References for Paul Mariess

Keira Lavelle

Do I recommend Paul? One yes big gigantic “hell yes!!!” :D

I can’t believe we’ve shot together 3 times... It just seems like yesterday that I planned my very first visit to the gorgeously picturesque place out in the Channel Islands that is Guernsey! We’ve seriously managed to produce something spectacular each time we’ve worked together: but it’s really not surprising to be honest: Paul knows his stuff with a huge degree of professional genuisness... And his drive to take the opportunity and stretch it as far as a photographer can is simply so credible, words cannot do any kind of reasonable justice in all honesty! Thus it really is a joy to work with this creatively inspired legend, and it goes WITHOUT SAYING that any chance to do it again in the future will be welcomed with a buzz! :)

So this time, we pushed the boat out yet again and achieved several dozen stunning results of a very contrasting feel to what we’ve done previously. :D There are no limits to achieving killer stuff when you’re working with Paul. He specifically worked tirelessly to get exclusive access to a phenomenal location locally which added no end of character to the look of the photos... On a roll we were: from hints of 50’s fashion, to glamorous elegance and even story-telling/raw artistic material. Each time we did a set it was high-fives all the way as we made fruitful use of this very unique venue in all it’s glory. We were blessed with soft natural light coming in through various openings; but Paul is unquestionably a total rockstar when he does his balancing tricks introducing controlled lighting as well and getting that mix just spot on! Clever clogs!! X-D You would look at the images after and wonder what witchcraft has gone on for sure to get such a perfect effect! I mean; with the location that we had - all it’s nooks/crannies and everything, Paul’s great visional influence of what he was aiming to smash plus the awesome teamwork flow that is very standard when working with this chap: we could have spent a whole day here and still had things we could have done! And all the way through the shoot: despite me coming to visit in winter (yet again!) Paul insisted I kept warm between sets and got himself set up first. It goes a long way when you receive this kind of thought and respect with who you’re working with - that’s why I was in the sea the January before when we shot haha! Good/positive vibes go very far, and yes: the quality two-way rapport was as epic as it’s always been - I think any model will find this dude one of the easiest fellow creative professionals to click with and work at maximum positivity during a shoot/workshop!!! :D We’ve also discussed previously setting up such workshops/events in fact when I’ve been over - for an attending photographer wanting to learn things about lighting/shooting people either in a studio or on location, this would be literally so valuable a session to take up! Paul is a total tech wizard haha, and super sociable/a real people-person too with his corporate photography background and other experience in the field.

But not only does a shoot with Paul promise masses of productivity too - he’s such a nice guy and someone you can have a laugh with as you work! :D He’s really chatty and friendly in character, so it doesn’t matter if the person he’s working with (model or photographer) is experienced or a complete beginner in the field - he’s so lovely and this would make anyone feel at ease from the word go. His communications are just as spot-I’m and he covers every element of a shoot in precise detail: keeping me in-the-loop with his organising of the location and outfits/everything. Brilliant. :) On tip of that, Paul went above and beyond with kindness and offered me accommodation at his home during my stay on the island overnight: I received better star rating hospitality than the highest grade of guest house I could’ve got! :D Paul and his wife Yasmin are such amazing people and so welcoming; I was very well looked after with private space, delicious food, feeling comfortable and safe with actual people to chat to as well as it can be a bit sterile and lonely when you’re travelling. The last time I came over I managed to book myself accommodation in the middle of nowhere (if you can have that on Guernsey haha!) After our actual shoot he even took me to grab some amazing hot food at a local place before dropping me at the airport safely for my flight back... The generosity of this man just bursts out the roof quite literally... Its like a long list of reasons why he’s awesome! :D

And so, without further jabber... I recommend Paul SOOOOOO highly! (Naturally!)

Fantastic photographer and person!

Thank you so much Paul!

Keira

Alice13

I had a great shoot with Paul at his home studio. Pre comms were good and Paul was a true gent. Very welcoming and lovely to work with. We were very lucky to squeeze in a shoot. Thanks so much Paul. 100% recommended.

