The Be. Photography Workshops – From the Model’s Perspective

A little while back we were given the opportunity to model for the fantastic Be. Photography Workshops being run by our friends Jaye from Tux & Tales Photography and Shelly from Toast of Leeds. The Be. Workshops were set up to help new and up and coming wedding photographers not just to develop their photography skills but also to help them to develop their businesses, put in place methods of best practice and streamline their workflow, and we were delighted to be asked to be involved.

The weekend was split up into two separate sections, with Saturday focussing primarily on the photography itself and Sunday being more business led. The idea was to provide as much information as possible on both counts, not just over the weekend itself but through continued support online via the Be. Facebook group, and from the snippets of the workshops we could hear whilst busy getting ready and from the conversations we had with the students throughout the day it was clear that the info being passed on was invaluable!

We arrived at East Riddlesdan Hall on a bright Saturday morning just in time to help roll a stunning Gypsy caravan out onto the lawn – the centrepiece of a beautiful set being created by the fantastic Simply Vintage Events for the styled shoot that we would later be taking part in.

Whilst the Saturday morning workshops took place we were backstage, with Dom’s hair being carefully styled by the lovely Kizzie from Charisma Hairdressing alongside fellow model Laura and with makeup being styled by the fantastic Jo Bilham. The shoot was to be divided in two with Laura being the subject of a dramatic low-light shoot directed by Shelly whilst we would be photographed in a bohemian styled outdoor natural light shoot with Jaye, an opportunity for the students to experience shooting in very different conditions with two very different photographers, and we would be styled accordingly. Working in two very contrasting ways within the workshop was for me a fantastic example of how important it is to find your own style, and proof that there is no right or wrong answer.

With all of us finally ready and with the morning session complete it was time to go out and start the shoot, Dom looking amazing in a gorgeous gown provided courtesy of The Couture Company with accessories by Hat Therapy and HF Couture. The setting was fantastic and it was quite an experience taking place in a styled shoot for the first time! Once she had positioned us as she wanted us Jaye’s style was very much to encourage us to interact normally with one another to create more natural shots and help us to relax in front of the camera. We were then photographed from every angle by each group as they learnt how to battle the harsh light and find the best possible positioning. Our favourite part of the session though was when each student was afforded a strict 5minute window with us one-on-one to use everything they’d learnt and get their own shots however and wherever they’d like to do it.

Although we naturally wanted everyone to get the best shots possible our brief was to make the experience as realistic a newlywed shoot as we could, and so we waited to see how they would interact with us and tried to forget anything we knew about posing wedding photos and only do what we were asked… it was fascinating seeing how each photographer went about posing and positioning us, relaxing us and making us smile. Each student definitely had their own way of doing things and it was great to see a bit of experimentation with techniques that had been explained to them only that morning. One of the big things that I think hit home for everyone though was just how tight five minutes (not an unrealistic timeframe for a wedding day) is to get some great photographs, and how even the simple things like physically moving a bride around in high heels (particularly on grass!) can eat up that time without any pictures even having been taken yet. We’d also recommend every wedding photographer to at some point be the subject of a shoot and experience what it’s like on the other side of the lens – what poses are comfortable, what helps to bring a genuine smile, the importance of talking to the couple – it’s an invaluable experience!

Afterwards we were able to warm up inside again and chat to some of the photographers about how they’d found the shoot and what they’d learnt so far and clearly the experience of shooting in two very different styles from their own had given them some useful tips! Then it was on to a Q&A session where nothing was off limits and all kinds of insights could be gained, along with some fantastic offers that had been arranged for each of the students in collaboration with some of Be’s amazing key sponsors.

All in all it was a fantastic day (capped off by a great meal with all our new friends) and, although we sadly couldn’t be there for the Sunday, from speaking to the photographers afterwards their minds were clearly racing with all the information they’d gleamed from the business section of the weekend, including blogging and advertising tips from the wonderful Kelly of Boho Weddings! It was all kinds of fun working with all the different photographers and they’ve captured some great shots, so thanks to each of them for making us look good, along with all the brilliant sponsors who worked so hard to make it an awesome styled shoot and make us look even better! Most of all though thanks to Jaye and Shelly for organising and inviting us along for such a fantastic event!

If you’d like to be part of the Be. Photography Workshops the next dates have been announced as the 13th & 14th October 2013 and you can find all the information you need to book your slot on the Be. Website at www.bephotographyworkshop.com

Workshop Credits

• Workshop – Be. Photography Workshops – www.bephotographyworkshop.co.uk
• Jo Bilham Makeup – www.jobilham.co.uk
• Kizzy from Charisma Hairdressing:  http://charismahairdressing.co.uk
• Event Styling – Rachel at www.simplyvintageevents.co.uk
• Jewellery  – HF Couture:  www.hfcouture.co.uk
• Floristry – Lynne at www.stemsdesign.co.uk
• Bow Top – www.holidaybyhorse.co.uk
• Hats – Chrissie www.hattherapy.co.uk
• Gowns – Jo at www.the-couture-company.co.uk
• Cake – www.thefrostery.co.uk
• Venue – East Riddlesdan Hall – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-riddlesden-hall
• Models – Us! & the lovely Laura