SWALK - Sealey With A Loving Kiss. Oh yes. That has to be my best Blog Title yet. Even better than the "Freesias and Daisy Chain"? There's only one way to find out. It would probably help to know that Emma's surname is Sealey to appreciate the genius. Come on now. Appreciate it.
Anyway, I have lived and/or worked in Bristol for nearly 10 years and have never thought to do a photography shoot at the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. That was remedied on Saturday when I met up with Emma & Kris for their pre-wedding shoot.
The weather did it best to hamper things but didn't take into account the fortitude of the couple. The rain was that fine stuff that soaks you through. Thanks to Peter Kay for that line.
I met Emma & Kris in mid-September for their wedding consultation and left that meeting keeping everything crossed that they would pick me to shoot their wedding. They have everything that makes my job so easy. A great looking couple who want to have a lot of fun with their wedding and are very comfortable with each other. That last one can sometimes be missing. Surprisingly.
I'm also a fan of Emma's Mum & Dad; a Dad who has promised to knock out a few renditions of the most unusual of songs - Black Box's "Ride on Time" being the one that sticks in my mind the most. Whether I'm a fan of Dad after his faithful and moving tribute to the 90's dance band remains to be seen. He is going to be grateful that I don't shoot video though.
From the outset Emma & Kris were the perfect couple to shoot. Almost every shot of them together has them hugging and clutching to each other. That might sound obvious for couples in love but you would be surprised how many feel uncomfortable doing this.
It was quickly established that Kris was indeed a gorgeous hunk (Emma's words, not mine) and he played up the camera to prove that. Really. They were Emma's words.
Emma really played to the camera too and after reviewing the selected images have got a really cracking set of images for their Gallery.
During the shoot there were a couple of tourists taking shots of Emma & Kris while we were setting up a shot. They really got the paparazzi treatment and even posed for one of them. Not bad for a couple who were initially nervous about having their photo taken.
In summary, this was one of my favourite Engagement Portrait shoots of the year. Great-looking, fun-loving couple. Check. Fantastic venue. Check. Great weather. Check (just about).
A great big thank you to my gorgeous girlfriend Jan for assisting me in the shoot and offering advice on some new ideas. I love you, my Angel.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Kate and the Swan Opera
OK, so we had a Swan called Gary, a Dog called Piglet and Scrumpy that would bite you if you tried to drink it from a pint glass. Scrumpy was a dog too.
Today was a fantastic shoot. Simple as that. Kate was superb and gorgeous, Upper Court Manor was beautiful and the sun came out to play.
Autumn is easily my favourite time of the year to shoot portraits. The colours are warmer and the sun softer which makes my job so much easier.
I'd met Kate at the NEC Wedding Fair when I was helping Blenheim Photography as Jan's saucy assistant. Check out the photos on www.groovybooth.com if you don't believe the "saucy" part.
I knew instantly that Kate was going to be the perfect portrait subject. Beautiful, lively and game for just about anything on the shoot.
Kate provided a lot of herself and previous experience as a model which provided a great variety of poses, expressions and fun. In particular, there is one shot of Kate with a flower head in her mouth. That image can be found on Facebook in the David Gow Photography page.
Not only did we create a lot of great images, but we started, what I can only assume will evolve into, a soap opera for swans. We decided that the two Swans we saw were called Gary and Betty. Betty was a fanatic of Radio 4 and knitting while Gary was a local at the pub with his mates - Fat Bob, Steve-o, Gaz and Barry and nerdy hanger-on, Kevin.
This may all sound strange but they laughed when someone came up with the idea of a sitcom about the Nazis and called it "Allo Allo". Ironically, there was more laughter then than the show itself ever produced.
A great shoot today - one of those days when everything comes together. I'm looking forward to editing the images for Kate's Gallery.
If you are interested in having your own portrait shoot or know anyone who would like one then please feel free to contact me at ian@davidgow.co.uk.
Today was a fantastic shoot. Simple as that. Kate was superb and gorgeous, Upper Court Manor was beautiful and the sun came out to play.
Autumn is easily my favourite time of the year to shoot portraits. The colours are warmer and the sun softer which makes my job so much easier.
