References for PhotoClassic

Rachelle Summers

I genuinely struggle to leave reference for Howard now, mainly because I must of literally said every adjective possible to describe how amazing I think he is as a photographer and general human being, but also because it's hard to put into words how highly I regard him now!

I can blab on about how well he looks after his models, and how at times you will not be able to breathe for laughing, but in all honesty the best thing for me at this point is that I have made a true friend for life. I've been modelling 7 years now and Howard and his better half (:P) Karen are the only 2 photographers that made my wedding guest list last year, surely that says it all as I have met some amazing people throughout my career but these 2 just top it all :)

If you haven't guessed already, I think he is pretty bloody epic and you would be a wally not to go work with him :P

Scarlot Rose

Where to start with this reference....

Well, I can honestly say I have never laughed so much during a shoot as I did last Sunday, Photoclassic managed to insult me in the most hilarious ways throughout the first shoot but karma came around when he offered to model for my latest photography project. So I suppose this is a double reference - HIGHLY recommended as a photographer, but his modelling needs refinement ;) damn good effort though :P :P

On a slightly serious note, I modelled for both the "shooting shapes" and "Evening on the Sand" workshops and Photoclassic is an excellent tutor, he is very knowledgable about his field of work and is extremely good at teaching photographers of all abilities. I also stayed with Photoclassic, his wife and my beloved boyfriend (Tsavo the husky) and as ever they were incredibly accommodating. The kind of people that despite only meeting a few times, feel like friends I've known forever!

Something that always astounds me about shooting with Photoclassic (especially on location) is his awareness of model comfort and safety. During the evening beach shoot he didn't make any assumptions/pressure me into going into the sea, he left it completely up to me (which of course I couldn't resist a bit of suffering for my art) but he did come fully prepared with towels, blankets, hot soup and made sure that I was well looked after! He is also very conscious of things such as tide times and other important aspects to shooting outdoors which makes me feel very comfortable to do more difficult style shoots with him again and again (hence me crazily agreeing to model for his "Art Nude In The Landscape" workshop next March/April).

I cannot recommend him highly enough!

Thank you!

Scarlot :)

S T Photography

The shoot was a joy; 'Evening on the Sand' was the workshop I partook in. Howard was friendly, approachable, and furthermore sports a great sense of humour; this made for a very accessible workshop in which I could only feel encouraged.

The content of the workshop was well inline with my expectation, if not better. We moved through various scenarios in which Howard would let you get a feel for the situation and then check by offering helpful insights as he went. This was ideal to me as I felt freedom to shoot but also, and importantly, that help was at hand should it be sought.

Simply put; I could happily imagine going on a PhotoClassic workshop again :)

George Gray

Participated in a group shoot / workshop with Howard at a secluded beach local to us. Really well organised with an excellent Model Scarlet Rose. I had been out of people photography for a while and this was an excellent kick start to get me back into it. Howard is a very easy going person with an excellent style about him and loads of experience. Definitely recommended to both beginners and those like myself who just needed a kick start to get going again.

Deano74

Attended the "Evening on the sand" Workshop With Photoclassic and Scarlot rose

Very welcoming group and helpful to a first timer.

Will take away some fine shots and a little more knowledge

Highly recommended

Dean :-)

Sonya Lynn

Howard and Karen hosted me while I was in Aberdeen and I can thank them enough of their warm hospitality. Dinners prepared by them were really delicious and satisfying, companied by the best picked movie. And of course, Tsavo, who has been really lovely and welcoming. Howard even brought me to visit the Dunnottar Castle which was really very nice of him :)

During our shoot, Howard and Karen took care of me really well. They even prepared, towels, blankets, hot tea and soup for me to make sure I am warm enough. You can be sure that you are very well taken care of during the shoot and during your stay with them. I'm already thinking of doing a winter shoot with them because I know that I will be in good hands.

The photos turn out really great and I am glad we worked together. I would really love to work with Howard and Karen again the next time I visit Aberdeen. Highly recommended!!! :)

Nicole Rayner

I had my first Photoclassic experience recently and I loved it!!

I took part in 2 workshops, an early morning sunrise shoot at the beach and a fashion street workshop! Both of which went very well!

I must say that Howard and his wife Karen were by far the most considerate photographers I've ever worked with! They had everything to make sure I was safe and warm at all times!! From hot soup to down coats. I had many warm up breaks and they didn't overwork or overshoot either! Once they got the shot they got the shot!!! Which I always say is a mark of a good photographer!!

They were also kind enough to host me while I was there. Offering a lovely room as well as. Ring treat to some lovely trips out which I'm very grateful for!

As people, Howard and Karen are lovely! So easy to get on with and lots of fun tonne around! It barely felt like work at all!

Howard had already processed some images from our shoot and boy are they beautiful! Really proud to be part of them!

All in all a wonderful time, fun, relaxed, professional!!

Highly recommended by me! I hope we will be working together again!!

