A model fundraiser!
Local supporter and event photographer, David Boys, organised 'Baps and Buns' at one of his shoots to raise £350 for Macmillan. Here, he tells us how it went.
The Baps and Buns crowd!
Every year a group of around 50 models and photographers get together in the Brighton area for a day of photography and socialising. Last year we managed to choose the wettest day in June and got completely soaked so this year I looked for an indoor location and that’s where Baps and Buns started.
Another photographer, Mark, suggested his Uncle Stuart’s farm. Stuart was happy to let us use the farm for free; subsequently waived his additional insurance premium and even said afterwards that he’d have us back again. Thanks to Stuart for putting up with all those beautiful models wandering around his farm.
First though let me tell you a tale of two buses. Mark took me to the farm for the first time and he opened the barn doors to reveal a red London Routemaster bus stored within. I realised this was going to be no ordinary Brighton Group Shoot!! However having then got the group excited about shooting on the bus, with friend Claire agreeing to be conductress collecting donations for Macmillan, the red bus failed its MOT. So with less than a week before the event and no chance of the bus being back in time we had a minor problem.
After a few days frantic searching up popped our white knight, Tim Wise of Metrobus who, despite being extremely busy that weekend arranging buses for Epsom races, drove their green Routemaster bus to the farm on Fri evening, left it with us to photograph on the Saturday and then collected it on the Sunday - all completely free of charge after I’d explained that donations for using the bus would be going to Macmillan. What a star - thanks Tim!
As well as the bus there were lots of other locations on the farm to photograph the models and Stuart and his staff couldn’t have been more helpful in moving farm machinery around to create yet more shooting opportunities for us. Add in a motorbike and four people running tuition classes and there was a lot to keep all occupied.
Additionally having an indoor location meant that we could involve make-up artists and Gill and helpers ran a catering stall.
As you can see from the photo above we ended up with nearly 100 people coming along and needless to say a fantastic day was had by all - it even stayed sunny all day this year!
So thanks to all who came along and especially to those helped make the day happen - all of which enabled us to raise just over £350 for Macmillan Cancer Support.