Sally Beaton Personal Branding Shoot and Book Cover

At the end of September, once again I had the pleasure of working with the wonderful Sally Beaton. We shot for her book cover and the associated PR images. Sally herself worked in media before she became a Women’s wellness coach and so she knew what she wanted - to be effervescent and ‘sparkly!’.

We shot in a studio for that lovely white infinity background, which was important for the design of the book. Sally sitting on the floor looking fabulous on roller-skates!.

Shooting a full length portrait against white and keeping the background ‘white’ is actually a lot more involved than the casual observer would think. Because the background is further away from the subject it tends to ‘grey’ due to ‘fall-off’ of light intensity.

For this image (the book cover); two lights are directed onto the back, hidden behind with poly-boards to avoid reflective light bleed and there is a huge 6 foot Octa-box lighting Sally. So, a three light set-up which works really well.

This is Sally’s first book, and is self-published. A very big achievement and an essential read for the target market. It’s getting great reviews - and you can purchase it here: Amazon

Grand Finalists! Wella Trendvision 2020

Since my last post, an update on the Wella TVA 2020 entries; we were all extremely proud and happy to get through to the Regional Finals with three of the enrtries (out of four) but now I’m even more delighted that two entries are through to the Grand Final, date is TBA.

This is a huge achievement for the stylists, Rachel and Georgina at Indigo Rye hair salon in Reading, Berkshire, but also for the models George (my son - a signed model with Nevs London) and Daisy Finnigan (studying musical theatre). I’m also very pleased that my photography is setting a high standard and that I’m also a Grand Finalist by association :-).

As always, shot with my Fuji X-H1, and a combination of Godox and Bowens strobes. I’m looking forward to the X-H2 very much. I hear it has a 46mp sensor. That’s serious detail in a APSC camera.

Wella Trendvision 2020 For Indigo Rye

After months of planning, we shot four looks for the 2020 Wella Trendvision awards, just before the Covid-19 lockdown in the middle of March. I built a studio at the Indigo Rye salon, which helped enormously, as it allowed the stylists to work in their own environment with all tools at their disposal. This was a really excellent shoot, and it’s not just the talent and collective professionalism, but the serious amount of pre-production.

Finding suitable models is always a chore (models generally don’t want their hair super-messed with, in terms of colour and cut). But I was blessed with my son George, who recently signed to NEVS Model Agency and also Lucy, who is our MUA Ella’s younger sister, whom I’ve shot with a few times. I also put a shout-out on Facebook for models and found Isabella and Daisy, and they were just brilliant.

After entering four looks, I am delighted to say that as of the 31st May, three of them have made it through to the semi-finals of the competition. Big thanks to Karen @indigorye for always believing and the clothes styling. This was a proper collective effort though and we smashed it. Great team, great everything. Loved working with all of them. Shot the whole session with the Fuji X-H1 with a combination of Bowen’s and Godox strobes, processed with @captureonepro.

This time I used one lens, a new addtion to my arsenal, the Fujinon 16-55mm F/2.8 and it was a pleasure. I haven’t used zooms for years but the versatility of changeable angle of view speeds up the shoot no end and this lens paired with the XH1 is a dream. Mostly shooting at F8, because of the controlled studio light means that the lack of super-wide aperture isn’t a problem at all. It’s a well-balanced lens on the camera body and with the inbuilt camera IBIS, just about perfect. It’ll be my go-to lens for indoor studio shoots from now on.

Liz Felix Hat Collection 2019

At the beginning of October, I had the pleasure of working with the extra-talented milliner, Liz Felix, shooting product shots for her current hat collection. I was very happy to be working with Liz again, having shot her last hat collection back in 2016. Together, we chose a modern, colourful palette to compliment the unique bespoke hats and I shot over a dozen different set-ups with three fantastic models. I was assisted by Sarah Bee, a photography undergraduate, whom I worked with on an editorial shoot in July. This type of shoot is always fun and additionally I had the opportunity to capture a couple of creative images alongside the more standard ones, which will be presented to maximum effect on Liz’s website soon. A full day, utilising a three light set-up. Everything was shot using the Fuji X-H1 and one lens, the brilliant Fujinon XF 56 F/1.2

BLOCKCHAIN LIVE 2019 @ OLYMPIA, LONDON

On Wednesday 25th September, I was shooting for Swanwood Productions, covering the AAX participation of Blockchain Live 2019 at Olympia, London. I shot the event here last year for Block.One, so I was very pleased to be asked back by Swanwood Productions. Olympia is such a magnificent space, it’s always a pleasure to be here and catch the atmosphere, which was buzzing with Europe’s largest Blockchain event. As this is the second year I’ve been around Bitcoin/Blockchain tech, I’ve started to actually understand what Blockchain-based crypto-currency trading is and what ICO tokens actually are! The company that we were creating digital content for, both moving image and stills, is AAX which has developed an application platform that is powered by London Stock Exchange Group technology which allows the user to make online trades in crypto-currency. I worked once again with director/producer Nita, from Swanwood Productions and also Justin, a brilliant DP that I’d met on the Block.One Hackathon project last year. It’s always a pleasure to be part of such a great team, so thanks to Nita at Swanwood Productions for putting it together.

