References for Far Forest Studio

Eris-Art Photography

It was our first time shooting at Far Forest Studio yesterday and we are impressed!!!We were warmly welcomed by Mark and his wife Lynne. They are both friendly,kind,accommodating,relaxed-excellent hosts.Mark is very helpful on the set. Studio is professionally equipped and offers a range of different props,huge amount of clothing,wigs,backdrops and lighting sets.There was endless coffee and biscuits as well.

It's absolutely beautiful location with woodlands and waterfall-plenty fabulous outdoor sets available on the property.

It is such a wonderful place to work!!!

We highly recommend FFS to both models and photographers.

It definitely won't be our last time at this Studio.

Thank you Mark and Lynne.

We will be back soon!!!

Darkman

Excellent pre-shoot communications- Mark was both friendly and professional from the start. The studio facilities are excellent and the range of kit and props is very impressive and offers a range of different location settings and lighting sets. Highly recommended - and Mark makes a great cup of tea!!

Ruv Paianjen

First time shooting here, what a great unique studio, was great shooting here and I'll definitely be coming back

Highly recommended

lil minx 2014

Farforest is a totally unique lacation, proved to be a touch diffcult to visit thanks to the mysteries of public transport. However Mark & Lynne are lovely people and we really want to visit again. With weather on your side thst place has great photgraphic potential and next time I will get in the waterfall, lol

Jasmine99

My first shoot at Far Forest Studio, and what a delight it was. Mark and Lynne were friendly, accommodating and professional. Lynne knows her wardrobe inside out and was able to co- ordinate suitable outfits quickly and offered suggestions which finished the costumes beautifully.

Mark flawlessly organised the lighting and scenery as well as inspiring me as a 'new' models with ideas.

There was endless tea, coffee, water, squash and biscuits to add to the attraction.

The setting is stunning, unfortunately due to inclement weather we were unable to shoot outside. However inside was just as good with excellent changing facilities provided.

I will certainly be going there again.

Models in the Landscape

Again the system is perhaps a little limiting but FFS did indeed turn up.

We (www.hagleycameraclub.co.uk) booked FFS to host a group shoot with 13 club members and 3 models.

Owner Mark did correctly advise that he was a little concerned by our numbers as the norm is for groups of up to 4 and that the indoor space could not easily accommodate us if we suffered inclement weather.

In true Monty Pythonesque style, we built the castle on the swamp anyway.

Well of course the glorious weather of the last week disappeared and we enjoyed a day of drizzle broken up by near torrential downpours.

I have already commended our models by not being phased by this - please see individual references - so here I shall stick with Mark / FFS.

As I had previously experienced myself, Mark was on hand throughout to offer lighting advice etc to those with less experience within the studio environment and was not too proud to play Mother and also provide a seemingly endless supply of tea.

Such was the overall success, I cannot imagine that we shall not attempt to repeat the exercise albeit perhaps without the rain.

Vampire princess

My second shoot at far forest today. So much more than your average studio. Mark as always was very accommodating and I shall be back shooting here soon

Chris J Adams

Another great shoot at Far Forest Studio. This time it was a themed shoot with The Actor and Vampire Princess along with concepts shots that Vampire Princess wanted to shoot.

The facilities are amazing and Mark will always do his very best to accommodate any request. I would recommend this – studio doesn’t do it justice – photographic wonderland to every photographer looking for a lot more than a white wall and lights!

The Actor

This was my first shoot at Far Forest Studio....wow wow wow. What an incredible combination of studio and location. Mark, the owner, was unbelievably generous and welcoming with constant supply if refreshments. He showed off some of his other work which was absolutely inspiring. The location is simply fabulous! I am already be wearing ideas so that I may return there... Thanks Mark, and thank your lovely wife for the lift to the station! :)

Models in the Landscape

I attended FFS as one of four "togs" on a group shoot. Not everyone likes group work of course but such a small number means that there is little risk of photographing the back of another attendees head and it allows for a little banter etc.

We were cursed with weather that was simply too good and this did play havoc with dappled light etc but there are still ummpteen opportunities to be had across FFS's 2+ acres of woodland and gardens.

We spent the last hour of the day's four hour shoot working in the (thankfully) air-con equipped studio where owner Mark was on hand with advice regards lighting and the effects of various kit (of which there is plenty) and appropriate starting-point settings.

I will certainly be back with my own motley crew in the near future.

