Hello everyone,

A very busy Summer for me in general. But with the Summer months being popular months for weddings, i really have been non stop! I have chosen a wedding I shot back at the end of June with Richie Laurie Photography to share with you. We were in Crail for the wedding of Kirstin & Louise, where they had chosen the very unique venue, the Cow Shed. 

The Cow Shed is located on the outskirts of Crail in the East Neuk of Fife, a beautiful corner of Scotland with stunning beaches, traditional fishing villages and pretty harbours...oh, and not forgetting a huge selection of golf courses too! The Cow Shed is full of original features, character and enjoys sea views across the Firth of Forth to the Bass Rock and East Lothian - the perfect backdrop to our “blank canvas” venue, giving you have the freedom to add your own personality. 

Below I have featured just some of my favourite images taken on the day. With their dog Poppy featuring in a lot of them! We had amazing weather all afternoon and I was really happy with the results.  I hope you like them!

I'd like to share a little bit about what i've been up to since the start of the 2018 wedding season :)

With a busy August/September lined up, I have been flat out preparing my USB folios & albums for last years clients.  I'm really happy with how they have turned out. 

All couples booking my Silver/Gold/Platinum packages will receive their beautiful photographs on a personalised USB drive with names engraved. Plus 20 6x4 prints of your choice from the day, with a choice of Walnut or Maple wood finish.  Below I have included a few examples of what to expect from the final products. 

​For more information please follow this link or the images below - http://www.gavindougan.com/new-personalised-usb.html.

​​I believe every wedding and every couple is unique and I try and reflect this in my work. The creative process for me begins with each couple and their personal vision of their wedding day. Through meetings and discussions both at home and the chosen venue, we arrive at how best to capture and present your day.

With lots of fresh new ideas for 2019/20, please have a look at my wedding packages and albums at the links below -

Wedding Packages
​
Handmade Photographically Printed Albums

Feel free to contact me for an informal, no obligation chat to discuss your wedding photography requirements
​http://www.gavindougan.com/contact.html​

Hello everyone, a quick update on my busy start to the 2018 wedding season! In April, my first wedding of the year was with Louise & Connor at the lovely secluded location of Toftcombs House in Skirling, just beside Biggar.  Nestled in 10 private acres in the stunning Scottish Borders countryside, and only 30 minutes from Edinburgh you couldn't ask for much more for your wedding venue.

​I really love shooting weddings in stately homes. No matter what the weather, you are guaranteed great shots in the usually large and fabulously furnished rooms.  Below I have featured just some of my favourite images taken on the day, as well as a few shots of the house. I think you will agree with me that Louise & Connor's little girl Izzy stole the show in the photos! 

If you would like me to photograph your wedding, please drop me a message. Now taking bookings for 2019/20.

Contact Me

The new wedding season is almost upon us, with my first date on 7th April! On the run up to April I have been busy finalising last years USB Folio and album package orders. The Walnut finish folios proving to be a popular choice with my clients. 

All couples booking my Silver/Gold/Platinum packages will receive their beautiful photographs on a personalised USB drive with names engraved. Plus 20 6x4 prints of your choice from the day, with a choice of Walnut or Maple wood finish.  Below I have included a few examples of what to expect from the final product. 

​For more information please follow this link or the images below - http://www.gavindougan.com/new-personalised-usb.html.

I thought i'd share with you some recent images taken in a gorgeous Autumn surrounding in Blairgowie - Perth and Kinross. I was working alongside Richie Laurie Photography, who I shoot larger weddings with. 

Pippa & James are getting married next July in their family home grounds, where we decided to take a few relaxed portraits before the wedding day. The plan was to time the shoot around October, so we could get all the lovely colour from the trees and fallen leaves. This was in abundance as you can see below!

The woodland area around the gardens looked spectacular in Autumn, so i'm really looking forward to seeing it in the Summertime. Not only vast areas of land but a very picturesque bridge (see below) that crosses over the river Ericht. There was endless photo opportunities here!

