Category Archives: Rock The Frock

Rock the Frock at The Vu | Paula & Mark

So guys, I know what you’re asking, or at least I think I do…what on earth is a “Rock the Frock” shoot! Am I right? OK, let me elaborate. In it’s simplest form, it’s a shoot that we do after the wedding day. It’s been called other things in other countries, such as “Trash the Dress” or “Cherish the Dress” but, essentially, in my eyes, it can be whatever you want it to be.

My original idea was to offer a shoot after the wedding day that was bit more “stylised” without the usual time constraints of the wedding day, almost like a model shoot. But, over the years, the shoot has evolved somewhat to also embrace couples who, for example, had awful weather on their big day and just wanted a few shots under better conditions. I’ve also undertaken shoots for couples who were disappointed with their wedding pictures from another photographer – basically, the shoot can be whatever you want it to be – either similar to your wedding day pictures or something a little bit more “off the wall” – I’ve even had couples wading into water for these shoots!

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    SWPP Gold Award Winner:
    The Story Behind the Shot

    Today, I’m especially delighted to announce that one of my recent images has been given a Gold award by the SWPP. Gold awards are only to given to images that are deemed to be of the highest possible standard and are judged by some of the best photographers in the land, which makes this all the more pleasing :-).

    So, a little background behind the image you see below. This was taken on a recent “Rock the Frock” session with Karen & Jaimie and, if I’m being honest, we didn’t really have much of a plan as to what we were going to do that day, other than we wanted to kick off in Aberfoyle and just drive around until we found some cool locations. Karen had seen a previous “Rock the Frock” image of mine where I managed to get the couple to wad into the River Forth, so decided that she would like something similar. Driving around, we stumbled upon this location at the edge of the Loch (please don’t ask me which one as I wouldn’t have the foggiest). The water was shallow enough to wade in far enough for there not to be any shoreline in the shot. To make the shot more dramatic, I underexposed for the sky and hills in the background in order to bring out the detail, and then just lit Karen & Jaimie with an off-camera flash on full power.

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      Rock the Frock Stirlingshire:
      Karen & Jaimie

      I absolutely love shooting Rock the Frock sessions and today we’re off around Stirlingshire with Karen & Jaimie for their shoot. I don’t do nearly enough of these shoots and it’s a real shame, as they come complimentary to all couples who book their wedding photography with me. And what a great opportunity to get your wedding dress back on again (and the guys as well, all suited and booted), and create some really fantastic images without the constraints of your wedding day schedule – in other words, you’re free to do what you like – the more unusual the better really.

      Today we kick off over in Loch Ard. I’ve actually shot a wedding on these banks before so I’m pretty familiar with the location. With a few shots in the bag we than just decide to drive and see what transpires, up past Aberfoyle and into the Trossachs, stopping every now and then for a few shoots in some cool locations. I’m told that Karen really wants a shot in the water so eventually we come across a loch that looks about right for just such a shot. Of course, couples never really venture too far into the water, just enough to get their feet wet and enough to create the shot we’re looking for. That said, there’s nothing stopping anyone going in further up to the waist if you choose :-).

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        City Chic:
        “Rocking the Frock” in Glasgow

        It’s a real pity that I don’t get to do as many “Rock the Frock” shoots as I would like, as I just love them. Imagine your wedding day but with all the time in the world to create some great unique images…well, that’s what we can do with Rock the Frock. You may have heard scary stories about brides getting their dresses trashed and the like, but that’s not really what I do on these shoots, unless you have some burning desire to do just that! No, we’ll just scout out some cool locations, throw in a bit of dramatic lighting where needed and take time to create.

        So, today, I’m out with Lee & Craig again on their own shoot. It was only just over a month ago that I shot the guys’ wedding at the beautiful Brig o’ Doon House Hotel, so we’re moving along pretty quickly here…and why not? In fact, I always say it’s a great idea to do your Rock the Frock shoot shortly after the wedding, so that you can do the shoot before you get your dress cleaned, boxed up and put away.

        Bit of whirlwind tour around Glasgow today – kicking off at the grandeur that is City Chambers, then on to the walkway at the SECC before finishing up at Kelvingrove for some shots with Glasgow Uni as the backdrop – all very different and unique in their own way. And if this sounds like it’s a lot of hassle and would take up a lot of time, then fear not, as we were pretty much all done and dusted in around a couple of hours, and that includes sitting in the Glasgow traffic!

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          Add : 25 Lavery Avenue, Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4GF

          Tel : 01324 557977

          Mob : 07824 380674

          Email : mike@mcookphotography.co.uk

          Office Hours :

          Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 3.00pm

          Monday & Wednesday - 8.30pm to 10.00pm (meetings only, no phone calls please)