Simon and I often talk about potential models and the type of photography we could practice. Because my model acquisition skills aren't as developed compared to Simon's, it is always Simon who provides the subjects. He makes it possible that we get to hone our photography skills, while the model ends up with some very nice images for free. So everybody's happy. Those conversations about potential models mostly consist of Simon having a list of names and describing (maybe strangely enough) the character of each potential model (instead of her looks) such as confident, wild, happy go lucky, talkative, etc. and the kind of work she does. When I think of models, I think of young women. The kind you see in most magazines. So when Simon asked if I fancied joining a photoshoot photographing Henry, I was a bit confused. Didn't hear that name drop before and the name didn't sound very feminine to me. As it turned out, he wasn't.

Yesterday, on a beautiful warm summer evening, I stepped into my car, put on the AC and went on my way to a park not too far away. I took my dog Nikki with me, as being outdoors in nature makes her a lot happier, then staying home alone. She might also come in handy for the activities that would take place later on. In the park I had a meet up with fellow photographers and a model (all colleagues of mine), for a photography session with the theme "natural light", organised by portrait photographer Simon Sutcliffe. When I arrived the group was complete and after a short walk we arrived at a large field with tall grass. Simon explained to the group the basics of how to shoot a subject in relation to the direction of the light coming from the sun, without using a flash or a reflector. Showing the effects when doing it wrong and demonstrating how to get it right. After this short demo the photoshoot started.

Being fully in vacation mode, relaxing in my backyard, enjoying a cold drink and soaking up sun rays, I was totally unaware I had received several messages from friend and fellow photographer Simon Sutcliffe. I read the text that said "Doing a photoshoot with model. Would like to try direct flash. Looking for wingman. Open to further suggestions. Let me know if you're interested". As the previous photoshoot was so much fun and using flash is something I'm trying to get more experience with, I was totally game. I packed my gear, charged the batteries and jumped on my bike and rode to the hotel where the photoshoot was going to take place.

After losing my wife at the end of last year (see blog post Eveline), I stopped writing blogs and put photography on hold for a while. After a certain period of time I started shooting again, not always with the same passion as before and sometimes even with some reluctance. But photography helped me to keep my mind busy with other more positive things. Slowly but surely I was shooting more and more and now I'm even thinking about doing some new photography related projects again. One of the projects that has already come on my way, is a photo shoot with (amateur) models. This was a first for me, as I normally shoot landscapes, my dog Nikki, company events and occasionally a headshot for work. With several colleagues I went to the old city centre of Amersfoort to shoot some pictures at sunset.