Indigo Rye 'Renascence Collection' 2019

I’ve known the owner, Karen, of award-winning hair salon Indigo Rye for many years and have shot hair for her a few times but for the re-branding of the salon’s imagery for 2019 she was very open and receptive in allowing me to bring new ideas forward. The shoot itself took about six weeks to set-up. In the first place, I had to find appropriate models and a casting of this calibre solicited over one hundred responses. After settling on our final five, I had long held the idea of creating a ‘Vanity Fair’ type image, in addition to shooting the models separately, which of course is standard procedure for hair salon imagery. I felt that it’s not the kind of image that you would ordinarily see representing a salon and would be something that would stand out. As all the models were going to be in one place at the same time, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to create this idea. I wanted to use mid-century modern furniture as props and keep the image very structured, like a painting. After finding the perfect studio space, and working with all of the stylists from Indigo Rye (who were brilliant), I had to shoot two set-ups of each model, ten in total and then by the end of those sessions of course we were running out of time for the group shot… everyone was tired and ready to go home. As the last image to capture and having shot all day without a break, I frantically moved the furniture and lights around, and posed the models until I felt I had it right. The light was so important (of course) but in the end I actually had about 10 minutes to get the shot before everyone left. I managed to shoot possibly a dozen clicks, but I knew that I had it. I’m very proud of the image and hopefully it will create some well-deserved PR for the salon (and myself!). Everyone involved in the day were great, and I can’t thank the owner of Indigo Rye, Karen, enough for the opportunity to actually realise such a cohesive vision. Jo Budden (make-up) and Angela Barnard (stylist) were also amazing. I shot mostly with the Fujinon Xf 56mm F/1.2 lens and the Fuji X-H1 camera. The wide was shot with the Fujinon XF23mm F/1.4.

Block.One EOSIO Global Hackathon.

I spent the last four months of 2018 working with Block.One - covering their global Hackathon competition. Block.One have a platform called EOSIO that Blockchain developers use to code with, enabling the Blockchain to be used for virtually any application. Cities I covered included London, San Francisco and Cape Town. These were typically three day events and 12 hour days with very early starts. I photographed many aspects, from standard corporate imagery of executives presenting, to contestants engaged in their 24 hour non-stop programming and of course detail and mood imagery. This was an extraordinary opportunity to be involved in and it gave me an insight into how the Blockchain is going to shape our digital future. I met and worked with some great people; the marketing team at Block.One and the video production team at Swanwood Productions. As it was a very large job to cover, around 500 contestants each event, I also worked with another excellent photographer, an old friend of mine Amanda Searle.

I used two cameras as always, with various lenses. The Fuji X-H1 being my main body and the evergreen Fuji X-T2 as the second. I also used a hand-made British version of the Holdfast Moneymaker. This is an all leather camera multi-camera harness which is designed to take the load onto your shoulders and away from your neck. The design is very simple and goes all the way back to ‘Wild West’ gun holsters. The version I used is available form ETSY from an artisan manufacturer based in the south of England, called Cloverlilly. At less than half the price of its American counterpart, it’s a no-brainer and works incredibly well.

In addition, as I was carrying a lot of kit abroad, I invested in the WANDRD PRVKE backpack, 31 litre version. It holds all my kit, two cameras, five lenses and associated bits with ease.

Thanks to Block.One and Swanwood Productions for the opportunity. Here’s to a successful 2019 for all.

50th birthday party becomes a beautiful hand-made book

Once again, I was shooting an event for the wonderful queenieandbelles.events for a private client's 50th birthday party. The event took place in two marquees and was on a particularly cold and snowy night in early spring. The client was very receptive to the idea of creating a bespoke hardback book to record the event for the future which meant a trip to my favourite book binders bookedimages.com in Berkshire England. Creating a book like this involves laying out, cropping and re-touching, then organising the pages to get the best flow. Once approval has been finalised, the client and I both visited the Booked Images head office in Berkshire to discuss colour combinations, paper and finish. This is very much the bespoke service, like having an item of clothing made! I've created quite a few of these books over the last year and I am very happy with the service I receive from Nicole at Booked. My aim is to convince all my clients to go the extra mile and have a book created, rather than just end up with a USB stick of digital images. A high-end book is a record of the evening, long after the emotion of the party has ended and it's something to treasure that can be handed down as a family heirloom.

