Exclusive shoots
(by invitation only)
Exciting opportunities in 2025
You’ve been sent a link to this page because you are a great customer and I enjoy your company! I know we can have fun and creative times together. You have good core photography skills and you know what you are doing. I’ll keep these shoots to a maximum of two guest photographers at a time with me.
What’s in it for you?
- Fabulous, unique locations with sublime hues, tones and textures
- A professional model for us to shoot
- Private transport from our hotel to the locations and back
- All lighting kits, stands, modifiers and expertise
- My undivided attention
The recce days
Finding undiscovered abandoned shoot locations is the part of the workshop preparation I love the most. It involves zig-zagging across the glorious Italian countryside to check out previously identified prospective shoot locations. Most are discarded for various reasons including being too overgrown, dangerous, impossible to access, remote, overlooked by other occupied properties, or even protected by security cameras. The shoot spots that pass the test are marked up and rated.
In the past, some photographers and friends have joined me on the zig-zagging non-shooting part of the recce. I don’t charge a fee for this as there are no additional expenses. Climbing through woods, traipsing across fields, scrambling down into ravines, and cutting through brambles with secateurs can be an arduous process and help is always welcome. It is a great way to experience the countryside off the tourist track.
The shooting day
- I provide the transport for us to get around the locations
- We leave the hotel at about 9 am and return by 6 pm
- We will get lunch out and about at a bar or restaurant
- I pre-book and pay the model a professional rate
- I pay for the model’s hotel, travel expenses and meals
- I pay for my hotel, travel expenses and meals
- I provide all the lighting kit, including stands
- All you have to do is be there with your camera
A typical map ahead of the recce looks like the one above. Each blue pin is an unvisited potential site. I found the sites by using Google Earth, Street View, and general research. I expect to cull this down to about 12 pins during the zig-zag process. I’ll change their colour, rate them or delete them on the fly throughout each day of the recce.
Once all the pinned locations have been visited and a decent set of shoot places have been identified, I calculate the potential shooting time at each spot. To run a workshop I usually need 4 days’ worth of shoot spots plus a few spares. There may be as many as 130 pins in my map when I start the whittle-down process and I find many more wonderful places by accident while out and about. Scouring an area by navigating dusty tracks in out-of-the-way locations helps me to better understand the places and the people I meet along the way. I usually end up with 12 to 15 shoot spots and perhaps 5 of those were discovered just by driving the tracks. One of the common phrases I hear from workshopgoers is “How on earth did you find this place?”
What’s in it for me?
I always find it fun to shoot alongside other photographers. It’s a great learning opportunity for all of us. In addition to the fun, photographers joining me on the ‘test shoot’ days allow me to pursue my hobby – my passion. The ‘post-recce shoots’ help fund future recces making the process sustainable and, in turn, creating opportunities for me to put on events further afield. The post-recce shoots are generally more refined and efficient.
New shoot opportunities
I’ve identified three new shooting opportunities for you, each with their own advantages. Details are below.
Your exclusive shooting opportunities
Ditch the rule books and expectations and go freestyle with me in stunning rural Italy! This is a creative collaboration bringing narrative to the scene.
Recce test-shoots
Once the location recce is complete I test shoot with new models at each spot. I try out native models, with some coming from cities several hours away. They all have fabulous online portfolios, with great referrals, and they speak good English. Hence the invitation to audition with me before I make my final selection for workshops.
I love to work with new faces and using native models alongside international models adds authenticity to the workshop experience. Model test shoot days are an important part of the process and now you can join me too.
Maximum 2 photographers
£600 each per day
Post-recce shoots
I love to spend a few days after the recce to shoot some top-level, fully styled photographs in the best locations and with the best models available. I create some of my finest photographs on these shoot days. Shots that will eventually be published in magazines and books.
This is your opportunity in a chilled environment, shooting freely alongside me to capture portfolio-grade images.
On post-recce shoot days I tend to shoot a mix of genres, including fashion, narrative, environmental, beauty and nude.
Maximum 2 photographers
£1000 each per day
Post-workshop shoots
Like the post-recce days, the post-workshop days are of the highest calibre. I keep some time to myself after the workshop guests have departed to get a few tasks done and to give myself some rest time. I’m then fresh and ready to do more shoots.
I’ll offer the first post-workshop days to my workshop guests. Then I will open the opportunity to those of you who want to set the genre, choose the model, choose the location and have a say in the styling.
Genres can range from portraiture to art nude and are determined ahead of the shoot. I’m available to set up shots, provide tuition and give you guidance as required.
Maximum 2 photographers
£1500 each per day
Shoot availability in Italy 2025
May 2025
Matera
Matera really sings to me. It has a rare charm like no other place in the world. You might recognise it from the opening sequence of the James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’. So far I have identified 62 potential shoot spots in the surrounding environs, and I expect this number to rise in the coming months. There are also fabulous shoot locations galore in the ancient city itself.
My recce of Matera is from the 5th to the 8th of May. On these days, I will identify the best possible places for us to shoot.
Recce test-shoot events now booking
The recce test shoot days are the 9th—11th of May. One place has already sold on each of these days. These shoots are limited to two photographers for a fun, creative experience. There is not enough space for accompanying non-shooting partners in my car. If you would like a non-shooting partner to accompany you, hiring a car is best.
Post-recce shoots now booking
The post-recce shoot days are the 13th and 14th of May. One place has already sold on each of these days. These shoots are limited to two photographers for a fun, creative experience. Non-shooting partners are welcome to join us.
Recce test-shoot day 9th May 2025
£600.00
1 in stock
Recce test-shoot day 10th May 2025
£600.00
1 in stock
Recce test-shoot day 11th May 2025
£600.00
1 in stock
Post-recce shoot day 13th May 2025
£1,000.00
1 in stock
Post-recce shoot day 14th May 2025
£1,000.00
1 in stock
September 2025
Matera
I’ve been booked to run a private workshop based at Matera from the 4th – 10th of September. This is yet to be confirmed and I welcome other interested groups who want to join me in Italy to get in touch.
The proposed post-workshop shoot days based at Matera are expected to be on the 11th and 12th of September.
Siena
I will be driving up through Italy on my way back from Matera and will make myself available for a couple of post-workshop shoot days based at my finest previously-shot locations near Siena, in the heart of Tuscany on the 15th and 16th of September.
These are some of my fabulous secret shoot locations within striking distance of Siena.
Switzerland
After Siena, I’ll drive over the Alps into Switzerland where I expect to do further one-day workshops arranged by other photographers. More information about my events in Switzerland is to follow.
Potential shoot availability in Spain 2025
Almeria to Mojácar
I am doing a quick recce in the Almeria desert and environs from the 27th of January until the 1st of February as I have identified a cluster of potentially exciting abandoned shoot locations. I’ll be doing shoots each day on this recce for personal projects.
If you are interested in my Spanish shoots please contact me to be kept in touch with availability.
June 2025
The dates and locations are yet to be confirmed but if the recce goes well, I will base myself in Spain for several weeks in June and invite photographers to join me for events. The aim is to provide transport to and from the airport and throughout the shooting days. This will be ideal for two or three-day, long weekend shoot events.