Not a 100% true, but over a year we followed Garin College students to take the photos for the latest Prospectus.
Whether it was school sports, outdoor education, dance and drama presentations, classroom activities, hostel life… we were there to capture the moment.
Check out the Garin College website and download a copy of the Prospectus.
It was one of those days, where everything fitted. Not too hot, not too cold, no wind and plenty of sunshine for a great day shooting out in the Marlborough Sounds.
Jessie Creedmore, Director of The Marketing Department had contacted me with a request for high quality advertising photographs for The Helmsman, a company who offers luxury cruises in the Marlborough Sounds, departing from Havelock. Philip Crothall and his team cruise up to 25 guests in style and comfort on the Nirvana, a 18.5 metre Maritimo luxury vessel.
Philip wanted some photos to show the size and opulence of the Nirvana and the splendid service his team provides. So we set out in the morning with the Nirvana and another slightly smaller vessel for me to shoot from. Two couples joined us as photo models and Jeanette prepared and served plenty of delicious food and wine to survive a busy 13 hours photo job.
Kelly Bryant, the captain of the Nirvana decided to show us some action by riding with high speed through the waves our boat created. I mean, pushing a multi million dollar luxury cruiser through the sea spray is not what you see every day.
Working without an assistant I was totally exhausted at the end of the day, but this photo session finally resulted in the images Philip wanted for his business.
Check out The Helmsman web-site for more info and photos and have a look at the interior Virtual Tour we produced too.
When the The Portage Resort Hotel in the Marlborough Sounds did a major re-design of the website, I got commissioned by Alison and Diana to supply Virtual Tours for the different room categories and shoot additional photographs for the already existing image library. The main focus here was on architecture / interior and food photography.
Timing for the interior photography was problematic as we had to take photos of several rooms between departure, cleaning and arrival of guests but Diana co-ordinated everything very well and we were able to complete the photo session in the estimated time frame. Please visit the new Portage Resort Hotel website, designed by babelscribe.com and check out the Virtual Tours or for example view the Kowhai Room Virtual Tour.
If you have Nutella on plain white toast bread every morning, you might be able to do stunts like this…
… and if you drink Red-Bull you might fly like a rocket.
Whatever you do, please ask your parents first !!
Last weekend we went to the Nelson BMX and Skateboard competition. Some of my son Danilo’s mates participated and I took the chance of snapping the action. Absolutely amazing what these boys can do.
If you find yourself captured in mid air please send me an email.
Here is a part of a series we shot for Nautilus Estate recently. Katy Prescott, sales & marketing manager at Nautilus Estate, had requested some informal portraits for marketing purposes, e.g. walking through the grapevine rows, etc.
First we started with the outside “marketing” shots. Very informal and relaxed. The sun was still pretty low and created a nice light. By holding a California Sunbounce, my assistant Phoebe reflected the light to diffuse the face shadows. We took group shots and single portraits of Clive Jones, Brett Bermingham and Mike Collins.
Next, we moved inside and got creative by using a strong back-light to achieve a cool rim light and another strobe, camera right, lighting up Clive. Now his aura is clearly visible…
He thoroughly enjoyed the posing and did some amazing moves I better not show. Later Brett and Mike joined in.
Although dark clouds covered the sky a bit later, the mood of the team lit up when Katy opened a bottle of Nautilus red and white. The photo shoot got more and more funny…
… and if you would ask the team: Did you enjoy working with Frank ? They would answer…
Thanks Katy, that was an awesome shooting and my cheeks did hurt from all the laughter.
In other news:
Our twin-daughters got creative during the school holidays. They took some amazing portraits in our studio in the Marlborough Sounds. Images coming soon…
- – - – -
Tamara and I have been away, shooting one week on the North Island for two European clients. The photos are still in post-production but stay tuned for some incredible stuff !
For more than two years I am shooting for Churton Wines on a regular basis. Churton, a biodynamic Marlborough vineyard and winery producing limited volumes of high quality Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir is owned and operated by Sam and Mandy Weaver.
Frequent photo sessions as for Churton has many advantages.
- We are able to capture images during the whole year of a wine-making cycle.
- The website is up-to-date with high quality professional images and returning visitor won’t get bored with outdated and static content.
- The photo-stock library grows steadily and has a fresh supply for e.g. magazines, brochures, press-releases.
- Frequent photography takes off the pressure to suddenly find the right image for an unplanned event.
- Having several smaller photo shootings instead of one big session keeps costs under control.
Shooting a restoration project for the Heritage New Zealand magazine, the brief was to capture a variety of images and one “great opening hero image” to begin the story with.
The grounds around the historic Broadgreen House in Nelson didn’t look great with a large area fenced off to allow the new lawn to grow.
So I decided to take an evening shot. Because the building is not lit at night, Tamara and I went out to paint the house with light.
After the camera was set up close to the surface of the little pond in front the house, Tamara controlled the shutter and I painted the building and surrounding area with two hands full of SB-800s Speedlights. It took us around one hour to get the image in the box.
When you agree that the person who releases the camera’s shutter is the photographer we say kudos to Tamara for taking such a heroic story opener.
A photograph I took during an advertising photo session for the exclusive and luxury bed and breakfast accommodation BRANCOTT RIDGE got chosen for the front cover of the “GREENWOOD GUIDE to special places to stay in New Zealand”.
The Greenwood Guide team have personally visited and chosen each place to stay for its exceptional character and genuine friendliness.
These are the places that they themselves would choose to return to on holiday.
Peter and Margaret Foster of Brancott Ridge are thrilled to make it to the front cover of the prestigious guide after just one season in business. I guess they will be very, very busy this season…
I am thrilled too because it shows again that professional advertising photography helps your business to stand out and puts you in the spot light.
It is so true … a picture is worth a thousand words.
