“Stop looking at the clock”

“And start looking at what is actually in front of you, because you are in fact living the dream” – is what I said to my team here, as they were trying very hard to speed things up during this shoot.

Because let’s face it, life really doesn’t get much better than this…

.. or at least not for me it doesn’t – as I simply couldn’t afford to even dream of staying at a place like this…

.. never mind standing on the balcony of their Presidential suite.

So enjoy the moment while it lasts…

.. because I can assure you, I was in no hurry to leave

Anyway, the last image was to show that balcony of the Presidential suite and the view of their gardens and golf course – which the day before we talked over with Susie, as we tried to find the best angle…

..which in the end I reckoned was from the window near the top of the stairs…

.. so worth taking a shot of…

.. because I would rarely not use a tripod…

.. even when working with the 503.

Anyway, other than where it was taken from…

.. it was a pretty straightforward​ shot…

.. to complete the dream, of what The K Club has to offer it’s extra special guests.

And so it was now time to look at the clock – as we packed…

.. because I’m trying to workout how long it will be before we are back here again

​

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The master bedroom in the Imperial Suite.

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words – so when trying to produce an image that someone else will want to use, especially if it’s one for them to use to help them tell their story – or in this case, say to their guests: this room would be ideal for you – then I would often question them about who that person is.

Male, female, young, old, business person, bride, tourists, etc, etc – because I want that person to feel that this would be perfect for them too – in fact, I’d really like them to feel that are already there and this is already their room

Okay, I may be getting a bit carried away here – but that is often like my Goal, i.e. to make the viewer feel that they are already there and this is what they are looking at.

And so I have spent the last 30 years trying to produce those type of images – “Just for you”, as we would often say – and so knowing who ‘you’ (the viewer) is, would , therefore, e important for me and my team to know… hence the questions about the client’s target market, etc, etc.

Because everything in the image, as well as how it’s lit, composed, framed, etc, etc – is all part of the story that we are writing a 1000 words about, when we take a picture or produce an​ image or even create one, to say what it is that we are wanting to say to the viewer, i.e. you

And so with that in mind, the fun begins – which is basically what happened here, during this shoot of the master bedroom in the Imperial Suite…

.. which once lit and styled…

.. had us both looking at the scene here…

.. in no time at all – thinking yes that looks pretty good…

.. so it was time to ask Susie to come have a look.

Arms folded – as you can see here in Claudio’s behind the scenes shot…

.. which isn’t a good sign

Seriously though, Susie really did like it – however, it was this question that I kept asking, about who this person was here…

.. because may be it should be this person…

.. or even this person…

.. or would it be this…

.. or this…

.. or this…

.. which is when she finally said ‘yes’ – like that’s the word I have been look for, to describe this ideal person, who… would want to say in this room, could afford to say in this room, would normally stay in this room .. would stop and look at my picture

Yes, it was a bit like going shopping with one of my daughters, who would tell me that she knew exactly what she wanted, once she would see it

Anyway, that was the master bedroom in the Imperial Suite done – so 4 down and only 1 to go.

The Master Bedroom.

In the Presidential suite, with its four-poster bed was next up…

.. and so while Dianne did a spot of ironing…

.. Claudio once again puts a light outside…

.. and I took a quick shot of the kids…

.. to see if that sort of thing would work.

Which we decided against in the end, as Susie wanted to show that this as the parent’s room or master bedroom in this suite, as it had another bedroom on the other side of the living room that we had just shot.

So we thanked the children for their time, as they had already been amazing – and then Claudio put up another light outside…

.. which as you can see here…

.. lit up the bed beautifully.

Love it – and almost there I reckoned, as I stood back to let Dianne have a look…

.. while the sweat​ ran down my back, due to this amazing weather that we were getting – which naturally we complained about, as we are just not used to it here in Ireland – so there is just no pleasing us sometimes when it comes to the weather

Anyway, she wasn’t happy neither at what she saw on the screen here…

.. and Claudio agreed with her – so I was outnumbered​ 2 to 1

But they were right – as this was the final result…

.. a few minutes later – so can you spot the difference

Anyway, that was it as we called it a day and headed for the bar – where Claudio and I ‘talked shop’ until the wee small hours of the following day, as this was like living the dream for both of us – with 3 down and only 2 to go

The Presidential suite.

At the at The K Club was next up…

.. so while I looked at the first images on the screen…

.. Dianne worked on the styling…

.. as Claudio set up the lights.

Then our star guests arrived…

.. as Susie here…

.. was wanting to show this as a room that would suit a family too.

So while Dianne worked on the cushions, to try and give them a bit more shape…

.. I talked to Susie about how I saw it now, as I wasn’t overly convinced that this was going to work…

.. but by the look on everyone face here…

.. I wasn’t actually doing a very good job of

Anyway, kids sitting on the sofa was my thinking here now…

.. so after getting a green-light on that, it was time to sort the hair out…

.. and then minutes later this was the result…

.. as they both posed to perfection – while both of their mothers look on

And so that was two done – one to go before we would call it a day – as none of us were in a rush for this dream to end

The Imperial Suite.

