References for Summers Abroad

Anthony Wadham

No praise too high for Rachelle's South of France: "Summers Abroad" excursion to yet another amazing location.

Accomodation 5*

Well sourced Locations. 5*

Mark provides stunning meals and liquid refreshment on a regular basis and drives us safely to locations and back in the mini-bus.

If you have never worked with Rachelle and the carefully selected models engaged to suit the location. You don't know what you have missed.

MattB

My second time on a Summers Abroad trip and the second time I've had an excellent photographic holiday. Rachelle and Mark looked after me and my wife for 3 days (along with the other photographers) in the south of France, keeping us well fed and watered and spoiling us with great locations.

We had a couple of early mornings - an unfortunate downside of wanting to get the best light and to be somewhere before the hordes arrive - but Rachelle and Mark were both still cheerful at that time, determined to get the best out of the locations for us and prepared to drive for many miles pre-dawn to get us there on time.

Yet again, Rachelle had booked an excellent model in Sylph Sia - my first time working with her but it was great to get the opportunity to do so when she was in this hemisphere.

If you like your trips high quality, all-inclusive, with great locations and well organised, Summers Abroad are the people for you!

Derrick Thompson

4 Photographers, 3 days, 2 models, 1 fantastic trip.

I couldn't praise or recommend Summers Abroad highly enough! I've come home and booked on a trip next year straight away! Rachelle & Mark work very hard to make the holiday a great experience for everyone, and it shows. The villa, pre-scouted locations, the themed shoots, the models, the food, the constant supply of cooling drinks - all first class.

Thank you so much Rachelle & Mark, it was a brilliant three days, already looking for to Spain 2020!

Mr Dave

I have attended a number of these trips abroad now, the latest being to the south of France. The villa was stunning, as expected. Mark and Rachelle had scouted various locations prior to the trip and had plenty of ideas for the themed shoots.

I especially like the inclusion for a 'wet' shoot where we can make use of the villas facilities, two pools on this occasion, for those of us who like underwater photography.

Mark was again the chauffeur and chief cook as well as some other activities doing an excellent job again.

The second model on this occasion was Sylph Sia who fitted in beautifully, an experienced model from Australia who I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with...

Highly recommend these superb trips...

Dave x

DaveEdwards

I have just had the pleasure of spending a week on my second Summers Abroad holiday and am happy to report that it was every bit the luxury break I was looking forward to, and more!

Rachelle had found a superb “farmhouse” – think more like a junior Chateau - furnished in traditional French country style, with secluded grounds to shoot in and two pools to swim or lounge in, and had scouted some superb locations and styled some great scenes for both the farmhouse and the further afield. As usual she had found a top class model to work with as well, so lots of duo goodness, too!

Logistics, provided by the long-suffering Mr Summers (although he seems to enjoy it!), were excellent as ever, as was the constant supply of delicious food and drink. Mark’s skills as a personal shopper were put to the test, though, by my arrival “sans baggage” – although he rapidly managed to find places to buy Dave-sized clothing and even returned from one foray with a “universal DSLR camera battery charger” – which all photographers present the night before had declared didn’t exist! Efforts above and beyond the call of duty there!

All in all, a fantastic break – just the shot in the arm required! I shall be back very shortly. :)

I can’t recommend Summers Abroad holidays highly enough; A splendid mix of holiday, shooting and chilling with great people. If you haven’t tried one, you should. You don’t know what you’re missing!!

Fantasy Dabblers

Just had a wonderful 6 days with Summers Abroad in the south of France. Great villa choice, superb hospitality from Mark, Rachelle and Scarlot. The modelling was amazing, locations excellent and atmosphere very friendly. There was lovely thoughtfulness in planning what Andrew may be ble to do and flexibility in offering options if there were things he couldn't do. It was also fantastic to have clever themed shoot ideas added with the flexibility of adding ours and others ideas to the mix. These trips go from strength to strength and are very highly reccomended.

Scarlot Rose

Take a look above at the list of events above and notice how they are almost all sold out months, almost years in advance! I think this gives a slight indication as to just how incredible the Summers Abroad trips really are!

I was very honoured to be part of Rachelle's recent trip to France and in all honesty had quite high expectations based on past reviews and how much photographers had raved about her previous events to me but still this trip exceeded all expectations by a mile!

The first thing to totally impress me was Rachelle's organisation! With plenty of advance notice I had a thoroughly detailed email outlining not only all my travel details, but also all the proposed locations for the trip (a huge safety factor that I massively appreciated) along with a very in-depth list of styling proposals. All this combined left me knowing exactly what I needed to pack months before I even needed to consider it! And on the off chance that I should have forgotten anything? I really needn't have worried! Rachelle had an entire room full of outfits, props, accessories, shoes etc. for her themed shoots that she also encouraged me to borrow for other non-themed shoots, and incredibly thoughtfully, I arrived to a welcome basket containing all the small things I could possibly need such as insect spray, suncream, a small fan etc.

