References for Mike Rhys

UK Model

I was booked to do a full days shooting with Mike

I found Mike creative inattentive and able to take a idea and a shot to the next level

I fully enjoyed working with Mike

I found him sweet caring and very good photographer

He was always making sure I was at ease the whole shoot

Xx

Theblondeone

I shot with Mike yesterday for the day creating lovely soft, erotic and artistic nude images.

He has a fantastic idea of lighting and every shot we took felt like it was telling a story. It was a very creative day and the results will no doubt be amazing.

Very easy to shoot with too. Thanks Mike

Towerbridgepenthouse

Mike is a wonderful guy who came to tbph for the first time yesterday. He was wonderful and chipper despite starting his journey at 3am!!!!! Anyway, the model and he (Jenny rose) seemed to have great chemistry. Can't wait to see results. Please tag me! House was left in a lovely state x

Keira Lavelle

This will be now the 3rd time that I have travelled to Hamburg to shoot with the ever fantastic Mike utilising his superb studio space in the city centre and also his home which is great for various different looks ranging from the epic fitness style shots we did this time to the more edgy and themed styles we have shot before! :D His studio is so well equipped for different sets - I had another studio day there whilst I was over as well as a private day-long booking and everything is where we need it with lights and backdrops, Mike knows his place inside out and can create a terrific setup in no time at all... I was so excited this time to see a brand new set which he had cleverly conjured up - needless to say we absolutely nailed it with masses of stunning images. This time around was a natural light fest as every set we did was utilising the stunning window light coming in from the huge studio windows... we also got the chance to shoot some more video work which is always fun! :D Mike will always carefully compose his shots to add maximum impact and beauty, I've said from the start that he is one of the most artistically aware photographers I know and the effort he goes to in order to get it right in camera is consistently fantabulous time and time again! He knows his stuff!

Once again, I stayed with Mike and Claudia during my time in Germany and got the same delightful hospitality I have always had. A lovely comfortable room and space to do my workout... amazing cooking from Claudia and the usual gold-dust evening shenanigans. It's such good fun coming to stay and it always goes incredibly fast - I barely felt like I had set foot off the plane and I was getting back on again! :D So there's always future visits to wholeheartedly look forward to - meanwhile I simply cannot recommend mike enough. He's such a lovely gent and a truly amazing photographer: no style is too big a challenge and he will work with amazing technical focus to get the best out of each model he shoots with total respect for them every second of a shoot. The same rules apply in that we broke the Guinness World Record for the amount of chattering completed during work hours - world champion multitaskers you see because the image yield was still massive. The shoots are always a good laugh, have prolific bounce and team value... Either Mike or myself will think up and idea and then as a pair the creativity turns it into a stupendous photograph.

Arranging shoots with Mike is always a breath of fresh air too, he has always been patient knowing that I may be travelling/cannot reply to emails straight away but when we book a shoot and get everything organised it is never stressful or email-tennis trying to get things in place... we get it all booked in and look forward to the date, Mike will always give me a detailed brief beforehand to allow me to prep and it's just a nice trip to look forward to with all the tools in place to make brill-tastic results. I have so much respect for Mike and his wife and see them as friends now as well - they go out of their way to make models feel at home and the shoots during my visits top the epic chart every time without fail! :)

Always very highly recommended! Thank you Mike!

Keira x

denisastrakovaofficial

Mike is serious, talented and reliable photographer. It was nice experience to shoot with him :-) I will be happy if we will work together again :) I recommend you!

Regards. Denisa | www.denisastrakova.com

Keira Lavelle

Well I have recently returned from a full week in Hamburg shooting with Mike... in the studio, out on location and at his place! Yet there are still ideas we could think of to shoot as I was getting myself set to return to the UK! I feel we nailed some really amazing images on every day spent shooting but the awesome team rapport that I have with Mike could still generate more and more; bouncing off each other with ideas is the story of the trip and Mike is so creatively inspired by what different models can deliver that he is so easy going when it comes to listening and sharing ideas. That's just one of the things that makes him such a joy to work with. :)

Day 1 & 2: Mike had selected a truly stunning beach where we dabbled with a whole range of looks shooting as we went along and as something inspired us. Sunset and sunrise - NAILED! It was just the first day and I was leaping around with excitement at the stupendous results caught in the lowering sunshine at the seaside... Mike's photographic eye was savoir of the evening, he utilised every possible means of getting a striking image with the natural light and balancing flash to absolutely conquer the opportunity. Then the following day we shot some amazing variety as we made our way back to Hamburg... SENSATIONAL. Having had all our previous shoots take place indoors it was so lovely to get out and seize this opportunity.

