My Dream Photoshoot | Sharing My Vision With You

This is going to be a very honest blog post... I'm sharing my dreams with you! I often like to think about what I would do if money was no limit. If I could really, honestly, truly do whatever I wanted, what would I do? 

I find this is actually a really good exercise to do, because it lets you connect with yourself on a deeper level, and leads you on a path closer to what you'd like to life to look like; forever. Whenever I do this - and I do this exercise with all aspects of my life, not just work - I really remove all limits, all boundaries. It can be scary to do at first, but it does eventually become really freeing. And funny enough, often at the end of it all, you realise that your dream isn't that far fetched, and you can start to break down how you're going to make it a reality. So what does my dream shoot look like? There are many dream shoots, but this is one of them.

I've been sent a big box of beautiful dresses from an amazing designer. The dresses are timeless, flowing, detailed. There is lace, and delicate beading, and flowing fabric. There are off whites, creams, and maybe even touches of pastel colours. I've been given free reign to do as I please with these dresses: the only condition being that I photograph them all. 

I've got a model there for the day, and hair and make up is under way. We're at my home getting ready, and the weather is looking gorgeous. It's a warm, but not too hot spring day, and the sky is clear. We're getting ready throughout the afternoon, to head out and shoot on the cliffs and beaches of the North Coast of Cornwall at sunset. 

The team stays small, as I like to be fairly relaxed on the shoot day. I've collected other elements needed for the shoot in the days coming up to it. We've got a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and lovely jewellery; all made by other local creatives. 

I've got an assistant on set, helping to keep things organised, and who is also in charge of filming the day. This helps us to create a behind the scenes video to share with the images, but also allows me to preserve the day in visual, moving format. I like to be able to look back at these happy memories. 

When hair and make up is ready, we head off to the location. The wind is faint, but just enough to pick up the hair of our model, and make the dresses flow. I'm shooting on film today, as well as with digital. The light is just perfect, a warm glow against the blue background of the sea. We spend two or three hours in this spot, moving occasionally to get a different angle. We laugh, we smile, we capture amazing moments. Looking through the images on the back of my camera makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I can't wait to get home and see them in more detail. I'm even more excited to develop the film and see what surprises it contains. 

As the sun sets, we gather our things, and head back home. 

So, as you can see, my dream is fairly simple and I'm happy to say that a lot of my shoots have looked very similar to this day. It's the perfect way for me to work, its the way that I feel I produce the best work, and feel my happiest. 

Its so important for us all to do an exercise like this though, because if we don't, how will we ever know what we're striving to achieve? 

So here's my challenge to you:

Spend a few minutes, maybe 15 or so, and shut off all your phones/emails/notifications, etc. Grab a pen, or type if you prefer, and really let your imagination run wild. If you could do anything, if money was no limit, what would you do? Write it out and really connect with it. You might be surprised when you look back to see what your dream might not be that impossible, or unattainable at all!