References for The Camera Monkey!

Keira Lavelle

I have had two wonderfully brilliant shoots with Stuart now! One was a duo back in the Springtime with the lovely Helen Stephens, and the latest was a solo with Stuart on my latest tour of Scotland - both were insanely awesome but it does mean that I'm going to have to rabbit-on doubly for the double compliments to how fab a guy Stuart is to shoot with! :D

Shoot one: Stuart actually had a very specific project for which he booked myself and Helen for also arranging a venue and everything. He put a lot of effort into it as well as coordinating it around everyone's schedules to make it work - so it was quite a shock when the venue "no-showed" on us. It could have been a complete disaster: two touring models with masses of luggage, gallons of photography equipment all ready at the scene, no car because we didn't believe we would be needing one and now no location. It is one of those annoying things which, in most situations, could've led to the whole shoot fallen apart... But Stuart, being the committed professional and epic quick-thinker that he was, totally managed to save the shoot and navigated us to a cool location in the city where we were able to improvise and bag some terrific duo location shots. :) Honestly, that kind of dedication is just so credible because it's so easy to jump ship when frustration has hit from complications occurring that are totally outside of your control. We then went on to have a crazily fun and productive shoot that was packed with laughs, tree-climbing and team positivity, nothing was going to stop us from having a stupendous shoot that day. :D

The weather was a little iffy due to an unusually cold Spring hitting (we were lucky mind, because a few days prior it had been heavy snow!) Stuart was completely supportive and encouraging of warm-up breaks in-between shots, he looked after myself and Helen really well - even to the point of getting in snacks and nibbles suitable for Helens dietary needs (I'm just a dustbin). :P The fact that he was so well prepped meant that an impromptu location shoot flowed well because again: usually the prep for an indoor/studio shoot might be different to an outdoor one but Stuart was hugely considerate of his colleagues regardless so we were sorted nonetheless! :D

Shoot two: My most recent (solo) shoot with Stuart was a little more North than Perth in the stunning region of Pitlochry! :D And he has organised the most magnificent place for us to shoot at: an incredible castle with the most mystically authentic feel to make pictures that had a super-special vibe. Locations like this don't come along everyday, and it was honestly one of those places that you physically have to pick up your jaw off the ground when you see it! The natural light within the place was something else, but the backdrops and atmosphere just spoke to you! We had a few ideas in the brief to smash, but it was nice because the odd inspired moment would pop-up mid shoot as well! Either way, a shoot that went by waaayyyy too quick and you come away wanting to nail it more because your creative juices got flowing like crazy. It goes totally without saying that Stuart injects a phenomenal degree of imaginative and visual thought into his shoots, he wants each one to produce something special which brings out the best in the model, location and light. He's such a considerably enthusiastic photographer (and videographer) and seriously, any model that arranges a shoot with him should expect a really good one with genuine artistic drive. Again, the pace was relaxed and pressure free - Stuart saw that I was fed and my energy levels up. If I needed to warm up, he wouldn't think twice. Just a total professional in every sense!

The images from this shoot where truly magical - Stuart generously sent me some of the edits since we weren't shooting for a specific publication/project and when you see the images processed in full beauty, you can't help but do a little dance and grin! Just make sure you're not on a busy train when that happens - folk might think you left your marbles at home! :P

As a photographer: Stuart is a natural. He's got a natural skill for observing the light, a natural skill for framing up a shot for drama/added effect, a natural skill for putting a concept together and pre-visualising the whole thing before it happens and a natural skill for working with others as wonderful team and making the whole thing come together. :) Not just as a photographer in fact, but also as a videographer and we'd already chatted about the possibility of working together again on some cool video stuff!

As a fellow creative: Stuart is a gem to work alongside. He has his visions and knows exactly what he wants to achieve but will encourage the models to add a bit of themselves to the shoot as well. And he goes out of his way to really look after the well-being of the people he organises to work with and ensure that they are comfortable throughout. The empathy and understanding he shows is a massively valuable attribute to having a positively charged shoot - you just feel happy and respected as a human from start to finish and it does drive you forward in your work on the day. WIN-WIN!

SUCH BUZZING SHOOTS! VERY BIG RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ME, TWICE-OVER!!!!

Thank you for being ace Stuart! :D :D

Keira

Helen Stephens

Another excellent shoot with Stuart!

Despite the colossal fuck up by the studio (which I was really sad about for Stuart, since I know how much he’s been planning this), Stuart lept to a plan B and took Keira Lavelle and myself to a local green and he produced some excellent portraits (and Keira climbed a tree, so she was happy). The pictures look smashing.

I love hanging out with Stuart, he’s incredibly interesting to talk to and a good laugh. I’d happily work with Stuart time and time again!

Helen Stephens

I had a bloody awesome time working with Stuart during my trip to Scotland.

He's a good laugh and full of wonderful ideas. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse and we had to abort the original plan of a location shoot in the beautiful area of Pitlochry - but Stuart had a plan B!

We ended up creating some fun portraits indoors, including experimenting with different looks using my wig collection - we even started naming the wigs and concocting characters for them with extensive background histories. Which was both random and amusing.

I would happily work with Stuart again in an instant - highly recommended!!

Amber Castle

Stuart and I worked together a couple of years ago, and finally managed to grab the second shoot! He is as lovely to work with as ever, totally professional, great communication, fun company. He has really good creative ideas and directs well too. Also gave me cups of tea and flowers, what more could anyone want? Well the images looked pretty great actually. So all in all, totally recommended most highly. With thanks! Hope it happens again :-) Amber

Rachelle Summers

My first shoot with Stu, and hopefully not the last!

Really lovely guy, fun and bubbly personality too so a real pleasure to be in his company :)

He looked after me very well on what was an extremely cold day and made sure I was comfortable at all times.

Great shoot and hope to work with him again :)

Highly recommended!