Keira Lavelle

After we’d had a very enjoyable first shoot this time last year, I was totally overjoyed to have our diaries match during my latest visit to Guernsey! :) This time we had a little longer to work with, more FABULOUS locations and even Paul’s lovely studio to achieve a wide variety of superb standard images. Having already met and worked with Paul too, the confidence was already there that it would be utterly MEGA! :D

We had our shoot planned for the day I was set to arrive, unfortunately there had been quite a delay to my flight which meant everything was pushed back. The second I updated Paul, he was so amazing about it... It was more me that was stressed because I was worried about having not as much light to work with later in the day and we’d deliberately planned to start earlier as such. But Paul was a star which so much helped turn what began as one of those uncontrollable frustrating moments into a wonderful time shooting. I cannot thank him enough, literally! He had been brilliant from the start with all his pre-shoot communications and everything, for any model contemplating coming to Guernsey to work - contact Paul. I have so many all-good things to say about both our shoots.

We cracked on firstly in the studio where Paul welcomed me with a lovely hot brew and wonderful hospitality... His little corgis came to say hello and are just the cutest!!! As we made a start to shoot some beautiful lifestyle/beauty work, Paul once again showed no end of care to perfect the lighting with professional aptitude taking time to get it to the best effect possible. His skill as photographer speaks for itself without question... And it was the exact same procedure when we ventured outdoors. The location was a beautiful beach dipped very low behind the cliffs so the sun setting well behind the mountains at this point was very limiting to work with in the dimming conditions. Paul had his kit at the ready and took on every challenge from the composition to the light rain and spray against the lens, the light to the sea lapping and being sure to catch that golden moment. The amazing work we produced on this day was absolutely facilitated by Paul’s effort and dedicated determination to nail it! :D It was genuinely such a buzz seeing those gorgeous images in the camera.

Through-and-through, Paul is a gem of a person who really cares after the welfare and comfort of the people he works with. In the studio, he was conscious of the temperature and if I needed anything upon arriving/needed food... When we took on the great outdoors he was very aware that the conditions were not tropical and he would routinely prompt the warm up breaks and really looked after me. He worked quick and efficiently when I was in the sea and never had it so that we were stood around freezing before we were ready to get “the shot.” When we had finished up, not only did Paul kindly offer to run me back to my accommodation... But he took me for a hot meal after realising that where I was staying was near no shops - something I hadn’t even thought about! A true professional in all manners and someone I can recommend highly again and again! I always look forward to another shoot with this awesome dude on future visits to the Channel Islands and hope to work together again in the warmer months! :P It’s about time I did something about it as I’ve been good at popping over during chillier months so far! :D

Thank you so much Paul for everything!

Keira

Keira Lavelle

I recently made the journey across to the beautiful channel islands where I included Guernsey as part of another tour... All relatively impromptu, I know this can be tricky for photographers having the free time: especially for Paul since he is a commercial photographer by profession so weekends can be just as hectic as midweek with the workload on and off set. But fair play to him! His communications where absolutely brilliant! :D He got in touch when I placed my casting call and after an exchange of a few messages, we had a fabulous shoot to look forward to.

Our shoot was location based, Paul had picked out some beautifully varied places for us to go to get different looks with both nude and fashion ideas. Despite it being lovely and quiet when he had first checked the places out, it's sods-law that the day you execute a shoot, everyone and their dogs, budgies and chinchillas turns up! :P But that didn't stop us, and Paul was a genius quick-thinker to move to spots which gave us more privacy and keeping watch/listening out. His professional approach to the work is just excellent, when you're in the great outdoors you're mostly at the mercy of what natures big light in the sky decides to do on the day, but Paul was super organised and equipped to take on whatever the day threw at us and balance his own portable setups with the ever-changing sun working meticulously to get the images looking as "WOW" as he could. A photographer with a true artistic eye and understanding of light/how it plays a part in sculpting an image... It didn't matter what I did/how I posed - I could have been high up a tree or against the light: Paul nailed it and made some genuinely stunning images out of every set we took on. :)

It goes without saying, Paul is the most lovely person to work with and has no end of respect/courtesy and high regards for the people he shoots. He's a wonderfully social person which made it a complete doddle to generate a rapport and creative-flow. We nattered away in-between shooting and had a good laugh whilst we worked, the shoot was very relaxed and non-pressured but the yield of results was fabulous! It makes such a difference when you work well with another creative and bounce off each other with the ideas. Irrespective of the arrangement; teamwork always prevails! Big thanks to Paul for being an ace person to work with, I cannot stress how much I enjoyed working together and the images literally speak for themselves! :D

Very Highly recommended!

Keira x

Demma

Had a great shoot with Paul, we shot in the bluebell woods in guernsey and what a beautiful location it was

Paul was professional and gave good direction, communication was great and it was a really enjoyable shoot

I would defiantly recommend working with Paul