Dolls Shoot
I recently had the opportunity to work with a great team including model Courtney Homer, hairstylist Helen Thompson and styling by Susan Reynolds. The concept of the shoot was to make Courtney look doll like in all aspects including makeup, clothing, lighting and editing.
This was a fun shoot and made both the capture and editing processes interesting for me. This set was recently published in Solis Magazine (https://solismagazine.com/fashion-editorial-doll-face/)Link here
Engagement shoot with a difference
I was recently engaged by couple Liana and Daniel to produce an image to celebrate their engagement. But not any image. They were seeking to replicate an image by Peter Hapak of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. These two celebrities had organised a series of comical shots to be captured which shows all too well their light hearted nature. As a photographer, I was intrigued by the challenge. Having not shot much in the way of nude photography, I was somewhat hesitant but equally I wanted to see if I could go close to what is a masterpiece by Peter Hapak. Both Liana and Daniel approached this shoot with the best spirit and sense of humour which ultimately delivered such a great output. I also took the opportunity to capture some other fun (but clothed) shots of the couple highlighting their unique skills as hairdresser and barber. Ultimately, these type of shoots are what being a creative photographer are all about!
Publication in Gilded Magazine
After much work and effort (and planning) I have managed to get some of my best images published in Gilded Magazine. This project evolved from a simple idea to use a red headed model. Following that, I started to study the theme for the shoot which evolved over time and eventually became a combination of a few different themes. Of course I wanted to incorporate my table series into this work which led to probably the strongest image from the set. An image that was difficult to deliver in terms of post production but also in execution. I needed a strong model to photograph in the studio and a good team for hair and makeup as well. The costume needed to fit the period also which involved drawing in my wife to make a skirt and for me to experiment with headpieces for the shoot. Ultimately the shoot for me the creative photographer was fun but stressful. The model Lillian Sallie, did a great job and showed her expertise in facial expression and posing particularly. It is satisfying as a photographer when you get a model that understands the brief so well. After much administration, we were finally accepted into Gilded Magazine which is my second time in the mag as a photographer.
Australian Photography Magazine Photographer of the year
Recently found out that my "Library Series" from my "Table Series" managed 6th place in the portrait section of the Australian Photography magazine Photographer of the year for 2016. You can see my wonderful certificate here . On reflection it appears that the portrait section of most of these competitions seem to be focussed on Black and White imagery. In that past, I have shied away from black and white portraits because my work wasn't strong enough in my opinion. It's a challenging mindset for a photographer I think and therefore I think I need to broaden my portrait work and focus on B&W more moving forward. It's not just about converting a successful colour image into monochrome. The lighting, the shadow, the subject matter, all have to be successfully incorporated. So to that end, more of my work moving forward should push in this direction
Playing in the shadows
I recently shot with a great model Joanne Maillet for the first time after she contacted me for a collaboration. Joanne and I worked very well together and communication between photographer and model was good. Ultimately, the images produced are unlike anything that I have produced before and importantly different than most things in Joanne's portfolio as well. As a photographer, sometimes I find that I have to challenge myself and ask more of myself and the model to deliver something truly new. This is a great example of how photographer and model can work well together and deliver some great results. Lots of this shoot were conducted in very low light with the focus being the light falling on the skin. Always a challenge is making sure that enough light falls on the eyes and this was no exception.
