Seamus Ryan

Table Setting

2012-01-30T19:03:00.002Z

Mrs Ryan and I bought this table back in 1990. Although the family have out grown it, I never had the heart to get rid of it. Yesterday's Sunday Shoot saw it back in action once more as visitors got to experience it's knotty charms in a table top portrait session. The project will be online from Wednesday. www.sundayshoots.com

Ugo Boss!

2012-01-24T21:48:00.006Z

Rugby stars Ugo Monye, Tim Payne and Danny Care all took part in this charity shoot in aid of the Prostate Cancer Charity. Funds and much needed awareness are being raised through sales of 'The Blue' a custom fitted mouthguard. Ugo was very charming. He called me a complete flanker. At least that's what I think he said.....

Stars on Sunday

2012-01-17T20:04:00.002Z

A wonderful first Sunday Shoot of the year. Winter brings out the characters and it was my joyous privilege to photograph the hardy souls who braved the chill to visit the studio on this frosty morn. To see the rest of the shoot click here.

Oliver leaves London

2011-12-18T14:30:00.002Z

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular touring production of Oliver! opens this month in Cardiff. Once more I had a great day photographing new cast members at the studio. Samantha Barks is the new Nancy and Iain Fletcher will be scaring the children as Bill Sikes. Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley play Fagin at selected venues. To find out more about the tour click here.

Helen of the Antarctic

2011-12-15T11:20:00.002Z

Blue Peter's daring presenter Helen Skelton is about to embark on a gruelling 500 mile trip across Antartica to reach the South Pole for Sport Relief 2012. I shot this publicity shot just after she had completed her training in Iceland. She's s really lovely person and an inspiration to so many young people.
At this shoot I realised a lifetime ambition. Helen presented me with my very own Blue Peter badge! I shall treaure it always. To find out more about Helen's challenge and how you can support this great cause please click here.

The Great Escape

2011-11-18T11:00:00.001Z

This Sunday (November 20th) I'm rolling out the red paper for this year's vibrant portrait session. I hasten to add that this is in no way an attempt to garner print orders for Christmas. To see last year's shoot click here.

If you go down to the woods today...

2011-11-04T19:26:00.002Z

A small woodland set, complete with Silver Birch and half a ton of mulch, was the setting for last weekend's Sunday Shoot. There seems to be a tree hugger in all of us. To see more from the session please click here.

Bank Job

2011-09-21T18:57:00.004+01:00

I got to show the more acceptable face of banking in this campaign for the Co-Operative Bank.
Ageny: TBWA Manchester Art Director: Paul Gregson Wrangler: John Allen

Fresher's Week

2011-09-05T19:34:00.000+01:00

Here's the first from a campaign I shot in July for Listerine Zero. Facial gymnastics courtesy of the uniquely talented and very funny Hollis Wakeema from Nevs. Art direction by Andy Smith. Agency JWT London.

Coals to Newcastle (Flowers to Columbia Road)

2011-07-10T14:24:00.008+01:00

Five years of Sunday Shoots and this is the first time I have included flowers in a set up. For this series of 'flower' portraits I called on the unique talents of floral artist Rebecca Law (that's her in the picture top left although she really isn't that scary in real life). Rebecca is a prolific artist and teacher and is known for her beautiful artworks in public spaces. Check her site by clicking here.
To see the Flower Portraits project click here.

The Catalyst Club

2011-06-11T16:57:00.002+01:00

The Catalyst Club is a pioneering venture initiated by Cancer Research UK to raise £10 million to help in the advancement of personalised cancer treatment, where a person's genetic make-up and that of their cancer are used to treat their condition. I was commissioned to photograph some of the leading scientists in the field and the selfless cancer survivors who volunteer their support. James Caan is the Catalyst Club patron.

Rupert Grint White Magic

2011-05-11T19:54:00.001+01:00

Now appearing on buses up and down the country my calcium rich shoot with Harry Potter star and very nice man Rupert Grint. Art Directed by advertising legend John Merriman from Kindred.

Beauty

2011-05-10T19:58:00.001+01:00

I haven't done a beauty test in an age. Must do more. This is Laura Dodd from MOT who dropped in for a high speed shoot last week. Make up by Simona vankova at Artistic Licence.

