Thank you for your fabulous comments. I can indeed help you to make a great first buy investment in lighting equipment. I suggest you go for a 2 flash head kit like the Elinchrom BXRi 500 x 500 ‘to go’ kit. I wouldn’t bother with the cheaper Dlite kit because you will be wanting something for more regular professional use. The kit comes with a pair of square softboxes – perfect for mother, baby and child photography. Do get the optional stands as they are great value too. Once you have explored the range of posabilities with the two head kit it would be worth investing in yourself. Come on one of my studio lighting workshops and unlock your potential.
Thank you for taking the time to explore Prophotonut. If you have any further questions or comments about lighting kits or training, give Blaise my PA a call on 01275 853204. I look forward to meeting you one day. Enjoy your photography, Damien.

Came across your site and stayed for over an hour (!) glued… I am starting a home based studio (for babies and children) and these pictures really made me love photography even more- you have such amazing captures- I love the lighting, poses and the colors/processing. Your techniques are brilliant! (especially love the way you get the light backgrounds to be black) As I am about to purchase my first lighting equipment, I was wondering what you would suggest- I was advised to start simple, but I want to invest wisely, so that I can add on as I grow.

Thank you for the inspiration (and vision to aspire to!)
Nathalie

I hope you are well. Best wishes,

Damien.

Lovegrove is a multi faceted brand. Lovegrove weddings product was (We have stopped shooting weddings) a consistent uncomplicated natural and beautiful set of pictures taken with fun and love presented in an album. The body of work was eloquent and self supporting and the style didn’t waver for the 10 years we were shooting. No naff cross processing, spot colour, tilted pictures, sepia tone etc. Just timeless photography. A lovegrove album of 2001 will look similar to one of 2010.

Lovegrove Consulting is my training and retail brand. Soon to be split I think. On the retail side I don’t just box shift like all the big retailers. I have more of an emporium. I select just the finest items from each range of products that serves my customers well. So when we sell just 1 of the 30 or so Gitzo monopods available it happens to be the most versatile and best suited to wedding and portrait photographers etc. If my customers were sports photographers I would supply a different model from the Gitzo range suitable for supporting big lenses up to 600mm etc. As the shop market widens we will embrace the needs of our new customers. All the items we sell are tried and tested by me personally. Again, another USP.

Lovegrove Training including ‘Evolve’ is delivered by my me and my team. We have had ten years experience at the top of the social photography industry and we walk the talk. I teach with a passion subjects I fully understand. I dont strive for happy clients, I strive for delighted clients.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Kindest regards,

Damien.

Great post as usual.

What would you say is Lovegrove’s USP?

Steve

It’s great for me to be able to give a bit back to an industry that has served me so well.

Kindest regards,

Damien.

Thank you for your kind comments. I wish you all the best in your fledgling career.

I am currently shooting a new DVD that will help you with the technical process of using Speedlights. It will be out at Christmas and will reveal the secrets of my shooting style. It is meant to partner my shooting natural light on location DVD that was released a couple of years ago.

My best value business advice investment for you to make is probably my book on wedding photography at under £20. It is packed with business strategies and tips.

Stay in touch. Damien.