LAKE DISTRICT
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIDES IN THE LANDSCAPE

Jason Chambers Photography

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WASTWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

A successful producer and director of television, Mark Gilligan of Wastwater Photography, is no stranger to organising large groups of people in front of a the camera. "Having handled a lot of TV personalities and their egos has definitely 'honed' my skills ha ha!."
 
Mark Gilligan's award winning landscape photographs can be viewed at a permanent exhibition running in The Strands Hotel & Micro Brewery in Nether Wasdale. Between weddings, Mark spends much of his time walking and photographing the dramatic landscapes of the Wasdale valley.

Mark Gilligan

How did you get into photography? My father worked for the Newspapers and I used to travel around with him on photographic jobs. Loved it!

What do you love most about your job? It isnt a job! Its a passion and every shot, every situation is different. Landscape weddings though are very special. I am internationally renowned for my landscapes and to combine the two disciplines together is special for me.

If you weren't a photographer, what would you be? Difficult this, as I love all my work. Its interconnected with images and writing. As well as being a features journalist for several magazines, I also run very successful landscape courses and I taught the subject as the National Director on a dedicated Course I ran for 'special services' within the government. That was ground breaking! In answer to the question, I just love to be known as the man with a passion for Wast Water and 'wow didn't he capture it well!'

What is it like to capture such special moments for others? Very special becasue thats just what it is! Special. As a pro you should never forget that these lovely people have asked you to do that for them. Its a trust and a bond. It should always be remembered fondly and make them smile when they recall the day as they look at the photographs.

Would you recommend a post-wedding photo shoot? 'Trash the dress', its a nice relaxing time for couples. I even undertook one in a classroom, as they were childhood sweethearts and the school allowed it! Great fun!

Wastwater Photography

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JASON CHAMBERS

Jason Chambers has a passion of The Lake District landscape and hurtling down fells on his mountain bike. Browsing through wedding albums in his studio in the centre of the town, you can clearly see Jason's love of the landscape showing through in his wedding photography.

Jason Chambers

How long have you lived in the Lakes? I have lived in the Lake District since 1994. The Lakes were a popular family holiday destination for me in my younger days.

What inspires you as a photographer? Everything and anything whether it be a moody Lake District skyline or being overseas drawn to new vibrant colours and cultures.

Would you recommend a pre-wedding photo shoot? A pre wedding shoot is something I recommend to everyone as it really does get the engaged couple in front of the camera for a few casual shots on location. A real ice breaker with a relaxed conversation and tips I can offer for the planning of their big day.

What do you love most about your job? Turning up to shoot a wedding is great as it's always a happy occasion with lots of new faces and interesting themes on some occasions. Capturing the atmosphere and emotion of a bride and grooms special day is job satisfaction for me.

Where's your all time favourite wedding location in The Lakes? It's hard to choose an all-time favourite wedding location being based in the beautiful Lake District. The ever changing light and dramatic light variations we receive can often change one location from being a little dull to something simply stunning. Having said this Wasdale is a very rugged location and offers a number of photographic opportunities.

Jason Chambers Photography

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DAVE GREAVES PHOTOGRAPHY

Dave Greaves has recently home from living in New Zealand for two years. Dave and his wife Becky, lived in Carlisle prior to their antipodean travels. They decided, on their return, to settle in Ulverston only a short drive away from the south lakeland fells.

How did you get into photography? I have always been very artistic; from a young age I have loved drawing, painting and building stuff out of lego - really anything creative. I pursued my passion for art by going to Art College and then on to do a Fine Art Degree. This background is the basis of my photographic work. Taking beautiful photographs is much more about

Dave Greaves

this artistic way of seeing than knowing how to use the camera, although this helps too. As is often described - "Photography is sculpting with light."
 
My transition into wedding photography happened after an incident at my cousins wedding. I had been asked by her to do the official photos, but I said no. I knew enough about what is involved in being a good wedding photographer to know you can't take that responsibility lightly. However, the day of the wedding arrived and I knew within a few minutes that the amateur photographer she had found didn't have a clue. So I began to take some pictures with an small instant camera - wanting her to have a few good shots to remember the day by. It wasn't long until I became the unofficial official wedding photographer - and I loved it! This event was the push I needed to make photography my career, and I have continued to love what I do, utilising my artistic skills to their full potential. It has been an exciting journey which started out in New Zealand and has now brought me back to Cumbria. I am looking forward to working back in this beautiful landscape.

If you weren't a photographer what would you be? That's easy - a 'creative' - i.e. someone who generates ideas for businesses. I am a person who thinks outside the box and finds it easy to come up with original ideas.

Dave Greaves Photography

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What do you love most about your job? Having a job which uses my creative skills and which enables me to constantly push the boundaries of what I do artistically, to keep producing beautiful and unique photographs.
 
What is it like to capture such special moments for others? It is an honour and a privilege to be photographing a couple's wedding day. Each wedding is very personal and individual and is a celebration of the couple. As a photographer, it is important to me to really capture the spirit of the day, the personality of the couple and record all the little details which make that couple's day unique. My Fine Art training gives me confidence to approach each couple's wedding as a new challenge, with infinite possibilities and potential to create more than just good photos but a unique set of personal images.
 
Would you recommend a post-wedding photo shoot? I would definitely recommend a post-wedding photo shoot - I call my shoots 'Rock the Frock' and offer these to all my couples. They are a fantastic opportunity to create some stunning fine art images of the bride, or both the bride and groom, in locations you wouldn't be able to get to on the wedding day. These images are a celebration of the couple and the wedding dress and the shoot is great fun and very relaxed, with the freedom of time you wouldn't get on your wedding day. The varied landscape of Cumbria offers endless opportunities for intimate, spectacular and unique locations.

DAVE GREAVES PHOTOGRAPHY

Dave Greaves Photography