Photoshoot with Artemis Design Studios
Always trust the Tash
Tash, Tashington, Taschenrechner (yes, that is German for calculator). How do I even start to describe this wonderful human? I first ‘met’ Tash when they dropped me an Instagram message asking if they could use one of my images for a personal project. They’d spotted a photo on my Instagram feed of the ever-game-for-a-laugh Emma submerged in the River Calder and wanted to use it as inspiration for a brand challenge they were taking part in. Being incredibly shallow and willing to give anything in exchange for praise, I was more than happy to oblige.
The brief
After exchanging a few messages and establishing a mutual love of space based sci-fi, cats and His Dark Materials, Tash got back in touch a few months later to enquire about working together on some brand photography for their business, Artemis Design Studio.
Having worked as a freelance graphic designer for a couple of years, Tash was in the process of rebranding as a design studio with a particular focus on branding and strategy. They wanted images that acknowledged this shift and reflected the services that they now offer. Tash was also going through the process of exploring and understanding their own gender identity – so images that truly represented them as they navigated this journey were a key part of the brief.
Tash giving me imposter syndrome with some inspiration images
The plan
By their own admission, Tash is not the most comfortable person in front of the camera. We’re not saying phobic, but we are saying you may get a decaf coffee thrown at you if you point a camera at them without warning. To set their mind at ease, we had lots of chats pre-shoot to come up with a plan to get the best out of the day and create a safe and comfortable environment to shoot within (physical, emotional and everything in-between).
Locations where Tash felt relaxed was essential, so we settled on the following (all based in Hebden Bridge):
Squeeze Cafe – comfy sofas, a (nicer-than-it-sounds) steamy window and arguably the best drinks menu this side of the Pennines. Tash is also responsible for their snazzy branding.
Crooked Books – another Tash client, this powerfully inclusive bookstore is a safe and welcoming space, with enchanting interiors and magic light.
Home office – not ‘The Home Office’. That would be weird. Cats, Converse and more boardgames than you can shake a stick at. I considered asking how much it would be to live there.
Tash brought their own camera. I didn’t let my Sony know, sensitive thing.
The shoot
We started the day at Squeeze, with a brew (or five) and eased into the day. Tash was so taken with bumbling conversation, they didn’t even notice my camera was out of the bag and I had been snapping away. Nerves, schmerves as the famous saying goes.
In all seriousness, the work that both Tash and I did before the shoot to get to know one another really paid off on the day. The shoot was fun and relaxed, just as it should be. We laughed, snorted (them, not me) and formed a genuine connection that’s since blossomed into friendship. I really think that comes through in the images.
Aspiring hand model and all round champ Serg provided driving services between locations
The result
Now, I know I’m biased, but hear me out - I really do think the photography we captured works perfectly for Tash’s brand. These images show the real Tash, interacting and creating in the spaces they feel most at home. They are largely unposed and shot using natural light to create an authentic, relaxed and warm feeling – just the vibes you get when you work with Tash. And I say this with experience – as I recently became a client of Tash’s myself.
Tash has been the mastermind behind my recent rebrand and all I’ll say for now is I LOVE IT. I’m hoping to write another blog in the not-too-distant future about the meaning behind the brand and the process for developing it, but until then I’ll leave you with some personal favourites from Tash’s brand shoot.
