The Eyes Have It
My perfect photo is nothing more than a simple shot of a face with the eyes looking straight back out at you. It takes a lot of trust to get this photo but it’s worth it every single time - particularly if the eyes are like Hannah’s - they’re awesome!
This session was for a model portfolio - a formal package that we’ve only recently introduced. We’ve been photographing models as part of our commercial work for a long time of course, but we’ve never really concentrated on helping create portfolios before. Until now anyway.
We were approached by Hannah’s mum a month or two ago to see if we would consider doing it. We had previously captured just a few quick images of her last year at a stunning wedding that we shot at Silverstone (Shelley, the beautiful bride from that wedding, is Hannah’s aunt). I remember thinking then that Hannah had really distinctive eyes that might photograph well - and I wasn’t wrong!
Mandy wanted to capture images in that familiar style in which we shoot our weddings rather than the images she’d seen from other photographers (her words not mine). I take that as a huge compliment. And no small amount of pressure! There is always a degree of pressure in this job - it’s where the adrenaline rush comes from - but when someone comes to you because they’re not happy with what other photographers are offering, particularly when it’s the client’s own kids concerned, it just feels even more critical that we get it absolutely right.
So, here we were on a very wet and cold day to get four hours or so of images with Hannah. And, I have to say, I think it was time well spent!
And Hannah was brilliant.
It’s not every 16 year old who will happily stand in the middle of the road in a ball dress because the photographer thinks it will make a beautiful image (I was right by the way - it did) or sit in amongst damp leaves because I wanted a particular look. Very cool! Thankfully, the shivering doesn’t show in the images! We work really hard to ensure our clients are always comfortable during a shoot but - and this is as true of our summers as much as our winters - the rain, wind and cold can sometimes conspire against you. Though I do promise you we were wrapping her back up in a thick coat as quickly as we could between shots!
Ultimately, this shoot was my idea of a perfect session as both Hannah and Mandy (her mum) were really really easy to work with - and very funny! Both myself and Kelly, my assistant, had an absolute ball! And the photos? Did we get it right? Let’s just say that the next copy of our book that we’ll produce in the new year will have some absolutely stunning images in it!
What do you think?
Let us know.
And if you like what you see here and maybe interested in a similar session then drop us a line!
Cheers
P.
Jess & Abby
Abby is beautiful. There is no getting away from that. You couldn’t wish to photograph a more lovely and lively toddler! We’ve known Jess for 10 years or so, ever since she first looked after our daughter when she was at nursery school. Jess and her family are sort of an extended family to us and so it was, with no small degree of excitement, that we headed into the studio with Jess, Abby and Jemma (Jess’ sister).
We’d had this session booked in the studio for a while (our diary is almost always pretty hectic) and, even though we see them all the time, it’s the first time I’ve formally photographed Abby. When I say formally of course, I mean in a ‘booked-a-session-in-the-diary’ sort of way - there isn’t much else about us that’s particularly formal. Except maybe our tax returns. Now they’re formal. And dull. But if anyone from the Inland Revenue is reading this, it is, of course, a valuable and enjoyable addition to our busy schedule. Everything else about us is carefully arranged to be informal and friendly - and that’s how we get the images we that we do.
Anyway, Abby was brilliant (as always) and simply took over the studio in that bubbling vibrant kind of way that she takes over the house when she comes over. It’s fantastic! We just laughed for an hour and took photos of her being herself while she completely and utterly ran us ragged. Honestly, this job is the best job in the world. Ever!
Once we’d exhausted the possibilities in the studio, we stepped outside into the crisp autumn air - and captured some pictures of Abby looking unbelievably cute in her winter outfit. I love this time of year for that. Provided we have the light (the daylight hours are a little restrictive of course) the images invariably have a characteristic look about them. What is it about golden leaves, hats, coats and scarves that lend themselves to beautiful images? Dunno. But whatever it is, it works.
Come to think of it, that would make an interesting series of blogs - seasonal images (whatever the season). Maybe I’ll get around to writing something like that.
In the meantime, here are a few of the pictures of Abby, her mum and her aunty - let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
On yer bike.
I don’t often get a chance simply to shoot something simply because I want to however this was one of those welcome opportunities - so please indulge me just a little.
Mountain biking: nearly as exciting/expensive* as snowboarding (another passion of mine) but without the need for the increasingly scarce resource of er… snow/apres-ski* and significantly more active than knitting. No matter what my nan might say. And, in this instance, a mountain bike in the thankfully very capable/fearless* hands of Elliot Harper - someone I’ve previously captured more conventional images of.
I’m a big fan of mountain biking (though I do admit I’m nowhere near as skilful or as brave/foolhardy* as Elliot) and this was a welcome chance to capture some images of a sport I absolutely love - and types of image I’ve never been had a chance to capture before.
This was all shot up at Coombe Hill on the various slopes and trails that criss-cross the area. Elliot is seriously impressive/nuts*, both in his cycling skills and in the careful approach he takes to each leap. Contrary to what the ever opinionated tabloids might well say of such cycle-borne teenagers inconsiderately launching themselves skywards with little regard for their own safety (or, indeed, the safety of other esteemed Daily Mail/Sun* readers), everything Elliott approached was done (and quite rightly, if you ask me) with a not inconsiderable attention to detail.
