Another year gone by in an absolute flash; I know it’s said everywhere, but it really is true: Time just goes quicker and quicker every year. Now I’ve got two small children that sense of time flying by just seems to have quadrupled, too. There really is nothing more valuable than time, is there? But, woah Al, enough of the sentimentality already! I don’t think you’re here to hear me warble on about time and life…!
So, weddings then. And what a fab year it’s been! Each year when I look to compile my favourite images, it’s always fun (and daunting. And time consuming. Oh how time consuming!) to look back at the things my cameras have been privy to; the laughter, the embraces, the looks, the guests giving piggybacks to drag queens…2016 has been a whirlwind (which is what I said about last year, too, but hey, this ‘job’ really is a continual whirlwind, which I absolutely love).
This year I decided to keep to 100 images for this post. Why? Well, I thought it seemed a challenge, I like round numbers, and I thought 100 would make for a manageable post for people (you, my friend, you!) to get through without falling asleep…
What have been my personal highlights? It’s so hard to say. Shooting a wedding at 2200m on top of a mountain in Verbier, Switzerland, was amazing. A chateau wedding in France, with the pre-wedding party at the beautiful Pont d’Avignon (which I’m yet to blog; I’m so awful at blogging!) was pretty special too. But, you know what? It sounds cheesy – cliched, even – but it’s so true: Every single wedding is an honour to capture; every wedding where someone has put their total trust – and hard-earned money! – into me and my cameras, is special, and within them they all contain special, totally unique moments. Looking back at the (thousands and thousands) of images I’ve taken this year just reminds me how fortunate I am to be doing this; to be doing something I absolutely love; to be providing something that (hopefully) other people are going to love…it’s amazing. And, yes, I say the word ‘amazing’ a lot. At my own wedding, when I was doing the groom’s speech, I think I said ‘amazing’ 38 times. But there are just so many amazing things in life…I’m a lucky man (and a slightly superstitious man, so I did actually touch wood as I just typed ‘I’m a lucky man’).
To further my luck, 2016 saw me named as one of the ‘100 Best Wedding Photographers in the World’ and one of the ‘Top 150 International Wedding Photographers’ (which – ridiculously – I haven’t even blogged about yet; told you I was awful!). These are both huge honours, and feel so incredibly surreal to me. Amazing, yet totally, completely surreal.
2016 has also seen me doing more of my Law School workshops in London, Cornwall, Birmingham, and Dublin, which I’ve absolutely loved doing. It’s incredibly rewarding – let alone fun – and I’ve made so many new friends, too. Again, I’m so lucky to have received such lovely feedback from people who have come along to hear me ‘talk shop’…it’s, yes, you’ve guessed it, amazing. I’m starting this year with two workshops in Manchester, actually, in a couple of weeks, which I can’t wait for (the first date sold out, so I’ve put on an extra date on Saturday January 14th which has some places left, if you fancy it). I was also honoured to have been asked to talk at the Irish Professional Photographers Association in Dublin at the beginning of the year, and the awesome Nine Dots Gathering in London at the end of the year (which is an absolutely amazing event; if you’re a wedding photographer, I can’t stress enough how much you should go to this year’s event in November).
So, anyway, enough of me warbling on. I congratulate you (and apologise) if you’ve actually read all of that. On to the point of this post: A selection of some of my favourite images of the year. As always, there’s no rhyme or reason as to how I go about making my selection – other to say that these are all images which caught my eye, made me smile, made me think, or perhaps a combination of all three. Here are 100 of my favourite images from 2016:
24mm all day errrrrrrrry day! amazing, amazing, amazing work bro!! what a year 2016 was for you! all the best for 2017, i’m sure its gonna be even bigger and better! 🙂
WOW!!! I could look at these all day. Each frame has something special, what an incredible best of, without doubt my favourite set (and there are some AMAZING best of’s doing the rounds). I wish you all the best for 2017 (not that you need it based on these). Cheers, James.
EVERYTHING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOULD BE!!! I LOVE YOU ALAN!!!!
Fabulous Alan! I love so many of these, but that first kiss frame at the start is one of my favourite images this year. Look forward to catching up with you soon 🙂
Alan! You’re insanely talented my friend! Loved looking though these images and the one of the Bride’s hand on the side of the marquee is so so good!!
Great work Alan, a lovely variety of moments and fun… That b&w of the ceremony with those lovely smiles is may favourite! Good luck for 2017, but for now, get the Uzo out and celebrate!
Amazing x38 Alan! Always look forward to your round up, gives me an eyegasm every time!
So I banged some tunes on, grabbed a cuppa and just marvelled my way through your insane images – wedding photography personified right there!!
An inspiration to us all – have a blinding 2017 dude!!
Damo
Alan Law: 24mm King. Full of win mate.
I like to use the word amazing a lot too and this round up post really is truly AMAZING Alan! Bowled over from start to finish!
Alan RULEZZZZ!!! Brilliant end of the year collection, all the feels and all the laughs. And some ass. Happy New Year buddy! <3
Absolutely loved scrolling through this Al, man! Extraordinary would be the only word I could use to describe this!! 🙂
Some real corkers here Al, beautiful work – and nice write-up, you’re not wrong about time-consuming, I’m only 1/3 way through mine, but it’s a pleasure for sure. Look forward to seeing what you come up with in 2017! HNY!
Excellent stuff Alan, every image just full of emotion! Fantastic stuff.
Awesome work Alan, what a great year you’ve had!
Boom! Inspiring, beautiful photography dude, as always. We need to catch up soon 🙂
Incredible work Alan! Inspired me to play with my 24 a little more 🙂 Here’s to an epic 2017!
Fab Alan – love the energy and the fun you clearly have when you are shooting these. Bravo fella. x
Amazing work as always, Mr Law 🙂
Wide and close – just how I like it 😉
cracking stuff dude
The word epic gets bandied about too much, but this truly was epic. Wow.
Yo another stellar year my friend. Energy and personality oozing from every image. That look the dogs giving you as its nose gets plucked WINS for me! I am crossing the border into Cornland this year (don’t hate me!!) so hopefully will get to see your face!!
Yes, agree with matt – the look on the dog’s face is priceless!! Really enjoyed it mate, great year!
Loved it Alan, great set mate. You even managed to squeeze in a couple of Polhawn Fort images, and inside the cave-room too, shows you are a true master 😉
Some truly amazing wedding photos here. Epic stuff.
Fantastic stuff as always Alan! Have an awesome 2017 ;O)
I always look forward to seeing your work and this over-delivered as it always does. Some outrageous documentary spots / moments, in the thick of the action as always. Now tell me, what do you like most? Juicy jugs or hairy bums?
Oh dude only just seen this!! Absolutely smashed it mate! Loved looking through this man, and here’s to 2017 being of equal win status.
Amazing work 😉
This is epic! Absolutely stunning! Best pictures for you in 2017!
x
Brilliant! Loved looking through these.
These are amazing. Proper spine tingling stuff. You just throw yourself right in, heart and soul, and it really really shows. Brilliant stuff.
AMAZING!!! Real inspiration, what a year Alan. All the best for 2017