It's nearly that time again

Just back from my morning ride. As I left the house I thought about putting on my shorts. I'm glad I didn't. It's just a little too cold. Hats off to anyone who cycles all year round in shorts. Maybe another week of long trousers, then hopefully it's t-shirts and shorts. For a few months.

I can start planning longer rides. Ones that include a pub stop. And time to chill out and relax. I know it sounds strange that exerting yourself can be relaxing, but it can. I can forget that to-do list. All I need to think about is the next hill to climb or slope to roll down. And then a beer and something to eat, sat in a garden outside a pub. happy days.

The start of the year was chilly but not too cold.

Misty mornings.

Then snow at the end of January.

February was still chilly and misty

But at last spring had arrived in March

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Fashion shoot two.

Shooting for Caroline's website, this time along the Thames. With Melina. The plan was to meet at Charing Cross and use a couple of green spaces and the Thames embankment. Caroline wasn't with us, so it was down to me to ensure we produced the pictures Caroline needed. We started in Victoria Embankment Gardens. Before the Embankment was built we would have been standing in the river. In fact in the park is one of the original gates that would have lead on to the river from street level. A good background for our first shots.

The park had a lot of flowers in bloom so it was a colourful display, but didn't distract from the dress as they were some distance between the flower beds and Melina. We changed locations for different outfits to match the blooms. The full, high sun was a problem though. I had to balance the exposure to show the outfits at their best. Or look for shade or dappled areas of light. Not easy in this part of London.

Melina said she hadn't modelled before. But she was so relaxed, with a great natural smile that never diminished. She could have been an experienced model. It was also very busy, and that didn't faze her either. The other visitors to London would pause if I was mid shot. And then walk on when I was done.

We had a number of outfits to shoot so finding places for Melina's quick change was a bit of a challenge. But it didn't interrupt the flow. I was glad I had thought to bring some clips.  The shorts and yellow blouse were a little on the generous side. But once clipped in at the back, the fit was perfect.

It could not have gone better. By the end Melina was talking about ideas for another shoot. The docklands at night. I hope we can organise it.

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Location scouting

Two residents of the farm

I have had one shoot for the online fashion retailer and I have started to discuss other locations for more shoots.
Click here for the post.

There are two types of shot we need. Number one is to show the clothes at their best, with and without a model. We'll need a plain area, white background, and slightly higher ceilings. It doesn't always have to be studio. I doubt it will be convenient for me be involved every time a new picture is needed. I'll talk to them about how they could improve the day to day pictures they use.

The second is more location based like the one a couple of weeks back. They are the type I like to most. With spring on the way I'll be looking for a park with early flowers blooming.

A friend of mine has moved to a farm. Although the only animals are horses. I thought it would be a great place to base a photoshoot. There is one planned at the end of the month. The mixture of open pasture, trees and shrubs and the stable block will give plenty of scope.

I took some pictures while I was there. David is very comfortable in front of the camera, so I included him in the shoot.

And the horses.

It wasn't just stables though. An old freight container had to be investigated.

I have used a park with gym machines and a tennis court. This will be a great place for sports clothing.

I have a shoot in London along the Thames tomorrow. I know the area quite well and street view comes in very handy for planning where we need to go.

Check back to see and read how that goes.

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Fashion shoot

The lanes around Polesden Lacey was the chosen location. It was a good one for my first collaboration with the Caroline, a fashion retailer. It is close to everyone involved. And gave us the opportunity to discuss future projects.

Caroline arrived with Louisa. She had modelled before but not for some time. They had discussed the outfits on the way to meet me. So once we chose a place to start, we didn't waste any time. The dark background of trees and bushes really helped the clothes to stand out. I am sure Caroline and Louisa will be as pleased with the pictures as I am.

The clothes Caroline had brought were summer themed and light. Unfortunately the weather was definitely not summer themed. It was cold and very windy. We had to find a sheltered area, not only to keep the dresses and hair from being blown all over the place, but also so that Louisa didn't freeze to death.

