References for Photo39

Darren Griffen Photography

Shot with Violet Luna at the studio, I love this studio it is an Aladdins cave props, costumes and accessories as well as catering for all your photographic needs, Brian is not only a lovely person but easy going and helpful and doesn't get involved unless you need him will without doubt come back again and again

Joe B said...

I shot with Leah Meraki at Brian’s studio on a horribly wet day - and Brian couldn’t have been a better host. A warm welcome at arriving and help with lighting - ok a lot of help with lighting including some embarrassing cobwebs that were helped brushed away with a quick grin. I’ve shot here a few times now and there are still features to explore! Gels and masks were available and distancing guidelines all in place so I felt secure coming back.

100% recommended.

Keira Lavelle

I’ve shot at Brian’s place on a few occasions before now and have always been happy/got good results with the photographers who booked me... But this particular occasion, Brian really does deserve an award (or something!) as the day booking was thrust on him very last minute as the photographer who was shooting me for the day checked in to see if we could come along after being threatened with rain ALL DAY for the original location shoot we had in mind. Brian was the saviour! :D

It also gave myself and Catchlight45 the chance to really focus on getting a good rapport on our first shoot together in a controlled environment where we could just get on with making nice pictures and not worry about things like spectators etc. It was a good call for many reasons really, and Brian really is a star host. :) He’s always on hand to provide anything that the studio clients need: be it a fresh cuppa, assistance with the lighting or assembly of props... Exceedingly accommodating and pleasant a studio owner he is for certain. So I most definitely recommend Brian and The Cottage Studio! It’s a great place for a touring model like me to stop off and enjoy a safe, creative and comfortable shoot.

I imagine many photographers will have said this before about Brian: but he is a real techy wizard when it comes to the lighting side of things. My photographer on the day had no end of good things to say about the great advice Brian offers and the willingness to help when you’re looking to create something very specific. He has very good knowledge on lighting and photography in general; so whether you’re an experienced creative or a pure beginner - Brian will be delighted to offer his valuable input and help you reach your picture goals is you just ask. :) He has a very can-do attitude about everything, plus a very friendly/approachable nature so his studio is definitely the place to come if you feel you might need a bit of help here or there. He’s a star!

The studio is very well kitted out for sure - a brilliant range of professional lighting equipment fitted in and/or moveable around the spacious area. Great selection of props too with some classic favourites that I nearly always end up posing with when I come! :P but different “set” options too! Whether permanent or possible to build up (Brian will happily help with this). It’s a cracking place to come if you’re looking for quite a varied set of images with a model.

I always have felt very secure and happy when I’ve worked at The Cottage Studio. There’s a fully private changing area for the model to do their bits and pieces like makeup changes. Brian will leave you to your shoot in peace: but he remains in the office upstairs and only a shout away if you need him. In the model community- many other models have spoken highly of the studio too which is an ultra reassuring bonus for a model who might be in the road for anything up to two weeks staying away from home and looking for professional/well-run places to work.

So thank you very much Brian! :D We had an awesome day and I do hope to come back before long!

Keira

Catchlight45

OMG Thank you so so very much for accommodating our shoot at such short notice, really incredible as always. Such an amazing studio with a great amount of equipment for us photographers to us.

Thanks again Brian

Mk1Photography

Great Studio! Booked this studio for a shoot a couple of days ago and it is a lovely location, the studio itself is extremely well equipped with various lights, props and outfits etc. the surrounding woodlands and lake are great for outdoor shots and Brian is a very helpful and welcoming host who is around when you need him but out of the way when you don't.

Thanks Again Brian, will definitely be back again soon...

Midas Eye

I've shot at Brian's studio twice now and all I can say is he is the most accommodating host who is always on hand to help with lighting set ups and offer advice. His studio offers facilities you will find hard to find elsewhere and i will definitely be back. Highly recommended.

Rachelle Summers

Had another wonderful visit to The Cottage Studio on my recent tour!

