References for MAB Photography Pembrokeshire

Eirwen L'amour Creed

Had a brilliant first shoot with Mike lovely man and organisation skills are excellent, he planned the shoot very well and made it very clear what images he wanted to create.He involved me very much in the process, and happy to show me the photos as we went along.I found the shoot very enjoyable and really liked the themes he had choosen for me to portray.He is very proffessional and respectful and easy to talk to i would highly reccomend Mike.

Rawpics Studio

Mike came to the studio recently and I have to admit, I was blown away by his pre shoot preparation.

His pre shoot comms were excellent between the studio and the model. Mike had driven a considerable long distance to shoot LeeJayyy at the studio, but arrived the night before, ensuring he would be here on time in the morning.

Mike worked excellently with the model and had printed out a huge mood board selection of what he wanted to achieve that day. His manner and his direction, with the model was perfect in every way, A true Gentleman.

Mike has an amazing creative mind and together we produced some amazing work.

I can highly reccomend Mike 100%

Leejayyy

I feel very lucky to have worked with Mike during my studio day at RAWPICS Studio. Especially given the distance he came for it!

Pre comms were second to none. In-depth messages with all of the information I could need. I felt very prepared for the shoot and knew exactly what to bring.

On the day Mike arrived with boxes of props and beautiful accessories, as well as a printed off plan for the shoot. Definitely the most prepared photographer I have worked with. And it paid off! We got through many sets and from what I could see on BOC we were getting some beautiful shots.

The atmosphere was fun and creative and I felt comfortable throughout the shoot. Mike was a pleasure indeed!

I would highly recommend him to any model and would definitely work together again.

Thank you!

Leejay

Florence Day

What an enjoyable afternoon!!! I had a shoot with Mike today and it was such a fun experience.

The shoot plan was very thorough so I knew exactly what to expect and bring. The communication was brilliant and I am so thankful for the level of detail in the planning!

When I arrived to the shoot, Mike had printed out photos of the location and had a schedule of where we were going to shoot! He was very prepared and even brought authentic props! Absolutely fantastic!!!

Mike is so lovely and we had such a laugh on the shoot. I felt so comfortable and happy! It really was an enjoyable shoot.

I would absolutely love to work with Mike again! Highly recommended!!!

DominikaW

I've worked with Mike at my studio day at The Den. Mike made a long journey and came very well prepared for ouer slot. He bring some cool props with him which was great. Mike is full of ideas and pay attention to every detail. He knows exactly what he wants to achieve with a photo.

I truely enjoyed working with Mike. He is very friendly, relaxed and fun to work with. We have produced some beautiful pictures. I would Definetly work again with Mike.

Professional photographer, great company. Highly Recommended indeed.!!

Thank you Mike 🙏

skycladpixie

Wow, I've just had the most wonderful day shooting with Mike!! We'd been chatting about arranging a shoot for a little while & then I was chuffed to bits when Mike wanted to come & shoot at the magical trees I'd mentioned in my recent casting. I was so excited because I had a feeling he would totally love them & he did! In fact it felt a bit like taking a kid into a sweet shop.

Pre-shoot comms were probably the best I've encountered. Mike let me know what props he had that he could bring with him (warning - he has a LOT!). I had a really good feeling from our very first message & knew we would have a fantastic & enjoyable shoot.

I'm not even sure I can do the experience of working with Mike justice, & 'working with' is the right description, as Mike is always welcoming & wanting feedback, suggestions & ideas - even if they're daft! It was lovely & felt like we were both on the same wavelength. My favourite way to work.

We had plenty of ideas to start with & then they inevitably morphed into something completely different & often wonderful. I also love that Mike is particular about getting a shot right & once I was in the pose he was able to fine tune it with spot on direction which makes such a huge difference. We kept at it until we were both pleased with the image.

To say the day was non stop fun sounds a bit cheesy but it really was. I absolutely cannot wait to do it again!

So yes, I think you'll gather that I highly recommend Mike. I found him to be extremely creative, very respectful, friendly & interesting & a delightful person to spend a day creating with.

Mike, thank you so much for a super day & I'm so glad you enjoyed these beautiful majestic trees as much as I do.

M e l a n y

Thank you so much Mike for an amazing shoot with myself and Retro Rob at our studio day at Far Forest!

We had a very productive three hour shoot covering both indoor and outdoor sets, and art nude to vintage!

Mike is great to work with - professional and friendly and I look forward to working with him again in the future :)

Retro Rob

Thank you so much for another brilliant shoot.

Another amazing shoot this time at the incredible Far Forest Studios on another Retro Rob and Melany Tour.

What a fantastic collaborative shoot I had today with Mike

Having worked with Mike before I knew that it would be guaranteed some awesome images and looking at the back of the camera it sure did not disappoint.

Mike has a great eye for detail ensuring that attention to detail is key seeing things that could easily be missed in a shot this meant each shot mean we all looked our very best .

Thank you so much Mike for making the tour another success look forward to working with you again soon and seeing those awesome images .

