Simon's stuff: Fashion for freedom

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law Becki Hodge asked me if I could help her out. What could I say, particularly once I heard I would need my camera! Becki is a very caring person who has a great passion for helping people. During the past year or so she has been involved with the charity Freedom Project Ireland. On their website they state:

"Our vision is to see men, women, and children freed from human trafficking in Ireland and the UK, living life with hope and abundance."

They are trying to raise awareness to try and put an end to this horrible reality through organising a number of different events from abseils to truck pulling. This particular event was a fashion show arranged by Becki, where she arranged for local businesses to donate for an auction (including Candytuft Cakes) and supply clothes for the catwalk. Its so hard to know if events like this will be a success or not. Speaking to my brother beforehand I think they were expecting just over 100 people, oh how wrong they were. I think at final count there were around 300 people (about 99% women) packed into the room. The DJ played, the models strutted their stuff and the woman cheered!

Obviously I was delighted to be able to help out any way I could so when Becki asked me to come along and shoot the show I couldn't say no. I love photography jobs but I do take each one very seriously. I try to plan as much as I can and for this job it was no different. I think about what shots I want to get but also try and look for inspiration from other photographers.

Anyone that knows me will know that I like to work on my own as sometimes when you have help you end up spending as much time trying to explain to your help what they need to do as it would take you to do it yourself. However I decided for this job it would be best to bring in some help. Over the past year I have got to know Gary Boal of Boal Photography. Instantly Gary and I hit it off. The great thing about Gary is that I know when we work together that I don't need to worry about him. Once we plan what we are doing on a job we just get on with it. This fashion show was no different. We got there early, set up and then just got the job done.

Shooting the show itself was hard work. I never realised how fast models walk done the catwalk. I was constantly having to change setting on my camera so as not to either over or under expose the models with the speedlights. I did have a brilliant night though and got the shots I wanted. I was so delighted for Becki and her team for the wonderful success they made of the night. Becki was fantastic and an absolute natural on stage hosting the show. Roll on the next event!