References for Batwoman

Keira Lavelle

What would a PhotoClassic photography workshop be without Karen???? Nooooo! We cannot even consider such! She’s a true angel and the very glue that holds it all together throughout the fantastic (and sometimes extreme!) conditions that roll along with the experience of a PhotoClassic workshop. If you can think of something of even minute importance that would aid the events to be the safest/nicest experience for everyone: Karen has already run through it/acknowledge long before! She’s quick as a flash to excel the overall experience for attending delegates of such trips, and also care for the (most often naked!) models who sign up to usually go and park their bottoms in rather chilly places! :P She’s basically the backbone of the system, and; despite being an extremely talented photographer, is usually sacrificing her own opportunities to take pictures so that everyone else in the party is well looked after.

I first met Karen a few years ago now on the Art Nude In the Landscape workshop that PhotoClassic often run as an annual thing. (FANTASTIC chance to get into the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and shoot with professional models in a secure and well-planned situation!) I’ve since made several visits to tropical Aberdeen, but the most recent in adventures with Karen was the newer Autumn Beauty workshop... WOWZERS! Just when you think you’ve seen it all! The golden shimmering pictures from the previous year tempted me once again to jump aboard the madness bus; and it goes as standard that a lot of fun was to follow amid making artistic lush-ness in some of the most scenic places in the country. The event did actually begin with us on our toes back at HQ; the forecast was threatening some pretty harsh weather and even though I was infinitely confident that rain or shine; we models would be well looked after with Karen’s lightening-speed dash with out warm clothes after each set and the scrumptious hot soup reward! :P But you do worry about the customers who travel far and wide to attend the events, and of course the gang at PhotoClassic always want to make sure everyone goes away happy. But no bother: a quick re-jig of the schedule to follow the sun spells and guarantee shooting opportunities; we took it all on with total determination and had a brilliant time! Karen worked tirelessly all through the few days, looking after everyone in the group as we hiked and got set up for the shots... Being a great guide to advise on places to shoot/places to avoid whilst her husband Howard (PhotoClassic) May have been attending to other aspects. The team-coordinating is pristine which massively makes a difference to both models working on a workshop of this nature, and the photographers booked on too. From local knowledge of the beauty spots, logical risk assessments, being well-equipped to the max and a general family-unit like feel... This lady simply rocks!!

Then there’s her photography: the eye of an eagle for catching those killer moments! I don’t know how she does it... And whilst the banter between her and Howard is most amusing; he will openly admit to delegates that if the follow Karen when she’s shooting, they’ll probably get the most interesting angles. :D Karen just has this ability to multi-task and process a million things in a matter of seconds, and then when everyone else is suitably happy/safe and she’s able to grab her camera; all this artistic witness happens as she captures the moment! That’s quite something considering all the general challenges models and photographers generally face when working on location... Like light changes and framing whilst the model is virtually doing their own thing due to limitations in communicating if you’re too far out of range.

I have also stayed with Karen and Howard at their place in Aberdeen where they openly welcome touring models for a safe and convenient crash-pad. I just come for the food really! ;) Karen is quite the exemplary cook... Plus the kettle is ALWAYS on. They are the kind of people that really add an extra element of warmth and fun to a model taking on an ambitious working trip around Scotland. And of course the professional attitude and etiquette models will be met with is utterly second-to-non!

Do I recommend?

Well...

Maybe...

HELL YESSSSSSSS!!!

Thank you Karen! Big squishy hugs for everything that you do for we model folks. :) We really appreciate it, to the moon and back!

Keira

Scarlot Rose

I both stayed with and modelled for Karen this past weekend and she is a delight to be around! Always makes me feel so at home when staying with her and also takes some bloody lovely pictures too! She is so attentive to models needs and I just love shooting with her!

Very happy to recommend to others and a huge thank you for having me to stay for the weekend!

Scarlot :)

PhotoClassic

Karen somehow manages to pull the best shots out of our events, despite the fact that she is the one running round with soup, towels and clothing for the models. Quite apart from being an amazing person, she has an eye for shots like no other. Very highly recommended :-)

Scarlot Rose

Karen makes up part of the PhotoClassic team (see the reference I left there too!) when it comes to the Art Nude in the Landscape workshops. She is a crucial part of me agreeing to such craziness, just knowing how well she looks after all the models!

Karen is an amazing photographer, she captures unique shots even when in a group setting and is an absolute joy to work with.

