Home or Hotel and why not a studio?

My choice is to shoot in your own home… always. I can make any space work as long as we have light (the one from the sky, not your light fittings!) I LOVE natural light, something I have in common with Mr. David Baily ha ha, and he and I will only shoot in gods given light. I also want the homey decor and atmosphere in my images and not a studio with harsh lighting that my clients might find intimidating. And let’s not forget it’s much more difficult for someone who has never had a professional shoot to be in a studio with lights, and equipment and squinting to be able to see the photographer AND standing in front of a backdrop in her undies! But I realise sometimes at home just isn't an option because of kids, smelly dogs (which I adore anyway) and smelly men (don't like them so much) and you've had to book a hotel room for the night. I think I've shot in just about every type of hotel over the years and obviously costs vary. You also need to ask for your check-in time because if you’re having hair and makeup done, and then a shoot, a 3pm check-in just won’t work as hair and makeup takes 2 hours. Some ladies have one of my girls go to their home and then they go to the hotel, ready for me! And sometimes it’s actually better to book to stay the night before and request a late check -out so we shoot in the morning of your check-out day. Now, all this depends on what you want from your shoot of course. Some of you want a night away from the kids (insert - would kill for a night away) and to have a hotel room after your shoot to relax in and go out for dinner in your gorgeous makeup and feeling all sexy. So deciding on home or a hotel is important for a few different reasons.

Anyhoo…if you really can’t shoot at home here are a few alternatives. Airbnb and other home rental sites have some apartments/homes and late deals which work out better than a hotel room. We're not waiting for check-in time and we have a whole apartment to work with instead of one room. Normally these apartments are minimally and tastefully furnished from a management company...exactly what I need. You have the benefit of seeing exactly what you're booking from the photos before booking it and you can see if there is marble, wooden or carpeted floors (I cry a little when I see carpets, they kill my camera lenses, my energy and my creative flow in 2.5 seconds). Also, they are prepared to give you a deal if you ask them to book for the day only. There is also dayuse.com A website dedicated to finding you hotels that offer day use only...duh! :/ To be honest, the prices are good and so are the timings for check-in but, as with all hotels, you're never sure what you're gonna get with them. I do bring portable photography lights, but I do prefer natural light (have I said that already?)

One last thing...I still prefer home shoots, I move your furniture and bits and bobs around till I get the look I want and you won't recognise your place in the photos. Think of me as your personal one day interior designer for photography! :D In fact, I've had a few leave it exactly as I left it the day of the shoot because they preferred it. I've shot in tiny, bedroom only flatshares and palaces up on Emirates Hills in Dubai. The end results are not much different. I make it work.

Shirley x