She took it all in her stride. Quickly moving from one outfit to the next. And following direction from Caroline and myself. No complaints, just a great attitude throughout. It was only towards the end that Louisa started to look cold. And I can't blame her. By then we had been interrupted by so many dog walkers, families and horses. It would have been enough to put most people off. I have never shot in such a busy location.

Here are a selection of the pictures we produced.

A great smile and warm personality, even on a cold and windy day.

That great smile again.

I have another shoot in London next month for Caroline. Looking forward to it already.

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Dream Job

 I'll be working with Marilyn again on the collaboration for the online clothes retailer.

I have posted a lot on the subject of being a full time photographer. I mentioned the different fields and my thoughts on how difficult it would be to break into them, the risks and my unwillingness to take those risks at the moment.

Then whilst out cycling with my NVL co-member I mentioned that a picture I tweeted of a bottle of Red Stripe beer I had been drinking whilst in Jamaica had got a reaction from the brewers. They only said great picture. But it was enough for Matt to say, "expect a message from them offering an all expenses paid trip to Jamaica. A tour of the brewery and a job offer to become their official photographer." I have already mentioned an unlikely job opportunity in my last post. That of a portrait photographer commissioned to travel with a wealthy family to photograph their holiday. The Red Stripe fantasy is much the same. I would spend time visiting the places in the Caribbean where Red Stripe is sold. Producing their promotional material. What a great life that would be. Combined with the family portrait travels.

How often do those types of opportunities come up?

I guess I'm waiting for that big break, or that one situation that will take my photography to the next level. If I keep moving forward, creating my own luck you could say. Then it's only a matter of time before it pays off.

I am in the early stages of a collaboration that could be the step up I'm looking for. It's with an online clothes retailer. They aren't very big at the moment. But that could change. They have been let down in the past by photographers and models. At first it won't be paid. I know what you're thinking. But this could be that chance. We have discussed models, locations, themes and clothing. So fingers crossed. Stay tuned for more news. 

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Holiday pictures

A relaxing way to spend the afternoon

I have recently returned from a trip to Jamaica to stay with family.
I thought about taking my DSRL. But decided to take a bridge camera instead. For a few reasons. The DSLR is bulky and heavy. And people tend to get a bit intimidated when it's a family trip and out comes the "big camera" as it's called. In a more formal setting. Like the recent studio session it's okay. Everyone expects and is prepared to be photographed. But around the house or family trips. Everyone just stiffens up.
The Bridge camera is okay in good conditions. It's customisable and flexible to an extent. I take it with me cycling. Pretty much all of the pictures from my biking adventures are taken with it. But I miss my main camera. It's slow. Slow to turn on and be ready to shoot. Slow to capture the picture after the shutter button is pressed. But the worst part is the wait for it to save the picture to the card. Even with a fast one it just takes too long. When taking a family portrait, I realise someone blinked. Everyone starts getting bored while they wait for me to take another shot. If I have been using the DSLR a lot and go back to this one. It really frustrates.

I'll use this post to show the other, travel photography style shots I took. I wanted to show a flavour of my trip. Not just beaches and palm trees.
There is ackee and sugar cane. I have eaten a lot of ackee. But only from a can. In Jamaica it was growing in the garden. From a can it doesn't have much flavour. But fresh, wow, it is a whole different taste. Then there is the beer. Red Stripe. Sitting on the veranda drinking Red Stripe in 28 degrees and sunny weather. Whilst listening to Heart FM on internet radio. It's freezing cold at home. It can't be beaten. With only the dogs barking at people walking too close to the fence disturbing the peace.

I just took it really easy for the two weeks. So I didn't take a lot of pictures. But the ones I did take have some thought behind them. I hope it shows. Let me know what you think.

This visit got me thinking about a career in family holiday portraiture. How good would it be travelling the world photographing a family's holiday? I had it all planed. The contract would say how many hours a day I would follow them around. How much time I would spend each day processing the days pictures. And how many they should expect after the holiday. Just think of all the great places I would see.

But then the two weeks we're up and it was back to work.

ocho rios bauxite mine used to film some scenes from Dr No

Ackee growing in the garden

Ackee and sugar cane

And the guard dogs, taking it easy

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