Fellow Photographers,

In this weeks newsletter I want to focus on “Small Group Sessions” – these are monthly shoots with numbers limited to just THREE photographers. I’ve written a blog post about how these work, so rather than me repeat that in this introduction I would encourage you to scroll down to that section of the newsletter and take a look at how these sessions can help you improve as a studio photographer. And if you are keen to try one of these sessions our next Small Group Session is this Wednesday 7 May, with model Stacy M.

A few words about forthcoming Friday Night’s. This week we have Maud at the studio for some “Bedroom Glamour” we will look a full range of glamour styles and in addition to shooting with the studio bed set we will also look at how to create bedroom style images with the minimum of props and sets.

There will be no events the following two Friday evening. This is because I will be treading the boards again, the play is “A Bedfull of Foreigners” at Altrincham Little Theatre. (Sunday 18 May – Saturday 24 May). More details about this in the blog section. But if you want a good laugh and want to see me doing some VERY embarrassing things on stage do come and see it.

Finally I’ve added a few more events to the programme, and announced the model for wet and messy day. Links to all the events can be found at the end of the newsletter.

For all of this and more…. please read on…

Forthcoming Events

Wednesday, 7 May 2014 – Small Group Session: StaceyM

Small Group Session: StaceyM

Location: Ian’s Studio
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: £100

This “Small Group Session” will be limited to just THREE photographers. Our model for this session will be StaceyM. Small group sessions are a cross between a normal group shoot, bespoke training and a studio hire.

The session is limited to maximum of three photographers. I will guide the shoot and offer advice on lighting and working with the model at the event. I will also document the lighting set-ups used during the shoot and send lighting diagrams and notes to the participants after the event so that you can recreate the lighting used at the shoot.

For this session the model will be StaceyM :
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/staceym/?referrer=ianbutty

In discussion with Stacey the levels for this shoot will be mainly nude (art nude and glamour nude), some lingerie, and probably one or two erotic shots.

Price is £100 per photographer

Notes:
1. Due to the maximum number of photographers for this event being three – we have a strict cancellation policy. If you cancel within 5 days of the event, the full fee for you place is payable.. However if your place is resold to anther photographer after you cancel your fee can either be refunded or transferred to another shoot.

2. If only two photographers book for a small group session you will be given the option to either share the cost of the third place between you (you will of course get 50% more time shooting with only two photographers) if either photographer decides they don’t wish to share the cost of the third place the shoot will be cancelled and all fees refunded.

Please book via my website: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/small-group-session-staceym/

Friday, 9 May 2014 – Bedroom Glamour

Bedroom Glamour

Location: Ian’s Studio
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £29

For this Friday Night at the Studio we will look at different ways to create bedroom themed glamour images.

We will look at how to create a bed set out little more than crates, table-tops, bedding and of course a bed headboard. We will also look at an even simpler technique which requires no more than sheets and pillows on a white seamless background.

Our model will be working to nude levels for this shoot.

I am pleased to announce that the model for this event will be the fantastic Maude – http://purpleport.com/portfolio/maude/?referrer=ianbutty (NSFW).

Price: £29

Please book via my website: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/bedroom-glamour/

Monday, 26 May 2014 – Rhianna Grey: Studio Day

Rhianna Grey: Studio Day

Location: Ian’s Studio
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:45 PM
Price: £55 per hour

Rhianna Grey returns to the studio for a studio day. Book model and studio for an all inclusive price of £55 per hour.

Rhianna will work at any level up to art nude.

You can find Rhianna’s profile on purpleport here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/rhiannagrey/?referrer=ianbutty (NSFW)

As ever with any event or studio hire I will be on hand to provide as much (or as little) help and support with lighting and settings as you wish. And if you don’t wish or need any help I will sit quietly in office out of your way.

There is a 15 minute break between hourly sessions. Book two consecutive hours and get the 15 minutes between for free.

The following sessions are available:

Session 1: 10:00-11:00
Session 2: 11:15-12:15
Session 3: 12:30-13:30
LUNCH 30mins
Session 4: 14:00-15:00
Session 5: 15:15-16:15
Session 6: 16:30-17:30
Session 7: 17:45-18:45

Please book the hourly slot(s) you wish using the booking form below. If you have any problems making your booking please contact me.

Price: £55 per hour.

Please book via my website: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/rhianna-grey-studio-day/

Tuesday, 27 May 2014 – Intermediate Photography Course (8 Sessions)

Intermediate Photography Course (8 Sessions)

Location: Ian’s Studio
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £165 (8 sessions) £155 (7 sessions)

Weekly on Tuesday Evenings 7.30pm to 10pm (approximately) from Tuesday 27th May 2014. (Please note there is a three week mid-course break following session 4).

