Radio silence?
Not quite but I’ve quite a backlog of shoots to blog. Eeep.
For now, here’s a quick sneak peek of a recent favourite. What do I love about this picture? The movement…of the grass, the clouds and the dress.
Jodie amidst fields of gold.
Tag: fashion
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South Wales Coast: A stroll by the sea with Marley Hamilton
At the end of a recent shoot, I spotted Marley walking in her Ugg boots by the sea.
I started snapping, she started playing. End of story…and the beginning of this documentary photostory 🙂
Meet Marley:
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South Wales Coast: Of Legends
I’d been bedridden for months following my operation and feeling glum when the awesome Angi Nelson (well known for her amphibian and reptile photography http://www.reptilephotographer.co.uk/) invited me to Wales last weekend. Not yet able to drive, Martin Gillman (http://martingillman.co.uk/) gave me a lift and away we went.
The destination was stunning with sweeping cliff faces and dramatic fissures on the rocky flats. It took some time to get down the cliff and across the rocks on my crutches, but eventually I made it and it was totally worthwhile. Although it had been some time, it felt natural to have my camera back in my hands and as soon as the models arrived, we started shooting! It was so good to get back to photography after being stuck in one room for months.
This was my first shoot with budding actress, Marley Hamilton (http://www.modelmayhem.com/1777728). She bought along a stunning dress that looked like it had come from a set for Atlantis or Merlin – the stuff of legends.
With thanks to Marley, Angi and Martin!
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Hello, sailor! 1950s US Vintage Pinup shoot – Bristol fashion photographer
Everything vintage is super in-vogue at the moment. But vintage can mean almost anything. When I think of vintage, I think of muted colours, decorative details, fanciful sweet embellishments and lashings of romance; everything that every girl loves in her wedding styling and photography right now. But it can also be the bold colours of rock and roll and the black and white of the silver screen.
I’m generally a modern day photographer – photographing and documenting our times. However, there is still something very appealing about vintage photography. For me, part of that is about capturing an age of innocence. When local strobist, Rob Heslop masterminded a shoot inspired by 1950s US pinups, I was immediately onboard. I wanted to recreate the spirit of the emergence of the first pinup age, when poses were cheeky and saucy, but rarely sleazy, from a time when women were women and men were men (for better or worse!) It didn’t help my Mad Men obsession one bit – for all his flaws, I mourn for the loss of the Don Drapers of this world.
The models rose to the challenge and we had plenty of fun. Some of these shots were directly inspired by authentic vintage pinup poses and others were more…improvised!
Massive effort was involved to bring this together, so huge thanks to Rob Heslop and further credit where its due…
Models:
Gemma/Miss Cherry Delight http://www.modelmayhem.com/1663173
BubbleFaery http://www.modelmayhem.com/816798
Adreena UK http://www.modelmayhem.com/1539867
Aavriel Angst http://www.modelmayhem.com/1686082
Kat Stroak
Kae HopewellCars:
Bristol Hot Rods <http://www.bristolhotrods.co.ukCollaborators included:
Roger Barnes
James Bailey
Angi Nelson
Peter TecksPlease let me know if you were involved on this project and would like a high resolution file
[nggallery id=11]
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“I left my soul there, down by the sea”*
The flames fanned by the Photography Parlour shootout, and wanting to learn more about working with flash, I looked up my local Strobist group. Strobism is another name for off-camera flash use.
I really knew close to zero about working this way and turned up at Clevedon Beach to learn what I could and without knowing what to expect. The guys set about their business, enthusiastically setting up their lights so they could shoot the models, who were mainly girls in their swimsuits. Most were more than willing to let me get pitched in with them, which in many ways was brilliant and in other ways, I was in at the deep end! Following a ghastly day, we were lucky as the weather was extremely kind to us with a beautiful sun set to boot.
