Christina Lauder Portraits

This past week at the Societies of Photographers Convention in London was just about perfect in every way. As always I look forward to this event with mixed emotions. As a judge and speaker anxiety levels can be high. And I always know that through both working and socialising it can be an exhausting experience that is often hard to get through. However the high I finish on is simply incredible and worth all the sleepless nights and hard work, in large part due to the incredible people with whom I get to spend this week. (Photo Credit: Mike McNamee - Sitting on a panel) (Photo Credit: Mike McNamee - The entire judging team including print handlers) Being amongst the judging team just gets better and better each year. It is very intimidating sitting on that panel and being resposible for assigning a score and then often providing a critique to substantiate it however the rewarding feeling when doing it well is immense. I know I am still a relatively new judge but hope I...

I'm back and looking forward to it. This year I will be on the stage with my fellow members of TeamBowens where I will be demonstrating live with the new Bowens XMT battery powered lights. I am loving using this new kit and can't wait to show how simple they are to use. Battery powered is definitely the way to go. No more cables! Anyway, I digress. For one of my demonstrations I will be showing how I light the majority of my portraits using just 2 lights in a wonderfully simple setup that anyone can do. I'll be using 2 large softboxes to create some lovely soft light portraits and I'm thrilled to say I'll have my daughter on stage with me as my subject. For those who know me you may remember that she hasn't been the most co-operative subject over the years. However, that all seemed to change in January when I asked her to let me test out the new lights with her. Once I allowed her to offer posing suggestions and we started working as a team collaboratin...

Well its Friday January 20th and I've been home since Monday but this is the first day when I feel alive and well enough to sit for an extended period at my desk. It happens to me every few years after the convention that I succumb to a virus that was likely floating around the air conditioning system. Its been ages since I've been properly ill and had lots on in the weeks leading up to the convention so a part of me figured I was due. Its inevitable when you plan a well deserved break after a busy period that your body thinks, 'this is a good time to be ill'. I'm always thankful though that I completed all my obligations prior to coming down with flu and the diary is empty for another couple of days to allow me to recover before being customer facing once again. In the meantime I'll begin with a review of my week at the convention. My week began with judging the 20x16 Print Competition. This has been something I've been working towards for years and is t...

These are all things I will be presenting while at the Societies Convention in London starting this Wednesday. I will begin my week on the judging panel for the 20x16 print competition which I am very much looking forward to. I get to see some incredible images which always serve as great inspiration for the year ahead. Following that I have a 4 hour Superclass scheduled for Friday January 13th from 9-1pm . This class must be booked prior to attending and is limited to just 15 people. In this class I will be using the new Bowens lights which I have been using this weekend for the first time. I love them and created these beautiful portraits of my daughter (above and 2 below). She rarely lets me photograph her so its something special for me to have these wonderful portraits of her which were made even better in the fact that she helped with the posing on the first one. So it was very much a joint effort. My Superclass will be covering many lighting techniques, including all the...

The dates have been set for this year's workshops. For the first time ever I actually decided to set dates right at the start of the year. I just meant to announce the dates earlier than this. But with the London Convention, recovery from the convention, photographing 3 playgroups, followed by an ever so annoying cold I contracted from said playgroups (one of the many joys of working with kids) I am now only announcing my dates. Dates for Workshops at my studio Tuesday March 1st Tuesday April 19th Tuesday May Tuesday July 5th Each day will begin at 9:30 and finish at roughly 4:30 (although I am prepared to let this run over if necessary).  The cost is £195 per delegate and it includes refreshments and lunch.  Subject: Foundations in Portrait Lighting - In Depth and Hands On Beginning with the basics in lighting and working up to more complex techniques this workshop will provide a solid foundation in lighting principles making this ideal for both the begi...

(Awards Night by Aled Davies) Each year this event highlights for me just how fast time is passing. Its a milestone marker a bit like a child's birthday. It seems like it will be forever for the next convention to come around as we say goodbye but before we know it we're hugging everyone hello once again in the halls of the now very familiar Hilton Hotel on Edgeware Road in London. We've spent so much time there that place now feels like home for one week every January. (My masterclass on Photoshop - I was quite pleased with the turnout) This year I presented 2 talks, one on Photoshop Tips and Tricks as well as one on Lighting. Both of which were well attended and well received. I'm often amazed how many people turn up to hear what I have to say. For those in the Lighting Superclass I wanted to share a few of the images created during that session. In hindsight I wished I had asked someone to make notes of the noteworthy images so that I could show everyo...

The Societies Convention in London is being held from January 20th to the 24th this year. As always I am so looking forward to it. Not only is a great opportunity to receive formal training from some of the best in the industry but its also a chance to learn and gain immense knowledge from so many people from all over the world while enjoying a drink (or 3) at the bar. I always come away from this trip feeling as though I've just attended a family reunion. I've made so many wonderful friends who so often are there for me through the year. It is such a worth while event and for anyone not sure whether to make the trip I can assure you its made a load of difference to me.  Anyway, I am posting this to tell you that I am again running two classes this year, The first is software related and is a 2 hour masterclass.  The second is a hands on lighting 4 hour superclass.  Masterclass: You Don't Know What You Don't Know When: Thursday January 21st from 1:00 to 3...