I returned to the AOP gallery in London recently to collect my exhibition prints shown in the recent summer exhibition, and to have a look at their current AOP Open exhibition. Whilst I was there I picked up the latest edition of Image magazine, issue 409 to have a nosey about up and coming exhibitions across Europe and any reviews that may be included. Along with a review for the summer exhibition was a full page print of one of my selected images for the show; Milkshakes & Laundrettes. I was really pleased to see my work published in Image alongside other featured photographers and articles. Kate Doyle, AOP Gallery commented ‘The summer Exhibition was the perfect opportunity for members to enter personal work and it was great to see such an eclectic mix of images and presentation styles. It was a real pleasure for the Gallery team to put the show together.”
It is likely that this event will be annual so I think after the year that lies ahead I hope to create more exciting imagery and personal work that will be submitted for exhibitions and publication. Image magazine is published every two months and can be purchased both online and through the gallery store. Included are photographer showcases, exhibition reviews and diaries, project profiles, as well as legal and technical stuff!
A month ago I organised a test shoot for a fashion editorial submission with Kismet Magazine. Bringing together models Tamar and Stephanie from Oxygen, make-up artist Jessica Nurse, hair stylist Leighanne Regan (from Tete-a-Tete, leicester) and fashion stylist Corrine Kaenzig. What resulted was a collaboration of vintage fashion, autumn trends in clothing and make-up, and hair that echoed the feel of the 70′s through to modern day volume. The shoot entitled ‘The Era of Vulnerability’ is due to be published as a 16 page spread later in October and I will publish the final shoot in my fashion portfolio. The final edited images have been left with minimal editing and have quite a raw/editorial feel. Perhaps the biggest editorial piece I have worked on, the concept was to involve elements of FAMOUS but with a fashion edge and to allow for a strong communication between the images… no matter who the celebrity is there is always a vulnerable side, often documented by the worlds media, but also hidden from the cameras by those who deem themselves to be strong. I loved working on this shoot and can’t wait to see the final published series. Tamar really brought her acting/dance background into the shoot as it was important for me for the models to fit into a role, adopting characteristics of the arrogant, the tame, the shy and the glamourous. Below are a few shots from the shoot preparations along with some final images not used for submission.
Big thanks to everyone working with me on the shoot, including Dave for his time on the digital production side and to John Brightmore for use of his wonderful studio. John also offers very competitive rates on studio hire!
No doubt I will blog about this further when the magazine is published…I also had news last week that ‘Iridescent Pop’ is going to be published this week in Posed Magazine, so I will be able to release the project gallery along with tear sheets for that shoot ASAP!
Earlier in the summer I shot my second hair shoot with Leicester’s quirky salon Tete-a-Tete. They are yet to launch a website, I have been informed this is happening though so as soon as it does I will link to them. It was a full on day with around 15 models to work with both in the studio and on location. The creative team wanted to mix it up a little, offering a style that would suit a teenager through to an adult, so we had to think about adding personality whilst also keeping it appropriate to their target audience. Leighanne Regan leads the creative team at the salon and having been selected for the GHD styling team 2010 she has some strong ideas and is now fully versed on the shoot process. Fortunately for me I’ve been working with Leighanne on my own shoots since I went freelance, so I’m lucky to have her on board! With both male and females to style, we managed to create a fun and insightful series of images. A series that says something about Tete-a-Tete, the stylists that work there and their clients. Full on but good fun, and perhaps on one of the hottest days of the year!! Still I like what we shot, some of which is below and others have been included in my portrait gallery. Thanks to Lucie Kerley for assisting on the shoot.
Lat week I shot a beauty test shoot with make-up artist Julia Jeckell and recently signed model Remy from Oxygen Model Management. Taking inspiration from MUA Lee Pycroft, we wanted to create a darker series of images, not darker in the sense that they are to be translated as DARK but more in the feel of the lighting, the subtlety and hues of the make-up. We started with a look dressed for the night, glitter was the theme so with slicked back hair and piles of glitter on the eyes the idea was to create more of a glitzy evening look. This then became a softer summer Ibiza shimmer based look and ended with grunge-like purple tones. Different evening looks allowed for Remy to unfold before our eyes. I do like working with new models as it’s a good opportunity for me to direct and learn how they are using their body, and what works well with their facial features as they too are learning for themselves. Fortunately for us Remy’s olive skin tone and petite facial features were perfect for the looks we were re-creating. I will be uploading a new project gallery along with credits for this shoot into the Beauty portfolio soon, but in the meantime I’ve uploaded a few prep shots and artworked images from the shoot. I hope you enjoy…
Over the course of the summer I’ve been working closely with Hotel Maiyango and the team creating new imagery for their recently re-designed website. The brief included several location shots from the boutique bedrooms through to event photography, food photography and documentary work of the chef leading his team in the kitchen. Front of house to behind the scenes my aim was to capture the personality that flows throughout. Maiyango commissioned bespoke furniture designers, individual one of pieces of art and has a members roof terraced area where you can enjoy private dining and cocktails. The following images are a selection of the kitchen, food and drink documentary work I did which was perhaps the most enjoyable part for me.