I'd met Kate at the NEC Wedding Fair when I was helping Blenheim Photography as Jan's saucy assistant. Check out the photos on www.groovybooth.com if you don't believe the "saucy" part.
I knew instantly that Kate was going to be the perfect portrait subject. Beautiful, lively and game for just about anything on the shoot.
Kate provided a lot of herself and previous experience as a model which provided a great variety of poses, expressions and fun. In particular, there is one shot of Kate with a flower head in her mouth. That image can be found on Facebook in the David Gow Photography page.
Not only did we create a lot of great images, but we started, what I can only assume will evolve into, a soap opera for swans. We decided that the two Swans we saw were called Gary and Betty. Betty was a fanatic of Radio 4 and knitting while Gary was a local at the pub with his mates - Fat Bob, Steve-o, Gaz and Barry and nerdy hanger-on, Kevin.
This may all sound strange but they laughed when someone came up with the idea of a sitcom about the Nazis and called it "Allo Allo". Ironically, there was more laughter then than the show itself ever produced.
A great shoot today - one of those days when everything comes together. I'm looking forward to editing the images for Kate's Gallery.
If you are interested in having your own portrait shoot or know anyone who would like one then please feel free to contact me at ian@davidgow.co.uk.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
If you go into the woods today...
... as well as seeing a strange group of teddy bears pottering about making a right nuisance of themselves trying to "surprise" passers-by, you would also have seen Sarah & Dan being photographed for their pre-wedding shoot.
Sarah suggested that we do the shoot in the woods in Dursley and that turned out to be a stroke of genius.
We got a cracking set of images despite the weather trying it's best to stop us.
Starting with some shots at, what I can only assume was, an abandoned caravan park we found on our quest, we progressed up a country lane and into the woods.
Sarah & Dan were great sports as I asked them to stop at every "interesting" point on the walk to add to the gallery images. And there were a lot.
Special mention goes to Sue, Sarah's Mum, who did a fantastic job of being my glamorous assistant. Sue was a star at handling the reflector which she carried around for the whole shoot. It's a pity Sue will have other plans on March 19th, when Sarah & Dan get married, as I think I have found the perfect aide.
And let us not forget Lacey, Sarah & Dan's dog. As well as making sure we weren't mugged by teddy bear hoodies she posed for a great shot of her looking every inch the canine-equivalent of a super-model. But without the bad attitude. Or the bad skin condition. Or the desire to be Britain's Next Top Model. I'd vote for her anyway.
Sarah & Dan's wedding has some special features that I'm really looking forward to capturing on film. I'm not sure how much is a secret so I won't give anything away yet. You'll need to wait until March for that.
Sarah suggested that we do the shoot in the woods in Dursley and that turned out to be a stroke of genius.
We got a cracking set of images despite the weather trying it's best to stop us.
Starting with some shots at, what I can only assume was, an abandoned caravan park we found on our quest, we progressed up a country lane and into the woods.
Sarah & Dan were great sports as I asked them to stop at every "interesting" point on the walk to add to the gallery images. And there were a lot.
Special mention goes to Sue, Sarah's Mum, who did a fantastic job of being my glamorous assistant. Sue was a star at handling the reflector which she carried around for the whole shoot. It's a pity Sue will have other plans on March 19th, when Sarah & Dan get married, as I think I have found the perfect aide.
And let us not forget Lacey, Sarah & Dan's dog. As well as making sure we weren't mugged by teddy bear hoodies she posed for a great shot of her looking every inch the canine-equivalent of a super-model. But without the bad attitude. Or the bad skin condition. Or the desire to be Britain's Next Top Model. I'd vote for her anyway.
Sarah & Dan's wedding has some special features that I'm really looking forward to capturing on film. I'm not sure how much is a secret so I won't give anything away yet. You'll need to wait until March for that.
"Oh what a Temple Spa Ladies Night"
As you can imagine, when I helped the Four Seasons write one of their biggest hits I wasn't too keen on that title. I suggested removing the words "Temple Spa Ladies" and after much discussion they agreed and the rest is Rock n Roll history.
However, the original title for that song makes a perfect label for today's blog.
Last night was indeed the Temple Spa Ladies Night at Brickhampton Golf Club in Tewkesbury and what a fun night it was.
