All models below are represented by Portfolio Models, based in Christchurch.

I’m blessed with stunning natural backdrops in my hometown – Queenstown, New Zealand. However, I love photographing in big cities because it always comes with a challenge. I’m usually not familiar with the city, so my first step is quite literally scrolling the streets via google earth to find some suitable spots to shoot. 

Secondly I have to consider the lighting, because although a street may look perfect at the time of day being shown, if you shoot early/late, the sun could be in a completely different spot, and therefore no longer give the look you’re hoping to capture. 

To help me with this, I use an app called Sunlitt (which is free to download and use, but has a pro option too). This app helps me to put in a location and then work out which direction the sun will be coming from and at what time – an absolute game changer. 

I tend to plan my on-location shoots with a lot of time flexibility. I always ensure I have at least a day to location scout (i.e. confirm the location I have found on google maps/earth is exactly as I hoped), and also to re-confirm the lighting and weather ahead of the shoot. Having flexibility also means there’s breathing space to move the shoot if we need to. 

The first shoot was with Tawanda. I planned to shoot street style fashion shots, with a slightly grungy but commercial feel, and I’d found a laneway ahead of time that would give a mixture of options for me to work with. The weather was slightly cloudy, giving a diffused but darker/moodier look, matching the surrounding scene. We shot in a few different spots, working our way down the laneway trialing different spots and poses. 

The second shoot was with Maximus, using the same laneway, but working our way through the laneway in the opposite direction. We found even more spots, including a little doorway that worked perfectly for him to sit in. The sun came out in a few spots, highlighting the backdrop but this also reflected on the walls, adding a lighter look to the area. 

The last shoot was with Tessa and Elisabeth, in a different spot. This time we used the band stand just by the river. It gave an elegant, English feel to the shoot, especially next to the river. 

Taking place in the morning, we again used natural lighting, which initially gave a cloudy diffused light, evolving to dappled light as the clouds floated away. We also focussed on capturing video for this, flicking between both photo & video to get the shots we needed. Whilst I was shooting one model, the other would capture behind the scenes for me, so we could capture as much content as possible. Despite all being tired from the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival the night prior, we had the best time getting creative and using the location to get as many shots as possible. 

Wherever I am, i’m always staging a shot in my head. Visualising the model, pose and feel of the image at any location – I seem to be unable to appreciate a view without thinking how I would shoot it, but I guess thats all part of the passion I just can’t shake. 

If you’re curious as to how I could shoot your brand on location, flick your brand and location to me via the contact button below.