THE BEST BITS OF 2020 – Carpe Diem Photography

Well as we go into a new year, we look back on the crazy year that was 2020.

Like every other industry, the wedding industry has really suffered this year. Back in March one week you were allowed to get married and have a reception, then on one weekend in March everything stopped. Since then we were allowed to photograph small weddings, which we did, but most couples that had set on getting married in 2020 have now moved to 2021 or 2022.

I would like to first take the opportunity to thank everyone that has moved their date around our availability, it has meant we can keep the business running and be here for years to come. This has meant the world to me and cannot believe how amazing everyone has been, unfortunately we have lost a few weddings but only a couple due to lack of availability.

We are now nearly fully booked for 2021 (if we are vaccinated!) but do still have weekend availability and 50 % full for 2022. I cannot wait to go back to doing what I love and Photograph weddings again. Though this year has been great to reflect on everything that is important and has hopefully made my business stronger than ever, as well as learning lots of new skills.

Weddings before Lockdown

Prior to the lockdown in March, I was able to shoot 5 weddings, it seems so long ago now, but people were hugging and dancing and drinking, what we thought was normal then, seems such a luxury now. We got to work with the most amazing people, visited the best venues, including Sandhole Oak Barn, Owen house Barn & Soughton Hall. Who would have thought things would change so rapidly, with 90% of the rest of my weddings now postponing, we new it was going to be a year with a difference.

I have put together some of the highlights of these weddings below, and hope we can go back to shooting weddings like this again soon!

Manchester Wedding photography scaled — Owen house barn Wedding Photography

Lego Wedding

After the first lockdown of 2020, I decided I needed to do something that would capture what I love most, weddings and Photography, but also wanted to do something to lift spirits and have something positive to read for a change. I dug my old Lego from the loft, built some wedding sets, ordered a bride and groom and started shooting away. The response to this was just incredible, it went worldwide and had millions of views. Now when I meet new people, Lego usually comes up in conversation. View the Full posts HERE & HERE

Weddings with restrictions

I was incredibly lucky that I was still able to shoot some intimate weddings this year, either with 30 or 15 guests. It has been touch and go all year with last minute changes on restrictions, sometime the night before! Though each one made it feel like life had gone back to normal and the fact they were getting married in 2020 made it feel that bit more special. I had the best time with these amazing people, having more contact than usual with our couples made it feel like they had become friends and cannot thank everyone enough for asking me to capture their day and keep my business running through this year. I have shared in the gallery below, here’s hoping 2021 brings back some normality and I can go back to doing what I love.

Family Autumn and couples shoots

Due to weddings being cancelled it gave me the chance to get out with my camera and shoot some family’s and couples. I wouldn’t usually get to do this too much because I would be too busy with weddings, but it was so much fun working with everyone, I will make sure I keep time spare to do this again every year. Here are some of my favorite pics from the year.

Here’s to 2021!

I’m sure as everyone else is, we are hoping that wedding restrictions will be over soon and everyone can get married in 2021. However if not we are more than happy to help postpone your wedding and book a new date at no extra cost. I have attached a copy of our 2021/2022 diary below to check availability.

We also have a few exciting new ventures coming soon, such as our new shop with training, frames and photo shoots. Its not quite finished yet, we will be working on it in the next few weeks ready to release ASAP.