The idea of the pre-wedding shoot is to get you and your partner accustomed to being in front of a camera for any period of time. It also lets you see how I like to shoot, this will give you a better idea what to expect on the day of your wedding.

It is quite common for people in general to be a little tense when they have a camera pointed at them at first. Getting those natural and relaxed shots requires you to be happy and relaxed in front of the camera So think of these shoots as a warm up to the big day!

Below I have included some of my favourite shots from my shoot with Pippa & James. The pre-wedding shoot comes as part of my Gold & Platinum packages, with the aim to get you comfortable in front of the camera. As an extra it also gives you some alternative style portraits to enjoy and share with family and friends.

New for 2017/18 - I am now offering fantastic handmade photographically printed linen & leather albums. As part of my Platinum package. Available in 3 sizes - 8x8, 10x10 and 14x10 inches.  I thought i'd share with you two albums I have recently ordered.

For more album information please follow this link or click the images below - 
http://www.gavindougan.com/wedding-albums.html
​

Featured below - 10x10 Pastel Calamine linen with black UV text.

Featured below - 8x8 Hessian Oat linen with laser engraving.

Introducing my new personalised USB drives!

All couples booking my Silver/Gold/Platinum packages, will receive all their beautiful photographs on a personalised USB drive, with names engraved. 20 6x4 prints also included. Choices of a dark or light wood finish (dark wood featured).

For more information please follow this link or the images below - http://www.gavindougan.com/new-personalised-usb.html.

​​I believe every wedding and every couple is unique and I try and reflect this in my work. The creative process for me begins with each couple and their personal vision of their wedding day. Through meetings and discussion both at home and the chosen venue, we arrive at how best to capture and present your day.

With lots of fresh new ideas for 2017/18, please have a look at my wedding packages and albums at the links below -

Wedding Packages
​
Handmade Photographically Printed Albums

Feel free to contact me for an informal, no obligation chat to discuss your wedding photography requirements
​http://www.gavindougan.com/contact.html​

With the busy period now over for the year, I thought i'd share some more highlights from this Summer's weddings.  September was probably my busiest month I've ever had, with a wedding every weekend!

My second wedding of the month was back at a familiar location, Cramond. ​Cramond is a village and suburb in the north-west of Edinburgh. At the mouth of the River Almond, where it enters the Firth of Forth. There is plenty lovely spots around for photo opportunities here. I have shot several weddings here in the past at Cramond Kirk. This time however, I was attending my first home wedding.

Kathy & Gordon chose to get married at Gordon's family home. A marquee village filled the garden and the Sun came out right as the happy couple walked through their confetti shower. Every one did a great job on the day, it was one of the most enjoyable weddings I've worked, despite the tight time schedule!

Photographer - Richie Laurie Photography is Gordon's brother, so I was assisted in shooting Kathy and Gordon with him. With 15 minutes max to do a shoot down at the River Almond before the meal. We managed to get our planned shots taken and get back to the house on time. I was pretty impressed we managed to execute this and be happy with our results!

Time for another share of what i've been up to. I thought i'd share some photos from a wedding I shot back in June. Louise & Paul's big day at Linlithgow Palace.

The day started at the picturesque Linlithgow Palace for the wedding ceremony, with the reception taking place in South Queensferry's Boat House.  Linlithgow Palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is now a popular visitor attraction. I was worried about the amount of tourists being around at the time of the ceremony and getting in the way, but this didn't prove to be a problem on the day.

There was lots of nice secluded areas around for photos in the ruins and palace grounds. We started here and then moved quickly on to South Queensferry's harbour for more photos, in the limited time we had. Both were great locations I hadn't shot weddings at before. And being a former resident of South Queensferry, it was nice to visit the place again after so many years!

I believe every wedding and every couple is unique and I try and reflect this in my work. The creative process for me begins with each couple and their personal vision of their wedding day. Through meetings and discussion both at home and the chosen venue, we arrive at how best to capture and present your day.

