Recently Roxzann Weston and I collaborated on a baby editorial for Smallish Magazine. Here I have popped together a behind the scenes blog post, so you can see what goes on to create a finished magazine editorial, from concept right through to picking up the magazine at Selfridges!

First, I began by creating a moodboard - I gather images from a variety of photographers, magazines and websites to establish a general feel for the shoot that I want to achieve. For ‘Small Wonder’ I wanted a Autumn/Winter knitwear lead piece, shot on location, with a focus on pom poms! I also loved the idea of using Asian models, and a newborn baby too. There is a lot of newborn baby photography on offer around the city, much of which is beautiful. However, I have not come across an expanse of work that actually promotes newborn clothing, rather than focusing entirely on the baby. Many newborn photography sessions feature the baby as naturally as possible, often nude. I wanted to add a fashion element with this photoshoot.

The next step was contacting Roxzann Weston! I had been following Roxzann’s work online for a while and was very keen to collaborate. I sent over the moodboard and a short concept description and we were off! A few weeks were spent gathering a team, models, a make up and hair artist, an assistant, and of course, lots of beautiful clothes.The hunt was also on for a beautiful location. We were lucky enough to be able to use a local coffee shop and antique house, The Montage, for the shoot, which provided us with the perfect backdrop.

Before shoots I like to plan out a variety of shots so that on the day, if and when things go crazy, I have a rough idea of what is going on! Usually this means some very, very peculiar stick man sketches. This time round, it also meant posing an old teddy in the place of baby Delphi! I also like to make props for my shoots, which on this occasion lead to a endless stream of lovely grey and white pom poms, and more cardboard star banners.

This is the point where I have to thank two fantastic agencies, S:Management and Bruce and Brown, for providing us with wonderful models and a fantastic hair and make up artist, Chloe Botting. I also have to send out a huge thank you to Caroline Macphearson, who brought along her beautiful newborn baby girl Delphi for her first ever shoot.

The Day of the Shoot

In the morning, Josh and I made our way to the location, hands full! I had brought a host of props, including countless baskets and an antique metal cradle for Delphi. The day began by organising outfits and prop set ups with Roxzann.

The models arrived, dressed, and had their hair pom pom’ed and we began shooting! Things got a little hairy when one of our three models’ mummies called in with a sick baby! I manically phoned around agencies, and Bruce and Brown pulled through fantastically, providing us with the handsome Austin at the very last minute.

The shoot went wonderfully. I really couldn’t have asked for a better team. Everyone was fantastic, passionate and patient, and I left feeling that we had a lovely set of pictures. Once home, we celebrated with a disgustingly large set of pizzas from Papa Johns, and I began making my selection.

Over the next few days I edited the series, and sent the piece out to editors to gauge interest. The lovely Estelle at Smallish was particularly interested in the shoot, and Roxzann and I felt it would sit well in her wonderful magazine.

We were not disapointed! The piece sat beautifully in the magazine and was amongst such fantastic company. Ian Boddy’s cover story with the stunning Madalena @ Bruce and Brown was gorgeous, and I was taken back by the beautiful ‘Little Renaissance’ story by Alexandrena Parker. Wonderful styling, and a mind blowing location. This piece also marks the first editorial I have had an in English, printed magazine, and the first magazine of which you can buy in Selfridges (!) so I am a happy bunny indeed.

Thank you again so much to all involved. We are all so lucky to do what we love.

Behind the Scenes Photography - Josh Showell

Are you looking for bespoke, natural family portraits? Or perhaps you need chic headshots for your website?

Recently I was comissioned by the lovely Emma at Little Style Fix to create a set of beautiful
lifestyle images of her, and her wonderful children for her blog and website. We discussed the style Emma wanted, and I planned a route around East London to compliment the inspirational images she
provided me with.

We began by photographing Emma alone, focusing on capturing a range of really stunning headshots and full length images of the stylist doing what she does best - looking fantastic! If you would love a similair session, but worry that you might not feel as confident, not a worry. I know just how
awkward it can be stood in front of a camera, being rather photo-shy myself! I spend time making my clients feel as comfortable as possible, and will guide you through flattering, natural poses to help you look and feel your absoloute best.

Emma brought three seperate outfits (including some fabulous accessories) to the shoot, which really allowed us to play and produce a series of different looks for her to pick from. After creating fun, smart-casual graffiti shots, we moved on to a new, classy location a short walk away, and Emma changed into more formal wear. Here we used a selection of beautiful antique looking streets and doorways to change the mood of the shoot entirely.

As a commercial photographer and art director it is my job to know unique, special locations around the city for various projects. This helps me discover and reccomend areas that I feel will suit you and your family perfectly. However, if you would like me to visit your home or studio just let me know and it will be arranged happily!

After achieving a selection of gorgeous images of Emma alone, she collected her family, and we began photographing her children too. I have lots of experience with children of all ages, right through from babies (the youngest being a 2 day old newborn) to teenagers. I have lots of tricks (mainly
compromising of bubbles and stickers) that will help get the very best from your kids.

After your shoot your selected images are professionally retouched, and can be provided as digital files, prints or frames.

If you are interested in organising your own bespoke lifestyle shoot, give me a call on 07837 191599, or e-mail me at hannah.coates@btinternet.com and we can start planning.

For the past year I have been happily providing headshots and model updates to private clients, and a number of children’s modelling and talent agencies. Here I have popped a small selection of these, to give you a flavour of what to expect when booking a Zest of the Loganberry Headshot Photo-shoot.

My headshot packages involve a one hour photo shoot at my home studio in Forest Hill and 3 complimentary, retouched, web size digital images of your choice.

I suggest that parents bring along a selection of outifts to their child’s headshot appointments, and consider different ideas for hair styles. This way, we can make the absoloute most of your session, and photograph your child from different perspectives. I would recommend bringing along a classic item, such as a plain white dress or shirt, a formal piece, and a casual outfit. Feel free to also bring along accessories, such as hair pieces and jewellery. Sometimes the small details make the biggest differences!
On arrival, you will be greeted by a delicious cup of tea (or coffee!), and a conversation on what exactly you would like to gain from the headshot session. Some models need more classic headshots, tailored towards an acting profession, and others prefer a fashion approach. We will be based indoors with a range of different colours of backdrop, and, should the weather permit it, venture outside to finish off with some beautiful naturally lit shots.

After the shoot, I will create a contact sheet of images and send this over to you for selection. Your chosen photographs will then be fully edited, and provided to you and your agency as websize files for use on their catalogue, Spotlight, and across social media should you desire.

Fully retouched, high resolution images are available for purchase at £25 each. For an extra cost any desired photographs can be printed on beautiful fine art papers, and if requested, both mounted, and framed.

If you are interested in a headshot and model updates session for your child, just get in contact. My e-mail address is hannah.coates@btinternet.com and my phone number is 07837 191599.