It’s been one of those gloriously full-on weeks — shoots, mentoring, editing, more shoots, and just enough coffee to keep it all ticking over.
We kicked off with a couple of one-to-one mentoring sessions. The first was about being more spontaneous — helping a brilliant photographer loosen up their sessions and trust those beautifully unscripted moments. You know the kind: less “pose like this,” more “do whatever makes you laugh.” The results? Way more human, way more joyful.
The second session was something a bit special — a panel review for someone aiming for their Fellowship. Now that’s no small thing. Their imagery was already stunning, but Fellowship is as much about storytelling, layout, and consistency as it is about individual frames. So we spent time planning how to shape the submission for real impact. Big ideas, lots of ambition, and some very exciting possibilities.
In between all that, I was in the studio (and out on location) creating portraits for families — the same kind of beautiful images we teach through Mastering Portrait Photography, because, well, it is my day job. This stuff doesn’t happen in theory — it happens in muddy fields, studio backdrops, and kids who’ve just had a biscuit.
And then there’s been the usual late nights buried in Photoshop and Evoto, polishing final images for our regular clients. It’s not glamorous, but it’s vital — making sure every image that leaves the studio looks exactly how it felt when we pressed the shutter.
New This Week on the Website
New Video: Portraits With Smoke
Jess. An umbrella. One light. A lot of atmosphere. This is how I use smoke to add cinematic drama to portraits without setting off the fire alarm. It’s simpler than it looks, but the results are pure magic.
New Podcast: AI Wrote Me An Email
After a short break, I reflect on why portrait photography still matters, even in a world where bots are getting better at faking it. As ever, it’s a mix of stories, tech, and the occasional heartfelt rant.
Photoshop Short: Removing Colour Casts
Green shadows from trees? Red bounce from a nearby wall? This quick tip shows you how to zap those colour casts without wrecking the rest of your image.
New Lighting Articles: High Key, Low Key & Studio Tricks
Three brand-new lighting breakdowns: from the quiet power of a low angle to feathered softboxes and light that whispers. Practical, beautiful, and ready to be borrowed for your next session.
New Workshop Dates for Summer 2025
A fresh batch of Friday workshops — a mix of old favourites and brand-new masterclasses. Always packed with aha-moments, bad jokes, and the best lunch in the busines!.
And tomorrow? I’ll be out shooting a wedding. Because if you’re going to teach this stuff — really teach it — you’ve got to walk the walk. And I regularly walk the walk. Usually with a camera, occasionally with a spare pair of socks.