With lots of fresh new ideas for 2016, please have a look at my wedding packages and albums at the links below -

Wedding Packages
​
Handmade Photographically Printed Albums

Feel free to contact me for an informal, no obligation chat to discuss your wedding photography requirements
​http://www.gavindougan.com/contact.html​

Yet again I have been neglecting my blog entries! It's been a busy Summer for weddings, and now we are into September, it's looking like the busiest month of the year.

I've been back and forth between Glasgow and Edinburgh mostly over the last few months. Some great venues like - Linlithgow Palace, Carberry Tower and something completely different... The West Brewery at Glasgow Green! I have shot a wedding here in the past but in the years since then, the venue has had a whole function area added at the back, and really makes for a unique wedding venue like no other.

I thought i'd share some photos from a wedding I shot here back in May. Michelle & Neil had picked the West Brewery for their special day, and the booze and banter flowed! A lovely humanist ceremony in the afternoon, followed by one of the liveliest ceilidhs I've ever shot. Lots of dancing and laughs! 

I am looking forward to another exciting year of weddings in 2016. 2015 was a busy year, photographing in many lovely venues around Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.

I thought i'd share with you some of my favourite images from 2015. My favourite venue being The Royal College of Physicians, a unique historic venue in Edinburgh's New Town. The Victorian and Georgian rooms are filled with stunning original architectural features, perfect for the wedding photographer.

I also enjoyed shooting at Doune Castle in Stirlingshire for the first time in July. A medieval stronghold dating from the 14th century. These are both very different venues in their own right, but both full of exciting features that really help make your shots stand out and offer something different.

I believe every wedding and every couple is unique and I try and reflect this in my work. The creative process for me begins with each couple and their personal vision of their wedding day. Through meetings and discussion both at home and the chosen venue, we arrive at how best to capture and present your day.

With lots of fresh new ideas for 2016, please have a look at my wedding packages and albums at the links below -

Wedding Packages

Handmade Photographically Printed Albums

Feel free to contact me for an informal, no obligation chat to discuss your wedding photography requirements http://www.gavindougan.com/contact.html​

Wow, a busy start to the summer months for weddings this year.  3 in the space of a few weeks in June, has kept me very busy.  Shooting by myself and with Richie Laurie Photography, every wedding was very different to the next!

One day before leaving for a holiday in Munich, I was shooting a wedding for the first time at Cottiers in Glasgow. The lucky couple Lynsey & Duncan.  A newly renovated Theatre, bar and restaurant in the heart of Glasgow's West End. Cottiers Theatre, originally Dowanhill Parish Church, was built in 1865 by William Leiper with designs by Daniel Cottier who created the intricate decoration and beautifully appointed stained glass windows.

Lynsey & Duncan hired me for the full day, starting at the very posh Hotel Du Vin, where Lynsey and her bridesmaids prepared for the big day, was a great place for photos. Very nice lighting throughout the building, with some great features, including giant stained glass windowed staircases! (Image above)

Unfortunately, the bridal car ran into trouble on approach (to the hotel, not to the wedding venue!) And a back up car was quickly arranged. I tagged a lift with Lynsey and her dad and managed take some fun shots on the way to Cottiers.  I was shooting Lynsey & Duncan's wedding by myself so I knew I had to be on the ball with the days busy schedule, and besides a slight mishap with a lens... Everything went exactly as planned!

Lynsey was very keen to get fun and candid images of the day so I tried to do this as unobtrusively as possible, letting everyone settle into enjoying themselves rather than me ordering and positioning people. The bridesmaids helped a lot in creating these images, lots of fun and banter after the ceremony led to some of my favourite images of the day.

Probably the most enjoyable part of the day for me was the laughter filled speeches (and stand-up comedy!) which came with a few surprises and shocks for everyone! 

For the first dance, the venues low-lit theater provided an intimate setting as family and friends looked on. This was followed by a photobooth hire, that took over my job in the late evening. This proved a huge success looking at the results and is proving a more and more popular addition to wedding events (See my wedding-studio package here).

Leaving the venue in torrential rain, we were very lucky to have such nice weather all day. Fingers crossed for dry summer months as the wedding season kicks off, I will be posting more from my wedding blog very soon!