Sophia.

I stayed at Howard's this weekend while touring in Aberdeen. I did one of his workshops 'working in small spaces' The workshop went really well and Howard and his wife were lovely and hospitable. I would recommend them to any model or photographer! I also bonded with there dog :} Looking forward to working together again on another workshop in the future!

Donald Sutherland

Just back from a fun weekend Nude in the Landscape workshop in north Scotland. Now I'd done it before but who wouldn't want to work with Keira Lavelle, Rachelle Summers and Helen Stephens? And Howard just went and got all new locations!

Professionally run and organised as ever, check out his other courses.

StormBringer

This reference is for PhotoClassics Art Nude in the Landscape workshop that I attended over the Easter Weekend.

This is the first workshop of this type I have attended, and what a pleasure it was. Nothing was too much trouble for Howard, even picking me up and dropping me off at my accommodation at the start and end of the workshop.

The background work that goes into such an event cannot be underestimated, scouting planning, preparation, communication all takes a lot of time and effort - and it pays off. There were no complaints from any of the delegates (well only the early starts perhaps). The only thing that would have made the workshop better was beyond Howard’s control - the weather. But with the planning Howard was quickly able to resort to plan B and even plan C.

The model selection for the workshop was superb: Helen, Keira and Rachelle. Each uniquely different in their style but all worked very well together.

The workshop was not just about getting great images on location, but to educate photographers in the safe execution of a location shoot. Do attend a future workshop if you plan on working on location and not sure how to approach such a shoot.

Thanks Howard for such an enjoyable, and educational, experience, will most certainly attend future workshops. I’d attend more if distance wasn’t such an issue.

Bunnie Stevens

This is such a difficult reference to write... I actually don't know what else to say about Howard - except that he and his wife, Karen (on PP as Batwoman) are up in there among my favourite humans. Over the time I've known them, they've become incredibly good friends.

There's not many photographers that I'd trust with my health to take me waaaay out into the wilderness of Scotland in shitty weather for three days, but for some reason I keep coming back! Howard always puts a model's comfort and safety above all else. Although Keira Lavelle, Rachelle Summers and I pose nude in cold, often wet, conditions for his 'Nude in the Landscape' workshop, it's only briefly and we're soon wrapped up with a cup of hot soup. I'm looking forward to next year's workshop already!

Howard has a brilliant sense of humour and I always have such a laugh working and hanging out with him.

Highly recommended!!

Rachelle Summers

You only have to read through my previous references for Howard to realise that I have so much respect for him, and I can rabbit on again about how much I like working with him and how I class him as a friend above all else. But quite simply in my entire 7 years of modelling, I have turned down SO many offers to work in snowy conditions. Knowing my body and my limits due to bad blood circulation it's just not something I can consider. Yet I spent the most amazing weekend in Glen Coe, and albeit didn't get a lot of snow and only posed on snow once in the whole weekend, it was a massive deal to me to even be accepting the booking.

I have to be honest in saying that I still would not accept this style of booking from anyone else, as let's face it not everyone in this industry looks after models on location and doesn't realise how cold it is when they are all wrapped up, and considering working outside is one of my favourite styles it really can ruin it (probably the reason I run off abroad so much haha!) However I would accept this booking from Howard any day of the week, and that is solely down to the trust I have in him to look after me and make sure I am ok at all times. Yes it's cold, but the images you get are mind blowing and not once do you feel like he is asking too much of you. I think the fact that he is the only person who I accept work from in this genre says it all really.

On top of all of that he is a very, very good friend and a bloody good laugh to be around :)

One million, trillion percent recommend him.

Donald Sutherland

Well, Howard excelled himself here with one model, the talented Helen Stephens, bringing to life Marlon Brando, James Dean and the blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe. Not only great shooting opportunities as individual subjects but Howard then showed us how by the magic of Photoshop to mix and match them in the same image. A testament to his teaching is I managed it myself when I got home - not perfectly I admit (practice,practice) - but for a first time PS user it's opened up a whole load of new possibilities.

Well worth a shout for all sorts of photography teaching and training.

Bunnie Stevens

Howard is quite simply one of my favourite people to work with and over the time we've known each other, I'm proud to know him as one of my very good friends.

I've worked on a fair few of Howard's workshops now and every one has been brilliant fun! I have attended his workshops both as a model and as a photographer, and they are always entertaining and informative. Not to mention totally unique too.

On this particular workshop, I got the chance to gender-bend from a 1950's James Dean-esq character to a retro pin up girl! It was a good laugh and the resulting images from the workshop look superb.

Really looking forward to next year's Nude in the Landscape workshop with Howard, where I'll be modelling alongside the awesome Rachelle Summers and Keira Lavelle in the stunningly beautiful Assynt area of Scotland (shameless plug alert: Only a couple more spaces left - get involved photographers! ;) Bahaha)

Velvet Fox

I had the most fantastic day working with Howard and Karen for the first time on Saturday. It is my first time up to Scotldnd and wow, I have had such a fantastic time and they both made me feel right at home as they kindly let me stay with them for a few days.

