Photography by Paul Dishman: Secret New Years`s resolution achieved !

Eleanor in a street near the Corn Exchange

After telling you about how much I enjoyed the Model Experience shoot I did here: http://photographybypauldishman.blogspot.com/2011/12/groupon-living-social-kgb-deals-what.html I made a New Years`s resolution that that I would set a bigger shoot up myself in the New Year aimed at developing my model / subject direction further and getting me more out there!Nothing ventured nothing gained I went for it big time approaching my favourite building in Leeds for permission to shoot - Leeds Corn Exchange(http://www.leedscornexchange.co.uk/). Not for one minute did I expect manager Louise Smith to be so welcoming and giving me permission to go ahead after outlining what I wanted to do. With that I walked around to see which traders would be interested - just cheeky with it and offering a trade of shots for use of their great products in exchange. Again I was blown away by responses - Holly in Moo Designs (http://www.moo-designs.com/)seemed up for it and Kimberley one of her staff was even keener to be involved to get shots for her model portfolio. Next it was on to Mad Elizabeth`s Vintage wear shop (http://www.facebook.com/mad.elizabethvintage) and another enthusiastic yes from Claire who has some stunning pink walls as well as a great range of vintage clothing. After seemingly getting another positive response from a store which on the day itself seemed to have neglected to tell it`s staff about the event all seemed positive on the clothing front. As I passed Northern Acoustics I could not help but admire the fantastic range of Martin and faith acoustic guitars. They wouldn`t let us use them surely? After a brief chat with Val - really friendly , laid back guy running it the answer was yes. Always been a frustrated wannabe guitarist and this was a magical offer.
So that`s the venue, the traders, me - what else do I need? Yes - a range of gorgeous models - male and female to make it work and come in with me and Kimberley. Finally got around to joining Model Mayhem, put out a casting call and was overrun with offers from loads of models seeking to shoot in such a great building on a fashion / lifestyle theme. Ended up agreeing another 5 and despite the multiple warnings I got about MM models not always being reliable for trade for shoots (TFP or TFC for prints / cds) I found that they replied to my regular updates and were as keen as me. Got a lovely make up artist (Vicki Suddaby ) too , who got paid work at the last minute so was unable to attend but found me a replacement herself in Natalie Greenwell.(http://www.facebook.com/mad.elizabethvintage#!/profile.php?id=501064169) Natalie did a great job on the day too. Only one did not come due to a family bereavement so could not be helped. At the Model Experience Jonathan Bliss had talked with me about doing a joint shoot so I invited him in along with Gavin Forster to share the load and try to keep the models busy. One model was under 18 so I arranged a parental consent form in addition to the model release forms and her mum came along as chaperon for the session.

So how did it go? Great - yes it was stressful getting it together and meant lots of trips to the Corn Exchange to keep people informed / on board but on the day all were superb.Moo Designs were just brilliant and if you have not checked them out do look at their website and visit the shop - the sight of the models coming out with one stunning set of clothes after another was superb and a gift to photographers in such a great setting. Mad Elizabeth too let models pick out outfits to wear and Val was as good as his word in Northern Acoustics lending us the most beautiful guitars worth hundreds of pound which we cherished and guarded! Gavin and Jonathan had fun too I reckon, though we had so little time to chat and have not been able to share shots yet.

So what did I learn?
Well in this recession hit world if you are prepared to give a little there are still generous folk who will give bit back for mutual gain. OK some would say we photographers were giving it away but how often do you get a chance to shoot in such a great venue with such beautiful people and great products? Worth it for me!

Plus points?

I`ll use Model Mayhem again
I`ve found some fantastic shops that I had never visited before
Was great to see the Corn Exchange getting ever busier and almost fully occupied under determined manager Louise Smith
There`s a great buzz in working with like-minded people

What will I do different next time?

Not shoot with such a wide brief - wanted some for the models some for me, some for the traders, some for the Corn Exchange and some for the make up artis - that is a lot of variables to keep on top of
Maybe go smaller with just a couple of models to keep organisational duties down during busy times
Try to get more sleep beforehand to make sure I can keep up the energy levels and not take gear I end up not using!

And what will it be? I`m up for another wedding shoot and just starting to check out suppliers / models. If you are reading this and share that interest get in touch.

Right more images. On this blog there are only shots of Eleanor as I will only be putting up a selection from the shots selected by the models as their favourites and am awaiting choices from others. I will not post links without permission either as some prefer to keep modelling portfolios separate to Facebook and the like. My next blog will feature a wider range of shots from all the models selections and links where applicable to models giving approval.

Eleanor Hare: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Eleanor-Hare-Modelling/307708432575140
Model Mayhem Number: 2400713