There were a lot of great exhibitors there and I was fortunate to meet a lot of great ladies.
As you can see from the pic above the roller banner looked as good as I'd hoped as well as the framed images - both of which received great comments about how beautiful Zoe looks. Thank you again to Paul and Claire for allowing me to use the images.
This was the first show were I exhibited the new photo books, added as part of the Portrait Gift Pack. These proved to be very popular with some ladies expressing great interest in having their own books.
Talking of the Portrait Gift Pack. Which I was. Honestly. Check the previous paragraph. See? No tenuous links on my blogs. Apart from the title and references to the Four Seasons. Anyway. Last night saw the introduction of the discount offer on the Gift Packs. Normally £250 the packs are now priced at £150 until Dec 31. £100 discount!! A bargain. The pack includes a Pre-paid Portrait Voucher and a choice of a 13"x11" Photobook, Framed Images, Portrait DVD or Digital Frame. See? A bargain.
If you are interested in buying a Gift Pack they can be purchased by contacting me - details can be found at http://www.davidgow.co.uk/contact.html.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Show and to everyone who spoke to me - despite me forgetting to bring sweets.
I look forward to meeting up with you again to create your own portrait magic.
However, the original title for that song makes a perfect label for today's blog.
Last night was indeed the Temple Spa Ladies Night at Brickhampton Golf Club in Tewkesbury and what a fun night it was.
There were a lot of great exhibitors there and I was fortunate to meet a lot of great ladies.
As you can see from the pic above the roller banner looked as good as I'd hoped as well as the framed images - both of which received great comments about how beautiful Zoe looks. Thank you again to Paul and Claire for allowing me to use the images.
This was the first show were I exhibited the new photo books, added as part of the Portrait Gift Pack. These proved to be very popular with some ladies expressing great interest in having their own books.
Talking of the Portrait Gift Pack. Which I was. Honestly. Check the previous paragraph. See? No tenuous links on my blogs. Apart from the title and references to the Four Seasons. Anyway. Last night saw the introduction of the discount offer on the Gift Packs. Normally £250 the packs are now priced at £150 until Dec 31. £100 discount!! A bargain. The pack includes a Pre-paid Portrait Voucher and a choice of a 13"x11" Photobook, Framed Images, Portrait DVD or Digital Frame. See? A bargain.
If you are interested in buying a Gift Pack they can be purchased by contacting me - details can be found at http://www.davidgow.co.uk/contact.html.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Show and to everyone who spoke to me - despite me forgetting to bring sweets.
I look forward to meeting up with you again to create your own portrait magic.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Portrait Gift Pack Offer at the Temple Spa
New literature, new promotion, new pack offers and a bowl of new sweets - it can only mean one thing - a new stand at a fair.
I'll be exhibiting (so to speak) at the Temple Spa Ladies Night at the Brickhampton Golf Club in Gloucester tomorrow, Fri 15th Oct, evening.
This photo of the beautiful Zoe is the new roller banner bring unveiled at the show. At a mere 6ft high I'm hoping this catches the eyes of everyone attending. A great big thank you to Claire and Paul for allowing me to use Zoe's image.
As well as a new set of promo literature I'm excited to be promoting a special offer for the Portrait Gift Pack. Everyone who attends will be given a £100 discount on the Gift Pack making it an even more obvious choice for a Christmas present for your loved ones. I'll even let you buy one for someone you don't especially like too. It's not just limited to "loved ones".
This year has been a great success for lifestyle portraits with a few months left to make it outstanding. I'm working hard to make 2011 even better.
If you are free tomorrow night then please come along and say "Hi". There will be a lot of great exhibitors and with more bargains than you can throw a small Bolivian Goat-herder's Poking Stick at.
Did I mention there will be free sweets?
I'll be exhibiting (so to speak) at the Temple Spa Ladies Night at the Brickhampton Golf Club in Gloucester tomorrow, Fri 15th Oct, evening.
This photo of the beautiful Zoe is the new roller banner bring unveiled at the show. At a mere 6ft high I'm hoping this catches the eyes of everyone attending. A great big thank you to Claire and Paul for allowing me to use Zoe's image.
