Manchester Portraits: Kim and Vicky

Kim and Vicky are two young sisters living over Manchester way.  I have known Kim for many years through work as we are ex-colleagues, and have met her sister Vicky several times on nights out.  Kim has a little boy who is nearly 2 and Vicky has just had a little baby boy within the last 3 months.  I was very honoured to go over and do some portrait shots as a surprise Christmas present for their Mum.

Rest of the pictures are up at my website, http://www.lefebgvre.org.uk/, click Image Gallery, Portraits.

Inspirations: Paul Marbrook

This is going to be the first of the occasional series of blogs about some of the people I have met along my journey into photography.  The first one I am dedicating to Paul Marbrook.  I first met Paul on one of the Walkabout sessions organised by the great Jo Rutherford (more on her in another post!).

Paul is one of those people that you can't help but like.  He is very approachable and friendly, offered me lots of good tips and advice and was quite happy to talk about some of the big dos and dont's he had discovered along his journey.  He is also the person who introduced me to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, without which I am quite sure I would not be where I am today.  So hats off to you Paul - quite an eye-opener that one!

Known affectionately by some of the regular models as TP or Tall Paul - something I am sure which is to do with his not insignificant stature, Paul is over 6' tall and what I would describe as ruggedly good-looking - a bit of a rogue maybe - you know what I mean.  He often sports some designer stubble and I seem to remember when I first met him if he was there as a photographer or also as a model too - sorry Paul!

Paul describes himself as a "lifestyle portrait photographer" and is one of the old school - or would be if it weren't for digital.  He has a love of the standard prime lenses and this shows through in some of the breathtaking pictures he produces.  His pictures have the most beautiful blurred backgrounds with jaw-dropping colour and bokeh, yet the main focus of the picture is pin-sharp and beautifully focused.  His recent images of the gamer girl are a good example of these:
http://www.paulmarbrookphotography.com/gamer-on-in-middlewich/

See more of Paul and some his quite frankly stunning imagery at his site http://www.paulmarbrookphotography.com/

Cheers Paul, it is a great honour and pleasure to know you and to have had the privilege to work with you - and here's hoping we can do some more of that soon.   :-)
John

Photoshop practice - layers

A bit of practice with photoshop layers and blending.  Took a picture of the wonderful model Kayleigh-Jo and blended a nice light trail onto her upraised hand.  Then added a decorative swirl which I masked to appear under her arm.  Add a comment if you like it!

No flies on me!

Took this a while back with my EF-S 60mm macro lens - not had real chance to do this lens justice yet.  Anyway, here is a close-up of a fly that very kindly let me get up close 'n' personal with the lens.

Southport Wedding Photography

If you are in the Southport or surrounding areas looking for a wedding photographer, why not give me a call on 07944 567250?
Have a look at my website for sample photos - more are going up all the time!
Package prices start at just £895

http://www.lefebvre.org.uk/weddings.html

John

Webpage slideshow working!

I have to admit it - I have been struggling with the HTML code required to get a working slideshow on my webpage.  I finally cracked it, and think it looks very nice in action - there are smooth transitions between photos and it even randomizes the photos on each load.  Marvellous!
Go to http://www.lefebvre.org.uk/ and click on the Portraits and/or Weddings links.

Jayne

Had the pleasure of catching up with Jayne, one of my sister's friends, and someone I have known since primary school.  Although living down south, she popped back to Southport to visit family and had booked me in for a photoshoot with her gorgeous little girl, just 7 months old, and who had started crawling whilst here! Awww...