Ever felt like the presence of some people warms you up to have an amazing time? Well, that pretty much sums up this lovely morning at the Foxton Locks, Market Harborough, Leicestershire where I often meet couples, families and individuals for their photographs. The Locks deserve an entry in their own right but this one isn’t about the location. Instead, it’s about people, friends old and new who have made the morning really warm on this cold winter day.

I’ve known Sally for years now ever since we first met back in the day when I lived in Desborough. We were neighbours back then and shared moments of happiness and those less pleasant, as you do… I was then even more so joyous when she got in touch to ask for some photos and a catch-up.

We were very lucky on this morning amidst the rainy week we’ve been having and the skies opened for us beautifully. Then there was something special about it since her partner brought his two daughters, also twins, just like Sally’s. I’ve never shot a set like that and because of this I was even more engaged in the challenge of portraying the moments and laughter they shared. And boy do they know how to have a good time! The laughs came easy as we walked along and chatted along the way.

I loved every minute of it and I can only hope it isn’t the last time I see them all. They have been so easy to spend time with and I’m looking forward to showing them the printed album with the images captured. Some of them can be viewed below.
Till next time! And Merry Christmas!

Following my recent trip to Barcelona, among other projects which I’m trying to work on these days, I was contacted by one of my favourite Photography magazines, Fuji X Passion. Mauricio and Hugo, based in Portugal and both of whom have been running the online space as well as the magazine for a fantastic source of inspiration, reviews and work asked me whether I’d like to be featured in this special edition of the Fuji X Masters Travel just released online (, link here). Well, duh and Hell Yeah! I am so happy to see that the photos I had the pleasure of taking not only have been appreciated but to be set against others who have truly kicked the ball out of the park with their quality and passion! 

I am speechless and enjoyed both viewing and reading the articles composed of thoughts of like-minded fellow travellers who are dedicated to telling visual stories in a way I haven’t seen before. 

Thank you so much, Hugo and Mauricio and I’m looking forward to our future collaboration! 

To download the special travel edition of the Fuji X Masters magazine click here. 

For Fuji X Passion online magazine are click here. 

Following up from the recent post about a model shoot in Catalunya, here I am again reporting on the city’s streets, places both known and less so to bring Barcelona closer to your eyes and to present some of its people. 

No matter where I go, I have always been a believer in the saying that the place is made by its people so this time around I decided to photograph up close more often than I’m used to. This meant approaching subjects and asking them for permission to be photographed which I found a pleasing experience at the end of the day as I learnt a lot about their lives. From Pedro, one of the restaurant’s chefs to Sergey, a musician and traveller with a story or two to tell, to Geoff and Stewart, a couple of still active but resting businessmen travelling together, there was always a conversation to be had. And an interesting one at that! Therefore, it was approximately ten minutes of chat after I asked the question ”Can I take your portrait?” until I did. 

Other than people, you can’t really avoid taking photographs of Barcelona’s fabulous architecture. I find it hard to describe. Fluid, rough in places, bizarre, engaging and thought-provoking, every corner is filled with opportunities to take it all in one piece at a time. And it’s exactly what it made me do. If only the images captured below could express fully what it felt like… 

During October I always tend to stop for just a bit and take the opportunity to do something different, new and exciting yet still connected with photography. As it happens, it was a coincidence of two things merging: catching up with friends and family plus producing material for Barcelona street and travel photography reportage.

Spending the first two days with my niece Karolina, who has had some experience with modelling, was great fun, especially that we hadn’t seen each other for such a long time. It was so fun to shoot together too because there was no ice to break, and a lot of laughter so if anyone was to ask me how to improve their portraiture game I’d say “practice on your friends and family”. 

Apart from that, there was the city itself. Barcelona is an amazing setting for photography and I was lucky to have it all, both the cloudy and soft days with an opportunity to produce some interesting monochrome outputs as well as the sunny days with a lot of colours to focus on and play around with. The images below have been taken with Karolina posing at different times of the day and at different locations including Parc Guell, the Gothic Quarter, the Marina and around the La Rambla.  

Up next on the blog, Barcelona street photography. Stay tuned and p.s. always keep your hands in your pockets, it’s true what they say about the pickpocketers who are quite literally everywhere. 

Michael

Inspiration can and comes from different directions. As I await my trip to Barcelona to report on the recent events on location, my short holiday starts with a morning at Bradgate Park, Leicester where I shot twice this year so far.
In case you haven’t been yet, Bradgate Park offers around 300 hectares of unspoilt Leicestershire countryside with rutting deer and engaging autumn colours, perfect for wildlife and landscape photography. Having said that I found it to be one of the best locations for engagement shoots as well and will be coming back here both in winter and the next busy wedding season. 

Here are just a few images shot this weekend.   

With special thanks to S.P. Williams who continues to inspire with his landscape photography. Many thanks S.P.W.!