As well as a new set of promo literature I'm excited to be promoting a special offer for the Portrait Gift Pack. Everyone who attends will be given a £100 discount on the Gift Pack making it an even more obvious choice for a Christmas present for your loved ones. I'll even let you buy one for someone you don't especially like too. It's not just limited to "loved ones".
This year has been a great success for lifestyle portraits with a few months left to make it outstanding. I'm working hard to make 2011 even better.
If you are free tomorrow night then please come along and say "Hi". There will be a lot of great exhibitors and with more bargains than you can throw a small Bolivian Goat-herder's Poking Stick at.
Did I mention there will be free sweets?
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Naz and the Aztec Camera
It has been well over a year since I worked with Naz - in fact Naz was the first customer I shot with my 5D Mk2. Not sure if that means anything to anyone but I remember.
Naz expressed an interest in a new shoot using Indian dress - well 3 dresses. Instead of choosing which dress to use we decided to do 3 separate shoots - this was the first.
We has intended to do a rural shoot using a lot of greenery for her blue dress but we got lost while walking to the location.
However, we found something even better - the back of an industrial unit in the Aztec Centre, Bristol. This location offered us a number of colours and textures including this corrugated metal wall. Some of the best locations can be found in the most obscure and unexpected places.
We got a great collection of images for the Blue Dress shoot of the "trilogy" and have already planned the Burgundy Dress shoot for next week which will be a "town" shoot.
The third shoot is a Cream Dress - we're going to wait for the snow to complete the series.
Naz is always great fun to shoot - check out some of her images on the David Gow Photography website gallery - in the portraits section - to see why. A great looking girl who's happy to throw a roundhouse kick into the portrait shoot.
Bring on next week.
Naz expressed an interest in a new shoot using Indian dress - well 3 dresses. Instead of choosing which dress to use we decided to do 3 separate shoots - this was the first.
We has intended to do a rural shoot using a lot of greenery for her blue dress but we got lost while walking to the location.
However, we found something even better - the back of an industrial unit in the Aztec Centre, Bristol. This location offered us a number of colours and textures including this corrugated metal wall. Some of the best locations can be found in the most obscure and unexpected places.
We got a great collection of images for the Blue Dress shoot of the "trilogy" and have already planned the Burgundy Dress shoot for next week which will be a "town" shoot.
The third shoot is a Cream Dress - we're going to wait for the snow to complete the series.
Naz is always great fun to shoot - check out some of her images on the David Gow Photography website gallery - in the portraits section - to see why. A great looking girl who's happy to throw a roundhouse kick into the portrait shoot.
Bring on next week.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Tamika - The Wharf House, Gloucester
Tamika is no stranger in front of the camera with her work as a model at numerous wedding fairs - but this is the first time we've worked together in a portrait shoot just for her.
I started a competition last year which Tamika won. I uploaded a number of portrait images on Facebook and whoever got the most comments against their image within the month won the prize of the portrait shoot and a digital coffee table book for their images. Well done to Tamika for winning and thank you to everyone for taking the time to vote.
For Tamika's shoot we decided on the Wharf House as the venue as it's still a great favourite. It has a variety of interesting sections, including the canal, boats, a bridge, overpass, lots of greenery, a small building site and not forgetting the strange pond containing pea and ham soup.
The sun decided to challenge us by moving in and out of the clouds so we ended up roping Tamika's Granddad into the shoot, as my glamorous assistant, to hold the reflector. It was very reminiscent of the Dolly Birds holding the huge playing cards in Play Your Cards Right. 5 points for anyone who not only remembers the show but can also recall any of Bruce Forsythe's catchphrases.
As a late afternoon, cloudy shoot the light was nicely diffused and we got a great collection of images for Tamika's gallery.
After seeing a couple of rabbits midway through the shoot, I was a little disappointed that Tamika didn't race after them to use as a prop - but fair play as she did master her fear and get onto the riverboat for the "captain of the seas" shot. I don't think it helped that I "accidentally" rocked it while setting up in position.
Also, credit goes to Tamika and her Granddad for trudging through the swamp-like nettle-sludge to get to the "green door" at the underpass for the last few shots. After reviewing the edits I can say that it was definitely worth it. Surprisingly, neither took up my offer of a piggy-back.
