Vikings studio shoot

Well, I've been meaning for a while to get into the "blogging" mullarky in the VERY slim chance anyone is slightly interested. I suppose if I don many more of these obviously comes down to whether or not they are being read, Comments more than welcome. My 1st attempt shares the highly secretive photoshoot of the Widnes Vikings new kit launch for their Super League campaign in 2012. After securing my own Vikings future just weeks before, The 1st job in hand was to prepare the new kit photos for a launch night where the shirt would be unveiled to 300 Vikings Stronghold members eagerly awaiting the 1st viewing of the kit.
I had a good friend that is setting up a studio so spent the weekend with him helping to put up backdrop supports, lighting stands and taking numerous test shots to put my own mind at ease that I could "nail" the shot when the players finally come to the shoot. To say i was nervous is a massive understatement. I don't do studio work and not the most comfortable using flash but to be honest with myself I am my own worse critic and am vastly too harsh on myself most of the time. Everything was in place and there was not much more I could have done to get things right.

D-day arrived and on a cold Tuesday night in deepest, darkest Runcorn I sat in a cold unit waiting to meet the 4 new Vikings players for the 1st time. Willie Isa, Ben Cross, Rhys Hanbury and Patty Ah Van arrived with Vikings Marketing manager and man seemingly in charge of the kit ideas and designs, Brian O Connor. Now, Even the new players, myself nor most of the the club had seen anything of the new kit in either design or in person so 1st impressions when the players stepped into the famous black and white shirt were very good, I liked the kit alot, Loving the black "V" and with little touches like the Q reader barcode, Club watermarked sticky bits and of course the all important 1989 World Club Champions Star.

As the lads worked the camera like model pros I think they may have done this more often than I had as they seemed at lot more at ease than I did. As we had some props (Not as in position sense) I suggested they threw some passes towards the camera, just above my head. These looked extremely close to me looking through the lens and I'm pretty sure they were in competition who could skim my head without hitting it. Gladly they are pretty good as throwing the ball about and none hit the bonce! It did however lighten the mood of the shoot as everyone all of a sudden seemed alot more relaxed.

Plenty of "action" and posed shots later from individuals and as groups the players could finally go home, Bare in mind now that these guys are full time and had been in all day training and we were now knocking on to 9pm. As they say in the trade (or at least in movies) that's a wrap! We had plenty of shots in a variety of poses to create memorabilia and promotional material. All that was left was the picture edits and more importantly keeping images under wraps until the scheduled launch night. I must confess I had one scary moment on twitter (Shameless follow plug, kt8photography) where my kids had had the iPad and tweeted an image of themselves thankfully. I know this confession alone will send shivers down Brian's spine but assure you mate, Steps have since been taken to rule out that mistake, Yep, The kids can no longer use their iPad. ha

Well, 1st ever blog done. Was it long enough? detailed enough? boring? interesting? Please leave comments below, If I get enough kind comments I may just blog on our recent TWO new signings!  (joke!)