It became apparent very quickly after arrival that her organisation continued to immaculate measures! All the locations had been very well pre-scouted and she had each day planned out perfectly (I too like to be very organised and well prepared and by the first night I was so happy to have the first group's shoots all laid out in my google calendar!) But whilst everything was so well planned, Rachelle also left room for altering the schedule to fit with the requirements of each photographer - later in the week after certain requests the days were altered no problem with everyone getting the time and shooting space they desired!

Unlike some trips Rachelle goes to great lengths to ensure that everyone gets one-to-one shooting time which not only makes for more unique images but is also a much more relaxing and creative environment for everyone involved.

As a model, I find that whilst trips away can be loads of fun they are also incredibly draining and tiring. They can be very long days with very early starts and late finishes with a lot of travel in-between. I think as Rachelle is also a model and understands this, she was very clear to let me know what times I would be working from/to, when we would be travelling and for how long and when I would have time to myself to rest/recover/do any additional work between shoots which really helped massively. I felt that I was actually allowed time "off the clock" between shoots and that there was no pressure to be in "model mode" 24/7 (which actually then makes down time much more fun and sociable as everyone feels relaxed)!

I have so much praise and admiration for Rachelle for running these trips but I also want to acknowledge that she is very well supported by Mark who was fantastic and really made the whole trip run smoothly. Mark worked so hard, non-stop throughout the entire trip doing all the driving, cooking (oh man can he cook!) and so much more! Nothing was too much trouble, someone wanted a drink? They didn't even have to ask, Mark was on it! Someone wanted lunch catered especially to their tastes? Mark was on it! Someone needed a bag carrying, glass of water, snack whilst out? Mark was prepared! He worked so hard and I can't think of a single thing he didn't pick up on, he even ironed my skirt when I was running late, oh and did I mention that laundry was being done daily (which is something I almost never have the luxury of whilst travelling)! I was so grateful to have Mark around during the trip he really helped me out with anything I could possibly have needed and I noticed he was always on hand for anything the photographers needed too, freeing up time for myself and Rachelle to get ready between sets and make sure we were in top form for modelling!

As a model, I go on trips and I travel a lot, I have expectations based on my own experience and i'm there to work hard to get photographer's results. I expect the focus to be on how the photographers are doing and making sure they are happy and comfortable but I can honestly say i've never felt so welcomed and looked after whilst travelling in all my career! From having privacy when needed right through to my favourite beer waiting especially in the fridge after a long day, everything was considered and I am so so grateful!

I'm beyond excited to be doing another two Summers Abroad trips to Vegas and to Japan, I honestly can't wait to see what incredible ideas the Summers Abroad team comes up with and I can't recommend them highly enough! If you haven't yet been on one of these trips I can seriously tell you that you're missing out and if all these incredible reviews aren't enough? Just check out the images that come from them!

Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing you on the next one!

Richard Winn

After a three day trip with Summer's Abroad last year, I decided to do a full week this June to France (including a rest day on between). To get the best flexibility, I chose to shoot over the changeover in models, so not only did I shoot with Rachelle, but also with Scarlot Rose and Sylph Sia. Rachelle and Mark were the perfect hosts and they chose their models well, with both excelling in what they did. Nothing was too much trouble and the food was excellent, with Mark doing both the cooking and driving. Everything was included and as usual, Rachelle made a good choice of villa, with both indoor and outdoor shooting locations. The locations ad themes were also very good and I was very happy with the images I was able to produce with the help of the three models. I would definitely recommend any future trips.

Dave atkinson

This was my first trip with summers abroad and having shot with both Rachelle and Scarlot before I knew both models would be fantastic so it was just 1. the location and 2. how the trip would run I wasn't sure about.

An 8 bedroom luxury villa in the south of France took care of the first and Rachelle's attention to detail which borders on OCD levels of perfectionism took care of the second.

with fully scouted location shoots, themed shoots, shoots around the villa and time to just shoot your own ideas if you want there is loads for everybody to come away happy with plenty of images.

seriously if you want a photographic holiday where you get really spoilt as well as take amazing images then these trips are perfect, forgotten that suncream or bug spray ? there's some in the welcome basket in your room, want a G&T with your full English breakfast at 7am that's no problem, want that last portion of chicken pie .... well you may have to fight Rachelle for that :)

I could go on about all the little things and the hard work that Rachelle and Mark do behind the scenes to make these trips that little bit special but lets just say that I really enjoyed myself and was happy enough that I paid the deposit for the next trip before I had even left for home

just want to say a big THANK YOU to both Rachelle, Mark and Scarlot for an amazing holiday

Dave

Lensmith said...

