Blog
November 11, 2011
Children love bubbles…… Why is that? Its such a simple thing, they are cheap, easy to make, but in a flash, they are gone again. Maybe that’s the secret, maybe it’s the fact that they somehow magically appear and disappear in an instant that makes them so appealing.
We shot this session in Sutton Park just a few weeks ago, we played on the swings, we played on the roundabout and climbed on the climbing frames. I think I was having as much fun as Macie, I can’t help it, I just love shooting kids in this type of setting. I love to see their faces light up when they step into the playground and are faced with all this fantastic, colourful play equipment. As soon as we started, I knew we were going to get some great shots, however, I didn’t know quite how much crawling around on my knees and threading myself through tight, narrow spaces I would have to do to get the shots. She made me work for my art, I mean, really work, although she did slow down a little when the bubbles came out.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. Its why I love doing what I do.
All images shot on Nikon D3s with 85mm f1.4. All natural light.
October 31, 2011
This is a 24″ square framed wall piece set in a simple, elegant mahogany frame. I love putting this type of wall art together, I just love to play with different sizes and shapes. Each piece is individually designed right in front of the client using a state of the art viewing and software system. I can change the image size and shape, frame style, even the bevel cut mounts can be added right in front of your eyes. If this doesn’t quite work, I can swap images round at the click of a button – and I’m happy to do this as many times as needed until you are completely happy with the end result. Then to really show how the whole thing will actually look on your wall, I can add an image of your room, and superimpose this framed image to exact scale.
This has to be the best way to see how your photos will really look when they are enlarged and framed.
This is the reason I won’t just drop all your photo thumbnails into an online gallery and let you fend for yourself. Imagine trying to figure this one out yourselves……
A framed piece of wall art in situ.
October 10, 2011
Mike has to be one of the luckiest guys I have ever met. To fall through a roof and break your neck at work would seem like the end of a decent, able bodied life to most. But someone was smiling down on him that day, with a fractured vertebra in his neck, pure luck would have it, there was no noticeable damage to his spinal chord – a close call indeed. Although only recently out of hospital, he seems to be making a full recovery.
Jackie got in touch earlier in the year with a view to having some portraits taken, but then their whole life was turned upside down with Mike’s fall. So it was a pleasure to finally meet and shoot their photos. We headed into Birmingham’s Brindley Place for the shoot, it was a perfect day, a little too perfect in fact. I’m not a fan of strong sunlight, but, using the light to my advantage has really helped lift some of these images. Thanks for getting back in touch so quickly, a story like this makes you realise just how precious life is.
Nikon D3s – 85mm f1.4 – natural light
September 7, 2011
I was honoured to take first prize in the London Portrait Groups print competition last night with the image below. I knew the moment the camera shutter was released that some magic could well happen here.
Photographers dream of settings like this, and this one was no exception. It was towards the end of a great family shoot with Harry, Lauren and Polly and all was going great. Then I spotted it in the distance. This beautiful gnarly old barn turned out to be in a neighbours garden and a quick phone call by my client secured permission to shoot some pictures there. Thanks for looking and if you would like a portrait shoot with some truly memorable images of you and your loved ones, then please do get in touch ASAP. Just use the contact form or click the email tab on front page.
September 5, 2011
When I was a boy, the playground was one of those places where nothing mattered except having the most fun you could possibly have. The swings, the slides, the roundabouts, but I especially loved the climbing equipment. I’m not really sure why I loved climbing so much, but it was just the best feeling ever. So, imagine my excitement when I was offered the chance to photograph two very energetic and cheeky little monkey’s, Megan and Daniel. Dan is nearly 4 and sister Megan is 5 going on 25! (according to her mum).
I recently bought a new camera bag, you know the type that looks like a rucsac? and boy was I glad of that. I somehow knew I’d be chasing them round trying to capture those fleeting moments, but you know what? I had a blast. Thanks guys for being yourselves and making me work for those shots, I’m just so glad they didn’t sit still and pose for the camera.
This session shot on Nikon D3s with 85mm f1.4 (my new favourite lens)
August 19, 2011
Teenagers have their own dress code, I mean, moms want them to wear one thing, but of course, they maybe on a completely different page and no amount of cajoling will change that. That said, the outfits here work great, I love the contrast between Poppies long flowing summery dress and Olivia’s stripes and shorts. We shot this portrait session in Birmingham city centre around Brindley Place. After the initial awkwardness, the girls started to relax and things started to flow much better. It was the perfect day, warm and sunny with a light breeze, just perfect for that long dress.
Nikon D3 with 85mm f1.4
August 10, 2011
A fun and lively family shoot in Eccleshall. The trampoline in the back garden, the open fields at the end of the garden and a friendly and helpful neighbour with a lovely old barn that made a killer background for some lovely sweet portraits, wonderful. Just a few favourites from a great family portrait shoot in Staffordshire with Harry, Lauren and Polly.
Nikon D3 with 70-200mm & 24-120mm
August 2, 2011
Catriona is not a shy ‘wall flower’. If she feels like doing something, there is no…. “oh, what will people think”, she just gets on and does it. Extrovert she is, shy she definitely isn’t. Catriona is the perfect subject, she is beautiful, full of zest and she’s a real character too. I just love working with her. If I have an idea, I just know she’ll be cool with it. She knows me far too well to realise that I wouldn’t suggest anything that she didn’t feel comfortable with, not least because I’m her dad!
We did this portrait shoot in and around Cannock town centre and Cannock Chase, she was keen to have some new portraits taken as she had just had this great new haircut. What a transformation, looking back at the earlier stuff I did of her last winter, this new look really suits her and I think she looks even more stunning now.
She is back home for just 2 weeks, (she lives in New York) and is travelling up to Edinburgh this week where she is co-producing a modern day version of Hamlet at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
A couple of shots from another specific headshot shoot. Indoor light was the preferred choice for these.
See what I have to put up with? lets just do a shot of the two of us……
All shots Nikon D3 with 85mm f1.4 except last shot (16mm fisheye)
July 19, 2011
This is Mandielle. Apart from the day job she is also a jazz and blues musician and songwriter. I just love working with creative people. She came well prepared too for her urban portrait shoot in the city, including a change of outfit, lots of accessories and even a stylist. Well, ok, her best friend who was there to fix the hair and check that everything looked just right. I think everything did look just right too.
Ian and Christine have spent many hours and walked many miles along the canals of Birmingham, so when I suggested doing their portrait shoot there, it held a special place in their hearts.
