References for Mr Dave

Keira Lavelle

Aww, my first shoot with Dave was simply wonderful! :D

I had stayed with him in Exeter before during a previous tour and our paths crossed years ago during a different event... But this trip was the first time we had managed to do a proper one-to-one photoshoot and we've definitely started something now because we got some absolutely beautiful pictures.

We spoke about styles and ideas before the shoot which I think was really valuable because it allowed us to grow each idea into a productive workflow capturing numerous quality images around what started as maybe one specific shot in mind. Dave is a photographer who significantly appreciates the enthused input of the model on a shoot too which means he'll welcome their input and interest and encourage a lovely team system whereby everyone can enjoy the creativity going down and be an integral part of it. To me: that's what model photography is all about... Whilst other kinds of photography still create stunning imagery, you don't get that same rewarding relationship with a landscape or still life (they don't babble on as much/require herbal tea fuelling mind you! :P) thus I cherish this part of my job so highly. Dave also is a very good photographer who has a talented eye for a gorgeous shot... He took some superb portraits of me (a style of which radiates with stunning continuity in his portfolio) but we also explored macro (one of my favourite ever macro shots now sits in my portfolio courtesy of Dave!) and bodyscapes too which was new for him yet we still nailed magic in the bag with this style. :D His vision as a photographer allows him to see a moment/image opportunity which would otherwise not be there if you didn't have the eye for it... A combination of understanding angles/composition and taking time to get the details. Dave's got it!

His studio is also a fabulous place. He naturally knows his place from tip to toe when shooting a model himself to utilise the studio at maximum yield levels and do a shoot style the best possible justice... But it's also a fine place for other photographers to rent out and shoot models where there are literally all the provisions you could possibly need! He has the modifiers, the backgrounds professional mounted, the natural light and even the home itself for a different setting. The scope of image diversity you could create at Dave's goes on and on. I need to get my booty in gear and come down in the summer too thus to make good use of his amazing garden! :D I would definitely say that Dave's place is a gem of a studio for models/photographers of all style interests. He is available if needed for assistance with the studio being one of the most helpful and easy-going people I know in this industry so models/photographers are never left struggling, there's the nice homey atmosphere to chill during breaks and brew-making facilities whenever needed. It's just perfect!

Dave is a celebrity in the model community... You will hear time and time again of models talk about how much of a legend he is. The rumours are true! He is just an profoundly ace gentleman of the highest order and known widely as a such a kind and generous host for models that tour the South-West. As mentioned, this is my second spate of staying with Dave now and on both tours/visits I had an elaborate travel plan to arrive, do the shoots I had I the immediate area then hop on a plane from Exeter to the channel Islands and back! So not only does poor Dave have to endure this crazy sludge-drinking blonde thing from Yorkshire that doesn't shut up, but bless him... He so kindly offered to help run me about the place whilst I was here and meet all the crazy connections I had. Even when it meant leaving in the stupid hours of the morning for me to catch my flight! You just couldn't get a nicer human if you tried... It's impossible! So models, if you're looking for a safe and friendly place to base yourself and location to shoot at when working in Devon - this is the chap to speak to without a shadow of a doubt. :)

Just an all-round amazing person to cross paths with in this industry. A fabulous photographer who has no end of passion for creatively growing the best he can across the styles, a great laugh and fab company to work with/be hosted be and the epitome of professional in his approach.

We have an epic shooting encounter already booked for later this year and I am so much looking forward to working together again!!

Thank you so much Dave!

Huge recommendations all-round.

Tink Kaos

Went over to Devon for the first time in ages to do a mini tour, and Mr Dave was kind enough to host me, and allowed me to use the home and studio area for multiple shoots I'd arranged fairly last minute - what a beautiful location!

Mr Dave is a lovely guy, we chatted about the meaning of life and everything in between, even managed to squeeze a quick shoot in - Mr Dave is quite the excellent photographer too! Super chilled, creative, funny, very easy to be around. Thank you for hosting me Dave! Was an absolute pleasure.

Highly recommended to all models as photographer, accommodation purpose and location area!

Big love to the wee pups too, absolutely adored the gorgeous Labradors ♥

Until next time!

Tink

Hazel modelling

I had a great shoot with Tia Marie and Dave today at Studland.

This was the first shoot I've gad with Mr Dave but I knew I'd be in good hands.

The back of the camera shots looked beautiful! The lighting was flattering and really well composed. I truly can't wait to see the final shots!

100% recommended!

Ayla

I worked with Mr Dave for a week in Portugal for Artemis Faunas 'All inclusive luxury holiday', I had worked with Mr Dave briefly before in Wales quite a few years ago so it was a honour to work with him properly!

