Studio Marko Photography-New Testimonials

It's always fantastic to hear from our clients and especially so if they are saying nice things about Studio Marko Photography.
Testimonials are always greatly appreciated because they let us know that we are doing things right and that our clients enjoy our service and their images.
Below are a selection of images and testimonials from our recent clients.
Many thanks to all of them for their kind words..

15th March 2012

 I write to recommend Marko Dutka from Studio Marko Photography.  We had the privilege of using Marko’s photography services recently for our company’s promotional marketing materials and are delighted with the results.

 Marko was a true professional on the day of the shoot, taking time to set up the shots, making sure the lighting was just so, and making staff feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Even those staff members who were not keen initially on having their photo taken were soon smiling away and posing happily for him!  It was a long day and yet Marko remained enthusiastic and energetic throughout.

 In the run up to the shoot Marko listened to our brief and the image we were trying to portray through the photos, and came up with lots of suggestions and ideas.  The photos have really enhanced our website and given our company the professional edge we were looking for.

 I would not hesitate in recommending Marko to any company looking for professional, innovative photography that sets them apart from the competition.

 With Thanks and Best Wishes,

Rachel Connor

Avanti Cleaning Solutions

Marko was offering to shoot family groups including up to two well behaved pets. This was an opportunity not to be missed so we made an appointment and asked Marko if we could bring two Irish Wolfhounds with us. Marko didn’t flinch so in due course we arrived at the studio complete with Finlay and Seamus. The next couple of hours were filled with fun trying to get the four of us to pose together as a family group. Finlay had different ideas, but with Marko’s patience and gentle direction the shoot was completed and the studio remained intact. A week later we spent two hours trying to whittle so many good images down to a chosen set.  The hard work was worth it, we’ve a wonderful series of prints that show both the fun we had on the day but also that bring out the true character of our hounds – something that is so hard to capture.  The prints look superb on the wall and both of them capture the character of the hounds so well. We are really, really pleased with all three prints.
A huge thanks to Marko for his work and the wonderful images he has created.

Deb & Chris Cook.

We were all quite nervous about the session with Marko, not to mention pretty tired from a party late the night before!  However Marko was very welcoming and put us at ease straight away.  The session itself was great fun; he found a way to help us to feel comfortable and also to enjoy the interaction we had together as a family.  Marko arranged a time for us to view at our convenience and was very helpful with choosing the best photos.  The finished photos were ready on time and we're very impressed with the results, which are of a very high quality.  The composite which Marko put together from the photos we chose looks amazing in our lounge.  We would recommend Marko without hesitation; the whole experience was great fun, done very professionally and the photos are stunning.

Jason & Deborah Crook.

Our photo shoot experience as a family was one to remember. Marko has a gift for creating a calm and fun environment that is captured in his beautiful and natural portraits. Well done Marko for not only encouraging my shy teenage daughter to join in with the photo shoot, but making her feel confident which shines through all the final images...thank you!

Louise and Ian Gauntlett.

" I booked a portrait session with Marko for my nephew and niece, as with most young people (22 and 24 ) they were anxious and apprehensive about appearing awkward, self conscious and foolish in front of the camera. However almost immediately Marko made them feel relaxed and comfortable. As well as his photographic skills he has an excellent personality at putting people at ease  and genuinely getting the best out of the subjects. . The session exceeded the time but Marko made everyone feel as if he just wanted to continue and get the best shot.
The portrait was a special birthday present for their mother and on seeing it she cried at the quality of the photograph and it will of course be treasured for life.
Thank you Marko "

Sue.

Avanti Cleaning Solutions,Bristol.

Back in late 2011 Marko was commissioned by Avanti Cleaning Solutions,bristol to provide Commercial Photography for their new website.
The pictures were placed on this blog in February 2012
Their new site...
www.avanticleaningsolutions.co.uk is now live.
It was really great of Rachel Conner,Avanti's Sales & Marketing Manager to provide the following testimonial...

 Testimonial for Marko Dutka of Studio Marko Photography

15^th March 2012 

 I write to recommend Marko Dutka from Studio Marko Photography.  We had the privilege of using Marko’s photography services recently for our company’s promotional marketing materials and are delighted with the results.  

Marko was a true professional on the day of the shoot, taking time to set up the shots, making sure the lighting was just so, and making staff feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Even those staff members who were not keen initially on having their photo taken were soon smiling away and posing happily for him!  It was a long day and yet Marko remained enthusiastic and energetic throughout.

In the run up to the shoot Marko listened to our brief and the image we were trying to portray through the photos, and came up with lots of suggestions and ideas.  The photos have really enhanced our website and given our company the professional edge we were looking for.