Seamus uncovered!

2011-04-16T15:00:00.001+01:00

Had the pleasure of being interviewed by the very pleasant Suzanne Kentish for The Photography Parlour, a nicely put together photography blog aimed at professionals and keen amateurs. To read the piece and discover more about the blog, please click here.

Downton Abbey Spoof for Comic Relief

2011-03-15T16:19:00.006Z

A wonderful couple of days spent with the cast and crew of Comic Relief's hilarious take on hit period drama Downton Abbey. Uptown Downstairs Abbey airs this Friday night as part of Red Nose Day on BBC1. To recreate the poster I had the privilege of photographing, among talented others, Harry Enfield, Jennifer Saunders, Victoria Wood, Kim Cattrall, Joanna Lumley, Tim Vine and Simon Callow. A good day to be a photographer.

Samantha Womack

2011-03-12T19:14:00.000Z

A Reader's Digest cover shoot with a very nice person, Samantha Womack. Samantha had just returned from Kibera in Kenya (Africa's largest slum) where she had been filming a fundraising documentary for Comic Relief. She had also just announced her departure from Eastenders.

The Pies have it

2011-03-12T18:55:00.001Z

Four charming chaps shot for the new Ginsters campaign. Actors Gareth Farr, Keir Charles, Samual Anderson and Tom Kane piled on their best smooth and smarmy expressions to win over the ladies in their lives. Agency: Grey London. Creatives: Nick Rowland and Giles Montgomery.

Boys and Girls

2011-02-11T18:43:00.001Z

A crazy day helping to launch new kids clothing brand Boys & Girls. When not on set the kids enjoyed their own freestyle shoot in one of Boothnation's booths. A great set of images from a very cool bunch of kids.

Giving it large

2011-02-01T11:11:00.002Z

My hard working agents, Morgan Lockyer, have just revamped their website so that all the work can be viewed full screen. They have a hugely talented stable of photographers (present company excluded of course) so well worth a visit. Click here to see the lush site.

Erin O Conner alive and well

2011-01-31T18:59:00.004Z

Supermodel Erin O'Conner spent the day at the studio in one of our booths creating the coolest of shots for her new venture 'She Died of Beauty". Teaming up with stylist to the stars Kate Halfpenny, the talented duo have created an ethically produced range of t shirts and bags each bearing a tongue in cheek fashion statement. Click here to see the results.

The Little People

2011-01-31T18:37:00.000Z

Adults tend to deal with having their portrait taken in a number of ways, the most common being; abject fear, a fixed smile, or their own version of Blue Steel. Capturing something of their true character can at times be something of an ordeal. Children, and in particular toddlers, are a joy. Blissfully unaware of society's insistence that we must always look fabulous they are just themselves. Relaxed, bored, happy or sad, it's all good. These are just a few of the hundreds of little people it's been my privilege to photograph at the Sunday Shoots.

Dita Von Teese- A Pop Up Shoot

2010-12-03T10:36:00.002Z

A really enjoyable shoot in the company of Dita Von Teese at the launch party of Cointreau's 'My Private Coffret' held in Selfidges Personal Shopping area. Everyone enjoyed posing in Dita's set and instant colour accented and branded black and white photographs were presented to all those who took part. To find out more about our Pop Up Shoots please contact Boothnation.

The Emeco Navy 111 launch at Conran

2010-09-29T18:39:00.003+01:00

At Conran's invitation I helped launch the Navy 111, a modern take on Emeco's classic chair on September 23rd. The chair is made from 111 recycled Coca Cola bottles and comes in six fetching colours. Our shoot was a multi media affair involving a rotating set, three stills and one video camera. Production on a short film of the event has begun. Watch this space for updates. Images from the rotating set are already online and can be viewed here.

It's all a Blur!

2010-09-25T16:36:00.002+01:00

A lovely day away from the Big Smoke to shoot Alex James for a Readers Digest cover. His 'very big house in the country' is simply stunning, a rural idyll filled with small children and countless outbuildings. Alex was charm itself, happily hauling his bass across the landscape for the shoot.