Shooting hair for INDIGO RYE with the new FUJI X-H1

Last Sunday I spent the day shooting hair models for Indigo Rye hair salon in Reading, Berkshire. It was quite a full-on day with 10 models, more than I was expecting, which meant shooting a new model every half hour once we had set the lights, which of course need adjusting for different skin tones. Skin is interesting in that it really does reflect light very differently according to the individual.

I was helped by my assistant, Ella, who has been brilliant since we started working together, as there there was quite a lot of kit to be unloaded - we were shooting with up to four lights and modifiers, so the car was very full. Photography equipment can be heavy,  so having a willing assistant is a must on a shoot of this size!

It was an opportunity to try out the new Fuji X-H1 which is now my number one camera, the X-T2 now designated as back-up. And of course, every professional photographer needs a back up - what would happen if the main camera failed? Obvious really...

So, it's too early to say much about the X-H1, I've only done one shoot with it, but I love the form factor - it feels so much more 'professional' in my hand, just like it will keep going and going until it gets the job done. The jpegs are just so good and the dynamic range is right there, so it's hardly worth shooting in RAW as there's not that much difference. Therefore I shoot in PROVIA as a base, and adjust final images accordingly in Photoshop. One thing I will note, is that even though the sensor is the same as in the X-T2 - the images seem sharper, more clarity, even with IBIS turned off? Oh, and the viewfinder diopter + and -are the wrong way around :-). All of the above shots were taken with the 56mm f/1.2 at f/4. This will be the camera which makes quite a few more Nikon and Canon users jump ship - watch this space. I love it

A documentary shoot in Scotland for a family holiday

Actually quite a few months since I last posted. In that time I've been quite busy, I spent the middle of the summer last year creating a documentary hard back book for a client from Dubai. I spent ten days with the family touring Scotland and spent time on board the Royal Scotsman train, traveling in beautiful Edwardian splendour across the highlands and up the West Coast to the Isle of Skye. Due to client confidentiality I can't display photographs here but it was an extraordinary experience and a complete success. I used two cameras as always, with various lenses. I prefer to use primes as it makes me work harder, and it certainly is hard work to get the shots whilst having two cameras hanging around your neck. Generally I use the 16mm f/1.4 Fuji XF, which is a wonderful lens, amazing actually, and either the 35mm f/1.4 or 56mm f/1.2 XF's. I have debated using the 16-55mm XF zoom, for ease of use, but in those natural low light situations pleasing bokeh is not really there I feel with this lens as it is on;y an f/2.8. Still, I will try it when I have a spare £800! I recently let go of my trusted X-Pro 1, which was the camera that I bought which sold me into the whole Fuji system, it's now with my assistant, so it's not gone too far, and it's been replaced with the Fuji X-H1 (more about in the next post). So, I now have an X-H1 and and X-T2. Both with the same sensor but still quite a lot of weight once you have those gorgeous primes mounted...

Wedding Reception by Queenie & Belles

This summer I've been working with amazing events planners 'Queenie & Belles'. I've been fortunate to work on no less than four of their events, of which I'm very grateful as this style of shooting - where there are no second chances, you miss the moment and it's gone - has enabled me to grow my skill-set in shooting in a fast-flowing reportage way. It's incredibly tiring to be 'on' for a minimum six hours without sitting down and of course your attention is always focused on 'what's going to happen' as well as 'what's happening'. The inability to direct the action means that in-camera framing is more important than ever as otherwise images can appear quite cluttered and messy. This event was a wedding and reception for a very lovely couple. It was held in a beautiful country pub in Oxfordshire in mid-August. The whole area had been dressed by Queenie & Belles and everything from the food to the band and the atmosphere and the marquee was wonderfully choreographed. Some of the images are here on my site but to get an idea of how amazing and distinctive these events are - go to Queenie & Belles own website. As always, shot on two Fuji bodies with the incredible 56mm f/1.2 (85mm FF equivalent) and the 16 and 23mm f/1.4's.

