Weir Photography Blog

Each year, the WordPress core development team meets in person for a week to work together and discuss the vision for WordPress in the coming year. As annual events go, it’s easily my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I love attending WordCamps and local WordPress meetups (which are awesome and you should try to attend if you are able), but at the core team meetup, the focus on working together and getting things done is unique, as is the experience of every person in the room being so highly qualified. This year, instead of just planning a core team meetup, I’m aiming a little higher and shooting for a full-on contributor/community summit.

Core code isn’t the only way to contribute to the WordPress project. We have an active theme review team, support forum volunteers, people writing documentation, plugin managers, community event organizers, translators, and more. The teams have been siloed for too long, so we’ve recently begun the process of bringing them together by having teams elect representatives to facilitate more communication between the contributor groups. These reps will form the nucleus of the contributor summit now being planned for a long weekend at the end of October in Tybee Island, GA. This is completely different from a WordCamp. It will be a combination of co-working, unconference, and discussions among the project leaders, and participation will be by invitation.

In addition to bringing together the active contributor team reps to work together, I think it’s important to include community members who don’t fall into that category (at least not yet!). Successful WordPress-based business, authors of popular plugins and themes, and people using WordPress in unexpected but intriguing ways should have a place at the table, too. That said, part of the magic of the core team meetup is the small size; it allows every voice not only to be heard, but to engage. Since this is my first attempt at bringing together so many groups and points of view, I want to try and keep it small enough to retain that personal atmosphere while at the same time ensuring that the best possible mix of people and businesses in the WordPress ecosystem is represented. This is where you come in!

Taking a cue from events with limited availability like AdaCamp (attendance) and the jQuery conference (speaker roster), I want you to nominate people and/or WordPress-based businesses to participate in the summit. Yes, you can nominate yourself.* You can nominate up to 10 additional people — be prepared to provide URLs and the reason you think they should participate. You can also nominate up to 10 WordPress-based businesses without naming individual people, so if there’s a theme or hosting company (for example) that you think should be there, you don’t need to go looking for employee names. This nomination process will hopefully ensure that we don’t overlook someone who is making a difference in our community when it comes time to issue invitations.

Nominations will be open for a week, after which the survey will be closed and the process of analyzing the results** will begin. The nominations process will lead to invitations in June, confirmations in July, planning in August and September, and the summit itself in October. Hopefully we can stream and/or record some of the activity to share online at WordPress.tv. Additional invitations may be extended up until the event if there are people/businesses that become more active in the community. If you’re thinking to yourself that maybe now’s the perfect time to start contributing time to the WordPress project, good thinking! In the meantime, if you want to weigh in, fill in the community summit nomination form. Thanks, and wish us luck!

* Nominating yourself: Do nominate yourself if you fall into one of the categories described in the post above, or if you believe that you have a unique point of view. Please do not nominate yourself if you just think it would be cool to hang out with this group. This is a working event, and everyone is expected to bring something special to the table.

** I (and/or a helpful community volunteer) will sift through the nominations and compile a shortlist of the most-nominated people/businesses and the most intriguing underdogs. This list will be reviewed by the summit planning committee (made up of team reps) to create the invitation list.

Saturday the 25th of February 2012 I was photographing my second wedding of the year at Bothkenner Parish for the wedding of Stephanie McLaughan & Mark McBride. I had first met Stephanie & Mark, at Jillian & Scott’s  wedding in 2010 and had since also photographed them at Linlithgow Palace for a pre wedding shoot. Images from this were used to produce a custom guest book for guests to sign at the wedding.

This was my first wedding at Bothkenner Parish, which is a lovely church set out in the country near Falkirk. The weather changed from to dry to spitting every 2 minutes, and it was little cold. February could have given us a lot more to content with and the weather was never a real problem.

After the ceremony we took for a few pictures of immediate family in and around the church before making our way to the Grange Manor Hotel in Grangemouth for the rest of the photographs and evening reception. Once everyone had had a chance to mingle, drink some champagne and each some canapés we got the family group photographs done before finishing off with photos of Stephanie & Mark in the grounds of the hotel and reception room.

Before dinner started I got some nice head and shoulder couple shots of the guests coming into the reception room. Speeches and dinner followed and then upstairs to get a few more images in the bridal suite before meeting their evening guests and first dance. Outside we managed to get a few night shots with Stephanie & Mark and I then stayed until 9pm capturing the mood of the evening and some impromptu group shots of the evening guests.

