Header photo: Images by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Peej is a hobbyist photographer based in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, with over 11 years of experience.  

After recently sharing their photoshoot (featuring model Fretters) with the PurplePort community, Peej generously gave us their time for a quick interview to go into more detail about the shoot.

Check out the fabulous images created during the photoshoot, and find out what inspired Peej for the shoot, how they planned it, the camera gear they used, and more.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

SHARE A SHOOT with photographer Peej

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

I shot at Scorpion Residence many times. The studio is now sadly closed as Lee, the owner, has moved on, but my amazing memories of working there remain.

It was a beautiful and atmospheric place to shoot in and I always looked for fantastic models to truly get the most from working there. Lee had told me what an awesome model Fretters was, and as soon as I saw her work on PurplePort. I knew we could get some amazing images there.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

What did you do to plan the shoot?

I have a habit of falling into my comfort zone once I‘ve shot in the same place a few times, so I’m always looking for ways to push myself, learn something new and improve my approach.

For Fretters, her look and skills as a model meant that I had the chance to shoot a wide range of styles, from simple emotive portraits through to fashion and figure work.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

I always make a shoot plan and keep it to hand for every shoot on my phone–there is nothing worse than having a great idea and then realising when you get home that you completely forgot about it. My shoots tend to fly by, and so having these notes for me to check back against every now and then is almost as essential as my camera.

I have also become slightly addicted to Vinted as a great place to get good value props for my shoots. I rarely use things more than once, so I keep the local charity shops busy.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

How did you arrange the shoot?

I shared my shoot plan and ideas in advance. Fretters was fantastic with her comms and got my ideas and inspiration right away.

It's always a relief when a model is great with their comms. In my experience, that always translates into a fantastic model on the day, and this was certainly no exception to that. The consummate professional!

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

What was it like shooting at that location?

A joy! I always loved shooting at that Studio. Lee had created a beautiful natural light space, with lots of large plain walls, huge windows and enough variation in each room to create something different.

Lee was always the perfect host, getting the balance right between being on-hand for help and just letting me crack on with it. The rooms were always clutter-free, with just a couple of chairs for props that could be moved from room to room.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

I love working with studio strobes, but each setup takes time to get right and inevitably comes with a degree of clutter that you need to work around.

At Scorpion, there was none of that as it was all about natural light, so combine that with the big empty rooms, and you could just flow effortlessly between sets and rooms without spending ages positioning lights or adjusting light settings.

That allowed more time to chat and interact with the model, more time to try out different ideas and ultimately, more opportunities for creativity. I always came away from there with loads of images that I really loved, and this shoot was one of the best for that.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Tell us about the gear you used.

Being (slightly) old and set in my ways, I have not yet made the move to mirrorless, but I’m sure that if I started doing more work away from the studio, then the weight-saving would probably change that!

Currently, I shoot with a Canon 5d Mk4. It is admittedly a bit of a tank, but I just love how well-engineered it is and how foolproof and competent it has proven to be in almost everything I have thrown at it.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

Matched to that, my go-to lens is the Canon 24-70L F2.8. Beautiful image quality every time and enough zoon range to make the most of some of the smaller spaces at Scorpion at one end and work as a great portrait lens at the other.

I always take along my 70-200L F2.8 if I need a bit more reach. Again, an absolute peach of a lens.

I know that purists will say that Primes will give you superior image quality, but in my experience having run these alongside some expensive Primes in the last few years, I have never ever found these 2 zooms wanting.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

That’s a tough one. I love all of these images, but if I had to pick, it would be this one below. The wonderful natural light and Fretters’s natural beauty contrasting with the industrial-style backdrop just really work for me.

Fretters by photographer Peej with model Fretters and Photoshop wizard Peejedits

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

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

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

PurplePort: Peej

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.