Poppy fields don't happen very often and are usually found in late June. Having found a field in July it was a race against time to find a model. The poppies were going to disappear very fast with the hot weather and abundance of insects around. Ellie was very keen as she has a passion for red. On arriving my fears were realised as 75% of the poppies had gone. We got on with what was left and really worked hard even though the temperature was very hot. Change of outfits and mood worked really well. Ellie and I work together as a great team; so everything flowed.
We had a bit of a surprise at the end of the shoot finding a safe which had been stolen and broken open which according to receipts scattered around it had come from Pizza Express in Haslemere. Police were informed but were not prompt in attending so we left it.
Weather has put paid to so many location shoots this year so getting the opportunity to get out was great. Southsea is quite a sleepy part of Portsmouth and having turned up early I was rather disappointed the pier was closed off. Still there was potential very close-by. Wasteground boarding had been painted with graffiti and the ground itself lend itself to an urban backdrop. Cee had not had a location shoot before but settled into it very well. An array of bright clothes really helped.
After our rather urban theme the tide was out far enough to get down on the beach. Here there was a very different feel of windswept solitude and with muted sun and cloud it was perfect atmosphere for moody images. Cee was great and we worked really well. Ending up for a warm cup of tea at a little cafe at the pier entrance we reviewed the images feeling happy.
