Theresa and Richard

May 18th, 2012 by Helen

Last Saturday I photographed the wedding of Theresa and Richard at Fanhams Hall

Theresa and Richard at Fanhams Hall on their wedding day

Richard and Theresa

Theresa has her veil pinned before her wedding day The bride applies her make-up on her wedding day Baby wedding shoes

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The wedding dress hanging on a four poster bed

The wedding dress hanging up in the bridal suite

The groom, Richard, waiting for his bride to arrive

Rich smiling as he waits for his bride

The bride smiles during the wedding ceremony

Theresa and Richard are known as T and Rich to their family and friends who were all there to celebrate their wedding

The groom's friends and family laugh during the wedding service The first kiss The groom's father gives a reading at Fanham Hall

Rich and T walk up the aisle

Rich and T

The bride and groom on the bridge at Fanhams Hall

Fanhams Hall has beautiful grounds and we made the most of the lovely weather to take portraits of the bride and groom.

The bride and groom kissing A portrait of Rich and T The bride and groom near the fountain at Fanhams Hall

The bride and groom with Fanhams Hall in the background

Theresa looked beautiful

The place setting for the groom The tables set out for the wedding at Fanhams Hall Table place names

The father of the bride speech

Theresa’s dad Michael gave a warm father-of-the-bride speech

The grooms sister enjoys the speeches Rich and T's wedding cake Natasha, the bridesmaid, laughs during the speeches

T’s mother Elizabeth rather impressively made the four-tier wedding cake

T and Richard's first dance

The first dance

The first dance T and Rich dance in bubbles

Theresa and Richard kiss at Fanham Hall

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Steven Webb

May 16th, 2012 by admin

The Lyric Hammersmith asked me to take some photographs to promote their highly-anticipated pantomime Cinderella which will run from 24th November 2012 to 6th January 2013. The photo shoot focused on one of the production’s star performers, Steven Webb.

Colour portrait of stage performer, Steven Webb.

Colour headshot of theatre performer, Stevie Webb

One of the perks of my job is meeting lots of interesting people, and Stevie must be one of the loveliest people I have photographed in a long while.  He’s had a diverse career that has included theatre, film, and television and he is full of interesting stories and anecdotes. He is also no stranger to the Lyric Hammersmith as he has appeared in their last two pantomime productions, Aladdin—2011 & Dick Whittington and his cat—2010.

Black and white photograph of Steven Webb in a stairwell

Black and White photo of actor and Creative Associate Stevie Webb.

Steven will be performing two roles this year… on stage in the role of ‘Buttons’ and offstage in the role of Creative Associate.

Colour photograph of Steven Webb seated in an empty theatre.

To see more of my actor’s portraits, please visit the portrait photography area of my website.

Charlotte and Chris

May 11th, 2012 by Helen

Last Saturday I photographed the wedding of Charlotte and Chris

Charlotte and Chris at Sutton House on their wedding day

Charlotte and Chris

The bride's father sees her in her wedding dress Charlotte at home on the morning of her wedding The bride applies her make up before her wedding

We started out at Charlotte’s parent’s house where the bridal party were getting ready

Rock on - the bride and her sister preparing for the wedding

Rock on. The flowers were from Rebel Rebel in London Fields.

The groom laughs as he sees his bride for the first time at Sutton House

The wedding was held at Sutton House in London. Chris smiles as Charlotte arrives for the ceremony.

Charlotte and Chris touch noses as everyone claps at their wedding ceremony at Sutton House

Everyone clapped at the end of the wedding ceremony.

The bride's sister dries her eye during the wedding ceremony at Sutton House A black and white photo of the exchange of rings at the wedding at Sutton House The brides Mum and Dad clap at the end of the wedding ceremony at Sutton House

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The bride and groomsmen strike a pose at Sutton House

Rock on. Part II

A portrait of the bride and groom at Sutton House

Charlotte looked stunning in her dress by Pronovias

A portrait of the bride and greoom at Sutton House

Charlotte and Chris

The bride and groom by the window at Sutton House

Built in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir, Sutton House is a beautiful National Trust property in East London.

The bride and groom in a black cab

In the cab on the way to The Counting House, where the reception was held.

One of the best men makes a speech at The Counting House

Chris had a collection of best men and Tony (above) and Paul (below, bottom left) made speeches, both of which were very funny.

