I love being friends with other photographers. I’m friends with some of Ireland’s most creative & talented. Among the list of real life friends are people like Pato Cassinoni, Shane Gallagher, Paul Timon & John Bermingham, Nicholas Grey. This list is not exhaustive.
I love the photographic brain. We all have a similar way of looking at hings, similar sense of humours and sensitivities. We just kind of get on (mostly). There is a wonderful ease to be found hanging out with people who just ‘get it’.
This community is open and generous too. Or so I’ve found. There’s no competitiveness or sly behaviour among us. It’s a wonderful relationship based on sharing views & information. Also if you drive out into the Middle of Bloody Nowhere and find you’ve forgotten your memory card, you can guarantee one of your photo-buddies will lend you a spare (Thanks Pauline!!).
Sadly for me (probably quite a relief for them) I live so far away from most of them that most of the time I just keep up with them on social media.
Apart from Shane. Shane lives close enough to me that I can annoy him regularly. He has become my friend, muse and now photographer.
I love Shane’s work, both as model & photographer. He is in many ways, the opposite of me He is careful, structured and a little architectural in his approach to photography. (feel free to correct me Shane!) He has a sensitivity to others that I both identify with and admire, an ability to capture people at that perfect moment.
I’m way more sporadic, some might say a little chaotic in my approach, although I prefer the term ‘free-spirited’.
Anyway, I periodically put myself in front of someone else’s camera, because it’s important for me to remember how bloody uncomfortable it can be for the clients I shoot. A top up of empathy if you like.
So, on an absolutely freezing Monday morning, Shane & I went up to the forest in the mountains, so he could take photos of me twirling about in a ballgown. (I enjoyed the look on my eldest daughter’s face when I told her what I’d done that day, highly aware of the fact that I am not a bit ordinary or normal - she loves it)
I want to say that Shane is by far the easiest photographer I’ve worked with. He made it fun. I’m so awkward in front of the camera, but with his guidance I believe I turned into a cross between Stevie Nicks & Dolly Parton, which I’m obviously thrilled about. He has the same thing I try to bring to a shoot, the ability to bring out the best in people. I love him.
I’ve shared a couple of images from that with you today, you should go check out his website too: www.shanegallagherphotography.com. He’s a babe.
When we got back to the studio and thawed out a little with hot chocolate and straddling the stove, I got him in front of my camera. I had to make him take his shirt off really. Seemed only fair after I’d frozen my nads off.
The photo above is one that I took in a five minute session, I feel it captures the more delicate, ethereal side of him. I hope he feels as beautiful as I do now. Isn’t he pretty?!
And you know what, I think we both captured each other as we really are. Which is a lovely surprise for me, as I see myself completely differently to how Shane does.
So, in summary, it’s really bloody important for all of us to see ourselves through the eyes of someone who sees our beauty, celebrates our quirks and draws out our vibrance. So choose your photographer wisely people!
So yeah, now for ya. (This wasn’t a depressing piece was it?)
Seriously though, www.shanegallagherphotography.com.
