BLOG: Benjamin Glean Photography

PROMO SHOOT MATT WILLS

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:21:37 +0000

I recently had the chance to work with 19 year old Singer-Songwriter

Matt Wills. He is currently working on his debut EP. I love working with new Artistes

It feels like I have a chance to have a small hand in the way they are presented

to the world. This could be suggesting the background or the mood of some of the

poses. Matt in person is a fun-loving guy but takes his work very seriously.

I wanted a balance of young cool potential star but not such a commercial look

that you would not think him credible.

It was also a chance for me to work with Stylist Ayishat Akanbi who has worked with

the likes of JLS and Labrinth. She was able to give Matt a cool and trendy edge to

complete the look. Check out Matt’s work on you tube here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DV9i11Zwv8

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:39:51 +0000

I was complaining to a friend about how my test shoot was proving to be very stressful to put together.

For those that don’t know, a test shoot is a where photographic creatives come together on a

project simply for the benefit of their portfolios. Depending on what is needed for the shoot, costings come from

the Photographer unless it is another member of the team that is effectively leading the team.

My friend questioned if I still “needed to test at my level?”

He was referring to what one might call a certain level of success, shooting for

various brands and magazines. The question had me searching for a decent answer.

It caught me off guard. Why was I bothering to plan a shoot (on a Sunday),

where the cost were coming out of my own pocket as well as

searching on twitter for hair and make up while in a bar the night before!

Another point is that paid work comes in front of a test so understandable there can be last minute cancelations.

This time round I also had to contact the Bookers to have the models bring clothes as the Stylist couldn’t make it.

However, with all the stresses of putting it together, my reply to my friend (a Model) was that

“I WILL STILL TEST WHEN I GET A VOGUE COVER”.

What I meant is that outside of paid work, be it a headshot for an Actor or a campaign for

a fashion brand, there is always new ground to be broken. Testing in this industry is exactly what

the word means. Testing concepts, testing lighting, testing a new team and testing yourself.

Some of my best work has come out of test shoots. Some have gone on to be picked up by magazines.

Others have simply inspired and informed further work and investigation.

I see testing as an investment in my own abilities as a Photographer and my career.

I am allowed to be completely creative when not bound (to a degree) by briefs and budgets.

Personal projects do inform of commissions whether its a set design ideas or which model

to cast.

1st up is 16 year old Ciara who has just been signed to Profile. It was her first ever shoot and it’s

been a while since I had a model so brand new to the mix. I approached these images is a very

technical manner. I didn’t have too much to play with so decided to go for a clean and fresh look. This would then

be followed by a more sexy look which more contrast in the lighting and hair back.

Ciara bought her own clothes and we went with the outfits that suited those moods the most.

Next up is 19 year old Kurt. Funnily enough I picked the retired heavy metal signer

because he looked like he should be in a band. Having only been signed to FM for a month

Much like in Ciara’s case, when testing it is important to get strong clear shots that the

Model/agency can use. It seems obvious but I approach it differently to if it is a job for a magazine

where I can afford top have more obscure angles or crazy make up.

I Chose Mark because I have never worked with this kind of look before. With D1, he is

perhaps the calmed model I have ever met. He brings great intensity to any photo.

Discovered by the Editor of Sheer Magazine, Cameron is new to the books at Models 1.

The energetic teen is fresh-faced and has great movement.

See more images from my shoot below. Bring on the next Test!

HEADSHOTS: SURFACE AND SOUL

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:06:20 +0000

Been more than a minute since I have

done a shoot that is purely headshots.

1st up is my friend Christiana. She is a lady of many talents so the usage

is multi-platform. The shoot was in fact the (I may be wrong) forth time that

we have met. I was watching (listening) to an episode of Glee while I was

editing, when the character played by Whoopie Goldberg stated an applicant had given surface when she

wanted soul. This comment made me question what we see in others and what people choose to show. Also how

photography (without trying) can cut through this and illustrate in black and white (literally).

As a Photographer, I am always aiming to show some soul in my work, getting to the heart of my subjects.

This is regardless of it being a commission or a test.

By this I mean a true representation of that person in terms of both physicality and personality.

Next, Actor Jack Cameron who is represented by Aim Agents.

He is a contact of mine who I had not seen since

he moved to LA to study. Now back and making he way in the industry.

Both projects were great to be working on.

