Furry Props

I thought that for #Sunday Prop Shop this week I would post some photos of "when animals want to get in on the action". Wherever I go theres always some furry friend whose head ends up popping into shot. As I live with four cats then this is a regular occurrence if I'm shooting in my house, but it also seems to happen everywhere else I go.  


This was a shoot for Sophie Ray. Our lovely friend let us use her house and her old piano. Scooby the labrador just sat there, like he thought he was supposed to, and would not move until tempted by a biscuit from his mum.

At another friends house, Jane's enormous bull-mastif (soon to be a star of tv show 'Antiques Road Trip') just had to investigate the cushion I was photographing. 

Nelson's head is so big it could block out the sun. More biscuit bribes were necessary to move this behemoth. 

The summer pics in Sweden (below) where Boycie probably posed better than the girls, a shoot where everyone was bribed with cakes.

And then there are my cats, above Aston is wondering what I'm doing. Below, Coco (who is blind) just decided to settle herself on the bed and I didn't have the heart to move her. I was amazed that neither of them didn't just sit in the middle of the blanket as its so cosy and warm.

Here's Emily who didn't realise that this little shetland pony was watching her every move. 

And then sometimes a furry prop makes an appearance and its just the shot you need, even if you hadn't planned it.

What's the old adage "never work with animals or children". 
Mmmmmm .... seems like the animals have different ideas.

Click click splosh.

I thought I would just add to the post below with some pictures of the weekend shoot near Lewes where we were continuing to photograph some crocheted items designed by Nicki Trench for Designer Yarns Noro wool.

It was a very early start, the sun had just risen and the view from my lovely B&B was double aspect, the mist was rising but it wasn't raining (like it had been the day before) so we hoped for a promising start.

Our lovely location was at Beshlie Grimes house/farm. Beshlie writes great books about making your own booze. Have a look on Amazon for Beshlie Grimes Making Wines. 

I can't show you the finished projects in full so heres some teasers.

Someone must have listened to our prayers because the sun peeped through and for a few hours we had lovely light. 

Later in the day we had a planning meeting about the next few shots, including those for 'what we call' Jam Hats. Such Fun. 


Click one ...
Just a little update of whats happening with me right now. 
I am still working on a design for a sock pattern that should be a good beginners project, so I'm knitting it, undoing it and trying out different ideas until I feel that its a good one. Heres the first prototype. Once I feel I have it nailed I will post the pattern here with information on how to do it yourself.

This is knitted in Aran wool on circular needles and I while I love a snowflake pattern on a sock, I think it took too long and I want this to be something that the knitter can see a quick result with. I'm loving the wools made by Drops, the wool above is their alpaca mix called Nepal.

Click two ...

I'm midway through photographing a book of crochet patterns using Noro wool and designed by Nicki Trench. 

and ... splosh.  

Soon there will be a new company launch for unique items from Russia and the company is called Folkski.  Combined with the launch of this company will be some new looks and the 'splosh' is the sound of paint being used in the room sets. We hope to bring you some fabulous colour combinations using Annie Sloan chalk paint. 

And this little lady is the Folkski mascot, wind her up and watch her go (sounds like me doesn't it)!

Big Jugs

I have big jugs and I cannnot lie. In fact, Im very proud of my big jugs, they are an asset to any stylist and photographer and useful on so many levels.

Big jugs can be used in many ways, either to divert the eye or as a way to disguise and cover up a less attractive feature.

I have used my own big jugs in may photo shoots and when they aren't being put to purpose I just have them around the house as decoration.  Luckily for me my 'other half' likes big jugs too and gets quite excited when I produce a new one.

This week I added to them with an Art Deco one which I found in a charity shop.

Sometimes I ask for advice about how to decorate them from my local florist Wild Orchid, Lorraine often has ideas about how to make them look seasonal, she has some lovely jugs herself, you should check them out if you are passing. 

flowers by Wild Orchid

The older they get the more you appreciate and look after them.

Sometimes I dress them up to look Victorian or Country Rustic. I love to play with them and see what is the most eye catching.

My big jugs have even featured in magazine shoots like this one  for Homes and Antiques, the September issue.

So impressive a statement is the big purple jug that it was photographed twice.

This one was used recently to hide a radiator and add a splash of colour in a shoot Im doing for a yarn company. 

My jugs tend to go up and down in size but I find the bigger the better. Im sure you have all seen my small ones anyway in other photos.  Im still looking to add to my collection with a pink enamel one from France to match the Lavabo in my bathroom.

This blog post was sponsored by good old British innuendo and "Carry On" educational services. All photos and jugs are my own; the exclusive property of Janice Issitt.