Homecoming Live: In Pictures

Homecoming Live took over the SECC in Glasgow in Friday night with an array of Scottish bands and artists which included Deacon Blue, Twin Atlantic, Idlewild, Teenage Fanclub, King Creosote and Midge Ure. The concerts kicked off a weekend of celebrations to mark the end of Homecoming Scotland 2009. More pictures here.
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Who ate all the Pies?

I did. Well, a couple anyway. Celebrity Irish chef Paul Rankin was a the new Sainsbury's superstore at Braehead near Glasgow recently to promote his new range of luxury pies which include peppered venison and mushroom. I have to confess that I was given a box of pies to take home and I can safely report that they were delicious. And Paul was a top guy as well.
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Shooting with Innis & Gunn

Edinburgh based brewers Innis & Gunn recently produced their 5 millionth bottle of beer. To publicise the event I was commissioned to produce press and corporate images of Dougal Sharp, renowned brewer and owner of Innis & Gunn.
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The Big Ticket

Culture Minister Mike Russell launched the Historic Scotland Free Weekend at Stirling Castle yesterday. To celebrate St Andrew's Day and the finale weekend of Homecoming Scotland 2009, Historic Scotland are throwing open the doors of 47 of their properties for free. To find a property near you text 'WEEKEND' to 84118 or visit the HS site.

Both Edinburgh and Stirling Castles are also free on St Andrew's. How many properties can you visit on one weekend?
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Santa's Little Helper

Gillian Burke, owner of Ollie & Forbes photographed for Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine. Ollie & Forbes is a new online retailer based in Edinburgh specialising in contemporary children's toys presented in jute bags.
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Sir Jackie Stewart

Scottish racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart OBE dropped by the Famous Scots exhibition at the Scotland'sPeople centre in Edinburgh this morning to see the story of his life and family tree. The Formula 1 champion in the final Famous Scot in the series and the exhibition runs until 31st Dec 2009.

Previous people featured include Billy Connolly Brian Cox and Tilda Swinton. The exhibition is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009.
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Radio Forth Awards

Sugababes, Spandau Ballet, The Noisettes and Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield were among the big names who appeared at the seventh annual Radio Forth Awards at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh yesterday.

The Awards celebrate the best in music, sports and entertainment and also honour local heroes from communities in and around Edinburgh.

More photographs on the Forth One website here.
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Little Comets

Little Comets lead singer Robert Coles performs at the Jewel & Esk college last night as part of a tour aimed at giving music students the opportunity to stage their own concert. The Newcastle based band took to the stage alongside current and former students.
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The Dalmore Oculus

Whisky consultant Marin Green from Bonhams examines The Dalmore Oculus, a rare and unique bottle of precious whisky assembled from some of the most exceptional whiskies of the past 140 years. The whisky is part of Bonhams auction which takes place tomorrow and is expected to fetch between £15,000 - £20,000.
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David Calder

I first met David Calder a couple of years ago when I photographed him for his weekly fitness column in Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine. When David set up his new fitness, wellness and therapy studios in Edinburgh's West End I was delighted when he commissioned me to provide images for his website and advertising.
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Caledonia clears Perth Concert Hall

Back to work after a couple of weeks off and straight to Perth for the finale concert of Dougie MacLean's Perthshire Amber festival which ended with the Caledonia concert. I must say it's always a joy to photograph Dougie and get the chance to listen to some great music at the same time keeps those back to work blues at bay.

The show ended with a star studded line up onstage to sing Dougie's most famous song - Caledonia complete with pyrotechnics during the last verse. Unfortunately the smoke set off the automatic fire alarms and the hall had to be cleared before the cast could perform the final number of Auld Lang Syne. Rock and roll.
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I Shall Be Redeemed

" A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it." Edward Steichen.

The first thing most people say to me when I am about to take a portrait of them is that they hate having their photograph taken. You can usually tell within the first 30 seconds of meeting them if you are going to click with them and produce some great shots which capture their personality. Some people take longer than others but most end up having enjoyed the experience more than they thought they would.

The job of a portrait photographer isn't just to set up the lights or operate the camera - it's about putting people at ease and connecting with them, even for a short period of time. You can tell by looking at a portrait, the relationship the sitter has had with the photographer for that brief moment when the image was made. What happens on both sides of the camera is evident in the final image.

Jamie Rae is the Chief Executive Officer of Redeem, an international leader in recovery, refurbishment and recycling of consumer electronic devices. Photographed at the company headquarters in Falkirk.
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Ollie and Forbes and Twitter

The power of social media. I found a new client recently (or they found me) through using Twitter. For the past six months I have been posting tips, comments and links to my website and PhotoBlog. Edinburgh based on-line children's gift service Ollie & Forbes began to follow me and before long commissioned me to carry out product photography for their website which goes live early next month.

Client Quote:

'Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the photo's, they are great!! Really appreciate all your hard work. We have just done a test upload and they look fantastic, so pleased!'

Gillian Burke
Owner
Ollie & Forbes
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The Journey Starts Here

I shot this portrait of Grant Rumbles, Chief Executive officer of Exova - a worldwide company which provides testing services for industry - a few months back. The portrait was taken in Grant's office which I temporarily transformed into a studio using a black background, studio lights and reflectors.

The shoot was commissioned by Edinburgh based White Light Media who create fantastic magazines for the private and public sector which includes The Exova Magazine which has just been published.
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Orkney Venus Tour starts at Edinburgh Castle

It may sound like a heavy metal band but in fact The Orkney Venus is the earliest human figure ever found in Scotland and is going on display at Edinburgh Castle until the 1st November.
Photographed this morning at the Castle is seven year old Afra Manicini. Kids go free to the exhibition and the castle if they say the magic word 'Orkney' when they arrive.
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One from the Vaults

Hamish Martin, Managing Director of Inverarity Vaults based just outside Biggar who produce whisky and import fine wines from all over the world. I was commissioned to produce corporate images of the staff for PR and press use.
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The Homecoming Sessions

The Homecoming Traditional Music Sessions have been running all over Scotland since March this year and continue until November. This one too place at Jenny Ha's pub on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh last night. More information on upcoming sessions can be found here.

It was a bit tricky to photograph the session as the pub was pretty dark so I lit the interior with a couple of remote flashes to make the image a bit more punchy. I rarely use direct flash and prefer off-camera flash to produce more interesting photographs.
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St Andrews Community Hospital

St Andrews Community Hospital in Fife bathed in blue sky yesterday. I love October when the sun often strong, the shadows long and the sky blue. These exterior shots were commissioned by the construction company to demonstrate how the building related to the surroundings.
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Chaaaaaarge!

I was at Craigmillar Castle near Edinburgh yesterday shooting the cover for a guidebook. It was an all day shoot which involved four models and was great fun, if hard work. It made me think about the role of the photographer in an assignment like this. The photographer has to have many skills such as director, stylist, lighting techician as well as thinking about the technical requirements from a photography point of view; ISO, shutter speed, depth of field... And of course working closely with the client to achieve the look and feel of the image required. This is why I love being a photographer.
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Having a Ball

Primary Six teacher Graham Mackay Bruce and professional singer Ceri-Ann Gregory brought the house down at the recent Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Homecoming Ball at the Shearton Hotel. This is the second year I have photographed the fundraiser which aims provide life changing bursaries fo children from all backgrounds.

Client quote: 'I got the CD today and the photos look great - Thanks so much!'
Suzi Grimes, Development Coordinator, ESMS
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