Snow White and the Huntsman...and Casey a cave and being very brave!

Its been a great and varied week, from photographing the launch of the Brazilica Festival, to being in an abandoned building in the torrential rain photographing my gorgeous friend , to more rain on the beach with a fabulous family from all over the world.......I quite like the places that photography takes me!

But I have to say that the absolute highlight of my week was going to the Cinema.....yep you heard me! Now I love films , big action movies, with heroes and villains and zombies and serial killers.....love stories and chick flicks just don't do it for me. The film in question was Snow White and the Hunstman and normally I might have been interested in seeing this but I was completely over the top excited to see it as I saw some of it being filmed and photographed the gorgeous Casey in some of the locations!

let me start from the beginning , Casey is a good friend of mine who lives and breaths the landscape she lives in - Cumbria. She climbs, walks for miles and is always on the lookout for her next adventure. She contacted me last year to ask if I would photograph her in the area that she lives and she mentioned she was keen on trying to get some nude images. So on a very cold grey day we met up in the Lakes and started with some simple portraits

We then headed to a cave, a beautiful hidden space which seemed to have been closed off to the public for a few days....and then we found out why - the filming for Snow White and the Huntsman had been taking place in there the day before! We looked for any evidence they may have left behind....a script, a clapperboard , a Huntsman.....but not a thing! So Casey decided this was the place to be brave and these are the images we created, it was truly a special place to be, I felt very privileged to be asked to do this. I love to photograph women and to be able to use this incredible environment too was amazing

We were a little giddy with excitement when we left to head to a small lake in the shadow of the Langdales, but we got even more giddy on the way when we saw the helicopter, then looked across the ridge and saw the Dwarves, the Huntsman and Snow White! Filming was continuing all around the area and we had landed right in the middle of it. After a quick chat with the location team and Casey using all her charms we got permission to head down to the lake, we did have to try and convince the crew to stay away but when they realised what Casey was planning we seemed to attract a lot of attention......including the helicopter who came and landed by the side of us, then took off again and dipped near us to splash Casey as she was stood in the water!

So thats why, this week , Casey and I met up at the Cinema to watch this fabulous film, we squealed and giggled and got excited all over again when we saw the cave and the ariel shots of the dwarves, the Huntsman and Snow White on the ridge. 


I do get awestuck, I do love the movies and movie stars and to know that we were a little part of the Snow White experience in Cumbria still gives me goosebumps. To think that I may have photographed Kirsten Stewart and Chris Hemsworth is a little bit surreal.


And now I am ready to do it all again , so if Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott are reading this and need a location photographer then my bags are packed and my camera is at your disposal, and if you can cast Sean Connery is the lead then all my dreams will come true - thats not a lot to ask is it!!!


Click here to go to the movie site

A moment to shine - the Olympic torch

I am not a big sports fan....and I don't tend to get too excited by big events like the Jubilee and the Olympics - no I am not miserable........honest! But I did want to capture the Olympic torch coming to Southport and Formby - more for the fact it is a moment in time - a piece of history. But the event became very special when I found out that Phil was going to be carrying the torch. I have known Phil and Joanna forever and they have been incredibly supportive of me over the years in so many ways. My Son and their eldest Son went to nursery together - now that seems like a very long time ago!


Joanne and Phil only found out that he was actually going to carry the touch a couple of days ago - it had been mentioned and the bid had gone in but then....nothing....until a parcel arrived with the tracksuit in but no directions or instructions. Eventually it was all sorted and I headed to Formby to wait with all his family and friends. It was really wonderful to drive past all the crowds and I could not resist giving a little wave Queenie style to all the school kids waiting!


Don't forget to click on any of the images to see them full size


First the police and the sponsors came past .....

And the flag sellers were out in force!

Phils family were patiently waiting for him

and then the crowds started to get very excited as the bus arrived with the next runners and suddenly there was Phil!

And as he passed the flame over this happened! Don't worry - he was not really on fire!!!!

And this is my favourite image - of Joanna and the kids following, photographing, videoing and being so very proud all at the same time 

And this looks like the best photography job I have seen!

