Every picture tells a story
AWARD-WINNING photographer Robert Usher has special reason to love his job.
He's the man who permanently records a bride and groom's big day in print. It's the memory of the emotion and joy which will live with a couple forever.
He is also the man who put together the Bride of the Year competition prize.
CHRIS CORDNER was there on the day our winners visited his studio.
"WE are really starting to get into this," said bride-to-be Emmajayne McIntyre.
A month has already passed since Emmajayne and fiance Darryl Johnson, 24, were chosen as the winners of the Mail's competition, which was organised by Robert Usher.
They're beginning to get used to the whirlwind process of organising a dream wedding while staying in the media spotlight.
"We're loving it," Emma, 21, a student teacher adds, and Darryl agrees.
We were there on the day the pair met Robert to discuss the fantastic 1,400 wedding album they can expect to receive as part of their prize.
Sales canvasser Darryl, who has a two-year-old daughter Sophie, will walk up the aisle with fiance Emmajayne, who has a two-year-old son Bailey.
The 10,000 wedding of their dreams happens on Friday, August 7, at the Marine Hotel, in Seaton Carew.
Our worthy winners are already keen photographers.
Darryl explains: "We are big on photos and we are always taking pictures of the kids."
Both Darryl and Emmajayne are in agreement – Robert's photo albums are "beautiful".
They browse through a selection of his work at his York Road studio, in Hartlepool, and Emmajayne says: "This is amazing."
Darryl adds: "It is the way he does his photos. It is fantastic."
Robert, 51, has been a photographer for 30 years after giving up his job as a miner at Vane Tempest pit, in east Durham,
He explains: "I read a magazine called Me and My Camera. Then I bought a camera, then a flash gun, then a tripod. I took pictures and got asked to do my first wedding after six months.
"It took off to the point where I was making more money from the photography than the pits."
Robert is a former winner of the best wedding picture category at the annual general meeting of the British Institute of Professional Photographers.
The 51-year-old married his wife, Joanne, 31, four years ago and they have a one-year-old daughter, Charlotte.
Robert has two other children Dawn, 30, and Adam, 20.
Robert started off with a shop in Raby Road, Hartlepool, but packed that in around 10 years ago.
He was persuaded to start up again when he took photographs at a relative's wedding and impressed everyone who saw them.
Robert will be there on the day Darryl and Emmajayne tie the knot. He will capture those all-important moments which make the day special.
It's one of dozens of weddings he will be covering this year, but each one receives the award-winning treatment.
He added: "There are some days when I will be doing four or five weddings a day."
He's looking forward to our couple's big occasion.
"It is the day, the whole day.
"But the best part of my job is when I see the face of the bride when I give her the wedding album.
"I had one husband who came in to collect his wedding photos and it was just in time for Christmas.
"He wrapped the album up and put it under the tree. When she opened it up, she sobbed. It can be very emotional."
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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