Black and White Portraiture: Portfolio Overview
Although I enjoy working alone, I prefer to work in collaboration with my partner, and fellow photographer, Rebecca Dell. Together we offer a bespoke photographic portrait service, which can be tailored to meet each client’s individual requirements. We are passionate about creating truly original portfolio images for models, actors, performers and musicians. We accept a limited number of portfolio commissions each year, which is important because it enables us to give each client our complete and undivided attention. We both enjoy using digital cameras, but prefer to use traditional film-based cameras (particularly large and medium format cameras), which is why we still shoot exclusively on film.
Rebecca is a fashion and fine art photographer with a BA Honours Degree in Photography from the University of the Arts, London. She is also a Primary School Teacher. Rebecca created all of the images in this portfolio; I was her assistant.
Unlike most studios, we work in creative collaboration with our clients. We typically meet with our clients a few weeks before the shoot to discuss their requirements. Clients are encouraged to bring any relevant research to this meeting (i.e. magazine clippings, drawings, etc). We will then conduct our own research and begin planning the shoot. Most of our work is shot on location using a mobile studio with portable flash units. We like to get as much variety as possible, which is why we recommend a combination of portraits using both natural and artificial lighting. Most of our clients opt for a collection of headshots, ¾ length shots and full-length shots. This variety is particularly important because ‘Spotlight’ now allows actors to upload multiple images. The length of a portrait session will depend entirely on the brief. Some sessions last only a few hours, while others may take place over a few days. If required, we can book make-up artists and/or hair stylists.
Your images will be printed by hand in our traditional black and white darkroom. If treated properly, your photographs will never fade or discolour because they will be printed onto beautiful archival quality photographic paper. We’re passionate about printing traditional black and white photographs, so we enjoy this part of the job immensely; however, this is a lengthy process requiring skill and patience, and should not be rushed. As traditional black and white printing specialists, we’re able to create genuine sepia toned photographic prints (as opposed to imitation digital sepia prints, which pale in comparison to the real thing). We’re also able to print enlargements up to 24x24 inches in size. If you opt for colour photographs, they will be developed and printed by one of the most highly respected professional photo-labs in the UK.
Although we mainly shoot on film, we often combine photographic and digital technologies in our post-production process. Our professional film scanner allows us to create digital images from each shoot, which can be edited and copied onto a CD. If you choose this option, your images will be provided in both high and low resolution, which will allow you to use the low-resolution images for emailing and websites, and the high-resolution images for printing, z-cards and portfolios. We offer a bespoke product which can be tailored to meet your individual requirements. Prices will depend on your brief.
For more information, please contact us.