The models did really well, especially those for whom it was their first time modelling. It was also a good experience to direct first-timers. I enjoyed directing two models to look like a couple in love when they’d only met 10 minutes beforehand and trying to making the most of the flare from the setting sun.
I love to be by the sea and would love to do some more beach shoots somewhere like Cornwall. Although I very much like the pebble beach and rugged cliffs of Clevedon, I wouldn’t have thought of it as a modelling location, but our models bought a touch of glamour and romance to the ordinarily mumsy destination. Actually, I think it could pass for California or Ibiza in some of the shots!
Huge thanks to the Strobist team for their baptism by fire (or flash…) and the great models who were all so accommodating. I was surprised to get some usable shots from this shoot, a bonus!
With thanks to all who collaborated, including:
MUA
Cat Parnell http://www.modelmayhem/1518216
MODELS
HanahMarie (finalist in Bristol’s Next Top Model 2010!) http://www.modelmayhem.com/hanahmarie
Ryan Spong
Iain Gorrie http://www.modelmayhem.com/1701420
Ami Tipps BubbleFaery http://www.modelmayhem.com/816798
*And the blog title? From the Morcheeba song…
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Photography Parlour G2G: Miss Cherry Delight
Saving the best for last, these pictures of Miss Cherry Delight (Gemma) are my personal favourite from the day. I loved shooting Gemma. The combination of her striking looks, amazing vintage dress and colourful tattoos made for a very individual look. These images are my favourite from the day because they have a real cinematic feel, as if they are stills from a film.
For me, the best shoots are ones where the model connects with the camera and the magic happens; an emotion or a feeling is created with the image, a story is told and you want to know more. Most models can smile, strike a pose and stand so a dress looks good, but to convey something of yourself or a character through to the viewer is what makes models like Kate Moss more successful than another girl down the street. Sometimes you have chemistry with the model, sometimes it’s a complete surprise until you see how the images are shaping up.
It was a great surprise to find that I could make this kind of connection during a shootout. Gemma has a great look. I hope to work with her again!
I’ll let each of these tell you their own story:
Credit where it’s due…Model:
Miss Cherry Delight (Gemma) http://www.modelmayhem.com/1663173Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.comDresses
www.vintagedress.co.ukChina and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.ukCatering
www.mcbaile.comCakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.ukFlowers:
Floriture www.floriture.comMakeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html -
Photography Parlour G2G: Clara
Clara is a natural model with a great contemporary look that the camera loves. Between organised shoots, I snapped up the opportunity to get a few shots with her.
I loved the clean lines of the gown she was wearing and the fabulous floral pendant created by Floriture. Together with her mass of curls, Clara had a striking silhouette. The sun was high in the sky, making exposure tricky, but with some care, I got some of my favourite images from the day that really had the feel of a glorious summer day aboard a yacht.
Through the looking glass:
Pausing for thought:
Classic styling:
On the deck:
Clara wasn’t the only one that loved this floral pendant by Floriture:
The beautiful Clara B, who will be plenty in demand after this shootout:
Stunning corsage from Floriture:
Deep in thought:
The fashion shot:
Credit where it’s due…
Model:
Clara B http://www.modelmayhem.com/1417038Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.comDresses
www.vintagedress.co.ukChina and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.ukCatering
www.mcbaile.comCakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.ukFlowers:
Floriture www.floriture.comMakeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html -
Photography Parlour G2G: Sylvie
This was my first full shoot with a model at the G2G. Sylvie is a stunning model, whose dark features and olive skin are a combination of German and Bulgarian ancestry. She was kitted out in a beautiful vintage wedding dress, gloves and matching accessories, courtesy of Vintage Dresses. A bride in a beautiful gown is always centre of attention and this was no exception.
We headed along the harbour then caught the little ferry (with bemused ferry master!) that took us over the SS Great Britain, we snapped a few pics there before being ushered on by the powers that be. The sun was particularly harsh during this shoot and Sylvie has the longest false eyelashes on, which looked stunning, but lead to dark eyes on some of the pics. Still, I like this set of photographs for the spirit that they show, thanks to the energy that Sylvie put into her work.