Leaves a bad taste....

2010-07-23T17:58:00.001+01:00

The brief was to photograph two children who look like they had just put a foul bug in their mouth. Despite their undoubted acting prowess the youngsters struggled to communicate real disgust. Enter devious art director Paul Ray from agency Rees Bradley Hepburn with a small bag of what must surely be the worst tasting sweets ever created. They come from Sweden and can only be bought in Leicester for some reason. They taste like rotten herring. I tried one and almost gagged. The children lasted longer and produced a range of suitably appalled expressions. They really did suffer for their art.

The shoot was to advertise the Natural History Museum's 'Eating Creepy Crawlies Exhibition' at Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester which runs from July 30th to Auguest 29th.

Charm itself!

2010-06-19T18:30:00.003+01:00

This is Charming Baker , one of my favourite artists who has just had a hugely successful show in New York. I took this shot and others in early May one week before the opening. Charming had just emerged from months of self enforced exile in his studio and seemed happy to be back in society. Click here to read a great review from the Telegraph. To see his website, click here. I can testify that his name is not a misnomer.

Empire Awards

2010-06-01T12:56:00.001+01:00

Coming just after the Oscars and the Baftas (which also featured Boothnation) the Jameson Empire Film Awards are widely regarded by film buffs to be the movie award ceremony of choice. Empire Magazine asked Boothnation to add an element of fun in the VIP area using our retro futuristic Photostream booth. Stars including Sir Ian McKellen, Jude Law, Stephen Merchant and Simon Pegg showed their creativity in a great series of images. Images from the booth then formed part of Empire Magazine's Awards feature in the June 2010 issue. Click here to see more stars from the night on the Empire site.

Toon Army!

2010-04-24T17:11:00.004+01:00

I have always had a soft spot for Newcastle and the Geordies. A beautiful city, full of character. I spent an interesting few days as a visiting lecturer to the talented students of Newcastle College. This is the image the students came up in one of our studio sessions. The threatening man holding the birdcage is Graham Stouph, one of the dedicated course leaders. The escapees are the students. All the images were shot and retouched by the students themselves. Creativity is alive and well in the North East.

Many thanks to top lecturer Jacky Longstaff for getting me out of London and for her warm hospitality.

Table Talk

2010-04-21T18:49:00.003+01:00

Last week's Sunday Shoot, not very imaginatively titled 'Table Top Portraits' was both fun and sombre in equal measure. I enjoyed it so much I may repeat the theme next Sunday. Many thanks to all who took part. To see more of the project please click here.

Keep Mum!

2010-04-21T18:17:00.002+01:00

If there's one person we all listen to, it's our Mum. Whatever her size a mother can strike fear in even the toughest of people. Ad agency St. Lukes came up with this clever solution to their client Centrica's need to communicate to their staff the importance of protecting client data. Their masterstroke was to use actual mothers of members of the Centrica workforce in the campaign. The images were used as posters, notepads, mousemats and even life sized cut outs in the offices. Mums were sent to me from around the country for their shoot. We had a lot of fun on set and the campaign, by all accounts, has already had a marked effect on awareness among staff. many thanks to the spirited mums who took part. Hats off to creative team Jamil Bhatti and Natalia Frizzi for another corker.

Kerrygold

2010-04-07T11:43:00.001+01:00

All hail the new Nancy! This is the latest poster from my recent shoot with Kerry Ellis who takes over the role of Nancy from Jody Prenger on March 29th. Kerry has just finished two years playing the role of 'Elphaba' in the London production of "Wicked' and has a huge following.

I was lucky to see Jody's last show the other night. Suffice to say she really put her heart and soul into her final performance. Her curtain call was very touching with a warm tribute from Griff Rhys Jones.

The Oliver website has some videos from my shoot with Jody, Griff and Steven Hartley. Click here to view.

Timber Post

2010-03-10T22:36:00.003Z

After many weeks of trying I finally managed to restart my Sunday Shoots projects. This one is called Timber!!! for obvious reasons. Once more, I'm blown away by the amazing subjects who turn up on any given Sunday. Click here to see this week's weekend wonders.

