Lights, Camera, Action!

No ... I didn't shoot David Beckham! (photo courtesy of Getty Images). The MLS soccer (football to us Brits)! season came to a close recently, and will not resume for a few months. Rather than relax in LA and spend some of his millions earned this year, he decided he wanted to continue working and training in order to maintain his fitness levels. So ... off he went to Italy to join AC Milan, where he'll continue to train rigorously, even if he doesn't get a game. Kudos to Becks for such a great work ethic!
What's all that got to do with me and photography? .. you may well ask.
Well, if I'm not shooting myself, and have an open schedule, I'm more than happy to assist other photographers. But not just any photographers, I hasten to add. I want to come away from the shoot feeling enriched from the experience, that I have at least learnt one new tip, trick, or technique! Just like Beckham, one of the top players in the world, was quoted as saying, that he feels honoured for the experience to play and train alongside such great talent at AC Milan.
So, in a similar vein, as was last week, I had the opportunity to assist Eileen Escarda, on an advertising shoot for 5 days in Pensacola, Florida. Eileen shoots lifestyle for advertising, commercial and corporate clients worldwide, and is truly a talented artist of her genre!
Check out her work at EscardaPhoto.

A South Beach Corporate Event

I must confess, I love shooting corporate events! It helps too if the setting is on Star Island overlooking the bay with downtown Miami glittering in the distance.
The VIP clients were flown in from Europe, and I'm sure even they were impressed with the sumptuous, yet exquisite attention to detail found in all the décor at each venue.
The company responsible for the success of the event planning was provided by Andrea Sherman Events.
It certainly made photographing the event a joy!

Annie Leibovitz

I recently had the honor of attending an evening with Annie Leibovitz. A true living legend in photography. She was at the Biltmore Hotel to promote her new book 'Annie Leibovitz at Work'.
An inspiration to all photographers that aspire to produce work of her calibre.

I had some friends visit from England recently. Alan and his older sister, Christine, are both from Cambridge, like myself. They loved Florida, especially the weather!, so what better memento could I give them, than a portrait together. Since Christine had a passing resemblance to our very own Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, I had her sit in pseudo regal pose, with Alan dutifully standing behind her.
I used my portable lights to counteract the harsh sunlight, yet retaining the sunlight striking the palm trees and white building behind ... very South Florida.
Christine and Alan were delighted with the results, and so was I!