Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley Meets Holi Festival – Welshot Does Thornbridge 2025
Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley Meets Holi Festival – Welshot Does Thornbridge 2025
Welshot Does… Thornbridge Hall. is returning for 2025. Team Welshot will be joined by three amazing models – Jessica Saffron, Gwendoline Ginoux and Natalie Ciufo-Green at this quirky (and very photogenic) historic house in the heart of the Peak District. Our on-location themed photo-shoot – Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley Meets Holi Festival – has been specifically designed to be as quirky and as different as our amazing location.
Through our, bespoke to Welshot costumes, it’s very much a nod to this eclectic and fascinating venue that’s perfect for you as a photographer. Each of the three models will have two outfits which have been especially made for them – and you won’t see these outfits anywhere else other than at Welshot! We will be adding our own twist to the costumes and you can expect a dash of historical period costume to add to the explosion of colour!
Retro. 1970’s. Paisley pattern. Holi Indian festival. Bold. Bright. Colourful. Fashion couture with a twist of historical period costume – these are all words we would use to describe the vision of Paula’s (of the Chester Costume House) creative ideas behind her inspiration for creating our costumes for our March 2025 on location fashion photography photo-shoot.
We will be using three main rooms of Thornbridge Hall for your photography:
- The Great Hall – fireplace, the William Morris stained glass windows, original pop art and a wooden balustrade landing at the top of not one, but two staircases.
- Jim’s Bar – from dark wooden, grade II listed panels and plush red seating to a snooker table and enough football memorabilia to make any football fan swoon!
- The Music Room – all we can say is… Think Versailles Palace
After lunch, and a change of costumes we have the option to shoot outside in the amazing grounds if weather conditions are favourable. However, Welshot has use of the three rooms for the entire duration of the shoot.
These portfolio-building, photography sessions are aimed to help you capture a variety of portrait styles in a unique location. Whether you’re looking for photographs to enter camera club or international salon competitions, lifestyle portraits for your photographic portfolio, or creative conceptual shots, this Welshot on location day will provide you with an opportunity to explore different aspects of portrait photography and make some stunning images.
At this Welshot on location photoshoot you will collaborate with three talented, experienced full-time professional models, and fellow photographers in a supportive and collaborative environment. You will get a chance to direct your models, experiment with lighting setups, and capture genuine emotions that will make your portraits stand out.
Your Model Will Be…
Introducing Your Models:
- Gwendoline Ginoux (this link will open in Instagram)
- Jessica Saffron (this link will open in Instagram)
- Natalie Ciufo-Green (this link will open in Instagram)
Costume Inspiration for Your Day.
Think “Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley & Holi Festival” meets Quirky, Not Your Ordinary, Historic House
Step into a world of vibrant colour and retro charm with our Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley Meets Holi Festival photoshoot! Featuring models draped in iconic 1970s paisley patterns and inspired by the vibrant energy of the Holi Festival, this shoot is a bold celebration of colour, creativity, and nostalgia. The mix of swirling paisley prints and the joyful explosion of Holi-inspired powders will transport you back to a time of free-spirited fashion and radiant expression. Whether you’re looking for stunning portfolio shots or just want to experience the magic of the 70s with a modern twist, and a hint of historical period costumes, this photoshoot promises to capture the essence of playful energy and timeless style.
Our models will be wearing costumes designed and crafted by Paula Cain of the Chester Costume House, who has taken her inspiration from Thornbridge itself. The attention to detail, innovative techniques and a high level of skill will elevate our models outfits to magnificent art forms that will be perfectly captured in your camera!
Keep an eye open on the Welshot Socials – Facebook & Instagram for some great, behind the scenes, sneak peak footage, of all the preparations that will be happening between now and March 2025
Your Location Will Be
Never ordinary since 1150… Thornbridge Hall, is a Grade II* Listed Stately Home in the Heart of The Peak District, Derbyshire
Thornbridge Hall is a Grade II listed stately home nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Peak District. Set in 80 acres of stunning parkland, it is the family residence and private home of Jim and Emma Harrison. The Hall and its 10 acres of formal gardens have been lovingly restored and is now recognised as one of the most beautiful, quirky stately homes in the U.K.
What Will Be Covered:
Mastering Lighting Techniques: Experiment with various lighting setups. Understand the differences between soft and harsh light and how they affect the mood of your portraits. Learn to use reflectors and diffusers to control and manipulate light.