The course will consist of eight sessions (session 5 on glamour, boudoir, & art nude is optional). Each session will be two and half hours in length.

Please note this is classroom based training with practical homework assignments to back-up what we have covered in each session. Discounts will be available to course attendees to attend other events at the studio.

Each session will look at one or two related genres of photography. We will cover techniques and equipment, and I will be providing practical advice and where appropriate I’ll share experiences from a professional perspective.

27 May – Session 1 : Travel and Architecture
03 June – Session 2 : Available light portraiture and Weddings
10 June – Session 3 : Off Camera flash and strobist techniques
17 June – Session 4 : Studio portraiture
15 July – Session 5 : Glamour, boudoir and art nude photography
22 July – Session 6 : Events, theatre and performance photography
29 July – Session 7 : Macro, product and commercial photography
5 August – Session 8 : Sports and wildlife photography

Each session will leave you with some homework to reinforce the skills and techniques we have talked about.

Price:
8 Sessions: £165.
or 7 Sessions (omitting session 5) : £155

The course is aimed at photographers who have a reasonable level of photographic knowledge. I have designed the course to be particularly suitable for those who have already completed my “Introduction to Digital Photography” course. If you have not completed that course, you should have an understanding of photographic techniques such as exposure, aperture, controlling depth of field, etc. Experience of using flash guns is useful but not essential. As with any course the time spent on any given subject will be tailored to reflect the current knowledge and experience of those attending.

Printed course materials will be provided to all attendees. Throughout the course there will be opportunities should you wish to have your photographs assessed to help you improve.

Places on the course will be limited.

Please note: The course is designed for users of DSLR cameras. If you have a “compact” camera or a “bridge” camera please contact me to discuss its suitability for this course.

Please book via my website: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/ipc2014/

Friday, 30 May 2014 – Cosplay Night

Cosplay Night

Location: Ian’s Studio
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: £27

For this Friday Night at the Studio event we turn our attention to the world of Cosplay.

cosplay (noun) the practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime.

For this event we will be working with an established cosplayer / model and shooting images which will be easy to manipulate to create interesting costumed compositions.

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce that the model for this event will be Leanne a.k.a. Mistyy Cosplay – you can find on purpleport here:http://purpleport.com/portfolio/mistyycosplay/?referrer=ianbutty and on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MistyyCosplay

Make sure you take a look at her cosplay album on purpleport: http://purpleport.com/portfolio-image-album.asp?id=5929&referrer=ianbutty
Price: £27

Please book via my website: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/cosplay-night/

From the Blog…

BLOG: Small Group Session FAQ

Image: Rachel Travers at a Small Group Session at Ian’s Studio.

So what is a “Small Group Session” ?

A “Small Group Session” is a cross between a group shoot, a studio hire, and small group tuition. It is a day 10am – 4pm spent in the studio working with one model.

In order to give photographers the plenty of time to shoot we limit the number of photographers at the session to just THREE.

What’s the format of the day?

The format of the day is largely determined by those who book. Prior to the start of the shoot I let the three photographers know the levels to which the model is working and ask them if they have any specific set-ups, genres, styles that they wish to shoot that day.

Based on what the photographers tell me I guide the shoot and offer advice on lighting and working with the model at the event. If none of the photographers have any specific themes they wish to shoot, I will have a number of suggestions that I know will work with the model to get the shoot going.

What levels are the models working at?

When I was asked by a group of photographers to run these events on a monthly basis, the request was specifically to do with art nude photography. At present all the models I have booked for small group sessions have been working to nude levels, but in most sessions we have in have also included some other levels such as lingerie, fashion and some glamour.

If there is sufficient demand for it, I will be running some small group sessions in the future which concentrate on clothed styles.

Can the photographers do their own lighting?

Absolutely! If you know what you want to achieve with the lighting and want to do all that yourself, that is fantastic. I will be on hand to offer advice, if you need it. I’m also available to move and position lights to where you want them to go.

If you don’t want to do the lighting yourself, and not every photographer is happy playing with other peoples lights. Then I am there to do that for you. You can either describe the effect you want or show me images and I will try to create that effect for you. Alternatively if you just don’t know what lighting would work, I can make suggestions.

Whatever way you work with lighting I will ensure you understand the lighting that we are using, and if I am setting it up I will talk you through the process as build the lighting.

Do you, Ian, shoot at the event?

