Self Portraits

A self portrait of Tony Sale

As a photographer however I also think it’s important to undertake personal projects and to have a focus on doing something different, something purely for my own interest. In the past, for example, portrait projects have included representing concepts such as ’loneliness’ and ‘isolation’ and, ‘The Face the Story’, a study of the hidden and extraordinary life of everyday people we would normally pass in the street on a daily basis.

This year I my project will be ‘self-portraits’

What is a self-portrait and why do you want to do that? I hear you ask.

A self-portrait is a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist. Although self-portraits have been made by artists since the earliest times, it was in the Early Renaissance in the mid-15th century

Gosfield – pre wedding photo shoot

Gorgeous pre wedding portrait

I had planned to do a pre wedding photo shoot with Rachael and Robert some weeks prior to when we actually got to do it. The original plan was to meet in the village of Castle Hedingham early one evening and then shoot at different locations around the village until sun set. However, Rachel unfortunately got struck with a really bad bout of glandular fever just a few days beforehand so we decided to re schedule.

Due to poor weather and lack of light, we shot about 7.00 PM about a week later and this time went for a studio shoot,

Portrait Photography – a shoot with Sam and Luke in Braintree

Beautiful portrait of Sam shoot with her stunning red hair

Some months back I did a pre wedding / portrait shoot with Sam & Luke a fantastic couple from Braintree, a nice little market town up here in North Essex. In fact we did the shoot in Braintree at the Braintree and Bocking Public gardens in the Causeway.

If you follow my blog then you will know that I use this location quite a bit for pre wedding photo shoots, it really does have a lot to offer. Beautiful lawns, trees and gardens, walkways, benches a bridge and a pond.



Family Portrait Photography – Teen Portrait Photography

Family Portrait Photography - Teen Portrait Photography

This is actually a portrait of my two sons, Robert and Nicholas photographed in the home studio as a present for my wife, Kate. She absolutely loved it. Two very intelligent, good looking boys – and of course you know where they got that from!!

If you would like some beautiful photographic portraits of your family or friends or maybe just yourself then contact me now for more information.

Not sure what presents to give this Christmas or for an upcoming birthday or event, then why not give a portrait voucher, a gift token that can be used for a portrait siting and prints?

Michelle & Matthew – Portrait Photography in Braintree

Studio Portrait Photography Braintree

Michelle & Matthew are a lovely couple who live in Witham in Essex, not too far away from me in Gosfield. A few months ago we arranged to do a pre wedding photo shoot, the initial plan was to have a nice walk along the Guithavon Valley in Witham and capture some natural shots as we did so.

However on the day in question it was absolutely tipping down, not just heavy rain but heavy heavy rain and cold and windy to match. Of course we could have gone ahead, faced the elements got out there and done it, but.. We decided for option two instead, they came over to me and we shot a studio portrait session instead.

Here are a few images from the session



A Special Gift

gift voucher

Give something special to those you love this Christmas

Unsure what to buy a loved one or close friend for Christmas?

If you find it difficult to find the perfect gift for family or friends, then a Portrait gift voucher may be the ideal solution. A unique photographic experience and a gift that will be cherished forever.

Such flexibility, suitable for mums, dads, husbands wives, children, grandparents,

Susie, Rob & Ollie – Family Portrait Photography

Family portrait photography Braintree Essex

A selection of images from a recent family portrait siting – Rob, Suzie and Ollie from Matlock in Derbyshire.

Suzie & Rob primarily wanted some images of Ollie, their first child who was now a few months old. We started out doing some window light and natural light shots whilst Ollie was asleep and then moved on to do a number of portrait shots. I then persuaded Suzie and Rob to get involved as well.

The ones I have chosen to show here are some of the studio shots taken on a dark background. I’m a big fan of black / dark backgrounds I think portraits shot this way can look more engaging, and dynamic than those shot against a traditional