Metallics shoot | From moodboard to magazine...

The last of my Barbados shoots was out the other week and I was really pleased with how I managed to achieve the original concept I had with this one. It doesn't always work like that and sometimes you have to let go of much-loved original ideas.

It was a metallics story, "7 days of shine" - how to add a bit of sparkle or shimmer to your Summer wardrobe.

Here is a picture of the original moodboard I made a few weeks before we shot when I was brainstorming story ideas:

And here's the moodboard from my shoot:

I never wanted to copy any of the shots form the moodboard but wanted to capture those mouthwatering blues, the warmth, and the shine of the clothes.

It was a long hard day that day - our final shoot on a ten day trip, but we pulled it out the (sequin clutch) bag. Thanks to a fantastic team.

All the clothes are High Street unlike all the designer on the original moodboard. Check out the cheap as chips white blazer from Primark...

Here are the final pictures that went into the magazine:

Work Travels | Berlin + Edinburgh

Last week was a busy one and there hasn't been much time for blogging of late as I have left my trusty laptop at home so as not to add to the already heavy bags I've been carting around.

First up was 24 hours in Berlin as a guest of Chase PR to learn a bit more about Transitions lenses and Berlin frames designer ic! Berlin. I hadn't been to Berlin since A-level German (Wie komme ich am bestern zum Bahnhof bitte?) and things had changed. It felt a cold bleak place when I went back then, and now it's like a giant sunny Shoreditch - but without the try-hard vibe. I must get back there soon for a proper explore.

Then it was off to Edinburgh for 2 days shooting with a client I have been working with for years, so there was good food and good chat with a team I've known for a long time. A few vinos at sunset when we finished shooting. Perfect.

Berlin streets

Volt restaurant

Volt lighting

Volt - an ex-battery factory

Sunglasses at ic! Berlin

View from the offices of ic! Berlin

Beautiful Edinburgh

Sunset over Edinburgh

The Outsider restaurant - 2nd visit - fantastic food and view of castle

Waiting for the train home

WIBTW | @ Feast Festival

Today was the first Feast festival in West Norwood since we moved here. I'd heard from friends it was good, and maybe it was partly due to the blazing sun and blue skies, but I have to say it was a brilliant day. Music, food, fantastic stalls (there are 4 main areas: retro village, artisans market, fresh n green and food fair - I bought something in each!)... I have to say it's confirmed for me this is a good place to live! I even bumped into a make-up artist I hadn't seen for years selling delicious French food with her fella. Small world. 

Here's a few snaps from the day, including a few snaps of what I bought. The highlight of my buys was my gold fill stacking rings from Crystal & Stone. I have wanted some like this for a while so super-chuffed with these. We also got a great print lampshade from Rosa & Clara Designs, some lavender, and as homage to the place we used to call home, a Brixton tea towel...

                            

Swimwear Editorial | Some Like It Hot

It's been a while since I blogged - but not without reason. We've been moving house and it turned out to be a mammoth task that zapped us of money, sleep, energy, and time to do much else but shift furniture, clean, dust and paint in the last couple of weeks.

So big apols for the absenteeism, but how's this for a warm welcome back - the latest Barbados editorial is out this week in Look magazine. It's a retro swimwear story we called Some Like It Hot. I'd like it hot please. (Or at least to be at Glastonbury. May head off camping this weekend in protest.)

We shot the story on location at a swanky resort. This pool belongs to Joe Calzaghe and the house next door was a certain Wayne Rooney's...

Here some pics for you to whisk you away to sunnier climes.

All pictures © LOOK Magazine

Barbados editorial | Neon story

One of my favourite stories from our recent trip to Barbados was out last week in Look magazine, the neon story.

When we were location scouting around Barbados there were so many brightly coloured properties that we could have shot against (apparently it is the thing to have a neon house over there, how very on trend!) but in very busy or residential areas. So we were very chuffed when we came across a whole village of just-built vacant houses in every colour under the sun. It was a new government housing scheme - the equivalent to a British council block basically. I know what I'd prefer...

The derelict site gave an almost futuristic feel to the shoot, almost like an eerily empty movie set, hence the head "The Girl Who Fell To Earth".

Here's the finished story:

All pictures © Look Magazine