Evolve Photography

(106)
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  • £695Price from
  • 50+Weddings shot
Very experienced Wedding Photographers covering Devon, Cornwall & Somerset. Fun without the cheese, artistic without being pretentious Modern enough be contemporary, classic enough to be timeless.
Evolve Photography Pricing & Costs

Pricing for suppliers

Prices Start at
£695
Evolve Photography Details

Photography Style

Documentary
Modern
Artistic

Products and Services

Bridal Prep Shots
Back-Up Equipment
Online Proofing
Photo Printing
Flexible Hours on the Day
Stay Through Speeches
Stay Through Dancing
Large Group Shots
Online Shop
Second Shooter Available
Wedding Albums
Personal Online Gallery
Pre-Wedding Venue Visit
Pre-Wedding Consultation
Digital Editing / Airbrushing
Videography Available
Images on USB
Last-Minute Orders
Evolve Photography Full Description
I only cover weddings in Devon, Cornwall & Somerset and will not travel outside these areas. We generally get booked up 12-18+ months in advance, but also do sometimes have late availability. Our mission statement is to provide consistent, high-quality, beautiful and creative photography for an affordable price. Customer service is paramount and we give the same 100% attention and care to every single wedding, no matter if it's just a couple with no guests and a two-hour booking or a large three-day wedding for 200+ guests and all three of us working with you. All of our portfolios are from real weddings, we do not attend workshops or bridal shoots.

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Mark Gawthorne
We are a small team of 3. Myself as your photographer, Kayleigh as an associate/second photographer and Tristan who provides an affordable filming option for your day alongside me along with drone footage. Although we shoot a lot of weddings every single one gets the same care and attention no matter how big/small or the venue. We have worked at high end venues with over 450 guests to elopement weddings where I have been a witness.

Experience

Year Business Was Established
2000
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
4
Reviews
(106)
Oziyan luel
Happy couple married in May
May 2022
Luel
Oziyan luel
Hannah & Jess
Happy couple married in March
April 2020
Do Yourself A Favour, Choose Evolve!
After seeing Mark’s work online, we knew we wanted him as our photographer. Confirmed even more when we met over a coffee, we knew he understood what we wanted, it felt more like chatting with a friend than just a wedding supplier. The lead-up to our day was certainly unique, with the imposing national lockdown imminent. Mark was in constant contact with us that week, reassuring at every step. For our day we had both Mark and Tristan, blending in and capturing moments we forgot even happened. Putting us at ease during the day and making it fun despite the cold wind! We couldn’t be happier with how our photos turned out. From the funny candid photos, reminding us of things we forgot happened, to the most amazing photos in the woods, with the sunset and in the arbour once it got dark. After your wedding, these memories are what you are left with and we have the best photos to remember each moment. Thank you both for amazing photos
Emma & Giles
Happy couple married in March
April 2020
Highly recommend!
A truly amazing experience with Evolve and we highly recommended using this company! We have just received our wedding photos and are blown away, not only with the outstanding quality of them but the way Mark and Tristan captured such happiness and excitement in them. A truly outstanding job and we couldn’t be happier! More than just a highly professional service with excellent photography skills is the very nature of Mark, who in the lead up and on the day felt like a friend. He is such a genuinely kind and wonderful person who goes more then the extra mile for you. Words cannot express the kindness Mark showed to me and my new husband and I cannot thank him enough for everything! A big thank you also to Tristan who was fantastic to us on the day, having just met - taking amazing photos and video, making sure my dress was perfectly fanned out and holding my bouquet. What a gem you are. The services provided by Evolve are second to none. I cannot praise them enough and encourage all to book with them x
Danielle & Mike
Happy couple married in December
December 2019
The best wedding photographer out there by far
We absolutely recommend Evolve Photography! We were blown away by our photos and how they captured every aspect of our special day. This is the third time our family have used this company for our weddings and we cannot thank Mark enough for the amazing job he did. Despite Mark going in for an operation on his leg soon after the wedding date, he didn't cancel but instead brought Tristan along to help out on the day. He is 100% reliable, professional and made us feel so relaxed throughout the day. Thank you Mark!! The best wedding photographer out there by far.
Hayley & Greg
Happy couple married in December
December 2019
We couldn't be happier with them!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for our beautiful wedding photos, we couldn't be happier with them. I had heard that the photos can be a bit stressful, but everything seemed so easy with you. Love Hayley & Greg xxx
Becky and Jordan
Happy couple married in November
June 2020
Evolve capture your day amazingly
When my wife, Becky, and I were looking for a wedding photographer, we swiftly found that we were inundated with suggestions. When shopping around, it seems everybody knows a photographer and naturally they all come highly recommended. We were spoilt for choice - we had a very kind offer from a friend for her husband to take on the responsibility (as he was looking to dip his toe back into the water of wedding photography) and we'd also won a competition for a half price photographer. We passed them both up. While they may have been fantastic, we didn't want to take the risk on our big day. If somebody was a little rusty then we would have lost out. Similarly, if somebody is offering half price on their services, it's indicative of somebody trying to build a portfolio, and maybe wouldn;t yet be as good as a seasoned pro. We weren't going to take any risks. With a budget in mind, we looked at the available options and shortlisted about three. The photos of a friend's wedding stood out as being particularly good in capturing the atmosphere and aesthetic of their day without being intrusive or posed. After a quick chat over FaceTime with the photographer, it was clear that Mark would tick all of the boxes, and we decided to go with Evolve Photography. Wanting to prove himself beyond any shadow of a doubt for our peace of mind, Mark met us one afternoon in a classic old cinema in Wellington, where we had an engagement shoot. With film being a hobby that both of us share, he ably showed that he could capture exactly what we wanted and put both of us at ease. In fact, most of the photos were so natural that he waited until we were talking. Before we knew it, we were done with the shoot and he presented us with a series of snaps that showcased his professionalism and attention to detail. The lighting, the framing, types of shot - all were exemplary. Leading up to the big day, we knew that we didn't have to worry about anything with regards to photography. That's a HUGE positive when it's a couple of weeks before you tie the knot and you know that that's a significant part of the day that's more than taken care of when everything else is stressing you out. All we had to do was arrange where and when we needed him. When the day arrived, Mark even brought in his colleague Tristan to capture the preparation of myself and my groomsmen while he headed to the house to photograph Becky and her bridesmaids, and my mother-in-law getting ready. This was an incredible free gift from Mark, for which we're very grateful. We never even asked, he just did it for us. At the church, Mark and Tristan stationed themselves from two viewpoints to capture the day and did so with aplomb. Following the ceremony, Tristan hopped in the wedding car (VW Campervan) with us while Mark got us arriving at the reception. From there, we had the obligatory staged shots done with friends and family before the two of us headed off to wander the grounds and have photos of the two of us taken, surrounded by the rolling hills of Devon. Back inside, Mark and Tristan were practically invisible as they seamlessly manoeuvred through the event capturing the festivities. We were taken outside again for some further photos, one in particular being the standout shot of the wedding. After the first dance, Mark was back to blending in and capturing all of the day's happiness. It was perfect. Seriously. After the wedding, Mark checked in with us and ensured we were happy with everything. After processing the thousands of images, he presented them in an ornate wooden box, adorned with a Lego Batman figure - presumably having seen the collection of Lego on display in our house. This was a prime example of Mark's work ethic and a metaphor for how he goes about his business. He intuitively knows what his clients want and uses his initiative and know-how. Rather than firing questions all the time, he went beyond what was required and let us be surprised by the results. He is the utmost professional and you get the best of both worlds - the personal touch as well as discretion in terms of blending in. The result is an unobtrusively shot, beautiful set of images that easily capture the wedding. As most will tell you, your wedding day whizzes past in the blink of an eye and you'll wish you could relive it. Having Mark as your photographer and providing his craft is the next best thing. We really cannot recommend or thank him and Tristan enough. Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts.
Evolve Photography Location & Contact Details

