this is the studio of Kula Tsurdiu. Kula creates the most wonderful wedding dresses with such intricate patterns and such amazing attention to detail.

i was commissioned to document an exhibition that took place within the studio space. it's purpose was to celebrate one hundred years of the wedding dress. local women had donated their dresses for the evening. the same dresses they married in all those many years ago.

one of the ladies, Hilary Bullock, told me of how she used to work in the lace factory, and how they gave her the lace that was used on her dress. i was introduced to Hilary by her husband Jim. he looked at me holding my camera and asked me what i was doing. i told him i was just taking pictures of the event for Kula. he then turned to Hilary and said, "Hilary, this young gentleman is going to take a picture of you with your dress.", so i did. then we got chatting.

we then had a look at their wedding photos. each couple had brought in one photo from their wedding day. Hilary, and her husband Jim showed me their photo. They told me the story of their photographer - Les. and how he would shoot every wedding in nottingham. funnily enough, Les was present in their photo. Jim told me he was probably having a rest.

i spoke to Hilary and Jim for a long time. i also spoke to another couple, Penny and Denis Stevenson. Penny was the owner of the beautiful dress that stole the show at the exhibition. It was displayed as if someone was flying away in it, and it was such a beautiful dress. Penny told me how she dug it out of the attic and thought they wouldn't want to display it. she seemed extremely proud that it had took center stage.

it was wonderful talking to Hilary and Jim, and Penny and Denis. seeing an image of them that was recorded way before i was even born, and then looking up and seeing them in front of me, still together, still in love. i just felt so drawn in by them; their stories, their politeness, their humour, etc. i have a lot of time for genuine people like these. they inspire me.