Header photo: What's going on in town tonight by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Kiera Ashley and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

We love shining the limelight on fabulous creatives in the PurplePort community and sharing their unique journeys and creative processes.

In this episode of FEATURED, we interviewed Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford], a full-time studio on PurplePort with more than 2 years of experience based in Bedford, United Kingdom.

About Kempston Studio on PurplePort

The owner of Kempston Studio, PurplePort photographer Andy (CREATIVE LENS), started out in photography around 11 years ago when he bought his first DSLR camera and a couple of lenses.

As he started taking photos of buildings, trees and occasional wildlife that hadn’t escaped his camera’s gaze, he found it was harder than it looked on Countryfile to get a good image.

Bridal Boudoir by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Mona Lisa Set by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Andy decided to join a camera club to learn a bit more. The camera club had a studio group (the last Wednesday of every month) where they would book a model. He found the interaction between model and photographer fascinating and that you could ask a model to pose how you wanted, within reason, and they would try their best to achieve it.

Lighting in different ways would give different results (something that, before putting your camera in Manual, you don’t really think about), and at least a model doesn’t fly away before you are ready to take the shot.

As time went on, Andy started to get more involved with the running of the group and trying lighting setups. Eventually, Andy took over the reins but didn’t know how to book models until it was suggested he joined PurplePort.

New York Loft Set by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Garden Wall set by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

As he was working away from home in engineering most of the week, Andy would search for local models on PurplePort and either book a studio, a location or his hotel room. As Andy got to know the hotel reception staff more, he found there was an opportunity to book larger rooms/suites for the months that he was staying.

After that, Andy's passion for learning about lighting just grew, and he still learns more every day about lighting from different photographers who visit Kempston Studio.

Fireplace Set by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Beach Bar Set by studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Andy likes to run studio days at Kempston Studio as these are a great way for photographers to meet models from further afield who wouldn’t normally travel for a 2-hour shoot with one photographer. So far, his studio has had models from as far as Scotland, Liverpool, Somerset and Southampton, as well as Ukraine.

Many of the fabulous images taken at Kempston Studio have been featured in the Front Page Image (FPI) Collection on PurplePort. 

Interview with Kempston Studio on PurplePort

How did you get into running a studio? What did you do before running a studio?

Whilst being an engineer and working through the first COVID lockdown on-site in Fareham, Hampshire, I was driving to the site and back 3 days a week as all the hotels were closed. This is where I met Andy Gaden (Fareham Studio). He is a lovely guy who gave me much sound advice about running a studio which I thank him for.

My boss started talking about redundancies for all the guys on site but not for me as they had plenty of work for me being a Mech and Elec Project Manager. I started to think after 19 years with the same company and 25 years working away from home, “redundancy” started to sound like a nice word, and now may be the time for a change.

So I phoned the MD and started talking to him, who didn’t want to let me go but eventually agreed to make me redundant, so I left with a bit of money to pay off the mortgage and put some into the studio (it was either that or be a train driver).

Bedford had nothing in terms of rentable studios for photographers to come and practice their skills, so I thought, why not?

There is a shade of red for every woman by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Gem and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

How do you prepare for photoshoots at your studio?

Preparing for a photoshoot in the studio, I obviously clean from the previous day or shoot and put all the lighting equipment away as I don’t like to see lights everywhere in the studio for when the models/photographers arrive.

If it’s a studio day, I print off an itinerary for the model and hang it up in their dressing room so they can see who they are shooting with and what times.

I also show any new photographer to the studio how many different sets we have, how the walls move and a quick idea of the lighting equipment and modifiers we have.

Ashleigh in the bridal boudoir by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Ashleigh Rae and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What's your favourite style of photoshoot?

At the moment, I love working with colour gels, and Jake Hicks Photography is a big influence. Having attended a couple of his courses, it’s not as easy as he makes it look, but hopefully, I am getting there.

I would love to have an in-house model that would just stand whilst I’m mucking about with lights, so if anyone is interested!

We sing what can't be spoken by photographer CREATIVE LENS and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What's the most interesting photoshoot you've ever worked on in your studio?

As far as interesting shoots go, I had an artist who is doing a huge piece of artwork which will be displayed in March 2024 at an exhibition in London.

He has used Chloe T to model for him whilst surrounded by litter and lit by artificial moonlight. The whole process of how his mind works as an artist is fascinating to me.

Covered in real gold by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Kate Star and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What do you most enjoy about running a studio?

I enjoy meeting all the photographers and models that come to the studio, and most seem to think I am generally a decent guy who knows when to chat and when to leave the photographer to get on with shooting.

I love seeing the different styles that photographers have in the way they interact and also the lighting they require.

All that glisters is not gold - if you are lucky you may find a diamond by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Chloe T and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What would you describe as your main strengths as a studio?

I think my studio has the ability to be quite diverse, so if you want plain-coloured backdrops, we can do that, and also lifestyle sets are available to shoot in.

When designing my studio space, I wanted to allow a photographer and model many different-looking locations all within the same building so they could spend time and go away with multiple different sets of images.

Also, given enough time, I like to create a set from nothing anywhere in the studio. We also have a bath that can be moved around the studio in different sets for different looks.

What's going on in town tonight by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Kiera Ashley and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What's your absolute favourite photo?

Although I don’t have an absolute favourite photo, I would say that anything Involving Bella Grace on PurplePort will be a good one! She is an amazing model and a really lovely person.

Is there anyone in particular who inspires you?

As mentioned above, I like Jake Hicks Photography's work, and the way he explains his processes means anyone can understand it. You don’t need a degree in photography to get to where he is at.

There's a reason we don't see the world in black and white by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Paula W and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

What advice would you give to a studio just starting out?

The advice I would give to a studio is to try to be as good as you can be with communications to the models and photographers and try to make the experience for both at your studio the best it can be.

Nothing is too much bother for me in the studio, but obviously, things may take time to set up. I’d like to think I helped Leanne at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location with setting up her invites for bookings and how to run a studio day, and she is going from strength to strength.

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Antonia Jay and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

One final question. Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?

Pineapple on Pizza? As pizza was invented in Naples and pineapple is not native to that area, it would never have been available as an ingredient.

But saying that, I don’t mind it either way. It’s just nice to have a choice!

"The future is bright" said one advert once by photographer CREATIVE LENS, model Emma16 and studio Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Thanks again for speaking with us and sharing your creative journey, Kempston Studio. 

We hope you all enjoyed this interview. Check out the links below for more beautiful work created at the fabulous Kempston Studio!

Here's where you can find more of Kempston Studio's  work

PurplePort: Kempston Studio [Studio Hire, Bedford]

Website: www.kempstonstudio.co.uk 

Instagram: Kempstonstudio

What is PurplePort

PurplePort is a modelling website that brings models, photographers and other creatives together with one fantastic service. We provide the tools and help you need to get together and create amazing photos.

Established in 2010, PurplePort has grown from strength to strength and now has 40,000+ active members worldwide. With features such as integrated messaging, calendar, shoot plans, image albums, references, credited photos, busy member forums, hundreds of articles, and dedicated full-time staff to help you, it's easy finding the perfect creatives you need for your next photography project. It's a fresh, fast, and feature-rich alternative to ModelMayhem.

Join the fastest growing, most feature-rich service of its kind and start making magical photos a reality!

Follow us on social media 

We regularly post beautiful, dynamic and inspiring images from our talented community on social media.

Check out our blog on PurplePort and our social channels below so you can stay inspired anytime:

Join now and start networking

Join the community and start your modelling or photography career now.