I started a competition last year which Tamika won. I uploaded a number of portrait images on Facebook and whoever got the most comments against their image within the month won the prize of the portrait shoot and a digital coffee table book for their images. Well done to Tamika for winning and thank you to everyone for taking the time to vote.
For Tamika's shoot we decided on the Wharf House as the venue as it's still a great favourite. It has a variety of interesting sections, including the canal, boats, a bridge, overpass, lots of greenery, a small building site and not forgetting the strange pond containing pea and ham soup.
The sun decided to challenge us by moving in and out of the clouds so we ended up roping Tamika's Granddad into the shoot, as my glamorous assistant, to hold the reflector. It was very reminiscent of the Dolly Birds holding the huge playing cards in Play Your Cards Right. 5 points for anyone who not only remembers the show but can also recall any of Bruce Forsythe's catchphrases.
As a late afternoon, cloudy shoot the light was nicely diffused and we got a great collection of images for Tamika's gallery.
After seeing a couple of rabbits midway through the shoot, I was a little disappointed that Tamika didn't race after them to use as a prop - but fair play as she did master her fear and get onto the riverboat for the "captain of the seas" shot. I don't think it helped that I "accidentally" rocked it while setting up in position.
Also, credit goes to Tamika and her Granddad for trudging through the swamp-like nettle-sludge to get to the "green door" at the underpass for the last few shots. After reviewing the edits I can say that it was definitely worth it. Surprisingly, neither took up my offer of a piggy-back.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Katharine & Simon - Burleigh Court Hotel, Oxfordshire
I knew from the moment I met Katharine and Simon for their pre-wedding shoot that we were going to have great fun shooting their wedding. I have never heard a couple laugh and enjoy themselves so much.
The wedding party was a small and perfectly formed group of guests, family and friends who were an absolute joy to photograph.
Part of the ceremony was conducted in Welsh and despite the lack of understanding sections of the vows it was plain to see the love shared between Katharine & Simon.
Confetti was replace by bubbles and I have to say how impressed I was with how long the bubbles lasted and how much puff everyone had. If I didn't know better I would suspect that someone brought their own bottle of Fairy Liquid.
The speeches were very emotional and after listening to Katharine's speech had great respect for her - she did an incredible job of not only learning Welsh but doing so in 10 months.
I wish all the very best to Katharine & Simon. A truly happy couple and great fun to photograph.
The wedding party was a small and perfectly formed group of guests, family and friends who were an absolute joy to photograph.
Part of the ceremony was conducted in Welsh and despite the lack of understanding sections of the vows it was plain to see the love shared between Katharine & Simon.
Confetti was replace by bubbles and I have to say how impressed I was with how long the bubbles lasted and how much puff everyone had. If I didn't know better I would suspect that someone brought their own bottle of Fairy Liquid.
The speeches were very emotional and after listening to Katharine's speech had great respect for her - she did an incredible job of not only learning Welsh but doing so in 10 months.
I wish all the very best to Katharine & Simon. A truly happy couple and great fun to photograph.
Monday, 23 August 2010
A guide to Gypsies and the Criminal Underworld of Hedgehogs
Well, I've finally managed to get some time to start my new project - a book.
I'm writing a guide for the Wedding Photographer and, man, do I have a lot of interesting highs and lows to write about.
The book is a step-by-step guide of everything I've learned in the last 4 years in the industry including all the pitfalls to avoid. Some of them very expensive.
I've been meaning to write this since January and have the outline defined. I wrote the Chapter on Websites last week and finding that free-flow writing seems to work - at the moment - has spurred me on to get the other chapters completed.
I'd like to complete the book by mid-Nov for publication and into the Christmas market. Signed copies will be available. Unsigned copies will be available too at an additional charge. You'd need to see my ghastly signature to appreciate that.
There will be stories, both funny and tragic, included. Alas, the wandering gypsy who solves hedgehog-related crimes is not in this book. That's next years project.
I'll keep you updated on the progress.
Thanks for reading - and feel free to post a reply.
I'm writing a guide for the Wedding Photographer and, man, do I have a lot of interesting highs and lows to write about.
