Camera kit: Fujifilm GFX100ll, GF30mm, GF45mm, GF55mm, GF110mm
Lighting kit: Godox AD400 pro, Godox AD200 Pro, Sirui 150x and Scattergels

Each year at around this time, I set off on a recce to find locations and test models for upcoming workshops. If my preplanning pays off, I leave with enough information to put on an autumn workshop.

The area I chose this time is on the border between Basilicata and Puglia, near Matera. Matera is quite a famous town, having featured in many films in recent years, so I thought it would make a good base.

1. May in Basilicata, southern Italy, is a riot of colour with poppies and wildflowers adorning the fields and tracks that crisscross the countryside. Morgana completes the picture perfectly. I chose to work in full sun and used a 110mm lens to compress the perspective.

I packed my cases and flew from Bristol via Pisa to Bari. A VW Tiguan rental car was waiting for me at the airport – my transport for the next 12 days of adventure. Modern cars are annoying to say the least! The Tiguan poses as a compact SUV with a reasonable ground clearance, but when driving down tracks with fairly tall grass, the car beeps constantly with a range of non-harmonic tones, and every so often, the automatic brakes kick in. They are fierce! It feels like I’ve hit a rock, even though there is nothing there. Reversing is even worse – and I had to do a lot of reversing on this trip!

2. Anna flew down from Milan for this shoot and loved the whole experience. It is very different from her normal shoot style. We hadn’t shot together before so it was an opportunity to get to know each other’s style of working.

3. Top: These trees were part of a signature for this location. Every doorway looked out onto this wonderful view. I used a splash of flash from the AD400 rigged outside the building to light Morgana. Bottom: Simple, Natural light is a delight to use when it is this good.

4. Top: In these shots I used a Scattergel to light Morgana. I love the mood that dappled light gives a scene. You can pick up a set of Scattergels here. They have to be one of the most cost-effective lighting modifiers out there.

5. It makes a change for me to have a clean working environment! The stone arches make this location a bit special. Apparently, this room will be adapted and feature in an upcoming movie directed by Mel Gibson. That’s the rumour.☺

6. Franco’s Masseria is wonderful, built in the 1600’s with fortified battlements and a couple of towers. It’s a wonderful location for a shoot; I just love the textures and colours on the chapel walls.

7. Morgana is a fashion model from the North of Italy, and she kindly brought her posing talent down south to our old, rustic properties. I bought the hat in a small shop in Matera but the fabulous white dress is Morgana’s own.

8. Left: Anna poses by the door of Frederico’s Masseria, just south of Matera. I love how the GF110mm lens renders the background here. I bought the shorts and top in Matera as I had no room left in my luggage to pack styling items. When I run workshops, I usually drive down from the UK and load up my Alfa Romeo Stelvio with all the kit I need – including a smoke machine and a full wardrobe for the models.

9. Top: Morgana is deep in the farm building, some 30 metres from the open doorway. I love the substantial structure of the buildings, and the craftsmanship is fabulous too. Bottom: A lot of the farmhouses, called Masserias, have fortifications and a small chapel. This frame was shot for my next project, called ‘Rover’ – a book in which this dress is the star in every shot.

10. Anna over a barrel lit with the Scattergel on the Sirui 150x fitted with barn doors.

11. I love this scene. The rhythm of the trees made me think of musical notes on a stave. The distant thunderstorm set the mood for the lighting. I set f16 on my 110mm lens to achieve the depth of field I wanted.

If you would like to join me on a workshop – or perhaps you’d like to know more about how I use light to make my portraits, just sign up to my newsletter below and receive a complimentary pdf guide to posing portraits at the same time.