We then had the studio days at Fotoworkshop Studios; Mike was brilliant host as always... multitasking like it was going out of fashion because not only was he helping set up different sets for the photographers and being on hand to change the lights but he was the onsite translator at times and probably just as exhausted as me by the end of the day! All the guys that came to shoot me were lovely, Mike has a really great circle of photographers that book his place and models are treat with utmost respect and courtesy from the outset. Top professionalism in the way the days are run, a gorgeous studio with tremendous natural light and different sets - Mike and I made prolific use of said sets in numerous ways being as creative as our brains could cope! But worth every minute!

I stayed with Mike and his lovely wife Claudia for the whole week and it is like staying with friends now. The nicest couple you could hope to meet, so much fun and they bend over backwards to ensure that their guests are as comfortable as could be. We appeared to be having a heat wave whilst I was over and they were always up and down the house airing my room when possible to ensure I didn't roast in the night; barbeques were held and delish food served on the daily. :) I think the 3 of us could probably get a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for the most talking done in a day because we were chattering about all sorts non-stop putting the world to rights, but this is just a reflection of the divine hospitality models receive when they come and stay. The week sure flew by and we are already in the process of looking at arranging another visit in the autumn.

Models will feel totally at ease working with this gent, he has a true artistic eye no matter what material he is shooting and I am very much at ease going for it with my poses because Mike is forever working with me to get creative angles which sculpt the photograph into something with a real WOW factor. He's a cracking photographer, a terrific host plus so delightful to enjoy a laugh with. I have very high regards for both him and Claudia, I cannot stress how great the team value is when working with Mike and still look forward to the various stunning images making their way up as Mike processes them.

Thanks for everything Mike!

Keira x

Roarie

I had a wonderful shoot with mike. The studio was lovely and he was more than accommodating. Very kind, offered snacks and drinks. Made sure that I had enough breaks and listened to my ideas. I would work with Mike again!

Zara Watson

Had the absolute pleasure of doing a studio day at Mike's studio in Hamburg and also shooting with Mike.

The 2 days were fantastic! Mike has a brilliant studio, very well equipped, warm, cosey, he really looks after you, and all the attending photographers were super lovely also. Mike is great to work with on a 1-1 basis also, he is good at giving themes and ideas, and also getting really creative and free-styling :D It was such alot of fun and I loved the images we took! As well as that Mike is trustworthy, genuine, friendly, respectful, kind, professional, everything you could ask for in a photographer. I stayed with Mike and his wife in Hamburg, they are both truly lovely people, made me feel very welcome and I felt completely relaxed.

Also Mike's communication before our shoot was super professional and really helpful, ensuring I had a smooth journey over there was able to feel organised and relaxed also. Great communication, which is really helpful and appreciated.

I would very highly recommend Mike :D

And cant thank you enough for a superb weekend and for having me and making me feel so at home.

Zara X

Amy Rose

I had my very first shoot with Mike at Keira Levelle's home last week.

I was booked via Keira so having not spoken to Mike before the shoot I was little apprehensive but I should not have worried as Mike came across very professional. He made it very clear what he wanted to achieve from the shoot.

As never worked with Mike before he kindly showed me his portfolio so I could see his style and emulate this on our shoot.

During the shoot he had his camera tethered to his laptop so both Keira and Me could see the work being produced. This was a fabulous idea as it was good to see what was working and what wasn't.

To say it was a 4hr booking the time just flew by! It was a great creative, artistic shoot.

I hope to work with Mike again in the not so distant future.

Belle Noire aka Black Beauty

Really really REALLY enjoyed working with you, I had such an amazing time! We worked on many ideas and sets and you took time to make sure your lighting and angles were perfect and that makes it so much more worthwhile. Our conversation flowed easy and I am so excited for a sneaky peek of the images we created. Highly recommended to all!xX

Keira Lavelle

We nailed it! Well and Truly :D my second shoot with Mike in the UK during his most recent visit and it was, beyond comprehension, fantastiqueee!

We uncovered the scientific theory that when you're having a blast and doing things so productively - time speeds up by two-fold. It's called the Rhys-Lavelle Law. :) We did another days worth split up half with one on one creative allsorts and then our first duo girl shoot with the lovely Amy Rose; it rocked big time and I'm reliving the excitement seeing Mike publish the images. His methods of sculpting a story with an image are truly awesome he knows his stuff and models from every corner of the globe clearly stretch themselves to the max in the rapports they form with this fab photographer. I can certainly vouch for that!

Now we're getting into arranging further wonderful shooting for a second time in Hamburg, there is talk of beaches and consecutive days in the studio... roll on summertime! :D Mike is someone I will never cease to enjoy working with, BIGGGG recommendations!

