References for G_H

Rogue

I had an awesome first shoot with Gary during the recent Studland weekender. He turned up on time with all the kit needed. We played with natural light as well as some lighting he brought along. Gary had lots of ideas but also let me do my own thing and contribute to the shots. We shot a whole load of totally different styles indoors and outdoors during our time together. Gary was really friendly, professional and fun to work with. I think we got some awesome shots and I'd definitely work with Gary again! Highly recommended!

Rachelle Summers

I had an awesome shoot with Gary on my recent tour :)

We worked out it had been 2 years since our last shoot together when he joined us on a Summers Abroad event to Croatia - where does the time go?! So it was super lovely to catch up with him after so long.

We started in a studio doing some classical art nude and fashion nude looks, and then headed out on location from there. Gary had scouted some absolutely stunning locations for us to work at and, despite some mishaps with clay mountains and vicious brambles haha, we powered through and shot some wonderful sets together :D I can't wait to look through the final results he has sent over when I get a moment!

Gary is such a wonderful person, he is great company and I love working with him! Would more than happily recommend him and really hope we don't leave it so long next time :D

Keira Lavelle

I’ve probably shot with Gary in every possible location type: like not just studio vs. location, but ‘set orientated’ studio, classic plain backgrounds studios, home location, extended landscapes (abroad and in the UK) and now; an utterly AMAZEBALLS derelict/urbex location back in the UK shoot as well! (we’d shot at similar sites before in Portugal/Malta). You can put Gary literally anywhere... And he will just smash it, whilst making getting those next-level pictures look like a piece of cake. :D

This time we were able to work together during a tour I was doing of the South-East. Gary and I had got chatting about this awesome shooting opportunity/site around the same sort of time as me planning my tour; so the timing worked perfect! We got it confirmed and he communicated brilliantly to get all the details planned so that if I was running here-there-and-everywhere in the days leading up (whilst I’d be on the same tour) that we knew exactly what we were doing/where to meet on the day. SORTED! The location itself was phenomenal, and it wasn’t long before we were doing the grand “guided tour” (whilst nattering in Northerner language and catching up! :P) to begin visualising the extended image potential of this superb place. Top credit to Gary for thinking of the location for our shoot - we very nearly planned a studio/indoor location shoot (which would have been/would be unspeakably epic also) but the plan of action led way to some very tremendous images being created; with the usual model-photographer bounce that comes with working with this dude every time. We had and abundance of space/stuff/natural light/environment backdrops and more... The biggest predicament was where on earth to start!! :P Of course once we were in that flow, we rocked and we rolled like no mans business and once we’d nailed each set/look/corner of the building we moved on in a super productive mission to the next part. Quite possibly the best yield that one could hope for from a half day creative shoot.

It’s hard to contain one’s excitement in places like this; as your eyes wonder your brain is speedily weighing up where to put yourself and what parts of the place to mould to/clamber on. Gary is the most laid-back person in terms of sharing the innovation and ideas that hit you on the spot. He welcomes no end of input from the models whom he books... So I would go and jump into position (straddling beams to curling up in what looked like a giant tumble dryer!) And Gary would just be cool as a cucumber, do his thing (whether that was owning the natural available light in the place or balancing flash BEAUTIFULLY to add atmosphere and punch) and BOOM... A camera full o’ magic one set after another. :D Of course the inspiration didn’t stop at atmosphere/attitude and grit: sublime art nude shapes in another area with every possible extremity of light conditions. This chap just ain’t phased at all - a quick calm fiddle with the camera and he’s laid into any challenge that Mother Nature could throw our way. I can’t say enough good things about Gary and his photography love/skill. He’s brilliant. Hands-down. It’s pretty normal for most folks to have a preferred “environment” or “situation” with the light for performing at their most confident... Gary just smashes the lot! :P I’ve seen it myself time and time again; he knows light and he knows angles. Essentially a photographic rockstar!

