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!
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