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Feeling a bit nostalgic, so thought I'd share some photos from when I got involved in model photography. The idea of having somebody, other than myself, who wanted to be in front of the camera, was one that really did a improve my skill and confidence.
Feeling a bit nostalgic, so thought I'd share some photos from when I got involved in model photography. The idea of having somebody, other than myself, who wanted to be in front of the camera, was one that really did a improve my skill and confidence.
Nowhere else to start but with Sinopa. I was very fortunate to start off with somebody who had experience both sides of the camera, was patient with me, and was, let's face some facts, bloody gorgeous.
My second shoot almost didn't happen. Hannah was over an hour late. If this had been a social arrangement I'd have gone home, but professionalism made me persist. I'm pleased I waited.
Photoshoot 3, and this time I was the experienced one, if only just. I don't think our model had any desire to be in the industry, but just wanted some nice photos.
It was on this shoot that I started to learn how to direct a model. It was a great experience for me.
It was on this shoot that I started to learn how to direct a model. It was a great experience for me.
If I'm honest, I'll admit that I was a little intimidated by Arabella at first. She had a killer portfolio and was clearly a professional at the top of her game.
As it turns out she was a really nice person too. So much fun to get on with, and loves tea (almost) as much as I do.
As it turns out she was a really nice person too. So much fun to get on with, and loves tea (almost) as much as I do.
Everything clicked on photoshoot 5. The model and I just seem to fall into a collaborative creative space together. These images really did help lift my fledgling portfolio to another level.
Camera kit got covered in sand. Cost £300 to repair. Worth every penny.
Camera kit got covered in sand. Cost £300 to repair. Worth every penny.
Photoshoot 6 was also a load of fun, right up until the time I let a heavy light-stand fall on the model's head. Fortunately she wasn't hurt, but an important safety lesson was learned.
A shoot that was as much fun in the planning as it was in the execution.
A shoot that was as much fun in the planning as it was in the execution.
Photoshoot 7 was with Harley. We'd spoken on line, and decided to wing it. We just turned in Manchester's Northern Quarter and made it up as we went along.
Great fun, with a person who taught me a great deal about life and became a good friend.
Great fun, with a person who taught me a great deal about life and became a good friend.
Up in Scotland for photoshoot 8. The model, Sarah, was in on the Lynx adverts where a guy is chased by hundreds of Amazonian women on the beach. She even brought Mia with her for the shoot. Mia is the one in the black and white spots.
Our model Ella was only 16 at the time of this shoot. I was actually older than her mum who came along for the shoot too.
Despite her young age, Ella actually taught me a very valuable life lesson as my confidence crashed before the shoot, and she helped rebuild it.
Despite her young age, Ella actually taught me a very valuable life lesson as my confidence crashed before the shoot, and she helped rebuild it.
Photoshoot 10, and I made several mistakes. The model was great, loads of fun, and ridiculously beautiful - all the mistakes were mine.
Complacency had set in, and I thought I was better than I actually was. I didn't try hard enough to create good photos.
Complacency had set in, and I thought I was better than I actually was. I didn't try hard enough to create good photos.
Photoshoot 11 was really good for me. The model was so easy going, super creative, and very supportive. We got on well, despite her flashing her stocking tops at me without permission.
Back up in Scotland for photoshoot 12, and my second shoot with Sinopa. She'd had a cancellation and I had a free afternoon, so we ran about the moors creating photos. It was good to work with this wonderful human being again now that I had a bit more experience under my belt.
Photoshoot 13 and a chance to play in a studio again. The studio owner told us nobody ever wanted the yellow backdrop so we decided to unroll it, get Becky in her most colourful wig, and have fun.
Photoshoot 14 and models are starting to seek me out now. I'm making a name for myself as somebody who isn't a complete pain in the arse to work with and doesn't take himself too seriously. I like this.
Back on another beach, but this time I'm looking after my kit a bit better.
Back on another beach, but this time I'm looking after my kit a bit better.