I was on a Summersabroad holiday in Croatia with models Rachelle and Natalia Forrest, and was delighted with the images I brought back from my two days of shooting in locations near their villa.

The models are legends, so no more need be said about them! The villa was awesome and my only regret was that I couldn't stay there with the group, as my Wife and I had booked a separate villa nearby. It's obvious that a lot of thought and planning goes into these photography holidays and I would be surprised if a similar standard applied elsewhere.

I highly recommend holidays with Summersabroad.

Nicole Rayner

I was very honoured to be booked for a week on Rachelle and Marks Summers abroad trip to Portugal in June!! :D

I had only met Rachelle a few times, however I have always been inspired by her so was very happy to be modelling alongside her on one of her trips! I had never been on a photographic holiday before so I was not 100% sure what to expect! However Rachelle did all she could to make everything as easy for me as possible! The amount of energy, time and organisation she must have put in baffles me.

She was very clear about everything when she approached me for the shoot! She sorted my flights, included travel insurance and picked me yup at the airport! She bought all the clothes and props needed for the styled shoots of the holiday and gave me a great idea of what else I could bring.

The Villa Rachelle booked was so beautiful! It was luxurious, spacious, comfortable! Such a beautiful pool and garden - it was very special! When I arrived the fridge and cupboards were full and my lovely room was all ready for me with a welcome pack too! Both Mark and Rachelle made everyone feel so comfortable and at home that everyone felt happy helping themselves to drinks and food - something I personally think says a lot about the feel of the holiday!

Mark was just fantastic! He was on hand whenever he was needed! He always had a wonderful upbeat attitude! Was always smiling and happy to do anything you needed! He cooked some absolutely beautiful meals! Whatever we wanted for breakfast, nothing was too much trouble! He always prepared water for the location shoots and snakes. He had tea made when we needed it! He gave drinks when we needed! He even ironed some of my clothes! He really helped with anything he could! He also kept us all safe when driving us to the locations etc - and didn’t get lost once !!

Rachelle and Mark obviously worked very hard finding some really spectacular locations! They had the timings perfectly calculated as each location shoot we went to we had the place to ourselves for the planned times! The light was in the right place and it all went so smoothly! Rachelle and Mark covered everything!

Rachelle also came up with some really wonderful ideas for the styled shoots! She offered some wonderful inspiration images and the themes she chose really worked with the villa and the location she picked!! Her props and cloths worked perfectly - again, she had thought of every last detail to make the shoot as wonderful as it possibly could be!

It was just a fantastic time! - Rachelle was so much fun (as was Mark) - super easy to model with! An INCREDIBLE poser too! They were both full of enthusiasm for everything! Whenever we had free time both Rachelle and Mark were great fun to be around! We played games, we shared experiences and we laughed lots. It was a truly brilliant first model holiday for me, and I am so so glad that I have been asked to do another Holiday with Summers Abroad next year! I cannot wait!! I would HIGHLY recommend Summers Abroad trips to both models and photographers!

Caledonian

I joined a trip abroad with Summer abroad in Portugal. I got some amazing results from my trip mainly thanks to,the amazing locations that had been scouted and the enthusiastic work of Rachelle, mark and Nicole.

the social side of the trip can't be undersold either due to the company venue and marks cooking:-)

JPea

I have just returned from three days of shooting with Rachelle and Keira Lavelle in a beautiful villa on the Algave, organised by Rachelle.

It was quite wonderful and as you would expect of Rachelle,organised to perfection.

I have come away with more intensely satisfying images than I ever expected.

Rachelle is a brilliant model - we have shot together many times and it gets better and better.

When you come away from a shoot with that deep intense creative satisfaction, it is one of the best feelings.

Thank you Rachelle (and husband Mark, who made everyting happen and looked after us all perfectly ) for a simply wonderful few days.

I can recommend Rachelle's Holiday Shoots to all photographers unreservedly.

Richard Winn

I've shot with Rachelle a few times now, but this was the first time I had been one of her Summers Abroad holidays. Everything she did was well organised and scouted in advance. There were a few shoots each day, including some themed shoot s that dragged me kicking and screamnig out of my comfort zone.

Thanks to Rachelle and her team (her husband did the cooking and driving), including Keira Lavelle who was the second model for the week. Definitely to be recommended if you fancy a trip abroad and want to shoot models while you're there.

