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Model: Charlottte Model MUA & Hair: Joanna Strange Designer & Styling: Amethyst Accessories & Styling Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
Finally able to put these online after having these sat on my hard-drive for months! Check out the rest published in this months issue of Rebelicious!
As i'm currently really enjoying photographing strangers, i've decided from now on to put these photos all in this one folder, so watch this space for more! After a shoot yesterday, I was wandering around the backstreets of Hampstead when I spotted this man; stood up, easel and paints out, painting from the end of the street. I'm pretty shy when it comes to approaching strangers for photos, and nerves often get the better of me so its a rare occurrence in itself, but on this one occasion I found myself getting my camera out and strolling up to ask for a few quick photos, with no worries or nerves. Perhaps it was because i've been spending so much time looking at Humans of New York lately, or it could be that his dedication to his art in searing heat compelled me to speak to him, and reminded me of my childhood and early teens, when I wanted to become a painter or illustrator, not a photographer. The man in question is A.L. Koetsier, according to the card he gave me. We chatted briefly about his paintings and art, never breaking his concentration and continuing to paint all the while. His enjoyment in his art reminded me of my youth, and further highlights the fact that I really ought to get back into painting, if anything, like Koetsier, for my own enjoyment.
Photography & post-processing by RavenBlakh Photography
Model: Niklas Heed Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
Model: Rhiannon Guest MUA: Deadly Red Makeup Designer: MarKIZ Creations Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
No more TF for a while.
So i've already mentioned this to a few people, but to give a bit more info, i'll give a little explanation. So as the title says, i'm not shooting TF for a while, unless its something i've already planned (not speculated, as in, a set date/borrowed items/moodboards etc all done). I love photography, and I love shooting for fun, and I hope that shows in my images. But despite that, I can't keep this up anymore, and while yesterday was a reality check in that respect, I think this has been a long time coming.
So the short answer is - i've run out of money. And I had a decent amount of money. The issue is that almost all of that, has in some form or another, gone into my TF shoots, that i'm getting nothing back from. Yes, I have the images, and i've had fun and made what I hope are cool images that everyone involved enjoys. When you add up the money I spend travelling to and from location (because I don't actually live in London), sourcing items for shoots (that rarely get used again), paying postage to borrow items (also - not cheap anymore!) and send them back, buying things in the various coffee shops we get ready in and do make up in, and the money i've spent on my camera equipment...its cost a lot. Plus, when you tie in the fact that almost every paid shoot i've had offered to me has eventually ended in people cancelling on me at the last minute or never contacting me again, it means I don't have any money coming in.
Along with that, is the time issue. I've been doing photography, and nothing but, for months solidly, and the simple matter is - I don't have a job. When i'm doing as many shoots as I am, theres no time for a job. So for starters, to solve the money dilemma, I need to get some work, and this will naturally mean my shoots almost slow to a halt when I get something. To be honest, if I do manage to persuade somewhere to hire me, it'll be good really; i've half wanted to work for a while, but i've always picked the photography because its also where I want my career to go, but i've been a fool in jumping too much into it without necessarily been productive.
To be brutally honest, i've been making a mug of myself, and letting people take the piss with photoshoots. While no-one who's shot with me has done so purely because I do it for free, it has to be said that I never get anything back from it. Models? Can potentially use my images to get signed, and then get work. Make up artists similarly. Yet i've gotten very little paid work from people seeing me work with x, y, or z person lately - off the top of my head I can think of one, and that was 6 months ago. So essentially, i'm shooting to further 'build my portfolio' and enjoy shooting things I like, but theres no progression in it for me. I've had no paid offers for work come into fruition, and when i've advertised for it, no-one has been interested. I've shot lookbooks, favours for friends, casual shoots, stuff for other people and their own ideas, and shoots with little or no actual purpose.
Plus, the editing takes time, and i'm finding it difficult to keep up with it when theres no money backing it up on the other side. The more I shoot, the more I am out of pocket, not just in money but in amounts of time to spare. Planning a photoshoot, contacting those involved, creating moodboards, and co-ordinating a shoot can take anything from 2 - 6 hours. Going out and actually shooting, travelling to and from the shoot, doing make up, and taking the pictures - 6-8 hours. Editing - at least a week, and lots of solid days staring at a computer screen. It doesn't just switch off, and I don't just shoot and go, it takes so much time to do all of these shoots and its just consuming me and my wallet. I feel like a fool for carrying on like this for so long, and letting myself be taken advantage of, and essentially, taking advantage of myself. This has not been helping me further a potential career; if anything its hindering me, and allowing myself to stay stuck.
So from here on, that stops. Other than the exceedingly rare occasion, I will not be shooting TF. I will not be working with new models or MUA's, I will not be portfolio building for anyone, or doing favours for friends. I enjoy it, but I just can't get by that way anymore.
If you wish to work with me in the future, I recommend you message me for my rates. I'm not hugely expensive, and it helps me that little bit more to invest time in TF shoots again, when possible.
Model: Charlottte Model Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
Model: Rhiannon Guest MUA: DeadlyRed MakeUp Designer: MarKIZ Creations Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
Washout Clothing, bitch!
Models: Niklas, Sam, & James Photography & post-processing: RavenBlakh Photography