This past week, Karen has been more than just a photographer though! She has been the most thoughtful and considerate event organiser, lugging bags full of spare clothing, hot soup, towels and everything else we could possibly need to make our lives as models as easy as possible in sometimes very challenging conditions. I always feel that Karen puts models as top priority and looks after us so well that I'd jump at any opportunity to shoot with her.

As well as being a great photographer and event organiser l, Karen has also had me crying in laughter this week and I'm very grateful for all the memories and look forward to seeing her images!

Thank you!!

Scarlot :)

Rachelle Summers

Karen aka Photoclassic mummy!

Without Karen I really have no idea how I would make it through the conditions in Scotland. I really can't thank her enough for being so caring and so efficient in looking after me and the other models during the workshops ran by her husband Howard.

Not only that but she is one of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met. I'm very lucky to have her in my life not only as a great photographer and event organiser but most importantly as a friend :)

She also bloody rocks the camera angles! Never ceases to amaze me how she can get totally different images to everyone else - usually within a 40 second time limit between running off with all our clothes and running back with soup and towels haha!

Highly recommended by me :)

Keira Lavelle

Karen is a godsend; on basically every single occasion that I've had the pleasure of working with her - her role and contribution during the events of PhotoClassic events in particular is pretty famous amid we models for sure!! Hot soup, protection from the savage elements at 4am and warm tootsies again springs to mind! :P

The events which usually take place in the wilderness of the highlands, in arguably; some of the most stunning locations comprehendable (but also often some of the harshest conditions at the same time - dramatic imagery bestowing awe and beauty doesn't come easily after all!) Karen sacrifices a gigantic proportion of potential time she could have grabbing extra shots/any shots at all to reduce the exposure we models have to the unforgiving wild and literally legging-it backwards and forwards across insane terrain to take our clothes/shoes... Dash out of shot... Dash back in with clothes/shoes and hot soup and things to help us get clean/dry as quickly as possible. She puts the models safety as her absolute/one and only focus at times and you actually see how committed she is when it comes around to the review and she hasn't actually taken any shots on some occasions because she literally has not left beyond safe running distance to get to us quickly. The realism of just how much she dedicates herself really hits home then, because she is an insanely fantastic photographer too. Her input on such challenging location shoots is the difference between some models being able to do the job at all... It's not a type of shoot to be taken lightly and the whole focus of, specifically, the Art Nude In The Landscape workshop by PhotoClassic is to demonstrate how much creative model/photographer parties are tested in such situations.

Aside from the occasional "wind chill" these events are actually a lot of fun and I always found myself very much in my element working on them! :) Karen and Howard work as just the best pair imaginable for these photography workshops and have it completely off-to-a-tee with their rapport with each other, with the models and the attendees too! That uber welcoming, family-like environment can honestly make or break productivity on such an event and the fact that they focus so much around building positive vibes is such a plus for any attending photographer delegates, and hired models. Karen is just always cheery and positive no matter what the weather - she brings "feel good" essence into the room with her and is just supportive of everyone, kind-hearted and insanely practical - what with the mad gang back at PhotoClassic HQ, she has to be! :P Her organisation is on-pointe along with her professionalism and generosity to others. I have worked with her both in workshop environments as well as independent one-to-one shoots too and she has got it all covered in every situation, every place.

Karen is also a very visually creative photographer. She knows what she is looking for when the scene is set and once she has the shot, she has it. I know from working with her myself alone before now. Massive walk up a mountain - goodness knows how many gallons of sweat on the way up! But when we got to where we needed to be and lined everything up - it literally did only take a few shots before we'd cracked it! She shines this way in Assynt too - when she does get time to dash back and launch herself into position with her camera, she utterly smashes it! :D Pretty sure she's wonder woman on the sly...

I've also stayed with Karen and Howard on several occasions and their place is pretty much notorious as a model-crash point where you can guarantee a friendly, chilled-out safe and fun-filled base on a tour or a multi-day event in Aberdeen. Karen is a SUPERB cook, the room goes silent every time when the grub comes in - though it doesn't last very long mind you! :P

Level 1000 recommendations from me! That is all!!

Thank you so much Karen for everything.

Keira

Cariad Celis

I had a lovely weekend shooting and working with Karen at Photoclassic's autumn beauty workshop in Scotland. Karen helped organise the event alongside Howard. They truly are the dream team couple :)

Karen made sure we were well looked after and was the perfect hostess throughout. As soon as you are in her presence you cant help but smile, she is a genuine lady with a great eye for photography. I loved the images I have seen and I hope to work with her again in the future.