Stephanie, Mark & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a pleasure to meet some of them again & photograph the wedding. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 11th of February 2012 I was back into the swing of weddings with the first wedding of the year. Every year seems different with last year and next year having 2-3 weddings in January.

Today I was photographing the wedding of Rachel Barr & Ian Stewart at Duddington Kirk in Edinburgh. I had met Rachel & Ian at Rachel’s sister, Sarah’s wedding in 2010 and they had liked my approach and images. This was my first wedding at Duddington Kirk and I was pleasantly awarded with a lovely venue for the ceremony and photographs afterwards. The weather was dry, overcast and a little cold, but it is February and could have been more wintery.

After we were finished with the photos in the grounds of the Kirk we all made our way to the Apex City Hotel in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh. With some luck I got a parking spot in the hotel car park and headed up to the drinks reception to finish off a few group shots we could not do earlier and then up to the reception room for a few shots of Rachel & Ian on the roof garden overlooking Edinburgh Castle.

Before dinner started I got some nice head and shoulder couple shots of the guests coming into the reception room. Speeches and dinner followed before we managed to sneak back outside to get Rachel & Ian’s night shot with Edinburgh Castle in the background.

Back downstairs we got a few more images in their bridal suite before meeting their evening guests and first dance. I then stayed until 9pm capturing the mood of the evening and some impromptu group shots of evening guests.

Rachel, Ian & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a pleasure to meet so many of them again & photograph the wedding. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 26th of November 2011 I was at Dunblane Hydro for the wedding of Laura Jack & Alan Macfarlane. Laura & Alan had chosen to get married at The Dunblane Hydro party as they were looking for a venue that was beautiful inside as they could not rely on the weather being nice enough to get their pictures outside.

The day started with Laura, family and bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite. After getting some details of her dress and flowers etc, I went down stairs to meet Alan and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held inside followed by a drinks reception in the bar. Laura had given me a list of family group pictures, so we took these soon after the drink reception in the Stewart Suite, leaving time for their own pictures before dinner. The weather was wet and very windy which meant we could not get many outside and had to manage with a few under the covered walkways at the front of the hotel.

The evening reception was held in the function suite downstairs. After a few dances we got a few more pictures with friends around the hotel. Later I got  few of the guests letting their hair down with the props Laura and Alan had left on the tables before I departed around 9pm.

Laura, Alan & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a pleasure to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Friday the 11th of November 2011 I was at Dunblane Hydro for the wedding of Kirsty Fisher & Robert Jack. I first met Kirsty & Robert at Kirsty mum’s wedding in 2009 and it was really nice to be asked to photograph their wedding today. Kirsty & Robert had chosen to get married at The Dunblane Hydro party on my recommendation as it is was large enough to cater for their large reception and also beautiful inside as it was unlikely to be nice enough to spend much time outside.

The day started with Kirsty, family and bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite. After getting some details of her dress and flowers etc, I went down stairs to meet Robert and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held inside followed by some drinks. Kirsty had given me a list of family group pictures, so we took these soon after the drink reception, leaving time for their own pictures before dinner. Kirsty’s mum’s husband, Graeme had brought his golf buggy along to transport Kirsty & Robert to the entrance of the hotel for some of their B&G photos. This also turned out to be a great prop for some fun wedding party photographs.

The evening reception was held in the main function suite. After a few dances we entertained by a 50′s dance group called the “Cup Cakes” who got everybody up dancing. Later we went outside for a few night shots, before I departed around 10pm.

Kirsty, Robert & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a lovely & fun to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 5th of November 2011 I was at Broomhall Castle for the wedding of Clare Stewart & Greg Abel. Clare & Greg were having a small ceremony with close family & friends and a larger evening reception. The weather had better than it had been recently, and although a bit cold it was dry and calm.

The day started with Clare, family and bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite. After getting some details of her dress and flowers etc, I went down stairs to meet Greg and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held inside followed by some drinks. Clare had given me a list of family group pictures, so we took these soon after the drink reception, leaving time for their own pictures before dinner.

The evening reception was held in the main function suite, starting with the cutting of the cake and first dance. After a few dances we took some informal family portraits of most of the guests and then finished with some night shots.

Clare, Greg & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a privilege to photograph their reception day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 29th of October 2011 I was at Dunmar House Hotel for the wedding reception of Melissa Williams & Michael McIntosh. Melissa & Michael exchanged their vows abroad two weeks before. They had originally booked me to photograph their wedding but later decided to get married abroad.