Boothnation in Style

2009-12-08T20:02:00.004Z

The Sunday Times Style Magazine ran a four page fashion/beauty feature last weekend shot entirely in one of Boothnation's booths. Five of Storm Models finest spent a day in the studio getting into the party spirit. Everyone, including me, seemed to enjoy the freedom of shooting this way. Beauty lighting, no photographer and a curtain seems to do the trick. Stunning styling by Sharon Ridoynauth with hair by Lydell Mansfield and make up deftly applied by Andrew Gallimore. To see a larger version of the spread please click here.

Paper Portraits

2009-12-07T20:32:00.000Z

In last Sunday's shoot I inadvertently did my bit for the environment. It's an age old dilemma for photographers everywhere. What to do with those giant rolls of paper once they have reached the end of their life. Out with the Stanley knife and on with a shoot. The red colour is a blatant nod towards the forthcoming festivities. Mouths to feed and all that. A fun shoot. To see the project please click here.

Not the nine o clock news

2009-11-19T19:52:00.003Z

My second Fagin this year! How wonderful to have the cast and crew of the West End's finest in my East End den once more. As a long time fan of Griff Rhys Jones it was a deep pleasure to see him emerge from make up as an utterly convincing Fagin. He stayed in character throughout the shoot which created a very edgy atmosphere in the studio. Griff brings an incredible intensity to the role while at the same time being very, very funny. I'm no theatre critic but I will eat my hanky if he doesn't get the best reviews of his career. Griff takes over the role from Omid Djalili on December 14th. Click here for more information.

Don't cry for me...

2009-11-03T19:09:00.002Z

Often when people hear I give up my Sundays to hold my open shoots there is a palpable air of sympathy in their response. 'Oh, poor you' they say. Sometimes, I'll admit, I play along with the sentiment as all attention is gratefully received. My enormous Catholic guilt, however, dictates that I must once and for all admit that I am actually having the time of my life each Sunday. Although very happily married I have chosen this set of images, shot over an hour or two, to illustrate what I may have missed had I been brunching with the snooze papers a few Sundays ago. These shots come from a project titled 'Stars on Sunday'. To see more, including men and children click here.

Claude-Michel not miserable

2009-11-02T18:14:00.006Z

Claude-Michel Schonberg is a living legend in musical circles. Along with lyricist Alain Boublil he is responsible for creating, among others, Les Miserables, Martin Guerre and Miss Saigon. Together they have played a major part in the revival of musical theatre. As he prepares for a new worldwide tour of Les Miserables (starting in Cardiff) Claude-Michel thought it was time for a new shot. His last one had served for no less than fifteen years. An involved yet enjoyable shoot with a man of obvious sensitivity. As someone who can't even play a tin whistle I am always a little in awe of those who really understand music.

Eyes wide shut

2009-09-22T18:38:00.006+01:00

Yesterday saw the launch of the RNIB's new campaign which calls on all of us to contemplate the question, 'What would you lose from your life if you lost your sight?'. In the UK each day one hundred people are told they will lose their sight, only eight of whom can be given support. The RNIB want to increase awareness of the situation and need a great deal more funding to help many more people in coping with such devastating news.

Despite the sombre subject matter, the shoot was a great pleasure to do. All the subjects are real people (i.e. not models or actors) who gave up their time for a very worthy cause. Special thanks to the rugby players from Hampstead RFC who happily put up with hours of mud splattering and press ups.

As a portrait photographer I am conditioned to concentrating on eye contact in my subjects. Removing the eyes from the equation presented a new and fascinating challenge. It says a lot of the subjects that they could still communicate so well without seeing.

Working with agency St Lukes and the committed team at RNIB made this a dream job for an old snapper. To find out more about the campaign and to get involved please click here.

Beth the Boxer

2009-09-20T18:26:00.003+01:00

Butter wouldn't melt in Beth Chalmers' mouth. Her honeyed Home Counties voice has guaranteed her a career in radio and in voicing audio books. Her acting credits include Midsummer Murders and a range of comedies. She is every inch the broadcast professional not to mention a fun girl to be around.

