I was delighted to receive a message last week asking me to assist in a photography training event. Chris Chambers runs this twice yearly event at Allerton Castle in Yorkshire and it is attended by photographers from all over the country. The aptly named “Keys to the Castle” allows the attendees exclusive use of this Yorkshire Wedding venue for 2 full days. Unlike Chris’ other workshops and training courses this gives photographers the chance to work with professional models in an unstructured way to giving them chance to practice their photography and posing skills without the pressure of having to deliver images to a client.
My role over the 2 days is to fetch and carry, be that coffee, bottles of water or lighting and soft boxes. Hold flashes and fluff dresses and I also help the models with their numerous outfit changes. Weddings aside, this is my favourite event of the year. It’s my 4th time doing it and I’m always absolutely thrilled when I get asked along to help. I also get the chance to take hundreds of photos.
Allerton Castle is a Grade 1 listed building in North Yorkshire. This 19th century Gothic house boasts the most beautiful rooms and sitting amongst acres of stunning scenery it’s the perfect backdrop for photographers. During the 2 days we have access to ornate bedrooms for boudoir photography, the billiard room for groom prep photos, the grand hall and the drawing room as well as the vast grounds and gardens.
A timetable is made and photographers can choose which session they would like to attend with all being repeated at least once, so over the 2 days you can have access to every shoot available. For me personally it’s a chance to try out new techniques that I can then use in my own photoshoots and wedding photos. Chris also runs several masterclass sessions where he and other professional photographers present and teach students so it’s a great opportunity to first learn and then do a free session with models to put your teachings into practice.
The billiard room contains beautiful chesterfield chairs and sofas and, obviously a full size snooker table. This room is frequently used on weddings days for groom prep photos. The dark décor contrasts perfectly with the natural light from the huge windows allowing you to create edgy portraits without the need for artificial light. The ability to master light and shade is crucial to a wedding photographer and this room provides the ideal setting to practice. It would have to be said that it’s quite a masculine room which suits groom prep very well but it’s also perfect for a bit of edgy boudoir.
The drawing room is adorned with huge oil paintings, gold furniture, gilded mirrors and high windows. It can only be described as opulent and what an amazing room for portrait photography. The most beautifully flattering light floods into this room so I can see why it’s so popular for wedding couples to have their photos done in here. It’s also a great room for learning how to control flash. Mirrors and reflective walls create difficult backgrounds in any venue. Coming home to edit wedding photos only to find that you’ve caught a flash reflection in a mirror you didn’t spot is a steep lesson.
The grand hall and great staircase is wood and more wood. Floors, walls and a vast vaulted ceiling. Chris uses this space to teach lighting techniques. It could be described as a technically difficult venue to photograph but once you are taught how to control the light, which will bounce a hundred different ways if you’re not careful, then you can have great fun recreating what you’ve learned.
The bedrooms are just as luxurious as the rest of the castle. I love natural light and have learned over time when to use it and when you need a little boost from a flash or two. It’s a big lesson and possibly the most important one to learn for a photographer.
The gardens at Allerton Castle are beautifully maintained yet not overdone. They speak for themselves without the need to boast and using the Castle itself as a backdrop you don’t even need nice weather to create fabulous images. Chris holds several teaching sessions outside showing how you can use natural light for your photography and when you need flash to enhance your images for you.
A night time masterclass is held on each of the 2 days one at the Castle itself and one in nearby York. These are a must if you want to get the most out of your time. The lessons learned here are what have enabled me to take the many evening wedding photos that my couples love.
It’s quite an intensive 2 days, and tiring, but I’ve loved it and can’t wait to adapt the techniques I’ve learned to suit my own style of wedding photography. My poor husband probably gets a bit bored of me talking about photography but I’ve had 2 days with a room full of photographers to talk away to, to my hearts content which has been brilliant. Lots of new friends made, lots learned, lots of cake eaten and coffee drunk.
Great times indeed x