Harman SPARK London 2017

Last week I photographed Harman's SPARK London 2017 event, which was held in the OXO Tower on the bank of the Thames right opposite Saint Paul's cathedral in SE.1. The event was an opportunity for many of the managing directors and marketing professionals from, amongst others, Jaguar Land Rover, Immediate Media, Microsoft and Ladbrokes whom spoke on a panel forum and also to meet and discuss the future of connected technology. As before, I have been shooting these events this sumer with available light and two Fuji bodies, and the two lenses I use most are the 56mm f/1.2 and the 23mm f/1.4. Although due to the nature of the auditorium I also used the 16mm f/1.4 to get that little bit wider. The colour renditioning of the 'Standard' jpeg format is perfect in bright natural light without any need for adjustment in post and the speed of use of the X-T2 and the opportunity to manipulate settings so readily on the fly works extremely well as always.

Fun and games with new blogger 'Women with Sparkle'

Very happy to be working with Sally B whom has just launched her website 'Women With Sparkle'. Sally is a great writer and has amazing energy which translates into the shoots that we do for her imagery and content. Check out her site here: womenwithsparkle and she's also on instagram. Go follow!

Amazing Caribbean themed 21st birthday party!

I had a great time last Saturday shooting for Bella Davis' 21st Birthday party which was a Caribbean-themed event held in the River & Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames. A steel band, a jerk chicken dinner for 130, including dancing, colourful cocktails and with a brilliant bunch of friends and family, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The party theme was created by Queenie & Belles Events with a cocktail deck, a chill-out marquee and a genius dining room with palm trees and feathers everywhere. It was like Carnival came to Henley and I'll be shooting more with Q&B over the summer.

When I take pictures at events, especially parties, I shoot with available light always as it gives a much more flattering end result, a slow shutter of 1/60 creates a soft and cinematic look to the images and I use two camera bodies with different primes. I try and shoot candids as much as possible as these tell a much richer and truer story of the night. The Fuji XF56mm F1.2 and the FUJI XF23mm F1.4 covered every eventuality and get more use than any other lenses in my kit. I used the FUJI X-Pro 1 and the FUJI X-T2 with battery grip.

Shooting in London for Peachy Active Wear

After a few weeks planning, a very succesful day in London, shooting on the street with a great team for new active wear brand 'Peachy'. I was commisioned to shoot for the marketing and social media campaign for the launch of the new website and associated branding. Hair was by Darrin from Shoop Hair in Notting Hill, Make-up by Lauren Dye and Styling by Justyna Poniewaz. We were lucky with the weather, a nice mix of golden and diffused light. With a couple of exceptions, I shot the entire day with the 56mm F/1.2 and the 90mm Fuji F/2 with the Fuji XT2. The results from these two lenses and the camera are impressive and we achieved about a dozen looks. Images will be loaded up on to the website soon.

Peachy website is here: www.my-peachy.co.uk

Website and branding for Queenie & Belles events

I recently had the good fortune to work with two very lovely women at the fabulous Queenie and Belles events production and design planners, Jane and Annabel. Since 2007 they've been creating bespoke parties, wedding receptions and corporate events. Their attention to detail and fun factor has enabled them to grow into one of the most sought-after events companies in the South East of England. Check out their new website which I designed, along with their new logo. I'm taking pictures for them at a number of their events this Summer, so watch this space... www.queenieandbelles.events

Branding for new retailer 'Stocks'

Working with new retailer 'Stocks' based in Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire - I created a sophisticated colour scheme and identity based on a simple Lotus flower graphic. From the client's brief to opening the shop and all associated branding was turned around in less than six weeks. 'Stocks' opened in time for Mother's Day and has been successful from the outset. Stocking a combination of high-end gifts, candles, glassware to cashmere sweaters and furniture, Stocks has found a niche on the high street.

Shooting for Wella with Indigo Rye

Great to be working with Karen and Indigo Rye. Shooting images for the Wella TrendVision award submission 2017. Hoping that Nicola and Georgina from Indigo Rye get through to the finals. Watch this space.

Henley fashion week 2-7th March 2017

A great time had by all. Champagne preview evening on Friday night making connections with new business contacts and existing associates including Arzu Kara fashion house and milliner to the Prime Minister, Liz Felix. Shoot demonstrations on the Sunday led to a very successful weekend.

Arzu Kara fashion shoot published in Girlys Magazine

The shoot that I did last Autumn in London's Fitzrovia district for Arzu Kara's SS17 campaign has had some images published as editorial in Girlys Magazine Special Issue No. 2, December 2016. Arzu is a brilliant British designer and incredibly talented. It's always great to see work published and I was very grateful for the make up artist - Lauren Dye and hair by Tancakar Colour.