I would not hesitate in recommending Marko to any company looking for professional, innovative photography that sets them apart from the competition.

With Thanks and Best Wishes,

 Rachel Connor

Avanti Cleaning Solutions

Joy Buttress-Lacuna.

Joy Buttress.
Lacuna.
Bonington Gallery, Nottingham Trent University.

Marko was recently up in Nottingham at the Bonington Gallery which is part of Nottingham Trent University.
He was commissioned to photograph the PHD exhibition of Joy Buttress's work. The exhibition is titled "Lacuna".

Joy Buttress is currently undertaking doctoral study at the School of Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University. Her work investigates the current interpretation of lace in contemporary visual culture. The university is caretaker of the one of the largest collections of lace archives, donated by the lace manufacturers and designers as factories were shut down and lace became thing of the past. Joy's research is the first to be funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council based on the lace archive. The exhibition demonstrates how something once considered defunct and only fit for a museum can be resurrected and has a place in contemporary visual culture. 

The Glove series are displayed inside several wood ply boxes which are stacked high in threes. In order to see the displays you have to peer through pin holes. Here the gloves appear like dismembered limbs of ghostly corpses, beckoning you to size up and examine their fragile beauty. It's hard to focus for long, as there are distractions, created by the contrasting elements of bright illuminations. Inside each display box hangs a single white crystallite light from 'bakelite' bulb holders. These are attached to brown flexes leading out of the top of the box and up to the ceiling. The boxes have cracks where the corners are slightly coming apart so viewing through these gives yet another interesting point of exploration. The lace embroidery on the white/cream gloves is always only just discernable.

Joy has stated that she wished to examine " the interface between skin and pattern which is created by lace fabric when worn on the body" The Latex wall hangings do just that. Pinned to the wall with large iron nails, each piece hangs like a skinned animal - a reminder of pink caucasian skin or the colour of stockings worn by my grandmother and revealing the undulations and pulls of the machine, the artist working it to create patterns of sublime and delicately embroidered stitches.

It was a pleasure to photograph such amazing pieces of art and a selection of these is shown below...

 

More information about Joy's work can be found on http://joybuttress.com/

Mother's Day. 18th March 2012

Mother's Day.

One of the most important days of the year,(certainly as far as your mother is concerned), is fast approaching and Studio Marko has a fantastic gift offer specially for you.
We are offering Family portrait sessions for just £29.
This is a really fantastic way to show your mother that you love her and that she is at the centre of your family.
Far more lasting than a box of chocolates or flowers and a great way to get the whole family together and put your mother or wife where she belongs-at the centre of attention.
Our advert is featured in the March Edition of The Bath Magazine below...

Massive thanks to Wendy, Jess and Charlie whose beautiful portrait this is.
Frankly when you have sitters as beautiful as this who needs super-models!
Wendy is the brains behind Zest Concierge who provide a Lifestyle Management and Virtual PA Service for Businesses and Individuals in the Bristol and Bath area.
They are a unique lifestyle management and business support company that gives you back the quality of life and quality of business that you’ve been working so hard to achieve.
To find out more about Zest visit their website on http://zestconcierge.com/or contact them directly on 01225 808958.

Pendennis Castle Wedding Fair.

Pendennis Castle wedding Showcase.

Sunday 4th March 2012.

11am until 3pm.

 Marko loves photographing at Pendennis and St Mawes Castles in Cornwall.
They are fantastic locations in a fantastic place and Lorraine, Trenton and all the staff at Pendennis and St Mawes are always so friendly and great to work with.
Marko has photographed here since they began weddings,(in fact he photographed the very first wedding at Pendennis, (Jerry & Lisa), there 14 years ago!).
So it always a great pleasure to re-visit the castles and this weekend Pendennis are holding one of their bi-annual Wedding Days at which a variety of suppliers from photographers to caterers, florists to Limousine companies will be displaying their individual services.
Studio Marko will be there with a wide selection of albums and images and Marko will be on hand to answer any questions regarding Wedding Photography.
If you are visiting please say hello.
See a real wedding at
Pendennis Castle: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9q9dvr1Pg0

  Follow @EHHospitality on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/EHHospitality

Please see below a selection of wedding photographs that Marko has taken recently at Pendennis and St Mawes............

February 22nd 2012

Avanti Cleaning.

