Krystal got in touch, initially
wanting to do an ethereal-themed group shoot with other models. I liked the
concept, and we agreed to undertake, once she’d found suitable and willing
models. She fancied a solo session, so having agreed times, dates, and
timescales, we shot by and indeed, in the streams before changing to a yellow dress
and switching locations. I shot these using my A6300 and 50mm Sony prime lens,
using only natural light.
Michael Stenning comes from a freelance press background. One that demands the ability to take high-quality images. Industrial photography and Indian weddings followed. Social photography led to model portfolio commissions and in turn, portraiture and commercial headshots
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Ethereal Themes
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Carla: Spring Shoot by the sea
I’d been almost
a year since I’d worked with Carla and I was immediately struck by how far her
confidence had grown since then, though she had lost none of her humility,
warmth, and charm. She’d approached me about a winter fashion shoot but then
decided she fancied shooting in Spring when the weather was more temperate. She
proposed a beach theme with a mix of dresses and swimwear, which was a little
different from recent commissions, so an easy “yes” on my part.
After some discussion, we decided
upon Walcott Beach in Norfolk and took a gamble on the weather. Despite being
dry for several weeks, various forecasts were predicting rain, but that’s a
calculated risk with location shoots and just calls for some forward planning
and creativity. I took my trusty A6300, which has reasonable weather sealing
along with my full frame A7 and 40mm lens.
Carla’s bikini hadn’t arrived, so
she brought several dresses with denim shorts and crop top as contrast.
Thankfully the weather held, and the strong tide offered some powerful, natural
effect. Working on location also requires some sensitivity to those around you.
I am particularly careful around children and families, but aside from the odd
curious and decidedly soggy spaniel we had large areas of beach to ourselves. Oh,
and the weather proved equally well-mannered.
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Vik: Warm Smiles & Slavic Charm
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Blue: Tattooed Dancer
Blue has a dance background and approached me regarding shooting a range of themes, from lingerie to full-frontal nudes. Themes I am comfortable shooting, provided they tell a story and where appropriate, capture something of the model’s personality.
Sunday, November 17, 2024
From Here To Maternity...Bella & Bump
Bella got in touch, keen to do a maternity-themed shoot, but one with a bias toward portraiture, rather than nudity. She privately announced her pregnancy during our last concealed boudoir shoot, prefacing this by saying she was likely to be taking a break from modelling.
She floated the idea of a maternity shoot around her second trimester, when the pregnancy was more established and she’d also feel comfortable announcing this to family and friends. I expressed an interest, though left it very much in her corner-everyone’s circumstances, experience of, and relationship to, pregnancy is unique.
We initially toyed with the idea of concealed nudity. We’d seen beautifully captured examples using subtle use of low-key lighting but on balance, decided something clothed, yet still intimate and sensual was the best route. This is why clear pre-shoot communication and planning are pivotal. Model comfort is key. if not, it will be glaringly obvious in their body language and facial expression. Similarly, never try and cajole a photographer into doing something they are not comfortable with.
I let Bella take the lead and as with our earlier shoots, everything flowed very naturally. I chose nature and colour for the maternity-specific frames, mono for added mystery/intensity using the urban backdrop. Ultimately, both of us were pleased with the results.
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Rose
Rose is a very experienced model from a performing arts background. I’d seen her work and was very aware of her professionally for a few years. Serendipity and closer geographical proximity saw us arranging a shoot. This had to be rearranged on a couple of occasions, due to bereavement and other, unforeseeable events.
We discussed themes beginning with boudoir and culminating with art nude.
The graduation is part narrative but on a very practical level, respect for the model. While experienced photographers and models can quickly find rapport, especially if pre-shoot communication is of a high standard and conducted properly, gentle, tapered progression is always preferable. Basic decency and respect aside, it makes for a more comfortable, relaxed and fluid shoot-which ultimately tells in the images.
Rapport quickly established; our shoot extended the two hours scheduled. I shot the mono images with my Fuji XT100 and 50mm 1.8 Viltrox lens. The colour were taken with my Sony A7 and 35mm 1.8 and A6300 with 23mm 1.4 Viltrox .
Saturday, July 13, 2024
One Location, Two Models
Some photographers seem to default to a set location, which to me can quickly become tired and doesn’t necessarily work with the model(s) concerned. I don’t but every so often, make exceptions. Mary wanted me to do some promotional portraiture and related business themed headshots. Krystal got in touch saying she would be in the area that week and essentially, asking if I was coming out to play...Spoiler alert, the answer was yes to both.
On both occasions, I chose the Neptune quay area of Ipswich given the mix of peely paint porn, abandoned buildings, high quality murals and of course, the marina. Though I used some of the same locations for both, I deliberately avoided carbon copies. Krystal and I found a very obviously derelict looking building and steel door with obviously receding paint. She and I have worked together for years and enjoy the unbeaten path.
Mary had only worked with me on one previous occasion, so I was wary of leading her away from the immediate area and where she felt most at ease. Often, it’s about making the best of your environment. Noting Mary had a faux leather “Brando” jacket, I posed her with this Kawasaki. Krystals very bold red dress saw us employ the phone box, the buoy while the tunnel and skate park made effect contrasts.
There were some interesting alleys and features-suitably public but set back from potential, unwelcome intrusion. This was another opportunity to use the full frame A7 and dedicated 50mm prime lens. Mary’s entire shoot was captured with the A7, Krystals a mix of the A7 and A6300 with wider angle lens.
Down By The River With Elle
Elle and I had last shot together at the close of January, so I was pleased when she suggested a location themed shoot. The directive was ...
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I discovered Elle while having a wander around the portfolio hosting and networking sites. January, as most of us know can be a long, slow...
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Elle and I had last shot together at the close of January, so I was pleased when she suggested a location themed shoot. The directive was ...