Anna Saverimuttu's Photography Blog

Actor's Headshot Photography Guildford

A couple of weeks ago I did some headshots of Charlie in and around Guildford, as she needed photos to send off for castings and to agents.

We spent a very pleasant morning in town using various backdrops and locations, and she was a real joy to photograph - very easy to direct and open to different ideas and suggestions.  It's not easy to conjure up an authentic and meaningful expression from nowhere and at the drop of a hat, without it looking contrived or false, but Charlie rose to the occasion; I made a few suggestions for different moods and emotions by describing particular scenarios to her and she reacted in just the right way. 

I love the fact that you can see the emotion in her eyes and that each look is different, but in a very subtle way.  A good portrait definitely doesn't always have to be about big smiles and although it may be a cliche, the eyes really are the windows to the soul.

One of the great advantages of photographing on location and locally is that I know all these places so well and also when the light is going to be at its best in each particular one.

The photos she will use will be in black and white, but I really like the colour versions too, plus the extra shots I took in a slightly different style towards the end of the session, and which are more informal in pose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model Shoot - Barnett Hill, Guildford, Surrey

A couple of weekends back I had the pleasure of doing a model shoot at a beautiful location just outside Guildford. 

Barnett Hill is a Queen Anne-style country house set in wonderful landscaped grounds which provide the most amazing backdrops for taking photographs.

The shoot came about when I got chatting to Julie Gore at a recent business networking event run by the Best of Guildford.  Julie is the Business Development Manager for the Sundial Group who manage Barnett Hill and two other similar venues. I mentioned to her that I would be interested in doing a photoshoot there and she very kindly arranged everything for me. Quite fortuitously I also met Isla, my model, at the same meeting!

The day was pretty-near perfect for outdoor portraits using just natural light and I was spoilt for choice location-wise.  We also managed to squeeze in some shots indoors, making use of the stunning decor.  Here are some of my favourites from the day.

Huge thanks to Julie and her colleagues at Barnett Hill, and to Isla for looking beautiful and being very patient!

Wedding and portrait photographers and film-makers - if you're looking for a beautiful location, then get in touch.

 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Still Life Photography

Oh, the joys of photographing something that doesn't move for a change:)  I can poke it, prod it, reposition it and even spray it with water, and it won't utter a sound!

I used to spend most of my time at college in the studio with a 5" x 4" camera glued to my eyeballs, my head under a darkcloth, staring at an upside-down image of a still-life composition I'd spent hours lovingly and painstakingly setting up.

So I thought I'd go back to basics this month and try shooting inanimate objects again.  These were taken on my dining-room table, with just a camera, reflector and tripod.  The Sea Holly was pretty dead and dried up, but I sort of prefer it that way.

 

 

Family Photography Surrey

It was a beautiful autumn morning when I photographed this lovely family a few weeks ago. 

I discovered very quickly that this little boy's three favourite things were Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs and chocolate! His baby brother had just learned to sit up and so we started off with some shots on (and in!) mum and dad's bed before going for a walk in the fields and by the river just behind their house.  The light was gorgeous and we had a great time collecting leaves, jumping in puddles and looking at the sheep.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Family Portrait Photography Guildford

As the forecast is for snow this week, here are some photos from a family portrait session I did in the summer!

I always have a pre-meeting with my clients before the actual day of their session so that we can discuss what outfits will look best, good locations etc.  We started off outdoors and then finished with some photos taken at the house.  I think the blues and reds really work well here as do the backdrops provided by the Chantries and the surrounding areas.

A really fun session with a lovely family!

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Business Portrait Photography - Surrey

I was recently approached by this lady as she needed some new portraits for a book that she was writing and also for her website.  She works as a counsellor and so wanted her photos to convey a friendly and approachable demeanour whilst still looking professional.  After a chat, we decided that an outdoor setting combined with some shots taken in her home would be most appropriate.

The weather was perfect for the outdoor shots which were taken at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking, a fantastic location and one which I'd never visited before but which I now plan to.  We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours finding different areas in which to shoot, and using a couple of different outfits, and I'm pleased to say that she was delighted with the photos. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Autumn Weather in Norwich

I'm always sad to see the end of the summer but we have had some beautiful autumn weather lately.  Last week we had a short break in Norwich, exploring the city and also the Norfolk Broads.  The combination of autumn sunshine, burnished leaves and beautiful old buildings was particularly irresistible.  There's something about the way those rays of light come filtering through the trees or strike the contours of a statue that is hard to beat. 

Okay, so the chairs don't really come into the "Autumn" category, but I just liked them - they look as if they're waiting patiently for someone to sit on them!

To my friend Rose who is currently out in India, here's a taste of what to expect when you come home:) x

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Baby Photography Surrey

This little girl was such a pleasure to photograph - she was so happy and contented, and didn't even object to the numerous outfit changes which I put her through during the session!

I always like to allow a whole morning for my baby portrait sessions if possible - this means that as well as getting a good range and variety of images, we have plenty of time to allow for naps and feeds; so, we used mum and dad's bedroom and then spent a short time in the garden too.  When I saw the little red coat and the strawberry hat, I just couldn't resist!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Business Portraits Guildford Surrey

A lot of my business portraits are taken at my clients' offices and involve me setting up lights in one of their rooms to make a portable studio. However, I was pleased to get the chance to do some outdoor portraits for a new client who contacted me recently as he needed some shots for his business cards.  As well as wanting them taken outdoors, he also asked for them to be done in black and white.

 
 
 
 
 

Vintage Portrait Photography Session - Godalming, Surrey

It was on a very overcast and murky-looking day in July that I did an on-location portrait session in Godalming with Josey. 

I hadn't done a portrait photography session outdoors in Godalming before, but having looked at some different areas around the town, it seemed ideal. I would like to say thank you too to the lovely lady who runs the Godalming Packetboat Company for allowing us to take photographs beside the Iona and alongside the jetty.

Josey was great to photograph - she'd brought along lots of different outfits and props and we spent a lovely morning wandering around the town and going through various poses and ideas.

Here are my favourite shots from the day - thank you Josey for being such a star!