Mr Dave is full of fun, he is a great person to be around and I really enjoyed his company. He really helped me out while in Portugal as he gave me one of his phones as I desperately needed one as mine had broke - Thankyou Mr Dave!

He is a cracking photographer and it was great working with him on all of Sarahs ideas and sets.

A really genuine sweet man and I hope we get to shoot together again :)

Highly Recommended

Artemis Fauna

Just come back from another week in Portugal with Mr Dave- who booked onto another one of our Luxury trips abroad and what an epic week it was!!!

So much fun, loads of pool time (LOL) loaaaads of incredible locations and images! I am SO SO excited to see some of my faves go up on PP and see some of the fun video footage from the pool too!

Words don't sum up how awesome that week was. Thank you and see you in Tuscany next year for more awesomeness!! :D

Kassie Payne

Did something totally different this shoot with Dave.... Some beauty close up's using a macro lens.

This was my first time doing this sort of thing so I needed some slight direction with Dave which was able to give me.

Dave new exactly how I needed to pose for this as well the position for lighting to be on point.

Definitely recommended for this work xx

Bad Dolly

Mr Dave is out right one of the kindest, most helpful and understanding people I have ever met. He is the kind of photographer who knows how to bring the best out of a model, he gives little direction unless needed and let's you bring to the table whatever you have.

He puts you at ease with his kind nature and laid back style of shooting, he is a perfectionist and always striving to improve his talent. The shots Mr Dave took of me on my last stay at Dave's Bungalow I feel reflect the real me, and it was a pleasure to shoot with him.

Dave is more than a photographer to me he is my friend, and if you're lucky enough to get a chance to pose for him I suggest you snatch it up :)

Thanks Mr Dave, for all the shoots and the spare bed, all the lovely country walks and tinkering with videos and new lights and staying up late chatting about lenses lights and love island!! Can't wait to be back in September :)

The Baddest Dolly xxx

Carla Monaco

Dave came out for a week on Artemis Fauna's luxury photographic holiday to Portugal last month.

Dave is always such a pleasure to be around and to shoot with, 100% super person and a super photographer.

Thank you for making the trip so much fun and for making lots of great memories for me :)

Best

Carla x

ForArtsSake

It's unusual for a photographer to leave a reference for another photographer, but I just wanted to comment on a recent experience. Dave hosted model Jessica Taylor during her South-West tour and I was fortunate to be able to photograph Jess at his place. Dave's bungalow is a great place to shoot in as he has optimized it for photography with natural and flash lighting and studio backdrops as well as the opportunity to use areas of the property and a wonderful large secluded garden. Dave was a great host and really helpful with setting up the facilities.

I can thoroughly recommend Dave's place as a shooting venue, which is particularly useful when he hosts touring models as he does regularly.

Artemis Fauna

Yet another epic trip away to Portugal with Dave. I know he is a "Bad Boy" regular now !! But I just wanted to say thank you again- can't wait to do many more trips with you! See you again soon :)

Natarsha

I don't always leave references every time I work with people as I get a lot of repeat bookings but I feel a reference is needed again for Dave.

We had a fantastic shoot recently where Dave wanted to develop his Macro photography skills and oh boy did he impress me!! He took on board everything he'd learnt in his recent workshop and produced some absolutely stunning images. I keep telling him to be more creative and he turned up with lots of sweeties and props for our shoot, so it didn't land on deaf ears :)

You should be very proud of yourself Dave, keep up the good work :)

Always love Dave's company whether it be a social visit for a cuppa or a photo shoot, time always flys by when we're chatting away.

Highly recommend Dave to anyone and I hope to book a studio day at his place soon

Thanks again Dave

x

Rose Magdalene Child

I was touring the South-West last month & contacted Dave about a shoot, having shot with him in Wales & Cyprus and having had such a fun time I was hoping to get to shoot with him again.

Dave expressed his interest and also very kindly offered me use of his home to offer to other photographers too. So we very quickly made a day out of it :D

Dave is honestly one of the nicest people you could ever meet, so kind and generous.

He is a skilled photographer, who knows how to nail a shot. This time we shot something we haven't done before, beauty portraits. Dave had some ideas already for the shoot and was prepared with props and things. I can honestly say they were some of the best close ups and head shots I have seen of myself! AND...we had great fun taking them too :D

Looking forward to the next time already,

Thanks Dave, Tillie x

Rachelle Summers

I've known Dave for a while now, and have spent more time with him than most as he has joined me on a few of my abroad trips as well as being kind enough to accommodate a few of my tours over the last few years too :)

I always look forward to catching up with him and get on with him incredibly well.

