MDL Fitness Plymouth Shoot

Leicester Commercial Photographer Fitness Brand Shoot

A few weeks ago I was asked back to photography the fitness studio at MDL Marina in Plymouth.

I set of on the Friday, had dinner with Andy from the design team where we discussed the brief and shot list. Having a clear understanding of the images required, and their use is key for me. I can then think about lighting and composition to hopefully achieve the very best results.

As well as gerneral shots of the gym, both empty and fairly full, we also had to shoot every piece of equipment being used my both a model and a Personal Trainer. We set up classes such as spin and yoga, as these are a new offering.

I also took all of my portrait equipment to get some amazing shots of the PT’s.

It’s great working closely with the design team as they have a clear vision of the end product. It might be a local advert in the press. a pull up banner, a webpage or social media campaign. It’s crucial to get the best shots possible in the time on site.

Not only because Plymouth is 4hrs and 240 miles away from Leicester!

Here’s a few images from the shoot.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

I also did a short vlog which is on my YouTube channel.

East Midlands Event Photographer

Leicester & East Midlands Event Photographer

Professional Event Photographer covering Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Northampton (East Midlands)

A few weeks ago I had two events back to back, Menphys sports club and the Real Entrepreneurs Dinner. 

Menphys Sports Club is done of my favourite events to photogrtaph, all of the guests are great and the speakers are brilliant. The events are always really well attended and there’s so much to capture. 

Gear wise on these events I like to keep it quite simple, One Camera and a 28-75mm zoom lens. This allows me to capture people right in front of me and up to around 8-10m away. Over the winter months when the ambient light is lower I also use an on camera flash unit to help light the scene. During the summer months I often ditch the flash and zoom lens and go for a 24mm & 50mm prime and shoot more ‘wide open’ to get a slightly different look. 

When I photograph the speaker being interviewed on stage I’m often at the back of the room to try and keep out of the way of the guests, I don’t want my job to spoil their enjoyment of the event. For this reason I switch lens to the awesome 135mm f/1.8. It gives me ample reach to the stage area while staying on the sidelines. 

Menphys also have a ‘media board, this a branded fabric banner which at the end the guests can have a professional photo with the speaker. For this I set up a studio flash with a soft box on a stand, It really makes people look their best. Check out what a camera phone captures compared to my set up… very different!

An iPhone 13 Pro photo from the event

My photo from the professional equipment

Take a look at a few images from this event.

---

Next up was the Real Entrepreneurs Dinner at Winstanley House. I don’t get the shoot many of these events as they have a regular photographer, a very good friend of mine. He was shooting another event so the organisers ‘Cross Productions’ got in touch with me again. 

The theme of the the evening is very similar to Menphys, open networking and drinks on arrival, a sit down meal followed by an excellent speaker 

Gear wise, it was exactly the same as Menphys… One camera with zoom lens and a flash, then change lens to capture the speaker.

Here are a few examples from the evening.

Both of these events were edited and delivered the very next morning, so the organisers could create social media posts and send out to the attendees. 

Leicestershire Law Firm Portraits and Headshots

Leicestershire Photographer - Law Firm Portraits and Headshots

Business headshots for websites and Linkedin.

When a client returns to Pete Martin Photography multiple times, it's a testament to the quality and trust i’ve built with my customers. I pride myself on providing consistent, top-notch photography services that meet and exceed my clients' expectations. It's always a pleasure to welcome back familiar faces, knowing that they continue to choose Pete Martin Photography for their special moments.

Thank you to all or my returning clients for placing your trust in me time and time again.

One such client is a Johnson Astills, a brilliant Leicester Law firm.

I was back in January to photography new starters and a couple of people who have changed their appearance over the course of the last 12-14 months.

This local business resquires half body portraits, which then get resized via their website for more of headshot crop. Also I provide them with all the images in a transparant .png file, which means the background has been removed. This is useful for when you want the person to ‘float’ above the websites graphical design. Check it out below.

Portrait with background removal

Check out a few more examples below, could this style of photography help your business stand out?

Get in touch for a no obligation consultation, lets see how I can help you.

Musician and Actor/Model Headshots

Musician & Actor/Model Headshots & Portraits

Band promo photos

The Importance of Updating Headshots for Actors and Models

Here is my friend Dan, he’s a great drummer and does a fair bit of extra work an TV and in adverts in print and on screen.

Actor /Model Headshot

At the start of the year Dan put together a new band and they needed some professional shots for their website, gig posters and to send out to agents.

We hired out a local studio for an afternoon and got to work!

Here are a few examples from the shoot.

In the world of acting and modelling, headshots are the calling card.

They serve as a visual representation of an persons look, personality, and potential to casting directors, agents, and producers.

However, just like any other industry, trends and preferences evolve over time. That is why it is crucial for actors and models to update their headshots regularly.

By investing in updated headshots, actors & models enhance their chances of standing out in a highly competitive acting world and securing the opportunities they deserve.

Take a look at Dan’s recent studio shoot where we updated his portfolio for full body and headshots.

HSP Corporate Headshots

Corporate Headshots on Location in Leicestershire

 I first met Ian Vernon from HSP in 2018 at a networking event, I was really impressed with his professionalism and his personality. We became friends over time, went to a few more events, I even photographed his family one one occasion. I also did Ian and his partners headshots in 2021.

HSP Financial Planning Ltd is a firm of Independent Financial Advisers based in Whetstone, Leicestershire.

Established in 1977 we have built up a reputation for providing trusted professional advice given by approachable and dedicated advisers, supported by an experienced administration team.