I always look forward to my days there! The studio is always kept at a comfortable temperature for the models whether that requires heating or fans, and Brian is a great host and studio owner. Nothing is too much trouble when helping photographers set up!

Happily recommended by me and hope to visit again on my next venture South!

StuartGL

Finally got back to shooting again at The Cottage Studio. Thanks for the use of the studio Brian. Always a place I would recommend.

Jessica Maria

My photographer found this studio nearby to me, and it is amazing! We had planned to do 3hrs of fashion shots, however to my amazement, the studio had a pole, aerial hoop and aerial silks! I am an aerialist and do all three, and have never yet found a studio with a pole yet alone all of them! Ended up doing half of the shoot on the pole! Would definitely recommend this studio, and would absolutely be back :)

Jess

michaelb_photos

I shoot at Photo39 for the first time today. It was a very last minute booking due to bad weather, but oh what a find. Photo39 is brilliant, an absolute Aladdin's cave of props and costumes. Brian the owner is a lovely guy, very welcoming and provided drinks for both myself and the model. Any thing you want to try Brian is on hand to help set up for you. Shooting here is an absolute must. I cannot recommend enough and will definitely be back in the future. Thank you for a great shoot.

Miss Diamond Sparkle 💕☯

Absolutely love working at this studio...

I am becoming part of Brian's furniture...I am here so often...

Always friendly and I am very comfortable around Brian...

Recommended to all photographers and models...

OFI

I had a great short shoot at The Cottage with Helen-Rose. The space presents a lot of possibilities, brimming over with equipment and props. You could literally spend days there experimenting with lighting, backgrounds and much else. Brian could not be a better host, friendly and helpful. I will definitely return to explore further the range of options available.

lecroix

Yesterday was my first time at Photo39 (Cottage Studio). What a great space. Brian was very friendly and knowledgeable and was always ready to help with the lights ( there are every kind of light you could possibly need ). Not only is it a great pace to shoot in - but it is an Aladdin's Cave of props and bits and pieces of costume. I will certainly be going back.. I'm hoping to make use of the Merry-go-round horse.

Wavepower

I booked Photo39 (The Cottage Studio) to work with the incomparable ‘Fanny’, this shoot was split with ‘An Eye For Beauty’ as we could travel across together and assist each other. This was my 5th shoot at Photo39, albeit my third separate visit.

Brian was as very efficient with communications, and very helpful to us getting a solution for us to work around Fanny’s already almost booked out two day workshop.

As before Brian had the studio pretty much ready for when we arrived and was very welcoming. The studio is idea for someone of Fanny’s skills having the space and particularly the height and equipment needed for Fanny to perform her amazing acrobatic skills. Brian is an excellent host and is always on hand to assist with lighting, aerial equipment and prop changes, so the shoot can proceed smoothly and efficiently.

While Photo39 is a considerable distance for me for a few hours shoot, I do enjoy working there and the journey is worthwhile when there is the opportunity to work is a model of Fanny’s abilities with such equipment. I have no hesitation recommending Photo39 as a supportive place to work to models and photographers of all abilities.

Thank you again Brian for your all your support and friendly hosting.

An Eye for Beauty

I travelled the 3-hour journey to Studio 39 yesterday, fortunately driven by Wavepower with whom I was sharing the shoot time. The great attraction was the lovely Hungarian model and performer, Fanny.

Brian was extremely welcoming and made us feel very much at home not least as I was the first 'shooter'. The studio is compact but is an Aladdin's cave of props and possibilities, not least a fairground 'horse' which originated from Brighton Pier.

I enjoyed the day, and although it was some way away, I like to think this will not be my last shoot at the Cottage Stdio. Highly recommended. Thanks, Brian.

Astolat

I use the Cottage Studio pretty well exclusively now. Last time with the beautiful Mia Liberum. Brian is great. He is unobtrusive unless you need him but there if you do. His help on lighting technique is invaluable, so much so that it can make you lazy. The studio is like an Aladdin's cave with props, outfits galore. It even has a small natural light area. I really cannot recommend him and his studio too highly. Coffee good too!