Photographing at a shootout is a very unique experience, some groups took it in turns to direct the model, in others it was a complete free for all, which I’m sure is good paparazzi training. Sylvie took this in her stride. She is a fantastically proactive model, who was very responsive to direction. It’s always great to work with a model who enjoys being photographed, which is no mean feat with ten cameras pointed at you!
If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.
Ladies and Gents, Sylvie…
Bristol Fashion:
Ahoy there:
My favourite shot of Sylvie, with the coloured houses of Clifton Wood in the background:
Wonderful vintage accessories provided by Vintage Dresses:
Harsh shadows, but I love this shot of Sylvie, strong and spirited:
Sylvie loved to striking a pose:
Anchors away!
The Titanic shot:
Onboard the Harmony megayacht:
Alice in Wonderland:
Credit where it’s due…Model:
Silvi http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1216312/0Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.comDresses
www.vintagedress.co.ukChina and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.ukCatering
www.mcbaile.comCakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.ukFlowers:
Floriture www.floriture.comMakeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html -
Photography Parlour G2G: The Captain’s Table
Alas, I had to miss the beginning of the Photography Parlour G2G in June, but made sure I didn’t miss out on shooting the incredible spread that Vicky from Vintage Teasets, Cake Matters and Floriture had prepared on the Captain’s Table onboard the Harmony Megayacht. A cornucopia of cupcakes, flowers, chintz , vintage furnishings, pearls and whimsical detailing, all set on the handsome dark wood table.
Whilst I snatched a few snaps in between model shoots, I was lucky enough to find Sylvie who was posing for a few ideal housewife photos!
If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.
Without further ado…
[nggallery id=2]Credit where it’s due…Model:
Silvi http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1216312/0Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.comDresses
www.vintagedress.co.ukChina and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.ukCatering
www.mcbaile.comCakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.ukFlowers:
Floriture www.floriture.comMakeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html -
Photography Parlour G2G: Janka
The Photography Parlour is a website and forum run by wedding photographer Rosie Parsons for aspiring pro photographers. The emphasis is mainly on vintage and wedding photography, but all are welcome! I love the articles she features on the site, from first assignment to ‘celebrity’ photographers!
Last month, she organised the first Photography Parlour G2G (get together) in Bristol, with photographers coming from all over the country for a shootout filled with vintage dresses, yachts, teasets, cakes and flowers!
The first model I worked with was Janka. A tall, stunning blonde with a versatile look who responded well to direction. I gatecrashed this shoot halfway through, by which time, Janka had started to take ill. She remained professional and stayed on until our session was completed, but the tension in her body became increasingly evident in as the shoot progressed.
So, she doesn’t look at her radiant best, but I’ve put these pictures online anyhow to thank Janka and the girls I was shooting with. If you were involved with the shoot and would like high resolution files, please contact me via www.marieman.
Ladies and Gents, I present you with Janka!…
A little vintage fashion glams up Bristol Harbourside:
With the start of an unseasonally(!) good stint of weather (perhaps even a real summer), we were challenged by strong sun, but better than a storm!
Kirsten Mavric brought along this cute prop:
Glamour comes easy:
Classic beauty, the Harmony Megayacht that kindly hosted our event is in the background:
Fine weather for a 99 Flake:
Shades of lilac:
Credit where it’s due…
Model:
Janka www.modelmayhem.com/1556691Venue
The Harmony II www.harmonyyachtclub.comDresses
www.vintagedress.co.ukChina and table styling
www.vintageteasets.co.ukCatering
www.mcbaile.comCakes:
Sheona’s of Cake Matters www.cakematters.co.ukFlowers:
Floriture www.floriture.comMakeup:
Lilly MUA www.modelmayhem.com/1075740
Heather Talbot www.modelmayhem.com/1192627
Cat Parnell www.catparnell.tk
Sara Friar www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html