Cosplay is awesome to shoot. (For those not in the know, cosplay is the dressing up or role play of a named character, according to Wikipedia, or better yet, check out this rather good doco on iTunes.)

For this particular shoot, model Cassandra Jane played the part of Shego (in the latex green) and model Genevieve Thomas played the part of Kim Impossible (the red head).  We wanted to shoot outdoors, so picked a suitable location, and aimed to make it an action scene, as the two characters are arch enemies. After several hours of makeup and preparation, we headed to the location. The weather – always a factor in outdoor shoots, but particularly important when one of the models is dressed in full latex – seemed to be holding up, and so we headed to the location, about a 25 min drive from the studio and a 5 min walk into the bush. I decided to take the Nikon CLS system using 3 x SB800 speedlites and the Nikon SU800 Commander for this shoot – ease of portability, having to carry everything myself, and being self powered, since forests don’t come with power outlets.

Another Code Red collaboration with Jeff Osman of Carpe Diem Films.  Again with a team of stylists, designers and hair and makeup shot at the Orchard Room, Red Spice restaurant  in Melbourne CBD.  Watch the credits to see everyone who was involved but our main lady was the lively Alia Milanio. Alia is a singer songwriter, performer and Marilyn Monroe impersonator.  Check her web site out for further details.

A month or two back I had the opportunity to shoot this wedding with my good friend Jeff Osman from Carpe Diem Films.  When shooting the formal photos of a wedding, having a unusual or different location is always a bonus.  Being given access to an Airport Tarmac is a visual bonus, especially when there are vintage cars and planes involved.  We must thank Essendon Airport Security staff for being patient and accommodating while we conducted the shoot with the bridal party.  While we may have dodged pending thunder storms we couldn’t escape winds of 15 knots plus, making it a little uncomfortable for the bride and her veil and the bridesmaids’ dresses. But we secured the images nonetheless – a successful shoot!

One Trick Pony Clothing, based in Ballarat Victoria, is owned by the fabulous Sheridan Bovell.  As a mother, designer, DJ, model and business owner she has her hands full creating her amazing and affordable designs.  In 2013 we headed out to the Perry Sandhills, Wentworth NSW – just about 30 kms from Mildura – to shoot some of her latest creations.  The late afternoons had temperatures passing 35 degrees and the early mornings a chilly 10 degs celsius.  The flies, the flies and more flies… gggrrrrr what can I say.  Even the tropical strength aeroguard did little to keep them away.  We also found some dry scrub bush land along the river in Mildura on the way back to shoot some of her Bridal Couture. 

Saturday night I found myself at an event called Fashion for the Unleashed.  A charity fund raiser for three of Melbourne’s Dog Rescue organisations.  The event was hosted by Sleep Couture and held at the Beach Comber, St Kilda.  Many of the models were Miss Humanity Australia finalists and had come from across the country to participate.  Before the parade several vendors displayed their products in a sea of models and make up artists getting ready.

Special appearance by Emmanuel Kelly, who sang two songs, one of which a soon to be released new single for Emmanuel.  Check him out at www.emmanuelkellyofficial.com.  Several fashion designers showcased their designs and it looked like a good night was had by all those who attended.  It was good to see a few familiar faces attending and all for a good cause.

A “Code Red” collaboration – you’ll be seeing a lot more of these projects.  So what is it?  It’s a collaboration between Jeff Osman of Carpe Diem Films and Mark Hudson of Mark Hudson Photography.  Jeff I would describe as psychotic visionary with extraordinary talent to pre-visualise and work with very little to deliver something greater.

It was  fun shoot arranged by Minx Model Management with outfits by Exclusive Lingerie and Punani Inc. The home was an award winning home located west of Melbourne.  The models were all from Minx Model Management and awesome to work with.  For some of the girls it was their first time in front of the camera and they enjoyed the experience.  A big shout out to Lisa from Minx Model Management for organising the day and everyone else that assisted / participated.  Can’t forget to finally thank Slasha for the use of his amazing home.  Cheers man! 

Welcome to our new web and blog site.  Here’s where I like to discuss the experiences of being a working photographer; the gear, the happenings, the techniques, the issues we all face, all working photographers. I’ve found that reading other photographers’ blogs and the hundreds of hours of video tutorials and behind the scenes videos I watch that I’ve learnt so much myself. So here’s where I contribute to that conversation.

In mid 2013, we photographed a fashion parade held in a Melbourne night club (http://www.rahbar.com.au). We were engaged by the event organiser with the brief to capture the fashion parade and the behind the scenes activities. Night clubs are not fantastic locations to shoot a fashion parade, but you work with what you’ve got. They typically have low and dark ceilings, poor lighting and restricted access. Here’s how we approach these issues when shooting an event like this:

They look cool and can really help sell an image.  Whether you achieve the end result in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or on your smart phone – don’t over do/use it.  Remember to be selective with your image choices and again – this needs repeating – do not over do it.  If you’re shooting a model portfolio or wedding it’s nice to maybe have one spot colour image, but that’s about it and only if there is a image that is enhanced by the process.