The book is a step-by-step guide of everything I've learned in the last 4 years in the industry including all the pitfalls to avoid. Some of them very expensive.
I've been meaning to write this since January and have the outline defined. I wrote the Chapter on Websites last week and finding that free-flow writing seems to work - at the moment - has spurred me on to get the other chapters completed.
I'd like to complete the book by mid-Nov for publication and into the Christmas market. Signed copies will be available. Unsigned copies will be available too at an additional charge. You'd need to see my ghastly signature to appreciate that.
There will be stories, both funny and tragic, included. Alas, the wandering gypsy who solves hedgehog-related crimes is not in this book. That's next years project.
I'll keep you updated on the progress.
Thanks for reading - and feel free to post a reply.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Trying something new - Jo & Lee
I'm a big fan of trying new things when it comes to creating art from wedding and portrait images and this year I decided to add a series of darker images to the collection.
I took a series of shots at Jo & Lee's wedding with this idea in mind and I got what I was looking for.
This image is an example of the more artistic imagery I am looking for - and the beauty of this is that this shot took about 30 seconds to set up, 30 seconds to edit in Lightroom 2 and 60 seconds to perfect in Photoshop - two minutes.
I created a number of other images in a similar vein and am pleased with how they all turned out. Of course it really does help when the couple are as good looking as Jo & Lee and the wedding venue as beautiful as Ardington House, outside Wantage.
My next wedding is next Thursday when I'll be shooting Katharine and Simon and am very keen to create a similar theme.
I took a series of shots at Jo & Lee's wedding with this idea in mind and I got what I was looking for.
This image is an example of the more artistic imagery I am looking for - and the beauty of this is that this shot took about 30 seconds to set up, 30 seconds to edit in Lightroom 2 and 60 seconds to perfect in Photoshop - two minutes.
I created a number of other images in a similar vein and am pleased with how they all turned out. Of course it really does help when the couple are as good looking as Jo & Lee and the wedding venue as beautiful as Ardington House, outside Wantage.
My next wedding is next Thursday when I'll be shooting Katharine and Simon and am very keen to create a similar theme.
It can't rain all the time - Katharine & Simon
For the first time this year I've had to postpone a shoot due to really bad weather. Thankfully Sunday proved to be a lot nicer to us and it didn't affect the mood as Katharine and Simon came to the studio for their pre-wedding shoot.
I knew when I spoke to Katharine on the phone last week that we were going to really enjoy this shoot - I've rarely heard anyone laugh so much - even at my terrible attempts at humour. And, as you can see from the image, Katharine's laughter was infectious.
Both were great fun to shoot and I'm really looking forward to creating the same fun-filled images at their wedding.
I knew when I spoke to Katharine on the phone last week that we were going to really enjoy this shoot - I've rarely heard anyone laugh so much - even at my terrible attempts at humour. And, as you can see from the image, Katharine's laughter was infectious.
Both were great fun to shoot and I'm really looking forward to creating the same fun-filled images at their wedding.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Bride Over Duck-filled Waters
Congratulations to Jo & Lee who were married on Sat 7th Aug - and what a fantastic day it was.
I shot Jo & Lee's wedding freelancing for Blenheim Photography and had an amazing time doing it.
The weather report for the day was not good and looked to threaten the plan for an outdoor ceremony on the island at Ardington House. It was very touch and go and despite a number of showers earlier in the day it was agreed the wedding could take place on this beautiful location.
The bridge to the island was not only slippy but not that wide. Any slip one way or the other would have turned the wedding into auditions for the 2012 Olympic Swimming team - assuming the locals, in the forms of ducks and swans, would have let you do anything more than a doggy paddle to get back out. Fortunately, we all stayed out of the river.
After drinks outside Ardington House, speeches were made. Uniquely these were done outside and made a nice change as I got a lot of great shots using the natural light.
Jo & Lee, themselves, were very much up for the flow-posing shoots and we ended up splitting into three seperate sessions to accomodate the weather. I tried a few new ideas for the flow-posing images the result of which is above.
Everyone at the wedding was great fun - and for a moment I feared for my own safety when the "guys" swayed into me with threats to throw me in the river.
Add in croquet, football and a game of Aunt Sally and this was a great deal of fun for everyone.
