Header photo: Lucy: The Dream by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

photofervor is a hobbyist photographer based in Exeter, United Kingdom, with more than 9 years of experience. 

Following their recent photoshoot with model Lucyosully, photofervor generously gave their time for a quick interview to share their shoot with us.

SHARE A SHOOT with PurplePort photographer photofervor

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

If someone asked me to describe my perfect model, I would be stumped with mutterings of 'the look', 'the ability to emote and engage', or, 'it depends on what shoot I have in mind' and would probably end with 'I'll know it when I see it.'

It was such a moment when I saw Irish model Lucy's images here on PurplePort. As soon as Lucy put out a simple casting call on PurplePort, Natural Redhead looking to shoot! (which was based in Weymouth and not too far from me), I grabbed the opportunity.

So the shoot was driven by Lucy's images and the unique look I saw in them, which for me was so engaging, and I can only describe as sublime, ethereal, and enigmatic.

Lucy by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

Lucy: Flowers in her hair by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

What did you do to plan the shoot?

Arranging the shoot with Lucy was simple and straightforward. I suggested a location shoot in Portland, not far from where Lucy was staying, on the theme of 'wistful boho.'

It's not an area that I knew, but after some intensive Googling, I found an abandoned quarry that looked promising.

How did you arrange the shoot?

I sent over a mood board, and Lucy liked the ideas and had clothes to match the theme. 

We had a backup plan in that Lucy was staying with photographer Ken P (whose images of Lucy were striking), who offered his studio and garden.

Lucy by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

Lucy: The Dream by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

What was it like shooting at that location?

The day arrived, and I was warmly greeted by a smiling Lucy at Ken's, and after coffee, we headed for Portland. 

The weather was blisteringly hot, with clear skies and a harsh sun - not ideal for the soft enigmatic look we were aiming for.

The quarry was intriguing, with large figures carved into the abandoned rocks. I tend to take quite a bit of gear with me 'just in case', and this all goes into a pull-along buggy, as do the model's clothes.

Lucy by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

Image by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

We desperately sought shade, trying a few places.

Finally, in one location, the sun was partially hidden by a rock face but was sufficiently visible to backlight Lucy's beautiful red hair. I then used a reflector to the front.

It was challenging, particularly for Lucy trying to avoid squinting. However, as soon as I took the first shot, it was for me special and continued in that way. Lucy was a delight to work with.

Subsequently, after getting a number of shots we were happy with, trying another site, we decided that the shade in Ken's garden was appealing, and those are the shots with Lucy with her back to a wall amongst the ivy.

Lucy: The Ivy by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

Tell us about the gear you used.

In the past, I've used a number of different make cameras but was never completely satisfied with the skin tones and the amount of post-processing needed (things may be different now).

I've now finally settled on a used Hasselblad X1D, a medium format camera which I use primarily with a 90mm (about 72mm full-frame equivalent)  f/3.2 lens. I also have very useful 45mm and 30mm lenses.

They say when you pick an X1D up, you'll be smitten, and I still am. It's easy to use with iPhone-style touchscreen menus but is slower than most mirrorless cameras because it has no eye or face detection or even continuous focus, and the best you can do is move the focus points while viewing. So, I just use the central focus point and recompose. It makes the taking of photos more considered and deliberate, and I warn models I won't be going click, click, click, so fast posers might find that frustrating! It's all about the 16-bit quality.

I do tend to use off-camera flash on location and did for some of the shots with Lucy where using a reflector was difficult. I have a number of softboxes and a favourite metal tele-reflector. However, on this occasion, I used a Godox AR-400 ring flash as a fill-in but unconventionally off-camera. It's relatively small and light to carry, less likely to blow over and packs a powerful 400W.

Lucy: The Ivy 2 by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

I absolutely love all the shots we did without exception, but the later ones in the garden might just be my favourite. Lucy was everything I hoped for and more.

Lucy: Dappled light by photographer photofervor and model Lucyosully

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

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

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

PurplePort: photofervor 

Instagram: photofervorphotography 

Website: www.photofervor.co.uk 

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