Joe Donnelly

Caezar

Caezar are Joe Donnelly and JJ Gilmour (former members of Scottish band The Silencers). Their debut album "Time" has just been released and I was lucky to work with them on promotional images as well as a music video for the album's second single "Love Is A Reason". The photoshoot took place on a rainy May day last year in Glasgow (huge thanks to Sarah Kesson for assistance). We wanted an urban, gritty feel to the images and Glasgow has plenty to offer in that respect.

The video was a different bag altogether. The band's brief was "black and white, weird and without us in it". I have to admit, I panicked a little - I had done 2 music videos by that point, both pretty much performance-based and I'd never written a treatment for one before. In fact, I almost said no to the project but I eventually had a moment of epiphany, got in touch with the amazing Frances Thorburn asking if she'd be interested in being involved. She said yes, as did Michelle Watson from Kitsch Me Vintage who provided custom headpieces, vintage dress and was in charge of hair and makeup on the day. Fran's spine-tingling performance is what truly makes this video and I can't thank her enough for agreeing to take part in it. We filmed most of it in my living room and in a back lane in Glasgow's Charing X area. There was some additional filming done all over the city centre from Fran's car on one very, very snowy night earlier this year. The visuals of Anton Corbijn were our reference point for both, the photography and the video. Check it all out below and if you'd like to catch the band live you're in luck Caezar are are playing Òran Mór in Glasgow on July 27th (you can get tickets here).

Caezar's debut album cover featuring a still from the video.

Caezar's debut album cover featuring a still from the video.

GEAR:
Nikon D4
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Reflector
Video was filmed with Nikon D4 + 50mm f1.4 and a Neewer CN-216 LED Light and edited in FCPX.

Hello 2018

Had a super quiet New Year with friends in Otter Ferry and now it's back to Glasgow and back to work. Happily though, I have to say, as I always get a bit lost during the festive season - sitting on the couch, stuffing your face and doing nothing is fun for a day or two but after that, I start getting antsy. So here we are, another year over and below are some of my favourite images I took in 2017. Hope you like them too.

Govanhill Baths Editorial, January 2017

Govanhill Baths Editorial, January 2017

I’ll Be Your Mirror, February 2017

I’ll Be Your Mirror, February 2017

Laura Hurst, April 2017

Laura Hurst, April 2017

The Dolls, April 2017

The Dolls, April 2017

Caezar, May 2017

Caezar, May 2017

Rory Hutton, June 2017

Rory Hutton, June 2017

Sandie Robertson, June 2017

Sandie Robertson, June 2017

Stuart Cosgrove, July 2017

Stuart Cosgrove, July 2017

Chris Stout & Catriona McKay "Bare Knuckle" Album Cover, August 2017

Chris Stout & Catriona McKay "Bare Knuckle" Album Cover, August 2017

Nicole Caldwell, September 2017

Nicole Caldwell, September 2017

Colin Gavigan, October 2017

Colin Gavigan, October 2017

Rosie Noon, Designer photographed for Nu Blvck, November 2017

Rosie Noon, Designer photographed for Nu Blvck, November 2017

The Eves, December 2017

The Eves, December 2017

And for my own future reference more than anything else,
my favourite music of 2017 (in no particular order):

ALBUMS:

Margo Price "All American Made"

Tove Lo "Blue Lips"

Dua Lipa "Dua Lipa"

Lorde "Melodrama"

Pink "Beautiful Trauma"

Betty Who "The Valley"

Madonna "Rebel Heart Tour Live"

Stout & McKay "Bare Knuckle"

Lana Del Rey "Lust For Life"

Drake "More Life"

SONGS

Sigrid "Strangers"

Tove Lo "Disco Tits"

Dua Lipa "IDGAF"

Lorde "Green Light"

Pink "Beautiful Trauma"

Taylor Swift "Don't Blame Me"

Selena Gomez "Bad Liar"

Charli XCX "Boys"

Lana Del Rey "Love"

Fergie "Tension"