I do have to admit that, had it been me on that bike, I would have exercised even more caution/cowardice* by, let’s say, not even attempting such impressive/ridiculous* challenges, but given it wasn’t me on the bike, I was left with enormous respect/awe* for the approach by which all this was done. Every ramp and run was checked (and checked again) and wasn’t attempted until Elliot was absolutely certain it was going to go-to-plan/not-kill-him*. Not exactly the image of reckless youth that the press might have us believe.
And, while I am sure that all of this upped his pulse rate just a tad (he was, after all, launching himself six feet in the air each time) I also discovered it to be not a little interesting/terrifying* for me too. Lying on the ground while Elliott repeatedly landed 35lbs of metal and 10 stone of teenager just a couple of feet from my head** is something that I think I would always regard as mildly exciting/sickening*. I do suspect though, that Elliott was keeping things well within his limits - particularly given my suitably stern/dull* safety briefing and insistence that he keep things safe/boring* (I am sure I sounded like a father/teacher*. Sigh) - so I can only imagine what he’s capable of when he pushes things out a little/lot*! Maybe we’ll do that at the next shoot***. Awesome!
Cheers
P.
* delete as applicable
** no photographers or cameras were hurt in the making of this production
*** but only after another suitably stern safety briefing of course
Remember, remember…
…the 5th of November.
How could we forget? Went to sleep last night with the dulcet tones of a million bangers going off!
On Saturday I was down in Bristol working on a fireworks display with some really good friends of ours, Ben & PQ. I’ve known these guys for 20 years or so and you couldn’t meet two more talented and driven individuals. PQ commands huge respect as a producer at Crown Business Communications while Ben is now the partner in a really exciting fireworks company - Fuse Fireworks. And it was through this that I found myself in the middle of the Bristol Downs working on the Roundtable display - and, thanks to the weather, possibly the soggiest location I have worked on.
I was there firstly to help rig the display and then to capture some images for the guys website and brochures etc. The former task was relatively straightforward (I think I have a natural talent for belting things with a mallet - particularly when people with clipboards are guiding me with what to whack) but the latter, well that was a tad more er… entertaining.
The rain did come.
Now, usually, I’m pretty chilled about shooting in the rain but this was something else. Proper precipitation. In the limited light and with little else to go on, the usually infallible autofocus on our cameras was locking onto the raindrops rather than anything sensible. Actually, when I say raindrops, I am thinking more of large lumps of water hurtling heaven-sent down onto us. Switch to manual focus? Well, even that was tough as the water was getting onto the viewfinder making it nearly impossible to see clearly. I have a couple of shots where it looks like the type of star-filled sky you’d get from an overenthusiastic (and overly romantic) CGI special-effects unit. Think ET. But, believe me here, there was nothing starry or romantic about the sky. ‘Twas the light being refracted in the raindrops. Nice.
And we really didn’t want the usual ‘fireworks in the sky’ type of shot either - there are plenty of those already - so setting the camera on a tripod and forgetting it wasn’t an option. The brief from the guys was to get something a little different. So two of the crew (Harriet and Nick) stood through the display to see if we could get that little something extra. I have to say the guys were brilliant as it’s not everyone’s idea of a fun night out to be stood out in the lashing rain while someone tries to get a shot of the back of your head. One I owe them.
So did we get just a few shots to make it all worthwhile?
Yes, I think we did - not lots, admittedly, but just a couple that will stay in our portfolio and will almost certainly enter a competition or two. And the cameras will dry out eventually.
Cheers
P.
PS. If ever you’re looking for a fireworks company, these have to be the guys to go to. Amazing.
Gaynor, Ian, Alex, Sarah & David
Just loving the family sessions at the moment. Although the weather is a little unpredictable (OK, so it’s a lot unpredictable), the cool grey skies are great for really edgy moody portraits, particularly of kids and teenagers.
We photographed this session between the studio and the great outdoors. When I say ‘great outdoors’ I mean the High Street. Which, luckily, is a perfect location. I will always go and find somewhere new and unusual given the opportunity but, if we don’t know what the weathers going to do (in this instance it hadn’t stopped raining all afternoon - pretty much until we’d finished the session in the studio), our very own doorstep gives us an amazing last-minute location. And we’re close to tea and coffee and a nice warm studio. Call me old fashioned…
I love this type of image where everyone just looks fantastic and chilled (I don’t like asking people to give a cheesy grin unless I want them to grimace!). Fantastic company, lovely afternoon, beautiful shots. Good job. Looking forward to revealing the rest!
Cheers
P.
Meme Voisin’s 90th Birthday
Wow! I tell you what, I hope I am as healthy and happy as Meme appeared to be on her 90th!
A really fantastic couple of hours spent over in Godalming photographing a wonderful birthday celebration. The house (as it was last time I was there, photographing Justine and her family) is still stunning and the weather was, yet again, gorgeous. Some people are blessed I reckon!