Keira x

LMT

Mike booked me for a full days work yesterday. We covered every genre possible in the studio and it was a really good productive day. He was down to earth and professional and the time flew by. I will definitely work with him again when he is back in the UK. Thanks again Mike ;-)

Rosa Brighid

I had a great 4 hours shoot with Mike recently at Hallam Mill. Mike works fantastically with natural light and is always professional and fun to work with. He has plenty of ideas, and great attention to detail. He let me be free with what I wanted to wear, and for 4 hours, we got a good variety and used the location well. Thanks for a fun few hours, also great communication before the shoot so I knew exactly what the plan was. Recommended, thanks :)

brunutty

I worked with Mike for a days shoot at my home. Mike's pre-shoot comms were great and he arrived on time. He was professional and friendly throughout the shoot. He had some great ideas and I think we created some good images :) I recommend him to other models!

Franka

I had a brilliant second photo shoot with Mike and I cannot recommend him highly enough to anybody thinking of working with him.

He is completely professional, well organized, reliable, respectful, with great communication and clear creative ideas, and not the least a brilliant photographer.

He's very professional and an absolute gentlemen, who really knows how to make you feel at ease and make the shoot thoroughly enjoyable.

The time went by far too quickly and I hope to work with him again in the future! Thank you Mike for the great and productive second shoot.

Best wishes, Franka x

Romi Muse

I had a great experience with Mike.

I spent 2 nights in his house with his lovely wife. We shoot for around 4 hours in his amazing studio. We did a lot of things with awesome results.

He is a truly professional, kind and committed with this art. Highly recommended. I hope work with him again! Thanks Mike!

Angel.

I stayed with Mike and his lovely wife Claudia over the weekend in Hamburg.

Their hospitality was wonderful, taking me out for dinner and cooking some delicious food :) I even got a tour of Hamburg which was lovely- it was great to be able to see the city!

I felt at home during the entire experience as they were both very welcoming throughout the few days, making sure I was comfortable at all times.

Mike has a beautiful studio with available light and lots of room to work in. There are a lot of props,clothes and make up to use as well which is really useful.

I felt at ease the whole studio day with lots of breaks and felt comfortable and relaxed. I enjoyed working with the photographers that attended and I think there are some excellent results to come.

My shoot with Mike was really great too, we did a mixture of outdoor and indoor shooting. Mike is so easy to work with, he comes prepared with a moodboard and ideas of what he wants to shoot. The day was really relaxing as well.

Mike syncs up the images to his macbook so we can see every detail of each shot, perfecting them as we go. I enjoy working this way because it gives me a chance to see how we are doing and what we can improve upon.

He is really chatty and friendly as well which made the day fly by! :)

The results of the images were exceptional, it is clear mike has an affinity for photography and it is demonstrated through the quality of the outcome.

It was definitely a memorable weekend and I can't wait to visit again sometime.

Thanks for a awesome experience!

Angel

Ayla

I stayed with Mike at his home for a two day workshop shoot in Germany!

Mikes pre communications were absolute perfection, everything was made clear and he is very organised which is ideal when you are travelling to a country you have never been before.

On arrival Mike was chatty, friendly, professional and kind hearted. I was made to feel so comfortable at his house with his lovely wife, making sure I was fed/happy and didn't need anything.

Mike has organised the studio day perfectly with enough mini breaks and lunch stop, when I shot with Mike 1-2-1 I thought we worked together brilliantly as he has a fantastic way of letting you pose, and then suggesting things to perfect the shot! My creativity was running wild and I think we got some fantastic images together.

Great photographer and just a fantastic person to work with.

Thanks so much.

Highly highly recommended and I really hope we get to shoot again at some point.

Ayla

Keira Lavelle

After working with Mike for the first time in September of last year, I had absolutely no doubts at all that a weekend shooting with him at his studio in Hamburg would be a visit packed with total creativity and enjoyment.

Mike and his wife so kindly hosted me in December for the trip, of which was a mix of a studio day and one to one shooting some beautiful ideas with Mike at his home at superb studio space. The stay was no different to visiting good friends - I cannot stress enough how at home I felt and the outstanding hospitality that I was subject to over the weekend.

We began shooting the day I arrived and the spontaneity was tremendous, the ideas came to light as we went along with not a single opportunity missed to capture a striking shot. As always, Mike worked with the most respectful etiquette; any model, regardless of work levels, will feel 100% comfortable working with him because of the length he goes to in prioritising the contentment of the people that he works with. Lighting a shot to artistic perfection is signature to his style - he makes all manner of styles beautiful with his fabulous techniques. :)

A photographer I would recommend any day of the week.

Thank you once again Mike for such a terrific shoot - roll on round 3 for September 2015!

Angel.

Had a lovely session with Mike in Brighton, we got some amazing photos.

The shoot was relaxed and I enjoyed myself!

He was polite and professional throughout, would recommend him to any model!

Hope to work with him again.

Angel