It's all Chop and Change

OK, just to get things clear, the title does not refer to a collection of small coins I found in my Sunday Roast of Pork Chops. But, it does however refer to the new, and hopefully improved, new website at www.davidgow.co.uk.

The main differences you will notice (assuming in my arrogance that you have seen the previous version of the site) are the buttons, the page layout and the introduction of a few new pages (at the expense of some old ones).

The 'my Style' page is a short description of my photography style. And you thought I just made it all up on the day? Shame on you.

The 'my Products' page describes a number of items that customers can buy including digital albums and coffee table books. My personal favourite products are the 3x3 acrylic frames and the brushed metal digital album.

The 'my Prices' page explains itself, I guess. I asked for feedback on my old site and one of the comments was that the old page was too "wordy". Anyone who knows me knows I can never be accused of being "wordy". Mmmmm....

The 'my News' page is my favourite addition. Not content with waffling on Facebook, Twitter and in Blogs, I've added another page dedicated to new and interesting things happening in the Wonderful World of Disney...... Oh, I mean, David Gow. The latest news item is a call for Studio Portraits shoots. Check it out. A real bargain.

The last change is the one called 'your Images'. This provides access to the Customer galleries. It used to be called 'Clients', but the new name suits the format of the other pages. I think.

Anyway, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. What do you think? Anything amiss? Preferred the old version. Not enough photos of me in a variety of informative and yet amusing historical outfits? Please feel free to check out the new site and let me know what you think.

Gloucester Wedding Photography - Lisa & Shane at Berkeley Castle

Wow, wow and wow! Wow 1 is for the incredibly beautiful venue that is Berkeley Castle. Wow 2 is for the fantastic time I had shooting Lisa & Shane's Pre-wedding Portrait. Wow 3 is for me being so fortunate to have Wow 1 and 2 together at the same time.

I met Lisa & Shane in October last year and instantly recognised the "buzz" they had for each other and for their wedding plans and knew how much fun they would be to photograph.

Lisa & Shane decided they would like their pre-wedding shoot at Berkeley Castle, the home of their wedding ceremony in July. Fantastic choice.

The Castle Manager, Eleanor, was kind enough to show us around the ceremony and reception rooms as well as the available grounds, and it's safe to say that I've got a real task on my hands keeping shortlisting the incredible locations for photography on the day. The alternative was for their wedding to be extended by 3-4 days. As keen as Lisa & Shane were on that idea, I don't think Berkeley would be.

After a tour of the Castle we walked around the grounds taking in the view while shooting images for the pre-wedding gallery.

Despite Shane's confession about being nervous in front of a camera I think he did a fantastic job of modelling. Manly modelling, of course. Although he will need to work on his reaction to Lisa's kisses.

Lisa, too, was an absolute star, by providing a mix of laughter, smiles and, on occasions, the beautiful moody look.

As we walked around the gardens we noticed some wooden eggs hanging from the trees and bushes. After a short discussion, we decided not to take part in, what we assumed was, an Easter Egg Hunt, as we couldn't remember what the prizes were meant to be. To be honest, there was a young boy and girl playing the Hunt who were already ahead of us, and I wasn't keen on being beaten by young children at games. Again.

I'd like to thank Lisa & Shane again for choosing me to photograph their wedding. Like all the couples I've photographed this year so far, today was another fantastic reminder why I love shooting weddings so much. Bring on July!

Gloucester Wedding Photographer - Sharon & Justin's Pre-wedding Shoot

We are the Famous Five!! Sharon, Justin, Claire, David & Macey the Dog!! My apologies to Enid Blyton.

If you remember the theme tune for that fantastic 80's kid's TV show you'll probably get a lot more out of that opening line. Check out youtube.

I met Sharon & Justin last year and remembered three important things. A great looking couple, a hilarious sense of humour and Sharon's love of cows.

I took all of that information into their Pre-wedding shoot today and, between us, created a fantastic collection of images for their gallery. Well, I say "all of that information". I didn't bring a cow. But, I would have done if I had one. And a saddle.

Sharon & Justin chose North Nibley for their shoot and what a beautiful location. Sharon and Claire (my wonderful assistant for the day and, more importantly I guess, Sharon's Sister) reminisced about their childhood in the woods. I know what you're thinking, but no, they were not raised in the woods by a scurry of lovable woodland creatures. I did ask.

As we trekked up towards the monument at the top of North Nibley, we started the shoot by using the great abundance of greenery and trees (as you would find in a wood). The lighting today was a perfect overcast which allows us to use almost anything as a backdrop without the fear of harsh lighting.

When we got to the top and were treated to such a beautiful view of the Cotswolds and beyond. Add the Tyndale Monument into the mix and we had a perfect setting to continue the shoot. The shot above was taken in the entrance to the Monument.

Using the scenic views and imposing monument's stonework, we completed the shoot with a set of images that capture the fun that Sharon & Justin share. There is even an impromptu piggyback in there. I'll leave you guessing who piggybacked who.

As proof that Claire had not only come to the shoot, but had done all the really hard work of carrying everything around, I captured this image of her with Sharon. Trust me, she carried more than the daffodil.

On the way back down, Macey (the Dog from the theme tune at the start of the blog), continued to make friends with everyone and their dogs. Even if they didn't want to. And yes, for all animal lovers out there, we did get some lovely shots of her too.

A wonderful sunny Sunday morning with Sharon, Justin, Claire & Macey, taking photos and having a laugh. No better way to spend a day.

If today's shoot is anything to go by (which it is), I'm going to have the time of my life shooting the wedding.

Bristol Portrait & Wedding Photography - Liz & Simon's Pre-wedding Shoot

When you think of On The Waterfront, you're thinking Marlon Brando riding an uncomfortably large bike, in leathers, white vest and a, now-realised, camp leather cap.

Well, Liz & Simon's Pre-wedding Shoot on the Bristol Waterfront was no different. Apart from the bike, vest and leathers. Oh, and cap.

Quickly, after meeting Liz & Simon last December for a wedding consultation and hearing of their plans for the great day, I knew I had to shoot their wedding. No spoilers. You're all going to have to wait until after 9th July. There's no use tutting and sighing. Be patient. It will be worth it.

The Bristol Waterfront is a haven of fantastic backdrops for a portrait shoot and we used as many of them as we could.

We made a great start to the shoot at the waterside where I quickly realised that a) Liz & Simon were going to be a real joy to shoot and b) Simon may or may not have enjoyed a modelling career prior to the shoot and c) Liz has the fastest blink I've ever seen. I'll come to that last one in a moment.

Actually, I'll come to that now. There is a trick when photographing "blinkers" and that is to get them to close their eyes and open them just before you press the shutter. The idea being that they can't possibly close their eyes before you press the button. Sound reasonable? It's a trick that's worked for several years. Until today. Now everything I believe in is being questioned.

Using a number of bold coloured backdrops we put together a great collection of images as we made our way around the waterside and through to the @Bristol Square where we completed our shoot.

On the way round Liz treated us all to a joke and a punchline I still don't get. It was about Little Red Riding Hood. Any ideas?

Joking aside (understandable punchline or not), Liz & Simon did not stop laughing the whole time and, as you can see from the photo above, that have fantastic smiles to match. They were a genuine joy to photograph.

Special thanks to the Cafe for letting us use their tables (even though we didn't buy anything). And to, the now famously infamous, Kim for carrying everything, except me, around the shoot. A piggy-back wouldn't have gone amiss.