Shooting me shooting you shooting…

.. was how the day started, as we set-up the camera & lights…

.. while waiting for the sun to come out and play – for at least a few minutes.
Then it was shoot, shoot, shoot…

.. followed by that hand nail bitting: “Did I get it ?” moment…

.. as I flicked through the images on screen, while the Scottish guests (our models here) looked on.

Because this was another shot that I’d worried about…

.. but I needn’t have worried, as I think this is my favorite shot of the week.

So happy with that one – it was ‘pack & rack’ time – and then over to the driving range to produce some images of their golf Pro, Sean Cotter, in action.

Looking good Stuart…

.. but where’s the blue skies & sunshine ?

So while we waited, Shane practiced his swing while Sean gave him a few pointers…

.. meanwhile Stuart – by the looks of it…

.. prayed for sunshine

Clearly it worked – because minutes later we had blue skies and sunshine…

.. and so with everything set-up – thanks mainly to Stuart – it was a very simple one to capture in the end:

Anyway, since the sun was still shining, we headed across the golf course and quickly set-up…

.. to capture Sean in action…

.. with his buggy in the foreground and the Clubhouse in the background – to complete the story.

Quick check…

.. and then it was over to the putting green in front of Mount Juliet House…

.. where we did a double take…

.. so ‘no Shane, you aren’t in the final image’

Going well – but with the totally unpredictable weather, we decided to leave the family shots for another time.
So to finish of the day, we headed back over to the Spa to discover this lovely young lady…

.. who happened to be Shane’s wife – was all ready to go…

.. and then go again…

.. in the relaxation room – which is like the perfect way to end the day here at Mount Juliet.

Hard work or hardy working – either way, it’s Guinness time

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In & out

Well, the weather forecast indicated we would have a few hours of sunshine today; however, there wasn’t much sign of it the following morning.
So we continued where we left of the day before in the Spa, shooting one of the treatment rooms…

.. which have these beautiful shuttered windows.

Then it was over to the swimming pool…

.. to capture two different versions of the same setting.
One aimed at appealing to those who want a well deserved, relaxing break…

..and the other appealing to families…

.. whose children are invited to join the Little Rascals Kid’s Club, between 1-5pm each day.

Next up, it was into the gym where Stuart & Shane stood in, while we set-up & tested the lighting…

.. ahead of the girls turning up for the final image…

.. looking very relaxed – as if they are enjoying their stay here.

After a bit of lunch, with some sign of sunshine on the horizon, we headed over to the equestrian center – which is one of the most impressive equestrian centers in the country – where once again Stuart & Shane stood in while we set-up & tested the lighting…

Nice try guys, but I’m not sure if I’m convinced

Anyway, while the girls organized the horses…

.. the sun flickered in & out behind the clouds, creating a lovely shaft of light within this American style barn.
So with my fingers crossed and all the horses in place, we started shooting for real – and after many sleepless nights worrying about this one – it all came together beautifully…

.. making this one of my personal favorite shots of this 4-day shoot.

We were now on a roll – and so with some more sunlight in sight, we headed outside to capture the jumping arena.

While the jumps were being set-up…

.. I started shooting…

.. examining the results after each take…

.. moving the jumps for the camera…

.. waiting and waiting, until finally the sun came out…

.. and then that was another one in the bag…

.. which actually came together very quickly in the end, as almost every jump was perfect.

So we finished off the day with an exterior shot of this American style barn…

.. before headed over to the clubhouse bar for a few pints of Guinness – which is of course always the perfect way to end any day at Mount Juliet

Plan B

Well, we were back at Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny – the plan being that we would take advantage of the summer weather this time – as it was late in October that we were down here last.

So Plan A is to shoot outdoors – to show the various activities that are available to guests on this amazing country estate.

Plan B – as this is Ireland and it will therefore probably rain – is to shoot some of the other indoor areas & rooms that we hadn’t captured before.

Anyway, thankfully I fixed the leaking sunroofs on the Land Rover, because on day one it poured down – and so it was Plan B – kicking of in a room we had already shot before, but this time the goal was to make it look more like a bridal suite – for the wedding section on their website & brochures.

So it was all hands on board to turn this room…

.. into a Honeymoon suite…

.. before a bite of lunch.

Then it was up to the top floor to shoot Room 28 – as the guests had just left – which was a room that had been recently re-decorated. So once it again it was all hands on board…

.. making the bed & styling the room, before lighting it…

.. which was tricky enough to achieve considering the weather outside.

Anyway, continuing with Plan B, it was then over to the Clubhouse to shoot the locker room – which everyone seemed to want to be in…

.. however, it ended up looking like this…

.. before we finally shot the reception area in the Spa and then calling it a day.

So 4 down but lots to go – should the sun come out to play.