The groom's mother listens to her son's speech at The Counting House The groom's dad listening to the speeches at The counting House Young guests enjoying the speeches at The Counting House

One of the best men, Paul giving a toast at The Counting House Making a toast to the happy couple at The Counting House Guests enjoying the wedding of Charlotte and Chris at The Counting House

Charlotte and Chris's first dance at The Counting House in London

The first dance was Heroes by David Bowie. Charlotte in particular is an excellent dancer and the couple looked very elegant gliding across the dance floor.

A portrait of Charlotte and Chris at Sutton House

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Nutty’s Children’s Parties

May 8th, 2012 by admin

Recently I accompanied Danny Nutt, to one of his children’s parties. Danny runs Nutty’s Children’s Parties and provides fun and unique adventures for children of various ages. This particular party featured his Space Warrior’s Mission (for all the Star Wars fans).

London and the South East based children's party entertainer, Danny Nutt.

Danny hosts the party as Danjiel The Space Warrior, searching for fellow space warriors, princesses, and Jedi Knights to help him on his quest.

Children dressed as jedi warriors during a Nutty's Children's Party.

Some Jedi Younglings use their new found knowledge of the Force to launch an attack upon the Sith.

A child has fun dressed as C-3P0 during a Nutty's children's party.

The parties are great fun. Danny has a magnetic effect on the children and they were spellbound as he led them on an elaborate quest. The parents were able to take a back seat as the kids were captivated by Danny’s range of voices and actions. Danny is a professional actor so he really knows how to hold a room, but he is also a father so he really understands how to work with children and has lots of different activities planned.

Children having fun during a Nutty's children's party. Childrens having fun while they train to be a Jedi with Danny Nutt. Danny Nutt, leading the quest for sweeties

Please click on the thumbnails to see larger images.

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Beyond Ballets Russes

May 1st, 2012 by Helen

Last month I photographed English National Ballet’s Beyond Ballets Russes Programme 2 at the London Coliseum

Ballet dancer Vadim Muntagirov in Le Train Bleu, part of Beyond Ballet Russes

Vadim Muntagirov, principle dancer at the ENB

English National Ballet's Zdeneck Konvalina at the beginning of Apollo

Beyond Ballets Russes Programme 2 was a collection of four ballets. The first was Apollo, choreographed by George Balanchine.

Daria Klimentova, Anais Chalendard, Begona Cao and Zdenek Konvalina in Apollo part of Beyond Ballet Russes English National Ballet: Zdenek Konvalina, Anais Chalendard and Begona Cao. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012 English National Ballet's Daria Klimentova and Zdeneck Konvalina

The four dancers in Apollo were Zdenek Konvalina, Daria Klimentová, Anaïs Chalendard and Begoña Cao

Elena Glurdjidze, Dmitri Gruzdyev and Fernanda Oliviera in English National Ballet's Jeux

There was a world premiere of Jeux. It was choreographed by Wayne Eagling who was inspired in part by Vaslav Nijinsky and by Kenneth MacMillan’s work on the Herbert Ross film Nijinsky. L-R Elena Glurdjidze, Dmitri Gruzdyev and Fernanda Oliviera

Jeux, directed by Wayne Eagling Beyond Ballets Russes: Elena Glurdjidze, Dmitri Gruzdyev and Fernanda Oliviera

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Vadim Muntagirov in Le Train Bleu, part of Beyond Ballets Russes

Vadim Muntagoriv in Le Train Bleu

Suite en blanc, part of Beyond Ballets Russes

The final ballet was Suite en blanc, choreographed by Serge Lifar.

Three male dancers on stage the The Coliseum during Suite en blanc Suite en blanc - Laurretta Summerscales and Ken Saruhashi

Elena Glurdjidze in Cigarette, part of Beyond Ballets Russes

Elena Glurdjidze in Cigarette

Yonah Acosta in Mazurka, part of Suite en blanc by English National Ballet Vadim Muntagirov, Laurretta Summerscales and Ken Saruhashi in Pas de Trois

Beyond Ballets Russes: Erina Takahashi and Zdenek Konvalina in Pas de Deux

Erina Takahashi and Zdenek Konvalina in Pas de Deux. These photos are on the Ballet News website, please take a look if you would like to see more images.

