Back in October 2020, I was creating this beautiful scene in the gallery at Somerley House (you may recognise it from The Crown, Bridgerton, The Royals)
Our gorgeous models stand motionless like sculptural installations in a short break between photographing the day. What a beautiful day and such a privellage to work amongst amazing creatives in these beautiful surroundings
Our beautiful styled photo shoot took place at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex on a gloriously hot early British Summer day in May. Our photo shoot venue has been a Hotel since 1895 and is more recently a Wedding venue. We took our inspiration and colour palette from its seafront setting and the wonderful coastal views down to the white chalk cliffs at Beachy Head. The light reflects up from from the sea and to the coastal Terrace creating a wonderfully atmospheric location for a couple to say their vows. Its elevated yet private gardens have direct sea views, and its Coastal Terrace where couples can say their vows, features a stunning custom-made dome with open sides in front of a stone tiled terrace and decorative plants, giving a wonderful, Mediterranean Wedding feel. (Available for weddings from April to October with a capacity for 80 guests).
Our shoot has captured the charismatic elegance of a mid Summer Wedding with the lucent feel of a Mediterranean style setting. Our floral designer Lydie dalton matched the location, venue and our stunning Bride beautifully. Creating her gorgeous and unique bouquet with seasonal cream peonies, perfect blush roses and harvested Hawthorn bush flowers in full blossom. Lydie uses petite Pewter topped French mini vases with individual sprigs of Hawthorn to create a really effective yet low cost table decoration for our Bride and Grooms Wedding cake table. Our magnificent ‘Lily may’ cake was created by Liz Chatfield from Sylvias Kitchen and has delicately sculpted white icing flowers to its top and as decoration on the sides. We used the soft blues of the Wedgewood Suite as a backdrop for our cake cutting and couple portraits- stylishly decorated by the amazing Sam from Mulberry Events. Sam used large blue sating ribbons tied around the chairs and pewter lanterns to decorate the room as a perfect wedding venue for us. The soft blues of our room’s walls and satin bows continuing our theme through to our interior set of images.
Our beautiful Bride Georgina wears a stunning beaded Ashley and Justin dress Kindly supplied by Fross Wedding collections of Uckfield and has delicately patterned beading covering its entirely down to its elegant mid length train. Josh our perfect husband for the day wears a Blue linen suit courtesy of Dickies Suit Hire of Eastbourne.
Our photoshoot was bought together and styled by the amazing Helen at Empirical events. Helen and her team create beautiful Wedding showcases and Wedding fairs all over the South of England.
Suppliers and Venue Details
Photography - Jacqulyn Hamilton www.jacqulynhamilton.co.uk @Jacqulynhamilton jacqulyn@jacqulynhamilton.com
Floral designer Lydie Dalton @daltonlydie www.lydiedaltonfloraldesign.co.uk
Venue: Hydro Hotel Eastbourne https://www.hydrohotel.com sales@hydrohotel.com
Venue Decoration - Mulberry Events info@mulberryevents.co.uk https://mulberry-events.co.uk
Event Planning- Empirical Events http://www.empiricalevents.co.uk @empiricalevents_ sales@empiricalevents.co.uk
Cake – Sylvia’s Kitchen ‘Lily May’ Cake http://sylviaskitchen.co.uk @sylviaskitchen liz@sylviaskitchen.co.uk
Car – Finest Wedding Cars http://finestweddingcars.co.uk enquiries@finestweddingcars.co.uk @finestweddingcars
Dress by Ashley and Justin , Kindly supplied by Fross Wedding Collections https://www.frossweddingcollections.co.uk @frossweddingcollections
Josh wears Dickies Suit Hire- Eastbourne http://www.dickieseastbourne.co.uk
MUA and hair - Emma Oliff
https://www.facebook.com/emmaolliffmakeup
@emmaoliffbeauty
Georgina Mills – Empirical Events Models
@g_mills
Josh Apps - Empirical events Models
@_joshaa._
On a gorgeously warm, if not a bit overcast day, our creative team ventured into the inner London Wall and the amazing Brutalist Architecture that is The Barbican Centre to photograph the bespoke collection from HEMYCA London.
We utilised the amazing, clinical, concrete lines of the Architecture all around us and added the softest of touches that was our stunning model Zelal skilfully matched for us from BMA models
It was a beautifully quiet day, this allowed us to roam freely around the incredible Architecture. I utilised the space to its absolute fullest by, at first, taking in a full recce of the site a few weeks previously (having an absolutely brilliant time at the Museum of London along the way, I highly reccomend a visit btw!
