FIGHT NIGHT - WITH THE GIRLS OF FULL CONTACT CONTENDER

A while back I decided it might be fun to seek out a camera club at a local studio. Not only as a way to meet new people but to learn new things and broaden my portfolio. However I've been put off some before just because local camera clubs or courses can just be a large collection of old men showing their holiday snaps. Although there is nothing wrong with this, it's just not that appealing to me. However after spotting a poster on a photography casting site I gave one studio a call and decided to try one of their social group shoot nights.

Millwood studios is run by Jamie and Paul Booth and it could not have been a more fun experience. With music playing, the atmosphere was very laid back and casual with everyone photographers and models chatting away. I've been back several times now and you'll see the results of these trips over the next few blog posts. The studios itself is set over 3500 sq feet within two floors, resurrected from the remnants of an old Victorian factory is a fusion of the modern and old. Lovingly restored and retaining many of its original features. It's a very cool space to work in and is packed full of equipment, props and everything you could think of.

 

On the night that I went down they were shooting a fitness style set with some ring girls from the Full Contact Contender mixed martial arts contests, who were after some shots for their ringside magazine style leaflet. There is a large collection of props at the studio but that night we were using mainly the punchbag and FCC gloves and outfits. It was a really fun night that was a nice mixture of socially chatting to people as well as shooting some really cool images. Below is a quick gallery of some of my images from that night and a few that made it in to the official FCC11 Fight card. 

WELCOME TO THE NEW LOOK

 I've decided to go with a total refresh and a rebrand of my photography pages and portfolios. Not only is it the start of a lot of new things for me this year but as much as I liked the Fallen Angel style, I feel I've outgrown it now. I'd stuck with that name and graphical logo idea for 10 years. In a bid to be more professional, fresh and current something needed to change. After years of never using my middle name on anything at all, here we are at Andrew James Photography. 2015 is going to bring about many good things and this is the start of that!! The next chapter has begun!!

It's been a long time since I last wrote anything on here and a fair bit has happened since then. There have been a lot of shoots I've done that I've not blogged on here that I fully intend on catching up with and posting.

2015 feels like the start of a new chapter. I've got a new photographic job that starts this month, a fresh re-launch of my own personal work and a wedding to shoot in May. Along with some brand new equipment, new business cards being printed and a fresh approach this feels for the first time like I'm heading in the right direction with things. I think the next year is going to be really fun.

ON STRANGER TIDES

There are many exciting things to capture at a canoe race. The action, the drama, the fierce competition but I was searching for a selection of images that captured the whole atmosphere of the event. I wanted to create some arty style images so I took along my 50mm lens to capture some equipment. Although you can never really encapsulate the buzz of excitement in the air or the faint aroma of bacon and fresh coffee in an image but I had a good go at it.

SUNSHINE COOL - WITH GEORGIA CLARKE

Here is part two of my shoot with Georgia Clarke. Its always fun working with new people especially on a project like this because you have to get on with them straight away as you will only be working with them for a few hours. Georgia as it turns out works as a part time a rapid responce paramedic and modelling was a sideline for her that she wanted to do more of. She was often modelled as FIT model for a friends clothing label in London or out in Ibiza. It's amazing what you can find out in such a short amount of time. My style has always been to try and be organised and professional but fun and friendly at the same time.

SUMMER STYLE - WITH GEORGIA CLARKE

Looking up at deep blue cloudless skies, with rays sunshine lighting up your face and a much warmer air temperature you could almost believe that this is summer in the UK. Cue the smell of freshly cut grass, meats slowly cooking on a BBQ and the sound people socialising in the distance and you are pretty much there. With this in mind I thought I'd blog about a photoshoot I did last summer during the sensational the heat wave. I'd arranged to work with Georgia, a local model, to meet me at Bramhall Hall Park to shoot some summer style fashion images and portrait work. 

Georgia was lovely to work with and we had a great time shooting several set ups across the day. This outfit was a flowery floaty summer pink patterned dress and belt accessories. In the grounds of Bramhall Park there is a small Italian garden which is where we shot the majority of these pictures.

THE ONLY WAY IS UP

Sometimes in life it's the little things that count. Just simply catching up with old friends is certainly one of them. Several of my friends from university are now outdoor activity instructors who often rock climb so when we all discussed getting together, naturally it involved some climbing. Rock climbing is something that looks really cool on camera if you are in the right places. As we worked our way round some of the routes in Hatherage the views were fantastic and the climbs challenging. Well worth taking a camera with me!!

AUTUMN COLOURS - WITH LUCI FISH

Another slightly overcast and grey day in Salford Quays was the location for the next shoot with Luci. With the wind blowing a gail giving the 80's music video style hair flicks we continued to shoot. Autumn chic with a splash of colour was the idea for this shoot, using the Quays great achitecture and waerways as an ideal backdrop. Luci is great fun to work with and was fantastic arriving with the two changes of outfit seen in the photos. Sadly she is leaving Manchester to follow her dreams of being an actress and moving to London. I wish her all the best as she was a fantastic model for the day dodging the rain clouds with me to capture some great images.