Lisa's TFCD Shoot

As some of you know, we sometimes do TFCD shoots with new/aspiring models.

On Tuesday 16th March 2010, we were lucky enough to work with a young lady called Lisa Murray.
Lisa is completely new to modelling, with no experience at all - yet she took to the shoot like a natural.

We started at bridge end gardens in Saffron Walden. We had contacted the head gardener a few weeks before to get permission to photograph in the gardens and he was more than happy to help us out. (big THANK YOU to Mark Robkins (head gardener) for giving us permission).


Ross did a test shoot, with me as the model :-), in the gardens a few weeks before.

For this shoot we had managed to get in a MUA (Jemma).

When we first arrived at the gardens we asked Jemma to give Lisa quite a natural look, which we thought would fit in nicely with the surroundings.



I think we must have spent about a 1½ - 2hrs in the gardens. Ross started the shoot with some head shots and more natural posses to get Lisa eased into the shoot. He then got more fashion/model posses/shots, which Lisa pulled of really well, considering this was all new to her.

There were a few outfit changes which I advised on and some hair style changes from Jemma.

After we had finished at the gardens, we went to get some lunch. This gave us an opportunity to chat. Before we knew it, it was time to get to the studio (which is actually called THE PHOTO STUDIO). This is the same studio we used a few weeks before for the shoot Ross did with me.

While Ross was setting up lights and backgrounds, we ladies went into the kitchen, which doubles up as a dressing room. Jemma changed Lisa's make-up to be a bit more Glam. Lisa had also brought some fake lashes with her and asked Jemma to put them on for her.

When you see some of the pics I’m sure you’ll agree the fake lashes work really well.


We started the shoot using a white background and a simple lighting setup. We started with fully clothed shots. Again I advised on outfits - we even ended up using one of my scarfs! First around lisa neck and then around her waist.

Unfortunately Jemma wasn’t able to stay for the whole shoot, which was something Ross and I had not foreseen. This meant no more make-up changes or touch ups; fortunately the look Jemma had given Lisa was versatile enough for rest of the shoot.

I ended up doing a couple of hair style changes, which I actually enjoyed doing .... especially when I put Lisa’s hair into pig tails!

Again there were several different outfit changes and, like before, I advised on the changes.
Here’s just a quick list of some of the outfit changes:

T-shirt vest, jeans and pink scarf
Glitter dress
Underwear
White shirt, with underwear and shorts
Topless with French knickers

Ross changed the background to a blue one which he wanted to use for an umbrella shot and a lollypop shot.

For the lollypop shots I put Lisa's hair into pig tails and got her into a white shirt, white cotton shorts and, of course, some sexy underwear. For the umbrella shot Ross asked Lisa to wear some very colourful wellies and just some French knickers (no top). I wonder what goes on in his head sometimes.






The good thing about THE PHOTO STUDIO is that they have different sets as well as different backgrounds.

On this occasion we decided to use the living room set. Ross grabbed a red satin sheet from the bedroom set and I grabbed a fur rug from the props room.

We got Lisa to lie on the fur rug and cover herself up a bit with the red satin sheet. We adjusted the sheet a few times, just to show a bit of flesh in certain areas. For these shots Ross got up high on some stepladders and got some fantastic shots of Lisa looking up at him and some with her eyes closed.



Finally we ended with a shot that Lisa specifically asked for. She'd seen similar shots on other websites and wanted to giive this a go. The image speaks for itself and shows the beauty of photoshop - she was actually still wearing her panties.



This was the last shots of a very long, but a very successful, day. We got some stunning images and got to work with such a lovely young lady.

And, of course, we all had fun!

If you are an aspiring model/new model, are in the Essex area and would like the opportunity to work with me and Ross, then contact us to see if we have any TFCD slots left.

All our details can be found on our website; http://www.campbellphotograpic.co.uk/
You can also join us on Facebook and Flickr, plus the UKs No1 Profile Networking site for the Modeling Industry: Skys Angels

We would also like to hear from any MUA's in Essex. We want to work with as many different people as possible. Ideally you would have had some experience of working on photo shoots.


Before I go Ross and I would like to thank Jemma (the MUA), Mark Robkins at Bridge End Gardens and, of course, the lovely Lisa - Hope we get to work together again.