Unlike a studio hire, I do shoot alongside the photographers at the “Small Group Sessions”. There are reasons why I do this. Firstly these sessions are part training, and those who have been to workshops at the studio will know my style of training is very much a “show and tell” style. I find for me as a trainer it is the most effective way to explain what we are doing.

Secondly I shoot to document the lighting set-ups used during the shoot. Once the shoot is over I aim to send lighting diagrams and notes to the participants after the event so that you can recreate the lighting used at the shoot. In order to do that I need some images both of the set up and the final images. (At the time of writing I’m a little behind on producing those note but I aim to catch up shortly).

One important thing to remember is that you are paying to shoot, not to watch me shoot. So when I do take images, I do it quickly and let you get back to shooting.

What happens if you don’t get three photographers booking?

I hate cancelling. I will always try to find a way to make the session happen.

If only two photographers book for a small group session, the first option you will be given is to share share the cost of the third place between you (you will of course get 50% more time shooting with only two photographers). This is the simplest solution and my preferred option.

The alternative if the model is willing to reduce her fee in return for a shorter shoot, we may be able to run the shoot for just two photographers. Keep in mind that at a shorter shoot with just two photographers you would get a similar length of time shooting as you would with three photographers at a longer shoot. This option obviously depends on the model and it may not always be possible to offer this.

If all else fails the shoot will be cancelled and all fees refunded.

What is the cancellation policy?

Due to the maximum number of photographers for this event being three – we have a strict cancellation policy. If you cancel within 5 days of the event, the full fee for your place is payable.. However if your place is resold to anther photographer after you cancel your fee can either be refunded or transferred to another shoot.

How much?

Price is £100 per photographer

When can I come to one of these sessions?

At the time of writing I have two sessions on the calendar:

Wednesday May 7th with Staceym

http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/small-group-session-staceym/

Sunday 13 July – with Illy aka Black Beauty

http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/events/small-group-session-black-beauty/

BLOG: Past Events

pastevents

One of the things I get asked a lot at studio events is for contact details of the models who are at the event. For obvious reasons I don’t give out ANY information that isn’t publicly available. However what I do say to photographers is that on all the events listed on my website I try to link to a model’s on-line portfolio, and photographers can contact models through that site.

This is a safe way for photographers to communicate with the models they have worked with at the studio with me breaching any data protection and without me giving out contact details that a model may or may not want passed on.

There is of course a problem with this approach… once an event has happened it disappears from my website so photographers can’t easily find the model details. Actually all the events since I opened the studio ARE still on the website, it is just that until now there has been no way to access them.

I have now finally created a Past Events Page this page list all the previous events at the studio (using their eFlyer image) you can then click through the image to access the event details and the information about the model(s) who were at the event.

The page is a little bit of a ‘work in progress’ as I don’t have eFlyers for many of the earlier events, but I am creating them and will be adding them to the site slowly over the coming months. As part of that process I will also be adding links from each past event to my on-line galleries when you can see what I shot at the time. You can also see many of my past event galleries by going directly to this page: http://photos.imb.biz/model/shoot

BLOG: A Bedfull of Foreigners

ALT Bedfull of Foreigners 800

18 – 24 May – A Bedfull of Foreigners by Dave Freeman at Altrincham Little Theatre.

Classic British Farce – Set in a run-down hotel in France, the farce centres on two couples who are double-booked into the same room. The fun is fast and furious as the misunderstandings, confusions, mistaken identity, wife-swapping and bed-hopping doesn’t leave anyone unscathed! This is one holiday that won’t appear in the travel guides!

I am playing Stanley – the lead character who is at the centre of all the misunderstanding and confusion. It is by far the most challenging and demanding role I have ever taken. It is also, by a long way, the funniest. The play is fast paced and very physical. What’s more I am hardly off stage for the whole play. It’s a huge responsibility especially given the standard and experience of the rest of the cast. It would be fantastic if some of my friends can come to support this. I can promise you lots and lots of laughs and an evening’s entertainment you won’t forget.

For more information and to book tickets see: http://www.alttheatre.org

Now…. Where did I leave my trousers?!

Photo of the Day

POTD Sun, 6 Apr 2014: ‘Nuff Said!

Marathon Finisher, shirt and medal

My POTD for the 6th April 2014, could only be one thing… my medal and shirt from the Manchester Marathon. My finish time was not a good as I wanted it to be: 5hrs 12min, but at least I didn’t walk until just before the 21mile mark.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a source of free photographs.
This photograph is (c) Ian M Butterfield. All rights are reserved. No use Is permitted (including non-commercial use) without prior permission. If you wish to use any of my photographs please ask first.

Image Reference: FG0406A-G06218