Well, it’s been an early start this morning as I’ve just been over to grab some pictures for the guys at the Haddenham Youth Football Club Funday. I’m always amazed by the club – everything from the dedication of the all the coaches (and the lads who play) to the enthusiasm and support from the parents who are there with them. Also, at this particular funday, they do a rather commendable bacon bap and coffee!

A month or so ago, we’d persuaded three of the lads from the club to give us a hand grabbing a shot for the programme – with some fantastic results!

I’d had this idea of a shot of one of the lads scissor-kicking a ball over the top of the camera as I thought it would be really dramatic and eye-catching. So, having hauled ourselves in a suitable goalmouth in the pouring rain, we rigged a couple of remote flash guns to see if we could get the shot.

The shots we caught are absolutely fantastic (all three of the lads are exceedingly talented when it comes to the beautiful game) but it was at the very end when we grabbed just a quick image of the boys soaking wet and covered in mud that, and I have to say somewhat unexpectedly, the best photo of the day emerged. Funny how it happens that way sometimes. You work hard at getting the image you had in your head (and, in this instance we did get some great shots!) but so often it’s an image that sort of creeps up on you and takes you by surprise that is ultimately the killer picture. 3 lads, 3 footballs, a liberal coating of fresh goalmouth mud and a constant drizzle of August rain and you have the perfect image.

And that’s the one we used in the advert.

Let us know what you think.

Cheers
P.

PS. Should just add that the Funday was awesome – hats off to everyone involved in its organising and the running of the day. Just brilliant!
PPS. Should also add a huge ‘thank you’ to Ciaran, Tom and Evan for providing their not inconsiderable talent and skill to help us get the shot