Thank you so much fr hospitality and for a lovely weekend!

Highly recommended!

Scarlot Rose

This weekend I attended Photoclassic's Art Nude in the Landscape workshop, where Karen was also on the team, taking her role as "the real boss" very seriously!

I have stayed with Karen and her husband a few times during past tours but this was the first time I really saw her in action as a photographer and event organiser. This weekend Karen did all the driving for me and the other models (we were staying and shooting in the scottish highlands), fed us amazing meals that made me forget the traumas of a feeezing cold bog at sunrise and made our health and safety her top priority. The workshop was simply beyond belief (see my reference for Photoclassic) but it wouldn't have been almost as bearable without Karen on hand to keep me and the other models safe at all times!

As well as being not only batwoman but superwoman too, Karen is as an amazing photographer and her experience in Landscape/nature work really shows om tough location shoots like these!

I can't thank karen enough for this weekend and highly recommend her to others too!

Big hugs!

Scarlot xx

PhotoClassic

I don't know where I would be without Karen. Her support and effort is what makes everything come together on my workshops and safaris. This time it was my Art Nude in the Landscape Workshop and Karen provided logistical support, cooking, driving, first-aid and generally played "Mum" to the three models throughout the weekend - and she still managed to nail some of the best images of the entire weekend in between! Karen has an amazing eye for a shot and she can pull a breathtaking composition out of any photo-opportunity. Very highly recommended!

PhotoClassic

Karen is simply awesome...and that's probably all I need to say...but there's more. This time it was my Introduction to Artistic Nude Photography Workshop with Rachelle Summers modelling and instead of helping me like a good wife should, she was simply there as a photographer. Outdoor work is Karen's forté and she is brilliant at it but she is not a fan of studio work. However, when there was a spare space on this workshop Karen came along to give studio work a go. Yes she's my wife and my best friend but sometimes teaching is not the best thing to happen between spouses, as her driving lessons 20 years ago would testify but when it comes to photography, Karen is so enthusiastic and keen to learn than teaching her was actually a blast. Karen is used to looking after models and clients on my longer outdoor workshops and safaris, so her interaction with models is superb and I would definitely recommend models work with her: she is a talented photographer who will produce awesome images for your portfolio and she will also make sure you are well looked after throughout a shoot. very highly recommended.

StormBringer

This reference is for PhotoClassics Art Nude in the Landscape workshop that I attended over the Easter Weekend.

Batwoman provided continual support to Howard throughout the weekend, so much so that you could say she co-lead the workshop. While making sure all delegates were comfortable and ensuring that each of the models were well looked after. I’m sure she does much more behind the scenes than we delegates were aware of, both in prior planning and during the workshop.

When on location you could see that Karen’s priorities were models safety and comfort, then the delegates, then her own photography. I’ve attended workshops in the past where it seemed it was more important for the host to get their shots before the delegates, not so with Karen.

Model or photographer - you will be looked after by Karen if you attend any workshop that she’s involved with.

Thanks Karen for being part of an enjoyable experience, and hope to meet again.

Rachelle Summers

Spent a glorious weekend with Karen and her husband Howard :)

They let me drag the hubby along too and the 4 of us had a great time in Glen Coe, not always getting the weather we wanted but doing a bit of sight seeing in between.

It's always a pleasure being in Karens company, she's so kind and such a laugh - not to mention her cooking is immense too :D

Not only that but it is amazing having her on these cold location shoots, she really goes the extra mile to help look after the models I really don't know how I would cope without her there!

She always gets totally different images to everyone else as has a real eye for different angles, I think it's a woman thing :P

Anyway, highly recommended by me and can't wait to see her again next month :D

Velvet Fox

I had the priveldge of working with Karen and Howard on my trip to Aberdeen. They kindly let me stay in their house and I had the best time shooting with them on Saturday.

I loved travelling to the many different beautiful locations that the pair of them had in store for me and found that the day went by so quickly because I enjoyed myself so much!

Karen has a fabulous knack with the camera and always has a new angle and direction to try which makes her photographs really beautiful and unique and love the ones she took up of the castle as they light up my tutu I was wearing perfectly.

Karen and Howard are both so professional and friendly and I felt so very easy with them and not nervous at all about shooting art nude outdoors and overall I would highly recommend her and I have my fingers crossed that I will be lucky enough to shoot with them again :)

Thank you both for a wonderful time!

Artemis Fauna

Got to work with this lovely lady again last weekend during the Film Noir workshop.