This week we were shooting at The K Club near Straffan in County Kildare – as they had just recently refurbished two of their top bedroom suites.

So we kicked off in the Imperial Suite – which as you can see from even this first image was pretty amazing…

.. so while thought about what we should do here, as I looked at first images on screen…

.. Dianne started working on the flowers…

.. while Claudio took some pictures…

.. of us looking like we knew what we were doing

Anyway, after Claudio had set-up the light outside the far window…

.. and we had moved the furniture a bit, so as I could see the fireplace – the girls set the table…

.. while I looked on…

.. before the finishing touches were added…

.. and then it was time for Susie (the sales and marketing manager) to have a look at the final result…

.. which at the end was this…

.. after I added a bit more to the top & bottom, as they will be wanting to use this image in various media over the years.

And so that it – as it was time to set-up the next shot, as our star guests were about to arrive, so more on that later on – but for now that was one part of the Imperial Suite in the bag.

From Dianne, Claudio & me – living the dream, as we create the dream, at the amazing K Club

Freestanding units keep it casual.

Is the title of our latest published work in the August 2016 issue of Style at Home magazine…

.. on pages 100 to 103 – which features the kitchen in Jillian and Jim Donaldson’s 1950’s detached house in Belfast.

“Stylist at Home Jillian, 46, extended her kitchen and gave it a laid-back country look with standalone cabinets and painted furnishings.”

Which I talked about shooting here: To tell a story – in March of this year.

So just want to say a big Congratulations to both Jim and Jillian here…

.. for making it into this national magazine – from Marie, Mandi & me @ ampimage.com

Favourite shot has to be the Michael Jordan one.

We were shooting a new build house in the County Down seaside village of Ballyhalbert this week – which belonged to John Wilson, who owns a gallery and framing business – and being like 6 foot 6 and then some, his passion is naturally basketball which he has played at a fairly senior level over the years.

The Storyline:

“As a little boy, John’s family rented a holiday home in Ballyhalbert where he had fond memories of family holidays – boats, fishing etc.
Initially, he loved the idea of a converted barn – but the opportunity to buy one within his budget didn’t arise.
So he decided to look for a site and build from scratch.
Style-wise, he likes a slightly eclectic mix of mid-century furniture (mostly from his grandparents’ former home) plus some very old rustic pieces he picked up cheaply – alongside some more contemporary items.”

Anyway, John had sent Marie a few pictures of his place a few weeks ago, which she then forwarded on to me with comments like so:
“Love the 2 sofas and footstool and stove…
Could see us getting a very strong shot here!!!”

Yes, looks good to me too – and so after re-arranging of the sofas to suit the camera angle and a quick bit of styling by Marie, the first picture was taken…

.. to let everyone see what the camera was seeing – as it’s not seeing the room from 6 foot 6 up in the air

Anyway, after a bit more ‘pushing and shoving’ by John & Marie, lights were in place and so it was time to shoot the man himself…

.. standing tall and very much at home.

The money shot or the lead shot as we would call it – which is like the all-important one – and so that was a ‘slam dunk’ as far as I was concerned

Anyway, as the rain poured down we pushed on and slowly worked our way throughout his house, shooting not only each of the overall​ rooms but also some details shots like so…

.. before moving upstairs to shoot the bedrooms etc.

The picture John had sent Marie of the master bedroom looked like so…

.. which Marie said: “I wouldn’t be long sorting this out…”

And neither she was – as it was already looking good by the time I had set the camera up to take this first shot…

.. which again after some work by John & Marie ended up looking like this…

.. where the most time was spent on debating where the basketball should be

Seriously though it was fun shoot – and the following day after John saw the final results, he replied by saying:

“You work fast Ashley, pictures look amazing!!!”

“Favourite shot has to be the Michael Jordan one but don’t be telling Marie that! haha”

Which refers to this image…

.. of the large framed picture of Michael Jordan titled ‘Wings’ on the landing – which really was stunning – and in itself told the story of who lived here. i.e. someone who is clearly into basketball and beautiful framing of artwork​ too.

A picture that is worth a 1000 words, especially to John – who we would both like to thank for inviting us in and making us feel so welcome, from Marie & me @ ampimage.com

Pure Delight.

Is the title of our latest published work in the August 2016 issue of 25 Beautiful Homes magazine…

.. on pages 39 to 43 – Amanda and Keith Holly’s renovated grade B1 listed Victorian townhouse in Belfast.

“Amanda and Keith Holly made major changes to their new house to create a bright shabby-chic look that the whole family clearly love.”

Which I talked about shooting here: “WOW, I take my hat off to you Ashley! Just wonderful” – a few months ago.

So just want to say Congratulations to them all here…

.. for this Pure Delight – and for once again making it into this beautifully printed top selling National magazine – from Marie, Mandi & me @ ampimage.com