Thanks to Jan of Blenheim Photography for the contract and thanks to Jo & Lee for being such a great couple.
I shot Jo & Lee's wedding freelancing for Blenheim Photography and had an amazing time doing it.
The weather report for the day was not good and looked to threaten the plan for an outdoor ceremony on the island at Ardington House. It was very touch and go and despite a number of showers earlier in the day it was agreed the wedding could take place on this beautiful location.
The bridge to the island was not only slippy but not that wide. Any slip one way or the other would have turned the wedding into auditions for the 2012 Olympic Swimming team - assuming the locals, in the forms of ducks and swans, would have let you do anything more than a doggy paddle to get back out. Fortunately, we all stayed out of the river.
After drinks outside Ardington House, speeches were made. Uniquely these were done outside and made a nice change as I got a lot of great shots using the natural light.
Jo & Lee, themselves, were very much up for the flow-posing shoots and we ended up splitting into three seperate sessions to accomodate the weather. I tried a few new ideas for the flow-posing images the result of which is above.
Everyone at the wedding was great fun - and for a moment I feared for my own safety when the "guys" swayed into me with threats to throw me in the river.
Add in croquet, football and a game of Aunt Sally and this was a great deal of fun for everyone.
Thanks to Jan of Blenheim Photography for the contract and thanks to Jo & Lee for being such a great couple.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
The Freesias and Daisy Chain
After much soul-searching I decided to try macro photography and the question I had at the end was "Why did I wait so long?"
I spent a morning with my friend, Jan of Daisy Chain Florists, Quedgeley, Gloucester, shooting everything in her store.
I've attached a copy of the montage I put together to hopefully show how much fun I had doing this.
I am now looking at everything with a view to shooting it with the new lens - including insects and even objects such as golf balls and keypads. They all appear to be mundane until you focus right into form and light of the object.
There is the danger that I am going to turn into a macro-nerd but I'm sure my girlfriend, Jan (not the Daisy Chain one), will keep me looking at the bigger picture once in a while. Besides I don't think many Brides will enjoy 300 images of their eyes and nostrils in close-up.
Keep checking my Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/David-Gow-Photography/103472636371331?ref=ts - for more images. And please feel free to message me if you think I've gone too far into macro-land.
I spent a morning with my friend, Jan of Daisy Chain Florists, Quedgeley, Gloucester, shooting everything in her store.
I've attached a copy of the montage I put together to hopefully show how much fun I had doing this.
I am now looking at everything with a view to shooting it with the new lens - including insects and even objects such as golf balls and keypads. They all appear to be mundane until you focus right into form and light of the object.
There is the danger that I am going to turn into a macro-nerd but I'm sure my girlfriend, Jan (not the Daisy Chain one), will keep me looking at the bigger picture once in a while. Besides I don't think many Brides will enjoy 300 images of their eyes and nostrils in close-up.
Keep checking my Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/David-Gow-Photography/103472636371331?ref=ts - for more images. And please feel free to message me if you think I've gone too far into macro-land.
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Shot By Both Sides - Ian & Jan shoot Sam & Annabel
Some weddings are so much fun and their venues so perfect that it's impossible to point a lens at any point and get a bad shot - Sam & Annabel's great day was one of those special ones.
The Kingscote Barn is an amazing venue with some incredible scenic backdrops. If you are looking for a venue I urge you to check it out.
Sam was, by far, the calmest groom of the year. He and his ushers and Best Man strode around the grounds and made the first shots of the day so much easier and fun for me.
Jan, from Blenheim Photography, and my girlfriend, was my glamourous assistant for the day and took some incredible shots of Annabel's bridal preparation.
The staff at the Barn were really helpful and even allowed me to stand above the ceremony which allowed me to get the shot above. It proves that to get the best of anything you need the help of everyone.
Annabel looked fantastic in her wedding dress and was accompanied by 3 bridesmaids who could easily have been in a Girl Band. Time to hand your crowns over Girls Aloud!
It was easy to see how much Sam & Annabel love each other from their flow-posing. They were so comfortable with each other that I only had to instruct where to stand for the shots - they did the rest.
This was wedding was incredible fun to shoot because everyone was having an incredibly fun time.
