story rory?

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Gougane Barra Engagement!

Hailing from the US, Michelle and Kendall were in Ireland for a year as part of their university studies. While here, Kendall popped the question, and they got engaged! They decided they would like some engagement photos to bring home, and I got a call.

They were based in Cork city, and had no need for a car. Not really knowing where to shoot photos, I gave them a few suggestions and we agreed on Gougane Barra. I met them in the English market in Cork city, and we drove west. They hadn't really ventured beyond the city during their stay, so despite my Dublin roots, I adopted the tour guide role, and gave them as much info as I could during the journey to Gougane Barra. It was a of of fun!

Despite the typically dreary winter weather, Gougane was stunning, and they were very impressed. They're married now! 

Here's a few photos from that day

- Rory

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Hi Rory, I just wanted to ask you what way do you put up more than 10 photos on tumblr, it never allows me to put more than 10. Thank You! Ivana

Hi Ivana, I dunno, it never stops me! Just keep putting them up. My posts are always text posts,  not photo posts. That make a difference? Or check something in settings?!

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Maryborough House Wedding

Joanne & Eddie are a fantastic couple whom I met last year, and had the honour of shooting their wedding. It was one of those great sunny, fun days, where everyone was in really good form and ready to party! 

Joanne tells me that she met Eddie in Mangans nightclub in Cork (obviously love at first sight, yay!), and travelled together in the States and Australia, before dancing the night away in the Maryborough House Hotel on their wedding day! 

The stunning dress was by Justin Alexander from Rice n Roses  boutique in Cork. 

Hair was by Hayley at 3 Degrees in Cork. Joanne did her own makeup. 

Here's some photos of the day

- Rory

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Killarney Wedding

Last month I was delighted to be part of Fiona & Padraig's wedding down in Killarney. The reception was held in The Malton, a lovely hotel located right in the center of the town. It was there that I met Fiona in the morning while she was getting her hair and makeup done in the bridal suite. Here's  some photos of their day 

- Rory

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BCXSY

Last year I was asked by the Sirius Art Centre to help out BCXSY, who were staying there on an artist residency, in conjunction with Meitheal Mara in Cork city.

BCXSY are artists Boaz Cohen and Sayaka Yamamoto. During their time in Ireland, they created 'Origin Part III - Contrast'. They describe their collaboration with Meitheal Mara on their website - 

"... Building, or redesigning a boat was never our intention for this collaboration. Our goal was rather to employ the naturalness, efficiency and functionality of Meitheal Mara traditional working methods and distil various various elements involved in the boat-building process in order to create new objects that are aesthetically far away from what Meitheal Mara does in their day-to-day work, yet always remaining focused on maintaining the link to their inspirational-origin. ..."

I was brought in to take some photos just as they finished the project. We spent a day photographing the pieces that they designed in the Sirius, then went to a nearby beach to shoot some portraits. 

For some reason BCXSY popped into my head today, and I had a little hunt around the web to see where my photos of their work popped up. Quite a number of places it turns out - Wallpaper*, Daily Tonic, gblog, London Design Guide ...

The shot above was never used. We made it at the end of the day, in the Sirius Artist Residency apartment where Boaz and Sayaka were staying. All the other photos we took during the day were of their work, or included them with the work. I like this simple portrait, just showing the artists together on one of their last evenings in Ireland. 

- Rory

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A walk with my boy and our toys

I've been thinking of buying a new prime portrait lens for some time now - the Nikkon 135mm f2 DC. This is a lovely focal length for portraits, and being a prime, it's fast, and sharp. It's also smaller and lighter than most zooms covering the same focal length. It's always nice to try before you buy though, and a friend very kindly let me borrow his one. 

So, how to test it? Why grab one of my ready made home made models of course, and take a walk in the local woods, and by the sea. He brought along his remote control car, so we would both have toys to play with! 

Have to say the lens was lovely. Beautifully made, nice size and weight, good autofocus. It has a defocus control ring, but in the time I had it, I couldn't really see what difference it made to back ground bokeh. But never mind all that, we made some beautiful photographs, the most important thing. It was certainly up to the job of that. 

Will I buy one? Still not sure. There's rumours of a new one coming out. But I love old glass (this lens dates back to the 90's), and having an aperture ring, I could use it on my old film cameras too. Tempting, tempting ... I'll see where the hankering leads me. 

