Those of you who pass by here often, may remember me mentioning a certain science writer called Helen Scales. She was my very first bride, and has become a dear friend over the years. Helen wrote an acclaimed book called Poseidon’s Steed: The Story of Seahorses from Myth to Reality and regularly broadcasts on national radio, publishes podcasts and writes for key science blogs and magazines. She has a PhD from Cambridge (where we met), dives whenever she can, made my bridesmaid dresses by hand and has introduced me to some of my favorite music. Needless to say I am very fond of her.
Last summer, Helen was planning a redesign of her website and blog in to a single site, so we hatched a plan to do a beach shoot to provide new and fresh images to populate the pages. Helen and I had taken a few images once before for the author image which adorns the hardback version of her first book, but while being one of the most self-assured broadcasters I know, she was a little nervous about a whole shoot centered on her. I reassured her that it would be fun and that we would be in surroundings which made her most happy. So with that in mind, Jake, Helen and I jumped in to the car and headed for the west coast. I took us quite a while to find just the right spot of beach, deserted enough to give us the backdrop we wanted.
It was a perfect day, rolling clouds and a good strong breeze with aquamarine skies. A gift for this shoot indeed. We warmed up chatting and shooting. To put Helen at ease, I asked her questions and caught her reactions in the images – much in the same way I do when working with couples. It is such a reliable and fun way to capture people’s spirit, and I find it a much more natural way to work. In no time, Helen’s confidence was flowing and we caught some really fun cartwheeling action across the deserted landscape.
Helen had given me a brief for the shoot which showed her at work, writing in her trusty notebook that goes everywhere with her, and also portraits which captured her personality. She brought along a few other props, which are her trademarks for anyone who knows her well – her brightly coloured satchel and books. The bright splashes of colour against the subtle beach palette worked so well. She was also keen for some of the images to be processed with textures and cross-processed colours for a more retro feel. Below I share some of my favorite images from the day. I hope you enjoy them!
To accompany the launch of Helen Scales’s new site, we both thought we would blog about the shoot. See Helen’s version of the day here.
Jake caught this image of me photographing Helen in her element. It reminds me how much fun we had! Be sure to check out Helen’s new site!
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This looks great fun, and what dynamic photos you have taken Ria, truely wonderful. Love the retro style photos as well, it must be nice to do something slightly different.
Oh Ria, I love these. And I have hair envy, Helen’s curls are amazing.
It was such a fun day… wish we could go right back there now! Ria, it’s a privilege to get myself in front of your camera and to appear on your blog alongside all those beautiful brides. yes yes, let’s plan part II when it warms up… I want to show off my bicycle!
Really love these images. They capture Helen so brilliantly.