Its always best to know EXACTLY where you are photographing (in a very detailed level) especially if it is a styled editorial shoot, before you arrive. Taking a detailed recce of your desired location is the very best way to know the ‘ins and outs’ of the area you are photographing. Marking in key locations in your notes before hand is professional and makes your models feel at ease with their environment.
(I can’t imagine not knowing a location before a photo shoot or potentially missing out on gorgeous backdrops!)
Putting a potentially new model at ease in his/her environment is 90% of the photographer’s job after all I feel, we are the designers and creators of the photo shoot and it is up to us to personally make our subjects feel at ease in a location.
It doesn’t matter how extreme or unusual it is, if we get this right, our models will trust us and feel free to perform.
In this particular shoot, Zelal was put at ease. Our amazing team were on hand at all times with reassurance and guidance. We focused our attentions on the location and the obviously stunning architecture of the Barbican Centre, but also, on the dramatic lines the stunning architectural creations of the HEMYCA London brand. Bringing the two together in a harmony of clean lines, simple shapes and a cool elegance of structure.
On a warm August day I was lucky enough to photograph for the amazing, timeless brand that is Cornelia James.
Featuring the stunning and totally lovely Georgia, we had some serious fun taking shots on location at the local farm and it’s beautifully picturesque surrounding areas.
Some of these images were created at a very old Sussex train Station near Glyndebourne, East Sussex .A totally un-flustered Georgie jumped on and off of trains pulling into the station and worked her model magic as some sped through at high speed. This shoot was an absolute pleasure to photograph, when an amazing team of creatives get together the atmosphere is quite literally, electric!
This shoot was very skilfully styled by the incredible Genevieve James, daughter of the late Cornelia James who’s brand she continues on with utter grace and style.
This beautiful look was created by the amazing and completely lovely Lizzi Payne She created several fascinating looks throughout the day that completely transformed Georgie from ‘City girl’ to, ‘Country Girl’ and continuing on through to ‘Dusk ‘til Dawn’ looks . A truly amazing feat of pure hair and make up artistry at it’s finest.
For this shoot I used my trusty Nikon D850 with various Prime lenses to capture the best of the light and action taking place before me. Working with a model as professional as Georgie makes my job as easy and as joyous as can be. Once in the flow, it’s the most incredible creative experience to photograph for such visionary brands such as Cornelia James.
I would always recommend taking a recce before hand so that you have a very clear idea of the type of shots you are going to take (obviously with the client’s brief ever present in your mind) There is nothing worse than kicking yourself afterwards if you miss a shot that could have really enhanced a campaign.
If you are luck enough to find a like minded client, as in my fortunate case, the day can unfold so rapidly, that before you know it, its over….. until next time , hopefully x
On a chilly but bright early Spring 2019, our team of intrepid creatives ventured to Shoreham Harbour beach front to photograph an editorial for Shuba Magazine. Our beautiful model for the day was the stunning Jen from BMA models wearing a stunning selection of stylish outfits designed by the talented stylist Liz White. Our hair and make up artist for the day was the super lovelocks;y and equally talented Louise Andrews .
As with any location photoshoot, the weather is always a major factor. Being early Spring in Sussex we never know what to expect, but luckily (for Jen anyway) the weather was bright but chilly. I am always amazed at how resilient models are when asked to wear a flimsy outfit and look beautiful in sub zero temperatures. Jen is a true pro however, nothing was too big an ask- she was barefoot all the time and didn’t complain once!- Okay, maybe just the once when I asked her to go into the sea!
She still obliged my creative request, unfortunately after turning instantly blue, we all thought it best that she came out again super quick. When models are pushed to their physical limits the photo’s aren’t usually the best, as was in this case! Something to be remembered for all future photo shoots I think.
These behind the scene images are mainly taken by me to save time with light metering/white balancing and colour collaboration. I try not to waist the model’s valuable ‘Go’ time by making them wait for me to set up. I also like to take these sort of behind the scenes shots for the team’s portfolios, as well as being an interesting record of the day.
The final shoot is available to see on my Fashion pages, its one of my personal favourite shoots. I particularly enjoy the colour and contrast of the back drop. Soft pastels and sometimes harsh light (although in these moments we were all warmed up somewhat. I hope you enjoy seeing what god on in a location shoot- My camera for this shoot was a Nikon D810 with a 50mm Prime lens f1.8.
I am so lucky to be spending time working with some fantastic little people in Nurseries for the next couple of months! …got myself some yummy smelly stickers to hand out, a new (seriously bright) camera skin and some new toys, squeakers, rattles and dinosaurs to grab attention!
I will stop at nothing to get a great shot!! :)
Jacqulyn Hamilton Photography is a portrait and editorial photographer based in Sussex but photographing all over the UK.