The weather had turned to wet and windy, and it was feeling very much like Autumn compared to a week or so beforehand. I am sure they were both thankful they had married abroad.

The day started with Melissa, family and bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite. After getting some details of her dress and flowers etc, I went down stairs to meet Michael and photograph the men outside. With the rain getting harder we then photographed their family groups in the dining room, next to the fireplace.

Thankfully the rain passed and we managed to get outside for the B&G photos around the garden & grounds. Melissa & Michael then had a meal with their immediate family before the evening reception started.

The evening reception was held in the function suite, starting with the cutting of the cake and first dance. After a few dances we took some informal family portraits of most of the guests and then finished with some night shots.

Melissa, Michael & their families made me feel very welcome and it was a privilege to photograph their reception day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 22nd of October 2011 I was at Culcreuch Castle for the wedding of Pamela Troup & Stephen Shaw. The weather had turned to wet and windy, and it was feeling very much like Autumn compared to a week or so beforehand.  

The day started with Pamela, family and bridesmaids getting their hair & make up done in the bridal suite. After also getting some details of her dress and flowers etc, I went down stairs to meet Stephen and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held in the function suite next to the Castle, with a champagne reception afterwards in the Castle. After a few drinks we then took a group picture of all the guests in Castle flowed by the remaining family group pictures outside. Before dinner we then walked around the venue with Pamela and Stephen to capture their photographs. Thankfully the rain stayed off and we got a lot more done than we had feared earlier.

Dinner was served in the dining room and where there was time to photograph all their guests before the evening reception. After dinner we took some informal family portraits and then they had their first dance around 20:00. We finished with some night shots and I left around 9pm.

Pamela, Stephen & their families where very friendly and it was a privilege as well as fun experience photographing their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Sunday the 9th of October 2011 I was at Glenskirlie Castle  for the wedding of Colin Dobson & Vicky Bollen. This was my fourth wedding at Glenskirlie Castle this year, and send this weekend with all having beautiful sunny weather.

The day started with Vicky, family and bridesmaids getting their hair & make up done at Rhona McCallum, hair salon in Alloa. I then met with Colin at his father house in Clackmannan before heading to Glenskirlie Castle. When Vicky arrived she made her way up to the champagne themed bridal suite, where we captured the details of her dress and flowers etc. I went down stairs to meet Colin again and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held inside with a champagne reception outside in front of the castle. After a few drinks we then took a group picture of all the guests in front of the Castle followed by the remaining family group pictures they had requested. Before dinner we then walked around the venue with Vicky and Colin to capture their photographs.

Dinner was served in the dining room and where there was time to photograph all their guests before the evening reception. After dinner we took some fun pictures in their bridal suite with the first dance around 20:00. We finished with some night shots and I left around 9pm.

Vicky, Colin & their families where very friendly and it was a privilege as well as fun experience photographing their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Friday the  7th of October 2011 I was at Glenskirlie Castle  for the wedding of Lauren Coubrough & Lee McNaught. This was my third wedding here this year, with all having beautiful sunny weather.

The day started with some bridal preparations with Lauren in her room with family and bridesmaids. Lauren was getting ready in the dark themed bridal suite. After capturing the details and a few informal shots, I went down stairs to meet Lee and photograph the men outside.

The ceremony was held inside with a champagne reception outside in front of the castle. After a few drinks we then took a group picture of all the guests in front of the Castle followed by the remaining family group pictures they had requested. Before dinner we then walked around the venue with Lauren and Lee to capture their photographs.

Dinner was served in the dining room and where there was time to photograph all their guests before the evening reception. After dinner we took some fun pictures in their bridal suite with the first dance around 20:00. We finished with some night shots and I left around 9pm.

Lauren, Lee & their families where very friendly and it was a privilege as well as fun experience photographing their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the  1st of October 2011 I was at Hoscote House, Hawick for the wedding of Anne-Marie Grufferty & David Dawson. This was my first time attending  a wedding at Hoscote House. The venue and grounds are lovely and suited this smaller wedding. The drive through the borders was also lovely, although it did take almost 3 hours to get there.

The day started with some bridal preparations with Anne-Marie in her room before photographing David outside with his fellow men. The wedding had a couple of unusual themes. Striped socks and highland cows!