Marko was recently commissioned to photograph a Commercial Photography shoot for Avanti Cleaning Solutions in Bristol.
Avanti is a privately owned, family-run business based in Bristol since 1980, and with a customer base throughout the South West of the UK and Wales. They carry an extensive stock-holding and have excellent links to the M32, M4 and M5 motorway networks. They attribute their success and rapid growth to their excellent levels of customer service and value for money, which are the principles on which their business is founded. They are passionate about their business, and are committed to constantly improving both their products and service provision.
The commission came about through Rachel Connor the Sales and Marketing Manager at Avanti.
Rachel is the Membership Co-ordinator at the Bristol Grace BNI Chapter of which Marko is also a member.
This is just one of five photography commissions that Marko received through his membership of BNI this month alone,a glowing testament to the effectiveness of belonging to BNI.
The brief was to show the people behind the company and to illustrate what Avanti do that makes them unique amongst their competitors.
Marko spent the day working with the team at Avanti and the images are now used on their brand new website and earmarked for future use in brochures and promotional material.
Huge thanks go to David,Bradley,Rachel,Mary, Nicola,Ron,Jason and Dan for all their help.
To find out more about Avanti please visit their website at www.avanticleaningsolutions.co.uk

Below are a series of images from the shoot.......

The Wedding Of Beverly & Steve.

Marko was recently commissioned to photograph a fabulous couple's wedding in Bath.
The commission came about through in quite an unexpected manner.
Marko lectures to professional photographers both in the UK and abroad.
Last summer he was asked by his good friend Mike Brookes Roper FBIPP to present a lecture in Scotland just North of Glasgow to the Scottish region of the BIPP and also to judge the Scottish Region's Annual Awards.
The Awards Evening was held at Bev & Steve's fantastic, cosy pub-The Rowan Tree Tavern, Jamestown, West Dunbartonshire and whilst there Marko took a portrait of Bev & Steve for their Facebook Page.
A year earlier Marko had presented a Wedding Lighting course again for the BIPP and Steve had stood in at last minute as the Groom when the male model hired for the day couldn't make it.
So it was a real surprise and a great pleasure to be asked to cover their Wedding day down in Bath.
Bath was chosen as the location as Steve is originally from the area and his parents are still based down here.
Bev and her father and mother are also Wedding photographers-so no pressure!!
It was a fantastic day and everybody was really kind and helpful.
It wasn't the warmest of days being late January but both the Bride and groom were great to work with.
The main ceremony was at The Guildhall in Bath and then we made a quick journey to Sydney Gardens behind The Holborne Museum for some shots of Bev and Steve together.
Regular visitors to this blog will recognise Sydney Gardens as one of the venues for Marko's fashion shoots for The Bath Magazine.
As with many Winter weddings there was only a small window of light and Marko was as always immensely grateful to his Elinchrom Quadra Ranger packs.
Huge congratulations to Bev and Steve.
Please find a selection of pictures from the day below....

It's always fantastic to get testimonials from our clients and Bev & Steve were kind enough to supply the following ....

"From the moment I met Marko I knew he was on my wave length which was very important. He totally understood what I wanted from my wedding photographs and has more than acheived that for us. He was very patient with my other half who was very unwilling when it came to the photographs and managed to make Steve so positive about the experience that he is blown way with the results. All in all a very positive experience and I would highly recommend Marko to anyone!"

Anna.


It's always wonderful when Marko has stunning beauties to photograph and Anna was no exception.
This commission came through the Grace Chapter of BNI and it was Chris McGrail who is the solicitor in the Chapter who wanted a portrait of Anna his daughter.
This was especially important because Anna is now at University in Holland so a fantastic portrait was a great way to help keep her close to home.
Anna was fantastic to photograph and a real pleasure to work with.
Again a selection of images are below.....

Debbie, Chris, Finlay & Seamus.

Never work with children and animals. So the saying goes but when you get a phone call asking if you can photograph a couple with their Irish wolfhounds how can you resist?
After all Marko has three dogs,Ivan & Elvis who are Jack Russels and Zippy who is a Lurcher.
I mean they can't be that different?
So when Debbie and Chris brought their magnificent beasts Finlay and Seamus along Marko realised that if he is to make a habit of photographing Irish Wolfhounds he may need a bigger studio. (His studio is just under 1900 ft square but Finlay and Seamus are big dogs, really big dogs.
Anyway fortunately they had been fed beforehand and didn't once look at Marko as if he might make a nice little morsel between meals.
Joking aside they were fabulous to photograph, incredibly well behaved and just magnificent to look at.
Debbie and Chris were great as well.
We have started doing lots of pet photography in the studio and as always Marko is always trying to create something unique.
When you have your own pets you realise that they have their own personalities and it's a photographer's brief to capture this just as you would for your human clients.
Judge for yourself from the images below....