Time for my latest wedding update. In November I had an autumn wedding at Pollok House in Glasgow for the wedding of Jenny & Martin. This time shooting with the help of Solid Images Photography.

A grand country house near Glasgow city centre, Pollok House is Scotland’s answer to Downton Abbey and gives a real taste of upstairs/downstairs life in the 1930s.  Set in the scenic surroundings of Pollok Country Park, which is also home to the Burrell Collection.

It made a nice change shooting a wedding through in the West. I have only shot a few wedding in Glasgow and have enjoyed visiting some new and unique wedding venues. Pollok House and Pollok Country Park were definitely some of the most picturesque surroundings I have photographed at for a wedding in 2014. 

Jenny & Martin had chosen to have their special day entirely at the house and grounds. Oscar and I were there for the full day and shooting with a two photographer set up our aim was to capture every moment of the day in a discrete documentary style which I hope the images in this post reflect.

Being a November wedding we were a little concerned about the weather for the day. Forecasts had been mixed and there was a high probability of rain in the afternoon. As it turned out we were extremely lucky on the day! We wrapped up most of the group shots and shots of Jenny & Martin around the grounds at around 4pm, just as the heavens opened! 

It was torrential rain for the rest of the evening, luckily the reception and ceilidh was to be held in a specially erected marquee next to the house. This allowed Oscar and I to really experiment with flash lighting set ups, which we were to rely on for the rest of the night, using our skills and imagination best we could to create striking and original images.

There were big laughs at the speeches, followed by a lively ceilidh which it seemed every single guest took part in! All in all the entire day went without a hitch, we were very lucky with the weather but everything came out as we planned... Well, apart from getting an image of Jenny & Martin with the parks Highland cows. They really didn't want to get their photo taken!

It was a great crowd at the wedding and Oscar and I really enjoyed our part in Jenny & Martin's big day.

It's been a while since my last wedding photography post so I have decided to choose a favourite wedding from this Summer to share with you all. 

In July I was shooting with Richie Laurie Photography at a more unusual location for a wedding - Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, where Julie & Chris were tying the knot. With the spectacular backdrop of Salisbury Crags and the impressive canopy structure, Our Dynamic Earth is a unique venue with a subtle heritage twist. 

We were shooting for a full day here, with the ceremony and reception being entirely at the venue. It was a lovely sunny day, a stroke of luck with the weather, which Richie and I seem to have when we shoot weddings together! 

For the best coverage of a wedding day. Richie and I like to shoot using a technique called near and far. A two photographer package that captures every aspect of your day. This is the technique we adopted for Julie & Chris' wedding. While Richie photographed at close range and with interaction with guests, I photographed from a far, capturing the candid moments. Sometimes capturing the best moments of the day. In this case, I was happy with what what was achieved and I don't think anything happened that we missed out on!

I have included a selection of my favourite images from the day in this post. For Richie's gallery of Julie & Chris' big day, please visit this link.

An interesting aspect of weddings at Dynamic Earth is the wedding party and it's guests receive full access to the attractions for their reception. After a lovely humanist ceremony, we had some time to walk around everything on offer, we managed some interesting photographs in some interesting locations, from the cinema to the jungle area!

I enjoyed photographing the wedding at Dynamic Earth, lots going on over a large area, makes it brilliant for photographers to go wild with their creative ideas. A nice change from the usual church grounds and gardens. Also being in the city center, there are lots of options for photos in the surrounding areas. With the picturesque backdrops of Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags not 10 minutes walk away you really are spoilt for choice.

Weddings these days are all about variety, and Dynamic Earth was a venue I could easy get used to photographing at regularly. I hope future weddings prove as interesting as this venue was!

At the end of August I was again shooting the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert from the roof of Boots on Princes Street in Edinburgh. A 45 minute display over Edinburgh Castle marking the end of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which takes place every summer in the city. I opted to go for a left hand position this time on the roof, as last year I was on the far right.

It's true when they say you get better shooting the same subject second time around, as you learn from your mistakes and try out new techniques. I think I improved my images dramatically on last years attempt, I have featured my favourite images in this post.

