The Olympic Torch in Wales

I was out and about today, keen to grab at least one series of photos showing the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2012 Games.

The torch was due to pass through the Welsh village of Pontnewynydd, just north of Cwmbran, on it's way to the city of Newport.

I chose this spot for two reasons, one being a local lad was due to carry the flame through this section of the route and second it was the only day and time this week that I could get free.

First there was the wait, nearly three hours in the hot sun.  But that did not put anyone off.  The crowds appeared happy to wait for this historic moment no matter what the weather, but all were glad there was no rain.

There was a very large visible police presence, but they were very friendly and did nothing to hamper the spirit of the day, with several police cars and motorbikes passing the crowds and waving while blasting out their sirens, much to the delight of everyone.

At long last there was some sign of activity. First came a large number of police bikes, motorbikes first followed a short while later by push bikes.  Then came several sponsor buses, Coke, Samsung and then Lloyds.  All making noise and exciting the crowd.

It was then that I noticed the local boy who was going to do the hand over at this stage.  He was dressed in white and holding the gold torch that the flame would be passed to.  He was joined by an official who used some sort of key to activate his torch, just before the current torch bearer was seen cresting the hill.

The current torch bearer was a young girl, who walked along the roads to a great shouting from the crowds she passed.

She came to the young boy and the handing over of the flame took place without incident.  The young lad was very keen to make a good show of his participation in the event and took off up the road at a great pace.

Lining the road was a large party of school children, from his class at Llyswerry High School in Newport, who cheered him on with great enthusiasm.

The lad and the torch then passed out of the village and out of sight and the crowds soon dispersed, each attendant now able to say ' I was there' when the story is told in the days and months to come.

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Baby Shoot Week

This week we concentrated on several baby shoots.  I was trying out some new digital backgrounds and was very keen to see how they looked.

The first shoot was for the first grandchild of a previous bride that I had done a wedding shoot for.  I have been photographing this young-un since she was 6 weeks old and this was her third shoot.  I am doing a baby first year book for them, one shoot every three months.  I love these shoots as I get to see such jumps in growth and development with my subjects and can't help but feel in awe of the wonder of life when seen this way.

I also wanted to get some shots of a picture within a picture, as seen on the TV show 'Modern Family'.

My second baby shoot was for a new client, she has a baby girl who is now 3 months old and we hope this will lead to a more long term relationship with this family.

Working in a small studio has it's challenges, but I still think it's better than no studio at all.  The shoots were set for the week-end and everything was set up by the end of Friday night.

Saturday morning arrives and I now have the start of a cold coming on.  Parents are informed, but both still want the shoot to go ahead.

My first shoot is for 3pm on Saterday, but at 10am I have several family members on my door step, with the cold taking a hold i had forgotten that I had promised to do a modelling shoot for them, as they are just starting off in the modelling industry.

I run up to the studio and change everything for the modelling shoot, Two hours later, the shoot is over and i am changing it all back for the baby shoot.  The images are up loaded, the cameras are once again made ready and I settle back to await my baby client.

The baby shoot goes well, though the baby is not really in the mood for it today, but we still get some great shots for the family.

Shoot over, images uploaded and I now start editing the model shoot and the baby shoot.

Sunday morning is still spent editing and then at 4pm it's my second baby shoot of the weekend.

This baby is a darling, very cherub looking, with rosy cheeks, big blue eyes and a ready smile.  Great shoot and the family are already talking about wanting to book me for a shoot every three months.

I have now finished the baby shoot editing and have posted some for you to see here.  Please let me know what you think, especially the once with digital backgrounds.