I've never posted a whole shoot before, and I don't know why. I guess I always thought it was a lot of photographs to go through if you weren't actually in them. But lots of people have been asking - so here goes.
I've chosen this shoot for several reasons. But mostly because it came with a whole set of challenges; most obviously the weather!
This is the second time I've done a shoot with Miss M and her family. Miss M and her mum and dad live overseas and were just back visiting extended family. This time last year we were shooting in lovely spring sunshine but this year it was more or less constant rain. We did not have a chance to reschedule because they had a plane to catch! So we just had to make the best of it. I checked the forecast and advised the family to bring wellies.
When there is only one child on a shoot I tend to become their playmate and let that guide the session. I always go with a set plan and have already scouted out the best locations, but aside from that I just let the shoot unfold. I have to be flexible and have faith in myself and my subject and it often works out brilliantly. For example I hadn't planned to walk down towards the bandstand but Miss M decided that is where she wanted to go - and I'm so glad she did. Those shots are amongst my favourites.
At the very end of the shoot it properly started raining - you can see the drops in the last few photos but we managed to have a great time and capture some precious moments. I had to do a lot of work in the edit - to brighten up what was essentially a rubbish day - but that's a whole other blog....
"You've done it again... These are amazing!" was the feedback - so everyone was happy.
Bye Miss M - until next year.... x