Here's a few more photos from the evening

- Rory

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email from Kay & Keith

I received a lovely email from Kay & Keith today. They were married last year in Castlemartyr. Always great to hear some kind words - 

“We would like to thank Rory for his excellent photography at our wedding in Oct 2012. Rory made it exceptionally easy for us all day. While one of us is camera shy and the other gets easily stressed, Rory made us very comfortable and eased our nerves all day....we didn’t even know he was there most of the time which is the sign of a good photographer. We are delighted with the quality of photos and his natural approach. Thanks Rory!”

Thanks guys, I don't remember any stress or camera shyness. I really enjoyed working with you that day!

- Rory

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Top of the Clarence

I love this photo from a couple of years ago. Not so much for the view, which is great, but for the colours and tones, the blues and aqua greens, and the pink of her flowers, and the deep red of her shoes. 

The view is fab too of course, and one of the reasons I love my job. Being able to make photographs from the penthouse suite of places like the Clarence hotel is such great fun. Meeting interesting people, being in different places ...

- Rory

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oh, what a day

It's been absolutely spilling out of the heavens since I climbed out of the bed this morning. I mean, it's lashing! I had to drive to Midleton earlier, and the floods were mad.

So here's a photo of drier times. It wasn't the sunniest day ever, a little over cast, and warm. Perfect for photographs - no long shadows, nature's own giant softbox. Looking forward to more days like this!

- Rory

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Garryvoe on a rainy day

Sometimes I get asked by prospective clients, "what'll we do if it's raining?". Now, this is Ireland, so everyone knows what to do when it rains. Find a nice cosy pub! Seriously though, it's Ireland, and there's always a chance of rain. The only thing to do is embrace it. Bring along a nicely shaped umbrella, get out of the wind, and continue to take the photos we were planning to make anyway. It rained on this day in Garryvoe...

Church was at Mogeely, reception was in Garryvoe Hotel

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Winter wedding

Do you remember the snow we had in 2010 / 2011? Country brought to it's knees, nobody could move, etc etc! This is Ireland, where we know all about rain, but snow is so rare that we barely know what to do with it when it arrives.

I was at my friends Frank & Amy's wedding at Druids Glenn in Wicklow. The snow was pristine, the sun was high, it was silent, and beautiful. I like the trees here, how they stand together, like the couple sharing the scene with them.

- Rory

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A Castlemartyr wedding

Keith & Kay were married in Mogeely, a sleepy little village in the heart of east Cork, and went from there to Castlemartyr Resort Hotel, one of my favourite venues.

The great thing about Castlemartyr is that everything is there - beautiful estate, castle ruins, woodlands, golf, amazing spa. No need to leave! And if you decide to take a spin around the countryside, you have Shanagarry, Midleton, Ballycotton, and of course the lovely village of Castlemartyr, all on your doorstep. It certainly makes my job as photographer easier! And the welcome that you will get from the staff at Castlemartyr is second to none. Just a lovely place to stay. 

Good choice Kay & Keith! Here's some photos of their day (If you’re reading this on tumblr, you can return to roryotoole.ie by clicking here)

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Happiness is a beach

Particularly a west Cork beach on a fine day!

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Featured on Hitched.ie !

Louise & Brian's wedding has been featured in the real wedding section of hitched.ie.

Check it out to get the low down on the wedding - suppliers, venue, etc. I also blogged the wedding here - take a look to see some more photos. 

The beautiful bride Louise is also the owner of The Fairy Godmothers Weddings - a wedding planning service based in Cork. Give her a shout if you're planning a wedding!

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Nuala & John at Maryborough House

Here's a few photos from Nuala & John's wedding at Maryborough House in Cork. John breeds the beautiful dogs that came along to the photoshoot after the civil ceremony. Amazing flowers and button bouquet by Jill Wild!

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Another Fleming moment ;)

This is my good pal Anthony Fleming at a wedding. Video, DJ, complete joker, all round good guy! Never a dull moment with MC Fleming in the house! In all seriousness, he's a well known DJ and great videographer. He offers a video+dj+photographer package that is seriously good value. Take a look at his website here.

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Glamour!

Dawn Ryan on the makeup scene at Castlemartyr