Our Studios

In the words of Leslie Caddy writing for Westside magazine:
Shakespeare is to photography what Dior is to dressmaking... Simon Shakespeare, that is. He has taken the craft of portraiture and turned it into haute couture, in a way that marks him out as a pioneer in his field.

This is the designer approach to photography. it's fresh, it's contemporary, and it's now available in Sheffield with the launch of Shakespeare Studios in Ecclesall Road.

Walk through the doors and your'e left in no doubt that this is cutting edge lifestyle art. This is the
designer
approach to
photography,
fresh and
contemporary. The former fireplace showroom has been transformed into a space that wouldn't look out of place on the pages of Homes & Gardens, never mind behind the lens.

It oozes class: clean white walls, stylish black leather couches, a curving wooden reception desk and pools of light picking out tasteful examples of the studio's work - eye-catching portraits that make the subjects look vibrant and interesting, as though they're actually enjoying the experience.

It's all about imagery and Simon knows exactly the image he wants his work to project: “Very punchy, very clear and very good quality,” he says. “Getting away from the production line and offering the kind of service and value that will make people want to come back again and again.”

Simon is certainly not the stereotypical photographer. He may be artistic, but he lacks the narcissistic temperament that so often goes with it. He may be at the top of his field - sought out by society and aristocracy - but he's as down-to-earth as the chap next door. Simon started out as a wedding photographer. Well, actually he started out as a vintage car enthusiast who ran a wedding car hire business. Then he got the photography bug and signed up for a series of courses to learn the tricks of his chosen trade.

He and wife Beccy built up a successful business - and a reputation for the kind of candid shots that stand out from the ubiquitous line-up of beaming brides and their doting relatives.

He became secretary of the Master Photographers' Association of Yorkshire and spent six years working from premises near his Rotherham home, building up his portfolio and travelling the world at the expense of high-end clients.

But Simon's ambition was to set up a cutting-edge studio which would attract the kind of people he wanted to work for: “We want to
give people
an experience” people who appreciate a photograph as a piece of art, rather than a desktop snapshot, as he puts it. And when he spotted the Ecclesall Road showroom, he knew he had found what he was looking for. First he gutted the building, stripping out stud walls and fireplaces. Then he created an office, a reception and gallery area, a studio and a viewing lounge. A second studio and lounge are to be added as the business expands.

His next step was to recruit staff - studio manager and photographer Audrey Keating proved a lucky find and between them they auditioned dozens of would-be photographers, receptionists and graphic artists until they had completed their team.

Approach is the key ingredient, says Simon. “We want to provide people with something really different, so our photographers are young and vibrant and understand what we're doing; even the receptionists are people who will buy into the whole concept.

“We want to give people an experience, some good service and, at the end, a fantastic product,” he says.

The nerve centre of Shakespeare's Studio is a bright white room where the lighting is carefully adjusted to create the perfect studio ambience. Subjects are encouraged to wear bright clothing, “It's about
expressions,
capturing
the moment.
That's the
power of
photography.”
to bring accessories, props - even the family dog! Then the interaction begins.

“Its a negative of what photography used to be,” says Simon. “We don't put people into poses. We've created a space where we know the lighting is right, so the clients can relax, move round and respond to the photographer. It gets some great results.

“It's about expressions - capturing a moment. That's the power of photography and this approach is very natural; not too staged. It brings out the fun and the real personality of the subjects.”

Shakespeare Studio's specialises in various aspects of portraiture, from family groups and new baby shots to fashion and boudoir sessions and commercial work. Client and photographer discuss what is wanted, building up a rapport. Then dozens of photos are taken during an hour-long shoot, exploring up to ten different scenarios.

A few days later the clients return for the moment of truth. The results are presented as a slideshow, complete with background music, in the studio's viewing lounge, which is like a mini cinema. Chosen pictures are printed to order in the required format: traditionally framed, on canvas, as an acrylic, or as a 'lifestyle collection' in a hand-finished book.

And prices are geared up to reflect realistic market value - and encourage clients to return for regular updates. A basic service can cost as little as £65.

Shakespeare Studio also plans to underline its fine art approach with a series of monthly gallery evenings, when instead of photographs, the walls will be lined with the work of leading local artists.