References for Zap Photography

MarynaSedin78

I am very happy with my shoot with John, it went really great. John is a pleasure to shoot with as pre-communication was on spot and John was very quick to arrange a shoot so it was a success.

John has a great studio and a vast wardrobe with some amazing outfits which definitely complimented my look.

John treated me really well and ensured the studio is warm and I felt 100% comfortable. We had such a relaxed and enjoyable shoot that time just flew away from us.

John is a professional, friendly and respectful photographer and he definitely loves what he does and his attitude towards photography is prominently great.

Thanks John, I hope to shoot with you again

Highly recommended,100%

Aurora Phoenix

What an amazing first shoot with the lovely Zap Photography!! We shot during my recent Birmingham Tour at my air b&b. Prior to shooting pre-communication was fabulous and all the planning and organising went smoothly.

On the day of the shoot John arrived promptly and was friendly from the start. He brought along the most stunning high quality outfits from his studio. I fell in love with this vintage green top he brought it was just so beautiful and elegant I loved the fabric and it looked amazing with my hair. All of the outfits suited me so well and really worked with my completion they all fitted perfectly too. It’s so lovely when photographers provide outfits for shoots as that’s not always the case and I do often shoot in majority of my own stuff most of the time.

We had some lovely chats as we got some images in Johns stunning clothes. We mixed and matched a few outfits too with some of the lingerie sets I had too. John also had brought along some really good professional lighting equipment and they made all the difference to the photos.

Time flew by as we got the most phenomenal images in loads of different looks and set ups.

110% recommended! John is professional, respectful and creative I’d love to shoot with him again in the future when I next come back to Birmingham.

Caterini

My experience with Zap photography was fantastic He was well prepped , very organised and was on time for the shoot .

he is easy going, take care about model ( perfect temperature, food, drink!)also i enjoying us conversations!

He was very friendly from the start , approachable and showed immense enthusiasm towards the photos. I was really impressed by him big brodway garderobe what i can use for the shoot :).

What can I say other than there wasnt enough time 😅😂.. hopefully we can shoot again soon :)

Regards

Katy

Kitty Dawson

I had a great, productive, creative yet relaxed shoot with John.

I arrived on time with everything I may need and John also had some items that I could use.

He is kind, professional, outgoing, passionate about photography and a true creative.

We shot a few various themes and he allowed me to do two makeup changes to add a lot of difference and pop to the images.

I think we got an amazing selection of images in the time we were shooting for and we also was able to have a break when needed.

One of the themes I shot with John, I’ve never shot before and he was also interested to see how we could make the look work well and we did it! I used my short wig that is anime style, but a male style, paired with a gorgeous black dress, bold, glamorous and edgy makeup with various poses.

I really liked many of our BOC images and I look forward to seeing any that may pop up on Purpleport.

I hope we get the chance to create and work together again, I felt so much creative passion in this shoot, which are my favourite kinds of shoots.

Amazing photographer, very hospitable too and I can completely, highly recommend him! :) 🌟

Keira Lavelle

Finally: John and I managed to catch up this side of the madness and discuss all manner of things that we’ve been up to since our last encounter/putting the world to rights - plus of course make some *rather niceeee* piccies! 😁

He’s a really lovely person - kind, genuine, professional in his approach and extremely laid back. Rule number one when you go to his studio space: on goes the kettle, and let the nattering begin! 😃 It’s a wonderfully relaxed and positive environment at his place... A photographer with a heart of gold who I always enjoy getting to shoot with. The session always flies by, and we routinely do something completely different from the time before! Many more boxes ticked of course for what makes a good shoot - but I must highlight the fact that John also has “quality brews” at the ready for me! 😋 In the form of hedge trimmings that is 🤣 I’m sure he’s got more normal stuff too of course; for those models who aren’t aliens. 👍