The standard upbeat vibe followed us about throughout the course of the shoot. Gary is such a laugh, chatty and witty making working with him a genuinely fun experience as well. The pace isn’t “rush-rush” and we still got gallons done; the rest of the time was probably spent either admiring the epic location or chinwagging until we could no more. :P And of course every model wants to rest assured that they’d be working with someone who has a professional and respectful approach - that’s Gary too! He was amazing actually at this place because I was regularly dodging glass and other unkind-to-the-feet matter; Gary was running backwards and forwards non-stop rescuing my shoes for me/grabbing outfits that I’d left out the way. He is very concerned about the models well-being on shoots and would always do what he could to ensure a model was safe/happy.

ALMIGHTY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MOI. :)

Thanks for another cracker shoot Gary!

Keira Lavelle

I’ve shot with the amazing Gary on multiple occasions myself independently across a multitude of concepts and location types: this time, myself and the lovely Renaissance were able to welcome him on-board the Arts Voyage Events bus for a second time on our recent trip to Malta! :D I have no words for just how fabulous it was for him to join us, both from a photographic perspective and company for the full week in our small group. He’s just so much fun to get to work alongside and is a genuinely exceptional photographer in pretty much any circumstances where creative opportunities present themselves!

The destination of choice this time was Malta! I’m not going to lie, I was really excited when Gary confirmed he’d be joining us on the trip. He came with us to Portugal around the same time last year and we had a blast (see reference from then if interested!) We had also so many high expectations of Malta as the exquisite island that it is: jaw-dropping cave formations, sapphire water, rich yellows in the natural island stone and them some... Having recced the island some months previous myself, I couldn’t contain my excitement for the locations that awaited us, and knowing how Gary just throws himself right into it whether working flash, natural lights, indoors or outdoors - he takes what’s there and makes magic with it every time! :D So yes, this was a shooting stretch to be buzzing about before it had even begun!

Gary and fellow photographer Pete Roberts were the second group to come out so I went alone to meet them at the airport whilst the others remained back at base, and the laughs commenced the minute we met up! Said laughs were to continue throughout the course of their week trip and how myself and Renaissance actually came back with any vital organs still intact - I will never know! Pretty sure I felt a few explode in the fits of giggles during down time, travel time AND shooting time! :’) Whilst being seriously artistic and focused when he needs to be, he’s really the life and soul of the party too which makes the whole exercise far more bright and enjoyable - if it’s possible to get brighter in the gorgeous Maltese sunshine. Gary’s the man anyhow. :) The small groups in the trips mean that we really can enjoy ourselves as hosts too and find time to click and chat away in the usual lovely rapports that we’d have on any other shoot with the photographers, that I value so much because yes; people come to take photos at nice places and work with the models on concepts of interest... But I find being able to know and work on such that lovely gelling wavelength just gives you that bit more as a creative team. Every creative in this industry has their own visions and preferences as an artist which makes them who they are, then if you can also have a ball as actual colleagues really getting stuck into the task in hand and spurring each other positively - that is just priceless. I always think of Gary as such a teamwork prizing photographer because he seriously does appreciate the work from the models side and encourage mutual shoot input, then in-between prancing about on jagged rocks, checking the stunning pictures on the back of the camera and thinking about the next shot - you can just chatter endlessly with him and have a cracking time at work. :) I cannot stress how much a level of difference this makes to any job, anywhere. Don’t get me wrong however... Despite his room-lifting bright character and sense of humour; Gary’s shoot professionalism and etiquette is absolutely on-point. :) A really respectful gentleman who will always work according to every models comfort levels and strives for everyone to enjoy a simply wonderful shoot.

I do have a bone to pick with Gary mind you... So he sent me all these stunningly beautiful shots once we’re all back home and settled after the event - my bloody notifications on every site posted went crazy! :’) My computer nearly blew up! There are not actually the words to put to some of the pictures Gary captured of both myself and Renaissance... He deserves so much credit for his photography and creative eye, sure we could pose ourselves somewhere and flow through our repertoire; but the way Gary leaps from one mad angle to another to put a totally wicked twist on that moment is a crucial aspect to his work coming out like it does. He sees it, he works the light (savage sun rays or a mix of natural and flash) he spots opportunities and before you know it - there’s a camera full of EPIC pictures, and then your computer explodes! I just don’t know what to say really! :’) Other than; what an absolute blast it was having Gary join us in Malta for the Arts Voyage event in May 2019.