This year I decided to go for a two camera set up, shooting simultaneously, one with a super wide lens complete with a 10-stop ND (Neutral Density) filter and the other shooting with a standard lens without filters. I took a gamble with the filter which I had read up on as being very effective for shooting fireworks displays. With the ND filter obscuring all view of the scene and exposure, it was a real challenge focusing the scene and calculating the exposures correctly for the display. I found exposures of around one minute with the aperture almost wide open at f3.2 worked best, and of course there was a lot of luck involved! The first two shots directly below were shot with the ND Filter and are a 62 second exposure and the second a 66 second exposure.

In conclusion I found both techniques worked well in their own way, with some interesting results. But I am glad I had two set ups, as for some of the fireworks in the display, the really long exposures did not capture them well. 

Photographing fireworks well is always a challenge and I am looking forward to experimenting more with the 10-Stop ND Filter in the future!
   

I'm not very good at keeping this up to date! I thought I would share some of my events work from earlier this year... 

I was photographing some live performances of alternative/rock band Syren (now Erin Bennett) in Edinburgh. The first gig I photographed was actually their last performing under the name of Syren, with them now performing under Erin's name...

Erin Bennett is an award winning singer-songwriter/producer. Her live performances as former front woman for all female-power trio Syren have enthralled audiences and music journalists alike.

In 2010, Erin recorded and produced Syren album 'Something Has To Separate'. The release was delayed due to the untimely passing of Erin's wife and Syren drummer Joanne Heeley.

Erin has collaborated with UK DJ/Producer Darren Bailie (responsible for the smash-hit 'Infinity2008') for the re-working of the classic house track 'Hide U' by Kosheen. 'Hide U 2012', put together by Darren Bailie and Ronen Dahan, is available for download from ITunes.

Single 'Never Give Up The Fight won the 'Frankie Miller Songwriter of the Year' award in 2012 (Scottish New Music Awards). Erin wrote the song in memory of Jo Heeley and her struggle with breast cancer.

That same year Erin temporarily resurrected Syren with new musicians when asked to open several shows for legendary prog-rock band Hawkwind. 

Above and below are some of my favourite images from both gigs I photographed. The first was at Henry's Cellar Bar, a popular underground venue in Edinburgh for alternative bands and clubs nights. 

Erin's passionate performances make her a great act to photograph, I'm sure you agree the energy of her performance is apparent in these images.  For the second gig at Bannermans Bar, a popular rock venue on Edinburgh's cowgate, Erin and the band played a powerful performance once again to the fans and bar regulars alike. 

I like to shoot prominently with natural light at concert venues, depending on the venue this usually looks the most dramatic and eye catching. Of course this isn't always possible with extremely low lit venues and energetic bands, but with Bannermans as an example, the stage area being in part of Edinburgh's old underground, there is plenty of low ceilings to bounce light off with interesting results. As long as you get a good balance of natural and artificial light, you can't go wrong.

I will hopefully be shooting with Erin again later in the year, with her continuing to promote her solo work after Syren. I wish Erin and the band the best of luck and watch this space for more images of the band in action!

More event and concert work can be seen here in my Events gallery.

Something a bit different for my blog this month! In February I was at the first gig of up and coming Edinburgh rock band - Miss Country Blue & The Jure Grando Band. I was hired to work with them towards the end of last year and I also took images at their first gig at Whistlebinkies in Edinburgh. 

The band describe themselves as blending both dark and light qualities into their music to develop an alternative new genre influenced by blues, rock, punk and country. The bands concept was explained to me at our first meeting...

"Blue is the ultimate contradiction in female sexuality. Her dark, seething and often twisted lyrical content reveals a side of femininity often unexplored. No song in Blue’s repertoire reveals this more than Temptress, where she encapsulates the ultimate self-preserving, sexual predator. However, one only has to listen to the heart-warming innocence and optimism of songs like a Happy Heart to understand that Blue is so much more than a Woman Scorned. 

This ability of Blue to honestly explore all aspects of her inner self and reflect this fearlessly in her writing, shows that Blue is indeed a talented and original artist.

