A Pool with a View - Blondes and Bikinis
Mix two photographers, two girls in bikinis, pool and a pool table. Water way to spend a Sunday...
Not so long ago I got a message through my website from a young model who was putting together a shoot in a local pool. With two models attending and one photographer already signed up, she wanted someone to join them and get some great ideas on film!
Shooting in a pool is something I had wanted to do for a long time and It's always good fun to team up with another tog and collaborate, so we managed to find some time between a few weddings to schedule the shoot.
On the day, I met up with the fantastic Glen from Red Wren Studios (a guy handy with a video camera who, like me, had never shot around a pool before) and we got to work. The lovely people at Bradgate Pool (check them out. We're sorry about the mess guys!) were helpful and accommodating, they have a fabulous pool and a balcony that allowed us to grab some creative overhead shots of the girls in the pool as well as a surprise pool table!
Full time model Georgina and her friend, model in training Rhiannon, were both super cool and game for just about any of our wacky ideas. They had more than a few of their own to boot so with time ticking, we set to work. Starting with the dry shots as there was simply no way I was going to let a pool table pass me by, we ran around the windows, table and balcony excitedly talking through nice looking angles before diving in.
Luckily for me I had thought ahead and brought a towel and spare shorts along, as I couldn't resist wading in to get the right angles on the girls as they worked their way through our ideas (failing spectacularly to hang on to the edge for one particular shot). Glen took the aerial route and shot from the balcony while I, gripping my camera for dear life and walking very slowly indeed, shot from the waters surface.
To this very day I am convinced someone stole an hour from us. Literally as we decided to move locations and give the sauna a try, Glen was helpful enough to mention that we had but 5 minutes to go. I don't know if you have ever tried to walk quickly in a pool but I would advice anyone not to try it whilst clinging to a camera. Top tip.
We shot fast and got the angles we wanted, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we could have happily spent the day there and have still left wanting more. I would highly recommend the pool and models to anyone interested in this style of photography, we had a great day!
Check out the links in the text above for more information about Glen, the models and the pool.