Power Stations!

I've always had a weakness for bikes and cars, so when Jan asked to get photos of his pride & joy's, a Mazda RX-8 and a Honda Fireblade, I was in no way going to turn him down!!



Talk about power stations (which I will do later!!!)... we had an awesome day out with his gorgeous motors!

Starting with the Mazda, we went out onto a quiet stretch of road nearby where Jan could drive past as I shot the car from the roadside. Safety conscious as always, I wore a very bright almost fluorescent coloured fleece (much nicer than it sounds!!) and had my assistant Holly keeping an eye on what was coming... we were amazed at just how busy our 'quiet' road turned out to be!!

Jan did a terrific job at keeping his distance from other traffic, but also at keeping a nice constant speed for me. As the road got busier we headed over to a nearby empty car park where I sat in the centre and Jan, quite literally, drove rings round me!!



He even happily splashed through a few puddles, despite having come out with a gleaming car in the morning! What a star!!

We then went for a few static shots where Jan could get the portrait part of his 'Pride & Joy Portraits' session under the trees, and Holly assisted by providing the lighting.

Holly held on to the large softbox that we used to direct some extra light onto Jan... given the wind at the time, it was rather like holding on to a huge sail but Holly clung on and managed to stay on the ground (it would have been a bit embarrassing if we'd had to rescue her from the trees but luckily she didn't get blown away and we got the shots we were after!).

The afternoon was equally as exciting and, thankfully, the weather had improved as we followed Jan out on his bike. Again we started with a few quiet country roads, but we also managed to find a very quiet roundabout on a business park where Jan could safely get his knee down and do his thing! Not something I would really encourage, but Jan has been riding for a lot of years now and had already demonstrated that he has great awareness of the roads and his position on them, so I felt comfortable that he was safe and sensible!

For the static shots, I really wanted somewhere 'manly', somewhere with a bit of power to reflect the strength and power of Jan and his bike. Hmm, where do you find 'manly' in the countryside? Yep, at the local power station!!! Perfick! Jan looks great, the bike looks great and the power station brought that touch of 'manly' that we needed.



All in all, a great day out!!

Thanks again to Kathryn and Holly, but a special thanks to Jan. It's not easy to rein in these awesome machines for a photo shoot, but you did a fantastic job and I'm so pleased you're happy with the results!!!

Rebecca, x

rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk
www.rtphotographics.co.uk

Chloe is Growing Up!!

I can't resist showing you my Great Niece, Chloe!



She's certainly growing up fast and I'm really happy to say that she's growing up to be as adventurous and excited about life as her Great Aunty Becca!!



She always seems to be happy, even when being bowled over by the dogs... she just picks herself up, brushes herself down, looks at them with a frown and then toddles off chuckling! I am sad to say, however, that her dancing is no better than her Great Aunt Becca's!!! Probably not quite as bad as mine because I should have had a lot more practise at it over the years, but, nonetheless, it's pretty unrecognisable as dancing! Bless 'er!!



With a cheeky grin like Chloe's and her sense of fun and huge spirit, who cares if she can't dance when she's older? She's as cute as a button and we love her to pieces!



I've done incredibly well for nieces and nephews actually! Every single one of them is a gem, and they are all so different in their own ways, I love each and every one!! 5 nieces, 3 nephews, 1 great niece, 1 very proud aunty!!

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk
rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

Pretty for the Prom!

You may remember Holly and Charlotte from our day out on the photography tutorial at the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Hampshire, but here they are in far more glamorous style getting ready for their school prom. The girls were joined by their friend Jess and all three looked totally gorgeous, I know you'll agree!!

Here's Holly...



I love the idea of dressing up for the school prom; it was just a disco back in our day and although I've no doubt the girls spent a lot of effort on their make up or whatever, it pales into complete insignificance when compared to this!

This is Jessica...