On the surface Grando projects a hard drinking and hard hearted womaniser with a tangible lust for sex and death. Grando is the unexpected facilitator for Blue’s screaming lyrics and honest performances. Grando’s punk background drenches him with a foreboding, unattainable demeanour, with the menace of an emotional vampire. However, Grando’s unlikely pairing with Blue reveals a more compassionate and intimate soul".

With is idea outlined before even hearing the band, I had a good idea of what sort of images they were after to promote their music - Dark, mysterious and contrasty images were what we agreed would work best for the band and their concept.


Below are a few favourite images from our shoot at the end of last year. These portraits of Blue and Grando were to help tell a story and contribute to their songs - A Woman Scorned & Dig My Own Grave amongst others...

In February I was shooting at Edinburgh's live music bar Whistlebinkies for MCB & The Jure Grando Band's first ever gig (Images Below) They pulled out a good crowd on the night and showed that they had something different to offer with a great and energetic live performance!

I very much enjoyed working with the band and I am looking forward to shooting again with them in the near future. Due to unfortunate circumstances our latest shoot had to be put on hold for the time being but I know there are definitely more ideas we can come up with to create exciting and engaging images!

It's been a while since I last updated my blog, so I thought I would share some pictures from my first wedding of the new year. Elaine and Duncan's lovely wedding day at The Caves in Edinburgh.

The Caves is a truly unique venue that makes up the sub-structure of the 18th Century South Bridge. There is no venue more Edinburgh than the Caves, or more Scottish, if you consider there was once so much Whisky stored here that it became known as "Whisky Row".

The venue is arguably the most tricky to shoot in for photographers, it being so dimly lit. It is very atmospheric, full of candle lit corridors and coloured lights. My previous trips to the venue helped me prepare for the challenge of lighting in the main room. The image below shows the venues cozy atmosphere with the dinner table display! 

Elaine and Duncan's ceremony and reception both took place at The Caves, a favourite venue of Elaine and Duncan's. What made the day extra special was Duncan's dad was marrying them, as he is a Minister with the Church of Scotland. A nice personal touch to the day that for both Duncan and George must have been very nerve wracking for the pair of them.

A lot of Elaine's relatives were over from Hong Kong for the wedding, so I knew I had to capture the best moments of the day the best I could. There will be a lot of orders coming from China I hope! 

Below are some of my favourite intimate shots of Elaine and Duncan, most came from the speeches and first dance. with Duncan being a keen DJ, he got a good say in the music later on in the night. Much to the dislike of some older relatives, and maybe even his wife!

Although one of the more difficult wedding venues to photograph in, The Caves really is a good choice for those wanting something a little different from their wedding day. Us photographers will always have to cope the best we can with the tricky lighting conditions there, but this is definitely not a complaint from me. It's a great location for weddings and photographs alike.

In mid November I was working with Richie Laurie Photography again for the wedding of Tanya & Matt. The ceremony took place at Cramond Kirk were I had worked previously with Richie, followed by a picturesque wedding bus journey to the Hub in Edinburgh's city centre.

This unique and spectacular venue is a stunning combination of award winning contemporary design and classic Victorian architecture, making it a popular choice for weddings in Edinburgh. The spectacular Gallery (pictured below) looks over the Main Hall and can welcome 100 guests for a wedding ceremony.

Matt is a RAF pilot, so there was plenty of uniforms on show for the ceremony and reception. The two wedding buses took us from Cramond to The Hub very quickly, with some photos in mind while on the bus, I struggled against the bumpy roads to get these shots! One favourite being one of the buses passing Edinburgh Castle along Johnston Terrace while hanging on at the back on the leading bus (pictured below).

The reception and Ceilidh dancing took place in The Hub's main hall, where Richie and I also set up our portable studio and additional package "The Photobooth Experience". This went down very well on the day and was great fun for all the guests and us! It was definitely the most busy and eventful booth we have done so far, as the images below show! Richie and I offer the Photo Booth as an extra on top of our wedding packages, please click on the link above to visit our Facebook page for more information on how to book...

