References for Heavenly Bodies Studio

rhinocer

This was my second shoot at The Den - and they welcomed me back ! I was pleased to shoot here again because of my previous positive experience and because of the favourable package on offer, which included an opportunity to work with DominikaW, the talented model-in-residence (see separate reference for DominikaW).

The Den is a compact studio offering a comprehensive range of lights/modifiers, different backdrops, a hoist, changing facilities: everything to suit my photographic requirements and those of most photographers. Dominika and I also took advantage of the private garden (part of the package: open area and shade) to take some outdoor shots in splendid weather.

Roger and Helen were always close at hand to provide advice and support, including props and even, in one instance, lending an item of clothing to enhance the objectives of the shoot. They achieved all this efficiently yet unobtrusively.

Aside from the technical support, there was the hospitality: covering seemingly limitless supplies of tea, coffee, water and biscuits to help fuel the shoot. I was even given a sandwich at lunchtime !

Everything about The Den ensured a successful, enjoyable and productive half day shoot.

So thank you Helen and Roger.

I highly recommend The Den studio.

uwfa

I chose the Den as we needed a studio not far from Bristol with a good blackout. I've worked with Helen before felt that this would be a good choice. I was pleased with the space. I augmented the black background with one I brought, making a corner, in order to get minimal reflected light.

It proved to be a great workspace and after many technical issues with my experimental technique were resolved, we got some excellent, rather weird stereo images. It was great that everything was peaceful and quiet around. Thank you Roger and Helen. I will have it as a first choice for this area and this sort of work. Highly recommended.

Mick Wells

I had a very enjoyable six-hour shoot with Helen, who is a lovely host, at her home studio The Den. The lights were already setup in an ideal configuration for our first set, which got us off to a flying start. I had my own lighting ideas for what I wanted to shoot and the studio had more than enough kit to do what I wanted. Everything worked perfectly and was easy to adjust and move around. It was great to be able to bring not much more than a camera and rely on everything else being there ready and waiting at the studio.

Urban Gecko

This is a fantastic studio. I used it a few weeks ago and loved it. I certainly will want to use this well equipped studio.

Roger and Helen are fantastic and bring a great deal of experience to both the studio technical setup and modelling. They are both very personable and genuine.

Definitely one of my favourite studios!

Techquila Photography

I had a shoot this afternoon at The Den with the lovely Dominika W. We shot both in the studio and in the garden which gave us a really nice range of styles and moods to work with. This is a really great little studio to work in with plenty of equipment and lots of help if you need it. Special shout out to Roger who managed to come up with the vital bit of wire I stupidly forgot to bring with!

Highly recommended.

Hrp53

I had my first shoot at The Den today with DominikaW. The studio was well set out and the lighting was set up for me on arrival. The communication was superb before the event and felt at home straight away.

Roger was available for any help and advice throughout.

I would highly recommend The Den for a first time shoot.

DominikaW

I had another studio day at the Den and another success. The studio have a great equipment and size. There is a changing area which makes me comfortable. Lots of bits and props useful for the photography.

Most of all Helen & Roger are very welcomed and friendly. They both wonderful hosts. Roger is very helpful with the light settings etc and Helen making sure everyone got plenty of drinks and treats.

Overall another fantastic experience. I'm honoured to be their regular model.

Can't wait next time!!!

Much Love Domi ❤️xx

TUckedAway

compact and bijou in the words of others but a great place to work , with support when wanted and left to own devices when not required, will use again

Kevin Connery

I had a fabulous remote session with Helen Diaz at The Den a couple of days ago.

Roger was on-hand to set/manipulate the lights and the scene, and had the initial setup blocked-out at the beginning based on the precomms, requiring only fine-tuning once Helen was on-set. Each time I wanted to change things, he was right there, effectively setting things up, with a good understanding of how to accomplish what was suggested. With his help, we were able to create a wide range of images in a short period of time.

Every modifier I asked about was available, and was set up quickly and efficiently.

Highly recommended.

Tony Browne

I greatly enjoyed a fun shoot at "The Den" with the wonderful model Helen Diaz. The Den is a great space with a wide selection of studio lighting. In particular I much appreciated the boom-mounted flash head which is needed for my preferred overhead light set-up.