On the 29th July Dave and I attended the private view evening at the AOP Gallery for their collective Summer Exhibition. In the exhibition which is running until the 11th August I have two pieces entitled ‘Milkshakes & Laundrettes’ and ‘English Rose’. Both photographs were produced in June when I was working on a fashion shoot with model Leanne Vasko, make-up artist Amie Morris, and stylist Sarah Baker. The shoot took place in a garden and a laundrette! ‘English Rose’ shows Leanne looking over the garden fence, her body appearing from a mass of Lavendar which swarms around her, it’s such a dreamy shot on a hot summers day and really allows for the imagination to envisage what she is thinking/dreaming of. The second image ‘Milkshakes and Laundrettes’ was taken on the same shoot in between takes, at one stage Leanne was sipping from a cool milkshake…then it was left on the side and in contrast to the kitsch-ness of the laundrette it just had to be captured. It’s a little mirrage-like, deceptive and offers slight intrigue for the viewer.
The prints are 50cmx60cm in size and were printed by the Printspace in London, highly recommended if you’re looking for quality photographic printers, they also have their own photo gallery dedicated to Printspace customers!
The night proved to be good fun, meeting other photographers, networking, enjoying live jazz and pimms and being part of a great body of work gave me a nice sense of achievement. There was such a great range of work from stormy summer nights, to Martin Parr-like candid moments. Other photographers included in the exhibition include Simon Norfolk, Tim Goffe and Camilla Broadbent to name a few. I also invited a few friends and colleagues along so special thanks to them for supporting me and also to James and Maya from Jab promotions who invited us along for a few drinks and some fine vietnamese food in the Old Street area afterwards.
I recently photographed the launch for the new Nardis Beach swim wear collection at the Kuati Boutique, Mayfair. Designer Cristiana Cawardine was there to promote her latest range and the event organised by CiCi Pr and events team attracted media attention and OK magazine press. Former Miss England model Georgia Press wore one of the new white bikinis on the day, but it was so hot it didn’t seem so unusual for her to be walking around Shephard Market in a bikini!
Model Sophie Anderton popped along during her lunch hour to enjoy the boutique and network with fellow designers, presenters attending.
Hollyoaks actresses and former big brother contestants also took time to attend the launch and go home with their goodie bags. Georgia Press right stayed cool in her Nardis beach bikini.
I was there to capture the day, not only in a lifestyle/portrait way but also to document and capture the details of the boutique and perhaps offer an alternative view of the event. I also got to take home a goodie bag including a champagne style flute from Kuati and a Nardis Beach bikini. Hope we get more sunshine so I can wear it!
Over the course of the summer I’ve been working with Aston Martin in conjunction with their 75th Anniversary year. This means there have been many events throughout the UK and across Europe that have had a strong following and support from the Aston Martin owners club. Taking me through the various stages of an Aston Martin build, through to the delights of a concourse event, it’s been fantastic working with them and capturing the delights of their 75th Anniversary year.
Taken at the Gaydon Aston Martin Head Office
Whilst on a tour of the Aston Martin service department
Aston Martin manufacturing
Concourse events and original James bond Aston Martin cars
The Midsummer Classic
Odd Job and Dave!
Alongside their concourse entry
Stoke Park
It was a real privilege to document photographically on behalf of Aston Martin for their celebratory year. A few celebrities popped along to enjoy an afternoon of judging the concourse event at Stoke Park. It was great meeting Aston Martin owners club members who were enjoying the events and tours as well as working closely with the marketing and events teams along the way. The Midsummer Classic took place on a very hot day in June at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, never have I been surrounded by such a selection of high class sports cars! On show and up for auction at Somerby’s (may have gone now!) was one of the original 2 DB5′s from the 1950′s film Goldfinger, apparently going at around the £5 million mark! Not to be taken lightly! This was a great event though and combine this with the venue, amazing food, fantastic cars on show and a James Bond black tie event at the end I’m sure there were a few headaches the next day!
Earlier this year I did a 2 day shoot for a new and exclusive online bridal fashion accessory boutique ‘Liberty in Love’. The video below was filmed and edited by David Rutter who assisted on the shoot and it gives us a lovely insight into the shoot goings on. From make-up preparation with Julia Jeckell, making the tea’s, to art direction, shoot set up and also a separate product shoot going on in another room with Ciaron Walton , we really did achieve a fantastic body of work. Siu Coll is the lady behind the scenes and has done a fantastic job getting a name for her exciting ventures within bridal accessories. You can see the images in use on the Liberty in Love website.
This short film documents the processes taking place over the two day shoot and also gives a feeling of atmosphere, the location, who took part, my direction with the models and also the fun we had creating it all.
The brief was to provide mainly head shots that show off the bridal accessories Libery In Love sell. Across the range are hair accessories, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, lingerie and shoes. From diamonte to pearl, vintage to contemporary, the bride’s styled in designer dresses were made up to be represent contemporary and classic bridal trends. The Liberty In Love Blog offers bridal trend alerts, advice on making a statement with your bridal accessory, and further offers and promotion information.
There is a project gallery dedicated to this body of work in the Beauty section of my portfolio, along with all credits and listings. Special thanks also goes to Gerry Coll and Ka-Wai Walton for their assistance and patience over the course of the weekend. Thanks also to Dave and I hope you enjoy this creative short film.