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Mark and Sean

April 27th, 2012 by Helen

Last week I photographed the civil partnership of Sean and Mark

The grooms on the day of their civil partnership near the Soho Hotel

Mark and Sean

Mark receiving a wet shave at Murdock barbers in Covent Garden, London

We started at Murdock barbers in Covent Garden where both men had a traditional wet shave using cut throat razors.

Sean receiving a wet shave on the day of his civil partnership Shaving brush, cut throat razor, clippers and scissors at Murdock barbers in London A barber performing a wet shave at Murdock barbers in Covent Garden

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The grooms prepare for their civil partnership at the Soho Hotel in London

We went back to the Soho Hotel where the couple prepared for the afternoon.

Portrait of the two grooms on the day of their civil partnership

Mark and Sean

The two grooms walking in Soho on the day of their gay wedding

Both men looked fantastic in Patrick Cox suits.

The dining room set up for the civil partnership at Vinopolis

We travelled to Vinopolis where the civil partnership ceremony and the wedding breakfast were held.

The couple laugh together during their civil partnership ceremony at Vinopolis

The couple laugh during their civil partnership ceremony

The grooms say their vows at their civil partnership at Vinopolis, London

Saying vows

One of the groom's fathers makes a speech at his son's civil partnership Talented cellist Kwesi performing during the civil partnership ceremony at Vinopolis Mark and Sean hug an aunt after her speech at their gay wedding ceremony

The reception

The table setting at Mark and Sean's civil partnership at Vinopolis

The tables settings, place names and other wedding stationery were designed by Mark and Sean’s friend Alex, an accomplished graphic designer.

Seasn and Mark's first dance at their civil partnership

The couple did a brilliant first dance. The first 20 seconds was a traditional slow first dance to Beyoncé’s 1+1, then the music changed and they launched in to a choreographed dance routine Super Bass by Nicki Minaj. Needless to say they were excellent and the crowd loved it.

Guests enjoying the reception at Mark and Sean's civil partnership in London The couple's family dancing at the wedding reception A guest enjoying the civil partnership at Vinopolis, London

A guest dancing at Vinopolis A guest enjoying the wedding reception. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012 One of the grooms gives a speech at his civil partnership

The grooms laughing whilst holding each other on the day of their civil partnership

The Olivier Awards 2012

April 16th, 2012 by Helen

Yesterday I photographed the 2012 Olivier Awards and here are a few of my images from the day.

The Matilda actresses and Bertie Carvel with their Olivier Awards. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012

I was commissioned by the Olivier Awards to photograph the event, starting on the red carpet through to the award winners with their statues

Matilda composer Tim Minchin on the red carpet at The Olivers at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden

Matilda composer Tim Minchin on the red carpet before the awards ceremony.

Actor Patrick Stewart being interviewed on the red carpet at the Royal Opera House

I was asked to get a variety of coverage, both straight to camera photography and images that capture the atmosphere at the event. The Oliviers were absolutely heaving with people despite the freezing weather – there was a hail storm shortly before the red carpet opened – but that didn’t deter the crowds. I was able to roam the carpet shooting the stars as they were interviewed. Patrick Stewart looks just as dashing in real life as he does on screen.

Celia Imrie on the red carpet at the 2012 Olivier Awards. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012 Singer Ronan Keating on the red carpet at the Royal Opera House Dan Stevens at the 2012 Olivier Awards Actress Tyne Daly and her brother at the Olivier Awards

Please click on the thumbnails to see larger images of stars on the red carpet including Ronan Keating, Lenny Henry, Tyne Daly and Brian May.

Taylor Bagley and Zach Braff at the 2012 Olivier Awards Vincent Simone, Flavia Cacace and Arlene Phillips being interviewed on the red carpet Actor and comedien Lenny Henry at the 2012 Olivier Awards Anita Dobson and Brian May at the 2012 Olivier Awards

Sir Tim Rice backstage at the Royal Opera House with his Olivier Award

After the red carpet I went backstage where the award presenters and winners came to be photographed.  Lyricist Sir Tim Rice, who must be one of the loveliest people in show-business, with his Olivier award for outstanding contribution to musical theatre.