I really liked shooting in The Hub, very spacious and good lighting with plenty of areas for interesting photography. It being in the city centre makes it very accessible as well. I'm sure I will be back very soon!

At the end of October I was shooting the wedding day of Natalie & Jamie at the popular - Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh. I had photographed at least one previous wedding at this location so knew the lighting of the venue quite well. 

The Ghillie Dhu is a traditional Scottish Bar/Restaurant located in the city centre with a upstairs function suite that is very popular for Edinburgh weddings.  Beautifully restored in 2010, it's lavish decor and high ceilings make it a lovely choice for a traditional Scottish wedding.

Natalie & Jamie's was an evening wedding so almost all my shots were taken indoors at the venue. The main entrance and staircase leading to the function room proving to be the most popular spots with wedding photographers.

Natalie & Jamie had a very laid back approach to what they wanted from their big day, which made my job a lot easier.  I could be less intrusive and focus on capturing moments rather than interrupting the guests, which is exactly what I like to show in my photography. Low light venues can make candid photography difficult but with a bit of forward planning and knowledge of the venue things turned out very well on the night.

After the lovely ceremony, all the guests enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere before the ceilidh and dance performances began, which certainly was not relaxed! Natalie herself dances in Barocco Tribal.  A Tribal Fusion Belly Dance performance troupe based in Edinburgh.  After the lively ceilidh there was a surprise performance from the troupe (pictured above and below) which proved a massive success and definitely not something seen at a wedding reception that often! 

I'm looking forward to shooting another similarly laid back wedding like Natalie & Jamie's, a very different experience and approach to the traditional wedding and very enjoyable.

In early September, Richie and I traveled to Ayr to photograph the wedding of Lynn & Graeme at the lovely Brig o'Doon House, home to Robert Burns famous poem Tam o'Shanter.  One of the best places for a traditional Scottish wedding, we were spoilt for choice at the house with it's high ceilings and spectacular decor.  The grounds similarly impressive.  Here I will include a few of my favourite images taken on the day.

One of the favourite spots for wedding photography here is of course the famous late medieval bridge - Brig o'Doon, which is featured in Robert Burns poem. We had literally 15 minutes to shoot here due to a tight wedding day schedule, so were determined to make the most of it. Of course, it started to rain just as we headed to the bridge. Funnily enough it was that kind of rain with sunshine you only get in Scotland! This kind of weather always provides interesting results as the lighting is usually dramatic, and despite our equipment getting wet, these were the best shots of the day.

I do like shooting the occasional wedding as a two man job with Richie. It provides the most comprehensive coverage of your day and not a moment is missed. It also provides a coverage of your day which one photographer could never possibly do.

Shooting with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles we have one photographer shooting as the lead photographer and the other capturing the candid moments from afar. This non intrusive style of photography we think creates the complete wedding photography package. In the next month or so I will be setting up such a package on my website, so please watch this space!

So far it's been a great year for wedding photography. Over the Summer months I have been working alongside my friend and fellow wedding photographer Richie Laurie with great success. We have been shooting at some great wedding venues such as The Caves in Edinburgh, Norwood House Hotel in Aberdeen, Archerfield House just outside North Berwick and Brig O'Doon House in Ayr.

I thought I would share a few images from myself and Richie's wedding last month at Archerfield House, North Berwick. A secluded location that features a luxurious stately home, which has to be one of the best in the country.

The Bride and Groom - Sarah & Craig, were married at Cramond Kirk first before heading to Archerfield for their reception. They had the run of the house with their family and friends which seemed like a fantastic way to spend your wedding day, not forgetting the free bar included. 

We were spoiled for choice for photo opportunities at Archerfield, my favourite spot being the grand ballroom (pictured below) where the speeches and dancing would take place, the whole house was luxurious so photographs in any room looked fantastic.  Archerfields grounds were also very impressive. The front courtyard and driveway being ideal for a lot of the group shots that day.

The day ended with a live band and lots of energetic dancing from the excited guests. A great day and superb location for a wedding, I hope I'll be going back!