Header photo: Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Stretchy is a hobbyist photographer based in Somerset, United Kingdom, with more than 12 years of experience. 

Following their recent beach photoshoot with model Louisa3, Stretchy generously gave their time for a quick interview to share their shoot with us.

Check out the interview below and find out what preparation was needed for the shoot, the camera gear they used and more (and, of course, images from their photoshoot!).

SHARE A SHOOT with PurplePort photographer Stretchy

How did you come up with the concept? Did anything inspire you?

A few years ago, I did a couple of beach shoots and loved how the images turned out. I prefer the more gritty sand look, as opposed to the golden sand beach-type shots. If you remember the video to Chris Isaac's wicked game, it was that kind of look I was thinking about.

I have worked with Louisa3 on numerous occasions, and I have always wanted to do a beach-themed shoot with her.

Louisa is an amazing model, and we have worked together on so many shoots. She always just gets the type of shot I am looking for.

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

What did you do to plan the shoot?

I already knew the beach I wanted to use. It's the same one I have used before, but on previous occasions, we started very, very early in the morning. This time Louisa and I had to shoot a little bit later, 09:00 ish, due to other commitments and travel time.

The beach we used is a little cove near Paignton (The English Riviera). It is not a touristy beach, so I was hoping it would be quite quiet. I was also worried about the tide times as the previous shoots I had shot there were when the tide was in, but this time I was shooting at low tide.  

I needn't have worried. The beach was deserted, and the tide drop did not make much difference apart from leaving a bit of seaweed about the place.

Clothes and props wise I brought myself, which I do for a lot of shoots. It just ensures the image/style I have in mind is possible to achieve. I have become a dab hand at finding the right clothes for the right shoot.

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

How did you arrange the shoot?

Arranging the shoot was not too difficult. I had already asked Louisa if she would do a beach shoot with me, and I was just getting a day off my full-time job, so the shoot was not rushed.  

As with any outdoor shoot, it was then just in the lap of the weather gods.

What was it like shooting at that location?

The location was great, as previously mentioned. I knew what to expect. We were quite fortunate as the forecast was for heavy showers, but it stayed dry and was a reasonably warm day.

When doing beach/sea shots, I think it's important to shoot in the sea with the model and not from the safety of the shoreline.

I do this for a couple of reasons.

The first is I feel the composition of the shot looks better if you are in the water, and I try to shoot as low to the water as I dare. Fortunately, the sea was quite calm, so I could shoot low across the water without the risk of getting caught by any waves.

The second reason to get my legs wet is to feel how cold the model might be. If I am cold in the water, then the chances are the model is too. I suppose it's a bit of old-fashioned chivalry, haha.

I have to say, though, Louisa is a real trooper when it comes to shoots, cold, wet, sandy, etc. She will always go that extra mile, and much of the credit for many of my images must go to her.

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Tell us about the gear you used.

Well, this is a simple answer. Apart from my camera (Sony a7) and my budget nifty fifty, I don't ever use any other equipment.

I am just an amateurish amateur. Whilst I am divulging all my secrets at post-processing, I am equally as amateurish. No Photoshop or Lr, just a quick snapseed, and that's it.

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

I honestly would struggle to pick one out. I took so many shots and have not uploaded them all yet.

But, if I did have to pick one, it's this one:

Image by photographer Stretchy and model Louisa3

Thank you for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us, Stretchy. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with model Louisa3!

We hope you all loved it too. Don't forget to check out the links below to see more of Stretchy's work!

Here's where you can find more of Stretchy's work

PurplePort: Stretchy

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