Saturday 31 December 2011

2011 review of my year



2011 I decided to put effort into shooting more as its so easy to become distracted or disheartened. I have summed up what I got up to during 2011 by month. I like the idea of this as it gives me a quick over guide to my year so I can see what I have achieved and where I could have done better.

January-
Following on from my shoot for radia magazine late december I decided to use this month to think of ideas to shoot and noted down inspiration and decided to plan out when I would shoot what but as I learned sometimes this doesn't always go to plan.

February -
I approached people in boutiques, fashion designers, models, makeup artists, places/ locations and other creatives. Noted down which would work well with who according to my previous ideas.

March-
I started off contacting people and connecting on twitter- its a great place to interact and communicate with or creatives.
From this the lovely Jessica Fox who plays Nancy in Hollyoaks agreed to work with me on a photo shoot. We went to Great John st Hotel in Manchester which was lovely. We used the room setting for a shoot with the giant whimsical bed and the grandness of the room. Jessica was lovely to work with and Sian Louise Auld mua as always, as was Nic Cole styling & John C Taylor assisting.

I also worked with Rebecca Cordell for the first time that month, I had wanted to work with her for a while and as predicted I got some beautiful shots of her even though it was a quick test with no mua and I did the styling. It was a beautiful hot day to.


April -
This month was all about the holiday to Italy I had planned with mum and dad which was a great get away and a good inspiration for future shoots as I saw an exotic side to work on.

May -
Myself and John shot some beauty for the girls Sian and Robyn at So Coco Rouge, we had the pleasure of working with Katy and Felix from Boss model management.
The launch of So Coco Rouge was finally in the mix on this month, me and John covered the event with another photographer Matt. We met the models and were to work on future shoots with them.
I also had a small image printed in Vogue which for me was pretty amazing. Was really happy about this, it was from a past shoot with Carly Petitt Taylor as they featured her jewellery in the magazine.

June -
I bought myself an instant polaroid camera to take some vintage looking pics and behind scenes.
I also tried experimenting with film again on a shoot with Chloe Lloyd who I hadn't shot with since 2009.

I also worked with a client looking for a model portfolio in which I worked with Shona Murdoch aspiring model.


July-
This month I had shoots coming up but people could not come or had to cancel so was to reschedule shoots. Still was taking inspiration and writing down new ideas throughout the months.

August -
Myself and John C Taylor helped out assisting with Phil Scott at London studio http://www.hoxtonstreetstudios.co.uk/
Phil was photographing amber from Made in Chelsea the TV program and they filmed this. This was a very interesting experience and I enjoyed the buzz of creative London that day.


I then went on to using Miller Park in Preston as a backdrop for a summer exotic looking shoot with Italy inspiration in mind. I worked with a model who collaborated with So Coco Rouge as well as Sian mua. Using the Diana Dreamer instant cam as well was interesting to try out to.
I also tried video for the first time on my camera on this shoot.

I think it would be better editing in a better video editing software and video file converter as it is a little jumpy but waited till I was getting a Mac at the end of the year.

september -
it seems the weather got worse during this period as a few shoots got cancelled due to rain, I made use of contacting people on the who is testing website to, glad I got accepted onto the site as there are a lot of talented creatives listed.

I tried another shoot working with two models on a test with boss model management, I started out with a really imaginative idea, did some online research of the location. Nic rang and asked about the place. The online images of the location looked fine, we got there and realised we should have physically checked out the location but unfortunately hadn't had the time before hand. The park was bare, it had been pouring down but we mangled to get shooting when the rain had given us a break. The boats were in fact completely different looking to the images on the website and when we asked why apparently the images hadn't been updated in 30yrs.. so that was my lesson learned, in the end through after searching we managed to find some nice sections.
For this shoot we worked with Angela Ford fashion designer who made some beautiful pieces, really unusual and feminine.

October-
I was quite pleased I had got the front cover in a european jewellery trade magazine 'Edelmetaal magazine'. Again from the photo shoot with Carly Petitt Taylor's jewellery.

