Meet the New Instructors of WPPI: Sharron Goodyear & Barrie Downie

December 4, 2017

By Rf Staff

Photo © Barrie Downie

WPPI is proud to be hosting several new speakers at the 2018 Conference and Expo. In an industry that’s constantly changing, our goal is to provide attendees with presenters that are thriving in today’s market and can share some of the secrets to their success. Here, Sharron Goodyear and Barrie Downie of Beau and Belle London, a creative wedding photography studio based in the U.K, tell us about their upcoming seminars at WPPI. Don’t miss their presentations taking place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. See you there!

Names: Sharron Goodyear & Barrie Downie
Seminar Topic: 6 Steps to Amazing Wedding and Location Portraits on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Stunning Wedding Portraits Using Simple Lighting Techniques on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Website: beauandbelle.london
Years in business: Two years as Beau & Belle London. Each had worked as professional photographers individually for ten years prior to teaming up.

Photo © Sharron Goodyear

WPPI: How did you two meet and what are some similarities to your business/style that make you a star duo for this seminar?
Sharron Goodyear & Barrie Downie: We originally met at The Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) photographic convention in London in 2012 where Barrie was giving a masterclass. We then met again in late 2014 and realized there was a good connection. We started working together in 2015 before establishing our joint business, Beau & Belle London. 

WPPI: What can audience members expect to take away from your seminar at WPPI?
SG & BD: We are going to show them how to create amazing environmental portraits in any location using our lighting and posing techniques, which can be applied in a number of scenarios whether it be a wedding, engagement or family shoot.

WPPI: What’s one piece of advice for fellow photographers related to making portraits?
SG & BD: Look for the light first, then the backdrop, then concentrate on posing and engaging with your subject. However, if there is an absence of good light but you have a killer backdrop, then you can experiment by adding your own light source to create the look you are after.

WPPI: What are your favorite destinations to travel to and why?
SG & BD: New York City, for the buzz and energy! But Paris for the pure chic and romance, not to mention the iconic landmark backdrops to photograph against!