I shot a Burlesque portrait session recently with some fellow photographers, trying out a lighting setup using a smoke machine. Smoke machines can be tricky – too little smoke and you do not see any effect, too much smoke and it looks like the studio is on fire. But with backlighting the smoke, the effect can be really nice.
The model brought along some fantastic large feathers to use as props, which really brought the scene to life.
My personal project I am currently shooting is based on tattoos. Watching the Miami Ink TV series way back sparked my interest in the subject, and especially the personal reasons why people decide to have a tattoo (or three), and why they choose a specific design with the amazing colours and artwork. Most tattoos will have a very specific meaning for people, either a personal tragedy or a connection with their outllook on life.
Some people have one small tattoo, maybe hidden in a discrete area of the body, and are done. Other people have one and get bitten by the bug, and have tattoo after tattoo after tattoo.
If you are interested in being photographed by me with your tattoos in my Leicester studio, give me a shout at paul@paulhurstphotography.co.uk
I spend a lot of time with test shoots, using models to try out new lighting setups and ideas which I can then bring to commissioned shoots. The image above was created using a single strip box – feathered to create a nice light fall off across the subject. A very easy one light setup which is nice and portable to homes and office locations.
Second image above was a bit more complex, with a a feathered Octabox as main and two gridded reflectors behind and pointing at the subjects shoulders to create a nice backlight.
Third and fourth images were created using a single gridded beauty dish against the graffiti covered shutters of the studio, an ideal setup for teenager fashion shoots.
For every studio shoot, I aim to use four or five different setups, with the subject changing clothes each time, so that the end result is an excellent set of images to choose from for model portfolios or portrait albums.
Email me at paul@paulhurstphotography.co.uk if you would like to arrange a shoot.
Ellen contacted me recently to get a set of new images for her modelling portfolio with her agency. I have worked with Ellen on several shoots now, and it is always a nice session to do. The planned environmental shoot changed to a warm studio shoot thanks to the British weather, but we managed to create a great set of images, and even had time for some fun shots at the end.
Professional portrait photography is constantly changing and adapting to new trends. This means test shoots are vital to try out new lighting setups and ideas without the limitations that a client photo shoot brings.
Charlotte is an experienced model who responded to my casting call on a model website at the last minute, and we managed a very successful three hour studio shoot in Leicester creating a set of new and dynamic images which can be translated into exciting client shoots.
Many more test shoots in the pipeline this year.
Not been into the woods for a portrait shoot for some time so got together with model Ellen for a test shoot to try out some new ideas and lighting setups.
Leicestershire is packed full of great woodland locations and its not too hard to find a nice area to capture some fantastic images.
We chose a day when it rained almost non-stop, but the tree canopies helped shelter us from most of it, although the soft wet ground caused us some difficulties navigating through the wood.
I regularly undertake test shoots with new and established models to try out new ideas and lighting techniques in a relaxed environment.
Below are three images from a recent test shoot in the studio – Katie, Beth and Ellen were the models and we captured some great images from the day. I will be working with Ellen again soon on an urban shoot, so I look forward to posting some fantastic images from that session.