British Institute of Professional Photography 2018 National Awards Shortlisted!!

We are very excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for the BIPP National Awards!

A few months ago we submitted 3 folios to the awards for consideration. The brief was for each submission to have a set of 5 images.

We submitted ‘Get Me To The Church On Time’ which told the story of the bridal preparations from Rosie’s beautiful wedding last summer, ‘Dress Like A Mum’ series featuring Zoe Du Pass, Cara Sutherland, Kate Starkey and Laura Randles, talking about creating your own style and being confident in your skin. The photo shoot took place against the backdrop of the stunning No.38 On The Park. Lastly we submitted a curve ball… We love architecture, shape and finding patterns within the natural world. Exploring minimalism and abstraction, the series titled ‘Berlin’ sadly didn’t make the shortlist.

…Buuuttt two out of three isn’t bad!

The awards ceremony will take place on March 1st 2018 at The Ivy London.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me guys!

... Unfortunately the 'Dress like a Mum' portraits are waiting to potentially go to print so I am unable to publish until the print is realised. Can't wait to share them with you! x

The Cotswolds Bride and Groom Show

We welcomed in 2018 with our first wedding exhibition at The Town Hall Cheltenham, The Cotswold Bride and Groom Show.

I set up my table perfecting it until it looked just right. Then I grabbed a coffee and wondered who I was going to be meeting over the next few hours.

Just before the show opened I cast my eye over the other photographers work and went to introduce myself to a couple we chatted, the competitive element I was expecting with the wedding industry wasn't what I thought it would be. It was all wonderful supportive.

The day flew by, spent all day chatting to lovely couples all with vastly different ideas on what there big day would be like. We made a few friends, to name one the ladies at Sugar Bowl Bake who were next to me, my little cake samples went down very well once I got home with a cup of tea I must say!

We will be showing again at The Cotswold Bride and Groom Show in September, pop along to The Town Hall and say hello!

Tell your story your way

theLCblog

Capturing moments is important whether it be holidaying with the family, fun at home or out and about. Here are a few tips from us here at the LC to really turn those memories and happy faces into a story.

Whenever I make pictures I try where I can to shoot in sets; making a set of images out of the one scenario that’s being captured, using 3/4 shots, close ups of details both of your subject and the location. I imagine the potential for an album, a scatter hang or multi frame display… Or that we are making an editorial photo story for Vogue! Joking not joking!

Right so now you’re in the right thinking mode. Imagine you’re doing the editorial spread for Vogue mag, and we’re away!

So with Vogue in mind it brings me to…

Tip 1 -  The Outfits. I always say dress for the occasion and I like to keep it simple. As Chanel said “Before you leave the house look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Consider prints, colour schemes, styles of garments and shoes or no shoes. It may sound super fussy but the clothing in the images makes all the difference to the finish. And most importantly making sure what is being warn is you. There’s nothing worse then that new shoes feeling of the shoes are wearing you!

Tip 2 – The Details. We love making pictures of one another and seeing those smiling faces, but don’t forget the details. Tell your viewer the full story they cannot see the other elements that make that place/ moment special. Show them the jasmine flower you love the scent or the stream with the water trickling over the rocks. Get above and flat style those toys of hysterical colour. Step back and get a picture of the landscape you’re part of.

Tip 3 - Create your own backdrop. Take a moment to look around where you are and notice the details that really talk about where you are. For example in Sicily there are many old empty houses with rustic paint, or old doors or wonderfully traditional graffiti. Signage is also a fun one! Or even as I did this year, wanted to capture the little one with his giant melon, so neo classical seemed to end up the plan!... Propped an old sheet up with a couple of brooms for a backdrop and there we had it!

Tip 4 – Let Go. It’s all very well being a control freak of the elements, but some of the best pictures and moments come out of chaos. Let go and embrace what comes from it, experiment with long exposures or capturing motion, try those under exposed semi silhouetted shots. For me this has always been an easier concept when using film as the shot is made, the film is processed then the print is in hand that shot with unexpected motion blur for example is real. Learn not to delete in camera and look over them with fresh eyes as they may tell more of your story then you expect.