Header photo: Tender Is The Night by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

TerryGeePhoto is a hobbyist photographer based in West Sussex, United Kingdom, with more than 7 years of experience.  

After sharing his shoot (featuring model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location) with the PurplePort community, Terry generously gave us his time for a quick interview, where he shared how these fabulous images were created, the inspirations behind the shoot, how it was planned, the camera gear he used, and much more. 

The Rocking Chair by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Simple Pleasures by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

SHARE A SHOOT with TerryGeePhoto

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

I was inspired by a casting put out by Cariad and Ivory Flame (Holly). I had shot with Holly a couple of times, and we had worked together on creating ‘painterly style’ images which some might say is one of her specialisms. I had also been following Caz for quite a while because many of the images I had seen of her also seemed to be deliberately created in settings and with muted tones that spoke to me of Rembrandt and Vermeer. 

As it happened, I couldn’t make the joint shoot, but I was keen not to let the moment pass so I invited Caz to a shoot in Basford Hurst, which was also somewhere I had been wanting to shoot in for a while. 

I started out with a loose concept to try and create images that had a pre-Raphaelite or Edwardian feel about them. I knew the Basford Hurst had just the features I was looking for and also wonderful gardens, which I wanted to make use of for this style of shoot, but, sadly, this would turn out not to be possible due to the awful weather on the day.

What did you do to plan and arrange the shoot?

After we had agreed on the date and logistics, I put together a collection of Caz’s images from PurplePort - some posted by her and some posted by other photographers. I also shared several Pinterest moodboards. This is normally what I do for every shoot.

I also outlined 5 or 6 sets using specific images from the collection as illustrations of what I wanted to achieve. These were:

  • A Pre-Raphaelite style vintage set involving a dress or dresses like some of the images as well as partial nude or sheer
  • A vintage lingerie set with a corset or any vintage lingerie
  • A couple of nude or lingerie sets using the architecture of the house as a backdrop
  • Finally, a portrait set

What was it like shooting at that location?

Shooting at Basford Hurst was a dream. However, the weather was atrocious, making the gardens a no-go area. I also thought that light was going to be a challenge. In the event, the light worked to my advantage—the huge windows at Basford and the heavy cloud softened what might otherwise have been too much direct sun.

Fortunately, the versatility of the house allowed me to adapt my plans. Instead of going for Pre-Raphaelite garden images, which had been one of my options, I was able to use the large windows to achieve much the same effect indoors by using the natural light in the large windows to create an ethereal look for these images. 

I also used the dark panelling to create a 17th-century feel for one set. I knew that I wanted to use natural light, natural fabrics, wooden floorboards, wood panelling and doors and a minimum of simple furniture. The images would need to have plenty of shadow and for the window light to replicate the soft lighting typical of old masters portraiture.

In the end the shoot split into four distinct sets based around different styles.

#1. Dutch Golden Age Set

These images were mostly taken with Caz sitting in a simple antique dark wooden carver. She wore a long see-through pale green muslin skirt, a cream corset (in some images and topless in others) and a dark green woollen wrap-around shawl, which she left open in some images, was tied in in others, and, in one image, Caz used as a head covering. In all the images, Caz was barefoot, and all captured exactly the look I was going for.

I kept the lighting very low-key by setting the chair about four feet from a very large, tall window, which was casting a very soft light, given the very dark clouds that sat overhead for much of the day. In fact, a bright, sunny day would have ruined this effect completely.

I used an 85mm prime lens at f1.8 and ISO set to either 400 or 640.

Blissful by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Home Alone by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Listless by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Portrait of Cariad In a Shawl by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

#2. The Pre-Raphaelite Set

These images were taken in several locations around the house. All were characterised by an ethereal quality created by working closer to the window light and using diaphanous materials and sheer transparent clothing. I also slightly overexposed one of the images (Lumiere) in post-production to enhance the ethereal ghostly effect.

Although one image (Sheer Desperation) was edited in monochrome to enhance the sad narrative, all of the others had a mixture of rich tones like oranges, greens, and yellows and were created to be, above all, sensual. Most used the close proximity of the soft window light to create a ‘bathed in light’ effect, and this was enhanced by the oak surrounds.

One image shows Caz nude in the window, adopting a cruciform pose, which I used as the title for the piece. Most of these images were shot with an 85mm Nikon lens at between f1.4 and f2.2 and ISO set at 160 and 1200, depending on the effect I was going for.

Cruciform by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Lady In Waiting by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Sheer Desperation by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Softer Than The Rain by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

#3. The Victorian Nude Set

The nude sets were very much a set of artistic, highly emotional poses in an architectural setting. I hoped that they might convey the feeling of the Victorian obsession with art nude.

For two of these images, I used an old step ladder as a prop for Caz to use to create her highly stylised emotional pieces. For two of the other images, we shot in the terracotta plastered stairwell, which provided such a wonderful backdrop for Cariad’s beautiful nude shapes.

For the remaining two images, I used a chair and very dramatic lighting to highlight Caz’s back. In all but one of the images, Caz’s head is turned away from the camera to convey coyness which I felt was characteristic of the Victorian theme of these images.

Aphrodite by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Discreet by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Lean On Me by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Terracotta by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Victoriana by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

#4. The Edwardian Boudoir Set

The final set was shot either in the beautiful pastel bedroom or on the landing at the top of the stairs. 

The bedroom images were created using the beautiful soft light that flooded through the fabulous arched window with Cariad partially nude, wearing a see-through light blue dress. One of these images, Rainy Day, Dream Away, was titled and edited as a nod to the awful weather, which nevertheless created such beautiful soft light. All were shot at f2.8 ISO 320 on a 24-70mm Nikon lens.

The images created on the landing made use of the small windows and are, therefore, very low-key. I exploited the very limited light to create emotional, atmospheric, and moody narrative portraits of Caz dressed in a see-through embroidered chemise.

Throughout the shoot, Caz was wonderful at suggesting ideas and especially at choosing appropriate clothing to reflect the styles I was trying to replicate. I would shoot with Caz again in a heartbeat—no question.

Candlelight by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Considering Her Options by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Misty Blue by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Night Shadows by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Raining Day, Dream Away by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Tell us about the gear you used.

I used a Nikon mirrorless Z7 II with two lenses:

  • Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

I did not use additional lights on this shoot, nor any reflectors, which was unusual for me. 

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

It is impossible to choose one favourite image from the whole shoot, so I will choose one from each set.

I choose The Maid from the 'Golden Age' set, Lumiere from the 'Pre-Raphaelite' set, Draped from the 'Victorian Nudes' set, and Tender Is The Night from the 'Edwardian Boudoir' set.

The Maid by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Lumiere by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Draped by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Tender Is The Night by photographer TerryGeePhoto with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location

Thank you, TerryGeePhoto, for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with model Cariad Celis at Basford Hurst Cottage Photography Location!

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

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

PurplePort: TerryGeePhoto

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.