I also finaly got to work with Jayn from the steals, we went back to her recording studio to pick out clothing and makeup etc and headed to a place in Hebden Bridge to shoot some folky/ hippy shots for Jayn and some more whimsical ones for my portfolio which I couldn't help doing with how magic her hair looks.
I found a new technique I liked. Keeping the lens soft to make a more hazy feel in places.


November -
I arranged to work with fashion designer barksdale studio in 2012 and booked to go to New York to shoot this editorial of her designs for a magazine she is also involved in. Very excited to be working with her she is very talented I love her creativeness in her pieces and I am looking forward to working internationally.

I also met up with creatives props team 'Strange Case' in Liverpool to discuss shoots to come in 2012 they are lovely and look forward to collaborating with them.

December -

I had been arranging this shoot for a while also with rebecca again as she is a pleasure to work with. I have said I wanted to work with autumn leaves for the past 5 yrs but had not got round to it. I had to dry these leaves out for a week before shooting. Good job we did it in studio as it was rainy/ windy/ hail weather outside. This gave a much nicer relaxed atmosphere to the shots and nice studio lighting. For this I went to velocity studios in Coppull who were very welcoming and helpful.


Overall I set out to shoot more which I defiantly did. Though it feels like I did more than what is shown at the end. I think this is because I organised a lot and did a lot of research yet had to cancel a lot of shoots for one reason or another most of the time out of my hands. I only tend to have one day every weekend to shoot so it is difficult as well as having other arrangements. I aim to shoot more again next year and submit a lot more editorials to magazines etc and push myself with more people and places and experimentally technically and creatively.

There are shoots I will be working on in 2012 that had been cancelled in 2011, I am looking forward to the Lancashire Life magazine fashion editorial. Also fashion photography and blogging for Lancashire magazine.

Thanks all for following my work it is much appreciated.

Mandy
XX

Friday 30 December 2011

End of 2011

This year has gone really fast, I have met some really lovely people who I would love to work with again. I am also looking forward to collaborating with new people in various places in the near future.

This year has ended on a very sad note and thinking of everyone going through this difficult time. You will always be in our thoughts Liam. x

Sunday 11 December 2011

Rebecca Cordell autumn shoot






Rebecca is a lovely model from Industry people models Manchester, as is Collette also from the same agency, they did a great job and John C Taylor helped me out assisting, leaves were everywhere in the studio but had fun using them! We went to Velocity studio in Coppull Mill, everyone was really friendly and welcoming and very helpful to.


Friday 25 November 2011

New York

So I am off to New York in march - looking forward to working with Barksdale studio on a shoot over there. Been in touch with model agencies, now to plan and organize. We are staying central Times square so possibly in that area or nearby at central park!

Friday 11 November 2011

Planning more shoots

I have lots I want to do from going to New York to having crazy props in my images. Looking forward to working with gorge models and magazines. Soon to be shooting for Lancashire life I have lots to sort out. I think most things will be starting after the new year in 2012 lots more ideas/ techniques and entry's into mags. This year has gone to fast can't believe today is the 11-11-11 already and still not done as many shoots as I would like. Due to weather or cancellations I have had a lot of shoots postponed or rescheduled and got slightly backlogged but soon free to shoot again. If any boutiques or creatives would like to get involved in anything just let me know I will be happy to collaborate. :)


Wednesday 9 November 2011

Images from Angel Ford clothing shoot

Images from the shoot with Olivia and Stephanie: Great models Stephanie Slater and Olivia Walker from Boss models worked well together, the theme was partly inspired by film 'The secret Garden' The clothing by Angela Ford contributed well as it was bright/ colourful, soft and flows with any breeze which added an extra feminine and whimsical feel to the shots.

Lucy Austin the make-up artist was fab and thanks to John C Taylor for helping out as well as Nic Cole dressing and directing.

A lovely bunch to work with!

Monday 7 November 2011

Strange Case Collective

Met up with Strange Case Collective on sunday in Liverpool they are both such lovely girls and a pleasure to be working with them soon. We seem to have the same ideas which is good.
Also there is an Alice in Wonderland exhibition on at the Tate at the moment which would be interesting to look at.