Keira Lavelle

I was booked onto a week-long trip with Summers Abroad for the first week in September when the company were running a trip to Portugal. Now I have worked with Rachelle on more occasions than I can remember as a model in duo shoot format, but this was the first time I was to model on one of her events and it goes without saying... The pristine professionalism that she applies to her modelling work completely rubs off as an event organiser alongside her husband Mark.

Everything was planned to perfection beforehand so that everyone knew what they were doing and I could be organised amid my other travels. I was kept informed along the way of all the arrangements since I was flying in and out from an airport that was convenient; the Summers Abroad team were there to meet me at the other end with the transfers and help with cases etc. :D From grey Leeds-Bradford to the sunny Algarve... Can't be bad a all! There was a well-thought plan in place for the week which would enable the group to take advantage of stunning locations and themes at various time throughout the days: it didn't matter whether it was early doors sunrise or late in the evening; no one had to worry about getting themselves anywhere - the exceptional management of the trip took care of all of that for everyone so that models and photographers could make their fabulous pictures together!

The villa that was booked was just fabulous; verrrry luxurious indeed and giving everyone their own private spaces with the added benefit of social areas indoors and out for the down-time in-between shooting. The grounds and interior was naturally the business when it came to being used to feature in some of the themes/shots; clearly selected with a lot of care to give everyone a very grand base to work from with the ever-enjoyable splendour to enjoy that comes with a holiday abroad in the sun. Terrific pool, garden and then-some! It makes your stay that degree more enjoyable because yes; you're there to work, but for one thing it's exciting to have nice surroundings which inspire you creatively... Then in the off-shooting hours simply being in a nice environment with nice company from like-minded creatives invigorates and enthuses! Call it whatever you want but it's totally true and Summers Abroad nail creating such a harmonious environment. :D

Summers abroad put masses amount of effort into making their trips a wonderful experience for everyone. Not least: sourcing special locations in the destination for a specific trip... Or styling the themes/supplying outfits and accessories to get the looks looking 5 star. They add a very stylish and luxurious touch to their concepts giving attendees cracking material to work with and take home beautiful images. As a team: Rachelle and Mark work tirelessly, but absolutely sublimely together. They flow off one another like clockwork giving out massive levels of professional thought which ensures the trips run smoothly. Mark runs around like crazy seeing to the chauffeuring and cooking delicious food day-in-day-out and Rachelle attends to the styling of the looks with a creatively experienced eye as well as taking on ocean waves and cliffs one day to fashion in the baking sun the next. The rhythm they have working together is flawless. I honestly feel that events run with the management of such a professional and reputable model are always going to give attending photographers so much. And Summers Abroad smashed it.

I was so well looked after as a model hired for this event; their priority is to always ensure models are safe, well and taken care of at all times. They truly respect the work models put in and know through first-hand experience that this is a job and therefore put as much into place as possible to ensure that models are comfortable and enjoy their time working for the company.

I guess you can probably gather that I had a blast! :D

Thank you so much to Rachelle and Mark for all their hard work.

Keira x

Fantasy Dabblers

We spent a week in Portugal with Summers Abroad in a truly splendid modern villa that was extremely comfortable to stay in as well as offering loads of interesting shooting locations, inside and out. Among those we used were a “media room” cinema, two gazebos and a pretty pond with bridge. Splendid locations off property had also been scouted, including dramatic seaside rock formations, urban streetscenes, and a woodland pool and waterfall.

We have previously worked with the two models who were there – Rachelle Summers and Keira Lavelle and know them both to be excellent and dedicated. This was the first time we had worked with them together and discovered how good a team they make.

The trip provided a mix of personal time for photographers to work as they wished with the models and a selection of themed shoots, such as vivid colours and black and white “bunnies”. The on-site media room was the scene for a fun “at the movies” set with popcorn, drinks, pinup glamour and loads of laughs. There was also help and advice on lighting the windowless room.

We especially appreciated the help and consideration given to the one of us with both visual and mobility impairments. Matters were discussed before and during the holiday so there were no surprises for anyone. Although one or two off-property locations were not fully accessible, we understood and accepted this. However, Rachelle did give our disabled person a bonus of an additional private shoot in the villa.

Catering was organised by Rachelle and her husband and we had a very enjoyable time.

We are already booked on Summers Abroad trips next year.

Niall

Last June I joined Rachelle and crew for my first experience of a photo vacation. This was completely different to how I usually work and I was a little apprehensive about how it might work out. I already worked with Rachelle before and knew she was well organised, so my only concern would be shooting with other photographers. With all the sessions organised so well and only having one other photographer to share each shoot location I need not have worried, it actually worked in our favour having the other photographer act as able assistant for each session as we took turns shooting.