After work, however, things are a little bit different. A few years ago Beth took up boxing to keep fit. Spotted by trainer Pieter Vodden, Beth was encouraged to move from punching bags to people. It turned out she was rather good. Beth recently fought her first competitive fight in London's studio Valbonne. As a witness I can testify she is a terrifying opponent. She lost the fight by a mere point.

My brief, for the Readers' Digest, was to show the two sides of Beth, as it were. I'm a big fan of both!

Loving Squeeze

2009-08-27T19:52:00.003+01:00

Another wonderful discovery from my Sunday Shoots; the amazing Liz Wilson and her lovely family. Liz, together with husband, Wellington and their two gorgeous children Marvin and Larissa were unwittingly recommended by me as the perfect family for an advertising commission I received. They got the job.

The brief, for the Vauxhall Zafira through agency Draft FCB, involved showing how cramped our family are in their existing car. Squashing everyone up against a huge sheet of perspex would be difficult at the best of times. Including a tiny baby and her toddler brother was asking for trouble. In spite of all this the family rose to the challenge showing endless patience and good spirit.

Liz, by the way is a very talented jewellery designer. Click here to see her work.

Malfoy not a baddie!

2009-08-23T19:28:00.004+01:00

Poor Tom Fenton, best known as Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, is a much maligned man. I say man as he has come of age and is now ready for roles that don't necessarily turn an audience against him. Apparently small children still cower in his presence.

This shoot, for a piece in Reader's Digest, was one of the most pleasant I can remember. Tom is warm, bright and has a great sense of humour. Chillax kids!

Harry Patch

2009-08-08T17:09:00.005+01:00

I was saddened this week to hear of the passing of Harry Patch, the last surviving British soldier to have fought in the trenches of the Western Front in World War 1. He had reached the age of 111 and was briefly Europe's oldest man. I had the pleasure of photographing him in 2003 in his nursing home in Wells. Aged 105 at the time he was sprightly and entertaining and, if memory serves me, quite a hit with the ladies.

As a centurian Harry became something of a celebrity. He had a cider, Patch’s Pride, named after him, and was awarded an honorary degree by Bristol University, where he had worked on the Wills memorial 80 years earlier. He also received the Legion d’Honneur from the French government.

Harry became Britain's oldest author in 2007 when he published " The Last Tommy Standing". Radiohead paid tribute to him this week with a beautiful track entitled "Harry Patch (IN Memory Of)". All proceeds from the track go to the British Legion.

To find out more about Harry's life click here.

The Photostream has landed

2009-07-06T21:18:00.002+01:00

This must rank as one of my all time wackiest ideas. Drawing inspiration from the moon landings (yo Buzz), the Jetsons, Marvel comics and the Airstream caravan, I am now the proud owner of what must surely be the world's most over designed (in a nice way) photobooth. The 'Photostream' is a celebration of the retro-future design styles of the 50s and 60s, a time when modernity always came clad in aluminium and rivets.

Grappling with the compound curves and design headaches were ace modemakers Applied Arts. Their patience and skill is a testament to their 'can do' attitude. So refreshing in an age of negativity.

The interior of the booth, which I have yet to photograph, continues the theme with moulds from 1950s tv screens forming the light sources and a number of other surprises.

In keeping with Boothnation's tradition, 'beauty lighting' and a wind machine are there to ensure that the pictures are out of this world (sorry, very corny I know).

I'd do anything!

2009-07-05T20:08:00.001+01:00

My first foray into the world of musical theatre involved shooting the wonderful cast of Cameron Mackintosh's record-breaking hit musical 'Oliver'. Omid Djalili is taking over the roll of Fagin from Rowen Atkinson in mid July and our shoot was to be his first time trying the costume and wig. The transformation was startling. A new and very different Fagin emerged. Along with Omid I also shot three Olivers and three Dodgers. Quite a day!

A few days later I photographed the lovely Nancy (Jodie Prenger) and the amazing stage set at the Theatre Royal. The roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd....

