River Dart Gallery – Stoke Gabriel
Explore Our Journey: We invite you to learn about our story, tracing our evolution from Philadelphia's bustling studios to tranquil English landscapes and celebrating our love for photography.
All artwork created by Kirsty & Jason Browning
The Beginning — From 2004 to 2010, we ran Gilbertbrowning Studios, a successful commercial studio in Philadelphia, USA.
A Decisive Change — In 2010, we returned to the village where Kirsty was raised. Trading in city life for the rolling hills of the South West of England, we shifted our focus to Fine Art.
A New Start — River Dart Gallery, offering Fine Art and Commercial photography services, was established in 2011.
Our Journey Around The World — In 2013, we took a two-year hiatus to explore the globe. Over 30 countries later, we experienced adventures of a lifetime, capturing our view of the world along the way.
River Dart Gallery Opens — We returned to Stoke Gabriel in late 2015 and opened River Dart Gallery as an art gallery, framing shop, and commercial photography studio.
As photographers, we're natural storytellers. Much like our photographs, our journey is one of discovery, challenge, and transformation. From running a bustling commercial studio in the heart of Philadelphia to tracing our roots back to the idyllic village where Kirsty was raised, our path has been as diverse as the photographs we capture.
With the establishment of River Dart Gallery, we embarked on a new chapter in our professional journey – a fusion of fine art and commercial photography in the backdrop of the stunning South West of England. We've spent years photographing this stretch of the South West, from open moorland to back-street corners.
River Dart Gallery – Stoke Gabriel
Since I was young, my lifelong dream has been to explore the world with a camera in hand. I began my travels in the United States, but my life was suddenly put on hold after a serious car accident that left me needing a prosthesis to walk again. For five years, I put my dreams aside and focused on recovering.
Eventually, I received a scholarship to study photography at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Through hard work and dedication, I was able to not only develop my artistic talents but also re-learn to walk without any assistance. I graduated with honours and was ready to start my own photo business.
However, fate had different plans for me. I met my neighbour, Jason, and our partnership changed my life forever. Over the years, I have worked as a professional artist in residence for the Wallingford/Swarthmore School District, honed my skills in a traditional darkroom, and served as a studio assistant for other professionals. Today, I am proud to have successfully run my own photo business for the past 16 years, since 2004.
River Dart Gallery – Stoke Gabriel
I started my career at a professional print house, where I learned about digital workflow, colour management, and professional labs. However, my passion for photography soon led me to rent a studio loft and build my own darkroom. Luckily, my neighbour Kirsty shared the same passion, and we founded GilbertBrowning Studios in 2004, running it until 2010.
The decision to leave the city and move to Devon in the UK was life-changing. These days, I spend as much time as possible on my boat on the River Dart, enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside. Throughout my career, I have gained expertise in photo retouching, digital workflow, and large format printing consultancy, as well as managing camera rental departments, maintaining and repairing equipment, and selling high-end cameras. I have been running my photography business for the past 19 years and am proud of my accomplishments.
Overall, my journey in photography has been a fulfilling one. From my early days in a print house to running my own business, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge. I look forward to continuing my passion for photography and exploring new opportunities.
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