Tuesday 30 November 2010

Where have I been?

Well, I've been in hospital recently, which was a pleasant "holiday" away from everything :) However, there is always so much to catch up with when returning to the real world. It's taking me longer than I thought. Apart from a backlog of post production and supplying image discs to models and other clients I have had an interview for an American magazine to do and sort out images to accompany it, arrange group shoots and other events in the studio that usually happen on a monthly basis and, contend with my daughter moving back home ha!

I am now taking new bookings and arranging some projects to go with them. One new project is with model Phexxie Bizarre (below). We are designing a book for publication dealing with transcending the barriers between the alternative modelling movement and mainstream fashion.


It seems, like any alternative or anti-establishment movement, the alternative modelling fraternity created yet another establishment. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it keeps things evolving and in some sectors of mainstream fashion it has come full circle with top designers being influenced by the alternative scene. We thought we would move along with this notion and try to take it a step further.

I've certainly been into my black phase of late and been shooting black and grey, or at least dark, outfits against a black background - I think it really works. Here's a few recent examples. Models top to bottom: Natasha Jayne Heard, Natalie Harrison and last two Mickey Anders.







Although I've been shooting other styles recently, I can see me continuing in the black vein for some time yet - well at least until I get totally bored with it, or someone shouts PLEASE NO MORE!!!!!! 

Friday 22 October 2010

The Craziness Continues

I just seem to be in this mood for shooting series of images that portray some sort of crazy mood. I guess it's not good for all models, but I have been lucky to work with a few that definitely went with the flow - all too easily in some cases :)! It's one thing getting some crazy, fun images, but add a bit of spice or naughtiness and you get an edge to them.

Here are some examples. I thought I would continue to create sets of three images as they are easy to do and provide a means to tell a story sometimes, or at the very least look graphically pleasing.

I always fancy being a successful serious photographer, but I have to admit I seem to be getting some sort of reputation for being a nutcase. I am not sure if that's a good thing or not, but the models I work with always have a laugh and seem to like the images we create, so for the time being at least I'll just run with it.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with Tegan, an awesome model from Shrewsbury. She had worked in my studio with other photographers several times before, mainly doing very serious artistic nude, but I finally got my chance and decided she was perfect for some craziness. She didn't let me down and so easily got into the mood. Here's some of the results and I particularly love the last image, which I call Geckos, where she was behind a back-lit screen.




Thursday 30 September 2010

The Big Sunglasses Shoot

My good friend Sam Knights, who is actually a photographer, came to model at the studio the other day. She decided to try her hand at modelling some time ago and I for one am glad she did. Typical of what I have been doing lately I persuaded Sam to let her hair down and be a bit crazy. Ha, I wasn't expecting her to be crazy with giant sun glasses. I saw sunglasses being worn like I've never seen them worn before :-)

We had an absolutely silly shoot and laughed a lot, especially when we had the moth incident (moth has to be pronounced with mock French accent as in the Pink Panther) - you don't need to know any more!!!!!!

So, here we have it.



Now some with sensible sunglasses - and VERY out of Sam's usual comfort zone. What have I done to her ? ;-)

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Monthly Group Shoot, Sunday 10th October, 11 am

NOW FULLY BOOKED

It's almost time for another fun filled Pathway Group Shoot. For the October GS we have two great models. The first being a relative newcomer, who is actually based in Chester, and her name is SaharaGee. She is petite with a nicely toned figure and will be working up to art nude. I will have worked with her twice by the time of the GS and I already know what good fun she is.


Photo: Colin Grist          Sahara's Purestorm Portfolio 

Our second model will be PaulaJ. Paula is a very well established professional model who has a variety of portfolios covering her fashion, glamour and art nude styles. I have not had the opportunity to work with her as yet, so have no personal images to show. Check the links below and you will see Paula is an exceptional model and I am very please she agreed to come to our little group shoot.


It will be the usual form with the models working 3 hours each and, of course, a buffet lunch will be provided. Price £60 per photographer.


Sunday 26 September 2010

Pathway Club Night, Thurs 30th September, 7 pm

I have now had confirmation from our model Yasmin that she can attend our Club night on Thursday.

Photo: Colin Grist


We'll be trying out a special lighting effect this month, which I am sure you will find impressive. It's certainly a bit funky and something that can be easily set up in the home studio at little cost. So if you want some cool images that are a bit different from what we have usually been doing come along on Thursday. 


Please let me know if you are going to be able to attend. It'll be the usual £10 for the evening.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Productive August and September

August and September have been good months for the fact I have had 3 exceptional shoots out of many very good ones. Two of them because I had the opportunity to work with a couple of the best models on the planet and the third because it took only 3 hours from finding a new model to producing some great images - damn good going if you ask me.


Holly, who is better known as Ivory Flame, is a truly exceptional model. She is well known for her Pre-Raphaelite looks and beautiful curly red hair. It's the second time I have worked with Holly, but this time we created some images that are a little bit different from her norm.










Another exceptional model is Ulorin Vex. I met Ulorin for the first time a couple of years ago at a lighting training course, where I only took about 6 photos of her. However, I made up for that in my own studio when I managed to get lots of top quality images.






Now, the other day I received a friend request on Model Mayhem from a new local model, Emma Dixon. I had just received a shoot cancelation and was at a loose end, so I took a chance and asked Emma if she was available that day. She said she was, so I contacted Jenny Gooding my make-up artist and within 3 hours I was clicking away. Emma was superb for a newcomer as you can see from these photos.




So now it's time to plod on and get some more images sorted and edited if needs be. Probably take a glass of wine too.