This week has been busy and I have really enjoyed working on a variety of projects. Sometimes I feel like freelancing is balancing 45 different tasks at once. Anyway, as we went into lockdown 1.0 I made a list of areas I wanted to improve in. Post production was top on the list. After years of focusing on capturing a moment it was time to understand how powerful an edit can be to complete an image/video. I wanted to add more flare to my video edits as well as experimenting more in grading my photography.

Now I have spent far too many hours attached to my laptop this week so will keep this brief. During the last year I finally updated my editing software so have enjoyed learning a new program as well as trying to push myself creatively. Normally I wouldn't share an unedited image but thought i would this week so you can see how important this process can be. For me, I will  shoot a certain way, knowing that this will work in the edit. I shoot in RAW, for the extra information, so I have more scope in grading.  So the first image below is the original 'flat' RAW image. The second is partially edited, lifting the exposure slightly as well as shadows. I have kept this image clean as clients often have their own filter which they use for social media. Lastly, I have graded the image and added grain as it come as no surprise that I love a filmic look. 

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Crazy how quickly this week zoomed past. Don't get me wrong Monday was a long and productive day, but blink and suddenly it is the weekend. All fairly chilled at this end, spent some time editing and going for long walks. Always feel so much better after some fresh air, even if I return feeling more like a snowman upon my return. In the spirit of Valentine's I thought I would share some more images I took of the stunning Mariko last year. Are you ordering a takeaway or cooking? Either way I hope you all have a lovely day. I am very excited to try out some new recipes from the Dishoom cookbook tonight. 

This week I wanted to share details of Jai Jai Prince new single "Spotlight (You)". You might remember last year I did a shoot with Jai, I shared some of the film image on the blog earlier. So I was super happy when he ask if he could use one of my images for his single release. We were meant to shoot the CD cover last year but have for the moment place this on hold till is is safe to do so.


So “Spotlight (You)” is out NOW and on all major streaming platforms. You can also check out the video on YouTube too. Jai explains that this track is pretty wild. A dark story about a really difficult time where I was trying to slowly clean up the messes I had made in my life. “Spotlight (You)” is my apology to the person I was during that time, forgiving him for the slip ups and mistakes he made as he tried to heal. 



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So this shoot was shot in mid December and with most popular locations, I find I really wanted to think outside the box so my images don't get lost amongst the others online, especially as Instagram was flooded with pictures from Tate Britain.  I wanted to find new angles, something original which can be a challenging task when everyone has the same idea. So I explored different perspectives as well as experimenting with a different editing style. I wanted these images to have a fun playful and colourful feel.

If you haven't made it down to Tate Britain yet, I have double checked and the installation is available till the 28 February and well worth braving the cold. I think I have visited this location with various friends and clients at least five times and each visit still brought me so much joy. The celebration of bright lights and bold colours lifted my mood. 




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