I have to say I am somewhat of a regular customer at Empire Espresso – my local and might I add, awesome coffee shop!

These guys make the best coffee in…well, I’d have to say the whole of New Zealand! The industrial feel they have going on inside with stark white walls, black furniture and chrome fittings together with the modern art on the walls that is rotated every couple of months from a private collector it is like nothing you have seen before and really does offer an escape to the regulars who drop in every day. They also have an incredibly intimate, friendly, down to earth and social vibe going on amongst the staff and customers that is as addictive as the coffee they serve. No wonder I am there most days!

Late last week, after all the customers had all left for the day and the sun was going down, we got all the staff together for a group photo. While they were chatting amongst themselves I created a clear vision in my mind of what I wanted, and was able to catch the look and feel of the establishment perfectly with the half closed look, upturned chairs and everyone just being their cool selves.

Although nobody wanted their photo taken that day, I managed to put everyone at ease by creating a more relaxed environment. One of the challenges of being a photographer are the sometimes sceptical subjects I am asked to shoot, but by kicking things back a notch I am generally able to get the exact images I want. Needless to say, the Empire Espresso team had nothing to worry about and when I presented the proofs them the next day they were thrilled!

If you’re ever in the area, be sure to drop in for a chat with Zoe, Jamie and the gang, sample the delights of their amazing coffee and see the new 1.5m print of the team which now hangs on their wall…

Bridal Veil Falls : Raglan, NZ from Paul Shipper on Vimeo.

Photographic Slideshow
Photographs taken in March 2010 around the area of Raglan, NZ. Including Bridal Veil Falls and Manu Bay.

All photography ©ps|studio DPI 2010
Slideshow edited by Paul Shipper ps|studio DPI
Music by George Fenton
Angel Falls from the soundtrack ‘Planet Earth’

View it in HD over at the ps|studio DPI Vimeo Channel

Mystery Creek Winery – A Photography Assignment.

ps|studio DPI has been on hand to create photography to showcase the Waikato, New Zealand based wine maker from vine to wine in anticipation of their new website and for use in their marketing material for 2010.

Requirements for the shoot included product and location photography, showcasing the onsite facilities including the bottle production line.

We tried a few variations for the bottle shots. First ideas were to have the wine bottles photographed in and around the vineyard – the origin of the wine. This to me was a logical first choice but unfortunately made the images unworkable from a marketing perspective.

We also took shots on a aggregate slab onsite with a hint of the lifestyle that goes with enjoying a glass or two of vino, the great outdoors and hot sunny days. however, as I like to shoot with available light on location we were getting some inconsistencies with the shots across the product range. Reflections of the cloudy but sunny sky above did not work in my favour.

Not satisfied with the results, it was time to take the wine to the studio.

With bottle samples in tow and a determination to get it right, we were back at base to begin working out what we should do and how the final images should look.

After a conversation with Mystery Creek Wine’s marketeer, we had some good ideas that definitley got the creative juices flowing in order to have an end result that would please everybody (including ourselves).

During the experimentation on the product shots we decided that the element of aggregate from the earlier shoot, which was favoured by the client and ourselves, would form a good foundation for the studio photography. We located some loose, broken, exposed concrete and found pieces that were of particular interest, set up a gray backdrop… Time to play!

Lighting the wine bottles was a little challenging to start with, but after a few test shots it was all looking good.

The clients response to the test shots was like beautiful music!… They loved them!

I had the massive privilege of capturing another of the Dunn Family Weddings last week.

Sonia and Kurt were guests at Kurt’s Sister’s wedding that I photographed last February and when the time came to choosing a photographer for their big day, they told me they couldn’t go any other way!

They loved the way I worked and were so impressed with the end results that I was booked without really having to respond to their enquiry…

A wonderful couple whose love shines so bright when they are together, lots of laughs, even during the ceremony!

I just dropped off their DVD Slideshow to them this afternoon and they were both very excited to see how it all came out, as I left they were rushing into the house to get the DVD started…I love that!

What a fantastic couple, I wish them both the very best for their future together…

Here are some of the photos from the day…

Friends and Family of the happy couple are welcome to view the full set of photos online at the ps|studio web galleries. You will require a password from them in order to log in.

http://psstudio.nextproof.com/galleries/sonia-and-kurt

I just love shooting Weddings. A day of so much preparation and excitement to be captured through the lens. A couple so in love and surrounding themselves with all the people they hold dear.

What’s not to like?!

Lucy and Chris. What a great couple… The morning of their big day was shrouded in rain and grey skies. I always believe that it will be a great day whatever the weather and I frequently reassure my brides that you can’t let the weather really spoil this special day – you really have to roll with it despite all the complications that may, and usually do arise over the course of a well planned day, you really have to be flexible. This applies to the Bride and Groom and everyone involved all the way down to the guests – and the photographer!

I knew we would be shooting indoors for the ceremony, however we would be headed outdoors to the beautiful Hamilton Gardens for the Bridal shoot later so my fingers were crossed for clearer skies!

Just as we were headed to the preparation shoots the sun graced us with it’s presence and stuck around all afternoon! How wonderful!

Have a look at some of the photos from the day. Big congrats to Lucy and Chris you guys were awesome fun!