DALEY, DAYTIME AND DRESSED UP

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:20:59 +0000

The new issue of Pause Magazine is my first

as Head Photographer. I had three projects including

the cover with new Artiste Daley. You can see his video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNo-L4-2P0w

With his cool look and immense talent,

he was perfect for the cover story.

He is rocking River Island and Katie Eary.

Styling: Samantha Ria

Grooming: Laura Wisinger

Photographic Assistant: Christina Ebenezer

Assistant Stylist: Roshni Patel

Next up is the Pause advice page

Stylist: Samantha Ria

Assistant Stylist: Conor merrygold

Grooming: Lungi Lee

Model: Glen @ FM

Finally the Pause SS13 look book shoot

Fashion Editor: Angelo Mitakos

Photographic Assistant: Sara Lalenia

Assistant Stylist: Jordan Victor-Harrison

Grooming: Alexis Day

Model: Michael Knowles @ FM Models

Beautiful People

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:43:13 +0000

Test with Profile Models

Make Up: Michelle Webb

Hair: Ann-Marie Lawson

Gersande and Ivane @ Profile Models

Adon Magazine from New York and Variety Show Images

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:30:30 +0000

Photographed a wicked new face with

Models 1 a while back featuring Designer

Emma Clarke.

Very happy that it got picked up by new magazine

Adon based in New York.

Shot on location in South London I expect big things from Haris.

Please see credits for my team!

See the rest at http://www.adonmagazine.com/

I covered a Charity show for The reliant Mag

all in aid of Kings College Hospital children’s ward

With comedy, music and dance it was a night to

remember. It was headlined by band Times Red who you

may know from this years X Factor.

They have finished their EP with is out in March!!!

www.timesred.com

Here is a taste

boyband times red

MENSWEAR SHOOTS IN PAUSE MAGAZINE AND THE RELIANT

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 21:38:12 +0000

NEW WORK.

8 PAGE SHOOT FOR QUARTERLY MAGAZINE PAUSE.

YOU CAN PICK UP THE PRINT VERSION IN SELFRIDGES AND TOPMAN TO NAME

A FEW. WORKING WITH NEW D1 FACE ARTHUR.

THIS COOL BRITANNIA THEMED PROJECT

WAS SHOT ON LOCATION IN CENTRAL LONDON.

CHECK OUT http://pausemag.co.uk/ FOR THE FULL VERSION.

NEXT IS MY EDITORIAL WITH MOT NEW FACE

AIDEN DEEGAN.

FEATURING CLOTHING MY DESIGNER MARK THOMAS TAYLOR

THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE OF THE PUBLICATION.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR WITH THE TEAM AND LOOK

FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM ON OTHER

PROJECTS

YOU CAN SEE THE FULL ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE HERE

http://www.thereliant.com/

THIS INCLUDES MY COVER SHOT.

People on TV: Louis Smith Calendar and Times Red Promo

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:06:42 +0000

Couple of big projects to share with you.

First up is my work with Olympic Gymnast Louis Smith.

I shot his 2013 calendar and which has featured in OK Magazine,

The Daily Mail, Heat and Reveal Magazine. With about 3 hours to shoot 15 looks

I am glad it has done so well. And he is still on Strictly come dancing!!!

You can see some images below but get your copy at http://www.louis-smith-official.com/

Also check out the stylist for the shoot http://samantharia.com/

Second is a promo shoot with super talented singer/songwriters Times Red.

You may have seen them on this years X Factor. They made it through to judges houses.

Well if you could call Louis Walsh that as he sent them home.

I can only show you one for now but there are more to come.

If you want to see them live there are headlining a charity gig

on December 1st at The Michael Croft Theatre in South London.

Log on here http://www.michaelcrofttheatre.org.uk/page.aspx?id=87

MORE SHOTS TO COME SOON AS WELL AS SOME NEW FASHION WORK FOR PAUSE MAG, ADON MAG AND THE RELIANT.

The Reliant Magazine: Jade Thompson

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:31:17 +0000

Out this week is my fashion shoot with

Jade Thompson @ Models 1

Also in this issue is my cover shoot with Actor

Alan Ford and Q & A with Toby Wharton.

See the rest of the images at

http://www.thereliant.com/

Jade Thompson for Reliant Mage Behind Scenes

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:41:10 +0000

Little peek of my shoot with

Britain’s Next Too Model winner Jade!

Images up in a couple of weeks.

Do check out The Reliant!