The highlight of the shoot this time was working on some food mages that were beautifully abstract! I just adore styles like this - they are right up my street and what you produce really does have the sort of essence of what you might see in a high-end art gallery of sorts. It’s got the edge, but also the subtlety and the beauty of the way the light wraps around the body. I can also vouch 100% for how much effort this gent puts into his work as well once he gets an idea... John doesn’t feel it necessary to snap hundreds upon thousands of shots, but he would rather take time to build a set/carefully assemble the lights, take some shots and then go through them on the computer so all involved can actually see what’s being produced which, in my mind, totally improves that teamwork connection and like-mindedness to achieve that goal image. Yes - John is all about the rapport and upbeat willingness for everyone to get on board with the creativity. 🙂 He always has a sublime selection of outfits and props himself (plus a great eye for what works!) but he is always happy to see what the model can bring in outfits and poses too! I need to give him an award for dragging my almighty suitcase up that stairs each time! Flippin’ heck! 😅

An utterly splendid end to my very small tour (if you could call it that!) to the Midlands this time. 😊 From there it was home-bound with a very notable creative high thanks to another stupendous day working with a photographer who is so very enthusiastic and inspiring to create with. 🌟 So of course it shall be another “highly recommended” shout from me. Without a shadow of a doubt!

Thank you so much John - until we smash it again!

Keira

Keira Lavelle

I’ve been so fortunate to be able to work with John on several occasions now, it’s always a truly wonderful shoot. :) Thus of course; I was utterly over the moon when our availability coincided positively for another cracking session when I toured by Birmingham again. The same warm/comfortable and well equipped studio that we’ve enjoyed many photo-making missions from, the same gentle and wonderful person... Some brand new ideas, laughs and chatter. Top notch!

It really is nice for me to get to work with people again and again when I head off on these shooting adventures. For one thing: your already have a feel of each other’s style of working and break right into a flow, then of course it’s a real pleasure on the social side getting to catch up with people and see what awesome things they’ve been up to since the last shoot! :D It really makes a tour that bit more fun and less “work like” especially when you’re cramming two weeks+ in on the road haha. So I feel enormously grateful for photographers like John who are crazy enough to have me back again and again. :P

There’s a rule when you walk into Johns studio... KETTLE GOES ON! And he’s one of the super-super people who can offer me the luxury of Jasmine tea, YUM!! But this habitual hospitality can pretty much sum-up what the entire shoot with John is like. He’s extremely laid back/non-rushed and favours quality over a number of very fabulous ideas rather than going mad. His number one thought is to ALWAYS make visiting models feel comfortable, relaxed and happy in their work environment. And he does this effortlessly due to his very kind nature and approach. :) Sometimes the shoots can be a fun experiment with a lighting/look idea, sometimes you end up needing more hands between your to hold up the translucent paper for a concept that you’re stubbornly determined to smash between you, sometimes the ideas fly out into the air quite impromptu! It’s just one big creative blast which always brings something new and interesting to the table Olof inspiration if I’m totally honest when I think of how to describe working with John. :) He’s tremendously passionate and driven in his work which is very evident when you’re shooting; he would rather take his time to get something right, let a good rapport bounce, fit a good number of tea breaks in and operate the shoot in a very collaborative manner. Every possible box ticked if I summed it up in a nutshell.

JOHN as a photographer is an unquestionable mastermind of determination, artistic merit and techni-knowhowness. :) He can see a vision in his head which might start with an outfit/other inspo and then pulls it into reality with a lot of painstaking drive on the day. He literally collects stunningly beautiful outfits and accessories all year round which fill his studio as a treasure chest of wonders... So even when he’s not physically shooting, his mind is still ticking away! :D Despite his great direct involvement in the shoot, and making the brief happen: he works closely with the models he shoots to incorporate the input they can bring as part of the artistic process. It’s very team oriented working with John, very team oriented indeed. Of course he knows his studio with a fine tooth comb and can switch things up in an instant to create a magical new setup as you bob from set to set. No challenge is ever too big for John.

I’ve rambled on a bit about Johns sweet and hospitable nature earlier in my essay... But I’ll reiterate! John is a superstar! He’s utterly professional, decent and respectful making models feel 1 million percent comfortable at every moment spent working with him. His communications before the shoot are on-point every single time. He’s just a gem really, a real gem.

And of course I entirely recommend him, and always look forward to working together again in the future. :)

Keira

Alethia Dawn

I finally got to work with John and it was worth the wait!