How I found Eric

2009-06-22T12:09:00.003+01:00

I went to see Ken Loach's wonderful new film 'Looking for Eric' the other day. The memories came flooding back. Back in the day (1996) I was commissioned to shoot Cantona for a Nike campaign which ran during the Euro '96 championship. Hero worship has never been my thing but there really is something about Eric that leaves you a little weak at the knees. Unlike a few 'stars I could mention, he was charming, witty and fully involved himself in the task in hand.

Loach's film is a very funny tribute to one of football's real characters not to mention a heart warming reminder of the value of friendship. Do see it if you can.

On Broadway

2009-05-15T20:47:00.002+01:00

Wonderful Broadway Market last Saturday for the Evening Standard. Charged with the daunting task of capturing the cutting edge of fashion on the streets of London, I ventured forth with fear and trepidation. I know little or nothing about clothes. I set up my little lighting rig and, ably assisted by Wizza, scanned the crowd for 'fashionistas'. In seconds the first arrived....and so it continued. An inspiring series of people who don't just throw the first thing on in the morning. I really must do something about my clobber.

Up Close and Personal

2009-05-06T20:11:00.004+01:00

My Sunday Shoot on May 3rd got me up close and personal with a bewildering array or great subjects. A raft of babies and toddlers got the shoot going followed by a dog and the great and the good of Columbia Road Market. Stepping up to have your close up done in front of up to forty people takes some nerve. Many thanks to the brave souls who volunteered.

To see more images from the session click here.

The Keepsakes Exhibition

2009-04-11T14:56:00.004+01:00

It's been a privilege to have been part of a wonderful photographic project created by the Willow Foundation.

The charity, set up in 1999 by Bob and Megs Wilson in memory of their daughter Anna, provides seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds with special day experiences.

Nine photographers were asked to take portraits of both beneficiaries of the charity and celebrities who lend their support. My subjects were the lovely Alison, who has since sadly passed away, and a spirited young 'Girls Aloud' fan from Newcastle called Chris. I also shot comedy legend John Cleese and Hardeep Singh Kohli.

The project culminated in a great show at the SW1 Gallery and a book called Keepsakes. The show runs from 4 April-17th April 2009. Copies of the book can be purchased here.

Vertigo at Sunday Shoots

2009-04-07T14:59:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday's offering was a sideways glance at that plunge pool we call the global economy. 'Falling with grace' is something a great many of us will have to get used to. Click here to see some fine examples of the art.

As you can see I had a go myself. Most liberating!

Bobbi Brown in the Booth

2009-04-01T23:36:00.000+01:00

Boothnation's beauty lighting had it's ultimate test in Selfridges on March 13th and 14th. Bobbi Brown customers chose their favorite makeup look direct from the runways at Fashion Week. Following their personalised makeup lesson, the freshly made up beauties stepped into our 'Glitterbooth' and posed for four shots.

They then selected their favourite image which we printed up into stunning 10"x 8" glossy prints. Customers were delighted with the results. From now on I'm only wearing Bobbi Brown.

Seamus

2009-03-16T19:35:00.000Z

The Grand National Fash Bash

A most extraordinary day spent at Aintree Racecourse in the company of no less than 2000 Scouse women. A Boothnation Glitterbooth shared the stage at the annual, Matalan sponsored, fashion contest with a multitude of brightly robed ladies. Ladies Day at Aintree is all about dressing up and in this part of the country subtlety is seen as a weakness. This is me in the booth at the insistence of a spirited entrant. "I'd rather not", was not an option. To see more of these life affirming images click here.

Anything you say......

2009-02-15T11:26:00.000Z

James 'Gordon' Green had a long and distinguished career in the Metropolitan Police. Now retired and very happily married to the lovely Eve (still a serving officer) Gordon unwittingly strolled into my studio during a Sunday Shoot. The couple enjoyed the shoot and ordered prints straight away. A few weeks later I was commissioned by advertising agency Publicis QMP to find and shoot three men for a poster campaign for their client Beamish Stout. When it came to the casting I remembered Gordon. The agency and client agreed he had the 'look' they were after. To cut a long story short Gordon got the gig- we had a very fun shoot-he is a natural- and he can now be seen on billboards all over Ireland. A new career beckons for this ex copper.