A huge Congratulations to Phil for running with the torch and being part of this amazing event and to all the other runners around the country - even I am starting to get into the spirit of the Olympics now!

Lets dance for fear tonight is all

This is about teamwork, about creativity and about 3 photographers, a model, a make up artist and a dingy old building! Its about building on an idea, about trying to tell a story through photography, its about friends working together in the midst of mould, pigeons, mysterious footsteps, and a building full of memories. Its about hot water bottles, cans of spray fog, top hats, a SMART car full to the brim of props on a big adventure. 

Click on any of the images if you would like to see them larger - and please leave a comment if you like what we have done - it would mean a lot 

So here goes.........the story of a girl,who loved to dance.....who was left behind.....still hearing the music when everyone had left , who waited for the day when she could dance for her audience again



'How can you see into my eyes like open doors, 
leading you down into my core where I've become numb
without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it and lead it back home'
                         Evernescence - Bring me to life

'Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music' anon

She practiced, in rooms full of decay, surrounded by the remnants of the music scores and the flowers that her admirers once threw on stage, 

......and then .......  she stopped and seemed to realise she was alone, that the audience had left and she started to be afraid 

She started looking for a way out ........... but it was not going to be easy

'we dance for laughter, 
 we dance for tears
 we dance for madness
 we dance for fears
 we dance for hopes
 we dance for screams
 we are the dancers
                     we create the dreams' Unknown  

 I thinks she's going to be just fine....don't you?



Thank you so much to the amazing team who worked on the project 

To Tracey Barrow who is mainly responsible for this crazy and amazing day Tracey Barrow Photography

t

to Zana O'Connell - our beautiful dancer Zana O'Connell

and to Laura for her incredible make up and ability to hold a reflector like a pro!!! Laura Walton Make up

Photography workshops

Hello again - its almost the end of another week and Summer is still trying to make an entrance! A bit of a different post for you this evening - I wanted to let you know a little more about the Photography Workshops that I have run over the past few months and also to update you on what I have planned.


The workshops started after a groups of likeminded photographers wanted to get together and just practice their skills, learn some new skills and generally just get out and shoot! The size of the groups got bigger , we got models and make up artists involved and the biggest one consisted of over 50 people - yes there was an element of chaos and I did live on diet Coke all day and buzzed all evening! 


So they became more structured and I ran 2 at the amazing Victoria Baths in Manchester which were true highlights of the year for me, I also ran them at the Farm in Lydiate where I was based last Summer.


So whats the point of them? I always say that there is no formal tuition on the  Walkabouts - I am certainly not a Photography Tutor but I am pretty good at the basics, I know that people have gained so much from attending the Walkabouts - its a stress free day, a play day with your camera, the chance to work with experienced models and make up artists - all you need to do is turn up and shoot! I always make sure that the groups are small enough that you are not elbowing your way through to get a shot and in the past we have even had a 'Newbies' group  of people who have not done very much portrait photography - will a little bit of hand holding at the start to give them the confidence through the day. I love it when I get home and the images start appearing on Facebook - to know that people have gained confidence and had a great time is a huge bonus of the day 


So the next Walkabout is on Sunday 27th May - its going to be held at Camp and Furnace in Liverpool - an industrial location where Google have held a launch in the past - the extra benefit of this location is that the cost of the Walkabout includes Sunday Lunch! And we have dresses supplied by Andrea from Petticoats - a - Plenty - gorgeous Vintage style Wedding Dresses 


Let me answer the questions that I am always asked .... The cost of the day is just £75 and this covers the cost of the venue etc and also includes a roast dinner!


Yes you can use the images from the day for your portfolio/ website etc


Yes there will be experienced photographers there for you to pick their brains!


Yes you do need to have a little experience to come along - BUT it is really more important for you to have a real interest in photography and enthusiasm to come and have a go!


Heres some images from previous Walkabouts just to whet your appetite

If you would like to book a place - drop me a message with your e mail jo@jorutherfordphotography.co.uk - or find me on Facebook - just look for Jo Rutherford Photography


See you soon!!!!