I was inspired today by two photographers.
One of them is Zack Arias. Without wanting to sound like all weird, he's a real rock and roll photographer.
"Just how rock and roll is Zack, Joseph?"
"Well, he named his youngest Son, Hawke Danger Arias (yes, Danger is his middle name)"
Awesome baby names aside, Zack is an inspirational person and I highly respect his opinions.
A while ago, Zack set himself the challenge of shooting 10 total strangers in 10 hours.
Today, after months of me thinking "I could do that", I did "it" or something similar.
Before you see any pictures, I'll show you who else inspired me today.

His name is Jonas Peterson, and I've been following his blog quite closely for the past year, maybe?
I read his "About me" page today and watched his slideshow.
I recommend that you also do that, along with very carefully viewing his latest wedding here.

Before I went out to find amazing people to take pictures of in Bristol, I knew exactly who I would start with.

Didn't know his name, I just knew where I could find him.

His name is Julien.
Julien is 65.
He owns a shop or "a sh*t shed" called Garden Trappings
Julien has owned his...ahem...shed for 10 years. He sells plants and flowers.
He like to throw bird seed onto his corrugated roof for the pigeons.
He has managed rock and roll bands, owned a chain of fashion shops and used to work in Saudi.
He believes in respect. He doesn't want people his age to be seen as Racist, he just wants fair play.
Julien is a non practising Christian, believes that someone, or something is up there, but that's about it.
He doesn't believe in global warming, he knows we're not helping but it's just not as bad as the media are making it out to be.
Julien loves his wife of 8 years.
She is called Faye.
She calls Julien "Faye's Fossil"
He gave me some advice.
"Follow your own trail, don't be led by others"

I knew Julien was going to be interesting, I just didn't realise how interesting he would be!
So he's my new friend!
Enjoy getting to know Julien a little.

Thanks for reading.

I love the city of Bristol for example, it's one of the most chilled out cities in England in my opinion.

When Jessica and myself were dating, we'd end up in Manchester most weekends when I was up at hers and I've grown to love that city.

When Matt and Annie said that were getting married in Manchester-flippin-townhall, to be honest, it didn't really click with my brain that we'd end up doing a shoot in the city!
I've been dieing to do a shoot in Manchester in the early evening for years now, it's full of incredible, almost imposing architecture, grungy back alleys and ultra modren glass and brushed steel boxes. I love it, and it's dark sides remind me a bit of Blade Runner.
When we were looking for eachother to meet up, I couldn't work out if I recognised this guy walking towards me was a front man of a rock band, or the guest from a wedding I shot, it was of course the latter, so we hit a pub, chatted about weddings and music and started shooting.

I felt like quite the little Manc, just about knowing my way around the city! =)

So Matt and Annie were an utter pleasure to shoot, definatly very high up there with my most fun couples (no, i'm not compiling a spreadsheet)
Enjoy these (finally) urban pictures, and look out for their wedding very very soon!

Nee-Norr!!







I challenge you to find someone with a bigger smile that Matts! It's awesome!!
Oh, by the way, not that you can see it, but the building in the background is the place where they will be getting married on Saturday!

Can you believe that these guys haven't watched Americas Next Top Model? I think they lied to me!



A random key in the background here...
I very rarely use my flash straight on, but I think with the choice of background, and their facial structure, I think it suited them very well!





Annie has a slight Anne Hathaway look to her in my opinion. (I hope you don't mind me saying that Annie!)

I think this could be my favorite from this series of images;

Yes, thank you Next for lighting up your store needlessly bright at night, but next time, can you just take the signs down for me?




Thank you and goodnight!

I usually learn something from my shoots each time, either about my equipment, lighting, myself, and also usually I learn loads about the couple.
I'd say that this time, the lesson I learnt is that the train from Bristol gets into Manchester at 7pm, and then the last train back to Bristol is at 7 minutes past 7...leaving me approximately 7 minutes to do a photoshoot.
I work fast =)...and Jessicas family are also very good and putting me up at late notice! (Thanks Jo!)

Annie and Matt, you truly were an absolute pleasure to shoot with! I hope you both enjoyed yourself! I had a cracking time, and I now can't wait to see you both on Saturday.

One thing I love about the brits is that the very second the sun comes out, everyone is like "QUICK! GET THE CHARCOAL AND THE BARBEQUE!" or..."Quick!! get some sun tan lotion on!" or "lets all go down to the beach at once!! Hurry though, because they're only beaches in Devon and Cornwall!!"
Anyway...
I loved Sundays shoot. Even though I was telling Phil and Hannah (My brother and his Wife) that it was a terrible shoot the whole time, I had a great time.
I'm very similar to Phil in the same way that he is similar to Dad...(Remind him of that regularly, he loves it!)...in that when we're nervous, we clown around and go all silly and try to show off and pull faces, and basicly act like idiots! Its terrible!!

The shoot went very well though, and for the first time, I have actually been satisfied with my pictures straight after taking them, Whereas previously, I would leave it a couple of days before I start looking at the images to edit them because I "Knew" that I had failed....But then I'd edit them and realise that they're actually pretty cool shots!.... Weird

Another reason why I think this shoot went well is that a few of these pictures made me realise that I have my own style, and I like it. This sounds like a simple statement, but for me, this is groundbreaking! For the first time I'm really pleased with my pictures!

Enjoy these please.

Phils Eye lashes are like, 4 inches long in this picture!

Extra brownie points to anyone who can tell me whats the other side of this fence?



