Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve and there is still loads to do...

A Concept Shoot...For The Appleheads

"The House"

I was given the task of coming up with a concept shoot for the "Appleheads" photography group which I am a part of. A mad group of wacky photographers from all over the place basically! The Guvnor of the group Gary (Marshal Gray Photography) set about dishing out the instructions about 6 months ago and it was down to us as individuals to plan, organise and shoot our chosen ideas. A big thank you to the model I used for the shoot, you know who you are.

So here is my explanation...

My full time job took me to an old run down house for a day and whilst my job whilst I was there was to watch the house, I couldn't help feel we were also being watched! So wallop!! There was my idea for the concept shoot, "The House". Having driven past the house god knows how many times I never even knew it was there, making it more freaky!

The process was simple, ask permission to use the house and grounds...check! Find a willing model...check! My styling was a bit of a pain, I couldn't decide if I wanted shabby clothes or more up to date ...after consulting one of my fellow Apples, I opted for the later.

As the house and grounds are completely without power I was reliant on natural light and or flash light. One Canon speedlight mounted on a stand or held by my willing assistant, the gorgeous Debbie McGee!

We all walked around the house trying to avoid the leaking roof and found some pretty scary rooms, old toilets, bathrooms, kitchens. I didn't want too much movement in the images and wanted them looking very similar in stance. After a few test shoots we were off and running.

So with a memory card full of RAW shots, it was back to the MAC and with the help of VSCO and RADLAB the process was complete. 

It tells the story, albeit brief of a recluse...

A concept shoot in B&W...

"The House"

James & Nickie. Their wedding at The Headland Hotel, Torquay

A busy weekend kicked off with James and Nickie's wedding at The Headland Hotel, Torquay.

WOW...what a venue...stacks of detail!

I was shown to where Nickie and the girls were getting ready...makeup and hair straighteners everywhere! It was a very relaxed morning...very "Swan" like...elegant on top and working like mad under the surface. I have to say that all the girls were an absolute pleasure to photograph.

I met up with James who was busy...well I say busy, he was watching the F1 Qualifying! "Plenty of time he said"

Back to the girls...plenty of tears as the final touches were made, Nickie's Dad arrived...not a dry eye in the house.

Although this wedding came in the middle of a very busy weekend for me, it was a beautiful day and I was made to feel extremely welcome by all their friends and family not to mention James and Nickie who are two of the nicest people I have ever met whilst doing this job.

It's again days like this that make me realise how much I love my Job...