Perfecting Composition: While the rule of thirds is a great starting point, we will explore other composition techniques like framing, leading lines, and symmetry. We will also explain why considering your background is an integral part of your composition.
Posing Techniques: Study the art of posing. Develop a repertoire of poses that suit different models and situations. Practice directing your model to achieve natural and expressive poses, paying attention to body language and facial expressions.
How to Develop a Style: As you gain experience, you’ll naturally develop a unique style. This could involve specific editing techniques, preferred lighting setups, or a signature approach to posing. Embrace this evolution and continue refining your style over time.
Remember, the key to becoming proficient in portraiture is a combination of practice (and more practice) knowledge, technical skill, and artistic expression. Stay curious, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the creative process of capturing compelling portraits.
Building Your Portfolio @ Welshot
- Are you serious about your photography?
- Want to dedicate your time and energy into your continued professional development?
- Want to build a portfolio or create a serious body of work?
- Want to have a larger, wider, and unique range of shooting environments which concentrate specifically on portraiture and working with full-time professional models?
- Want to take your photography to the next level?
Whatever your reasons for wanting to make stunning photographs, you will be made welcome, and we would love to help you get the best from this event.
The Welshot Team will be at hand throughout this Retro Vibes & Colour Bursts: 1970’s Paisley Meets Holi Festival – Welshot Does Thornbridge 2025 event to assist and help you make amazing photographs for your portfolio. At the end of this photography session day event, you will leave with memory cards full of beautiful photographs and great memories.
How It Will Work…
- We always have experienced, full-time models at our portfolio building, photography session day events.
- Delegate numbers are capped at 15 photographers for this event.
- Group sizes will be small and proportional to model and team leader numbers.
- Your group will photograph each model in rotation – this event has three professional models and 6 different sets.
- There will be three sets in the AM and three sets in the PM.
- All models will be professionally styled and will be wearing specifically designed, bespoke to Welshot, costumes.
- Each group is rotated from set to set with plenty of shooting time.
- You shoot 1:1 with your model – this is timed, and you will be shooting in rotation.
- Each set has a Team Leader to keep the day running smoothly/control the lighting.
- Lighting is controlled off camera flash and natural/ambient lighting if possible.
We have a rule at Welshot… The Photographer who has the trigger has the FULL attention from the model(s), and the Team Leader. The set, complete with lighting and props is all yours for your shooting time – We do not allow piggy-back style shooting at ANY of our events.
Welshot Team Leaders are on hand to help you get the best from our portfolio building, photography session – apart from a very quick lighting check before each set-up they do not use their cameras on these events.
Welshot has been leading the way for photographic events since 2009. We have 5 million public liability insurance with comprehensive risk assessments.
We pride ourselves in looking after our Models – they are a BIG part of our team, and we couldn’t run these days without them. Their health, safety and well-being are just as important as us giving our photographic delegates a great experience with a fantastic opportunity to make stunning images. We ask our delegates to treat everyone at this event with respect and consideration.
Event Schedule
10:00 – Arrival at Thornbridge Hall – Please wait in Quackers Cafe until a Welshot Representative greets you.
10:15 – Welcome & Housekeeping – Walk to main house.
10:20 – Introducing Your Models: Natalie Ciufo-Green. Gwendoline Ginoux. Jessica Saffron
10:30 – Photography starts – Sets 1, 2, & 3
13:30 – Lunch in Quakers Café (not included) – pre-orders will be taken before the day and will be waiting for you at lunchtime.
14:15 – Photography resumes – Sets 4, 5, & 6
17:30 – Finish.
Please Bring
- We recommend you bring your DSLR and your favourite lenses. Prime lenses are good but not necessary. Tripods are not needed a this event unless you feel more comfortable using one.
- You are welcome to bring any props you wish to use – please note, no guns, real or otherwise are allowed at a Welshot event.
The Not So Small, Small Print
While Team Welshot will never knowingly let you leave without getting some amazing (properly exposed) images on your memory card – we do ask that you have a good understanding and know how to use your camera as we are unable to cover the basics (if you need help, check out this link – Learn Your Camera) but please don’t worry, Team Welshot is always on hand to help you with any adjustments you need, either for your camera settings/functions or lighting.
Please make sure you have read the event Terms and Conditions as your booking confirms you have read and understood our Terms of Service.