Thursday 3 November 2011

Jayn shoot from The Steals




I collaborated with Jayn from The steals last weekend at Hebden Bridge. I found out a new technique that I enjoyed trying out. Soft and blurred look and I will be trying this technique out again hopefully soon. Love Jayn's look with her beautiful face shape and long red hair I find her enchanting (looks & voice), would love to work with Jayn again sometime.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Edelmetaal Magazine



Another image from the Carly Petitt Taylor photo shoot had been used, this time on the cover of this months Edelmetaal Magazine which is a jewellery trade magazine in the Netherlands.

We are looking to work on another photo shoot together with Carly's jewellery within the next couple of months.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

September shoot

On this shoot we were working with Angela Ford dresses we used the lovely models Olivia Walker and Stephanie Slater from Boss model management in Manchester.

We went to Burnley to shoot in the park. We had originally planned for boats but they had changed them and they were different when we got there so stayed with on land ideas!

We will be using more Angela Ford clothing in shoots to come. Lucy Austin did a great job on make-up from So Coco Rouge. Nic Cole helped style and direct. John Taylor helped reflect all the light we could find that day and kindly drove us. We got the lovely hydrangea flowers from The Secret Garden flower shop in Preston.

Saturday 24 September 2011

Who is testing

I have been on who is testing since the beginning of August. I checked my junk folder today and realised that all the creatives that have been messaging me the emails have gone straight to my junk and only can access the last week. Anyone that messaged me previous to this has unfortunately been auto deleted as I didn't know.

If I have not replied this is the most likely scenario. I will now keep a check on this!
Please email again if anyone has any questions and sorry for the inconvenience. X


http://whoistesting.com/list.php?showID=1391

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Ideas ready to shoot

It has been to long since I did a photo shoot. It seems the more I plan the more gets cancelled due to various reasons.. mainly weather! Hoping the next weekend after my break away I can get back into it. Got so many ideas stuck in my head, ready to be put into photos! The year seems to be flying by.

Monday 29 August 2011

Creamfields 2011








Got back from creamfields last night - shattered, so glad its a bank holiday monday. :D

Lots of mud but it was lots of fun. We watched:
Katy B
Magnetic man
Calvin harris
Benny Benassi
Chemical brothers
Josh Wink
Example
David Guetta

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Phil Scott







This weekend I went to London with John to assist Phil Scott photographer shooting Made in Chelsea Amber- The stylist created some amazing head pieces which Amber modelled. Hoxton street studios Blossom studio 3 we were in and it was nice- enjoyed the day it was interesting. Especially when the film crew came with another cast member it was interesting to see how it all went together and worked out/ direction etc. be great to watch back in sept. The hair and makeup worked well to- I think the team did a really good job. Look forward to seeing the results.

There was also a drama being filmed across the street called call the midwife for ITV based around 1950's style it was great watching them all acting and dressed as there characters.

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Tim Walker

Tim Walker my photographer choice for inspiration.



Tim Walkers work has been an inspiration from the word go. From the contrasts and amazing props to the techniques and stunning vision. This image in itself shows the simple forms of contrast in shapes and it works beautifully.

I recently bought Pictures off my friend and just a quick flick through puts so many creative ideas into my head to shoot.


This image is a contrast of a different kind keeping in with grandeur of the image but contrasting man made mansion with nature - fairytale white horse indoors. Placing the two things together isn't something of reality more the unnatural and obscure and that's what makes us stop and look.



He likes to push things that little further, I love that. When I was choosing which Tim Walker images to put on here I found it hard to decide as each one pops out at me for different reasons.

I can relate to his work as they are playful, dreamy and unusual a little like myself!
If I dig right into my reasons for him being the main inspiration to me it would be these fairytale-esque images are escapism, maybe like going to sleep. Dreaming of all the things you can do - (As they are so contrasting like something you might only dream about) nothing is quite so serious or matters as much. All becomes available when you look at his work, its like a window with a view into this fantasy world, looking away from life's issues.



Like being a child again were the obscure makes sense and anything is possible - this is the world I want to live in. I want to create another window into my own dreams and childlike thoughts to show the world doesn't have to be so black and white.