Rob

Olivia75

Second shoot with Mike yesterday and as great and creative as the first one. I love shooting with Mike because his approach is very different and, as the result, very unusual images. I love his ideas and that he always listens to me and tries to recreate mine, however crazy they can be :)

Highly recommend to all model, him and his coffee!

Keziah

I had yet another fantastic shoot with Mike.

Pre comms are great and he is very organised! His shoot plan and shoot folder is an enviable level of organisation one could aspire to. He captured my dance jumps perfectly and we created some great images together.

He is a true gent and completely welcoming providing snacks and a bottle of water for our shoot.

Always recommended and would love to shoot for a third time!

Leaf

Shoot number SIX!! We worked through some of the ideas that we had started on shoot #5, and a whole load of new ones - each one was experimental and left us both buzzing and feeling like we had really learnt something! Mike's mind is amazing - such a creative person - every idea he comes up with is refreshing, inventive, humorous, and fun! I really enjoyed myself! The 'problem' is, is that for every idea we try, we end up with more ideas, and it just keeps on going!... I'm pleased to say that we've already got more shoots booked - or at least roughly planned, to accommodate this...! We both work so well together - there's a lot to be said for working closely with people and after 6 shoots I feel that we are seeing the benefits.

One of the images we worked on was based on 'The Milkmaid' - a painting by Johannes Vermeer. The effort that Mike puts into doing this - the planning, the sourcing of props, all the lighting set up tests... This is weeks and weeks of work. It is an honour to be part of this. There are not many people I work with who put this amount of effort into one image. I think it's wonderful!... It was tricky to nail it - every detail is important... But what a fantastic feeling when we do get it! I know just how much Mike puts into this, and I can share his joy in helping him to see the idea through to completion. It's great! :)

As I have said in my last reference, Mike is a wonderful host. He made me feel most welcome into his home, fed and watered me, and ensured that I was happy and comfortable throughout the day. His home is lovely - clean, tidy, and ensures privacy for models. Everything I have said in my previous references still stands - I can't recommend Mike enough - I had a wonderful day and looking forward to shoot number 7 now!

Thank you Mike!

Ivory Flame

I had the pleasure to shoot with Mike at my model day at Open Space studio! He was highly organised, sending me a thorough explanation of his plans and clothing requests in advance, driving down the night before since he was travelling far, and brought along a whole folder of inspiration images and notes! He is dedicated and passionate about his photography, and was professional, enthusiastic and courteous throughout. We worked swiftly through his ideas and made many gorgeous images in the 2 hours. I hope we may get chance to work again in the future. Many thanks Mike :-)

Keziah

I’m on the bus trying to write this and a random Jack Russell just sat on me - a good omen perhaps?

I had a great first shoot with Mike at his home studio on my visit to Wales.

He’s very organised and we got to work right away. He’s very knowledgeable with lighting and got great results with his lighting experiments.

Thank you very very much for a fantastic shoot and hopefully will see you in 2020!

Olivia75

Had a wonderful shoot with Mike last Thursday. He is very friendly and caring gentleman as well as the best organised photographer I`ve ever met( he even when through my references and noticed that I like chocolate!). When I arrived, he had a folder ready with his ideas Although we couldn`t recreate all of them due to time shortage, we still had a great time and hope we will have a chance to shoot again. Highly recommend to all models.

Ashleigh Taylor

Had my second shoot with Mike and it was a rather experimental one!

Again with a shoot plan and structure of how the day was going to be planned out, we covered almost everything what we planned!

Mike's very creative and will go the extra mile on capturing the image he had in mind. We explored with the projected - which unfortunately didn't go to plan, but covered basic lingerie/ boudior and explored with fabrics!

Again, a lovely relaxed shoot with Mike as standard and I'm certainly impressed with the outcome of the images! I would happily continue working with Mike. Highly recommended, especially for new starters as a shoot day with Mike is super rewarding

Model_saffron.evans (LadyXplain)

I had the pleasure of working with Mike for the second time recently and where do I begin.

His pre communications are always so in depth that is really allows you to have a very precise vision for how things will turn out on the day.

Our initial ideas were for some boho hippy festival fashion type sets.

He is so wonderfully creative and also allows you to have your own creative freedom witch is always a bonus.

We also did some experimental stuff with fabrics and projector patterns that worked beautifully.

Shoot 3 already in discussion.

I can't reccommend Mike enough he's a true gentleman worn such a passion for how work.

A true joy to work with.

Should you have the opportunity to work with Mike I'd grab onto it.

You won't be disappointed.

Thanks again for a wonderful second shoot Mike.

Leaf

Fifth shoot with Mr MAB! :) This time, at Studio MAB!

I was absolutely buzzing after this shoot. A whirlwind of ideas from start to finish. Once again, we ended up with more ideas and not enough time. But that's always the sign of a good shoot...

I had clear instructions on how to get to Mike's house, and of what to expect. We had already discussed plans and our ideas... Mike's organisational skills are top notch! Upon arrival, I was made to feel most welcome. His home is warm, comfortable, and well set out with a mini home studio and all the comforts and amenities that a model could want or need. I was fed and watered most adequately - Mike has a great taste in teas which I was impressed with! I felt most at home there. He's a wonderful host.

