10 Days in Cairo

I am a very fortunate photographer who gets to visit one of the worlds most vibrant if sometimes a little crazy cities Cairo. I have been traveling back and forth since 1997 so know her pretty well.

For the last few years I have been the official photographer for dancer Randa Kamel, covering her courses and festivals. These are intense weeks taking 100's of live action shots of dancers from all over the world and for Randa herself. With little sleep and a tad achy arms at the end, but immense fun.

My last trip in October led to 10 days of photography from dancers to my own personal work , also a very special trip for myself and a special group of wormen , but that is another blog .

Based in Zamalek the island in the middle of the Nile , proved a great location for all . With our hotel the Mayfair enchanting me to rediscover my love of spaces and details . Architecture is one of my passions and this deco building was just great to investigate through the lens.

With most days been based on the gorgeous 5 star boat the Nile Maxim, it was a great time . They were also kind enough to let me use the complex as a location for one of my dance portfolio sessions. As a thank you I did some interiors of the new Khulkhal Restaurant and of the fab Maxim . 

Alongside this I had the chance to begin to build my commercial portfolio of work for clients in Egypt. I had met the CEO of Simonds Bakery a well known Cairo chain, in the summer and mentioned my commercial work . Alongside the bakery they had also recently opened a rather fabulous Sushi restaurant and needed some images to show the food on offer.

A day out of my 10 was spent taking images of the bakery process which was great with temptation all around ! Accompanied by general manager Don Ross , we travelled to the Arigato Sushi . I like to  use daylight for a lot of my food and product photography , so with camera and reflector I set up a little set near a window . A great afternoon of capturing dish after dish of stunning food and the beginning of my Cairo portfolio .

So 10 amazing days in one of the most amazing cities , can't wait to be back and take more pictures.

Links to both the great Mayfair and Simonds Bakery and  Maxim Restaurants 

http://www.mayfaircairo.com/

http://www.simonds1898.com/index.php?lang=en

http://www.maximrestaurants.com/index.php

Spring 2015 Prime Time

I love fashion , there I said it .

For me working on editorials with fashion stylist Nicky Rybka Goldsmith for the last 18 months has been just that. We both share the sheer excitement when we plan then shoot the stories.

Our latest collaboration, featured in the June issue of Cheshire Life was fab crazy one .I knew I wanted blossom in some form and after scouring various locations it became apparent we were to early for the real thing. So where to go?

Cue my favourite research tool the Google power, boom there it was a fantastic company based in Shropshire Trees by Design . Producing some amazing creations with real wood as the base then adding gorgeous fake blooms to the mix. So a phone call and a chat with Karlton and yes we are up for it . Now to the where to shoot the story?

For over 12 years I was based in a studio on Oldfield Road, big,cold and expensive, like a lot of photographers my work had changed and the need for such a huge space was no longer a viability . It was with some sadness I moved out in 2010 to begin what it has turned out to be a journey for me to develop a whole new style and love of one thing? Daylight Daylight Daylight as the studio then was just a box no windows.

I knew the studio had been bought and was been developed into hire studios and my old studio share tog Paul Jones was still operating out of the building . The top floor had always drawn me with it's amazing light , would it be possible?  Yes again was the answer as the studio's were a bit off been ready we could work in the top space. 

With Nicky pulling together some amazing pieces exclusively from Selfridges and amazing jewellery pieces from Fei Liu . The model of our choice available the stunning Lauren Earth from Boss Model Management and at last the fab Ruth Manion Palmer MUA here and available the scene was set.

Two days before the shoot date as ever my mind turns to how am I going to approach the story, I found myself looking at my shelves of kit and there she was, one of my favourite lenses from the time of film when I used primes much more than zooms. Truly one of the greatest lenses ever 85mm 1.3 Nikon prime, so decision made . I would only use this lens and work the old way, me moving not just zooming in and out . It changes how you compose and create images, having to physically move to find the shot . 

The day was overwhelming on many levels , the truck full to the brim with amazing creations by Tucker, the rail of truly beautifully cut investment pieces , Balenciaga,Celine ,Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham. Mr Goldsmith had done it again, giving me fashion goosebumps, the jewellery just right for the story . I had a ball and what a team.

The day also gave me the chance to say hello to an old friend in 54 Oldfield Road and see her transformation under the new owners , lay some ghosts to rest and relish the light of the new fivefourstudios.

Credits 

Credits :
All clothes from Selfridges 
All jewellery from http://www.feiliu.co.uk

Stylist 
Nicky Rybka-Goldsmith 
www.my-fashion-stylist.co.uk
Photographer 
Tracey Gibbs
www.traceygibbs.co.uk
Model
Lauren Earth 
http://www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk
Hair & Make Up 
Ruth Manion Palmer 
http://www.rmpmakeup.co.uk/
Set Design and Build 
http://www.treesbydesign.co.uk/
Studio thanks to 
fivefourstudios.com
54 Oldfield Road Salford M5 4LZ