Pictures

Pictures is a project by Cliona Cassidy (voice) and Catriona McKay (harp and harmonium). I've worked with both artists on several occasions over the years, have great respect for them so it was a pleasure to be asked to photograph and design their EP. Cliona and Catriona had a very clear idea of what they wanted for the cover image and its inspiration was a famous Frida Kahlo photograph of the Mexican painter working in her studio (which you can see below). We first took a portrait of Catriona and then photographed Cliona standing next to an easel, just like Kahlo. Rest of the work was done in photoshop. See the EP cover below as well other images from that session:

"Pictures" EP Cover

Frida Kahlo - inspiration behind the cover / Photo by Bettmann/Getty

GEAR
Nikon D4
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver
PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter 
Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight
Neewer 120cm Octabox

Elaine Lennon

Elaine Lennon is a singer/songwriter who, despite being relatively new to the music industry has already managed to bag 2019 Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award as well as a “One to Watch” nod from Nashville Songwriters’ Association International. Her debut album is out early next year and it was a genuine joy and pleasure to work on this release (I was responsible for photography and artwork). The photos were taken one June afternoon earlier this year on Lunan Bay, one of my favourites beaches in Scotland. We had a great laugh taking photos and blasting 90s R&B in the car on the way back. Grab a copy of the album when it’s out and check out some of the promo images below in the meantime:

"Elaine Lennon" album cover.

Behind the scenes:

GEAR
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 85mm f1.4

Eunice for Scottish Woman

I photographed model and broadcaster Eunice Olumide for the first time last year and we recently collaborated again when I was asked to photograph her for the cover of Scottish Woman Magazine. We shot it on a rather windy and chilly April afternoon on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh (although I really shouldn’t complain - I wasn’t the one running around barefoot in dresses!). Eunice put together a truly stellar team for this and you can check the results below:

Styling: Michelle Watson Creative + Daina Renton
Make Up: Sharon Cuthbert
Photo Assistance: Mary Scott

Behind the Scenes:

GEAR
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 85mm f1.4
Profoto A1
RoundFlash Beauty Dish

Horse on St. Cyrus Beach

I wrote about my gradual return to shooting film a while back and I mentioned having some 100% analog projects in the pipeline. I can finally share one of them with you. Horse and I have been talking about doing a shoot where it’s just us, camera and the beach for quite some time and earlier this year we drove up to the beautiful St. Cyrus Beach on the East coast of Scotland where we spent a couple of hours walking, talking and taking pictures. We shot 3 rolls of film (2 black and white and a colour one) and I really enjoyed working like that again. It reminded me of the very first shoots I did as a teenager where there was no pressure, no assistants, no stylists, no crazy light equipment - just a camera and the person in front of it. Enjoy!

Behind the scenes:

GEAR
Nikon FM + 50mm f1.4
Kodak 400 TX
Kodak Portra 400

Indy

Indy is a model recently signed to Model Team. He’s also a PhD student (animal law) and after connecting on Instagram we decided to do a small shoot together earlier this year. See results below:

GEAR:
Nikon D850
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 85mm f1.4
Profoto A1
Neewer 120cm Octabox
Reflector