Photoshoots in Las Vegas

Last night I was sent a copy of a tearsheet (see below) from Planet Muscle magazine from a shoot I did the last time I was in Las Vegas, and this morning I woke to an email from someone asking if I'd be at Olympia this year.

Before today I had my mind focused on shooting in Canada in August & September.  However confirming shoots this year in Canada seems harder than ever.    So I'm seeing it as a sign that Las Vegas is a much better idea, and therefore is much more likely to happen.

My plan is to travel out somewhere around 20th September and stay for 10-14 days.

Let the booking start today!

Also, someone has suggested that I come to New York City to shoot.  I've not been there in years, so would welcome an excuse to visit again.  It would have to be after Olympia though.

Great roadtrips

Today's photo was taken midpoint along the Redwood Highway in California, somewhere between Crescent City and San Francisco.

I've driven all across North America but the Redwood Highway is one of my favourite drives of all.  You can just about do it in a day if you don't stop too often, but next time I'm in the area I want to have more time there.   I have driven it 3 times now and each time its magical.  There is something about the trees and the ocean that makes it all so special.  The smell of the forest is also amazing.

This photo, if I can remember correctly was taken at the long end of a 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x extender bolted on.  The car in the distance was probably a good mile away from me.

Whenever I look at my photos from any of my road trips, it gives me in itchy feet and I want to go off and hit the road.  This year I think I want to stay closer to home as I'd really like to make a return visit to the northern bits of the Scottish Highlands.

Serenity in Leicester

Last time I was in the Leicester area I had the misfortune of having a hotel and shoot in the city centre.  Neither the hotel nor the city centre were a place anyone would willingly choose to spend time.

However when I was there last week it was an entirely different story, my client had booked me into the Rothley Court Hotel, which is on the outskirts of Leicester and is totally wonderful.

According to the Rothley Court website it "has a long history dating back to the Doomsday Book of 1086".

As well as being a fine hotel, it would also make for a lovely place to get married.  It has its own chapel built into the hotel, stunning gardens.  I'd love to photograph a wedding here someday.

I was able to get an early check in thanks to my relaxed schedule that day, and by the time the posh breakfast with teapots and smoked salmon came in the morning I was completely chilled and ready for my headshot photoshoot 10 minutes down the road.  Happy days.

The Serenity sign was on a door opposite my room, I took a picture because it summed up my state of mind after just a night there (and also because it reminded me of one of my favourite films / tv series).