We were up very early (the earliest Iv ever gotten up to shoot!) and travelled to a beautiful cliff over looking a castle and we did some artistic nude mixed with dance and usually I am very nervous about doing art nude outdoors but not once did I feel nervous as Howard and Karen had found such great quiet locations I felt at ease in the beautiful country side.

My favourite parts of the day were laying the Loch with white sheer fabric wrapped around me like a washed up bride which Howard said reminded him of a Kylie Minogue song and running along the beach doing some great hair flicks!

I couldn't have asked for better photographers or hosts they're so friendly, professional and so very giving and I would highly recommend working with Howard and Karen and I sure do hope I am fortunate enough to work with them again in the future :) Thank you!

Belle Eve

I traveled up to Aberdeen from Edinburgh to take part in the Film noir workshop, his was the first time I worked with Howard and Karen and wow I am very glad I did. The workshop was split into two parts, with a studio session first and then at various locations throughout Aberdeen I was playing a murdered young starlet. I loved taking part in this workshop it was beautiful organised and I learned a lot from all the great photographers there.

I was also a guest at Howard and Karens house over the weekend. They are very laid back, fun people.

I highly recommend to any model to work with them I 100% recommend and can wait to hopefully work with them in the future.

I'd also like to thank them again for a wonderful experience and their kindness during my stay.

Much love,

Eve

Donald Sutherland

I've done a lot of workshop shoots with PhotoClassic, since getting to know Howard and Karen, they are always well organised, professional with top models and a lot of fun thrown in for free.But their Film Noir, a murder mystery shoot on location in and around Aberdeen, had to be one of the best ever. Just goes to show what creative people they are.

Their hospitality for the weekend was also most appreciated.

Artemis Fauna

I got to work with Howard and the gang again a few days ago (yay) on a wicked Film Noir workshop (yay) in Aberdeen.

I loved the event (totally up my street- moody, story telling and I get to play dress up!) and the day was such fun. Loads of lovely photographers, some lovely new models for me to meet and great images!

The event was super, everyone had such a good time and I can't wait to see more results from the event- the ones I have seen so far are fab!

As ever, Howard looked after us all really well! He is a lovely chappy and I can't recommend him highly enough!

Can't wait to hopefully work with him again next time I am up! :)

Rachelle Summers

Gahhh I was dreading this reference... simply because there are no more additives left to describe this guy! Like literally I've used them all! I don't even know what to say!

If you actually bother to read far down enough in peoples references then you will have seen the ridiculously glowing references I have left for him. He is in my opinion the most professional photographer I have ever worked with. From his incredible workshops that give his clients the best experience possible, to the way he puts looking after his models well being before anything. Over the years I have grown very close to him and his wife Karen, and they are most definitely my friends above all else!

It's quite nostalgic to look back over the years, in the way I have changed and grown and the images we achieve together just getting better and better. I have mentioned it in the reference I have left for Karen but I must repeat it here, that I do shoots for these two that I would not in a million trillion years do for anyone else, simply based on trusting them both implicitly in regards to my health. Anyone that knows me knows that over my years of modelling anyone asking me to do a snow shoot I have told to sod off, and if anyone asked if I would ever do one I've laughed in there face and said no sodden way (not that politely :P). However this January coming I am braving Glen Coe with Howard and Karen, which is very likely to have snow and if it doesn't it will still without doubt be the coldest shoot of my life. If anyone asked me to do this they would be told where to go, but I trust them so much and know they will look after me every second of the shoot. You could not be looked after more if you were the blooming queen - seriously!

And is if that isn't enough of a recommendation, there is a reason these two are my very good friends through simply working with them over the years.. They are a bloody hoot!!! They attended my wedding last month and all my friends and family loved them and understood exactly why they were the only ones invited to my big day. They are just super dooper lovely people.

And look at me.. again after starting my reference saying I had no idea what to say I've managed to find all this to say. Really if it isn't obvious that I recommend him, there's something wrong with you :)

Rose Magdalene Child

I think it was only my second time working with Howard on another one of his superb workshops, this time it was a studio 'low key nudes' workshop.

It surprises me to realise we never worked together all that much because I feel like I've know Howard and Karen such a long time and seen them more than I actually have. You know some people you just 'click' with and them I definitely feel I do.

They both put me and my husband up the night before and were totally wonderful hosts with a comfortable room to stay and refreshments always offered. They really are 2 of the kindest people i've had the privilege of meeting and working with.

The workshop ran smoothly, they are always really well organised and Howard makes sure the photographers respect the models levels and comfortability which I really admire.

With years of experience his knowledge and skills are very high and always fantastic images are produced.

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot with them anytime and 100% recommend to other models if you get the opportunity to work with/for Howard and/or Karen :)

Thank you so much and until next time...Tillie x