Kate A

I visited FFS for the first time with 3 other photographers and was just amazed at how many facilities and photo opportunities were squeezed into 2 acres including a wonderful (much needed) air conditioned studio with a prop room to die for. Mark was wonderful, the coffee never stopped flowing and his insights and tips on lighting and positioning were the words of someone who knows his subject inside out. It's an amazing facility run by warm hearted, truly passionate people and frankly some of the work coming out of this studio at the moment has to be seen to be believed. I will most definitely be back and, if you haven't been yet, I highly recommend that you add it to your Top 10 bucket list of 'must use' studios!

colinspics

My first visit to Far Forest but it has been on my radar for a while! I'd booked a small group single model shoot which proved to be great value with 4 photographers, 4 hours and the lovely Rosie Lea. We were made welcome by Mark and Lynne and immediately offered tea or coffee and chocolate biscuits. The whole shoot was a success, not rushed and time for several changes of outfits and outside locations. All of this quietly supported by Mark who doubled up as the reflector-man.On a hot day we had the final hour in the air-conditioned studio.

Very good facilities with option of bringing your own model or come to the organised group sessions. There is also opportunity for Mark to host camera club events by arrangement. Will visit again - bet it looks good in the autumn!

Chris Reeves

Been several times now,outdoors this time, all about the visit here is so good! Mark and Lynne make you so welcome,and are so helpful,the Studio, grounds,dresses,props, a terrific place to come to, anyone not been do check it out, very highly recommended of course.

GambrillsGal

Had a fantastic day at Far Forest Studio.

Quiet and secluded, I suspect we only got to use a small amount of the setting available to us. With a (massive) studio with props galore and woodland to boot plus purpose built sets, there was too much to use and not enough time to use it in!

Mark was there to meet us and a cup of tea was ready upon arrival. A very friendly host and never felt like we were intruding.

Would definately recommend here for a shoot (and a long one at that!)

Minx

One of the best studios Iv been to ! It's girl heaven ! between the sets including a graveyard , waterfall , in a beautiful secluded setting it helps you creates fantastic images ! The costume hire is amazing. Mark & his wife make you feel incredibly welcome , endless cups of tea & biscuits , nothing is to much trouble for this wonderful couple. Can't wait to go back there!! Thank you

Ted

Have a look at @Synthia Minxs Ref below because she was shooting with myself and Mark Lycett.

The studio is amazing with loads of different sets including a graveyard, a summer house, a rope-swing seat, wooded areas and of course a waterfall!

We didnt even make it into the well equipped studio area.

There are toilet facilities and a shower essential after a trip into the waterfall

Mark (the owner) is an excellent host providing tea and coffee on demand.

Any negatives ? Yes its too damn far away from me!

Barbarossa Photo. (aka Mark Lycett)

We travelled a good distance to shoot at Far Forest and I have to say that it was well worth it.

Apart from the various outdoor sets, including the fab waterfall and the wooded area (which has some areas with great natural light), there's the well equipped studio and there's the owner Mark and his wife, Lynne, who are a lovely, welcoming, friendly and accommodating couple, with lashings of tea, biccies and sweets to go round.

I will definitely be returning before this summer is over. Awesome.

Miss mae_

Beautiful studio! Very cosy warm and just lovely

Mark was on hand through the whole shoot he was funny polite and made me feel very welcome.

I was highly impressed by the studio and the stunning locations it was surrounded by. Mark was truely lovely and I was lucky to have the privilege to work there today!

Highly recommend mark and his top studio thanks for having me

Warmest regards

Tann x

Colin Nash LRPS

As you can see from his portfolio Mark produces some very high quality images and I did a 3 hour Art Lighting and processing workshop with him to improve my understanding of light in the studio and ways to improve the image in Photoshop afterwards. Mark is very patient and explains things simply and reinforces to make sure you have understood the concepts.

The session in the studio was very good and with the help of Ala-Maya we created some really excellent images, now I just have to apply the post processing work to create my own images in my new style based on Mark's workflow process.

I can thoroughly recommend Mark and the Workshop, you will certainly learn and come away with a better understanding of how to create images to match those in your mind that previously did not quite stack up. Well worth the time and money.

I used the studio again in the afternoon with Ala-Maya and once again Mark was on hand when needed with drinks, props and extra lights but then fades in to the background again so that you can work with the model. Excellent studio, thoroughly recommended with a great host.

Thanks for everything Mark, I had a great day with you. Now just got to get those images flowing and up on my portfolio. :-) Colin

trebor images

Well what can I say !! I Turned up at this amazing secluded location to be met by Mark who gave me a tour around the studio and all the forest area. The studio is very big with a high ceiling which is a great advantage with a large assortment of lights and equipment, plus a enormous wardrobe of clothes and props.

I didn't get a chance to use the studio as I was shooting in the forest area of the grounds which have everything you could desire. Trees and shrubs of all kinds, a pond, waterfall and areas designed for themes such as WWI trenches, a grave yard, waterfall and hot tub !! it was like being in a sweetshop !!

I had a great afternoon at the studio and was well looked after by Mark, and would highly recommend togs and models to giving it a go .

Definitely will be returning to make use of the studio and grounds soon !

Cheers Bob :)