Portrait and Music portfolio
A state of grace – Perceptions
I’m a big fan of your work, very animated.
The next photo is always the best one – and the way it should be. ‘the universal sense of quest, daring and growth.’ J Baldwin.
Sometimes I believe images should speak for themselves – other times that there is a story behind every image. My photography focus is on music and portraiture.
Pauline Keightley, Scottish Arts and Music Blogger and portrait photographer, Glasgow since 2007.
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, London, since 2007 - traditional folk musicians, emerging contemporary talent and established major musicians such as Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. In 2006 I received good feedback on my work. I took images of the singer songwriter Emeli Sande in 2007, five years before her breakthrough 'Our Version of Events' when I took photos at her Royal Albert hall gig. My images were used for her promotions. Sande sang at the London Olympic Opening ceremony 2012. Photo-shoots of the authors at Edinburgh book festival. My images have been published in a range of media that include – Daily Mail, Financial Times, Scotsman, The List, The Sun, BBC, News Group Newspapers Limited.
My photography is about creative & alternative style, natural light, composition and photo journalism. I aim to mix the old with the new and capture moods such as quiet moments of inner reflection. My work has included Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Festival, Scottish Writers & History, Scottish Ballet, Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF), major concerts and artist promotions**.
I have a large archive of images on my website – if you wish to license any for use please get in touch or to discuss commissions. Thanks.
CONTACT- Scottish ARTS & MUSIC - https://www.facebook.com/scottishmusicblogs/
BLOGGER
I began blogging in 2007 mostly with music reviews. I then expanded into all the Scottish arts. My Musicnotes, Poetrynotes, Songbooks, History stories and Photos. I grew up in Edinburgh and I live north of Glasgow now (and 10 years in America) which I hope gives me some unique perspectives. PKIMAGE MUSICFOOTNOTES, Scottish Arts & Music blog 2007– 2019. http://www.musicfootnotes.com
*BIO*
I have always been studying art. In 2006 I took up a camera again and re-discovered developing a good eye for what works. In the 90s we returned from ten years in America and some wonderful journeys there. I have also taught in primary schools. At school I drew portraits all the time and was fascinated by line, beauty, shade, composition and faces. Years back I used a Pentax film camera (before family and the move to America) which created quality results. Both art and film make for careful thought and observation of light and subject.
When I took up my first serious camera in 2006 I realised my long held passion for portrait photography. I had taken some images with a small disposable camera at a gig in London in 2004 and discovered that photography was mostly about having a 'good eye' while having good equipment is about having good tools! I started shooting music photography and I have been to many memorable gigs over the past ten years since my children grew up – both famous and new artists. I received good feedback for my photography and worked hard on developing my craft and skills. I took photos at gigs and festivals and re-discovered those lost connections between art, words and music.
MUSIC. My other love was music and playing Mozart or Joni Mitchell tunes on piano. I was fortunate in my twenties to enjoy Scotland’s heritage of traditional music with fiddle and guitar playing and unaccompanied singing at Sandy Bells bar and at folk festivals. I play piano and my son is a musician
I shoot at Celtic Connections, Edinburgh book festival (EIBF), Edinburgh Fringe, ballet, events and behind the scenes. images published by major festivals, dance, venues and theatre. Also emerging artists now signed to major labels - Lau, Warpaint, James Blake, Django Django, Admiral Fallow, Metronomy, Head and Heart, Miles Kane, Low Anthem, more. A live album shoot in Manchester for Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin.
*BLOGGER
I began blogging in 2007, mostly with music reviews. I later expanded into all the Scottish arts and music. I grew up in Edinburgh and I live north of Glasgow now (and 10 years in America) which I hope gives me some unique perspectives. PKIMAGE MUSICFOOTNOTES 2007– 2016. http://www.musicfootnotes.com
My images have been used in print media worldwide and online by major publications and media. Also for album artwork, authors promotions and more. I admire the photographers Mario Testino, Eve Arnold and David Bailey.
Glasgow is second only to London for it's number of cultural events and therefore is an excellent city for music and event photography. More recently my writing has become very important for me and my book on art and music. Thanks to all those who taught me the joy of music - my first piano teacher, my father, my folk guitarist boyfriend back in my twenties, the Beatles, Joni, Mozart, and my children and all the many artists who have inspired my photography. Also to all who have encouraged my photography with their kind feedback.
TESTIMONIALS: 'you use the light exceptionally well, full of life.’ 'You have a wonderfully observing and imaginative eye.' ''you're really very talented & have a great eye - it's a rare skill!' 'they are fab as always, you're truly amazing at your art'
"Pauline's photos have proved invaluable to the project I hired her for - they are dynamic and very much in line with the brief we gave her. Her work was efficient, and she was very professional as well as very personable. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to any musician wanting excellent quality and highly useable live shots." Musician Mat Martin.
Photography is a truly ‘eye-opening’ and blessed experience: whether the blue-greys of a new day, the long glow of dusk, shared laughter, intense depth in a singer, or majestic mountains, and to capture those rare moments of quiet reflection, an inner sense if special connections. This being in touch is highly rewarding, makes you appreciate beauty and soul wherever you might find it.
Music/ Portraits/ Events/
