Brining Photography Weblog

Debbie's 21st Birthday

The Botanical Gardens in Birmingham provided the backdrop for a spectacular 21st Birthday party and despite the drinks reception being held outside under a canopy on a chilly March evening, was thoroughly enjoyed by all attending.

Various highlights of the evening included nearly naked waiters from Butlers In The Buff (which seemed to go down well with the female guests) and music was provided into the early hours by the popular entertainment band  Mixed Feelings  

Another highlight of the evening was the superb food which featured a variety of dishes to suit any taste and some superb desserts to suit every taste!

Scary Play

I was recently invited to return to my old stage lighting roots by theatre director Stewart McGill and light his latest production of Judith Johnson's "Scary Play" at the Dream Factory in Warwick.

As it's been while since I have lit a theatre production it was a daunting prospect but one which I thought sounded like an interesting project so decided to accept.

Was it a success? You can judge for yourself by viewing the production's photo gallery 

And Then There Were Three...

This story is becoming like a soap opera! 

In the beginning there were two West Highland Terriers - Angus and Hamish - who I was called upon just before Christmas 2008 to photograph for their owner. Shortly after Christmas, Angus departed to be replaced by Hector who was subsequently photographed in early February.

Since then, Hector's brother Herbie has arrived. Just as wonderful (and mischievous) as Hector, and in late March I was back again to photograph the terrier-trio.

Pictured (L-R) are Herbie, Hamish and Hector and the single image shows Herbie looking a bit unsure as to whether he should be on the leather sofa or not.

Boulogne 2009

A couple of weekends ago, some good friends of ours suggested that we should join them for lunch in "a nice French restaurant". The restaurant in question was in fact in France - Boulogne to be precise - and would involve departing our wonderfully comfortable bed at 4am - a time hitherto thought not to exist.

The plan was to travel down to Folkestone, stopping for a spot of breakfast at the picturesque Clacket Lane services on the M25 en-route, then hop on the tube (or Eurotunnel as it prefers to be known) which would then spit us out a mere stones-throw from Boulogne at Calais. 

With typical (French) efficiency the train was absolutely punctual in both departing and arriving on time and we emerged from our half-hour jaunt under the ocean into the gloom of a very foggy morning en Francais.

Thirty minutes later we arrived at our destination and, with the fog beginning to lift, we commenced our tour of this delightful town by having a swift coffee in a typically 'French' street cafe. 

Other highlights of the day included an interesting market where it appeared anyone could turn up and sell all manner of food and drink, a superb lunch of Moules-Frites (mussels and chips to the uninitiated) and a trip to the largest Supermarket I've ever seen on the way back. Unfortunately, due to the desperately poor exchange rate, there were not the bargains to be had that may once have made such a trip a vital part of stocking up the wine cellar (well, rack - although it is quite low down)