First Photoshoot

Well after wanting to do a proper photoshoot since the first day I started photography, my good friend Jo volunteered to be my model for the day. So with camera bag, lens and tripod at the ready I headed down to the sand dunes at St. Annes to meet up with Jo. Was good to hear from Jo that this is something she enjoys doing, loves editing photos to get different styles of images, so from that point I knew this was going to be a good shoot.

After 2 cups of coffee and a chat with Jo, we then scaled the dunes opposite Pontin’s (or Auschwitz as I like to call it), the sun was out, the sky was blue with a few little fluffy clouds (an Orb reference there!!) so lighting to me was absolutely perfect, even though this did cause Jo to get blinded quite alot (sorry Jo). First few shots we both agreed did not seem to work as Jo looked in an uncomfortable posistion, so I decided to wander over to opposite dune and use a 75-300mm lens to get a few distance shots. As you can see from the image this blog post relates to it turned out quite bloody well!!!

We must of taken around 50-75 photographs at this area of the dunes, until we decided to then head up to the dunes near St Annes Pier, the grey cloud was setting in so I thought this might add some moodyness to the shoot. The other thing that was setting in was the cold, 2 more cups of coffee were needed before we braved it onto the dunes. To be fair Jo was the braver of the 2 of us, due to the fact I was perfectly wrapped in clothing and Jo wasnt (well you wanted to be the model hahaha). Anyway I took sympathy and asked Jo to wear her jacket while I sorted out how to shoot the scene and within 5 minutes we had it. I think out of 30 shots taken at this spot 95% I personally am very happy with.

A brisk run back to the car to thaw out and off to the last location, but first an impromptu stop at The Dalmeny hotel for Jo to change and then to the small waterfall near Fairhaven Lake. I was getting really frustrated with myself here as I just couldnt get the right shot, or the right lighting, Jo had some great ideas on poses but I just couldnt get the set up to work in my favour. Fired off about 20 shots and I think a couple have turned out ok but i’ll leave that for you guys to decide.

For a page with all the pics myself and Jo both like please CLICK HERE

Finally I want to say a huge thanks to Jo who braved the freezing conditions and also for having the faith in me to get at least some good shots.