As a professional photographer based in Kent, Sussex, and London, I specialise in portraiture, press and PR, events, food, and property photography. With over 20 years of experience capturing compelling images across a wide range of settings, I offer tailored photography services that help individuals and businesses stand out. Whether you're looking to update your professional headshots, showcase your culinary creations, capture the energy of a live event, or highlight the features of a property, I deliver high-quality, creative visuals that tell your story. Serving clients throughout the South East and London, I bring a flexible, client-focused approach to every project.
10 TIPS WHEN PREPARING FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT SHOOT
If you book a professional portrait shoot with me, here are some useful tips to consider to help you feel more relaxed and to get the most out of the photography session.
Make sure you know what you would like to achieve with your professional portraits, a good way to do this is by creating a mood board which you can use for inspiration when it comes to colour tone, posing, lighting and general feel of the photograph. A good way to do this is by using Pinterest and sharing your inspiration with me, so we have a clear creative direction on the day of the shoot.
Bring a variety of outfits so that I can offer you a range of different shots that you will be able to use for different occasions.
When picking your outfits, avoid bringing clothes with small repetitive details such as dots, lines, checks and stripes. These patterns can exceed the camera sensors resolution and a strange-looking wavy pattern occurs in the image called Moire that can ruin the picture.
When on a studio shoot, think about what colour back drops you want and try to avoid your outfits clashing with them, avoid white on white and black on black.
Try to relax when you are being photographed, often people naturally look tense as we are not used to being put on the spot, here are a few pointers below to help you.
Try to adjust your pose every two to three photos, this helps you to reset and often will result in more natural images
Look away from the lens occasionally and then bring your eyes back to camera, this prevents you from looking too intense and rigid and will often lead to more relaxed results.
Remember to blink and breathe, often people will be holding an expression for too long, normally due to nerves, remember your basic facial functions and you’re half way there to a great portrait.
Have fun and communicate with me. Some of the best shots I get is when I am conversing with the subject, this will often lead to me capturing genuine mannerisms.
Finally don’t be afraid of a bit of make-up, woman or man. Studio lighting will often cause a natural shimmer to most skin. A touch of powder on the forehead and around the nose and cheeks will help alleviate that shine.
Contact me today for a consultation
Testimonials
I’ve had the good fortune and pleasure of working with Paddy on a number of occasions. He is the consummate professional, his easy manner and client engagement skills are exemplary. As for his skill as a photographer in my opinion they’re legendary. He is an extremely gifted photographer, and a really nice guy. I highly recommend him and would use no one else.
Onu Igbokwe - Managing Director at Webonline Marketing Solutions
Fabulous photos and a wonderful experience. Paddy went above and beyond to ensure my comfort and a range of shots. I was spoilt for choice for the final prints. I dread being in front of the camera and it normally shows... Paddy turned the shoot into fun! He really captured me. Thank you Paddy!
Pattie Pantall - Programme and Project Management
I have represented Paddy for over 6 years and he has always delivered high end imagery to my clients with a professional manner and individual interpretation.
Peter Corbin - Managing Director at Fovea Communications
A real professional service from Patrick Balls Photography and team; Patrick was our photographer for Jovilli AW19 Kids Fashion Shoot, and he was top class - a real pro. We're highlyy pleased with the results. He has a passion for good portrait photography and commercial photography.
Libby Schlesinger - Founder of Jovilli Kids Fashion
Paddy is always my first choice when looking for a photographer to cover events. He understands our brand and exactly what we are looking for in terms of coverage. He delivers every time, with a super-fast turn around and quality images. Paddy’s relaxed and friendly manner makes him a real pleasure to work with.
Amanda Munroe - Media Relations Manager at Voyages-sncf UK Ltd
Paddy is a talented and versatile photographer who has produced some excellent content for our pub and restaurant group, with a real eye for food, people and venue interior shots. Great communications along the way, fast turnaround and delivery, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
Ed Oliver - Digital Marketing Coordinator at Urban Pubs & Bars
Paddy has been taking photographs of myself and Mike and the Mechanics for the last 10 years from album covers to live shots of the concerts for programmes and media/press use.
His strength is that he always has an original idea of what to do or what to try. That originality and his endless ideas is what makes his work always so good and interesting - which is why it always stand out. It's nice to always get a call from our management saying they have the photos back and they look great.
Mike Rutherford - Mike + the Mechanics and Genesis
Add Paddy's natural charm and sense of humour with immense creativity and an unbelievable eye for detail, and you have the whole photography package. Whether hand-held photo-reportage or slick studio shoot, he’s a perfect all-rounder and I would never hesitate to work with him. Thoroughly recommended…
Paula O’Brien - Founder, Jupiter 7 Graphics
Paddy was great to work with. He was professional and helpful, giving us direction to help achieve the best photos. He made everyone feel relaxed and produced some fantastic shots for our website. We are all very pleased with our pictures. A great job.
Shona Perkins - Solicitor at FAHRI LLP
Paddy worked with me several times at The English National Ballet, including covering our performances at Latitude and Glastonbury festival. Paddy always managed to photograph the dancers performance with originality, while still managing to incorporate the specific nuances and precision of the art form.
Nicola Osmond-Evans - Senior PR Manager at The English National Ballet
Patrick took some images of Mark Watson which we used as the base for his tour posters and promo for his last tour in 2016/17. The images were the best of Mark that we've had for years. Patrick created a great working environment which meant Mark was totally relaxed (he is not normally that comfortable with photo shoots) and Patrick could get the best out of him. The resulting photographs were excellent - especially with some of the finishing that Patrick did afterwards - and we will definitely be asking him to photograph Mark again for the next tour! Highly recommend.
Lianne Coop - Mark Watson Management
UKinbound has worked with Paddy for many years. He is very customer focused, lovely to deal with and has produced some great images that we have used in our publications and on our website.
Antonia Stratford - Public Affairs and Communications Manager at UKinbound
Paddy has been working with Tony Smith Personal Management for 7 years, providing quality album covers, live imagery and press photography for our acts, including Phil Collins and Mike + the Mechanics.
We always enjoy collaborating with him and developing new and creative ideas.
Tony Smith Personal Management