It’s with mixed emotions that I look back on this photoshoot for the BBC’s ‘You, Me and the Big C‘ podcast back in March 2018. I met Rachael Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon in the Alchemist bar in Salford to take publicity images. They were all really excited and giddy as I took group shots and individual portraits whilst they enjoyed the champagne props. Then off to the studio to photograph them in action.
When I learnt that Rachael had died so soon afterwards, on the 5th September 18, I was shocked and saddened. I only met Rachael briefly but she made a big impression on me and she has left an amazing legacy.
Simply Wigs, a Huddersfield company, asked me to do their corporate head shots. They wanted to have fun and upbeat profile shots that reflected their brand and their personalities. They also wanted to make gifs out of the profile shots on the website (where you roll the mouse over an image and it changes to reveal a second image.) And they love their dogs!
I met Lauren, a Conservation Planning Officer for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust last February, to photograph her for the front cover of the Women’s Institute magazine. Brilliantly the location was minutes from where I live in Huddersfield. We were after a Spring rural look but unfortunately everywhere was dusted with snow (and it was freezing!). We moved around trying lots of options trying to avoid snow but eventually settled on leaning against an old barn, simple but effective.
I loved being part of the celebrations for BBC Look North’s 50th anniversary. The whole studio was temporarily moved back to its original location on Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. This was the first time I’d experienced live TV and it was so exciting! I was right behind the cameras during the broadcast and got to see how everybody works together to keep everything running perfectly. The broadcast was followed by a big party with past and present staff and presenters.
I met Anita and family to photograph her for a Sunday Express Magazine feature over in East Yorkshire. Anita used to enjoy running and when she sadly lost her sight due to an eye condition she decided she wanted to continue to run. So with help from the RNIB and her husband Dave who is Anita’s running guide, she has gone on to complete the Great North Run! Quite an inspiration!
A day spent in Leeds with Morrish solicitors taking their new head shots. They wanted to inject colour and personality into the shots.
Lastly, I went over to Lancashire to photograph Lianna and the team at L. Champ funeral services. I’d originally photographed Lianna for a feature in Fabulous magazine a few years back and it was lovely to see her again. We photographed head shots and group shots followed by some more relaxed shots of Lianna where Ronnie the dog wanted to get involved.
That’s all for now. Claire x
Well done everyone, we’ve managed to get through the long, dark, dreary January days and into February, which is at least a little bit closer to Spring and brighter times. Just a warning to anyone squeamish - be careful scrolling down! I’m featuring a photoshoot I did for Red Cross First Aid Training...
Read moreCroBio are a really interesting innovative company that may well make a massive difference to the world. Their goal is to ‘create an environmentally sustainable solution to alleviate global agricultural drought and help reverse the effects of climate change, through durable carbon drawdown’. I met them at CroBio’s lab in Macclesfield...
Read moreI spent a day with a lovely family to create images for MCS Certified, my brief was to capture natural images of the family, in their home, living their lives and to have subtle references to ‘energy’. The star of the show - is such a chilled little guy who takes everything in his stride. We all worked around him, giving him space and down time whenever he needed it - he really is an amazing little person.
Read moreI spent half a day with Joe and his team at Soteria Fire Protection in Huddersfield to create branding photography for their website and general promotion and marketing. Soteria provides expert fire safety solutions across the north. We started with headshots against a mid grey background, wearing branded t-shirts of all the staff. Then moved onto more editorial style portraits of Joe
Read moreI visited a lovely school in my home town of Huddersfield - Moor End Academy. The pupils were really easy to work with and glad to be involved. I worked with Susan, who organised the schedule and helped me on the day. We were looking to get lots of photography of the students working hard, interacting with each other and enjoying the school environment...
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