Wear your bra on your head!

It's been a busy few days and i'm trying to juggle keeping this up-to-date with the 1000+ edit backlog from recent weddings etc.

These are a few fashion shots from a recent shoot with Becky, who's been trying to catch us for a shoot since like late '08! Emily was in charge of throwing colours at her face - it was my first shoot with her in a LONG time. This is what happens when you combine the awesomeness of Emily and Becky...

Love this next one! I have a big obsession for close up/beauty headshots.


So there's a funny story behind this next shot:

We wanted to add something striking to the hair to break out of close up beauty shots.

Ideally, we wanted a bow and then Emily shouts "Why don't we use Becky's bra?!"

We all laughed because Emily always says silly things like this. But then she held it to her hair piece and bingo, it sort of went from there.

Mandy and Pete Engagement Shoot

Mandy and Pete are a lovely couple that we met at the start of the year. We'll be shooting their wedding this May, and what a wedding it will be! From Mandy's home to the temple from the temple to the church to Burlington Hotel in Birmingham - it's going to be a frantic day but we're psyched (as always) to be covering their big day!


Blossom this time of year IS FLIPPIN' AWESOME!

Get Out and Go To Work!

Like many photographers, especially those who are still finding their feet or trying to compete on cost by reducing their over-heads - I work from home!

Although working from home has it's advantages (I can work naked...) - there are some serious disadvantages (Family members could walk in at any moment). Currently, my main problem is trying to separate work from home and trying to maintain productivity when working from home as it's very easy to get sidetracked by my dog or something shiny outside.

It's for this reason that (for the summer) I'm considering moving "premises" ... to a local field. You should too!

It's sort of like when I was at primary school and on sunny days the teachers felt like having a doss and getting a tan so they did the lessons outside and called it "Outdoor Education Days" or something like that...

Now obviously I won't be working in fields all summer, there will be days when it's raining/cold/too lazy etc but I really don't think there could be a better place to go out and work.

I'll be surrounded by nothing but open space, silence and nature - which has to be pretty damn awesome! Although I couldn't/shouldn't (but probably will) work naked in public - I can be 100% focused on my work and play my music crazy loud.

You should do it too!

Here's a few things to consider;

Internet connection: Unless your on that clever 3 dongle thingy - Wifi could be difficult in the middle of a remote field. Fortunately I've picked a field that's close to a small country pub so I can pop in and steal they're connection should I require it. (Brainwave... Why didn't I think about just working from the pub?!?!)

Food/Water: Pack some sandwiches and goodies in a lunch box and enough water to last the day. Or go to the pub...

Leaving Stuff At Home: Write a to-do the night before and triple check you have everything before you leave. IE - If you intend to contact clients, make sure you have their details handy!

Have Power: So last time I checked there's a severe shortage of plugs in the countryside so ensure you have spare batteries or near to a local public plug (ie - the pub again!)

It's a bit quiet... - Take some music (PUMP IT UP LOUD!!) or get a friend involved, make the field your office space.

Err - I need the loo... - Without just answering "pub" - it's probably a good idea to have local public amenities nearby. The reason I refer to pubs is because they are probably the only local facilities in the countryside.

With kids? Your joking? - I'm even more serious if you have kids! Although I wouldn't advise this with very young children/babies - most big kids love big open spaces. There's endless games to play outdoors, grab a few games/ideas and let them play whilst you work. You might even be able to enjoy a bit of piece and quiet!

It's going to be uncomfortable - It's free space my dears - we shouldn't be so picky! Millets (and the like) do great camping/portable basic furniture which is ideal if you plan on sitting around all day

http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/furniture/product/095564.html - Table
http://www.millets.co.uk/camping/furniture/product/096188.html - Chair

There's no nearby fields? - So getting out of the city everyday might not be an option, but hell - aim to do it once a week! Or if your not into fields... why not spend the day working from somewhere new; a cafe, bar, from a high viewpoint, or just under a friggin' tree!

The whole idea of this is to make the most of our week long summer and to improve productivity in a new environment!

Shooting Hannah...

