Demi and her sister did several background checks, and we both exchanged WhatsApp messages before meeting. Knowing who to trust—and gauging a person’s friendliness and expertise—can sometimes be a daunting task.
With a certain amount of pride, I sometimes challenge potential clients to find any negative reviews about me online. With over 25 years of experience, it’s quite an accolade to know that I’m well thought of, highly recommended, and backed by numerous positive reviews.
I always suggest meeting over coffee beforehand. It’s a great opportunity to discuss the photography, style, look, ambience, and expectations so that everyone is on the same page moving forward. My friendly and humorous attitude generally wins people over—after all, we are both looking for the same thing: great images that work.
My go-to meeting place is Urban Café in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, but in this instance, I was happy to travel to Merry Hill Shopping Centre and visit the new Storybooks on the upper mall. Demi was on time and met me outside—she had already ordered, which was much appreciated.
I was genuinely impressed when we met. “Wow, you’re beautiful!” was my reaction. Chiselled features, high cheekbones, and flawless skin, all combined with a pleasing persona and sense of style. Within an hour, we had discussed her ideas, my ideas, and finalized the details of when and where we would shoot. A deposit was handed over, matching the studio fee.
A studio in Birmingham was booked and paid for. We both arrived 15 minutes early and quickly settled into a warm, safe, and private space. I’ve shot there many times previously, from corporate headshots to actor portfolios, from beautiful boudoir to personal nudes. This shoot was very much a fashion-led model portfolio.
The range of shots, combined with a few street shots, made this a fantastic project to work on. We had fun, several outfit changes—Demi, not me!—and a great time overall. “Do I really look like that?” she asked. “Yes, you look amazing,” I replied.
If your friends, partner, or significant other are all telling you, “You should be a model” or “You look like a model,” then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You won’t regret it, and you’ll end up with a set of memorable and meaningful photographs that might just change your life!
Model quote:
“Had the amazing opportunity to work with Graham, who is both funny and highly creative. I had a great experience and am both happy and pleased with how the photographs turned out.”
CALL GRAHAM, MOBILE: 07958 712088
OR EMAIL: [email protected]