Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all
our clients past, present and future.
See you all next year!
Mon 14th Nov 2011
Wow…. Have been so busy with sessions in the studio I have been remiss in keeping the blog updated. Any how, one of my fav recent sessions is the lovely Louise who came in with Mum and Dad for a double celebration. Firstly Louise has just turned 21 and secondly has just graduated with a degree in Media and Sociology.
Mon 19th Sept 2011
Amazing news
Win a £1000 portrait package with Richard Clarke Photography
And Take a Break magazine
After months of planning I am delighted to announce the launch of our new premium service “Richard Clarke Photography”. Aimed towards clients who do not want the “studio thing” this very special package is for me to come along to your home or just about any location in the country and spend some quality time photographing you all in a very natural, almost journalistic way in a environment that has special meaning to you and design you a unique heirloom portrait album of the experience.
The new service has its own dedicated website with all the information and lots of lovely portraits to show you what we can do for you. Just click on the link above.
To help launch this great new service we have got together with Take a Break magazine, and from Monday 29th Sept onwards they will be running a competition in conjunction with us to win a session and album worth £995, all you need to do is pick up a copy of the magazine for all the details.
16th Sept 2011
Here’s a multi I put together for the Bartolo family of their very charismatic children, Lenny and Mia who had a great time in the studio messing around and generally being very funny and were a joy to photograph.
Have a look at the full session with mum and dad, and keep an eye out for the two balck and white portraits of Lenny and Mia by themselves, they look georgous!!
15th Sept 2011
Next Monday sees the launch of my new premium service, designed for famalies who do not want the studio experience, it is the ultimate portrait experience of a home and location shoot and a beautiful album…more details to follow!
14th Sept 2011
It’s not always pretty green fields and landscapes when we go outdoors as this shot shows, still taken right outside the studio, these two gave it plenty of attitude for this gritty shot.
30th Aug 2011
Heres little Alfie who came in recently for a few shots, he was such a great little lad to photograph that once we had done the studio shots we took him outside into the park for a few more pictures.
9th Aug 2011
Here are some portraits of the Ayres family from Harlow. Mum wanted something a bit different to the usual studio portraits of her children and dogs so we took them for a wander around The Gunpowder Park for some shots, then up to High Beach which is about 5 minutes drive from the studio. For more details on our packages for outdoor portraits click here
9th Aug 2011
The riots in London got a bit close for comfort, this is the Sony warehouse that sits on an industrial estate just at the end of the Gunpowder Park about a mile from the studio, the smoke was burning all day, and the park was as busy as I’ve seen it with people coming down and taking their own photos.
9th July 2011
Issabell O Brien has just finished her three portrait sittings with us over her first year, for more info on this very special offer have a look at http://www.theportraitstudio.org/baby-club-2
9th July 2011
There are some really lovely colours right now in The Gunpowder Park, here are a couple of shots just outside our back door that I shot last week of the Horne Family from Hoddesdon.
1st July 2011
Last week I photographed the wedding of Mark and Nancy Salmon at Woolston manor, Chigwell. The good old British weather was good to us and only started to rain literally ten minutes after we had finished the photography! Mark and Nancy have two gorgeous daughters, Hannah 3 and Francessa 7 who were brilliant on the big day.
26th June 2011
Last week I took some lovely portraits outdoors and at the home of the Reid family over in Witham near Chelmsford. Tyler who is five months old was great for the three hours I spent with him and his mum and dad. True to form the great British weather intervened about half way through the shoot so we headed back indoors for some informal shots, check out the shots of mum and dad in the tunnel on the way home, they look superb.
26th June 2011
Came into the studio this morning to find a fully grown deer wondering around the car park with out a care in the world! The Lee Valley Park Rangers came down and managed to persuade the Deer back to the forest.
15th June 2011
The very expressive Imogen came in a week ago, slightly belated, for her 1st birthday portraits, Imogen born on the 20th April last year was a fantastic little model who as you can see from these portraits have no shortage of wonderful expressions!
31st May 2011
I am launching two great new products that look absolutely stunning. To see a sneak preview click here
24th May 2011
Last weekend I was at The Marriott Hotel, Waltham Abbey shooting pictures for a testimonial Dinner. Lee Harrison who played over 300 games for Barnet has retired and will soon be managing Newport. Turning up to show their support amongst others, were two Spurs legends. Keith Burkinshaw on the left and Peter Shreeves on the right.
6th May 2011
Last week I took these portraits of the Oliver 5 and his little brother Jack 3. They were so well behaved on the shoot it was a joy to photograph them and I was able to take some really special stuff, Mum and dad have gone for a large canvas of the boys laying head to head in Black and White, a couple of blocks of them both individually and the rest on CD. Mum and Dad happen to run the Wild n Wacky play center in Harlow http://www.wildnwacky.co.uk a great place to take the little ones.
