Before the snow hit the UK, I went on a trek through London to Essex on a shoot for a new musical project.

Full of excitement, as I have previously worked with these two, but in a very different guise. Chris has many a musical project under his belt. I knew him from the days of Biomechanical in 2006. In fact, my first ever published picture in Metal Hammer was a live image of that band. He also teaches guitar and sessions for various bands. Every time Vykki and I shoot together, we totally hit it off on a creative level and it’s super cool. You may recognise them both from the promos I shot last year along with a music video of their band Solsikk.

Here’s a teaser of the promo session (click to view bigger)

I will let you know more info when it’s released. Knowing the talent these two have, it’ll be something special.

Mx

Godsized are on tour with My Ruin around the UK at the moment for the Southern Revelation Tour. I went along to their London date to do some promos and snap some live pics.

Around last year I was at the Scala for a different show and spotted a really cool location for a photo shoot. So while the other bands were sound checking, I set up in a stair well with really huge windows on a curved wall, along with a mosaic tiled floor. Really unusual.

Here’s one of the final shots (click to view larger)

Godsized kicked serious ass live. It was a very different crowd as My Ruin have a particular kind of following, but the guys went down really well.

Here’s a few live pics

They have just over a week left on the tour. Check here for a list of the remaining dates and also their up-and-coming dates including their Mini Tour of Europe in April.

Also, they have a Special Limited Edition Tour T-Shirt – only available while they’re on the road. It has all the show dates on the back.

(picture courtesy of Godsized)

Be sure to grab one at a show before they disappear!!

Mx

Just before Christmas I asked jeweller friend Alex at Seventh Circle Artworks if he could make me a custom key ring after an idea that I had brewing for a while.

I had collected British coins made in the years that were memorable for me – My birth year, Glen, MegaBeth and Jessica-Leigh’s birth years, and our Wedding year.

Along with that, I wanted to make the coins into a key ring and  have a solid silver disc engraved to tie them all together. “Not a problem!” said Alex. He’s always so up for making crazy ideas happen. Though I’m sure he thought I was a little weird.

I wanted the word ‘Lucky’ engraved on the silver disc which would be slightly larger than the biggest coin so you could see the text.

The best key ring I’ve ever had and it’s original and personal to me!

Contact Alex at Seventh Circle Artworks for any custom piece ideas you may have – big or small. It seems he can do anything, including drilling tiny holes in British currency (before going to Alex with my idea I was frowned upon for that at my local engravers!). Just don’t drill through the Queen’s head, I’m sure you could go to prison for that

Seventh Circle Artworks are sponsoring the ‘Southern Revelation’ Tour which comes to London tomorrow night. My Ruin to headline and Godsized main support. I will be there doing pics.

Have a great weekend you!

Mx

Having shot with 2 members of this band in the very early days, I was stoked they called me in to shoot again – this time with the full lineup.

The Drowning Sorrows describe themselves as an eclectic mix of Country, Blues & Rockabilly played with the energy of a punk rock band. They were certainly a joy to shoot with!

A teaser from the shoot at the 12 Bar Club in ‘Tin Pan Alley’ London last weekend.

The first shoot I’ve ever done with a double bass – such a beautiful instrument. Check the band out on their facebook page.

Mx

Recently I had the honour of a photo shoot with a lovely couple and their daughter of 18 months, Pia. Time flies so fast when children are growing and they wanted some nice pictures of them all together before Pia grew even more.

Working with children is so fun as they are spontaneous and really don’t care about the fact there’s a camera pointed at them. They have no inhibitions at all.

This is one of the pics from their shoot. I was so happy to help capture something for their memories.

Mx

The past year was a quiet one with regard to work for me, but personally a very busy year having had a baby! I’ve enjoyed compiling my favourite pictures of 2011; it’s been wonderful to look back over the images, to experience the emotion and memory attached to them. From reading Nikki Sixx’s book ‘This is Gonna Hurt’, I’ve been reminded that photography isn’t about the use of amazing equipment, editing techniques and making a perfect shot (there’s a time and a place for that of course when I’m working). It’s about capturing a feeling and moment in time whether it be on an iPhone, compact camera or professional digital SLR camera – especially as the best moments typically happen when I’m not carrying around my big bulky camera!

These pictures sum up my year, my life and my loves.

22 Weeks, Hello Bump!

Along with the Solsikk feature and album release, came their music video for Viridescere which I filmed. My first music video! Check it out here

30 weeks!

39 weeks!

Fajitas are a family favourite

Spontaneous smiles

I started reaching for the eye cream around the same time Jessica-Leigh started reaching for her toys!

Sisters

Thank you for checking out my last year in pictures, I look forward to you joining me in my adventures this year!

Mx

My previous years blogs are linked below.

Year 2010

Years 2009 and earlier

Hello and Happy New Year!

Hope you all enjoyed the festivities and celebrations!

