A Paperwork Lesson Learned, Working with a Keen Model, and Lauren's Centrefolds

Whenever I shoot a model in the studio, I always get a Release Form signed.  It's pretty much standard practice, and it covers both the photographer and the model in terms of what's agreed and what's expected on the shoot.  So far, all of my shoots have been done on a 'time for images' basis, in that neither I nor the models are paid for the shoot, but the agreement is in place that we can both use the images for our own promotional purposes.  I like to think of myself as a fair person, so I have an additional clause in my Release Forms that promises the model a share of any profits made should an image be sold (either in print or in rights).  I see that as the correct and fair way to do things.

Back in September, I was approached by a model to do some shots for her portfolio.  No problem there, seemed pretty straightforward. But when it came to the Release Form, there was one stipulation that I agreed to do differently this time around, and that was to give the model the right to approve the shots before I could use them for my own purposes.

With hindsight, this was a mistake. 

Now, as a courtesy to the fine models who have given me their time in the past, I have always shown them in advance the photos that I plan on using, and ask if they have any major objections to the shots.  I've never had a problem with doing this, and the models have never had a problem with it either.  This time, however, I had to wait until the model gave her consent for the shots to be used.

So, I waited.  And waited.

Several e-mails went back and forth, trying to get the consent for the shots to be used.  More waiting.  And more waiting. In the end, I invited the model to come along to where I work, and look through the shots with me, one by one, saying yes or no to them.

Finally, the meeting took place, and after a long conversation about the shots, she eventually gave her consent for me to use twelve of the thirty finished shots that I had supplied her with.   It could have been worse, she could have point blank refused.   But the whole experience has taught me a valuable lesson, and that's to always stick to the initial Release Form stipulations!


Anyway, onward and upward!  Over the past couple of weeks I've been developing some new themes for a shoot with a model I've previously shot with, the very talented Jen Latham.  Jen's also a photographer, so she's got a good mind for creativity and for developing themes, and this week we're doing a test shoot to explore a couple of themes and costume ideas.  So far there's been plenty of brainstorming, and a little bit of shopping too - outfit materials and props have been on the shopping list!

Here's a photo of Jen from our previous shoot that I'm particularly proud of, and here's hoping that we can raise the bar with our next shoot!

As per usual, I've been shooting for the Phoenix every weekend, and we've been trying new things there too.  A couple of weeks back, the head photographer Nick Ogden stepped down and I was given the opportunity to step up and take over the position.  Nick's stepping down coincided with a new photographer starting with us (the two events were not connected), and that new photographer was my better half, Yolanda Amor!  So the photo team at Phoenix now consists of myself, Yolanda and my long-time photo buddy Lauren Freeman.

One of the new projects that we're working on this season is an idea that Lauren is heading up; pull-up posters for the centre pages of the match night programme.  So far the posters have been very well received by the programme-buying public!   The shooting for them has to take place on a match day, and so far Lauren's been shooting three players per week.  My role on the shoots is to help set up, and to handle one of the lights when it comes to moving them around.  Whilst all this has been going on, Yol has been shooting away behind the scenes!

Of course, the shoots are being carried out with the utmost seriousness, as this shot by Lauren clearly demonstrates:

More behind the scenes photos can be seen on Flickr here:  Phoenix Photographers Behind The Scenes

Thanks for reading!

The End of the Academic Year, A Unique Fringe Evening, and Working with my Photo Buddy!

The end of the academic year is here once again, and with it comes the annual Degree Show.  Every year the students of Media Production have a strong presence at the Degree Show, with films being shown and posters on display.  This year, in addition to the normal exhibition, we had elements from the sets of three films recreated in our Shoot Studio for visitors to take a look around, and get an extra experience from the degree show.  Pride of place was the set of James Parsons' western drama, 'Violet', and I had the opportunity to shoot a photo of James on the set, along with Director of Photography Ciaron Craig (Ciaron's on the left, James is on the right):

The Degree Show posters were on display in the Film Theatre foyer, as is traditional, and also in the newly opened Review Room next to the Shoot Studio.  Last year I took some portraits of the film-makers with their posters, so this year I decided to carry on the tradition, and capture some of the Class of 2012 with their work:

 Luke Fawsitt with the poster for The Bone China Formula

 Ewan Dyer with the poster for Circulate

 Rob Burns with the poster for Dead Rabbits

Jon White with the poster for Pancakes

The set of Degree Show pictures can be seen on Flickr here: Degree Show 2012

Running alongside the Degree Show this year was a new event, the Staffordshire University Fringe Festival.  The Friday night, June 22nd, was a working night for me, having been recruited by Unique Media Productions to help out with their closing night event, "It's A Wrap!", a celebration of the films of the Class of 2012 coupled with an audio-visual performance by local VJ and DJ outfit bITjAM, otherwise known as Carl Plant and Ben McManus:

The event was organised by Unique Media Production's Rachel Brewster, who not only organised the whole thing but also got the first round in!

After being heavily involved in the physical setting up of the event, the evening gave me a chance to wander around with my camera and document the visitors to give an overall view of the proceedings:

The full set of photos from the event can be seen on Flickr: "It's A Wrap!" event, Staffordshire University Fringe Festival

Today I spent the day in the studio, working with my former Phoenix Photo Buddy and great friend Lauren Freeman.  For a little while now I've been batting around a few ideas for themed shoots, and in recent weeks Lauren and I have been planning a day in the studio, and today was that day!  

The first thing I have to say about today's shoot is that Lauren was an absolute star.  She turned up early, having travelled down to Stoke, she did her own hair, make-up and outfits, took direction accurately every single time and built on ideas to make them her own. Considering that this was Lauren's first time in front of the camera on a shoot of this scale, I have to say that I couldn't have wished for a better model in front of my lens!

We covered several themes that I've been developing, and shot around 2200 shots over seven hours.  I've got an awful lot of editing to do, but I'm looking forward to it immensely!  For now though, here's a sneak peek from behind the scenes, of Lauren on the studio set, retouching her make-up:

Watch this space!