5th May 2011
Here are a few shots of the lovely Lauren who really gave me the run around in the studio for the best part of an hour! Lauren who is two was so expressive which is one of the great things about portraits at this age, they are still so natural and unaware of the camera.
30th April 2011
Managed to have a bit of time of this Easter to spend with the family and took this bit of video of my Son, Daniel terrorising the pigeons and his big sister Caitlin not far behind.
18th April 2011
I have finally got all my training courses designed and written, so if you a you a budding pro photographer check out the training and resources page on my website. I am also mentoring a couple three keen photographers at the moment and have room for two more, so if you want something to work towards with your photography drop me an email.
15th April 2011
I have set the date for our next outdoor portrait day, it will be the May bank holiday, click here for more info about having a session of your family in the beautiful surroundings of The Gunpowder Park.
31st March 2011
Jack and Alfie came in for their portraits last week and viewed them last night, I am not to sure who the biggest poser was between the two and I understand Alfie the dog has already had a successful career modelling! Here are a couple of my favs , you can view the whole show by clicking here. Mum and Dad were even persuaded to have a quick shot. Mum and Dad choose their favourite two which are currently being made into wall portraits and they are also having a collection on CD.
16th March 2011
The beautiful 16 month old Jessica and her mum and dad who had a session with us last week. Jessica was an absolute dote to photograph, very expressive and very cooperative allowing me to take lots of different photographs. These are the two main portraits mum and dad went for, I love the big close up!! You can see the whole show by clicking here.
11th MARCH 2011
Last week I gave a talk to Hoddesdon camera club about modern portrait photography and gave a practical demonstration on lighting and posing, the pictures and some comments can be seen on my resources page.
10th Mar 2011
Here are a couple of shots of my two, Caitlin and Daniel, have been messing around trying a new style of very informal non studio type of pictures to show how they really are as opposed to something set up in the studio, early days but I quite like them.
28th Feb 2011
Been a bit busy here at the studio so have’nt been updating the blog as often as I should but we are going to be scheduling some special outdoor shoot days over the next few months, so if you would like to register your interest please call me at the studio on 0845 0044244 or give me an email at info@theportraitstudio.org or log onto www.theportraitstudio.org
18th Feb 2011
Beverely and Danny and thier family came to us last month for a session, and they were great fun. Danny is a huge Man U fan and if you cant read his shirt it reads
1. Man U
2. Kids
3. Wife
4. Beer
Numbers 3 and 4 are subject to change
You can view the whole session by clicking here
28th Jan 2011
The brilliant Ossie and Annabelle, four and six were so enjoyable to photograph, both of them were really good fun and most of the pictures they pretty much posed themselves including the very important shots of them with their teddybears. To see the whole session on one of our funky DVD showreels click here
21st Jan 2011
Here is a shot I love of twenty one year old Meg, a dancer and singer who wanted a few shots done for her portfolio, I love the moody lighting which is something I have been doing a lot of recently and is inspired by the vogue shots of the 1960′s.
14th Jan 2011
Here are a few shots of a lovely little fella called Charlie who has already been in for two sessions with us, Charlie was born on the 30th March last year 6Lb 15oz and we took s first set of portraits when he was just four months and a few days ago at eight months and mum and dad are coming back for his first Birthday later this year. It really is lovely to look back and see how he is changing so much, that first year goes so quick!
13th Jan 2011
Back to work after a little holiday with the family in Ireland, missed flights, snow blizzards in Dublin, freezing water pipes aside it was a nice few days!! Came home for a few days inbetween to shoot some sessions that were booked in over Christmas. Here are a couple of shots I really like of 13 year old twins Shelby and Amber from one of those sessions.
22nd December
Well just about the end of the year, I am of to Ireland for a few days with the family but will be coming back for a few sessions over the Christmas period, I would like to say a big Thank you to all our wonderful clients this year and wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.
My last blog entry this year is a link to a show of some of my work from the last twelve months that has covered our family portraits, weddings, modelling sessions for actors, dancers and even a couple of body builders!! Click here and enjoy!!
18th December
And the snow finally arrived about lunchtime and put pay to any more sessions today, all re scheduled for over Christmas so here are a couple of shots of the view out of the window.
This is about Mid day and a shot of my assistant Ben, shot using a high shutter speed to make it look like night and then a bit of blur added to the snow.
This is me outside the studio.
and the view!!
11th December
Here are a few shots I took yesterday of a great dancer for her portfolio, Sabrina was amazing to work with and we spent most of the day doing some really different shots.