Just before Christmas I ran a giveaway competition – a chance to win a signed poster of Simone Simons who was Miss December in the Dolls ‘n’ Divas 2011 Calendar. I was overwhelmed with all your entries – well into the hundreds and all with the right answer ( I think maybe I will make it a bit more difficult next time ). Thank you all for entering! The correct answer was of course Kathleen Turner, who did the speaking voice for Jessica Rabbit in the movie ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’.

The lucky winner is Doug Yauch from Minnesota, USA. Your poster is on its way with warm wishes from Simone! Congratulations!

Just before I log off for the day, I wanted to let you in on some of the fun that we had in making the Calendar. A couple of collages of the ‘best bits’ once the serious work was out of the way….mostly! You can click on the images to view our silly faces larger.

There will be a couple more pieces of news to come soon from the 2011 Dolls ‘n’ Divas girls, then it will be time to move on to the new project!

Tomorrow my post will be 2011 – My year in pictures. See you then!

Mx

Exactly one week left until Christmas and I don’t feel bad talking about it now.

It will be Jessica-Leigh’s first Christmas which makes it even more exciting for us here. She won’t have a clue what it’s all about but I plan on taking lots of pictures for her to look back on when she’s older and I hope that she will have a very distant memory of something fun this year. But, it’s highly likely she will just try and eat the wrapping paper.

Jessica-Leigh is six months now. Time has flown and it feels like only yesterday I introduced you all to her! She’s now weaning and almost crawling. Her hair is finally growing and her sense of humour is as vibrant as her first week with us.

Remember horsie from the moses basket? He was big and taking up all of the room in her first week.

Well I think he’s got his commupense as Jessica-Leigh eats him. She’s been planning it for months.

Our tree is up and she loves to look at the twinkly lights. The cats however see it as a new thing to attack and want to pull all the baubles off. Glen and Beth eat the Lindt chocolates. Everyone is happy in their own way.

In the light of the Christmas tree, Jessica-Leigh sleeps like her daddy.

Winding down the year with my usual tradition, I’m in the process of compiling all my favourite pictures of 2011 in the next week or so. I’m also taking on bookings and planning fun projects for 2012. Drop me a line at marie@mariegc.com or fill in the contact form if you’ve got something in mind you’d like to work with me on.

Have a super Christmas every one!

Mx

A little perturbed by the title of my post? Fear not, I will explain.

I shot Godsized at their final show of 2011 and the debut show with their new drummer – Dan.

Arriving at The Borderline, London (after resisting the awesome Crobar next door for a sneaky drink) Eye for an Eye were just wrapping up their set.

The guys were in good spirits in the dressing room

I went to say hey to Dan and introduce myself. He’s a complete dude, and has the coolest story to tell about James Hetfield that I’ve ever heard.

It then got a bit manic backstage and it was time to get ready. They all have their own ways to prepare for a show.

Even guys take care of their hair y’know!

Glen – “Dude, that’s the most amount of drumsticks i’ve ever seen! aaand what’s that you’ve got there?”

Dan – “Sex Wax. I rub it on my drumsticks”

I’m sure there was a reason why, but I can’t remember. So if you know, enlighten me please!

Dan continues to rub his drum sticks with the Sex Wax and Glen drinks a lot of water. Don’t be fooled, these guys can drink a venue dry, but when it comes to Glen looking after his voice and them keeping hydrated, they drink a lot of water. Except Neil maybe. I can’t say I’ve seen him drink much water at all!

Super Nige makes sure they all have water on stage. He’s not called Super Nige for nothing! Nigel is generally helping with shifting gear, helping backstage and is a great laugh and fun to be around.

Almost time for stage. Rich, longtime friend and guitarist from DogState pops in to say a quick hi and have a drink.

A big mass of busyness, then all is quiet for Dan to warm up on his practice pads before stage.

Show time!!

You can check out the show pics here

Mx

I’m still buzzing from the show last night!

The last time I saw Godsized play was the 2nd week into their 6 week UK and Europe Tour with Black Label Society. Super stoked to be celebrating the end of year show with them and also shoot pics with drummer – Dan – on his debut show. They’ve picked up quite a fair few fans on their way around Europe, including a guy who traveled from Kazakhstan to see them here in London. I was honoured to meet him.

Playing on the same night as Steel Panther, Motley Crue and Def Leppard; Godsized still managed to pack the Borderline and ensure it would be a sweat-fest, with fans singing and shouting along, along with plenty of opportunities to eat your neighbours’ hair as it was being whipped around!

Let’s get down to the pics…

(click to view bigger)

The guys did me proud.

Sorry, what was that? Motley who?

Set list for the night was:

—

Soul Taker

Phoney Tough

Fight & Survive

No Reprieve

Last Goodbye

So I’m Told

Still Waiting

Heavy Load

Brothers in Arms

Walking Away

Head Heavy

Encore – Bleed on the Inside

—

Godsized will be on tour with My Ruin in January. Be sure to catch them won’t you! I will be at a couple of the shows.

Mx