It’s not often I’m sent behind the scenes images from a commercial shoot, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to share them and give you a brief insight into a day at an advertising photography shoot.

In March 2018 I was commissioned by a London adversing agency to create a series of images to be used for advertising, social media and a new website for Organica Sleep Lotion. 

Before the shoot my contact at the agency, Olivia, briefed me on the product and the style of images the agency were looking to produce. We discussed locations, models and timing. Olivia then booked an apartment near Old Street, London and 3 models, Sian, Karolina and social media blogger and owner of Nightire sleepwear, Nina Clark. Between Olivia and me we created a schedule for the day and swapped mood boards which suggested the look and style of the images we wanted to create.

For the shoot my kit included a Canon 5D mk3 and a mkIV camera, a selection of lenses, studio strobes and a Profoto B2 location kit, lighting stands, reflectors, a manfrotto tripod and props which were all transported in two large travel cases so I could make my way to the shoot by train and a black cab. 

I lost count how many people were on set from the agency but they included an art director, an assistant, a videographer, product advisors, a graphic designer and of course the boss! Having so many people on set made it a great creative atmosphere and we were all very excited to set up and start shooting.

Following a quick recce of the apartment and final chat about ideas, I hastily set up my Profoto lighting kit which could then be easily moved from room to room. During this time our Makeup Artist (MUA) Ema and our first model Nina arrived.

MUA EmaMakeup artist Ema Tiller Cordy and model Nina preparing for the shoot

Makeup artist Ema Tiller Cordy and model Nina preparing for the shoot

Behind the scenes advertising shootCapture a BTS shot of Makeup artist Ema Tiller Cordy and model Nina preparing for our advertising photo shoot

Below: Me and my trusty Canon 5D mkIV fitted with a 24-105mm L-Series f4 lens and Profoto Air Remote transmitter to trigger the B2 location kit

Behind the scenes photoshootBehind the scenes shot of photographer Phil Jones using Canon 5D mkIV and Profoto B2 location kit

Commercial photoshoot BTSBehind the scenes shot of photographer Phil Jones giving some art direction using Canon 5D mkIV and Profoto B2 location kit Canon 5DmkIV model photoshootBehind the scenes shot of photographer Phil Jones showing Model Nina Clark an image on the back of his 5D mkIV

Each model had a time slot throughout the day which meant a non stop shoot for me which is just the way I like it! Even though the day was non stop we still created a friendly, creative, fun but professional environment to work in, which I hope you can see from the images below.

Blogger and Model Nina ClarkNightire founder Nina Clark modelling for Organica Sleep Lotion photo shoot

Organica Sleep LotionAdvertising photoshoot for Organica Sleep lotion with model and blogger Nina Clark founder of Nightire sleepwear

Phil Jones and Nina ClarkNightire founder Nina Clark modelling for Organica Sleep Lotion photo shoot with Essex and London photographer Phil Jones

Organica Sleep Lotion photoshootNightire founder Nina Clark modelling for Organica Sleep Lotion photo shoot with Essex and London photographer Phil Jones

Behind the scenes of an advertising Photoshoot, with the model, client and art director huddled around my laptop to review the images.

Behind the scenes of an advertising PhotoshootBehind the scenes of an advertising Photoshoot, with the model, client and art director

Below: Makeup artist Ema Tiller Cordy and model Karolina

MUA Ema Tiller Cordy and model KarolinaBehind the scenes of an advertising Photoshoot with MUA Ema Tiller Cordy and model Karolina

Model KarolinaOrganica Sleep Lotion commercial photo shoot with model Karolina Photographer posePhotographer Phil Jones behind the scenes on a commercial advertising shoot

No retouchingThis image has not been retouched

The above image of Karolina has NOT been retouched, it's straight off the camera.

Below: Shot in broad daylight the challenge was to make this shot look like it was night time!

Commercial PhotographyCommercial photography

Portrait setupProfoto B2 lighting used for model advertising photo shoot

Above: This behind the scenes shot shows my Go-To lighting set up to create beauty style headshots

Below: Model Sian B modelling for Organica Sleep Lotion Model Sian BModel Sian B on Organica commercial photography shoot

Professional model photoshootNatural retouching for Organica sleep lotion photoshoot with model Sian, image by photographer Phil Jones

Beauty photographyNatural retouching for Organica sleep lotion photoshoot with model Sian

Organica Sleep lotionNatural retouching for Organica sleep lotion photoshoot with model Sian, image by photographer Phil Jones

Below: Another day in the office capturing images and video for social media

Another day in the officeCapturing some images for social media for the team with model Sian B  

Thanks to Victor Dormeals for the behind the scenes images and everyone on the day that made it a great shoot!

To find out more about Organica products and to place an order please visit https://organicawellness.com/

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Organica-1868004090179040/?ref=br_rs

Nina Clark -  Nightire The Urban Sleepwear Co https://nightire.com/

Makeup Artist - Ema Tiller Cordy https://www.emamua.com/

Models Sian B and Karolina P from Base Models http://www.basemodels.co.uk/

At the time I write this blog the final campaign hasn’t yet been finalised but I do have permission to share a selection of images. Please follow me on social media and keep an eye on my website to see more images from the shoot as and when they are released.

Instagram Main Creative account 

Instagram Commercial Photography account