19th November
Christmas is just around the corner and if you don,t know what to buy why not get a portrait gift voucher. You can order on line on the front of our website or just give me a call and we can do a nice personalised gift voucher for any amount. Prices start from as little as £25 for a session and 8″x6″ portrait.
12th November
Here are some shots from a recent session I really like. The Towsend family with Young Bailey were great to photograph and we took some really cool and different images for them, some here the rest can be viewed by clicking here and watching thier show which includes some great bits of video
10th November
I finally found the time to photograph my two children last week and here is my favourite shot for a very proud Dad to show of. Daniel has just had his first birthday and Caitlin will be three just before Christmas.
16th October
It was my last wedding of the year on Saturday and what a nice wedding to finish on. Daniel and Cilean were married in Loughton and had their reception at Woolston Manor and despite it being October we were really lucky with the weather. You can view some of their images by clicking here
1st October
Last month has been a really busy month here at the studio and one of my favourite sessions is The Rungasammy family. Maybe because this is the third time I have photographed them and their two beautiful children, Luca and Trinity, and it is such a pleasure to see them growing up and knowing we have captured some great memories for them.
21st September
Last week I photographed the Wedding of Alec and Alex at Maidens Barn in The High Easters near Chelmsford, this lovely little venue helped make the photography a pleasure and Alec and Alex were a great couple to shoot, click here for a short video of some of the images from the day.
9th September
As promised here is a selection of portraits of the outdoor portraits I have recently been shooting, I hope you like them.
To view a slide show of my favourite outdoor portraits click here
31st Aug 2010
I have been back to work for a week now following a short holiday in Ireland with the family and it has been really hectic, the Bank holiday weekend we had our outdoor family shoots and the weather just about held out for us. Here’s a shot from one of the sessions, and I will get a selection up soon.
One of my favourite sessions I have recently shot has got to be Racheal Kaitell and here three beautiful daughters who were all so full of fun and checkiness, they were just brilliant to work with. Click here for the full show or here for a special offer so you too can get some wonderful portraits of your family
10th Aug 2010
Most months we run a competition to win a free portrait or CD and Last months winners were Lee and Hayley Jordan from Harlow. They bought their two children, Chloe 3 and Taylor 18 months for a session and are now the proud owners of a beauitful gallery portrait of them. Here is a shot of Dad Lee collecting their prize.
To enter this months draw email sales@theportraitstudio.org and type competition into the subject bar.
7th Aug 2010
It has been a couple of really busy weeks here at the studio, two weddings, lots of sessions in the studio and out on location and even a birthday party for a client. Here is a selection of bits and pieces from the last few shoots.
Here is a shot of the new Mr and Mrs Lee and Danielle Humberstone just outside the backdoor of Lee’s parents who live in Ongar, Essex. The wedding took place at Epping registry office on Friday 6th Aug, with 40 guests.
We are always happy to donate raflle prizes to local charities and schools and one winner of one of these prizes was 11 year old Zoe who came down with her mum and dad for a session. With all that beautiful hair I was able to shoot some really lovely and different images for them all, here are a couple of my favourites and if you want to see more click here for one of our funky DVD show reels.
Session of the month
The Richardson family and four month old Tyler who was a dote to photograph earlier in July, click here to view a show of the little man! And a couple of shots with mum and dad.
23 July 2010: Medic Alert
Our studio is always available to hire and especially to those working for local charities, On Thursday “Medic Alert” hired the studio to make a short film to raise awareness and promote a new product they are launching. Medic Alert provides life saving identification systems for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. This takes the form of body-worn bracelets or necklets (known as MedicAlert Emblems) bearing the MedicAlert symbol on the disc and supported by a 24 hour emergency telephone service. We were able to get a sneak preview of the film which looks great and can’t wait to see the finished result at www.medicalert.org.uk
For information on studio hire please call or email us for more details.
22nd July 2010
Yesterday I shot some updated portraits for The Murray family, we went for a pleasant stroll around The Gunpowder park and shot these images late in the afternoon. Niamh and Orla their two children were great and are turning into a couple of posers!, to see more from the session click here
20th July 2010
On Sunday I popped in to the studio to do some portfolio shots of Shane a budding body builder, here are a couple of my favourites, best of luck to Shane in his upcoming competitions
16 July 2010: Outdoor photography package
This August holiday weekend we are planning something a bit special, as you probably know by now our new studio in Waltham Abbey opens out onto the beautiful grounds of the Gunpowder Park. We have been testing out our photography around the park and have some beautiful locations for outdoor shoots so we are going to be having an outdoor photography weekend.