Published

We have had some of our work published. Most recencently an article we wrote about Pre-Wedding Shoots.

'The Month' - church newsletter

One of our couple's wedding was featured in Suffolk Bride and Groom Magazine.

Our article about Pre-Wedding Shoots was recently featured in Suffolk Bride and Groom Magazine.

Trash The Dress - Location Search

Part 1 - Location Search

They say location is everything.

Ross and I have recently been playing with the idea of doing a “Trash the Dress” shoot with some of our wedding couples.
A “Trash the Dress” is not necessarily about destroying your dress as the name implies, but more about shooting the bride in a location you would not normally expect and/or posing them in a way you wouldn’t normally have them posed on their wedding day.
Unless you’re given hours you would not have time to drive to other locations and set up more creative shots with your bride. Plus, laying down on a beach with the waves crashing over you on your wedding day (!) is not really a practical idea.

A beach with just sand is nice and can be interesting, but I want somewhere that maybe has some rocks that are big enough to lay on or stand on in a nice dramatic pose.
Somewhere with a pier would be nice. Shots taken under piers can be very pretty and creative. Shots out in a forest can also be very pretty and haunting at the same time.


So The Search Begins
The first location we looked at was West Mersea.

Personally I didn’t think it was the most interesting of places for a shoot. Just a beach and not a pretty one at that. It was very muddy looking and plain, with sand that looked like builders sand! Too many badly painted huts crammed in to one location. Even with the sun out it didn’t look any better (sorry West Mersea L).

Further to the east of the island was our next location to check. Cudmore Grove Country Park.
As soon as we drove up, Ross and I thought it looked a lot better than the last location.
There was a lot of land. It had a beach with some big rocks, small cliff faces, some trees and grass areas, a big pond, even a refreshment stand and toilets (great for grabbing a nice hot drink and somewhere to change clothes).
We both agreed that the location had some real potential.

We took a long walk around the area discussing different shot ideas and Ross even took some quick shots as a reminder of the different areas.
Turns out the “Rocks” are actually big slabs of concrete. WWII gun emplacements that were one of our first defences during the war and had now collapsed into the sea!

We talked about the idea of having our bride laying down or standing on some of the “rocks”, or even hiding underneath some of them.
The cliff side of the beach was also interesting and very colourful and suggested several possibilities to each of us, assuming we could get access to certain areas.

Again, unfortunately, there was no pier. But having said that, this second location was certainly better than the first one we looked at. It was a lot more inspiring and there was even a Pillbox left over from WWII. Just picture it; a woman in her wedding dress standing, veil and train flowing in the wind, standing on top of it, with the sun streaming behind her.


After a quick very late lunch at a nearby pub (another bonus for the location!) we drove off to our third location.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve – what a great name! - but we didn’t let the name put us off J.
Unfortunately we’d spent far too much time at location 2. It had now gotten very late in the afternoon/early evening, so we decided not to get out of the car and simply drove around the area as much as we could.

From what we could see it had loads of woods and plenty land, some crumbling walls and in the distance there even appeared to be a body of water with a jetty/small pier.

This location will bear further investigation!

I think the last 2 locations are strong possible locations for a shoot. They’re not to far from each other either, so we could possibly use both locations in one day!

2 out 3 is not bad, but I think another day looking at other possible locations is needed.

More to come, so remember to check back.

Pre Wedding Shoot

Pre-Wedding Shoot: The Real Secret to Being Relaxed In Front of The Camera On Your Wedding Day!

It’s your wedding day! It’s time for your wedding photography and you’re asked to stand here, stand there, twist, tilt your head this way, now that way, lift your chin, drop your chin, smile, don’t smile, look sexy ……

When you first booked your wedding photographer he/she assured you that they know what they’re doing – they’ve photographed hundreds of weddings and know exactly how to pose people. They have THEIR ideas of what pictures to take and they’ve been to your wedding venues before.

Great! That’s all well and good for them to say, BUT like most people in this country your wedding day is likely to be the first (and possibly the last) time you’ll be photographed by a Professional Photographer. And unless you’re a model YOU don’t know how to stand, where to put your hands … “tilt your head”? Great. Erm …how much?