It was nice to be asked to photograph HSP’s whole company in early 2023. A plan was put together to complete headshots for all staff, get some ‘at work’ shots and also put a short video together. The whole shoot took just over 3 hours.

I took along my mobile studio for the headshots, the drone and gimbal came out for the video parts.

Take a look at a few of the headshots and office shots below, and the short video link to YouTube

Walkthrough video for Leicestershire Financial Planners, HSP.

Why You Need a Great Headshot in Today's World

Why You Need a Great Headshot in Today's World

In today's digital age, first impressions are made online more than ever before. Whether you're a professional, an entrepreneur, or an artist, having a good headshot is crucial in making a positive impact on those who come across your online presence. A well-taken headshot can serve as a powerful tool in personal branding and professional representation, helping you to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you need a good headshot in today's world:

1. Personal Branding: A good headshot is an essential part of personal branding. It helps to communicate who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart from others in your field. A well-taken headshot should accurately reflect your appearance and personality, helping you to make a strong first impression on potential clients, employers, or collaborators.

2. Professional Representation: A good headshot is also a crucial aspect of professional representation. It can be used on your personal or professional website, social media profiles, business cards, and other marketing materials. A well-taken headshot can help you to establish a consistent image and make a strong impression on potential clients, employers, or collaborators.

3. Social Media: In today's world, social media plays a big role in how people present themselves online. Having a good headshot is essential for creating a professional presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. A well-taken headshot can help you to make a positive impact on those who come across your profiles, and increase your chances of standing out from the crowd.

4. Acting and Modeling: If you're an actor or model, a good headshot is essential for showcasing your talent and securing work. A well-taken headshot should accurately reflect your appearance and convey your unique qualities, helping you to stand out from other actors and models and get noticed by casting directors and agents.

5. Confidence Boost: Finally, having a good headshot can give you a confidence boost. When you have a well-taken headshot that accurately reflects your appearance and personality, you can feel more confident in presenting yourself online and in person.

In conclusion, a good headshot is an essential tool in personal branding, professional representation, and creating a positive first impression. Whether you're a professional, an entrepreneur, an artist, or just looking to boost your confidence, investing in a well-taken headshot is a smart move. So why wait? Book your headshot session today and take your first step towards making a lasting impression!

New Near New Headshot

New Year, New Headshot!

Headshot & Portrait Photographer Leicestershire, East Midlands.

It’s that time of the year again when most people want to kick of their Limkedin and social media channels with a fresh headshot.

Why do this?

Maybe you’ve had the old shot for 2+ years, thats time for a change!

Could be you’ve got in better shape, changed your hair etc

Meet Moh, who found me on Instagram and booked a new headshot session via this website. 

Did you know you to can book a session direct from this site??!

Moh wanted a more corporate yet relaxed look, so we shot on my standard grey background. As requested I also did a cut out of one of the photos and placed it on a pure white background.

Next to be ‘shot in the face’ was upcoming author Alex Harwood. Alex has a series of books coming out soon and his publicist needed a stand out headshot (black and white preferred) for all PR comm’s, social media posts and indeed the inside cover of the books.

I took my mobile studio and set up in Alex’s garage, within a matter of minutes we’d got the shot. I’d spotted it and gave it 5 stars on my editing software. But we kept shooting a little more in case something else happened and we could maybe better it. But we didn’t. Every time we viewed a new image and compared it to the 5* image, the 5* always came out on top. 

So we went with that, here it is..

Amy D Album Cover Shoot

Amy Daniels Musician & Vocalist, Album cover portrait shoot.

Leicester Artist Photoshoot

An Instagram message popped in from a local singer songwriter called Amy Daniels. 

Amy was in the final stages of launching her debut album, and needed some images for the front and back covers of the CD and for herwebsite, social media etc. 

Amy set up a Pinterest board with images she wanted to take inspiration from. Once I had those I put a plan together to get her all of the required images, and a few more. I hired a local photography studio which I’ve used on a few occasions where I need multiple creative options. As for backgrounds, we had black, white, wood panels, plants… As for the lighting I kept it quite simple with only 1 or 2 lights and a simple reflector used sparingly 

As usual I shot tethered to my laptop so Amy could see how the shots were taking shape, she could then also offer creative input to tweak the shots to her own personal preference. 

I absolutely love creative shoots like this, it’s stretches my imagination and lets me experiment to get some pretty unique results. 

Leicester Portrait and Headshot Photographer

Leicester Portrait and Headshot Photographer

Location Headshots for Businesses

I love it when an email pops in from a contact I met a few years ago. Caroline Hunt owns Emerald Starfish recruitment, based in Market Harborough Leicestershire. Caroline had recently moved offices and taken on two new members of staff, so it was the perfect time to update the website with some fresh images. 

We did headshots in colour and black and white, and also did some environmental shot in the office and in the reception area.

Here are a few samples from the Emerald Starfish shoot.

Another nice surprise was an email from Northwood Estate agents. This was a new client for me, but a similar story to Emerald Starfish. Northwood was also recently moved office and taken on more new staff members. 

A date was set, but sadly I had to cancel!! 

Those who know me will know how much I hated to cancel and let people down. But I was ill, really ill… not COVID, but I’d burnt out. A GP advised me to rest, take more exercise, keep hydrated and generally take time off from my business to reset myself.

Northwood was re-arranged for the following week, and what a great shoot!

All staff members were ‘shot in the face’, two edits each provided in colour and black and white. I also did a couple of team shots while I was there.

There was a chap there who I recognised, but I could place him. Turns out his name is Elliot, and he used to live next to me 8yrs ago!! Small world!!

Here are a few photos from the Northwood shoot.