A Decade in Review: 2014
Lingerie studio shoots to Ethereal fantasy shoots on location in a stunning natural surrounding, in this 'A Decade in Review' blog I look back at my favourite photoshoots and images from 2014
2014
By 2014 I had already created some amazing friendships within the industry and this year would be the start of building my local 'dream team'. I had always hoped to create enough local contacts that depending on the style of the shoot I would have models and makeup artists who would be willing to help me without too much notice, especially on outdoor shoots when the UK weather can be very unpredictable and I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of shooting during a stunning sunset.
Together with models Kelly, Sasha and Rosey, Makeup artists Clare Bradshaw, Kelly Hollands and Hairstylist Tara Johnston, I had the creative resources to help me improve my techniques, build my portfolio and help them build create content for their own marketing and portfolios.
Model Portfolio Build
In February 2014 I had arranged to shoot with a local model Rosey Pooley to update her portfolio. Rosey was on the edge of being signed with Sandra Reynolds model agency and the images we created on our first shoot were enough to show Sandra Reynolds Rosey had what they were looking for and they added her to their books. The shoot also convinced Clare and me that we wanted to work with Rosey again, more of that in a moment. I'm pleased to say I've kept in contact with them both aClare and Rosey over the years and this would be the first shoot of many with us working together.
Below is a series of images I would typically produce to build a model's portfolio. Although shot in one day, we mix up the styles and genres so that they don't look as if they were all taken during just one shoot.
Below: Commercial style image of a professional businesswoman.
Above: A mix of fashion and beauty
Below: Creative headshot of model Rosey Pooley shot in my studio
Below: A fairytale/ethereal theme photoshoot
Beauty Photography
During this portfolio build shoot, Clare and I discussed the idea of meeting for Beauty Photoshoot and local model Rosey was extremely keen and stepped up to the challenge.
Below is our Behind The Scenes Video from that shoot, where you'll see we had a lot of fun and I got to experiment with my Bowens studio lights, Beauty dishes and grids. You can see makeup artist Clare Bradshaw hard at work and get a sense of the mood we like to create during one of our shots. We also look so much younger!
Below: Clare had been approached by a retoucher who was keen to show us his skills, I believe this was the first time I had outsourced my retouching.
Below: An unedited image of model Rosey Pooley
Lingerie Photoshoot
In April I arranged a lingerie shoot with, my now my friend, and model Kelly R. It's so important when shooting lingerie to have trust and confidence in each other, especially if there isn't a big team involved. These images were created with just me and Kelly working together and were produced to build both our portfolios.
If you missed by special blog about Kelly, please click here
In total, we created 3 sets of images but there are some images which are nice to save for just the model's portfolio.
Ethereal Fantasy Photography
In June, actually the day after I celebrated a big birthday, model Sasha Wright, assistant Emma White and me set off bright and early to South Yorkshire from Essex for this fantasy, Lord of the Rings inspired photoshoot.
You can read my full blog here Ethereal Fantasy Phototshoot but before you do here are a few of my favourite shots we produced.
Below: Ethereal fantasy photoshoot on location with Sasha Wright and photography assistant Emma White
Brunswick Guitars - Commercial Photography
One very exciting commission came in that year from Brunswick Guitars who had briefed me to create lifestyle images of a guitar which you could take with you anywhere as opposed to a very expensive brand which you would think twice about taking to the beach for example.
This is a great example of the trust and friendships I had built with my lovely team of models. The project did include a fee for some models but Kelly arranged for her brother and sister to help, free of charge as did Rosey, as they knew I was keen to update my Canon camera from the 5D to 5D MkIII and in return, we would arrange a number of photoshoots which I would do for free. Thanks guys, you were and are amazing!
Above: While spending the day on the beach I couldn't resist the opportunity to shoot a lifestyle image of Rosey to add to her portfolio.
Below: Dancer and Model Emily Burgess
Below: I'm never going to let Ella Walker forget I discovered her before anyone else. This was Ella's first shoot and since then she's gone on to be signed by W Model Management and has worked with some household names, including Lewis Hamilton, Nike, just filmed Fast and Furious, appeared on BBC's Glow Up and so much more. As you know Ella, I'm super proud of you my friend!
Above: I might Holly Worthington when she was a torchbearer at Basildon during the Olympic Games in 2012, it's a crazy life, isn't it?
Below: Behind the scenes video from all seven photoshoots. As you can see I was keen at that time to try my hand at videography and have continued to do my best to create videos for many of my photo shoots. Please check out my YouTube Channel and don't forget to Subscribe and Like.
Fantasy Art Photography
Following my Dark Fairyale series I was asked by an Arts Print to take a punt at creating a similar themed shoot which had not been released on social media. Fortunately for me Rosey was keen to get involved. Even though we visited the same location as where I shot the original set, the results were very different and as you can see the low October light was incredible towards the end of the day. Here are my two favourite images which I've only just published this year.
Above: Fantasy and folklore genre photography with model Rosey.
BMA Models
I had also built contacts with BMA models who were regularly asking me to help build or update model portfolios. This was a fun lifestyle shoot with Saffron which was shot on my doorstep in Basildon.
Thanks for taking the time to visit, you can find me on social media at all the usual places
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I don't want you to miss out on the full A Decade in Review blog:
Part One 2010 Click Here
