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Here’s the second half of the images from the Into the Light day in Gloucestershire this time with Martin Hill.

These images were produced as part of ‘going slow’ and taking time to compose the shot to add drama to the outdoor portrait photographs by using both natural light and portable flash.  The trick was to mix the available light to bring out the drama in the clouds and then light our subject, Sarah Beaufoy with flash. This was at times challenging as the combination of sun and cloud changed almost on a minute to minute basis.

I’ve added my own style of post-production to the images, to give them the look I like so much.

You can find Martin’s Images on his blog.

Our make-up artist for the day was Vicki Waghorn.

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Location Portraits – Models, Makeovers, Fashion and a stunning Venue

I used the title of the 80′s pop song by The Korgi’s as a summary for this post because essentially its very true.

No matter if we call ourselves professional portrait photographers, the professional part can mean many things. It could be the main source of our income, our profession, or it could mean we have photographic qualifications. Whatever the reason, to stay a professional photographer we all need to continue to learn new things, gain more experience and ‘raise the bar’ as they say in management circles.

This week I spent a day in the company of Damien Lovegrove, and Martin Hill at Kingscote House in Gloucestershire. With models Sarah and Iskra we raised the bar on portrait photography, learning new techniques for lighting, posing, and using studio and portable lighting to really give results you generally wouldn’t associate with amateur photography.

The portrait gallery shows some of my favourite photographs of Iskra. I can’t say why these particularly took my eye, probably a combination of the expression and the lighting. I’m still not sure about the black and white portraits below and if I prefer the softer look or the more film-like look. What do you think ?

Portrait Photo Shoot – You’ve been spotted – Milton Keynes portrait photography

Here’s a shot from a recent ‘You’ve been spotted’ portrait photo session.

Each month I work with a portrait model and create some images that allow me to experiment with new techniques and photo equipment.
These aren’t like normal portrait sessions as I get the opportunity to try things out, rather than working for a client. They do however produce new style shots that I may go on to use in client sessions.
The subject receives prints of the best images and I generally put a slideshow and images on Faceboook so friends and relatives can see the finished article.
If you’d be interested in posing as a model for one of these sessions please let me know.

Spaces are limited to only one session per month, so if you’d like the opportunity to work with me, please get in touch as soon as possible.

One of the most common assignments for me as a photographer is the Corporate Headshot. I’ve no idea how many headshots I’ve taken, but its a lot !

They are incredibly important to any business, not least to the individual concerned. They add a human touch to any business in terms of ‘this is the person I’m working with’. Organisations are really just people and its incredibly important for clients to see just who they talk to and e-mail on a day-to-day basis, even if they may be on the other side of the planet.

The image shows a selection of the many headshots I’ve taken, this was just one session, in one organisation.

For this type of headshot there’s no need for you to visit a studio, or for me to bring masses of equipment to you. Just a couple of small flashguns and a simple background is all it needs. Most images can be taken in less than 5 minutes.

More details on corporate headshots and pricing.

I’m not sure if this is a result of trends in the photography industry generally, or a resurrection of a passion for the roots of my photography. Either way, I just love black and white right now. I’m wondering how long it will be before I load up the old film camera again.

There’s something about the way black and white shows the emotion in the subject more than colour ever can.

This portrait was taken at a party, and the subject, Hannah was just lit by the fridge light as she opened the door. The use of a really fast prime lens and that beautiful light just has a certain something. Add in a bit of post processing to give the feel of old Agfa film and you have a winning combination.

Once you start digging into the past its amazing what you find. Here’s an ad for the Polaroid camera. Now there’s a thought …….

There’s more portrait photography here.

Urban Portraits in Cambridge, London, The Midlands and the South East

Here’s a couple of images from this weeks urban portrait shoot.

This is a different type of portrait shoot to the, all too familiar, white background. The idea is to take the subjects to somewhere on location and use the environment, the clothing and flash lighting to bring about a different style of image. This type of shoot is ideal for actor and model portfolio’s and for those who want something out of the ordinary. The same style is used sometimes in ‘senior portraits’, more often seen in the USA.

This assignment is hopefully to be the foundation of a new style of portrait photography, and something that I’ll offer to all my clients, aimed at the fashion conscious and those who’ve always wanted to appear in the spotlight. Literally ! I take portable flash lighting onto the streets and produce a stunning urban portrait style.

Interested ? – Take a look at the fashion photography and the portrait photography, or why not contact me for details.

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This series of pet photographs was shot in the familiar surroundings of their home, so all I needed to do was introduce myself, let the dogs become accustomed to me, and then simply capture their normal character.

If you’d like to capture your creatures great and small, in a pet portrait session or as a family portrait shoot, why not contact me to arrange a photo shoot.

There are more pet photographs on the pet portraits page.

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While I’m based in Cambridge, my portrait photography allows me to travel between London and the Midlands. This shoot was no exception. This assignment involved business portraits in Harlow and was a rush job.  The brief was to provide a range of headshots for a magazine article such that the magazine editors could make their own selection.
The shoot was completed within the 24 hour deadline, including uploading images to an online proofing gallery, and making the high resolution images available for download.

This post is an example of some of the corporate portraits I’m frequently asked to shoot. In this instance, the management team had added a new member and the brief was to take a headshot on white background for use in company brochures and website. Then a further group photograph outdoors. As with some assignments there are the occasional workarounds required. One of the team was wearing a full-lengh leg cast from a recent injury and this meant arranging the team such that the cast didn’t show.

There are more examples of  corporate portraits here.

Whilst this is the height of the wedding season I thought I’d post images that aren’t from a wedding.

The recent spell of good weather has brought people outside, and for this family the opportunity to make the most of the communal garden. A glorious afternoon means that the family can relax and enjoy themselves, and leave all the work to the photographer. Family portrait sessions are fun, because you’re just there to enjoy yourself and do what you normally do.
There are more from this session on the family portraits page.