A couple of weeks ago I did 2 workshop days run by Adrian Pini, who owns a fab London studio and also organises themed group shoot days with great models in interesting locations. My days were Fantasy Fairytale theme, shooting in beautiful woodland, crumbling ruins and a gorgeous old roofless house full of interesting doorways, pillars and arches. Having booked this months ago, we were confident the weather would be fine in mid July, but as the date crept closer we were so worried it would be a complete washout with the bad forecast. But it turned out fine both days, only a bit of rain, and we got some beautiful light, and in fact the wetness in the forest brought out the lush greens in the ferns and leaves, we even had some sunshine in the afternoon.

These gorgeous shots from the second day are by Peter Kelly, who has chosen some lovely pieces of poetry to accompany the images. Enjoy!
How now, my lord, why do you keep alone,

Of sorriest fancies your companions making,

Using those thoughts which should indeed have died

With them they think on? Things without all remedy

Should be without regard: what’s done, is done.

Macbeth Act 3, Scene 2, 8-12

Every time a child says, “I don’t believe in fairies,” there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead.

~James Matthew Barrie, Peter Pan

Haste thee, Nymph, and bring with thee Jest and youthful Jollity,

Quips and Cranks and wanton Wiles, Nods and Becks and wreathed Smiles.

-John Milton

Mother of Roses!–bright Aurora!–hail!

Thee shall the chorus of the hours salute,

And song of early birds from ev’ry vale,

And blithsome horn, and fragrant zephyr mute!

Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,

For I would ride with you upon the wind,

Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,

And dance upon the mountains like a flame.

~William Butler Yeats, “The Land of Heart’s Desire,” 1894

And I will add a quote of my own…
“There was a star danced, and under that was I born” … spoken by Beatrice, from the play Much Ado About Nothing – which I went to see with my boyfriend last night at Stratford’s World Shakespeare Festival, but this version had a twist… instead of like the 1993 film version (one of my ultimate favourite movies) set in sumtuous 14th century Tuscany; this one was set in a modern day, loud, sparkling and colourful India! This made it a thoughtful interpretation on the themes of the story and a stunning visual treat 🙂

Re the location days above, for anyone interested; Adrian and I have another of the themed workshops this Saturday, which sold out pretty fast like the last two, but there is a waiting list (details here) if you would like to reserve a place for a future date, or join to take a look at Adrian’s other Meet-Up events 🙂