Helen Diaz

I had a very successful couple of days at Brians wonderful studio again recently and had a complete blast! Brian is such a kind, respectful and patient studio owner. The studio is extremely well run and Brians hospitality is excellent with plenty of cuppas and Quality Street available! :)

I absolutely loved the lighting set ups that Brians produced, some of which were much more complex. I especially loved experimenting with the Old Hollywood set ups and adored the resulting images from these with the photographers that had booked onto the studio sessions.

I was also very grateful for Brians organisation and taking the lead with the bookings this time around- thank you so very much.

Brians changing area has everything you could wish for as a model and I love his clothing and props!

Thankyou Brian, you are a diamond.

The highest recommendation to all creatives here, Helen x

P.O.S Photos

Had a great 2 hours at the cottage studio shooting Jessica Taylor, Brian was very welcoming and on hand as and when required to help with lighting, props etc. I found him very pleasant host and knowledgeable, I will definitely use the studio again and can highly recommend them, thank you Brian.

CharlieBoy

I had another brilliant day at the Cottage Studio, enjoying the wonderful variety of facilities and props, all supported by Brian's lighting expertise and hospitality.

The opportunities for aerial work are among the very best around and provide enormous scope for creativity. :)

When I had questions there were answers. Solutions are always found.

Both Brian and the studio are totally recommended. It is always a pleasure to work here. Thanks again Brian.

Keira Lavelle

I’ve worked at Brian’s lovely studio on several occasions now, and there are so many great aspects that you can guarantee will be on the table for visiting creatives time and time again. :D It’s not only a superbly resourceful place to make your pictures, but Brian is a dream host too!

My latest shoot there was part of a Southern tour I was doing and a lovely photographer had booked me independently for a half day at Brian’s. Before we even got down to work: Brian already helped MASSIVELY where he had no obligation by coming over to open up so we could do the shoot a couple of hours earlier than initially planned. My morning appointment had been cancelled so Brian being so accommodating like this meant that I could hit the road earlier in prep for my long drive home since this would have been my last shoot of the tour. I cannot thank him enough for his flexibility alone! :D But there are so many other reasons why Brian deserves a bucket of credit for the work he does to - just a small glance over his other references and it becomes clear before you’ve even finished reading mine!

So first things first: the people enter the room and there’s those lovely words: “anybody for a cuppa?” There’s nothing like a studio owner whose big on the brews... I mean, how can one function normally without such? :P He respects and understands well that people (especially models) might be travelling long distances/on tours, so he does do his best to make everyone feel relaxed and comfortable upon immediate arrival. He’s on-hand should you need any top-ups throughout the course of your shoot too; or any other help for that matter! His friendliness is on-pointe and he’s totally easy-going. Many models speak positively of Brian (when you cross paths and talk about where you’ve been working recently - as you do!) So he’s a very highly regarded gent for certain - totally professional, safe and respectful of everyone that comes to use the studio. :) The work he does to ensure that everyone who walks through those studio doors has a productive and happy experience is honestly golden! A complete gentleman who makes a studio shoot thy bit nicer an experience for the arty/farty human wondering in! :P

Brian also bears fantastic technical know-how too to help with any specific kinds of lighting setups/achieve a certain look with the lighting. He stays mostly up in his office allowing models and photographers independence to run their own course: but the minute you need him - just shout and he’s there to help in a flash! It’s the idea situation in a studio where you like to be able to get on and build the rapport with who your working with/work through ideas you already have... But just having assistance a second away gives a great deal of comfort if you might need something setting up that’s a little more complex.

A sensational range of charismatic props, quality facilities for achieving variety in your work, good lighting systems, a well-kitted out private changing facility for the models and refreshments on tap. What more could you need!!! :D

Definitely recommended!

Thank you so much Brian!