Last week I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite clients, Hannah, a local aspiring model & presenter. The great thing about working with models is that they usually have their finger on the pulse in terms of knowing what kind of images are going to "sell" them. Certain styles of photography come and go out of fashion, so for Hannah, it's important that her images stay recent and up-to-date, same goes for me.

I won't go into another rant about how much I hate studio work - but if it's for something unique/different - I kind of like it. Being able to experiment again is a great feeling. The following set of images are my faves from the shoot.

Also loving this black and white image which is pretty much straight out of camera.

Got Milk?
And then we went and spoiled it all and did this... My job is so boring. I dunno what the blog has done to this last image but it looks better big... Obviously.

Bridgenorth!

We love days out to Bridgenorth, and this time it just happened to coincide with a lovely sunny bank holiday Monday. Less talk more pictures...


Danis Dad knows this guy in Bridgenorth and we stopped for a chat. He had this amazing Dog. I asked if he'd mind me taking a photo of her and he warned me that she hates the sound of the shutter. I laughed, thinking nothing of it, I snapped and I was nearly pounced on as she went into a rage.

I found it hilarious.

We also met this little cat who loved the camera. I'm gutted this is horribly out of focus but I sort of like it because it makes me remember how intrigued she was with watching the inner workings of the lens.


I didn't get chance to ask but...



Back home, I caught with some more of Danis cats. This is my Coco and her "Ready to pounce" face. Note that she pulls back her ears to decrease any wind resistance.

1000 Things For Kids To Do In The Holidays

Back in January (I think?) I was asked to join Laura Joy Godwins talented group of children in Bournville to grab a few photographs of them "doing their thing" for TimeOuts new book - "1000 Things For Kids To Do In The Holidays".

I've already flicked through most of the book and promise that this book is not just for kids; building a kite, making a scare crow or baking ginger bread men all sound like my idea of a great time! Then again, i'm a child at heart.

A child that is due to get married in a few weeks time and runs his own business - eek, Dani should be worried.

Here's a selection of photos of the book and the images that made the final print.



The book is available from most high street book stores from 7th May this year and available for just £8.99 (exc. P+P) from Play.com, a direct link can be found below.

http://alturl.com/zavk

Happy Easter by the way everyone!

Meet Our New Team Member...

After much consideration, we finally gave into temptation last week and brought the new Canon 5D mk2. After just a week of using it, Dani is getting more and more concerned that I may actually run away with the camera and live happily ever after.

But seriously I don't know how I managed without it. Churches are dark places as we found out last weekend at Becky and Lees wedding and being able to shoot at around 2000/3200+ is a friggin' lifesaver.

However, we have not named him/her yet so we're opening it up to suggestion from you guys!

Spring time!

So spring only means one thing at CBM HQ. Engagement sessions!
We've booked close on 40 weddings for 2009 which kinda kicked our target of 15 in both bum cheeks.

Meet Claire and Karl! Just one of our lovely couples booked in for this summer. Their wedding is just round the corner and we can't wait to cover their day because it's another wedding at the same venue that me and Dani will be getting married at this Summer, did I mention that they're also a lovely bunch and Claire will be 7 months pregnant with baby number 2 by the wedding day? Awesome!

Anyway, enough jibber jabber, I'm here to take photos right?


Cuteness alert!

An Evening With Lionel Richie

I was lucky enough to be invited along to shoot Lionel Richie at Birminghams LG Arena on his "Just Go" tour. This was my first live gig shoot at the NEC and I was actually feeling pretty nervous about the whole thing. Partly because I am rubbish at catching trains and partly because... It was friggin' Lionel Richie. Even if you don't like his music, there is no denying that this man is a music legend.

There are times when I'm shooting and I sort of forget that I'm taking photos and I start thinking about the subject - last night was one of those moments. Looking through the viewfinder and seeing Lionel Richie shaking his crotch and pointing in your direction is..... an experience.

Thankfully my nerves went away the moment I hit the first exposure and we got some decent shots. Some of which will be getting printed very soon for our walls :)