Fashion Shoot Workshop

When I heard Agata Stoinska was running workshops in her Dublin studio for fashion photographers to say I was a little bit excited would not quite cut it. I am a big, BIG fan of Agata's work. I can often be found with a cup of coffee sitting in our lounge drooling over her bridal shoots for 'The Wedding Journal' and 'Confetti' Magazine. I have quite a few of her shoots cut out and stuck into my 'Big book of Ideas'!

Her editorial work is a favourite of mine. There is the quality of film stills and she has a great eye for storytelling and emotion, a very unique and rare talent. She also knows exactly how to communicate with her models with amazing results. It was an even greater joy to find Agata a warm and sharing photographer, completely unaffected by her evident success in Ireland.

The workshop was so worthwhile for lots of reasons. I got to meet other photographers working in different parts of Ireland, there was a buzz of excited chat about lenses, apertures, light, long hours, models, styling and lots of nerdie stuff that would bore the life out of all our friends and family back home!

I also ventured into the world of studio lighting, softboxes, strobes and beauty dishes with tentative steps. But it was a real thrill. We had amazing models on the day, the very patient and talented Catherine from Morgan The Agency made a big impression on the gang - well, she was making us all look good and when we weren't sure what direction to take next - she knew what to do!

Here are some backstage shots.

Catherine in make-up



Agata shooting Jayne with Nikki working the reflector



Me shooting Agata shooting Jayne with Tanya the stylist looking on...





Our first shoot was styled with an 'Audrey Hepburn' look in mind shot with a beauty dish and softbox behind. For the day I brought my 50mm 1.2 and my personal fav the 85mm 1.8 Here is my shot with this lens...



Our second shoot was shot using natural light and reflectors only and the model was Catherine. I just loved the Dm boots and they reminded of my 'ska days' when this was all I ever wore on my feet. Maybe its nostalgia or I'm having some mid-life crisis but this look totally sold them to me all over again and now I'm waiting for my new pair to arrive in the post!





Lastly, we shot Catherine again with a high-fashion look using studio lighting.





It was a privilege to be asked to photograph and document the Stargaze event which is happening in the studio this weekend and I'm so gutted I'll not be able to make it. But no doubt I will back down again as soon as I can find some time for another one of these fantastic workshops.