I love being able to shoot with the d300 and a 50mm 1.f8 lens with no flash at 7pm!

I really love doing photoshoots, they're totally underated over here. Going back to the brits again, I think in general, we don't like having our picture taken (me included)...but why? Are we the only nation who are so camera shy? Probably not, but we're pretty bad at freezing when we see a camera! Hopefully the falling prices of decent digital cameras will encourage the younger generations to relax a little infront of the lens! If you feel like putting your inhibitions to one side and having a photoshoot with me then drop me a line! I'd love to hear from you!

More to come later on in the week.
Meanwhile, here's a little teaser to keep you all, and Phil and Hannah occupied!

Enjoy!

I've just finished editing Mark and Laura's pictures from Monday.
I usually would of finished editing a shoot of that size within a couple of hours, but after allot of recommendations, I decided to download the trial of Lightroom2, I always knew that this would slow my workflow down because there are more features, most of which I'm addicted to using already.
When I first started using Lightroom1, I would often over edit my pictures, so hopefully, if I am over editing my pictures with LR2, I'll calm down soon and carry on with my usual editing style.

This shoot was quite tricky to edit in my opinion actually. I usually find it quite easy, but something was slowing me down and I couldn't make up my mind about how I would process certain images.

Anyway we started shooting around Blaise Estate, Bristol, which is beautiful and only walking distance from our home.

As the light started to go, and the rain came in we went to Park Street, Bristol to use the wet roads and car lights and bright shop windows to our advantage.
Next time I shoot on Park Street, I'll bring an assistant with me as I could of done with some off camera lighting.

This Saturday I was supposed to cover an event but that has fallen through unfortunately. If you fancy a shoot this very Saturday (7th March) then drop me a line!

Enjoy the pictures!

I've been waiting a long time to do this photoshoot, so when yesterday came I was really excited that we had great light for the shoot.
Of course, it being the beginning of March and more importantly England, the clouds came, and it chucked it down.
It was the first time I've ever used my camera in the rain and it got really soaked but it was just as weather proof as it was advertised.

Anyway, I loved shooting Mark and Laura yesterday, they're a beautiful couple and we had a really good time.
Heres just a teaser from yesterday, I'll post more tomorrow. =)

Here goes

I Couldn't resist using the lensbaby for a bit, but soon gave up as it was too cold to use it. (terrible excuse!!)

I used a little strobist magic here to isolate Nathanael from the background

I wouldn't usually pride myself on this, but on Sunday morning which was the parents wedding anniversary, I got a phone call from Mummy Hornby telling me that she cried when she saw the pictures and was absolutely thrilled with them! Woohoo!!! =D

Again, if you're interested in having a photoshoot like this, please contact me!

Have a good Thursday everybody!

A few months ago, our friend Mel asked me if I would do a photoshoot with her brothers and sister as a present to their parents for their anniversary. Of course, I left it far too late, the anniversary was today (Happy Anniversary Dave and Caroline!), and we only did the shoot yesterday.
Mel came round today and put the pictures in the frames and wrapped them all up.

We had a few locations lined up, and honestly, we could not of chosen a better (and colder) day. It was beautiful! I've never seen Bristol look so amazing!

Enjoy these pictures!

Baby Sam loves the cake..

I really loved yesterdays shoot, it was awesome!!
If you would like a shoot similar to this please contact me, I love doing them. They're just a load of fun!

Techy Stuff:
Again, I'm still addicted to using my little 50mm f1.8 lens, so most of yesterdays pictures were taken with it, but I loved using my 70-200mm f2.8 lens, I don't get to use it much to be honest, but when I do, it never lets me down!
The 2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures were taken with it. Look what it does to the background and the foreground, it just pulverises it into a smooth tasty puree!...sorry.

Hope you're all having a great Sunday afternoon.
I'll do my very best to provide all you wallpaper junkies with a fresh dose tomorrow!

I thought I'd just share my favorite images of the year, and whilst I was compiling all these images from our archives in the basement(?) I realised that I've had an amazing year!

enjoy these pictures will you? =)

We went to London. London Rocks

Shot a Party...

Took one of my favorite pictures of my brother-in-law, Keir

Had the pleasure of shooting some promo shots for a pub in clifton called the portcullis.

Had an awesome E-Session with Sam and Reanne..

Spent lots of time with Keir, and his girlfriend, Sonia

I do take pictures of them facing the camera sometimes! =)

Spent loads of quality time with my brother and his wife, Hannah

Did a cool E-session with Sam and Esther

Shot a Cat

Rocked a 10-20mm lens at Sam and Esthers Wedding.

Rocked one of the best weddings ever, Ben and Selena...

Saw true love...or something

Sam and Reannes Wedding, What a day!

Autumn Came, and we rocked it..

So did my couples...
Em and Stef

...Phil and Helen...

Emma and Jay...

And look out for this couple!

And of course, none of this would of been possible without my lovely little lady who I love more and more each day.

I think I deserve some rest...especially after using the word "rocks" far too many times in one blog

Enjoy the rest of the pictures from Emma and Jays photoshoot that we did in Clifton, Bristol.
As I said in the last post, if you feel like having a shoot like the one I did with Emma and Jay, or my other couples, then please feel free to contact me.

This was shot with my lensbaby. It rarely creates technically perfect pictures, which it what I like about it I think!

(sorry number 10 for shooting on your doorstep, well you see it looked so nice, we couldn't resist!)