Terry Lee, Wedding Photographer for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, London and Home Counties » band

Jazz Music for your Wedding day.

Terry Lee — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:46:16 +0000

So you’ve organized the venue, the photographer (naturally), the flowers, the dress and the food. But somewhere along the line you have to consider music for your ceremony and reception.

Is it better to have a DJ or a live band? That would depend on your budget but most would want a live band if money was not a defining factor.

I recommend what time of music you should have, but I can recommend a band. A few weeks ago I had the priviledge of photographing a jazz band called Jazz Juice. They are based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. They are made up of 5 very talented musicians each providing a very smooth and classic soundtrack to your wedding.

I cannot recommend them enough, and trust me when I say I have heard alot of Wedding Music!

You can hear a sample of their work by going to their website; just tell them I sent you…

Beauty and the Bullets

Terry Lee — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:57:56 +0000

A rare photo of my trusty assistant Kelly with the Red Bullets at a recent Wedding party.

A wedding, a funeral and a band

Terry Lee — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:17:30 +0000

Last Wednesday I looked at my day’s schedule and thought, ‘a day like today will never happen again’.

10.30 Prepare Wedding proposals for email enquiries
11.30 Meeting in Stewkley to visit wedding venue and church
13.00 Grab some food, edit photos to be sent out
14.00 Kelly over at my house
14.30 Drive to Amersham Cremetoriam
15.30 Funeral of Baby Bethany Faith Evett
17.00 Over to Evett’s for High Tea
20.00 Back to my place, dump photos, recharge camera
21.00 Over to Kelly’s for a quick cup of tea
22.15 Wendover to photograph Lightbox rehearsal ahead of Friday night’s gig

How to recognise a good wedding photographer.

Terry Lee — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:33:21 +0000

Some people don’t like weddings, if that’s you then this post isn’t for you! I’m sure if you’re a wife or husband you’ve already been through the emotional ride of your special day, but have you considered what it is like for your photographer? If he’s any good at his job he (or she of course) will love it, and it will show.

As a good friend constantly reminds me, I’m the wrong side of 30. Most of my friends at my age have the 2.5 family household. Some of them don’t particularly like other people’s weddings. I love them!! It’s an absolute hoot. But not all wedding photographers are like me, so for potential bride and grooms here’s my top ten list for…

…You know you have a good Wedding Photographer when:

He turns up early and has already taken 100 shots of your house in every detail.
You realise that there is someone else going around busier than your bride’s maids & your parents.
He has a camera so big that is has it’s own gravitational pull
Nothing distracts him away from his equipment, not even the lure of beautiful bride’s maids
He walks with a limp because of sustained injury from carrying 2 cameras, 4 lenses, 3 battery packs, 2 flashes, 1 tripod and a hernia
He has a personality that can gather people together; from the rowdiest of guests to the most gentle of children
He is the only one who is not having anything to drink AND is taking “shots” on the dance floor
You see him seemingly looking at nothing, then realise he is actually lining up a great shot of your parents.
Children keep asking him why he needs a camera that big!
and finally, by the end of the evening he has a grin on his face because he has had so much fun capturing the greatest moments of the greatest day in your life so far!!!

Red Bullets and The Swamis rock up the Esquires club.

Terry Lee — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:16:54 +0000

Friday was an evening I had noted on my calendar for quite some time. Two of my favourite local bands were playing in one intimate venue. Also, it was the first time I was taking out my Nikon D3 out on a real gig.

The bands really worked the crowd who were up for it. It was a small venue but that made it more special. The sound, the lights and the atmosphere was all in place for a great evening. I believe the lads also felt a vibe as they really played up to the lively audience.

There were other bands there; they had a good sound but lacked the presence of Bullets or Swamis. Purely from a photographer’s perspective if the band doesn’t give me any kind of attitude or emotion, then it is hard to capture.

A great night, but I must mention one thing about the Esquire venue. Everything was great except the lights, whoever controlled the lights obviously never had a photographer give them any direction. They consistently flooded the guitarists and lead vocalist with a single wash of colour; this gives no contrast or depth to an image and make everything look monotone and uninteresting. However, it wasn’t my gig or my place; in other places I have asked the lighting controller to give me a more varied contrasting range of colours. Red from one side and blue from the other gives the classic and best canvas on the bands.

The Red Bullets & The Swamis at Esquires club, Bedford.

Terry Lee — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:56:04 +0000

A bunch of us headed an hour north to Bedford to see a couple of the local bands we support. I’m still processing photos, but here’s a great one of the Swamis taken by kelly.

Lee Evans, the best one man band… ever!

Terry Lee — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:10:26 +0000

I’m a huge fan of music as you may have gathered, so when one of my favourite comedians does a one man band mime it is priceless. It’s a old video, but it is still a classic I wish to share.

How to control a band during a photoshoot.

Terry Lee — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:44:03 +0000

I was after the perfect light on a late Sunday afternoon, however the lads were running late. It wasn’t ideal as I was up against the sun rapidly lowering over the horizon. In the end I did get a few shots off; this is one of the few I am happy with.

I had to be stern with them as they wanted to banter and mess around, but I couldn’t afford to waste anytime. I still believe I can get better shots because once again I had to rush this shoot, just like the last time!

Local Buckinghamshire band photoshoot & rehearsal

Terry Lee — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:21:24 +0000

One of my favourite bands who I always have time for is Lightbox. I was invited to go to attend their rehearsal in a nearby village in the middle of nowhere which is very useful for a band who want loud without annoying any neighbours or cows!

Nearby was a corn field, except this time it didn’t have any corn so we made do. I really wanted to get the lads together for 6pm so I could catch the evening sunset; believe me the light from a sun set is the mose devine. If you can shoot people in that light then I strongly recommend you do that at all costs!

Of all the members, it is camera shy Joe who is the most interesting photographically. I won’t embarress him but I will say it is his reluctance which makes him the most natural infront of the camera.

Nickelback rip it up in Birmingham!

Terry Lee — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:54:06 +0000

An entertaining evening with Canada’s finest. I’ve seen alot of band perform this year but never on this level of showmanship. OK, they did have some impressive pyrotechnics to punctuate their performance but I’m a sucker for such basic big bang explosions!

Nickelback has such a large repertoire of hits, but all the time I couldn’t help thing I wanted to take photos of them doing what they do best. As it is, I could only bring in a little point and shoot Pentax which really isn’t up for the job. Ah well, another time perhaps….