The Den also has many opportunities for superb natural lighting which I was able to use with stunning results.

Overall this was a very enjoyable experience - many thanks Roger & Helen !

Highly recommended !

C-Imagery

Charming, quirky & brilliant are three words to not only describe this creative space but also it's very welcoming hosts Helen & Roger.

I was made to feel at home straight after arriving with a fresh cuppa!

A amazing little space with great potential to create some stunning imagery ablely assisted by Helen herself (yes turning the lights round was inspired genius!)

A fantastic space & I hope to work here again very soon!

Very, very highly recommended!

Jeff B

Had a truly amazing shoot with the wonderful Helen Diaz at the Den Studio.

A warm welcome from Helen and Roger greeted me on arrival who were excellent hosts and nothing was too much trouble. Roger provided a very useful introduction and tour of the studio with its various lights and backdrops and suggested how they can be used. After an initial chat and discussion with regards to the type of shots I was after, Roger set up the lighting for me and made sure everything was good to go.

It is a great, very well equipped space in which I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with Helen. Thoroughly recommended and I will certainly be looking to use it again.

D M Wilmot

The Den reminded me of the early days of my involvement in 'Photo Glam'photography.

Doing one to one's with a photo model in a basic area, various lighting,background.

It being such helped with interaction: model, photog.

rhinocer

My first session at The Den: a photographic studio created by Roger More and Helen Diaz which is adjacent to their Wiltshire home. I found the the studio to be compact, well designed and suitably equipped and versatile to meet my requirements for digital and film camera work. Staffing arrangements were in place to provide technical support and advice, supported by a friendly, can-do attitude.

The option to switch easily between two different background sets on opposite walls is a useful capability and I note (for the future) the provision of a hoist for aerial work.

The Den offers a friendly and relaxing environment with the option of user selected background music for those who need it. Last but not least are: a fridge stuffed with (non-alcoholic) liquid refreshment, a basket filled with different sorts of biscuits (individually wrapped for hygiene and freshness), plus the ready availability of tea and coffee at all times.

I would certainly be pleased to hire The Den for a future photoshoot.

Joe B said...

Very well equipped studio space superbly hosted by Helen and Roger!

I’ve shot with Helen I think three times now and every time is getting better. She’s a great hostess, imagery and usual photography conversations abound and time flew! Roger is an amazing astrophotographer and was more than kind to show me the set up that he uses and some of the images from a recent exhibition- that just blew my mind!

Thoroughly thoroughly recommended!

Fibonacci

The Den is a lovely little studio, a really well though out space with plenty of lights and backdrops available.

It has an added advantage of having Helen Diaz as owner and resident model!

Absolutely ideal for portrait work and it's got a well stocked biscuit tin - everything the discerning photographer could ask for.

The Photo Taker

The Den is a great place to shoot! It’s also adjoining the home of the owner and amazing model Helen Diaz.

Although compact, it has just about all the facilities you might need and has been designed to make full use of the available space. There is also a great garden to shoot in weather permitting.

I can certainly recommend the Den and if you’re new to studio work or model work, Helen can help as a model and Roger can assist with lighting and all manner of set-ups.

bathbluenose photography

I have shot a couple of times at The Den with Helen. Its a really good studio well designed with plenty of lights and props to get creative and a great smoke machine.

I really enjoy working Helen, as we always have a good laugh and she is fun to work with.

I would recommend the studio to anyone, as its well designed for its purpose and fairly easy to get to.

Hope to see Helen again soon.

jmfriedman

I shot with Helen Diaz and couldn't have done it without Roger from The Den. He made it all possible and I was so impressed with his knowledge and ability during our shoot. I hope to shoot with Helen and Roger again--it was a terrific time and I could have talked to them for the whole two hours without taking a picture. If you want a photographer who is a cut above then contact Roger. You will be thoroughly satisfied.

JmBunny

Had my first session with the wonderful Helen at The Den. It's a great studio in which all the lighting and support equipment and the help of Roger create an outstanding environment for creativity, where magic can and will happen. Many thanks Helen and Roger :) Highly recommended.