A bird flew into a wall. I picked it up and it was out cold.
The bride took it off me and held it in her hands until it came round. A minute later it lifted off and away. That was the whole thing — a small bird, a stunned pause, then off it went. One of those moments you could not plan and would not think to ask for.
The focus went to the bird because the bird is the story. Her face soft behind it, her laugh wide open, the ring catching light. Shooting wide open kept the background clean, so the veil and the green beyond fall away and leave the bird sharp.
I knew this family before the wedding. Her dad owns the Spes Bona out of Troon — good hope, in Latin. I have been out fishing with him. So walking into Roodlea Barn as the wedding photographer, with his daughter getting married, meant a bit more than a normal booking.
This was also my first time working at Roodlea Barn. That is usually a good thing. A venue you have never shot before makes you look properly rather than repeating what worked last time.
As an Ayrshire wedding photographer I cover barn venues, castles, hotels and coastline across the county. Roodlea Barn sits in open countryside just outside Ayr. Wildlife turning up is more common than you would think. Usually it is a swallow through the rafters. Occasionally it is this.
Location: Roodlea Barn, Ayr KA6 6EP.
Keywords: Ayrshire wedding (79), Bride (78), Candid (26), Roodlea Barn (4).