A Charitable Success

You may remember sometime ago I blogged, and probably blogged again, about an exciting project that I had started.  I wanted to create a unique charity event for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a charity close to my heart since my son had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes out of the blue.  For those not in the know, Type 1 diabetes is not lifestyle related or age related like type 2, it is manifested mainly by the immune system attacking the crucial cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.  Insulin is needed to maintain life just as much as you and i breathe oxygen, without it you will die - blunt i know but that's the truth.  It requires multiple daily injections of insulin or insulin delivered via cannula.  Its a condition that's is hard to cope with as an adult so think what it is like for a 4 year old child.  JDRF exists to find a cure and to improve the care of those affected.  Here is another hard fact - Type 1 Diabetes research gets NO direct government funding unlike that of its counterpart Type 2.

So, with the aim of raising awareness of Type 1 and raising funds, I conceived the idea of bringing a bunch of models together at a stunning scenic location and invite photographers along to hone their portrait skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere.  I wanted everyone involved to get something back from the day and I think I created an event where everyone was a winner.

MUA Charlii working with Model Emily
Image by Daniel Torridon

MUA Lydia with First Time Model Ashleigh
Image by Daniel Torridon

The day took place at Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire last weekend where we assembled on mass by the old Abbey ruins.  I had 9 models with a mix of experience from beginner to professional, 2 fantastic makeup artists, 30 photographers, again, with a mix of experience and a whole bunch of support staff.

Group Image on the Steps Of Rufford Abbey
Image by Jason Hicking

The day started early for myself and a few others setting up the reception area and sorting the room kindly donated by Rufford Abbey for the MUAs and models to prepare.  My friends Bryn & Mike were a great help at this point as i had to be in about ten places at the same time, lol.  The staff at Rufford were fantastic and a great support throughout the day and i cant thank them enough for allowing me to use this stunning Nottinghamshire venue. Lydia and Charlii, the two MUAs, created some truly stunning looks that complimented the models outfits perfectly, they kindly donated their time and deserve a special mention, thank you both.  A special thanks also need to go to Kerri Miller from Starstruck Designs who provided some beautiful wedding dresses and wedding accessories for the models to use.  Her hand made pieces are absoloutley stunning and the perfect accompanyment to a brides special day.

Jessica & Luke
Image by Rob Ferrol

It soon became a hive of activity when the photographers and models started to arrive and i  felt like i had to be in ten places at once.  With the models ready and the photographers looking like a hungry pack of paparazzi the photography was soon under way and the last minute nerves were soon forgotten about. 

Photographers and Models in Action
Image by Marisa Cashill

The models were absolute stars and all deserved a medal, they had to brave the very cold winds and occasional rain shower while facing the barrage of lens's pointing in their direction.  As mentioned earlier, a couple of them were on their very first photoshoot and the way they coped is a credit to them all.  Many photographers took time out to pass on some kind word of praise to me about how well they were doing.  Each and every one of them should be proud of how well the did.

Model Emily
Image by Sara Hazeldine

Model Dixie
Image by J Benton

Model Lucie
Image by Beata Ryske

Model Richie
Image by Rob Ferrol

The photographers seemed to be having a great time too!  There was lots of joviality and banter as everyone was helping each other with techniques and advice while forming new friendships and doing a little business networking.  My good friend Daniel was also instrumental at offering guidance on using natural light creatively.  It was great to see people making use of both flash and natural light and the possibilities at Rufford were endless.  The quality of the work produced was outstanding and it was nice to see how others view and edit a similar shot.

Model Ashleigh
Image by Rob Ferrol

Overall the day was a resounding success, it totally exceeded any of my expectations.  Everyone went home in high spirits and with memory cards full of great images.  The portfolios of the models, photographers and MUAs will be bursting at the seams and the charity, thanks to all the donations, is now £1267 better off, an absolutely fantastic figure and far more than i ever expected to raise.  It's not too late to donate though, you can still make donation throuigh my justgiving page here.

Model Shannon
Image by Serene Miller

I was asked by many on the day if i would arrange another such event and some asked for tutorial sessions too and who am i to disappoint?  I hope to have another such event later in the year so keep dropping by my facebook page for updates or subscribe to my newsletter and this blog.

Model Leigh-Ann

Image by Bryn Graves

Finally I'd just like to thank everyone who helped in any way at all from the re-tweets on Twitter for the fantastic prize donations, they all had a big impact on making this day the success that it was.  A special thanks must also go to Pete Bridgewood for arranging my appearance on BBC Radio Nottingham last month, you can read the blog  about that little escapade here.

Image by Jason Hicking

The images in this blog only highlight a very small selection from all the wonderful photographers who attended the event, it would be an extremely long blog if i included everyone.   Thank you all for allowing me to use them.  Lets see if we can make the next event bigger and better.......

This is the BBC

On Monday I had a visit to the BBC Radio Nottingham studios to appear on the Richard Spurr show.  I was there to promote the charity photoshoot and also to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and also promote the charity JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). 

Well, i can't tell you what a bag of nerves I was, talk about being out of your comfort zone!!  But, it was a great opportunity to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and I had Chris Normington from JDRF to help me.  The nerves soon passed when Richard immediately became engaged in the subject asking plenty of insightful questions and giving me the chance to explain a little about how Type 1 Diabetes affects the life of our 4 year old son and home life in general. 

Chris also gave a great insight into the work of JDRF and highlighted how little funding research into Type 1 gets from the government.  If you missed the show and have a few moments spare it can be found on BBC iPlayer here for the next few days. (1hour 39min in)

If you'd like to become involved in the charity photoshoot more information can be found on my dedicated web page here.  Its a great opportunity for photographers to try portrait photography or work on building a fantastic portfolio of images.

Getting up early is sometimes worth the effort

When I shoot landscape imges the summer months tend to be the least liked as it often entails a very early rise out of bed to get to a location in time for the start of the 'golden hour' (the hour before sunrise).  With the sunrise on the east coast at about 04:30 the golden hour would be starting at about 03:30 and as I dont live near the coast I had to take into account the traveling time too.

On one particular morning I left the house at 1am (yawn) and headded up to Whitley Bay near Newcastle, with fellow photographer Carl Mickleburgh, to photograph St Mary's Lighthouse.  Throughout the whole journey our eyes were constantly scanning the sky checking for cloud cover etc, mine sometimes checked the inside of my eyelids befre Carl braked harshly to wake me up, lol.  We have had so many early outings scuppered by poor weather we wondered if this was yet to be another wasted journey.  The landscape photographers game is never easy, however much planning and preparation you do, you cannot control mother nature and the weather forcasts seem increasingly unreliable, so, sometimes we have to take these chances.

We arrived on location at about 03:15 to find the light show already on, so much for the 'Golden Hour'!  The light was coming up so fast it was a mad rush to get down on the beach and soon the early rise was forgotten.  The light changed rapidly through the whole light spectrum from cool blues to deep burning reds.  Near perfect cloud cover helped create some dramain the skies and slow down this light transition, enough time for me to quickly choose another composition.

We had just over an hours worth of workable light then it was out with the Lee Filters 'Big Stopper'  to gain a few long exposures then hit the road in search of a BIG breakfast - which incidentally turned out to be a small expensive breakfast.

St Mary's Lighthouse is located just North of Whitley Bay on an island just off shore but connected to the mainland by a small tidal causeway which, incidentally, makes a great leading line for your images.  While it no longer functions as a working lighthouse, being decommissioned in1984, it is easily reached at low tide and is open to visitors where they will find a small museum, visitors centre and a cafe.

Here are a selection of my favorite images from St Mary's Lighthouse.