Celebrating my birthday with new studio toys, I asked Jasmine to take a chance and play with me exploring hard light and fashion style.
Okay, I’ll be honest, the truth is it was a bit of a struggle. My camera was so cold from being in storage through the winter months the lens fogged over for most of the session. Huge thanks to the studio for loaning me a similar lens.
True to form, the soft box fell off nearly hitting Jasmine and my arms were shaking every time I picked up my camera because I’d over trained my muscles with the barbell that morning.
But we did it. In just a few hours, our portrait session was over and we won’t be back together again for quite some time. Not using this style anyway.
It’s hard to start photographing models without out a plan.
Experienced and amateur photographers alike need a plan.
Models need a plan.
And that’s why I share my shoot plans especially for fellow photographers like you. See my last behind the scenes post from 2019.
My sessions are easy to enjoy, fun, engaging, slightly exhausting and incredibly supportive. My plans are virtually fool-proof. And easy to follow.
I’ve spend an insane amount of time (hours, days, months, years) harnessing my craft and I enjoy sharing it with others because I get too much pleasuring from my hobby. I want to inspire the same in you.
Plus, as I’ve shared before, I love supporting fellow creatives.
If you have a question about today’s photographs, are you going to finally reach out and ask your questions?
Amanda Herbert | Isle of Wight
Email: info@amandaherbert.com
Sat tucked up under a warm, woollen blanket, I’m admiring Charlotte’s photographs captured last week during a fairly impromptu test shoot. A hastily written model call garnered an exciting response from quite a few new admirers and my calendar is already fill up. As such, I’m rather preoccupied with some new styles of photography I’m eager to explore for 2020. I’ve new fashion items for my model wardrobe, new modifiers and new locations to explore.
The idea of uncertainty and the apparent unending cycle of creativity is at times exciting yet overwhelming, change is afoot for me this year, personally and professionally. Let’s see how life evolves.
To my mind, change is a precarious thing and the chance to take stock and start afresh is natural at this early point in the year. Dark and dismal, each morning greets us with a little slither of pale light and I pause on my front door step every morning scanning the horizon for more light, more warmth and more happiness. I’m far from being an eternal optimist but I can’t help being buoyed up by new photography projects that hint of creative explorations that push my boundaries or create positive transformations for my new clients and models.
Without gushing and getting all cock-a-hoop, I love working with Charlotte as her mantra for life, and herself as a natural model, is all about doing things for others, looking after family and considering how to make other people happy. From the way she greets me outside the studio and how she has fun during the photoshoot, to what she plans to do at the weekends, everything is well thought through. It’s no wonder that the theme of confidence, beauty and understated elegance weave their way through all my photography.
As well as starting 2020 with a new studio, I also feel now is the time explore my photography with verve and passion (there’s no point in letting fear hold me back for another year). 
Portrait sessions this year will be chosen on my model’s ability to embrace their individuality and fashion flair. So, whether that’s a riot of colours (autumnal reds, olives and navy being a favourite), wildly clashing textures like pleather, cashmere and lace or, at the other end of the spectrum, a subtle array of neutrals in tulle and chiffon, don’t let anyone tell you don’t photograph well.
We seem to be living in a time where social media promotes negativity and hate, whatever you may believe from the internet, I’m here to fight my little corner of sunshine. My mantra is to push forward into 2020 with an upbeat approach. Your photographs will be full of joy, colour, life – and excitement sparking in your eyes. Together we’ll create photographs that show what life means to you and those around you. Above all, we’ll create portraits with love, support and generosity. 
