Chef Ben Spalding, Stripped Back

4th September 2013. Lucky Beach, Brighton.

Chef Ben Spalding brings his innovative 'Stripped Back' concept to Brighton and the fabulous Lucky Beach, Brighton. I was on hand to photograph the amazing food, as well as eat it! Food photography is so rewarding, trying to capture the food of ben Spalding and trying to convey the vibrancy of Stripped Back. How exciting, challenging and fun it is. 

I photographed the preparation of the food. 

As a pop up restaurant event in Brighton, Chef Ben Spalding 'strips back' to basics the facilities to prepare food. 

 Ben Spaldings Stripped back signage

Setting out the prep space 

Prepped pork for On Trend Ramen

Ben Spalding, Stripped Back

Pig Skin

@mohicanLuke @lostincatering @ChefBenSpalding

Holy Flamin' Savoury Trifle, Batman!

Intercourse Knuckle Butter. Not what Ben Spalding calls it, but what it became known as. 

Delicious Salmon and crispy rice!

3 Courses in, service for Ben Spalding's Stripped Back in full swing!

Chef Ben Spalding, Stripped Back

Salmon belly and crispy rice, Ben Spalding, Stripped Back

On Trend Ramen

Prepping the liquid Victoria sponge cake. 

Service done, Chef Ben Spalding kicks back.

Happy fella.

family portrait favourites

here are some recent favorites. Collected from various stages, some just shot, some justedited, some are from collections that people have just taken home! 


Enjoy!

recent portraits of Eastbourne families

my new backgrounds are causing quite a stir and people are loving how different they are! No more hi key white backgrounds, more natural and soft, to suit my style of family portraits.

Here are some recent favourites.

This is Jayden and Jasmin.. both so photogenic and the perfect little brother and sister!

Snow Portraits

Hi All!

Wow! what weather, eh?

This has meant a quiet studio, due to cancellations, but my camera still works in the cold and the snow..

so..

For a limited time, (until the snow melts!) I am going to offer the unique opportunity to have some family portraits in the snow!

Call me and arrange a session in the snow for £195 and get a full location shoot, e.g. from 11am until 2pm shooting in the snow, wrapped up in your woolies and get some really unique portraits of your family.

For this 'one off' opportunity, you will get;

• A full session. Family shots, kids together and individual shots
• an edited session, retouched finished images for you to choose from
• a framed and mounted 10x8
• plus 2 8x6 prints..

this will be a first come first served deal.. and will take a brave soul to do it, but the results will be incredible. Sessions will take place near to the main roads which are accessible near Beachy Head, so will include rolling snowy hills.. dramatic skies and incredible backdrops for your portraits...

so don't miss this chance, call now to arrange your session...!

for more immediate and guaranteed response, email me on studio@avantphotographic.com

Morgan own post...

I am being selfish and posting a load of pictures of my son Morgan..

'cause he's just the best.. sorry, but he is... : )

just after a bath..

play time!

urgh... who's that? Yuk! what am I doing in a photo?

Daddy makes me giggle..

So does Mummy..

good ain't he?

Phil

Recent faves

Just to prove it isn't all bikes and boy toys.. Here are some recent faves from the last weeks shoots.

It has been great doing some child portraits of some slightly older children recently. They enjoy it just as much as the babies do, and as i always like to do something different on each portrait photography session, it keeps me fresh and the creative synapses sparking.. First, the Maynard girls.... ( who should have their own t.v. show!)

Second.. on a wet and windy tuesday, i had the pleasure of photographing this pair with their mummy..

This shot stood out to me, as it was a bit of a grab shot, I was concious of her reaching the limits of the suitable lighting area, but her expression, which is what i alsways want to apture, is perfect, and her stance i could not have manufactured.. completely at ease in the studio, she was a joy to photograph. This result is a perfect example of how i want to get something unique from the child each time. That is what makes a perfect family portrait..

Here are some of the boys from the family portrait above. This is such an emotive picture... Ilove it!

Here is a fantastic seasonal baby portrait, and not a bit of tinsel in sight! A proper little poser.. but still a natural baby portrait, full of character and life!

Airbourne 2009!

wow, it's here again...

this time of year is so busy but it is also the time when we exhibit at Airbourne. It helps with the awareness of Avant Photographic immensely. We are now so much of a familiar face at Airbourne that we have people visit us year on year and customers also bring their friends to get their voucher, which is probably the best recommendation we can get!

We will be selling our popular portrait vouchers as well as trying to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis trust with our successful charity offer.

see website for special offers.

I can't resist taking a few pictures of the planes too, and hopefully my favourite, the Typhoon euro fighter will make a grand appearance again this year. ( OK, i can't wait to see the Guinot girls again!!!)

Me, Hayley my Mum and a few other helpers will be on hand to help with the strain, but, as the photographer, obviously most people want to speak to me! I enjoy meeting every one but am shattered by the end of the 4 days..

So, if you have been to the shop and wonder where I am, I hope this explains? I will be back in the shop as usual from tuesday 18th August 10am.. hopefully not too sunburnt..!

MPA (SE) Print competition 2009

Holy Moly!!!

I've done it again! I amazingly won the title of the Master Photographers Association (SE region) Cherubs Photographer of the year.

THAT'S 2 YEARS IN A ROW!!!!

Dennis Hylander FMPA FBIPP judged the competition and his knowledge and experience showed with his knowledgeable critique of the entries. Qualified master Photographers from the south east Region of the master Photographers Association were invited to enter the awards and show off the regions talents. It is a region that includes last years national Kodak Portrait and Wedding Photographer of the Year as well as previous winners of the prestigious awards from the same competition.