From experience we can tell you that when you ask someone to turn their head slightly to the side, in general you get a massive move and the shoulders tend to go with it!

Then there are those special shots. The tog asks you to climb on the bed, or the wall, or lie on the floor. All a bit of a surprise … and to find out on your wedding day that you’re not actually very comfortable doing that …

As any good wedding photographer will tell you, great wedding photography doesn’t just happen. Great wedding photography is as much reliant on the subjects as the photographer and requires effort, input, trust and inspiration (and sometimes perspiration) from BOTH SIDES of the lens!
Which ever wedding photographers you choose you must be 110% comfortable with them. If you don’t get along, it doesn’t matter how much you love their work – don’t book them! Why? Because it will show in your photos!

So, what is the solution?


A Pre-Wedding Shoot
At Campbell Photographic we include a free Pre-Wedding Shoot for all our couples. A pre-wedding shoot is a photo shoot that happens before your wedding day and it’s just with you (the Bride and Groom). It’s just like a portrait session, except instead of being done in a studio, it’s done at your chosen wedding venues and they usually last a couple of hours.


Why Have a Pre-Wedding Shoot?
A pre-wedding shoot is a great opportunity for you and us to look around your wedding venues together, to discuss ideas for shots on wedding day and to generally catch up with you. Perhaps you’ve seen some pictures in your favourite wedding magazine and would like us to try and recreate them. Maybe some detail of the wedding day has changed, like some of the timings, etc.
It’s your chance to confirm details with us or to ask us any questions you’ve thought of since our initial meeting.

But most of all, it’s your chance to get in front of the lens and get used to being directed/posed by me and Samantha. To see how we work and to understand what we mean when we say “be 10% more sexy”!

It will give us the chance to see what your comfortable doing in front of the camera and how you move/hold yourselves. This is very useful as it will give us an idea of how best to pose you, what you will be willing to do on your wedding day and how far you’re willing to push the limits to get that outstanding photo.

It’s also a chance for you to practice those shots, like dips, which everyone THINKS they can do, only to discover how bad they look when it’s done wrong and how heavy your partner actually is when you’re only using one arm to support them!

It’s also a great time to discover how comfortable and relaxed you’ll be with us!

You’ll know how relaxed and how much fun we are from your initial meeting. But this will be your opportunity to see how we manage to work professionally, yet keep the atmosphere relaxed, fun and friendly.
We meet so many couples where one or both of them say they’re so nervous about having their picture taken, or don’t like the way they look in pictures.
Well the pre-wedding shoot will help you to lose the insecurities and nervousness of being in front of the camera and help you to be a bit more confident and relaxed on your actual wedding day.

By the end of every pre-wedding shoot each one of our couples are laughing and smiling and offering up their own ideas and poses for shots!

We have received nothing but positive feedback from all our clients about their pre-wedding shoot. They have all thanked us, said how much fun they had and, most importantly, have said that having the pre-wedding shoot has put them at their ease and boosted their confidence about being photographed by us on their wedding day.

For us the biggest complement is that they have also all said that it re-confirmed to them that choosing Campbell Photographic to photograph their wedding day was definitely the right choice.

A pre-wedding shoot is the perfect opportunity to discover all these things. PLUS you get some great portrait shots out of it!


How Much Will It Cost?
At Campbell Photographic we’re truly proud of the relationships we build with our clients – many of whom have become true friends. We understand the importance of building a trust between us and making sure we’re all relaxed with each other. Therefore we now include a pre-wedding shoot with every package for FREE.

Yes, for FREE! That’s how important we think they are. They’re just as important to us as they are to you and it really is a must for any professional photographer.

You WILL benefit from the experience.


What Do I Get?
At Campbell Photographic not only is the pre-wedding shoot free, but you also get an A3, framed copy of your favourite picture no extra cost – this is our gift to you!
PLUS, all the pictures from the shoot will be included on your e-shop, so friends and family can purchase their favourite prints as well.

The only problem you’ll have is choosing which one of all your great shots to have in your free frame!


Here is a small selection of photos from some recent pre-wedding shoots. To see more of our work visit one of our galleries at:-

Campbell Photographic
Facebook
Flickr

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