About 2 weeks ago I put a post up on social media stating that I am looking for subjects to photograph. I go in to detail about the I Need blog post but to summarise I need to Get Off My Ass and make portraits. #GOYA
This is Sarah who very kindly stepped up to let me photograph her. I kept things real simple and took it back to basics with simple lighting setups so more time could be spent talking.
During the shoot we talked about life, losses and what we have been up-to, plans for the future. It was great. Thank you Sarah.
I have shot a fair few portraits in my time and every so often you get a moment or a look in a portrait that just speaks to you. There is something in Sarah's eyes that draw me in to the image above. Emotion, life stories, something. that's hard to put a finger on.... sometimes it's drawn out of a subject and others it just happens as a result of something said.
Man I really need to do this more often. Keep it simple and talk more, listen more, learn more.
The edits from these shoots will be small in terms of number of images and I will only post 1-2 from each shoot on the blog and social media to focus on the stronger images.
If you would like to help out and be photographed you can find out how here.
To Sarah...
Thank you for your time, what you shared and for being you. My Door is always open.
Rick
#GOYA #TurnOffTheNoise #Shoot
I Need...
A few weeks back I posted the above image on Instagram and other social media channels and had a great response, thank you. Also I want to shout out to Zack Arias who give me a virtual kick up the ass when he posted something along these lines himself. #GOYA
Originally I put a pretty short timescale on this but now want open this up to run a little longer to help out where schedules clash.
Let me explain what this is all about.
I love photography and I love photographing people but at times it can be all too easy to get bogged down with the admin, the thinking about photography, the emails and social media, helping others (which I also enjoy). You forget about you.
Please don't misunderstand I am grateful for my clients who I photograph, provide training for and run events for but....
I need to spend some time on me. Me Me Me.
I need to get people in front of my lens and make portraits/shoot new images.
I need to bury all this crap that is building in my head and get to work running the camera and lights. Seriously my focus is like that of a Canon 5D2 at the moment.
I need to stop thinking about photography and get to creating photography.
I need to stop looking at that effin Canon 5Ds / 5D Mark IV because that will not help.
I need to shoot, grow as a photographer...hell as a person.
I need to do this before I lose my shit.
Easy.. Easy.. Stay focused.
To do this I need to find people to photograph and so I ask you fine folk, who want's to let me shoot a portrait of them and help me out?
I am set to shoot either at my studio in Stockport or on location somewhere (your home, work, shed, man cave, girl cave, car.. where ever).. have wheels can travel.
The shoots aren't going to be any huge planned productions or ideas but more a simple portrait session where I will work to get to know you and make some cool (hopefully) portraits/environmental portraits of you. They will possibly include...
- Head Shots.
- Full Length, Half or 3/4 Length Portraits.
- Environmental Portraits. - Really want to shoot some of these
- Seated Portraits.
- A portrait of you doing a hand stand.
- A Portrait of you lying down ( honestly not at dodgy as it sounds )
- Me just trying to find good light, tell a story, show the person in the portrait.
It depends on the subject, what we come up with and where we shoot.
The images will end up on my blog, social media, some will get buried in Lightroom never to be seen and I hope some will make it in to the portfolio folder.
You will also be given a handful of select images from the shoot, please don't ask me how many images because I have no idea. I will also provide you 1 print of your favourite image upto 18x12 in size as a thank you.
I don't know how long this will run for, let's see where it goes. When the doors are closed I will remover the form below and update the top of this post.
Now I don't care if you are shy, confident, young, old, large or small. Any and all welcome.
I hope to clear this noise in my head, meet some cool new people, may be make a friend or two and shoot some good portraits. Here goes... it's time to Get Off My Ass and get to effin work.
If that has not sent you running for the hills then please can you fill the form below in.
Shoot Sign Up Form
This form is to help me get the info needed to arrange a shoot with out the noise and mess that can be social media. Thank you.
Thank You
Rick
Esther helping out holding a reflector.
Freddie At 5 - He's 5 Years Old...
I first photographed Freddie back in 2010 and I have worked with the family over the years since. The latest shoot recently took place and Freddie is now 5.. he’s 5. Time flies.
It has been a pleasure working with this family over the years and I hope for many years to come.
What can I say about Freddie?
He’s a character.
Always has a smile on his face.
Can be a bit cheeky but in a funny way.
He is also very expressive, especially when you get him talking about football.
Over the years I have begun to recognise when he is going to laugh, smile or give one of many faces he does. It’s been great to watch him grow and capture his personality and moments.
Before we get to the images from the most recent shoot let’s take a look down Freddie lane, including Puds the assistant kitty. (Click on the images for a larger view)
My personal favourite images of Freddie are shown below.
A few images from the most recent shoot can be seen below.
Thank you to my clients Esther & Phil for allowing me to be part of Freddie’s life and capture him as he grows up.
Thank you for reading.
Rick
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Adam Lord - A Studio Session
A few weeks ago I spent an afternoon in the studio photographing Adam Lord and what a great time it was. Recently my head has been somewhat cloudy with stuff and I needed to step away from it and go shoot/create work.
Images from the shoot range from bright and fun to dark and dramatic, mostly because I love dramatic light but also lighter sets that allow for a happier feel.
You have to work with your client/subject to get the quiet and the genuine moments and it's a constant learning process.
The time spent working with Adam in the studio did me good, I need to do this more often.. just shoot to create work & clear my head. Currently June and July are looking busy (which is great) but I want to carve some time for project/personal work and a few other things I want to start working on.
3 Projects. (Details Here)
Bridal Images.
Lifestyle Work
I am looking forward to the challenge. If you know anyone that might be interested in any of my personal projects please have them get in touch.
Ok before this post goes off on a wild tangent I will leave you with images from the shoot with Adam. You can click on the images to get a larger view.
I love the set with the blue background, it was shot working with wider angle lenses 35/50mm so you have to work close to your subject.. this creates a more intimate shoot than when working with a telephoto lens not to mention allows me to get in front of the huge umbrella used to modify the light.
Thank you for reading.
Rick
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