Thank you so much Gary - those future shoots, whether independently arranged or on an event again are always something to look forward to!

Keira

Wendy Louise Howard

Another fabulous trip completed with the Wonderful Gary.. This time when he booked on to our Arts Voyage trip to Gozo, Malta.

I love working with Gary.. He's a Master with the Camera and the Pictures he take always make you look your best... increasing Confidence and self love :D

Gary as a person is just a delight to be around. He's is Great Fun to be around, Really easy to talk to about anything and an all round TOP Bloke.

We tried some different styles on this trip including Street Fashion and Bridal and the images are just out of this World. Was really hard to pick my favourites to be honest and it took me many looks (like 500 times) over and over the back of the cameras to decide which ones I would like and even then I sent him about 90% to decide himself haha.

If you are lucky enough to work with Gary, jump at it.

Honestly one of the best out there and a great Friend too.

Thanks Gary and can't wait for next time.

Highly recommended by me as always with 5 stars *****

You Legend.

Renaissance xx

Nee naaa

100% Gary for president.

Scarlett Fox

Had a fantastic shoot with Gary out at the lovely studio DenbyStarr for half a day 😊

Pre comms were absolutely marvelous so I knew what I needed to have packed, it was great to kick start the day over coffees and a chat on what we were going to be shooting, Gary came well prepared with a ton of steampunk props from glasses to hats, cuffs to masks, and I loved the creativity of it, it was really refreshing to do something so different and really put a different spin on your typical fashion shot!

Throughout the day we shot a variety of fashion, fashion nude, art nude, and beauty portraits, Gary is super chilled and so easy to work with I had a great laugh with him and it was a relaxed day with some awesome sets that worked so well, it’s also great when you can work with someone that knows his lighting and can set up quickly and then you can just go with the flow 😊

Very easily recommended and I hope to work with Gary again in the near future, thank for a fun shoot,

Scarlett

Wendy Louise Howard

It was really nice to catch up with the Awesome Gary on our recent Photoshoot In Liverpool.

As always Gary was perfect to work with and great fun to be around.

The time just went by far too quick.

After spending a week with Gary on our Arts Voyage Trip to Portugal I just knew the shoot would be Awesome and I’m really looking forward to our next trip :D

If you get the chance to work with Gary, jump at it. You will not be disappointed. He’s a really nice, professional, friendly, genuinely nice man who is uplifting and great fun to be around.

Thanks Gary and look forward to seeing you again.

As always highly recommended by me with five stars.

Renaissance xx

Keira Lavelle

My latest shoot with Gary rocked just as much as the previous countless number of times that we have smashed out creative awesomeness in different sessions focussing on different concepts. :) This time we focussed on steampunk and bodyscapes… Two very wicked styles that look sensational when they work - and boy did it work. :D

Working at Denby Star studio; it wasn't long before the lighting was on-pointe and the shapes grooving... Gary and I had spoke about some ideas we were specifically going to work on via pre-shoot communications, and many of the very particular looks Gary actually supplied epic props and accessories for! He's got an unquestionable eye when he gets his creatively flowing on a concept - yet the shoot still had the same team-bounce that every shoot we have ever had has shone with and Gary was, as always, down for suggestions and on-the-dot ideas... So as per usual, the back of the camera was overheating with all the freaking magic and corking photography that was occurring. Gary is a brilliant photographer and really does manoeuvre the lights effortlessly to go from one image to something totally different effect-wise in a heartbeat. He has automatic technical know-how which means the whole shoot pretty much rolls on with productivity. Bodyscapes can be one of the hardest things to shoot, (despite the myth that it's just a case of cropping tight to parts of the body) but it is most certainly a challenge from the photographers part to compose and light for an artistic look. Non of that phases Gary at all because he really is a natural.

It was good fun shooting the steampunk ideas too as this was something completely new for us. :) Incorporating the various accessories into edgy nudes and portraits. The best creativity definitely comes when you can inspire one another at the time of the shoot so you don't actually need to make drastic style changes all the time, but the photographer will see a moment and work off it or the model will have a lightbulb moment and do a particular shape under certain lighting... I think this degree of teamwork always comes out when I've shot with Gary and the productivity just speaks for itself. It doesn't matter what style we're shooting really - the same goes each and every time.