A real pleasure and I wish all the best for Sam & Annabel.
The Kingscote Barn is an amazing venue with some incredible scenic backdrops. If you are looking for a venue I urge you to check it out.
Sam was, by far, the calmest groom of the year. He and his ushers and Best Man strode around the grounds and made the first shots of the day so much easier and fun for me.
Jan, from Blenheim Photography, and my girlfriend, was my glamourous assistant for the day and took some incredible shots of Annabel's bridal preparation.
The staff at the Barn were really helpful and even allowed me to stand above the ceremony which allowed me to get the shot above. It proves that to get the best of anything you need the help of everyone.
Annabel looked fantastic in her wedding dress and was accompanied by 3 bridesmaids who could easily have been in a Girl Band. Time to hand your crowns over Girls Aloud!
It was easy to see how much Sam & Annabel love each other from their flow-posing. They were so comfortable with each other that I only had to instruct where to stand for the shots - they did the rest.
This was wedding was incredible fun to shoot because everyone was having an incredibly fun time.
A real pleasure and I wish all the best for Sam & Annabel.
OK, Croquet - Sam & Lucia are Game
It's Saturday May 16th and you'd be forgiven for expecting a gloriously sunny day from morning til night. Instead the weather tried to dampen the spirits of Sam & Lucia - and after seeing how that wasn't going to work decided to ease up and let us all out to play.
Lucia played the modelling bride to perfection and loved the ideas of the day including sitting on a stone floor and walking up and down stairs until it became a great cardio workout. Lucia should release a DVD of that exercise regime.
Sam too played a great role as the Groom, with the heavy-mood shots as well as part-time bodybuilder as he held up Lucia for what must have been a good 5 mins without a break. Perhaps another exercise DVD to be released?
Sam & Lucia's family were great fun too and were very much up for all the group shots available while the sun stayed out.
The boys played a fine game of croquet on the Greenway Hotel green but someone had to point out that swinging the club with a golf swing was not only going to put you on a losing strea of this fine sport but was also likely to injure themselves and anyone within a 50m radius of them.
The after-dinner speeches were hilarious with the Best Man speech topping them all. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Sam you really have to ask him to play you his band's version of "House of the Rising Sun". Britain really does have talent.
Lucia played the modelling bride to perfection and loved the ideas of the day including sitting on a stone floor and walking up and down stairs until it became a great cardio workout. Lucia should release a DVD of that exercise regime.
Sam too played a great role as the Groom, with the heavy-mood shots as well as part-time bodybuilder as he held up Lucia for what must have been a good 5 mins without a break. Perhaps another exercise DVD to be released?
Sam & Lucia's family were great fun too and were very much up for all the group shots available while the sun stayed out.
The boys played a fine game of croquet on the Greenway Hotel green but someone had to point out that swinging the club with a golf swing was not only going to put you on a losing strea of this fine sport but was also likely to injure themselves and anyone within a 50m radius of them.
The after-dinner speeches were hilarious with the Best Man speech topping them all. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Sam you really have to ask him to play you his band's version of "House of the Rising Sun". Britain really does have talent.
A Site for Sore Eyes
Well, its finally here - the new David Gow Photography website is finished and uploaded.
The site contains a number of portrait and wedding galleries from 2009 & 2010 as well as the fantastic Grotesque concept shoot with Jessie.
There are also links to the best companies in the wedding business as well as links to my Facebook, Twitter and, of course, Blogger accounts. Please feel free to be a "fan", "follow" and "follow" again on these.
The site design was done using the fine brain of Andy Doane of Enaod Designs at www.enaoddesigns.co.uk. My great thanks to Andy for his hard work and inspiration. I hope you agree that he did a fantastic job on this.
The site contains a number of portrait and wedding galleries from 2009 & 2010 as well as the fantastic Grotesque concept shoot with Jessie.
There are also links to the best companies in the wedding business as well as links to my Facebook, Twitter and, of course, Blogger accounts. Please feel free to be a "fan", "follow" and "follow" again on these.
The site design was done using the fine brain of Andy Doane of Enaod Designs at www.enaoddesigns.co.uk. My great thanks to Andy for his hard work and inspiration. I hope you agree that he did a fantastic job on this.
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