Sir John Colfox Prom at Haselbury Mill, Crewkerne

This is the third year I have been invited to photograph the Year 11 Prom for Sir John Colfox School, who are located in Bridport Dorset.

This year, the event was held at Haselbury Mill, Crewkerne, near Yeoville. What a great choice; the venue has been purpose built for events such as Weddings, and is also very popular for school proms due to its large Tithe Barn, and lovely surrounding grounds.

The coaches arrived at 7pm, and the party started on the lawns in front of the Barn, with fruit punch being served. Everyone looked amazing; the girls looked lovely and the boys looked really dapper too. I photographed the guests (and some of the teachers!) in the reception area, and then everyone was seated by 8pm, for their meal. About an hour later, the DJ kicked in and the party really started, with everyone on the dance floor - it looked like everyone was having a great night when we left at about 10.30pm!

You were a great bunch to photograph, and I wish you all the very best for your futures!

I have posted a small selection of photographs below, but you can check out the full gallery online, by clicking this link or by following the "View Your Photographs" button on my homepage. Also, it would be great if you could 'like' me on my Facebook Page, or even better leave a comment or write a quick review. Thanks.

Mark & Donna's Wedding at Rhinefield House

Congratulations Mark & Donna! What a great day for their Spring Wedding at Rhinefield House Hotel; the April weather continued to be just fab, enabling everyone to get out and really enjoy the grounds of this venue in the New Forest, Hampshire.

The day started with preparation shots of Donna & her bridesmaids at the venue, and I stayed right through to capture the Newly Weds First Dance.

Donna and her Dad arrived in a traditional horse-drawn cart, and the ceremony was then held in Rhinefield's Grand Hall Civil Ceremony suite. And what a ceremony; it was really emotional, with plenty of joy all round!

Mark & Donna wanted a real mix of traditional and reportage style photography, and so I was able to to achieve this by making use the extensive grounds; the House, the lawns and the large reflecting pool. Mark & Donna went off for a quick walk together through the gardens, and it was then that I was able to capture, from a distance, some real private moments.

After the Wedding Breakfast, I captured the speeches before the Evening Reception commenced, where Mark & Donna had arranged for a Casino for guests to play their hand at. And of course a DJ to party the night away to!

Youth Cancer Trust Donation

Over the past 12 months or so, I've been working with Derek Smith, the Events & Fundraising Coordinator for the Youth Cancer Trust (YCT) in Bournemouth.

The YCT provide free, fun activity-based holidays for young people (aged 14 to 30) suffering with cancer or any malignant disease, from anywhere in the UK and the Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital. The youngsters can also go on a holiday if they have been in remission for up to five years or are living with the effects of having had cancer as a teenager.

It's a fab charity, and its a real privilege to be involved in helping to raise funds to support the scheme. I had a stand alongside Derek at the Bournemouth Fashion Week last Summer, and also was involved in their Charity 'Ryder Cup' Golf Day & Gala Evening.

As such, Millard Photography has been able to donate £500 to the YCT for 2010 events, and even though I didn't have a big 'charity cheque' to hand over, I still took a trip down to Tracy-Ann House at Alum Chine to present Derek with the money. I really hope to be involved with YCT during 2011, as the work it does is just amazing. See how you can help support the charity here.

Its April!

Can you believe that we've reached April already?! 2011 seems to be flying by, and my busy Wedding season is imminent! I've already covered a couple of Weddings this year, the first being Graham & Michaela on 5th February at Merley House, Wimborne, Dorset

Nathan & Katie on 19th February at The Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth, Dorset

My next Wedding is that of Colin & Laura in the second week of April at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel on Bournemouth cliff top - hopefully the lovely Spring weather we've been having will continue!

March ......

I've covered a few events so far this year, including the 30th Birthday of Pampered Pets, at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton. A great night with Awards, formal and informal photographs and a live band. Congratulations Pampered Pets!

I also recently covered the Hotel Piccadilly Strictly Come Dancing Event with Vincent & Flavia (from the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show).

The Piccadilly is the UK’s No 1 hotel for Dancing Holidays, and Terri Flett, the Owner, runs Dance events throughout the year where guests are given dance tutorials by the resident professional dancers, and in this case, by the Stars of Strictly! As part of the Dinner Dance evening, and after the Caberet Show where Vincent & Flavia took to the floor to entertain us all with their amazing dancing, guests were invited to have their photograph taken with the Strictly Stars themselves, and then Vincent & Flavia personally signed their prints. A great night!

Check out Vincent & Flavia's website at http://www.vincentandflavia.com/

Don't Forget Mother's Day!

Sunday 3rd April is Mother's Day - if you're struggling with an idea for a present, how about a Gift Voucher for a Family Portrait? Check out my Photo-shoot offers here.