As usual it was so lovely to chatter lots and lots and catch-up. Is it really a shoot if you didn't have moments of stitches laughing at random things and a chin-wag over a brew in the break whilst you're reviewing the fabulous images you're creating. Gary is a lovely guy who is, and has always been a lot of fun to work with. He is a profusely passionate and creatively enthused photographer who approaches every shoot with huge degrees of drive to explore an idea and/or work with a model/other creatives to make ideas ignite. Easy going, professional, down-to-earth and good company.

Cannot recommend enough! Here's to the next opportunity to work together and the one after and so forth! :D

Thanks Gary!

Keira

chloesul

Had a fab second shoot with Gary H,

Gary pre communications were first class, he was very clear about what he would like to shoot.

Gary picked me up and we got straight to our first shoot, unfortunately I forgot to check the tide times duh!!! But not to worry we had a backup plan and we got straight to the second location.

Gary brought his drone which was super cool!! We worked through many sets, laughing and joking and chatting away!

Absolutely love shooting together highly recommend

Summers Abroad

Having only worked with Gary once before last year, I got on so well with him on that first shoot that I decided to invite him on our Summers Abroad trip to Croatia this year. I was chuffed that he decided to say yes and join us :D

Gary was great company, he has a wicked sense of humour and was a great addition to the group :)

On top of that the images he got were simply stunning! Can’t wait to see more final results from out there :D

He has already expressed interest in joining us next year and I’m really hoping he will as it was honestly a pleasure hosting him :)

Highly recommended by me!

Rachelle

Franki-Rae

Oh wow don't even know where to start with this reference.

Pre coms excellent,

Location amazing,

Gary... Extreamly professional, friendly, funny, and so easy to get on with and more.

I've absolutely loved or shoot today and from the BOC I can't wait to see the final images. So excited they looked amazing.

Top photographer I can't reccomend him enough.

Defintaly hope to work with Gary again in the not so distant future.

Thank you so much again

Franki x

Wendy Louise Howard

I had an Absolute ball shooting with Gary for a week in Portugal.

I love Gary. We really hit it off. He is a pure Diamond and so nice to around.

We met up in the Airport and he immediately put me at ease and made me feel relaxed. I knew instantly we were going to have a great time in Portugal :D

Ideas bounced back and fourth throughout the whole trip and we took advantage of every Location and Opportunity we had.

We created Epic Images that will forever be some of my favourites.

We made use of all the different locations to our advantage, giving us a wide selection of images.

We got stunning Beauty/Headshots in the Lake as well as Art Nude on the bridge and areas around there.

Amazing Beach shots using Rocks and Caves.

Fab Urbex ones in a Derelict Building using the overgrown areas inside and parts of the structures that had fallen down.

We created Stunning images during our duo shoot with the beautiful Keira Lavelle with Organza at the Dam, Windmill and Mountains.

More Fab Urbex ones at a Derelict Factory using lots of the different parts of the buildings to create storytelling shots and finally, a Fab day on a Jetty, Fields and afterwards taking advantage of some abandoned houses we found when we had a little look around the local area.

Unbeknown to me, on this day, Keira was planning a surprise Party for me... Gary played along well, acting like we were stranded haha!! He should be an Actor. I was glad to be stranded with Gary as we had a good laugh as we waited to be collected, even after we were hounded by a strange looking Man in a Van who asked us numerous times if we needed a lift haha.

In all locations, we took images that I'm really proud of and that give good memories whenever I look at them. Ones that I think will be on my port forever.

Gary is such a Nice, Creative Person to be around with a good eye for angles, making me feel good when I saw the back of the camera shots.

He made all the shoots Fun, Enjoyable, Relaxed and Productive.

Gary has such a good sense of Humour. He made me laugh the whole time and I can't wait to work with him again in September as I miss his Company.

If you get the chance to work with him, jump at it... Honestly one of the best and nicest Photographers I have ever worked with.

Highly recommended by me with 5 stars *****

Thanks Gary. Was a real pleasure to get the opportunity to work with you.

