Iselin Valvik Photography

One of the greatest ways to start a New Year I’d say. I had the pleasure of going to the DOA with my partner who is a guitarist. I was very excited to be able to shoot some really great artists on stage inc. Tracii Guns, the co-funder of Gun’s N’roses, Ray Luzier the current drummer in Korn, Michael Angelo Batio and Pat Baker.
The DOA Party was amazing, held at the Kapok in Tampa, owned by Elliott Rubinson also known as Elliott Dean, who owns Dean Guitars.

D.O.A. is short for “Dean Owners of America”, a club for those who own a Dean guitar or are interested in them. Having starting in 2002, an annual meeting is held each year inviting DOA members from all over the world, to enjoy a weekend of Guitars, Partying, Music, Like minded people, Awesome Food, drink and so much more. The event is completely free but you must be a member of the D.O.A. to attend.

Yesterday I covered the opening of Headmasters Of London’s new Boutique, Beauty salon and Academy. There were over 500 guests, three fashion shows, stalls, a musician, cakes, drinks, a raffle and gift bags. A great evening, the hosts did a great job of creating a lovely atmosphere. The musician was a very talented lady who played various instruments throughout the evening and added greatly to the over all mood of the night as it went on.

I’m taking bookings for weddings for 2010, also for 2011.
Prices start at just £350. Please contact me for more details.

The first Formositas calendar has now been made available for you to purchase online. The calendar consists of a series of 12 black and white, artistic nude images. This would make a great stocking filler or even a main gift for christmas.

A while ago I was asked to do some live shots for a band called HellCat. They were a Norwich based band who described themselves as “balls to the wall, get the fuck out, foot on the mointer rock mixed with the sweetest folk/country vibe and voice you’ve ever heard”. Nothing could be more true, they had a great sound. I say had because unfortunately they have since split up, the boys have joined other bands and Louise is now busy setting up her solo career .

In a recent interview Louise says about her new music. “I’m still at the development stage with the solo stuff so I’m struggling with genres. The song I’m essentially building the album around is called Green Fires and its quite weird to place. Its heavy on the vocals and I suppose I’ve supplemented instruments for vocals. Basically I’m using what I have…guitar, vocals lots of vocals and all the fun stuff you can do with garageband! Drums, beats and effects.”

She’s got a new website with some new tunes, which so far are sounding amazing as ever.

This is the voice to keep an ear out for, with all the auto-tuning going on these days it is utterly refreshing to listen to someone who’s voice  is so naturally beautiful, on stage and off stage.

You can hear Louise’s new songs at http://www.louisecollins.com/  and music from the HellCat days at  http://www.myspace.com/hellcatband

I went up to Newcastle over the weekend to shoot Richie Kotzen at the Trillian. It was an intimate venue and a great gig. I would recommend Richie Kotzen to anyone interested in good music. His voice is definitely something else, beautiful.

Shot Enter Shikari at the UEA on monday.  It was a fantastic gig. I had a really good time shooting them, the atmosphere was enormous, such a great vibe! I really do love my job.

The highlight for me I think, was when some girl threw her bra on stage. Bearing in mind the age group there, it made me snigger.

Thank you to the management and to the band, I really appreciated the opportunity.

Yesterday October 3rd, I had the pleasure of shooting a most beautiful union of Tara and Martin Ferrington. They were wed in the lovely Winter Garden room at Somerleyton Hall, Lowestoft. Although the weather did let us down a bit, both bride, groom, family and friends were in the best of moods and it was truly a lovely day.

I wish them both all the best for their future together.

A couple of years back I was commissioned by a man in America, to create a series of black and white, artistic nude images.  They were for a website called Formositas. About a year after the commission I decided to purchase the site from him as he was not using it.

Formositas to me is a celebration of women. The square format locks in the shape and curves of the female body and with the help of some light shadows it creates an intimate yet classy portrait.

At the moment I am preparing the relaunch of www.formositas.co.uk.

I have been busy shooting for the Formositas calendar 2010 and have had the pleasure of working with some great girls, they’ve all done a fabulous job.

As many photographers who shoot at gigs and music related events know, one tend to do a lot of work in the dark.  My images of musicians and artists are known for being on the darker side. I tend to favour black & white in a lot of my work but specially in music.

Gig In The Park is a music festival held in Halesworth, first weekend of August every year. This year I was asked to shoot a band called Red Of Rogue, as well as a side project of Tom Daniel. As it was mid-day I find it best to keep the colours.