Loo Brealey Portraits - Sherlock actress portraits
It was my utter pleasure to take new headshots recently for actress Loo Brealey, who plays Molly in Sherlock alongside Benedict Cumberbatch. We met in Muswell Hill on a cold and dreary day but still managed to get a lovely variety of images, including a few in the local coffee shop where we went to warm up at the end.
This shot, one of my favourites, was used last weekend in the Sunday Times magazine, and can also be seen HERE on Red Online. Another image will be used in the Evening Standard next week to promote her new project called Letters Live, a live show at the Freemason's Hall in Central London which will see her team up with Benedict Cumberbatch to read a series of letters alongside an array of other actors, musicians and public figures.
Loo and I have just completed a second shoot together which thankfully were all done inside, as yet again, it was a freezing cold day!
Tuffnal Park Family Photography - Brotherly Love
I guess there's a first time for everything, and this shoot certainly ticks that box.
I've photographed hundreds of children over the years, all with their own amazing and unique personalities. Some are shy, some can't stop laughing, some won't sit still, some refuse to smile (at first) and some are just born to pose. But until now, I'd never actually photographed a child who was terrified of my camera. But that's exactly what happened with the younger of these two brothers.
When I first arrived at their beautiful north London home he was full of beans, excited to see me and smiling from ear to ear. The kind of dream reaction that any family photographer would want to get.
When I arrive at any house for the first time I like to have a good look around to determine the best rooms to take the photographs in depending on the light. I quite often get one of the children to show me around as they enjoy having a job to do and it gives me a chance to get to know them. I did this with the older son, leaving the gorgeous, happy and excited younger brother downstairs for a short time. Son number 1 was very keen to give me a tour and was in such a great mood himself that I actually ended up taking most of his portraits first. He was a dream to photograph, laughing and joking all the time but also a great listener and really patient. I absolutely love the photographs I captured of him, I think his personality really shines through.
It was now time to head downstairs to take his brother's individual shots, but the second he saw my camera he burst into tears. He hated it. In fact, he was terrified of it. I've had children who have been a bit dubious about my camera in the past, and in those cases I just bide my time, show them pictures on the back of the camera, let them press a few buttons and it quickly calms them down. But nothing was working here, he quite clearly never wanted to see my camera again.
But with the help of Mum and Dad, and using the the art of distraction, song and silly noises, I managed to whip my camera out in 2 second bursts to grab a cute expression here and there before rapidly hiding the camera again to prevent him getting upset. It was probably quite comical to watch.
The best thing of all is that he looks as cute as can be in the photographs. To be honest, with a face like that it's hard to look anything but. He's simply stunning with those beautiful blue eyes and that gorgeous blonde curly hair. I'm sure if I photograph them again he'll be fine, it was just one of those days and kids are always unpredictable. It's one of the reasons I love my job so much.
Robert Newmark - business headshots
I had the pleasure of photographing Robert Newmark recently, owner of trendy bar and restaurant Beach Blanket Babylon and of the new grill house and cocktail lounge West 36.
You can read more about his new venture HERE and HERE both of which have used one of the photographs from this session.
Robert is a thoroughly charming man and lives in one of the most amazing houses I've ever set foot in, a photographer's dream.
North London Baby Photography - How cute?
Talk about cute.
This toddler photography session in north London was booked just before Christmas as a surprise for this little girl's daddy, and what a perfect shoot it was too. Such adorable expressions plus she had a wardrobe to die for!
We had quite a laugh taking these first few shots on the bed because she really didn't want to wear the flower headband! I think these were the only two photographs I got before she pulled it off her head.
One of my favourite shots is the one outside in her pink coat. I just love her expression and utter joy at being swung around by her mummy. I also particularly love the cheeky little smile she's giving in the last photograph on the chair.
Brother and Sister - Berkshire Family photography
I think this is the fourth time I've photographed this family and each time I've come away with what have become all time favourite shots of mine. Two of which feature on the slideshow on my homepage - the wide eyed newborn baby lying in Dad's hand and the little girl running in the field (the same child btw).
They live in a stunning barn conversion in Berkshire with ample options for photography locations and even though it was quite a dull day this time, there was still sufficient light to get some lovely images.
Mum and Dad have a very cool looking bath in their bedroom, the perfect place to put little people who like to run off at any given moment. I'm usually on the lookout for places where I can contain toddlers but that look photogenic at the same time. This was the perfect solution and the kids loved being in there too.
This first photograph is among my favourites purely because she is having the time of her life falling off the back of the sofa. It almost makes me want to have a go at this myself.
Bath time!
Can you see the Gruffalo out of the window?
