Gangsters & flappers
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
This moveable bar was created by Renny Thompson
This was such a special party - for one it was the 40th birthday of my friend, for two it was at my favourite venue and for three it was the first proper fun time my friends and I have enjoyed since March 2020.
My birthday gift was to photograph and film. This was going well until I decided to join in with the festivities and knock back a couple of rosés after which doing things professionally went out the window and just photographing…….or, as it turned out, not photographing but filming in dark spaces without noticing banding from various lights so not adjusting my shutter speed, not using my audio equipment and not using my two powerful video lights which sat enjoying the silence and dark of my car…
It was a smallish event and the rosés prevented me from remembering to photograph every single person there. I NEVER drink alcohol when I’m working as Littlewing Photos for good reason!
Everybody made such an effort and Abby using her skill as a wedding planner for La Boutique Event together with her friend and stylist Victoria Berquez created quite the Gatsby inspired scene.
Local produce from Louisa Halliwell of the Little Black Pig was cooked by Nick and Anneli of Delicieux - salads and bbq food - a perfect choice and to be enjoyed outside on the large terrace with far views of the Gers countryside.
The swifts swooped and screeched to the 1920s music spilling out of the banquet hall.
The evening light dipped to blue and then black. Coloured lights darted across the curved ceiling of the hall. Feathers from boas drifted from inside to outside. Glasses chinked and candles glowed. Tassles shimmy on the flapper dress. Headpieces catch the light and sparkle. The dance floor is again littered with happy people. Old music creates youthful feelings - age has no invitation here. The night and the dancers are young at heart.
Of course I wanted the focus to be on the guys in the background. Delicious cake made for Abby by a friend, Louisa Halliwell.
And a short film from the evening. Not always in focus but will be a great memory. Some things are more important than others.