Photoshoot 15 and trip to the woods. We took some smoke grenades with us, and I experimented with portable on location lighting, but I'm going to share this picture as I like portraits and it's my tweet.
Remember I said I'd tipped a light-stand on to a model's head? Well perhaps it did cause some damage because agreed to work with me again. This time we had expert assistance in the form of her husband, who is one of the nicest men I've ever met, and an ace photographer.
Losing count now. Think this is photoshoot 17.
Another example of model's chasing me down. This lady's portfolio was mostly of the artistic nude style. My style was getting defined as "pretty portraits in the park", and this is what she wanted. I was happy to oblige.
Another example of model's chasing me down. This lady's portfolio was mostly of the artistic nude style. My style was getting defined as "pretty portraits in the park", and this is what she wanted. I was happy to oblige.
Photoshoot 18 was such a laugh. This model was branching out into photography, so half way through the shoot we swapped places and she got to take some pictures of me. Think she was desperate for a model.
Photoshoot 19, and a third photoshoot with Sinopa. She's probably getting sick of the site of me now. To teach me a lesson she put on a latex dress and frightened the life of me. 
Photoshoot 20 and I'm helping a young model build up her portfolio. A fellow Scouser we hit it off straight away. She wanted to be all mean and moody, but I kept making he laugh. I'm awful like that.
Another Scouser for photoshoot 21. We did a few raunchy poses and some wholesome autumnal cardigan photos too.
Lots of rain for photoshoot 22. We did manage to get a few shots in between showers.
Photoshoot 23, and a third Liverpudlian. Just like being back home. Amy is an actor and she dances too. Perfect for photoshoot. She even taught me a couple of dance steps, which I have of course forgotten now.
Photoshoot 24 and our plans for a Tudor styled shoot were mostly scuppered by the rain. Lucifera is a remarkable model, a superb writer, and a great creative force to work with. She's nowhere near as diabolical as her name would suggest. 
Photoshoot 25 and Tigerbelle was touring Manchester, so I arranged a shoot together. We spent most of the time sitting in the car wondering when it would stop raining. Luckily we had hot beverages in flasks.
Photoshoot 26 was with light-stand-on-the-head lady again, her husband, and love of my life Mrs Dan doing makeup and posing too. It was just a fun day out really. A picnic in the studio with cameras.
And on to photoshoot 27. After a double booking studio issue, we eventually got down to creating some pictures. It was great fun playing around with the studio lights now that I'd learned the basics of using them.
Photoshoot 27 was my second shoot with Harley. Again, no plan as such. We just wandered around the Christmas Market in Manchester, and took a few snaps using the lights as a backdrop. I also bagged a "stranger", but that's a different project.
Miscounted there. That was 28. This is photoshoot 29. I'm back in the studio where it all started, but feeling a lot more confident than when I first walked in there 7 months earlier.
Photoshoot 30 all came about after I got involved in an online argument with a guy who wanted to use live bears, kept in captivity, as a prop. I suggested this was cruel, Lillith agreed, and yada yada yada ... photos.
I was supposed to be shooting a new model on photoshoot 31, but I could tell she had cold feet and was going to bail. Luckily I could call on two amazing models I'd worked with before to stand in. Good move. We even got fangs as props.
How many followers have I lost so far this morning? I don't care.
Photoshoot 32 I think, and a second shoot with Arabella. I had a stinking cold and probably shouldn't have turned up. Glad I did.
Photoshoot 32 I think, and a second shoot with Arabella. I had a stinking cold and probably shouldn't have turned up. Glad I did.
Photoshoot 33 brought a fourth shoot with Sinopa. I'm getting sick of the sight of her by now. #NotTrue
Always a pleasure to work with, and such good fun to be around. She's even converted me into a Country music fan.
Always a pleasure to work with, and such good fun to be around. She's even converted me into a Country music fan.
Do I have any followers left? If you're still here for photoshoot 34 then thank you. Scarlett is another professional model, a great conversationalist, good laugh, and a big Smiths fan. What's not to like?
People have actually unfollowed me for sharing model photos. Oh well. Can't please everybody.
