This is the result of my recent practice shoot with my friend Emma and her friends Shona and Alison. (Shona, Alison and Emma left to right). I have asked my friend Wendy, one of my 100 portraits subjects to assist in my forthcoming wedding shoot for Phil and Harvie. We thought it would be good to have a practice run with the off-board flash, and my new pocket wizard transmitter to make sure we could work together slickly on the big day. Emma and her friends chose a lovely spot off the Rosneath Peninsula in Argyll, at Cove. The evening was really cold and windy, but we had fun regardless.

These are some group pictures, showing the girls in their best girl-band mode.

In this one, we put the low, cloud covered sun behind the group and used fill flash from the front. This one will be for the album cover.

Unfortunately it all went a little bit Abba here. Not a problem in itself, but these helpful subjects are a bit young for that…

We thought we would grab a few individual pictures of the girls before they froze in the wind. Emma smiling beautifully, as she pretty much always does.

Alison taking up the girl-band theme again.

I love this one against Loch Long with Alison’s 150 watt smile!

The beach got too cold and we retreated to the local country house hotel. The cold wind became less of a problem, although the wind blowing in pretty much every direction at once ensured that every second picture had a strand of hair across someone’s face; this one somehow didn’t…

Just before we abandoned from cold and strengthening wind, we grabbed a few of Shona. I just love the classic, dreamy look here. It was just crying out for sepia. Shona is just demanding a part in something Jane Austenish here.

We finally tried a few with Shona overlooking the loch, but the wind was a nightmare. In frustration, I asked her to hold her hair to stop it covering her face, and by one of those happy accidents, she looked amazing, relaxed and natural.

Thanks so much for helping girls. We certainly had fun, and the pictures look great; now who is going to be the lead singer, and who is going to write the songs?

Wendy’s help was great. Not only was she a fabulous assistant, but she will do some second-shooting at the wedding too. (Wendy was on my recent portrait workshop, and takes some great people shots). Wendy took pictures on this shoot as well, and we will post them next, with her own comments on the experience.

This shot was just Wendy helping out while I checked the background, and light quality. I kind of liked it anyway, so couldn’t resist including it. (Inverkip power station chimney vaguely visible for those who care).