Address

Exeter, Devon, England

Travel Notes

I have no interest in being a destination photographer. I will travel to Cornwall or Somerset and cover the whole of Devon

Nearest Town

Exeter

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M5 J30

Nearest Train Station

Exeter

Nearest Airport

Exeter

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Evolve Photography Press & Awards
(7)

Press & Awards (3)

Photographers Gallery London, Telegraph, The Times
Channel 4 TV, 5 Live Radio
English Wedding Blog, Practical Photography Magazine, Digital Camera Magazine

Industry Awards (2)

Go Hen Top 50 Wedding Photographers of 2019
Go Hen Top 50 Wedding Photographers of 2020

Bridebook Awards (2)

Frequently Asked Questions
(10)

What is your most memorable wedding?

Living & photographing in Devon and Cornwall it is impossible to pick one. So many beautiful beach weddings, Dartmoor, Exmoor, country house hotels. I love nature, and landscapes and the sea, so I love to incorporate these into my wedding photos. I loved a wedding we did on Dartmoor where the Bride & Groom were photo-bombed by their own goat!

Describe your style in 5 adjectives.

Timeless, Creative, Modern, Documentary, Emotive

What about your business are you most proud of?

That we have survived and flourished for 23 years in a very competitive market. I am also very proud of helping and mentoring a lot of new photographers and giving a leg up to many of the fantastic photographers I see in our area, they are direct competition but decent competition is healthy and beneficial to the couples.

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Try and find a photographer with provenance a proven track record & traceable history. Awards and badges don't hold a lot of weight in the real world our best critics are our customers. Busy social media pages show a healthy business. Try and source local. There are some of the best photographers in the UK in the South West you don't need to bring a photographer from London down here!

What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?

My wife is a florist & we had an intimate wedding with one long table the decoration was stunning. I am lucky to be married to a wedding professional, my wife is one of the worlds leading artificial bouquet makers and is always at the forefront of the wedding trends.

Describe your typical process with a couple.

Normally we chat on email, then maybe on the phone or Zoom, We then meet at their venue for a meeting with the option of an engagement shoot at that time we talk about how best to get a full narrative of their day from getting ready to first dance and beyond!

What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?

My favourite photo isn't one you can stage. When one partner walks up the aisle towards the other, it's that first look; you can't stage that!

What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?

I think the shoot on the couples farm including their prized sheep & goats. Luckily I love animals!

What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?

Normally, there is a break in the weather, so we keep an eye on it for you. If not, then get out with Wellington boots and a brolly or just make creative use of the indoor space that is our job as professionals. Your job is to embrace it and enjoy your day regardless!

Describe how you got into photography.

Aged 18 (in 1990) as an apprentice photographer in a high street studio. I worked for other photographers learning my craft for 10 years before even considering setting up on my own. In those days we were shooting medium -format film at weddings and had 12 shots on a roll before we had to change the film. Things have changed a lot now as I have a 1TB memory card!