Nigella- double helpings

2009-01-10T13:28:00.001Z

Newly revamped magazine Readers Digest commissioned me to do two shots (in one day) of the wonderful Nigella Lawson. As you can see we didn't hold back on the styling and sets. Nigella was game enough to immerse herself in the roles of snow queen and spring nymph. A very fun shoot all round, she even liked the catering. The snow shot graced the cover of the January issue. Big up to ace art director Martin Colyer.

Gotta light?

2008-09-16T17:22:00.000+01:00

GOLD was a one-day arts and music event held in Shoreditch Town Hall on Saturday 27th of September. It coincided with the official launch of the Cultural Olympiad and provided an alternative platform for the very best of London and the UK’s arts scene. My part was to tap into all this creativity by inviting people to create their own light pictures. We built a huge black tent and handed out torches to all the willing subjects. Click here to see a selection of their 'Light Trails".

Sunday Shoots-The Movie

2008-09-01T23:57:00.001+01:00

Now showing on uber hip Current TV is a short documentary film on Seamus' Sunday Shoots. Talented film makers Luke Seomore and Joseph Bull have created an atmospheric piece entitled 'How to be a Sunday model'. Seamus is reported to be delighted, if a little embarrassed by all the attention. You can see the clip by clicking here.

Carr Alarm

2008-08-01T12:24:00.001+01:00

National treasure Alan Carr is a man of many faces – pouty, endearing, silly, vulnerable, cheeky, sweet etc - all used to great comedic effect. So when Marie Claire needed a suitably interesting photo spread to accompany their Janet Street-Porter interview, they enlisted Boothnation to the cause.

As endearing in person as he is on the telly, Alan had us in fits of laughter as he posed and preened in the booth. Being such a ball of energy, the booth was the perfect capsule to contain and capture him in action. Over 100 shots and he was still pulling new expressions out of the bag!

The Marie Claire team loved the booth so much they booked us for their 20th Birthday party at One Marlyebone Road. A whole host of stars turned up to the event, including the likes of Mischa Barton, Roisin Murphy and Janet Street Porter. Rhys Ifan’s band The Peth played and the Glitter booth wowed the glam crowd with gorgeous black and white portraits and a live projection of the booth images.

Sky Booths

2008-07-28T23:19:00.000+01:00

Guests at Sky1’s Autumn launch were treated to sneak previews of more than just the channels new line up when, mid way thru the event, huge projection screens suddenly beamed out images of guests posing in the two Boothnation Glitter Booths! Once the savvy crowd figured out the joke, the booths were swarmed with media folk vying for their moment on the big screen.

Justin Lee Collins couldn't get enough, jumping in and out of the booth with various acquaintances all night. Buff athletes from the Sky show 'Gladiators' were the favourite posing partners for many fans and they seemed very happy to oblige!

Park Life

2008-06-17T10:52:00.000+01:00

Shooting sometimes hundreds of people each Sunday presents me with an interesting problem. What, in the name of all that's good and true, am I going to do with all these images. For the Silhouette shoot I decided to put everyone in a London park. I have always been amazed how, on a warm Summer day most of the population seem to fill the parks. Elbow to elbow different cultures and age groups just get on with their thing in total harmony. Barbecues, baseball, nappy changing, skateboarding, tai chi, and mini raves all happening at the same time. Humanity is alive and well.

Pearls of Wisdom

2008-06-14T17:41:00.000+01:00

London-based property magnate David Pearl was the subject of this shoot for Lloyds Bank. David is familiar to anyone who watched the TV show Secret Millionaire. He went undercover as a volunteer at the Queen Alexandra, the largest hospital in Portsmouth. I found myself moved by how deeply affected he was by the difficulties people faced in that community. He changed a number of lives with his generosity and has continued to help groups in the area.

David is what I can only describe as a character. I do enjoy a character. As a subject he was impossible to control, chatting in an animated way throughout the shoot. At one point he asked me about my studio. " Its right by Columbia Road, in the East End" I said. "Oh I own most of Columbia Road ", he said, "and nearly all the streets around it". He wasn't joking.