Photoshoot 35 was with Artemis Fauna. I was terrified of meeting her, but it turns out she's as daft as I am, a consummate professional, and fun to work with.
Photoshoot 35 was with Artemis Fauna. I was terrified of meeting her, but it turns out she's as daft as I am, a consummate professional, and fun to work with.
36?! Didn't know I'd done this many, and there are still some to go.
This model travelled all the way from London to Manchester just to shoot with little old me. How nice is that? She has a smile that would brighten any room.
This model travelled all the way from London to Manchester just to shoot with little old me. How nice is that? She has a smile that would brighten any room.
Photoshoot 37 and it's that Sinopa woman again. Following me around like a lost puppy.
Or is it the other way round?
Anyway, we're back in Scotland and every time I point the camera in her general direction it's a killer image. Must be luck.
Or is it the other way round?
Anyway, we're back in Scotland and every time I point the camera in her general direction it's a killer image. Must be luck.
Photoshoot number 38, and it's my third shoot with Harley. We also have super talented make-up artist and stylist Nina with us. Great results are guaranteed.
Bit raunchy some of these. You have been warned.
Bit raunchy some of these. You have been warned.
Photoshoot 39 was with anther well established model, Stephanie. Some we did in the studio, and then we went out on location. Another stunning conversationalist is our Steph. Makes the shoot go so much more smoothly when you can chat.
Photoshoot number 40, and I'm back up in Scotland. This time KRG was in front of the camera. We'd spoken, and had become friends on Facebook, but not worked together until now.
Photoshoot 41 and you've probably all blocked me by now. I'm enjoying this trip down memory lane however. A third shoot with this particular model, and probably our best work together.
Photoshoot number 42 and I still haven't been rumbled as the complete idiot I am. The models don't seem to hate working with me, so perhaps I'm doing something right. I think it's the snacks I bring.
It rained again, but this time I trust my camera is weather shielded.
It rained again, but this time I trust my camera is weather shielded.
Have I counted these right? Is this number 43? This model is an awesome photographer in her own right, and she let me borrow one of her posh lenses.
Photoshoot 44 and it's Awesome Artemis again. This time I'm not nervous or scared. We had a good laugh, especially when I accidentally backed into a pole. See Artemis' reaction in the last image.
Photoshoot 45 and I'm almost 100% sure I'm talking to myself right now. No matter.
Back in the studio. Nina is on hair and make-up, and stylist duties. Kira is modelling.
Back in the studio. Nina is on hair and make-up, and stylist duties. Kira is modelling.
Photoshoot 46 and the theme of reworking with models again is reoccurring. This is Katarina from photoshoot 14 again.
This time I have constructed a makeshift studio in the flat I use in Scotland, and am experimenting with coloured lights.
This time I have constructed a makeshift studio in the flat I use in Scotland, and am experimenting with coloured lights.
Photoshoot 47 and it's bloody Sinopa again. We have actually become firm friends now, and I'm wanting to adopt her. This shoot contains one of the images of which I'm most proud.
Photoshoot 48, and a second chance to work with KRG again. This time we're in the studio, and it's one I've been to three times before, so am feeling at home. We then went to the park for a more autumnal style.
Photoshoot 49 was scuppered by the rain. No worries, I can now create a makeshift studio at home. I think this entire shoot, completely unplanned, represents some of my best work and shows how far I'd come. Thanks to Stephanie for making it happen.
Photoshoot 50. This is a bit of a cheat. This was a wedding workshop I attended, for those who want to learn how to photograph somebody's wedding. I just used it as a chance to create more portraits. Wish I had more of these edited.
And we shall end with another cheat. Not a photoshoot I've arranged, but another workshop. I've lost a lot of the confidence I built up during these photoshoots. This workshop was a chance to remind myself I'm not so crap at it after all.
If you're still following, then thank you for indulging my stroll down Memory Lane. I don't tend to share a lot of photos here on Twitter, mostly down to confidence issues and fear that they're not "good enough", whatever that means. This I must learn to overcome.
Keep creating.
Keep creating.