Olivier award winner Johnny Lee Millar with his statuette Siobhan McCarthy, Elaine Paige and Maria Friedman after their performances at the Olivier Awards Olympic athelete Jonathan Edwards and actress Katherine Kelly at the Olivier Awards

Oliver Awards website featuring the photography of Helen Maybanks

My photos are being used by the Society of London Theatre and the Olivier Awards to promote the event. Please check out the Olivier Awards website to see more images and to read more about the event. Above you can see a screen shot of the website featuring my photos of Anne-Marie Duff and James McAvoy

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Rosie and Mihir

April 12th, 2012 by Helen

Last week I photographed the wedding of Rosie and Mihir at Stationers’ Hall in London

A portrait of the bride and groom on their wedding day at Stationer's Hall

Rosie and Mihir

A black and white photo of Rosie and her Dad walking up the aisle at Rosie's wedding at Stationers' Hall

Rosie and her father, David

The bride smiles during her wedding ceremony at Stationers' Hall. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012

The wedding ceremony

The bride's mother and family clap their hands at the end of the wedding ceremony. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012 The bride and groom walk up the aisle at Stationers' Hall on their wedding day The bride thanks her little brother during her wedding at Stationers' Hall, London

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The groom smiles at his bride on their wedding day. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012

Mihir smiling at his bride after the ceremony

A candid moment: Mihir kisses Rosie's cheek during the wedding reception

Mihir kisses Rosie’s cheek in a candid moment. Rosie looked beautiful in a stylish Jenny Packham dress.

Rosie and Mihir cut the cake on their wedding day at Stationer's Hall

Rosie and Mihir cut the cake. The cake was made by Isabel, Rosie’s mum.

Rosie's family and friends enjoying the wedding day A guest smiles during the wedding reception at Stationers' Hall A colour photograph of a guest at the wedding at Stationers' Hall, copyright Helen Maybanks 2012

Enjoying the wedding reception

The brother of the groom made his best man's speech at Stationers' Hall in London

Mihir’s brother Mitul was his best man

The groom's mother laughing during her son's speech The bride and groom, Rosie and Mihir, laughing during the speeches at their wedding A guest laughs as she listens to the speeches at Stationers' Hall, London

The bride's father makes his speech at Stationer's Hall. Copyright Helen Maybanks 2012

The father of the bride’s speech

The bride and groom's first dance at Stationers' Hall

The couple had an excellent band, Quick Silver, and everyone got involved in the country dancing. Then there was a change of tempo for the first dance

The bride and groom dance together at their wedding at Stationers' Hall

Mihir and Rosie

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Rehearsal photography for ‘Aida’

April 9th, 2012 by admin

In January I took the rehearsal photographs for  Verdi’s opera Aida which was performed at the Royal Albert Hall. It was one of my more chilly shoots (three cheers for large warehouse studios), but it was great to have the opportunity to photograph the singers in such a dynamic space.

Actress Catrin Aur performing as High Priestess during rehearsal

Soprano Catrin Aur performing as High Priestess.

Tiziana Carraro and Stanislav Shvets receive directions from director Stephen Medcalf

Directorial notes from the show’s director, Stephen Medcalf.

David Kempster performs as Amonasro while trapped in a cage

It’s hard to find a good baritone these days, so David Kempster is kept under lock and key while performing as Amonasro.

Tiziana Carraro and Stanislav Shvets performing as Amneris and Ramfis The dancers practice their choreography during rehearsals. Dancers laughing during a rehearsal of Aida

The show ran from February 23–March 11 and received some great reviews.

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An Ideal Husband

April 7th, 2012 by admin

Muckle Roe Productions invited me to shoot their production of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, directed by Charlie Ward. The show has just finished its run at the lovely, and intimate, Rosemary Branch Theatre, having received warm reviews from critics and audience members.

Mrs. Chevely as portayed by actress Sheridan Johnson

Sheridan Johnson received high praise for her portrayal of the wicked Mrs. Cheveley.

Various actors and actresses of Oscar Wilde's Ideal Husband.

The stylishly and compact set was designed by Lucy Wilkinson and lighting was by Sarah L McColgan, allowing the focus to remain on cast members Kieran Simms, Sunny Moodie, Tony Wredden and Rose Robinson.

Actor Kieran Simms performs as Lord Goering

Kieran Simms was charged with the task of playing Lord Goering, both a detached, yet caring friend to Sir Robert Chiltern.

Sir Robert Chiltern as performed by actor Sunny Moodie

Sunny Moodie as Sir Robert Chiltern.

To see more of my production photography please visit the theatre photography area of my website.

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