Streep in the Booth

2008-06-01T12:29:00.001+01:00

The much anticipated smash hit Mamma Mia! The Movie (Universal Pictures) held their London press junket at the regal Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge. All the stars were out and we were delighted to invite the fabulous Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep,Amanda Seyfried and Stellan Skarsgård into our sparkling Greek island-themed Glitter booth.

Agyness Deyn, Henry Holland and Friends

2008-05-01T12:33:00.001+01:00

The cool crowd came out to play on June 9th at Agyness Deyn's Get Extra Close party. Hosted by fab designer Henry Holland and sponsored by Wrigley's Extra, the party was held at The Village Underground in Shoreditch. Boothnation's 'Classic' booth was virtually under siege all evening as the glamorous fashionistas jostled for their beauty shots.

Deyn made her debut as lead singer with New York band The 5-o'clock Heroes, Alexa Chung, Peaches Geldof, Kelly Osborne and friends threw shapes to Henry Holland's retro DJ-ing and Boothnation kept the party going in the fabulous Fashion Booth. Pr company Brey Leino and event organisers 9pr ensured the evening went down a storm.

www.boothnation.com

Viktor & Rolf

2008-04-14T19:47:00.000+01:00

Fashion design duo Viktor & Rolf (and Seamus) jostled for space at a packed Barbican Art Gallery for this special fashion beauty shoot. Using the Sunday Shoots concept visitors to the gallery were invited to take part. After a touch up from acclaimed make up artists Beauty Base the 'beautiful people' enthusiastically joined in.The evening, organised by the vivacious Helen O'Gorman and her wonderful team was a huge success attracting no less than 750 fashionistas. To see the results click here.

Stella McCartney at Selfridges

2008-03-16T10:50:00.000Z

Booth Nation had a wonderful week in the Oxford Street Selfridges Store as part of Stella McCartney's 'World of Stella' promotion. Boldly emblazoned in the designer's graphic floral motif the booth was made available to the public for a small donation to the British Red Cross. Thousands of customers and a great many staff enjoyed the flattering beauty lighting and their unique instant print of the event.

Raindrops Rewarded

2008-03-14T19:13:00.002Z

A big thank you to Daryl, a Sunday Shoot visitor, for taking part in last year's 'An English Summer' project. His rainswept portrait was chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Association of Photographers Awards 2008 and is now immortalised in the Awards book. Of over 4000 images submitted by members only 316 made it through to final show. To see all the selected images follow this link www.the-awards.com

A star is born

2008-02-14T19:18:00.001Z

When Irish advertising agency CawleyNea TBWA were in search of the true face of boredom for their recent Entertainment.ie campaign they used the Sunday Shoots website as a casting resource. Hidden away in last year’s 'Roto Foto' project was the beautiful and spirited Eva Kiivit who unwittingly possessed a hidden talent for acting and, in particular, looking really, really bored. Shot by Seamus and art directed by Mark Black the poster campaign ran all over Ireland. Eva is rumoured to be working on a number of other expressions including mildly displeased and the elusive 'blue steel'.

Famous Seamus

2007-11-14T19:21:00.000Z

Sunday Shoots were the subject of a nice feature inthelondonpaper on October 23rd. With a readership of over 700,000 londoners, we are expecting an invasion of new visitors over the coming weeks. Thanks to freelance journalist Retna Wooller for stumbling upon us and getting the word out there.

To read the full article click here.

Mister T in the house

2007-09-14T19:40:00.003+01:00

One of the many participants to grace our recent project The Sitting was famous playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. Seamus had constructed a rough set from weathered plywood and borrowed his landlord's chair (found in the 1960's in a Welsh mini cab office) to create a space for visitors to occupy. The idea was to create a movie where the chair never moves but its sitters are constantly changing.

Not only did Sir Tom enter into the spirit of the portrait project he seemed to have dressed that day with the set in mind, right down to his shoe laces. The resulting image has since been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery as part of its permanent collection. It now hangs in the July Acquisitions section of the gallery.

Sir Tom, who has just celebrated his seventieth birthday, made history at the recent Tony Awards where his nine hour trilogy The Coast of Utopia won a record seven awards.