John is such a polite and professional person. I felt comfortable throughout the shoot, and really enjoyed his creative ideas. We had a good laugh and he produced some stunning images!

I'd absolutely work with John again and can 100% recommend him to others.

Thanks for a lovely shoot! :)

Rachelle Summers

I had a wonderful time working with John on my recent trip to Birmingham!

We shot together at my apartment and John came armed with some utterly beautiful items of clothing for me to wear :)

We made good use of the natural and available light, and also used the constant light I had with me too. From what I saw on the back of the camera we got some stunning images and I would happily recommend him to others too!

Was a pleasure meeting/working with him, and hope to get chance to work with him in the future :D

BabyT

This was a brilliant shoot with John. My first time working with him and he is amazing and really creative. We got some stunning images which require very minimal editing and we were able to work efficiently capturing different looks. Looking forward to working with him in the future

Keira Lavelle

I have actually lost count of how many shoots we've had now... But it really is a delight getting to work with this gent when ever the chance arises during my visits to Birmingham. :D Always new and exciting ideas, but the same super-lovely and professional John!

His studio is always a goldmine for wonderful accessories and garments; it is certainly not unheard of for me to rock up with my crazy-heavy suitcase (which John will always insist on lugging up the stairs for me!) and actually never open it because the insane amount of cool things that John gets in to shoot with literally see us through from start to finish! :D He is such a genuinely creative guy who thinks outside the box and not only thinks up the ideas in the first place, but puts a lot of careful thought and care into the lighting to get it just perfect. He's honestly got bags of passionate drive for his photography and this has shone each and every time we have worked together. He doesn't rush the sets, he has a brilliant eye for detail and in-between shooting he encourages a totally quality over quantity pace and reviews the images set by on computer (as a team) so we can see what we're achieving and work the shots as best as we can with a great model-photographer rapport. Every session is truly filled with masses of productivity and a flow of lovely images being produced to show for it. :)

John was as always: the best and most thoughtful host a model could hope for. He gets the heaters going to make the studio nice and warm caring massively about models comfort and well-being. I never need to bother bringing my herbal tea up to the studio because John has wonderfully tasty options for me already, and there is certainly no shortage of brews throughout the shoot! :D Models can always anticipate that they will be well looked-after and feel not under any pressure with plenty of breaks and a relaxed pace on the shoot. He is a complete professional in so many ways, and not least with his etiquette and the respect/courtesy he shows for those he works with. He has all the means of creating an upbeat vibe - tunage on in the background, seating for in-between throwing the poses and when reviewing the shots, a kitchen area if needed: he has it all covered. :)

And it's never a shoot with John without an awesome catch-up, plenty of chatter and laughs as we work! Good fun and an atmosphere which ensures you've got that shoot buzz/are happy at work from start to finish!

His communications are always fantastic - I can only repeat what I have said before numerous times... John is someone I recommend exceedingly high.

Keira

K.model

Recently had a fantastic shoot with John, he knows what he wants from the shoot and doesn't spend ages taking pictures that won't work or are irrelevant. His sole purpose is to get the perfect shot and it pays off from what I have seen so far, can't wait to see the pics.

His studio in the jewellery quarter is really something, so many options for creativity.

I 100% recommend and would work with again.

Thanks John!

Pixie1

Had a great day shooting with John at his studio today.

He is very polite and was so easy to get on with.

John is a great photographer.

Helpful and really made me feel at ease.

Also he has great taste in music. Set the mood for the shoot just right 😊

Happy pixie.

I would recommend John very highly. I'd love to work with him again.

Thank you John for a lovely day.

Zara Valerie Lane

Worked with John on Tuesday and loved every minute of it, made me feel very comfortable and great communication throughout the shoot! :)

Belle Eve

I worked with John in his own studio in Birmingham yesterday. John was a joy to work with, a true gentleman and had some wonderfully creative ideas.

I enjoyed working with John and can't wait until next time.

I highly recommend.

Much love,

Eve

PatienceClavelle

Well what Can I say about John... he is amazing!