I am chuffed to pieces with the results and I wanted to thank a few people without whom it would not be possible. so, firstly, i would like to thank Jane, mum of Marty... ( yes, the Marty from previous posts.. ) he helped me win the award of MPA (se) Cherub Photographer of the Year 2009 with this image.

I posted this image a few months ago, but knew as soon as i took it that I would enter it into the competition. It melts your heart. Thanks so much Jane.. Yes, a copy of this will find it's way to you I'm sure!!

Also, a massive thank you goes out to Lisa, (Jane's sister) who brought her son into the studio for his shoot when I captured this image. Dennis thought this shot was 'cute'. I have to say I agree. His expression is fantastic..

Here again is Payge. Payge's image won me 3rd place, a merit, in the cherub competition too. Paul, her dad, didn't believe me when I told him this was one of the best photos i took last year, but was over the moon when he saw it on my brochure and used on my website. All visitors to the studio comment on it, and all love the delicate nature of the subject, she was only 14 days old... I have been desperate for the competition to come around to get this entered. I jknew it would do well.. Thanks Paul, Andrea and Payge.

Finally, Joe, Karen and Mia.

I always want to get something unique and different for people coming to the studio for their portraits, and with this image that won a 'Highly Commended' award for Family Portraiture, the real sense of fun and love felt within this family has been captured. I knew, again, that it was a strong image and wanted to enter it in the competition. I am over the moon with the resultant 'Highly Commended' award. Thanks Joe, Karen and Mia..

I now have to find some space for all the certificates!!!

The regional results have given me a buzz and lots of enthusiasm for the Nationals that are coming very soon now. I will be making my final selections for my entries over the next few weeks and still have limited spaces in the diary for competition entry shoots.

remember you could win £1000 if your image wins...!!! click here to go to information about it, or check the website offers page here to see how to book..

I look forward to hearing from you..

Phil

unreal....

I thought i would post this as a little look into the other side of portrait photography..

There are some real champion portraits here..

I thank Mr Johnson for the link....

awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Tinyest ever!

This is Sebastian. He is the youngest baby ever photographed at Avant Photographic!

at 11 days he beats Payge, who is the star in my banner above in the title header of the blog. A picture a lot of you know, I'm sure. He was so alert, and was when he was born.

He made no fuss when being arranged for the photos and seemed to really enjoy the experience, I know his mum and dad did. I love seeing the babies as young as this, it allows us to really get the great, tiny newborn shots that are so cherished by parents.



This is the whole family together at the end of the session. I love the contrast in size, and this shot seems to translate the attention involved in having a new baby to care for.

more faves.....

Hi folks..

spring has arrived and so, therefore, has the energy levels in the studio risen. Have I had some energetic kids in here lately!
As you can see in these though, it makes for great images. These are all from Edens final cherub session where we included her cousins too for a portrait for nan.

some more favorites

Well, as I was asked to I had better do it, eh?

Many of you have asked to see more favorites, so as a special treat, here is a post full of them!

First, as he was so popular, some more of Marty. Jane collected her latest collection with her sister Lisa on tuesday, I was in late after the late finish on monday with the seminar (sorry Jane and Lisa) They were both waiting outside the shop at 1015, looking in Garnish's window.... The first picture is of Marty and his cousin, and I just love his expression..

This on above is exactly what Jane had, In it's full 24 inch x 24 inch size it looks absolutely incredible. I am going to do one for display I am that happy with it. 

This next one is actually from last year, but Natalie, who's kids it is, came again yesterday to have the twins final cherub session and viewed these from the previous session again.. We photograph alot of feet here at Avant Photographic

I get some more together for next week.. I promise.....

regards

Phil

Argh! Look at Marty!

Marty, my cherub photographer of the year 2008 winning image model, came in again for a shoot today. WOW has he changed. He is still really photogenic and we got some incredible images on wednesday..

Its his expressions, he gives such a look. It's the something different and unique that I love to capture. Kids are a whole lot more than just smiles... If I can bring out and shoot the entire range and not just a smile for nana i am very happy..

Thanks for bringing him in again Jane.. It was great to see you again.

Family Portrait

I. LOVE. THIS. PHOTO.

This is Debbie and her boys..

She wasn't keen on having her portraits done, as is usually the case with Mum's!! but i persuaded her and with a little encouragement from her friend who came along we eventually got this shot. I sat Debbie with her boys and coaxed her eldest into position. Gently calling the boys names got them to look up, and I captured this shot. It's incredible, very natural and in black and white the mood of the shot is emphasized.

 

Debbie collected her portrait the other day and was over the moon with it. Framed and completed the image was complete.. I believe it will be placed as the centre piece of her home...

It may be entered for the Kodak Wedding and Portrait Awards mentioned earlier in the blog. 

Recent Faves.

Oh well, the new year lull has passed and Avant is very busy again. I was just getting used to the less stressful level of portraits too. I know some of you will be glad to see me working hard again!

I thought  I would post a couple of recent favourites from the studio. Something a little different. Jayke here had a whale of a time. He came in with his family for a family shoot mum, dad and younger brother. These were some shots i wanted to try out, and Mum was nice enough to let me try to work with Jayke. I think i have made a friend for life. A typical 4 year old, he is interested in everything, full of limitless energy, and has stacks of personality. This is why I do this for a living..

Any way, heres my creation from the session.

Some others from this session are in the running for my competition entry this year!

Secondly, here is Harry..

This is a shot from his second cherub session. He is now a year old. We did a family session too. I have to ask his dad but, maybe I will post a shot of Harry pulling out his hair... whilst on his dads shoulders.. it looked terribly painful, and I felt somewhat guilty for dad having to bear the pain! (I am sorry!) It was me that suggested the pose?

This one of Harry is great though, really stark and simple. But full of expression and a stunning, graphic inspired image..