Over the Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday only, we are going to shoot a maximum of eight clients; each client will get a two hour session in the park with me personally shooting some really exciting and different portrait shots. We are putting together a great package to make sure we sell out that will include a 20”x16” canvas or 20”x16” gallery framed portrait and one of our unique DVD show reels of all the images shot. The package price is £395 which is about a £350 saving.
20___04 July 2010: Rising Star_
15 July 2010: Taylor wedding
Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Len and Vicki’s wedding in Cheshunt, it was without dobut the hottest day I have ever photographed a wedding on, the weather was really fantastic for the couple and this was the first time we also shot video for the couple as they wanted one of our funky DVD showreels.
To see a sample of their video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoH1LaHx-WA
04July 2010: Rising Star
Last week we photographed a rising Olympic star. Max Schellin (14) is currently training hard in Equestrian to become a 2016 Olympian. He hopes to represent team GB in Rio and has even set his sights on a potential medal. Once again our wonderful new surroundings enabled us to create some fantastic portraits for max and his horse.
Good luck Max we will be cheering you on!
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28June 2010: School Summer Fetes
We will be exhibiting our latest work at various schools in Essex over the next few weeks. Yesterday we attended Jerounds Junior School Summer Fair in Harlow where we helped them raise over £900 towards school funds. We have a few spaces left on our calendar so if you are organising a summer event and would like us to attend please give us a call.
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19 May 2010: The ribbon is cut .
Although we have been settled in here at our new studio for some weeks now wednesday 18th may saw Mayor Gadsby of Waltham Abbey come to our studio to officially declare The Portrait Studio at the Gun Powder Park open! During the Mayors visit she took the opportunity to have her official portrait taken. This portrait will soon be proudly hanging in the Mayors chamber. Mayor Gadsby like so many of our clients was really nervous about having her portrait taken but soon relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed it .
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14 May 2010: Environmental Day .
Something we are hopefully going to be putting together over the next couple of months is a outdoor portrait day in the park, probably over the August Bank Holiday we are going to book sessions for anyone who fancies something a bit different to come along to our studio but we will take you out into The Gunpowder Park and photograph you there, again as long as the British weather is kind to us.
Here is a portrait of the Calver family from Brentwood, Nan and Grandad brought their children, partners, and their three lovely Grand children to the studio as an anniversary treat to themselves. The spot where we took this portrait is literally right outside our studio doors.
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12 May 2010: Session of the month .
The Carter family came to us at the end of April with the intention of uniting their two family’s and they wanted something completely different from their session. When they came back to view they were delighted with what we had done for them and are now the proud owners of this portrait.
Their full session which they also have on CD can be see by clicking here.
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06 May 2010: Official Opening.
On wednesday 17th May we will be having our official opening here at our studio in Waltham Abbey. Mayor Gadsby will be cutting the ribbon to officially declare our brand new studio open.
Our opening offer is still on so call us now to book your session.
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28 April 2010: Competition Time!
Throughout May we are giving you all the chance to win a family portrait session and a 14″ Canvas of your choice worth a total of £550. Pus 10 runner up prizes worth £115 each!
You can enter by either emailing your name and contact details to sales@theportraitstudio.org or look out for our competition draw boxes at the following locations.
Belgique Epping
Belgique Theydon Bois
Mumma Bellies Harlow
Kids Unlimited Epping.
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22 April 2010: Olivia Frances
One of the things Jack and I love shooting here are portfolios for models, actresses and actors. Here are a few shots of Olivia Frances who is currently studying at E15 Acting School in Loughton and hopes to be an actress in the near future.
Olivia was great to work with and had a fantastic personality that I think shines through in these pictures of her. For more info on our portfolio shoots give us a call at the studio. 0845 0044244
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10 April 2010: The Great Outdoors.
These images have been taken just outside the studio against the powerful skyline, although we doubt you would want your photos outside just before a rainstorm, however, you can appreciate the excitement and photographic possibilities our new location brings.
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3 April 2010: OUR NEW STUDIO NOW OPEN!
We had five very successful years in Epping, but we felt it was time for a change and when we visited the Gunpowder Park we knew it was ideal for a photographic studio, we couldn’t hope for a more fantastic new location. We now have a unique photographic studio with limitless creative freedom. Our new studio has brand new excellent facilities and many benefits including a large FREE car park. Come and visit us for a look around! Our new address: Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3GP
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21 March 2010: Time to build.
The excitement has begun and the wait is over……. Its going to be a busy week but we can finally start assembling our brand new studio. The builders are here working late into the night all week so we can look forward to our Easter Opening. We though we would post a couple of pics up to let you all know how the move was going and of course like the true photographers we are couldn’t resist getting a quick shot of the typical April rainbow shooting over our studio.