From onset of contact everything was clear and precise no faffing about. He created some beautiful hats that I loved being able co ordinate with. This was my first time working with John but I hope it’s not my last.

Thank you very much for an enjoyable shoot.

Patience. X

Phoenix Spider

Had a great shoot today. Helped me with my bags as I have a damaged wrist atm made lots of cups of tea as well :) we had a great creative shoot and the images looked amazing. Highly recommend

Lucy Muse

A fab shoot with a true pro. Full of creative ideas, great stock of costumes and even make up! Top pro skills, great shots and can't wait to shoot again x

Joe36

So after recently shooting my very first indoor shoot with John I have to say it was a pleasure working with him!

After we both arranged a hassle free date and time, and settled on a particular theme we got to work.

John arrived on time and was even kind enough to pick me up to his studio, I was anxious to know what my first indoor shoot would be like but it was soon apparent to me it would be a easy going.

John supplied tea and biscuits and even very useful props for our shoot. His studio is well equipped and his photography and mannerisms are very professional. We were both happy with the final results from our shoot and John supplied the pictures to me very promptly.

I hope to work with John again in the future

Em Theresa

John booked me for an ice-themed shoot this week! His comms were perfect, he had prepared a pinterest moodboard and we discussed about whether it was worthwhile getting a MUA in (as my makeup training doesn't extend to effects makeup) and decided it was best to. He was also very helpful in planning my travel, offering me a lift from New Street which made things a lot more simple for me. On the day he was there on time to pick me up, and was extremely friendly and welcoming from the start. His studio is in a really cool old building, and the set he had built for the shoot was extraordinary - tonnes of fake snow, a christmas tree..basically a snow-covered forest in the corner of the studio! He had also made accessories, including a large crown to help complete the look. Sadly the MUA he had booked was ill on the day so I had to do my best with the ice queen makeup, luckily John had bought in suitable makeup which was very helpful! The shoot went very smoothly, John is great to work with he is very creative and the results speak for themselves really! I highly recommend him to other models, and would be delighted to shoot with him again :)

Keira Lavelle

John was my first shoot kicking off my recent tour of the Midlands: we were in touch and discussing the possibility of shooting... then hey-presto I noticed that the opportunity was going to arise in my diary so I put it to John and was the most straight forward, no-fuss planning ever. Thank you John for such amazing communications in the run up to the day! :) But of course his professional approach was then further expressed upon meeting and we had a real blast of a shoot at his lovely studio space in Birmingham where we used a bit of my stuff, a bit of his stuff and just threw together some beautifully creative ideas! :D I do love shoots when a photographer welcomes the input of his model and John is such an encouraging gent to work with so you exert yourself more so on a shoot when you are in the know that things are working well with your rapport.

From the word go I felt very well looked after: John came down to meet me and show me where to park etc. and then towed my ridiculously heavy case up the steep unit stairs for me: there were yummy herbal teas at the ready before we begun and I just felt so comfortable and thought-about with John's welcoming approach. :) He is polite, down to earth and delivers the best respectful etiquette on shoots: plus we also got on like a house on fire and did ever so much chatting about all sorts. the momentum of the shoot was extremely relaxed and laid back but we were, even so, on a roll with those pictures and bouncing off each other with what to do next. You can always tell when a shoot has been super-fun because the length of the shoot psychologically halves itself and you feel like it has all gone way too quick! But nonetheless I am certain this will not be the last time John and I work together and I very much look forward to doing something again in the future!

So John is a very kind and courteous person towards his models but he's also a rather cracking photographer - upon every style change you could see his brain ticking away as he visualised the lighting and then effortlessly put the lights into place to get creative finishes with the images. His studio boasts and amazing selection of props and John had a fantastic eye for an idea each time we changed the look up a bit, he was extremely competent at nailing different angles to make the photograph pop and though he lets a model flow and do there thing he is also quick to spot poses that are looking good and directing around that so we can work a look that appears to be working. He applies himself to his photography so passionately and you can just see it as he works, John has an unquestionable eye for beauty and strives to bring out the best in his models all the time. :) I would recommend him without a shadow of a doubt.

Thanks again John!

Keira x