When on a shoot he is always wanting to truly collaborate together, showing you the images and being willing to listen to your ideas so together the best images possible can be created.

It's always great fun working with him and hope to do so for years to come :D

Highly recommended!

Abcdefghijk12345

I had a short shoot in Dave's studio and was really impressed with the brilliant practicality of the space. Not only is it versatile, but it is brilliantly diverse, with a great bedroom set and studio space. I was really well looked after for the duration of the shoot (with a very friendly hello from Dave's beautiful dog!) and Dave was lovely to work with, chatting away with the photographer for the shoot inbetween sets.

I have it on good authority that Dave is a kind and generous creative chap, and I had a super time shooting at his studio. Thank you for a great evening Dave!

Delicieux

Belle Eve

Dave is so much fun and a joy to work with. I had the opportunity to stay and work with Dave last week whilst visiting Exter.

Dave made me feel very welcome and was so chilled out the whole time, We spend more evenings chatting away about photography!

I also had the chance to shoot with Dave and the images came out super cool!

I can only recommend working with Dave!

Much love,

Eve

Merlin LRPS

Did a shoot at Mr Dave's studio in Exeter for the first time with Belle Eve and really enjoyed the experience. Found Dave to be utterly charming and most helpful. His studio lends itself for great images with both studio and natural light. Dave is a talented photographer and that is evident in his own images that are displayed around the house. Thanks Dave, and as Arnie would say....I'll be back!

Khaleesii

So we organised a group shoot at Daves studio in time with the monthly social, and Dave had everything planned in advance.

Pre comms were excellent and any changes made he was the first to let me know, Dave is always so lovely and welcoming and his studio set up is excellent for what we were trying to achieve.

A very relaxed shoot with no pressure, Dave always makes sure your comfortable even more so with the tasty biscuits & Coca Cola :)

Our next shoot is already being planned and everytime it’s new and fresh ideas that work so well, 100% recommended

Arabella

Another wonderful stay with Dave on my Exeter tour. I always stay with Dave when I am visiting that part of the world and I wouldn't stay anywhere else! Dave has great comms in the run up to the trip and always keeps up to date with your plans/shoots etc.

Nothing is too much trouble, a lovely private room and bathroom.... it's always nice and warm and cozy!... Dave just makes you feel so relaxed, safe and welcome...

His place also becomes a venue for shooting and the facilities are perfect... Photographers want for nothing in the space and Dave is always on hand for the photographer and if you have any issues!...

We definitely have a good giggle and even experimented with different shoot styles for Dave, which again ended in some hilarious outtake images!...

We also had time to shoot some beauty work with an mua which was fabulous! Dave took some wonderful images and worked well with everyone during the shoot which flew by!

Thanks again Dave, always wonderful to catch up and see Timmy!....

See you again next year!

Arabella X

Paul456

Used Dave's place for a shoot today and found that it had everything I needed. Dave is very helpful and saved the day when some of my kit stopped working by producing an alternative flash triggering device. I used one of the rooms for my pictures but there's also a studio background and a large garden. I'll definitely work here again in the future. Thanks Dave.

Scarlet Jones said...

Can I just say a big thank you to Mr Dave . Mr Dave hosted me on my tour and I was able to stay and shoot at his bungalow which made life on tour so much easier . Usually tours are stressful and well not that much fun as they are tiring and lonely but this tour was an exception . Mr Dave made me feel so welcome , I didn't have to stress as I felt safe and comfortable and he was also great company . I usually like to keep myself to myself staying with others but Mr Daves was different with just clicked as I really enjoyed chatting and sending time with him . Also Mr Dave tries his absolute best to make life as easy as possible for us models when he really doesn't have to , he took me to shoots/stations , sainsburys and even to a social event . Overall Mr Dave is just an absolute star and an unbelievable guy .

Eventually I did get to shoot with Mr Dave after my ever changing schedule . Our shoot was great we talked about what we wanted to do and cracked on with it . Reviewed the shots to make sure we got what we wanted and well again he looks after you .My well being was well looked after :D Shooting with Mr Dave is like team work which is how it should be .

Last but no means least I have to leave a refenrce for the resistant Timmy. He is very welocming and makes great company . Just like me he loves food and sleep . I defiantly miss Timmy and would come back to just visit him ;)

Having said all that I dont think its enough to explain how much I enjoyed working with and staying with Mr Dave , Your just have to go and find out for yourself . Thank you so much , Im already looking forward to next year . Thank Jess x