From the moment I was collected from the airport in Split everything was taken care of and I really felt I could relax into the vacation. Rachelle and Mark were excellent hosts for the entire stay and provided an amazing villa location with many excursions for wonderful location shoots.

Rachelle and Tillie where superb models (as usual) providing great themed shoots and time for some of our own creativity as well. Working with both of these first rate models is always a joy! We also had the pleasure of a duo shoot with Tillie and partner Leon (my first Male/Female Duo to date!)

My only regret was not spending some more time in Croatia!

Until next time, Thanks Rachelle and Mark!

DaveEdwards

I’ve shot with Rachelle enough times over the past five years to know what a wonderful, reliable, dedicated, professional and well-organised model she is, and a sheer joy to work with into the bargain. So the opportunity to shoot with her, Natalia Forrest and Tillie over a week in Croatia was too good to miss; I was confident that it would be planned to perfection, and it was.

Transport for the week was a massive air-conditioned mini-bus with plenty of room to spare for a couple more photographers and their kit, if needed, driven by the ever willing and hardworking Mark (a.k.a Mr Summers).

The accommodation and hospitality was superb. Not so much a villa, as a pair of luxury haciendas in their own private and secluded grounds, complete with hot tub, pool, gym, and sauna as well as accommodation for about 20 people. Food and beverages were arranged by Mark (this man knows how to put a shift in!) and were superb and seemingly limitless; every need and whim catered for!

This operation was not short on planning. Each day’s timetable had been meticulously planned to take advantage of the morning and evening light, and in consequence there were some early starts and late finishes with a break for lunch / siesta/ processing in the middle of the day. Locations had evidently been scouted on the ground with some care – not just picked out of a guide book – indeed some were not in the guide books!!

This holiday was as good as any I’ve been on and is a textbook example of how a photo holiday should be run.

Thanks, Rachelle and Mark, for your hard work organising and running the event, and to Rachelle, Tillie and Natalia for their modelling prowess!

See you all soon!

I thoroughly recommend Summers Abroad to anyone who wants a fun packed photo-holiday and hope to participate on their events in the future.

Martyn Harvey

Book it, don't think, don't hesitate... just book it :)

I admit I was initially a little hesitant booking on a model photography holiday as it was a first for me. In all honesty I didn't really know what to expect or how it would all pan out - needless to say it was such an amazing experience I can't wait to book on some more!

Rachelle was fantastic, start to finish the communication and organization was superb. Rachelle kept in touch over the weeks/months before the trip to make sure everything was all in hand (any dietry requirements, food preferences, flight times, contact details etc).

Mark and Rachelle were the perfect duo, many thanks again to Mark who throughout the trip was cooking up some amazing food, making sure we were all fed and watered before, during and after shoots and made for an excellent voice activated light stand.

The locations they scouted were incredible, all quite varied to offer a real unique set of images from across the three days. To be honest the villa was so amazing you could have easily spent the time just shooting there alone! It made for a really nice and relaxed stay, enjoying both good food and good wine in the evening after the shoots.

Rachelle and Natalia were fantastic models for the trip, working so well both solo and as a duo for the different setups. With only a small group it made for a much nicer, relaxed and enjoyable time being able to work together to get some really stunning images.

Thanks again to Rachelle, Mark and Natalia for such an awesome trip!

Anthony Wadham

My second excursion with 'Summers Abroad.' And what an unforgettable experience!

Rachelle and her husband Mark create a unique ambiance for an unforgettable photographic extravaganza.

You will not feel more welcome anywhere.

The accommodation exceeds all expectations of a 'group shoot.' All photographers have an en-suite in the selected villa or in this case, Mansion which provided unlimited unique photo opportunities both within the buildings and the extensive grounds.

You will quickly observe that Rachelle and Mark have put a great deal of time and effort into sourcing locations and scheduled them into the best time of day to shoot.

Never any pressure to finish your shoot on time with both Rachelle or the 2nd model, Natalia Forrest on my booking.

Rachelle only books experienced TOP models who she knows can shine on their own and/or can work well with her as a compliment. (My booking with Natalia Forrest) Second week with Tillie.)

Rachelle is the perfect Hostess and an unforgettable model with a unique posing style.

Mark is a great cook who creates dishes to your every requirements and also doubles as a responsible chauffeur collecting and delivering you to and from airports etc.,

and can be guaranteed to deliver you safely to the selected locations on time.

Mark also has an endless supply of snacks and water in the heavy cooler bag which he carries to all locations.

Future events: Not to be missed if you register in time!!!