Wiggin' out in East London

Had an opportunity too good to miss snapping some shots of the after party for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2012 at the Excel centre, east London last night.  

The gig started as a gala dinner for all those nominated for the awards ceremony in the main arena, including many team GB athletes of course.  After the awards, they returned to a transformed space to let their collective hair down and enjoy a night of celebration for what has been a massive year for many of then.

A big year indeed for Bradley Wiggins, who took the top prize of Sports Personality of the Year.  As the band - RPJ - got into the swing of its set, Wiggins came up on stage to offer a few words of thanks to the crowd.  When the call came from the audience to play a song, he pensively asked "Is there a spare guitar?"  Without hesitation, the lead guitarist handed over his 'axe'.  Wiggins then ripped into a very passable That’s Entertainment by The Jam, followed by Wonderwall by Oasis, supported by RPJ, and a punter for vocals on That's Entertainment! 

More images of the night to be found here:

http://amberhunt.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sports-Personality-of-the-Year-2012/G0000G4HRd3VRRPA/C0000xz2ftPp2LlM

Enjoy!

Xmas shenanigans

How does it come around so quickly?  Fresh mornings with ice on the ground, mince pies on sale and every shop playing Nutcracker on the PA…  But as ever, English National Ballet knows how to take on this season in style.

Amber and I had great fun shooting ENB's Christmas party last night.  Never a shy bunch, there was a cue forming before we'd even finished setting up the photo booth.  And the results?  Well see for yourself with the link below.

ENB Xmas Party

And if you'd rather the condensed version, have a look at this:

ENB will be opening their winter season at the London Coliseum on the 12th of December with The Nutcracker.  And followed up by Sleeping Beauty in the new year.  Both stunning productions, well worth a look.

It's a Ballet thing

If you are deeply intrenched in the ballet world, then these images will require no further explanation.  And if you're not?  Well, let me do my best to explain…

In the magical kingdom of Ballet-land, there is a nigh of fanatical fascination with feet.  The arch and the line.  How worked or natural they are?  And those that are born with "good feet" are held in exalted status.  One such person is Tamara Rojo, the new artistic director of English National Ballet.  And these just happen to be her feet.  

These images were a commission for ENB for a T-Shirt design.  They were shot in a rather tight 5min allocated time slot before a rehearsal. (Tamara's time is rather precious these days.)  And so, in the interest of getting the most out of this time, we found ourselves doing a test shoot at home the night before.  Amber, barefoot pretending to stand on point and me laying on the floor taking photos of her feet.  A perfectly normal evening in the ASH household…

Which pic is your favourite?  Or is this all just a bit peculiar to you? Let us know what you think in the comments. 

Under the Dome

Amber and I were lucky enough to attend a press call for the GB's Women's Wheelchair Basketball team having a bit of a warm up session in London St Paul's Cathedral yesterday.  It all felt a little bit "fish out of water", but then again, how could you go wrong with an enthralling group of subjects shot against the breathtaking space that is St Paul's?  

It's all in aid of the service at St Paul's on Sunday entitled "Courage and Faith", to celebrate the London Paralympic games commencing next wednesday.

Well despite the cathedral floor offering a little less traction than the team were accustomed to, they put on a fantastic show of skill and dexterity.  

If you wish to attend the service on Sunday 26th August, it's open to all.  It begins at 6pm, and for those that are keen to see them in action, will contain a demonstration given by the GB under 22 Wheelchair Basketball team.  And for those that can't make it, check out a few more images of the Women's team inaction with the link: Go Team GB!

Shooting Swans...

Have just uploaded some images of English National Ballet taken during the performances of Swan Lake at the London Coliseum theatre.  If you fancy a gander, to be found here:

ENB Swan Lake 2012

A stunning production.  Always a joy to watch (and shoot!)  If you've seen ENB in action before, you'll know what I mean.  If not, check them out.  Back on tour in the autumn with Sleeping Beauty.