Had a ball shooting this event as everyone was there to relax and have a great time. Mission accomplished by the look of things!
The food and the catering looked mouthwatering to put it mildly. It was all laid on by Gilly and her team from The Great Big Event Company (including a very amiable and gifted chef brought in specially from London). It was truly a spread fit for the occasion! The last images I captured before packing up the gear were of a room full of people enjoying a fabulous spread in each others company. Perfect.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers
P.
ePhotozine Coverage
Just a quick update on the MPA awards and the image that won - a press release has just gone out and there’s a write-up on ePhotozine.
Some nice comments from a couple of very respected photographers - though clearly their comments aren’t as important to us as the comments we get from our clients!
Cheers
P.
Sassy & Co. (again!)
Once again, we’ve been up at Sassy & Co in High Wycombe. This is fast becoming one of my favourite sessions, as it always involves a really talented crowd of hair and makeup artists, beautiful models and a real opportunity to create some utterly stunning images.
This time it was an evening session and, as usual, we rigged a temporary ’studio’ area in the front of the salon to create exactly the same lighting we would have in our permanent location. We also (as we always do) grabbed some environmental shots (i.e. outdoors!) and, though it was pretty damp and dark, they look really edgy and cool or, more probably, cold!
The models were awesome (really good fun to work with as well as stunning!) and we have a whole load of shots for Sassy’s PR and advertising and for their front window displays - looking forward to seeing some of these as 7ft high display boards!
I’ve just uploaded a few from the session to have a look - let us know what you think.
Cheers
P.
UK Parent & Child Portrait Photographer of the Year!
Well, it’s been quite a year for us so far - by far and away our busiest and most successful ever - and yesterday was the icing on the cake.
So please forgive me if I blow my own trumpet just for a minute or two. Well, if I don’t, who will?!
Last night was the prestigious British Professional Photography Awards held at the Newcastle Hilton (I am sitting, rather bleary-eyed, typing this out on the train back home - ah, the joys of modern technology!) where hundreds of the best photographers from around the world came together for a ‘glitzy’ - their adjective, not mine - ceremony. Cool. Lots of great photos to look at, nice food, great company (along with an awesome husband and wife photography team, David and Jane Stanbury, we were guests of our album supplier, Spicer Hallfield who supply both our stunning Digital Artbooks and our gorgeous Seldex matted albums) and possibly just a smattering of wine and champagne.
And on top of that, we won three major awards!
The first award is the title of “Parent & Child Portrait Photographer Of The Year”. I’m really excited about this award given that, as you may have noticed from this site, a major proportion of our work is in family portraiture.
We also won the title of the Master Photographers Association “Best Licentiate Panel” for this year. This one is of real personal satisfaction for me. The panel a photographer submits for assessment into the MPA (of which I am now a licentiate member - hence the ‘LMPA’ after my name) is a selection of 20 images of real client work over the past couple of years. For our panel to be recognised with this highest possible accolade shows that the photography our customers can expect from us is consistently of the highest possible standard. Which, I reckon, can only be a good thing! 
And, as if that weren’t enough, we also received an “Award of Excellence” (i.e. got down to the best two) in the Classical Portrait category. Not bad for our first attempt at the awards!
So to all of our clients and friends of our business, a huge ‘thank you’ for allowing us to capture gorgeous award-winning images that we absolutely love as much as you do. The esteemed panel of judges seem to agree.
I’ll put my trumpet down now. 
Cheers
P.
UK Parent and Child Portrait Photographer of the Year (has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?)
Mary Miller and Family
Well, it’s been a very busy but very commercial sort of week, hence the lack of any blogging going on. Hopefully I’m going to get to put some pictures up here of some of the stuff we’ve done including shots for Sacla, Cadbury and Sassy. I love doing commercial work almost as much as I love doing our more regular lifestyle/portrait work - the big difference is that the timescales always seem to be condensed by which, I mean, they’re usually overnight. Hence the lack of any creative writing going on. The BBC iPlayer is a godsend. Makes the early hours more bearable!
Anyway, this session with Mary, Garry, Ciaran, Declan and Callum at Coombe Hill was possibly the best-timed we’ve done this season. It was an unexciting cold and gloomy early Saturday morning when we trundled up to the carpark and, by the time we left, it was a dismal wet and windy Saturday afternoon. However, the two hours we had in between was, while admittedly chilly, the most beautiful sparkly autumn light! Perfect!
The photos we have a perfect for the Millers as they’re all very much outdoor people and were all perfectly comfortable being out in the elements. I couldn’t help feeling they would have considered a minor hurricane something to be enjoyed! I particularly loved the session for that. It’s always perfect when our subjects are comfortable, particularly when working out in the cold!
I have some quite unusual shots taken at the end of this session using our high-power portable video light. This thing is quite distinctive and gives a very characteristic light (quite unlike using a flash gun) and we have some really edgy images of the boys in the woodland area. My kind of thing!
Let me know what you think.
Cheers
P.