Tamika - The Wharf House, Gloucester

Tamika is no stranger in front of the camera with her work as a model at numerous wedding fairs - but this is the first time we've worked together in a portrait shoot just for her.

I started a competition last year which Tamika won. I uploaded a number of portrait images on Facebook and whoever got the most comments against their image within the month won the prize of the portrait shoot and a digital coffee table book for their images. Well done to Tamika for winning and thank you to everyone for taking the time to vote.

For Tamika's shoot we decided on the Wharf House as the venue as it's still a great favourite. It has a variety of interesting sections, including the canal, boats, a bridge, overpass, lots of greenery, a small building site and not forgetting the strange pond containing pea and ham soup.

The sun decided to challenge us by moving in and out of the clouds so we ended up roping Tamika's Granddad into the shoot, as my glamorous assistant, to hold the reflector. It was very reminiscent of the Dolly Birds holding the huge playing cards in Play Your Cards Right. 5 points for anyone who not only remembers the show but can also recall any of Bruce Forsythe's catchphrases.

As a late afternoon, cloudy shoot the light was nicely diffused and we got a great collection of images for Tamika's gallery.

After seeing a couple of rabbits midway through the shoot, I was a little disappointed that Tamika didn't race after them to use as a prop - but fair play as she did master her fear and get onto the riverboat for the "captain of the seas" shot. I don't think it helped that I "accidentally" rocked it while setting up in position.

Also, credit goes to Tamika and her Granddad for trudging through the swamp-like nettle-sludge to get to the "green door" at the underpass for the last few shots. After reviewing the edits I can say that it was definitely worth it. Surprisingly, neither took up my offer of a piggy-back.