Fashion Model Portfolios

Making the whole photographic experience fun really enables me to create some wonderful photographs for anyone wanting a portrait - whether potential models or just your family members. I always find it is best to create an atmosphere where i will be relaxed and so will the sitter, whether it is on location or in a studio environment, so working together to create the images becomes less of a chore and more of an enjoyable experience. Eliot Siegal, Vogue photographer, said these images showed fun, impact and made you ask questions when you first viewed them, which he said, was what a photographic image should do.

Just finished another wedding at Torquay's Imperial Hotel where the weather was fantastic and everyone was in a good mood - always helps with the photography! What a nice couple. This month, off to photograph more weddings including ones at Bovey Castle, portraits for a Pet Bereavement counsellor, family portraits and an amusement arcade along with a film crew - should be interesting.

Wedding albums design

My new wedding album design is proving very popular and can be seen here with the cover design of Neil and Claire's wedding which took place at The Imperial Hotel in Torquay, Devon. The sun was shining and family and friends really helped to create a fantastic day for them, which i believe has come across in their wedding album.

Busy month...

What a busy month this has been! Winter weddings, civil ceremonies, model portfolio shoots and product shoots!! Here are a couple of photos taken from a recent model portfolio shoot, dramatic lighting effects and a great location here in Devon all help to make these images really stand out.

pet photography

Well, what a day! As a nation we love pets, especially our dogs, so to have them photographed then printed and framed can be a real pleasure for some. To me, it can be very challenging but great fun. I was asked to set up a portable studio in someones house and photograph their two dogs which were about a year old and extremely lively. It took about an hour and a half but we eventually came out with a great set of images. The dogs were not put under pressure to perform or sit still, we just let them react naturally to whatever was going on around them and this created a very relaxed and informal shoot, dare I say I think they actually enjoyed it!

Using noisy crisp packets to grab their attention at the right moment helps just before you press the shutter button and also taking off auto focus makes the job a lot easier. Most of the final images were then enhanced in photoshop, desaturated and the eyes painted back in to create a very special portrait. Both dogs and parents(!) were very pleased with the results.

Winter wedding photography

More and more couples are deciding to get married in the winter months which is fantastic for them as there are obvious cost benefits to take into account, but for the poor photographer it can be a nightmare. Gales, dark skies, rain - oh what a wonderful set of images!!

So how do you get around it? Well, for a start, early planning is key. Visit the venue and look for all the sheltered places like archways, decorative doorways, even large tress, all these places are perfect for intimate and sometimes group shots. The crowd will work with you providing they believe you know what you are doing, which is where valuable pre-wedding day planning helps.

Always carry several large plain white umbrellas to act as shelter and these can also be used as props in photos. Experiment and have fun, the end shots will always capture the fun if you are organised.

As a member of The Master Photographers Association, (see: www.creativephotos.biz/weddings.html ) I regularly attend master classes and seminars on the latest photographic techniques, poses, lighting and business practices, and I have just been asked to search for a couple of models for the next meeting. I need a couple to pose for wedding images during the seminar which is on this coming Monday, so if you know anyone who can help, please get in touch.

Razzamataz

Recently we bought a theatre School franchise called Razzamataz and set it up here in our home town of Newton Abbot in Devon. It's been a great success mainly down to us taking charge of how we want to market it and the content of each lesson. We have arranged with various cabaret acts to come in and lecture for us as well as teaching the children social and talent based skills. Our second term started today and already we are the fourth highest earners in the UK business. Our teachers work hard and have some great input and the kids seem to be enjoying themselves - this is always proved when the enrol for another season.
Having just returned from a long weekend trip to Paris, visiting the sights and watching the stylish world go by in a variety of pavement cafes, it was a nice boost to come home and see more business come in for both Razzamataz and my photography business. I have just finished producing the cabaret publicity picture for a new artiste called Craig, who hopes to enter the cabaret circuit next year with his own brand of singing and comedy entertainment.