The weather was nice enough for the ceremony to be held outside in the walled garden and it stayed dry enough for us to get the family group photographs done as well as some of Anne-Marie & David around the gardens of the house.

Dinner was served in the dining room and afterwards there was time to photograph all their guests inside the drawing room. We finished around 9pm, getting home around 11:30pm. A long but enjoyable day.

Anne-Marie and David could not have been more friendly and it was a privilege as well as fun experience photographing their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Friday the  23rd of September 2011 I was at The Dunmar House Hotel for the wedding reception of Suzy Cain & Stuart Hearsum. Suzy and Stuart had exchanged their vows in New York a couple of weeks before their reception at the Dunmar House.

The day started with Suzy getting ready in her room at The Dunmar House Hotel, assisted by her family and bridesmaids. I then got some shots of Stuart, his best man, ushers and fathers outside. The weather was showery, but we managed to get what they wanted in the dry spells. I am sure they were rather glad they got married abroad!  

Once Suzy was ready we then got some shots of the two of them around  the gardens at the Dunmar as well as the family group pictures they had requested.

The evening reception started around 7:30pm with photographs of guests arriving. They then cut the cake and had their first dance. Once I had photographed all the guests and we did a few night shots I then left around 9pm.

Suzy, Stuart and their families made me feel very welcome. It was a privilege and fun to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 17th of September 2011 I was at The Park Lodge Hotel for the wedding of Mary Forbes & Angus MacDonald. The day started with Mary getting ready in her room at The Park Lodge, Sterling, assisted by Lesley Ann Anderson from Point Nouveau, Doune.

We then met up with Angus and his best man in the gardens at The Park Lodge where we had time to get some shots of the two of them as well as family & guests.

Their ceremony was held by the fireplace overlooking the gardens, attended by family & friends. Afterwards everyone moved outside for a champagne reception where the weather was bright, warm and calm without being too hot.

After a few drinks we then photographed their various family groups and then a few more of Angus and Mary around the garden before dinner.

After dinner they enjoyed a ceilidh and the night for me finished off with some photographs outside in the garden at night time.

Mary, Angus and their families made me feel very welcome. It was a privilege and fun to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Thursday the 15th of September 2011 I was at the Huntingtower Hotel for the wedding of Janette Phillips & John Marsh. The day started with Janette getting ready assisted by Catriona Bruce from Ivory Whites, based in Perth. Whilst Janette was getting dressed I then met up with John downstairs where took some pictures around the hotel. Back inside I then finished off the preparation shots with some of Janette.

John and Janette had come all the way from Perth, Australia to Perth, Scotland to get married. Their wedding was as small as it gets, with only the two of them and no family or friends. I was even one of the witnesses!  

Their ceremony was outside in the garden on the Huntingtower Hotel, where the weather was bright, warm and calm without being too hot.

Afterwards we enjoyed a walk around the hotel’s gardens before heading off to Huntingtower Castle, Scone Palace and Elcho Castle for some fun and natural photo shoots.

We returned to Huntingtower Castle, where they were staying for their evening meal.

Janette & John had booked me for my relaxed style of wedding photography. I offered to drive them around the Perth area for some sightseeing and photo shoots.

Janette & John were fun to share time with and  it was a pleasure to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-

Saturday the 10th of September 2011 I was at the Holy Rude Church and Stirling Castle for the wedding of Michelle Lloyd & Angus Hunter. The day started with Michelle and  some details & makeup pictures. Whilst Michelle was getting dressed I then met up with Angus downstairs where took some pictures the men in their kilts. Back upstairs I then finished off the preparation shots with some of Michelle and he family & maids.

I then set off for the Holy Rude to be there in time to capture them arriving. They had hired some vintage cars, so we had a little time to wait. During the ceremony Michelle and Angus had hired a brass band to play during parts of the service.

Outside we then took the family photographs they had requested, before heading up to the Castle for a quick photo shoot before the guests arrived for a champagne reception in the garden.

Angus had arranged for the Dollar Academy pipe band to come and play at the Castle, which was quite magnificent to hear and see. Angus had been the pipe major of the band when he attended the school.

They then had a feast in the Great Hall before taking another stroll around the Castle at night, giving me the opportunity of some nice night shots to finish off their album.

Michelle & Angus  made me feel very welcome and it was a pleasure to photograph their wedding day. You can view the whole set of images in our clients gallery by clicking “here”

Here are a few of the images from the day:-