On November 12th, and 13th 2019 I visited the beautiful city of Bath, England, to attend the Fujifilm X-Weddings Conference, set up and hosted by Kevin Mullins, who, if you don’t already know, is a brilliant documentary wedding photographer, and also a Fujifilm Ambassador.

It was to be held in the amazing Apex City of Bath Hotel, a stunning venue. To say I was looking forward to the event, two days of geeking out with other photographers, and attending the conference itself which had talks from some truly inspirational photographers, would be an understatement.

I had two amazing days, met SO many amazing people and made a lot of new friends. Absolutely inspiring couple of days- cant wait for the next one!

I got the 8.45am flight from Glasgow to Bristol Airport, and arrived at Bristol to meet a fellow photographer, who was flying in from Holland. We’d never met in person, just chatted on line but after 5 minutes with Peter Kasbergen, I felt like we’d known each other for years! (This was a theme over the two days)

So, a quick train ride from Bristol to Bath, and off to the Bath Brew House for lunch, a beer and to meet up with some of the other guys attending the conference the following day.

Myself, Peter, Emily Renier, Adam Beale and Fujifilm Ambassador and ‘X-Photographer’ Scott Johnson all hit it off immediately, and spent a cool couple of hours chatting all things photography over some nice beers and lunch, before heading out on a quick photo walk around the city of Bath. I don’t have any photos of the rest of the evening as I put my camera away for the night as I was maybe a little in party mode :)

Day 2 continues after these images, all of which were shot with the Fujifilm GFX50R and GF50mm F3.5 lens.

Day 2- The X Weddings Conference 2019

So, up and at em- maybe a slight hangover, just a wee one- I was last man standing at the end of the social meet up (stereotypical Scotsman- me?)

Down for breakfast- and then for registration at 8.30am, for a 9am start.

The conference was an all day event- it finished at 7pm for ANOTHER social evening (guess who was last man standing that night as well?) but in no way did it seem a long day. The talks and presentations were so good, so inspiring, and I genuinely didn’t want it to end. But end it did, with a fantastic Q and A, spot prizes and a hope that it would come back next year. It will I hope!

So, the speakers were- in order, and linked so you can check out their work. Such awesome people.

Kevin Mullins- SEO and Business

Matt Thompson of York Place Studios - videography

Chris Parkinson- on inspiration in photography

Scott Johnson - Looking for the Light

Saraya Corteville- Travel Photography- her amazing work for charities around the world

Vojta Hurych- Why do we shoot Weddings?

Neale James also provided lots of input throughout the day.

Here’s some images of the day itself. I look knackered in the one of me, thats what I get for being in the bar at 1.30am!

And that……

Was that. Over so quickly, what an absolute blast I had over the two days, and I left so inspired by all of it.
I met so many amazing people, and made some really good friends for what I hope, is a long time. A quick dip in the Spa and Steam Room, and it was time to go home.

Special mentions to Emily Renier , Peter Kasbergen, Adam Beale, Scott Johnson, Lee Glasgow, Ryan Deveraux ,and Steve and Sam Vaughan for all their fantastic company over the two days.

Huge thanks to everyone I met, to Laura, Andreas, Carl and the rest of the Fujifilm team, and most of all to Kevin and a special mention for his wife Gemma for all their hard work in bringing the event to us all. Brilliant!!

Here’s to next year!

Oh, and I took some photographs of the view from the plane into Bonnie Scotland on the way back. Aint she pretty?

Edit to add- I’ve linked a video at the end for audio, mainly for the lyrics of the song.

’I wanna know, when I can go, back and get drunk with my friends’

Much love

Murray