Can only echo my previous comments! It was a great event and I had a blast. Was lovely to catch up after a few months!

I really hope I can work with Karen, and Howard again one day. Highly recommended from me! Thank you :)

Belle Eve

I worked with Karen for the first time during the Film noir workshop in Aberdeen help by the wonderful Photoclassic. Karen was a genuinely lovely person. She was kind enough to let me stay with her on my trip and I can definitely say I was very well fed and looked after :) She is very laid back and lots of fun. She is a great photographer and an over all awesome person. I hope to work with her again in the future.

100% recommend.

Much love,

Eve

Rachelle Summers

I really have no idea what I can add about Karen that I haven't already said.

I love her to bits, she has such a kind soul and like I have said in previous comments I will treasure the friendship we have built long after I finish modelling.

She is so caring towards her models, really looking after them to the best of her ability and the shoots I do for her and her husband Howard I can honestly say I would not do for anyone else. Simply because I trust them implicitly with my well being in the cold conditions we face on some of the shoots.

They make an incredible team, and although working together for many of years Karen has her own wonderful style and nack at getting images from quirky angles that no one else would think of.

I really couldn't blow any more smoke up her bottom if I tried!! Simple as that really :)

If you haven't worked her then you should be very, very, very sad about that situation and rectify it immediately!

Odette Flaur.

I had the opportunity to meet and work with Karen during the recent Nude On the Rocks and Soft and Gentle Boudoir workshops held by PhotoClassic in Aberdeen. Karen is a tryly wonderful person very polite and a true professional. She is a very talented photographer that knows exaclty what she want to achieve and the photos look simply beautiful :)

Highly recommended x 1000 of times :D

Thank you,

Odette

Rachelle Summers

As usual spent an incredible weekend with Karen as part of the Photoclassic art nude in landscape event.

Karen is such a huge part of the team it would literally be impossible to imagine the workshop with her!

She is always on hand helping with with us pesky models on location, keeping our clothes nearby and running over as soon as the set is finished to get us wrapped up and warm as quickly as humanly possible. She is so caring and really goes that extra mile to keep us all as comfortable as possible, even though keeping my skeleton bones warm is a near on impossible task she does her blooming best to achieve it and I always feel so well looked after and cared for :)

Not only does she look after us models, and the whole team with her amazzzzing food, her personality alone adds so much to the weekend. It really would not be the same without her and I really love her to bits both working with her as a photographer and as a friend too.

So as always (and I'm sure people will get bored of me repeating myself all the time) it's a HUUUUUGE recommendation from me :D

Until next time!

Helen Stephens

Karen is truly an amazing person and a wonderful friend.

I recently worked with Karen at Photoclassic's three-day 'Nude in the Landscape' workshop. Even though Howard (Photoclassic) and Karen often take me out in the beautiful wilderness of the Scottish highlands, I always feel incredibly relaxed and totally safe in her company. I have epilepsy and usually being so far away from civilisation would be rather nerve-wracking for me, but I know that Karen would be able to deal with me properly if I did become unwell. I'm always very well looked after!

I also had the privilege to have Karen shave my head whilst on a live feed. This made my charity event that much more special - I am so grateful for all of Karen's support.

Karen is also the best cook too - I'm quite a fan of her Mandazis!!

My highest possible recommendations!

Keira Lavelle

Karen was her usual amazing/godsend self on the most recent workshop I did for PhotoClassic on the Easter weekend. Not actually sure what us models would do without her... she's our hot soup saviour, rescues all our thermals that were sneaking in on the shot (and then maintains her balance with the great pile of said thermals jumping across a bog) and brings the most wicked humour to the weekend that literally makes the experience more like a holiday at times. :) I Love this woman and have stayed with her and Howard in Aberdeen on a number of occasions... they gots the cutest bouncy husky as well! :P

Karen's style of work is really lovely, she is amazing at capturing an awe-inspiring landscape with the models just part of a big, beautiful story in her images. She nails some tremendous angles which makes the finished photographs look even more dramatic; we ended up at some familiar and brand new places this time with the weather being totally unpredictable yet that didn't put a hold on things at all. Her ideas on shoots are super creative, a picturesque place will never go to waste when Karen is photographing it.

Oh - one more thing, her cooking rocks the house down! :P At meal times the team were in for a new treat every day, there's any wonder us models could move with all this yummy chow being served to us! So many good times and epic banter/rapports, I will always recommend Karen really highly for sure and can't wait for next year... an anticipated blast as always!

Keira x