And it looks amazing…
.. so Merry Christmas everyone 
December 24, 2014
December 20, 2014
December 18, 2014
December 7, 2014
Trading Up
Was the name of the TV programme Louise Lear was presenting at the time – who is probably best know for her role as a BBC Weather presenter – so we where invited along to capture this renovated bungalow in Hertfordshire…
.. which Louise and her husband Ian, plus their two boys, James & Miles, called their home.
Looking back now at the series of shots taken – like this one of Marie in the kitchen…
.. who was sitting in while I tweaked the lighting for this shot…
.. was in a way, a bit like the programme – as each time I shot Marie…
.. I then traded her up…
.. for the Real McCoy 
Seriously though, couldn’t do it without her, as she is always like one step in front of me, which often puts a new meaning behind the term ‘behind the senses’ – as it’s her behind I often end up capturing…
.. as she works her magic in front of the camera, to help create beautiful images like this…
.. of Louise with her two sons, James & Miles, in the living room beside the kitchen.
The real star of the show as seen here again…
.. being traded up…
.. for a series of images that have had more hits on our website than any other.
Was I thinking of Trading her Up, I hear you say… no way – but I did enjoy the TV show and so was delighted to meet Louise – a true professional in every way, especially as a young mother whose family were also a pleasure to meet.
Featured in the October issue of BBC Good Homes magazine…
.. back in 2006 and in Property Projects in the May 2007 issue…
.. which is hard to believe as it really doesn’t seem that long ago – but there you have it.
So for all of you who Google search her name and then end up on our website as a result, this Blog is for you, to help complete the story behind that picture of Louise
December 5, 2014
English TV celebrity chef
While doing a bit of a tidy up in the studio this week with my daughter Holly, we came upon this cookery book called James Martin’s Great British Dinners – which was obviously by English TV celebrity chef James Martin himself – which as you can see here he had kindly signed…
.. to both her and her sister Chloe.
Brought back great memories of this shoot which was commissioned by the BBC, for an editorial feature about James here…
.. and his beautiful 19th-century house in Hampshire, which he had just recently bought and was planning to extend quite a bit.
So quickly showed Holly some of the images we produced, like this one of Rachel from the BBC, talked to James out in the Garden…
.. which as you might expect, was where he grew fresh organic produces – which is naturally high on any top chef’s agenda – while Marie worked her magic inside.
Some great Boy’s Toys, like racing helmets, guitars and vintage posters of sports cars throughout the house – but perhaps the most surprising thing was the kitchen which James himself described with a smile, as being a bit Barbie…
.. which I think possibly came as a shock when he finally saw it painted!
Anyway, needless to say, the person shot had to be of James in this great kitchen…
.. which I explained to Holly required more lights to light-up than one would have expected, due to its size and shape of the overall room.
And yes his dog who he called Fudge – who can you can see here sitting in his custom-built den…
.. was very happy to get the steak used in that shot too
Anyway, interesting home style wise according to Marie & Rachel – and quite ornate in places too – but it was his bedroom here…
.. that naturally got the girls smiling the most – as it was just as I’d expected – even though it was not quite what one might expect to see in their magazine – which it did all appear in as you can see here…
.. the follow year.
We’ve shot quite a few celebrities in their homes over the years – and as always, we find them great to work with – because they know how to work for the camera and how important it is to get the shots just right.
James was no exception here – he was relaxed, professional and… well just a really nice guy to work with !!
And this book he signed here afterward, to Holly & her sister was a reminder of all of that.
So from Marie, Rachel & me, plus my two girls, I’d just like to say a belated: Thank you, James, for everything… and especially for this beautiful book too.
December 2, 2014
Cream of The Crop.
Is the title of our latest published work in the January 2015 issue of Ireland’s Homes Interiors & Living magazine…
.. on pages 84 to 97, plus on the cover too – featuring Alastair and Pauline Bingham’s chalet bungalow in the County Down town of Bangor.
“When Pauline went house-hunting in Bangor, Co Down, she was on the trail of that elusive ‘feeling’ – and after exhausting viewings of older properties as well as new-builds she found it in this 1980s chalet bungalow.”
Which we talked about shooting here: All Change.
Anyway, making the cover too is great way to start the New Year – which is hard to believe is so near – so over the moon at having achieved this – and so would just like to say congratulations to Alastair and Pauline here…
.. for this time making it into this absolutely beautifully printed Irish glossy magazine – and a big thank you everyone else involved here too.
From Marie, Mandi & me @ ampimage.com – where you can read more about what we do