Renaissance xx

Keira Lavelle

Well, that was a boom-tastic trip wasn't it! :D

Gary was one of the 4 photographers that joined myself and Renaissance on our May 2018 creative photographic vacation to Portugal. He confirmed his attendance not actually that long after he and I had worked together in Crete late last year... Following the insane level of productivity we had, I knew myself that it was going to be a fantastic 7 days of shooting and was bouncing that he was able to make it. We've also shot together on individual "day" shoots covering everything from creative special effects makeup in a studio setting to freezing our eyeballs out in the Yorkshire landscape so when we had the chance to work together in a luxury environment spoiled with nice light, locations and two crazy models: jumping we were! :D

We met up with Gary at the airport on the day we flew out as he was getting the same flight as Renaissance and I. It was good for him to meet/chat to Renaissance because they had literally never worked together before so it's always a good ice breaker when you can make small-talk about your experience that day getting through security and what-not! :P When we met up with Carl Grim on the other side who was to share the first week with Gary there was great gelling vibes straight away, even the crazily strong mix of accents was good fun... Poor Carl had is work cut our with two Yorkshire folk in the building and then a Scouse Renaissance too (we Northerners talk really fast to each other so it seems!) so it was upbeat from the start. Gary is a really social person too so he will honestly make conversation and banter about all sorts which breaks everyone into the craziness to follow for the rest of the trip! :)

The first 3 days in Portugal were one to one swap-overs and duo so we could decide where/when we wanted to go location-wise on each of the days which was a nice opportunity to settle in and work with each other at a relaxed pace with the opportunity to go further afield. Gary and Carl worked really well adjacent to each other having their own shot time but then getting on like a house on fire when we got time to break in the siesta hours and over Dinner in the evenings. As the week progressed, we were joined by Mikki and Andrew (the Fantasy Dabblers) so we had the best of both worlds with a smaller group to start off with and then a more social environment where everyone could chat about photography related stuff, the weather or whatever. It worked so well because it was "too much" for us models and we could comfortable have a nice discussion involving everyone over the dinner table. It was a mixed group of photographers but Gary is the kind of person who effortlessly creates a moment of fun/laughter and could mingle with anyone, he's a really down-to-earth person and great giggles to have on-board a trip. Even though I was the butt of the jokes most of the time because of my inability to latch-on whilst concentrating on driving or something else! I was getting there towards the end mind! :D

He's such a kind and helpful person too, opting to hold onto the GPS for me and assist with navigation as I taxied us around to the locations... Offering to assist me in the Mission Impossible task to smuggle a cake into the villa for the little surprise party for Renaissances Birthday after a crazy goose-chase around the town midday to find one! There's not many people I can say helped me search Portugal for the last cake in the Algarve! Honestly, you couldn't write this stuff! But I owe a big thank you to Gary for making it a barrel of laughs along the way... The rest of the time was pretty calm and relaxed for him in comparison I imagine! :P It's all good fun!

Aside from the craziness (standard), he's a very talented photographer. From our first ever shoot it was evident that he puts a lot of artistic and creative effort into making a shot work and controls the light very well. On location you are met with more of a challenge because you cannot move or turn the power on the sun "up" or down" ...You must work with what is available to you at that moment and utilise "natures studio" as it were! :D Gary nails it, he's a quick thinker when it comes to adjusting things to get the light to work and smash the framing and comes up with super cool ideas to incorporate into the mix. He and I got some amazing shots together during our solo one to one time... I know he got some beautiful images of Renaissance too and even the duo shots were cracking. It was a thoroughly innovative 7 days having Gary on our trip and I have only merits to give as to how awesome he was to work with (again.) He will put his hand to arty, glam, fashion, crazy... and take on one challenge after another to make a pretty image from a shot opportunity. A very versatile and creatively minded photographer!