I don't even remember going to our end of school disco... in fact I'm fairly sure I didn't! I do vaguely remember an ice skating trip to Richmond (yes, that's how long ago it was, the ice rink closed YEARS ago!!) and then there was strawberries and cream on the terrace when sixth form finished, but I certainly don't remember any disco. But seeing the girls dressed up so beautifully and seeing their smiles and the way they suddenly looked so grown up and gorgeous, I think they will ALWAYS remember this!

I mean, see how stunning Charlotte looks too...


Have a lovely, lovely time Holly, Charlotte and Jess, you look absolutely beautiful and I know how proud your parents are!! Ooooh, I feel so happy and smiley looking at these photos again, thank you ladies, it really was a huge pleasure :-D

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk
rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

Lounging around at the Landmark!

The last time I was at the Landmark Hotel in Dundee, it was actually the Swallow hotel... the roundabout on the A90 is still known as the Swallow Roundabout and probably always will be; one of those things that in years to come when new generations grow up and wonder why the roundabout got its name, all memories and traces will be gone and maybe stories of giant flocks of swallows will replace the rather more uninteresting truth!

So, now known as The Landmark, the hotel has undergone some fairly major changes cosmetically... and all for the better in my opinion, but the fabric of the old castle-like building is still there. The character remains, the staff are still as friendly and the grounds still as beautiful. So it was that I met Rachel and Jason here for a pre-wedding shoot.



They are a lovely couple that I met last year when we did a family shoot with their fabulous, really funny lads. With the wedding booked at The Landmark for next month, it was a perfect choice to go and get some photos of them together around the grounds. The weather was perfect, Rachel and Jase looked gorgeous and so off we went, exploring every nook and cranny in and around the hotel.



It was a beautiful afternoon, not just for the weather and the location, but mostly because of the company. Rachel and Jase are so easy to get along with and the time just flew! We tried so many different places from an old walled garden, all the way through to the ornately carved wooden staircase and the huge old windows behind it. The trees outside were just right for portrait photography. Fresh, green and beautifully shaped, they made the perfect backdrops.



Thank you very much to Rachel and Jase, but also to the staff at the Landmark for allowing us to roam at will. It is very much appreciated indeed.



If you want to see more of The landmark or are considering it as a base for staying in the Dundee area, have a look at their website by clicking the link (I'm not on any commission or anything, I just liked it while I was there!) http://thelandmarkdundee.co.uk/

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk
rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

A Sassenach in the Studio in Scotland!

Yep, that was me, travelling back up north of the border again last week. Amongst other things, I had a great portrait session with Wayne and his family. I love being a portrait photographer (which is probably just as well), not only because it gives me a chance to meet some really smashing people, but also because it is just so much fun and you never know exactly what's going to happen!



I know Wayne and Linda from a while back, so I knew we were in for a great session! I also knew I'd be very well looked after and indeed I was... cooked breakfast on arrival, more tea and coffee than is probably feasible to drink (though I always manage!!), blimey, it's not a bad job I've got is it, he he.

Linda looked stunning.



She had the most beautiful top I've seen in a long while and was perfect for her skin and colouring. Liam was lively and bubbly despite the early start,



and Brooke is achingly sweet with the most gorgeous eyes and shy smile.


Then of course there was the dog. Smokie was anything but shy!! Straight in, on his back, bits on show to the world, he hadn't any inhibitions!!! I did try to tell him it wasn't that kind of a photo shoot, but dogs will be dogs and he was only really happy to lay on display!!!

Wayne was rather nervous but I had a lovely email from him just a couple of days ago saying that I'd helped him to relax and that means so much!



I am fully appreciative of the fact that most people don't like getting their photos taken and feel really awkward in front of the camera... I'm just the same (lucky for me I'm the one that's always behind the camera!!). Throw in the studio lights and whatnot and it can be a very intimidating setting to most people!

I like to give people time to relax first. We do a few test shots to get the lighting just right, but it also gives the model time to get used to the flash. I will also help with posing, trying to keep it natural but at the same time as flattering as possible. It's amazing how much difference a small turn of the shoulders or changing your arm or leg position can make.

