Hair & Make-Up Artist - 4th February 2012

I was contacted by a makeup at the end of 2011 via the Model Mayhem website as she was looking for a local photographer to work with.  Having not done any beauty shots myself, and looking at her work I thought this would be a great opportunity.  We arranged to meet in January for coffee and to chat about out ideas.  I pulled out some pictures from magazines on the sort of thing I would like to do and the MUA did likewise, the good thing was that we were looking for similar styles.  We had a great chat and arranged a date for the shoot.

The plan was to originally do a fitness shoot with a male model, and yes not much make-up needed I know,  but it would have been something new for the both of us.  Sadly the model couldn't make the day we had planned but thankfully the MUA had two models she had used before and they were both available which was great !

Saturday 4th February arrived, again I was nervous, mainly about things like lighting, but I think that is natural.  The MUA then got to work.  I have to say that I have never worked with a MUA before and watching her work was amazing.  An extra helper was on hand too to help with the styling which was a great help to me.  We started off with a 'Ava Gardner' look from a picture that the MUA had bought with her.  I have to say I think we got it spot on !

I took so many shots, just couldn't stop as everything was looking and going so well !

Then it was time to change models and try some other styles and looks.  Again the MUA didn't disappoint. 

I had so many favourite shots of the day I was then in a dilemma on which ones to give to the MUA and the models !

I had the most wonderful and enjoyable day.  There was plenty of laughter, singing (I have to work with music on).  Thank you to everyone on the day.

Boudoir Course - Friday 27th January 2012

I never thought finding photography courses in my area would be so difficult, I only live in Berkshire not outer Mongolia !  So I decided to start trawling through the Internet to see what was out there.  It didn't take me long to come across London Photography Courses which looked really interesting with a variety of courses that I quite liked the sound of.

http://londonphotographycourses.co.uk/

As I wanted to try something different I booked the 'Boudoir Course'.  So there I was, backpack full, and off to London !  Thankfully my partner Rob works in London so I had some company on the four trains to EC1 ..yes you did read that correctly ...4 trains !  One good thing, the course didn't start until 10.30 am so I missed the majority of the rush hour.  I only got wedged in on one train which was really packed.  I felt a bit like a cork coming out of a bottle when Rob pulled me out of the train ! I can't however say how many people I may or may not have taken out with my backpack !

I am always a little apprehensive attending courses as I think ' am I out of my depth here' or 'what if I ask a stupid question'.  I have to say that Martin Gomez and Tony Thornton who ran the course were so welcoming and helpful I felt totally relaxed straight away.  There were only three others on the course so it was a nice small group.

Shortly after we arrived we were introduced to our beautiful model for the day, Cassie.  We did some warm up shots with her just so she could get used to us.

Then we got down to business.  Tony led most of the course in the morning and we had several different set-ups all of which were in the handout notes we were given.  This was really helpful as so often you go home and forget where the lights were placed etc. 

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this course and would recommend these guys.  I certainly would go back and do another course with them in the future ...even with an 8 train journey !

These are the parts that you don't see .....

All in a days work !