Thank you once again Gary! We loved having you on board. :)

Keira x

Keira Lavelle

ANOTHER EPIC SHOOT! :D

I have shot with Gary 1 to 1 several times now: no shoot has been the same and it's always a blast working with him creatively because he puts a lot of thought into thinking up creative concepts and how to get something really cool visually in an image. This time was no different and the brief "artistic nude, location, drone" are a description to get excited about any time of the day! :)

During the planning of the shoot Gary was open to suggestions and ideas as always, it's very different a shoot to your typical "art nude outside" shoot because you get the chance to think of what (would usually be) totally impossible end results that just couldn't be possible with angles etc. It's normally a case of working with what you have upon arrival at a location but Gary's drone gave us a whole new dimension, so when we "ummed and arred" about what was the best place to do it and the Limestone pavements in North Yorkshire came us as an option... You start to get a feel for how awesome the images are going to look before you even do the shoot. :) Gary was agreeable that the pavements looked like a cool place and between us we had a mission pinpointed exactly where to find them/park up as (like all these beautiful places in Yorkshire) they're not the most straight-forward to find! But teamwork prevailed and into hiking mode were we. Though not as strenuous a hike as I'd remembered, we seemed to navigate right up to them first time! :D

On the day, we had the most insanneeeeee wind! The light and sky was beautiful, if not perfect for photography... and we even had the occasional gush of sinshine too to give a different effect, (Gary managing the exposure like a pro as per), but the wind was going to be our biggest challenge with a flying camera! It was sooo borderline as to whether flight was do-able, but Gary had the controls off to a tee and totally made it happen... I have seen these contraptions when they loose control, and it's scary! But I felt totally at ease when we were shooting this time because Gary had done all the test flights and getting to grips perfectly with the controls that he flew the drone so effortlessly with totally perfect management of position/angles etc. I was able to pose away concentrating carefully on my balance on tippy toes in the wind and all the usual challenges modelling on location/finding good ground to make shapes and, and at no point was I worried about ducking and diving. :P Gary had the images transferring onto a tablet as we shot which was just the best thing ever because you could see the spectacular captures in their full glory as you worked. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

We were forced to shoot in short burst because of how mad the wind was, Gary worked to swiftly to get the shots so that I could get warm again and we also warmed up in the car periodically too. It's sods-law because a couple of weeks later we're hit with a heatwave, but that's the beauty of good old Yorkshire, it's lucky dip of four seasons no matter what time of the year and you just work effectively as a team to take on the conditions mother nature is throwing at you. It makes such a massive difference when a models well-being is looked after because it's so easy just to say soldier-on, especially when you get in the flow but the better productively certainly pays off when you take precautions. The proof was in the images, we achieved stunning variety from start to finish.

As usual, no shortage of laughs! :D It's going to be more of this for sure in less than a week when we fly out to Portugal for more epic creative fun on location on a photographic holiday! Stay tuned for the images going up!

Thank you Gary!

Keira x

MissTeela

This was my second shoot with Gary, communication prior to the shoot was perfect and he even swapped times of the shoot to help me out when we had a previous time which i really appreciated.

Such a great guy to work with and his images are brilliant, highly recommended by myself and would definitely work again in the future.

Thanks for a great shoot

Teleela x

Rose Magdalene Child

Yet again another wonderful shoot with Gary. This time we used my dad's old farmhouse in Yorkshire to shoot from. Mostly working with natural light but occasionally some studio lighting too, Gary nailed all the sets we did and even managed to come up with unique ideas that no-one else had thought of within the house.

Gary is always fun, respectful, relaxed and a pleasure to be around.

I really enjoyed our shoot and love the images we produced together,

Looking forward to the next one already

Tillie x

CindyLouise

Had my first ever home shoot with Gary and what a great shoot it was created fabulous images from all angles he was quite happy with my ideas and knew what he wanted too which was interesting communication was very easy going throughout shoot he turned up on time and prepared I would highly recommend this guy too anyone very pleasant outgoing person too work with thank you and hope too shoot again

shaz73

Had a fab first shoot. Pre comms were good. Arrived on time. Really easy going guy. Gave good direction to get desired pic. Had a great day and can’t wait for the next x

Kayla

I had my third shoot with Gary at my home. Good pre comms before, Gary arrived on time.

The shoot was productive shooting different looks around the house, but with time for chats and tea :). Gary is lovely to shoot with, laid back, very friendly, a pleasure to shoot with and a great photographer.

Looking forward to future shoots

Recommended

Kayla x