Introducing Alex .....

I really didn't expect much contact from the Model Mayhem website, so when Alex (a fitness model) contacted me asking if I would like to add to my portfolio I just couldn't refuse !

Meet Alex .....

I had already been speaking with my lovely and very talented friend Richard about working together again, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity as neither of us had worked with a 'fitness model' before. 

So, the 18th February arrived and I was back moving the furniture out of the lounge and setting the studio gear up.  It's times like this that I actually wish I had my own studio !  Richard arrived nice and early on Saturday morning (thankfully his drive up from Waterlooville in Hampshire was pretty good) and this gave us an opportunity to have a coffee and catch up which was great. 

Alex arrived around 1.30 and in the nicest possible way 'got his kit off' ...sorry but I just couldn't think of a better way to put that !!  Both Richard and I managed to get some great shots of Alex who I have to say was a pleasure to work with...such a lovely guy ! 

It was great working with Richard as he let me try out his very expensive Canon 70 -200 mm L lens which I have to say was much too heavy for me ...but the 24 - 105 mm lens was really nice and I loved the results.

I even managed to get a sneaky photo with Alex who must have thought I was a complete fruitcake !  Well sometimes you have just got to do it ...and no, I didn't touch the abs, but I was tempted !

This is probably going to be my last blog...something is missing on the photography side, not sure what, but if I find it I will be back.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jackie xx

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 !

Challenges & Opportunities ....

So here we are in 2012 ....I can't believe that we are already half way through January.  That nice long Christmas break seems such a long time ago !

For some of us out there, the start of 2012 hasn't been so good in one way or another, hence the word 'challenges' in the title....I don't want to go into detail but all I will say is that things are sent to test us, we just have to try and be strong and support each other.  I'll say no more  ..........

So what's coming my way for 2012 ?  Firstly, I was contacted via the Model Mayhem website by Melissa Kassinen, a very lovely and talented MUA (make-up artist) who is keen to work with me.  I have to say I was very flattered !  It was great to meet Melissa recently and have a chat about the sort of things we could work on together, so watch this space....

As for the training side, I have booked a 'boudoir photography' training session on Frday 27th January somewhere over in East London.  This is actually an area of photography that really does interest me especially around lighting side.  I hope I manage to get some decent shots that I can post here in the future.

And finally ....some more contact via the Model Mayhem website, this time from a male fitness model who wants me to do some shots for him, well I couldn't say no could I ??  Strangly enough I seem to have also acquired a list of helpers for the 4th February ....I wonder why ???

Until later ..........Jackie xx

Becky & Mike

A conversation with my chiropractor Becky led to the maternity photoshoot today.  Becky knew I was interested in photography and had been doing portrait sessions but had never done a 'maternity photoshoot'.  As luck would have have Becky was (and still is) pregnant with her first child which is due on 31st January.  She kindly offered to model for me, an offer I couldn't refuse !  A date was swiftly arranged.

Everything was set up and ready to go, I wanted to ensure that Becky, and her husband Mike were both comfortable with my ideas and suggestions, thankfully they were happy and the photoshoot began.  I opted for the 'black' low key background first as this was very flattering and I have to say was pleased with the results I was seeing on my camera LCD screen ! 


I decided to also do some images on the 'white' hi-key background and again the results were great.  Things were just so happy and relaxed I really don't know where the time went ! It was such a pleasure to photograph this gorgeous couple, after a little persuasion we even managed to get Mike to remove his shirt !

A really great day and the icing on the cake was just before they left I downloaded the shots and gave then a 'quick' look ....the smiles on their faces spoke volumes with Becky saying 'wow we look wonderful thank you so much'.

That's what it's all about, creating memories xx

This is me ......

I have wanted to start a blog for a while now but could never seem to find the time. Working full-time and trying to indulge in my passion for photography, finding the time to do this was a problem until now.  I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing and will let you decide!

So, this blog is about me and my quest to become a better photographer and share my experiences along the way. 

Photography I feel is quite personal, what one person thinks is a good shot, another person may disagree with.  This is where the name 'Through My Eyes' was born, it's my photography as I see it.

Thank you to my lovely family and friends for supporting me, I know I drive you all mad asking you to continuosly model for me !  I would like to thank some photographer friends whose work, advice and encouragement continues to inspire me, Jo, Graham, Helen, Richard and David (who kindly took my profile picture).

People change, photographs don't, so go on, create some memories today.

Jackie xx