So, all in all, we had a fantastic morning and, it has to be said, wow to the breakfast! Thank you so much to Wayne and all the family. It was great to see you all again and I hope it's not long until the next time!!

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk
rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

Autumn Portraits

How lucky were we? If you live in Scotland, or anywhere in the UK for that matter, you'll know that the last few weeks have seen some appalling weather conditions. Rain lashing in sideways, gales, storms, it's been bad! It was therefore with some trepidation that I aquaplaned my way up from Dudley a couple of weeks ago to do a photoshoot in Pitlochry.

I battled across the border, the car getting battered by possibly the worst storm this year and thought I'll be lucky to get home at all, let alone out to do a photoshoot. Having arrived a little damp round the edges but otherwise intact, I went to bed in full expectation of a cancellation due to floods and landslides (not uncommon in the area).

Imagine how surprised and delighted I was to open the curtains on the Saturday morning to clear blue skies and not a breath of wind. Yessss!!!

As a good Girl Guide though, I went prepared and also had the mobile studio so we could go in if the weather turned. As it happens, we had a smashing day out running around by the dam and then into the studio for some warmer, cosier shots.

The girls were incredibly lively, full of fun and spirit. Perfect!!

Thanks to Ian, Clare, Aimee, Evie and Poppy and also a big thanks to Niaesha ;)

Rebecca, x

http://www.rtphotographics.co.uk/

rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

Family Portraits in Camperdown Park

When Rachel first asked me about getting some family portraits done, we had the idea of going along to the beach at Tentsmuir.

Not a bad idea and an ideal place to go and photograph three lads, but, this is Scotland and the beach in autumn isn't really conducive to happy family portraits when there's a force 10 gale, and the rain is coming in sideyways!!!

We decided on Camperdown Park if it was dry, but were more than likely going to end up in the studio. Not really a problem, but when you want outdoor shots it's just not quite the same.

Rachel must be blessed though.

The sun came out and stayed out for most of the morning, which gave us a chance to explore the park and find some lovely autumn colour to use as a backdrop. It was just about warm enough and the lads were fantastic; they had me laughing so hard at times that I struggled to see through the viewfinder for tears in my eyes!!! A delightful family, a lovely morning in the park, and I can't wait for June next year :) Congratulations Rachel ;) xx

Rebecca, x

www.rtphotographics.co.uk

rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk

Glamorous!

The further happy tales of a portrait photographer...



A model, a make up artist, and a whole apartment all to ourselves...




Last Saturday saw myself and Hannah heading across to Dundee for a glamour shoot with Irena. We knew it would be a busy day and were armed with bean bag, flowers, a shedload of lights, stepladders, reflectors.... all the usual gear.



Hannah was along for her first shoot as a make-up artist, and this was my third shoot with Irena so I was confident we were going to have a pretty good girly fun kind of day! I wasn't wrong!! It was fab.



Irena had some amazing gem-studded false eyelashes, and a very good idea of how she wanted to look...



One of the things I love about Irena is that she puts so much into the shoot. She has ideas and we try them out and discuss them - real teamwork



With a whole apartment to ourselves there was no shortage of corners to shoot in, and we tried most of them!




We used the rooms upstairs to get some different angles and styles, and Irena had a set of outfits ready to try on that evoked a feel of more sophisticated glamour.




This inspired a series of shots to capture that atmosphere,



even on the stairs...



and into the bathroom, where Hannah pushed in some bubbles to create a fun but classic set.
Five costume changes, four hours, three girls, two lenses, one camera... job done!





One very happy photographer!! Thanks Irena and Hannah for your hard work that day,xx.






Contact me by e-mail if you'd like to book a shoot or if you'd like any help with your ideas... rebecca@rtphotographics.co.uk






Intimate Portraits, Family Portraits and Actors Headshots...

http://www.rtphotographics.co.uk/