I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!!!

Put very simply, I wanted three of the bands I love to photograph into one big group shot. I had a small window of opportunity to get this done at the Aylesbury Festival over the weekend. It was a matter of contacting them on Facebook, getting them to agree to it initially and then figure out when is the best time to get everyone together. The latter was problematic because the bands were on at very different times to each to each other!

I got to the Festival a little later than planned. Kelly was already there and I could see Lightbox setting up while Slashed Seat Affair were tucking into breakfast. There was no time to lose, I couldn’t approach Lightbox yet so I talked to Darren who is the Bass player from Slashed Seat Affair. He and his wife had to leave by 2PM, but the Red Bullets would not be on until 3PM! EEEeeek! However, God was looking out for me, at almost the exact time I received a text from The Bullet’s singer Pete; they were arriving at 1.30! Praise the Lord! Two bands locked in, one more to go.

Once Lightbox had finished their gig, I asked if they could stick around, but Joe and Gary needed to be elsewhere! (See previous EEEeeek!!!) I asked if they could return at 1.45 allowing for The Red Bullets to be late, with a bit of a grimace they agreed! Celebration!

That problem was sorted, now all that was left was the location. I had scouted around already but nowhere jumped out, until The Aylesbury Roxette’s Judy suggested the Grave Yard at St Mary’s Church! GENIUS!!

When the time came, I used my Wedding Photography experience to herd the three bands together which wasn’t all the difficult. Like the Piper I led them down an alley way to the Grave Yard. It was a sunny day, even so the air was very still and quiet.

Like a seasoned Pro I directed the bands to an opening; they all took their places randomly which I liked. I was concerned the bands would just bunch up together, but it really worked out! The only direction I wanted to make was for the lead singers to be at the front.

The final problem was getting them all in the shot. Even though I stood on a (short) wall, I was not elevated enough to get the angle I wanted, so I had to fire the camera blind by lifting the Nikon way above my head. It was a case of trial and error. After 5 minutes, I got the shot I wanted!!

I am very pleased with this shot, it captures them all perfectly and I do think it reflects their personalities very well!

So, a big thank you to (deep breath) The Red Bullets who are Pete Edwards, Mark Edwards, Mark Wheeler and Kyle Hall. A big up to Slashed Seat Affair who are Ellie Mules, Darren Michaels, Noel Martin and Rob Meehan. And finally to the local massif that is Lightbox who are Josh Gilbert, Gary Mullins, Joe Evans and James Sargeant.

A big thanks to my always wonderful Kelly Bond who got married recently (see pictures here)