It's just so fun to work with someone so eager to try out everything. Working with Mike is like a breath of fresh air, it really is. We worked with clay - something I have been wanting to do again for ages, as I know how fun that is - and also shadow work, using his projector. That is something I'd not done before - so I was chuffed to bits there. I always learn something from experimental shoots like this. As a model, it's nice to take away ideas and feel like I've learnt something from a shoot.

We also did various other scenarios which mostly all stem from Mike's humour and play on words, which is right up my street. I really enjoyed every second. I'm not really a 'studio model' - however, working with Mike, it's very different - not like any other studio shoot I've done - and I cannot wait for the next one!

As stated in my other four references, Mike is a real gentleman, and I can wholeheartedly recommend him to any model. Roll on shoot number six! :)

Many thanks Mike!

Ashleigh Taylor

I had the pleasure of working Mike yesterday and he has honestly been a delight throughout!

After responding to my casting call, me and Mike had arranged a 3 hour shoot at his studio in his home. Mike and sent me a full plan of the shoot, images he was after, ideas, basis he would like to cover and I amazed with how well structured the day was planned ready - honestly so refreshing.

I had a warm welcome upon arrival, we went over the planned day with printed copies of desired images and some of my portfolio work of what he would like to capture.

Mike is a credit to photographers, he made sure at all times that the photos had come out perfectly to his eye, making sure the lighting was correct eg. In every photo.

He is an absolute gentlemen, Mike made me aware that he kept his distance in regards to the 'no touching models' policy, making sure people were aware of where I am, safety etc. Mike took time and dedication with the set, lighting and images, making sure he captured what he wanted.

I absolutely enjoyed working with Mike, his creative side came out and were were in our elements! We created images which Mike had experimented and I just loved the whole concept. All in all, the images came out superbly!

After time went by we were aware that time just flew way to quick and we hadn't even covered most of what we wanted to do. So we have planned to shoot again with combining our creative sides!

Mike is a gentleman at heart and a very professional photographer, I would highly recommend shooting with Mike and I'm really looking forward to our next shoot!

Model_saffron.evans (LadyXplain)

Had a wonderful shoot with Mike yesterday after he applied for one of my castings. He welcomed me into his home and made me feel very at ease. He was happy to go with a few of my random ideas that came to mind when he showed me some beautiful fabrics he had it really created something beautiful on the shoot. Ha has a great set up with multiple props to use if needed. He was very polite and was very enthusiastic in his work and showed me how the shore were looking at the back of the camera throughout the shoot. Ideas flowed easily between us and he had some wonderful creative ideas of his own. Already planning our next shoot. Highly recommend working with Mike, a true professional I look forward to working with him again.

Leaf

My fourth shoot with Mike - and possibly our most creative so far - it totally ticked all the boxes for me!

Once again, Mike had clear ideas of what he wanted to do, and we discussed these beforehand through emails and phone calls, and then also on the day before we started too. The level of detail was fantastic - I understood what he wanted to achieve - all I had to do was to come up with suitable locations that were right for the task in hand.

Shoots with Mike are unique and totally different to any other shoots that I've done over the past three and a half years. There are not many photographers who have such creative concepts, and embrace such strange and crazy ideas - and there are no other photographers who bring more props than me to a shoot either - but Mike wins hands down where props are concerned, and that is saying something!! (I'm famous for random props - but I think Mike should get the top prize for this!).

So anyway, laden with a car full of random props, we headed off down some back roads to "just round the next corner" where there was a lovely grubby and rotten derelict cottage. However, after a short while we had to hot-foot it out of there due to the presence of a farmer. Fortunately, I knew of another location we could use, so we onwards we went. It was getting on in the day by this point, and Mike was a little concerned, having invested so much time, money, passion and mental energy into this shoot, with specific ideas. By the time we got to the next place, we didn't have a huge amount of good light left - it being rather overcast to say the least. However, my grotty-walled derelict location saved the day - as soon as we began shooting there, magic just happened. We both got really excited over the images we produced there! We worked through as many of the ideas as we could, working collaboratively together - and everything just seemed to flow! Having worked together three times before, I think we were at the point where we understand each other a lot more now, and it certainly makes for a more successful shoot! Mike was able to give good clear direction when needed, and we were able to make the most of the time we had. It was an extremely productive few hours!

It was really refreshing to make such creative imagery, rich with deep symbolism. It means a lot to me to create work like that, and also that Mike trusted me to help him bring his ideas to fruition. I also very much appreciate Mike investing in me to do this. Not only that, but it was an extremely enjoyable experience too! Totally right up my street! :) I would stick my neck out and go as far as to say the images we created are our best work so far....? They are certainly the most rewarding to me, on a personal level.

Mike is totally respectful at all times - the absolute gentleman. He's 100% trustworthy and treats models in exactly the way that they should be. The safety of the model is always his concern, as well as the well-being and comfort. At no point did I have any concerns with Mike, and I urge all models to contact me if they have any doubts before committing to a shoot with Mike.

Many thanks! :)