting as 2nd photographer to David & Margaret Blunkett's Wedding in Sheffield, moreso as our very own PM put in an appearance too

To say the day was hectic would be a massive understatement!!! Partly as we'd set-up a mini studio to photograph all 185 guests at the reception, and had only 40 mins to do it in. But also as the ceremony didn't start until 2pm yet the Official Photo had to go to print in the first newspaper for 3pm :eek:

But it was a fantastic Wedding and the venue for the reception was awesome. A real bonus was being able to leave our gear unattended at times knowing it would be safe - as we left it surrounded by Special Branch protection officers :)

The images have all gone for vetting prior to release for albums etc. so I can't post any at the moment :( So if you looked just for that - tough :lol:

DD
 
Excellent cant wait to see the photos! Guess not everyone can say they have shot the Prime Minister :D
 
Vic said:
Excellent cant wait to see the photos! Guess not everyone can say they have shot the Prime Minister :D
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:lol:

I 'Shot' 5 of our Cabinet Ministers too, some more MPs and loads of others. I had a brief chat with them all (I was organising the studio shoot) and all were totally pleasant, funny and not in the slightest 'stuck-up' :)

DD
 
How many times did you have to ask the groom to look at the camera?
 
Kev M said:
How many times did you have to ask the groom to look at the camera?
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Was this a sly attempt at humour :suspect::suspect::suspect:

But just in case it was a genuine question, not at all. All we had to do was talk pretty often (which I do anyway) and David turned perfectly to our direction; I've known sited Grooms fair worse :(

DD
 
Nope, genuine question posed in my usual insensitive manner:eek:
 
Wouldn't worry too much about the PM, Mandy (unelected :shrug:) is the real power in "new" Labour.
 
DiddyDave said:
A real bonus was being able to leave our gear unattended at times knowing it would be safe - as we left it surrounded by Special Branch protection officers :)

DD
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Probably needed protection being surrounded by some of the biggest crooks in the country :D That is the definition of successful politician isn't it :nuts:
 
I'd just send them a blank album.

"Sorry we have no images but under anti-terror laws the police said we had to stop shooting and delete what we had."

Serve them right.
 
What's with all the casual assassination comments? Pretty crass :/
 
Oooh that's definitely one for the portfolio!
I bet the processors at Menwith Hill are giving us a bit of traffic right now :p
 
Marcel said:
Oooh that's definitely one for the portfolio!
I bet the processors at Menwith Hill are giving us a bit of traffic right now :p
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id take this opportunity to point out that the tax on diesel is way to high, and shall not be voting for any of you. :D
 
matty said:
id take this opportunity to point out that the tax on diesel is way to high, and shall not be voting for any of you. :D
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Diesel is the Devil's own juice and should be banned - failing that, all the duty on our beloved car champagne should be transferred to the ghastly stuff :D

DD
 
congratulations,no doubt your realy have to be on your toes and know your stuff to do a job like this.
did you worry or get nervous?

well done
 
oh thats right, bring the thread back onto photo topic!
 
lol, I can just see tomorrow's post...............

TP's very own DD in strip search drama!

Glad you survived.
x
 
Did the security services have to check you out?!
 
To answer a few at once...

Nervous - I (we all?) get a bit nervous right at the start but as soon as the shutter starts clicking the 'Pro' (call it Acting) bit takes over and nerves disappear

I'm not sure how much I was 'checked out' beforehand, but I was surprised that they never even asked to look in my bag for bombs, knives, etc. though that may well have been as I entered the church with David's 3 sons who quickly told the SB boys I was 'okay' and with them

DD
 
The reason I asked was I was fortunate enough to go to one of the garden parties at Buckingham Palace a few years ago and had to be vetted!
 
I can't believe you did not post about it a week or so before, we could have had a TP meet and a wedding demonstration/portfolio session :lol: :lol:
 
excellent story
just need some pictures to back it up now!:rules:
 
mmcp42 said:
excellent story
just need some pictures to back it up now!:rules:
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Calling me a liar !!! :lol:

Once the main tog & Press Sec people have finished with them I may get some back, and will of course post as PROOF as & when

DD
 
mmcp42 said:
excellent story
just need some pictures to back it up now!:rules:
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DiddyDave said:
Calling me a liar !!! :lol:

Once the main tog & Press Sec people have finished with them I may get some back, and will of course post as PROOF as & when

DD
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no, not at all (sorry if it seems that way)
just meant be nice to see the pictures!!
 
mmcp42 said:
no, not at all (sorry if it seems that way)
just meant be nice to see the pictures!!
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I didn't actually think you meant it that way, but it could read like it :D

Truth is - I shot about 1,000 images starting off at David's home and with the Wedding party for 11 hours - but had to hand them all over at the end of the day. I expect to get some back, but they are being vetted for anything 'unflattering' or 'sensitive' first

I did it for the experience mostly, but a few shots for when potential clients come round would be good for business ;)

DD
 
Superb mate, I'm thrilled to bits for you, thats an awesome experience to have under your belt.

Fingers crossed a lot of high flyers will love your images and you will get more work out of it.

Good luck

:clap:
 
I assume the ones in the papers/papers websites are from their people?
 
PsiFox said:
I assume the ones in the papers/papers websites are from their people?
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Not sure what you mean there m8 :thinking:

The official ones are ours - the others will be from the Press chaps that were gathered outside. So if the shot is inside or anything from the Reception onwards it's ours, outside in the street it's theirs

HTH

DD
 
PsiFox said:
This one inside church

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...for-david-blunkett-s-wedding-115875-21722466/
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OMG what have they done to that I wonder!!! It looks terrible :(

But yes, that's a heavily cropped one from the main tog - I was shooting alongside close-in with my 70-200

There's a short video from the Star online too here http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Prime-Minister-is-guest-at.5703009.jp - ours are the first two images, the rest are the Press' - and they all look crap too :lol:

DD
 
and the mail too as edited above:)
 
The walking down the aisle shot was intended as the only 'official' release scheduled for Monday

Then at the last minute the PM confirmed attendance, so on the day itself the Press Sec asked for the official one & the one of the couple & the PM & Sarah to be emailed via mobile phone within minutes of being taken - I believe they were emailed at 2.50 p.m. for a 3.00 p.m. deadline - the wonders of modern technology eh

DD
 
matty said:
id take this opportunity to point out that the tax on diesel is way to high, and shall not be voting for any of you. :D
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How did you manage to wangle a gig like this then DD? :)
 
Betty said:
How did you manage to wangle a gig like this then DD? :)
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Strange no-one else asked that yet - it would have been my 1st question :)

Perhaps you're starting to think more 'business-first' then eh? ;)

DD
 
Well done DD, what an amazing experience! So did you manage to suss out the main tog?


Marcel said:
Oooh that's definitely one for the portfolio!
I bet the processors at Menwith Hill are giving us a bit of traffic right now :p
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True - the geeks monitoring Echelon will be having a field day with this thread :D
 
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