Capturing the Colours of Bodyfactory at the Eden Project

Live event and on-location studio photography to capture the creativity and talent at a global body painting competition at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The Brief

Two people with full body paint representing the autumn and spring seasons, adorned with thematic headpieces and positioned closely together against a black background.

Multi-tasking—candid portraits and staged studio photos on location for a dramatic and colourful live event in a world-famous location in the UK.


Bodyfactory were looking for a photographer to capture both posed and candid shots at the Eden Project’s body painting competition. The event spanned two days with a ‘free’ theme on the first day and a challenging ‘camouflage’ theme on the second. The client needed images for the artists’ portfolios, press releases, and event coverage, emphasising the need for a combination of studio photography and live, natural eent coverage.

Studio photography on location: Full-body shots of the painted models to showcase the intricate work of the artists.

Candid and posed portraits: Capturing the public parades, competition highlights, gala dinners, and after-parties.

Behind-the-scenes photography: Showcasing the creative process and atmosphere during the six-to-seven-hour painting sessions.

The Approach

To bring the vibrant and artistic nature of this unique event to life, I worked closely with Bodyfactory to ensure that both the creativity and the spirit of the competition were captured.

01.

CONSULTATION


I was invited to submit samples of my past work and was thrilled to be selected as the photographer responsible for on-location studio shots. I worked with the event organisers to plan for both structured and spontaneous photography, including press-ready images for media distribution by the end of the first day.

A person with detailed body paint depicting a wolf's head on the chest and a character holding a lantern on the stomach, with face makeup and red accents on a black background.

02.

PHOTOGRAPHY


On-site, I was tasked with creating a makeshift studio using the rooms provided at The Eden Project. Anticipating various challenges like lighting, space, and color schemes, I came prepared with a wide selection of lighting equipment, backdrops, and modifiers. I aimed to highlight the incredible detail of the body paint designs, using soft, flattering lighting to accentuate the intricate colors and textures.


Each day presented a different challenge—on the first day, I photographed parades, behind-the-scenes preparations, and studio portraits. The second day’s camouflage theme required meticulous attention to detail to ensure that the models truly blended into the environment. Adjusting the lighting and angles became essential in achieving the desired visual impact.

A person showcasing intricate body paint art to an audience of photographers and onlookers at an outdoor event.

03.

POST-PRODUCTION


In post-production, I carefully selected and edited a variety of images to meet both the media deadline and the needs of the artists and organisers. While most shots were near-perfect in-camera, I had to retouch some backgrounds due to the room limitations and because some of the head decorations were so tall. My focus was on delivering high-quality images with minimal correction, ensuring a fast turnaround. The final photos were provided digitally for ease of access, with options for high-resolution print formats.

_DSC5329 details body painting design competition event photographer
A woman adorned with colorful body paint, face makeup, and paper flower headdress at a festive event.

The Outcome

The final collection of images showcased the talent and creativity of both the body painters and their models.


From vivid studio shots to behind-the-scenes glimpses of the process, the photos captured the spirit of the competition in a way that was both artistic and engaging. The client appreciated the high quality of the photos, especially the studio shots that highlighted the stunning body art. The images were featured in press releases and shared widely on social media, bringing attention to the event and participants.

This project was a success due to careful planning, a flexible approach to both the event’s live-action and studio demands, and technical expertise in lighting and composition. The event required me to adapt quickly, from changing environments to diverse lighting conditions, while delivering top-quality images.

A variety of photographs depicting individuals with creative body art and face painting designs in different settings and poses.
Person with face painted white and wearing body paint depicting characters from Alice in Wonderland, holding a teapot and posing with closed eyes.
LET’S CHAT
Artists creating intricate body paintings on models at a body art event

I’m able to offer a variety of different photographic and video offerings for events: behind the scenes and candid shots using available light, event videos and photographs, as well as and staged and posed shots using studio lighting on location.

A person with intricate body paint and a decorative headdress posing at an outdoor event.
model studio portrait fashion and event

I take a wide variety of shots to capture the bigger picture, the people, the action and also the finer details.

Two individuals with elaborate body paint and headpieces standing back to back against a black background, showcasing artistic expression and cultural motifs.
A woman with detailed body paint resembling clothes, holding a paint palette, performing in front of an audience.

The way I normally work is to quote a flat fee for events, including travel expenses, and then you receive all the images I take together with any image editing that we’ve agreed. I’m completely transparent about what my fees charge, so you can make informed decisions for your budget. For some events, such as school dance shows I can take a refundable deposit from individuals, as long as there is enough interest.

Examples of natural and studio event portraits taken close-up, mid and in full portrait format from Bodyfactory, a live event held at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

  • A person with a body painting of an orangutan on their back, with tropical leaves and flowers in their hair.
  • Person with face painted white and wearing body paint depicting characters from Alice in Wonderland, holding a teapot and posing with closed eyes.
  • A person with detailed cyborg-themed body paint posing against a black background.
  • A person with elaborate body paint featuring tribal designs posing next to a woman wearing black.
  • An artist carefully painting a blue and white design on a woman's back during a body painting event.
  • _DSC5236_Body painting behind the scenes live event photography
  • _DSC3536 Body Factory sign for the event photograph
  • A person with detailed body paint and costume resembling a robotic figure against a black background.
  • _DSC3528 Eden Project body painting design detail photo
  • A person's torso being painted with a colorful and detailed design by another individual using a paintbrush.
  • A person with intricate body paint and an elaborate Aztec-inspired headdress posing against a black background.
  • _DSC3426_behind the scenes body painting competition photos
  • An artist painting on a woman's body, who is standing against a textured wall with parts of her body painted grey to blend in.
  • Individuals with vibrant body paint participating in a parade, featuring a person in a red and yellow costume with a jester-like face paint holding juggling clubs.
  • Two people with intricate body paint posing against a black background, one sitting with blue and orange designs and headdress, and the other standing with a landscape scene on the torso.
  • _DSC5295. details of body painting model
  • Artist painting on a model's back at a body art event, with other painted models in the background.
  • A man being body-painted with a skeleton costume at a creative event with other artists and models in the background.
  • Person in elaborate fantasy costume with face paint and a decorative hat participating in a parade, with other costumed individuals and spectators in the background.
  • A person with a painted face smiling at the camera surrounded by other individuals with elaborate body paint in a festive setting.
  • A woman with vibrant face and body paint, adorned with a headdress of red flowers and palm leaves.
  • Two individuals with elaborate forest-themed body paint and headpieces standing close together against a black background.
  • A person with body paint blending into a tropical background, adorned with floral decorations.
  • A person with colorful painted skin standing in front of a colorful abstract painting, partially blending into the artwork.
  • A person with intricate blue, red, and green tribal body paint and an elaborate feathered headdress posing dramatically against a black background.
  • Person with elaborate body paint and costume against a black background
  • A person with elaborate body paint, including imagery of eyes, birds, and colorful patterns, and red hair with decorative braids wearing makeup that simulates a skull's features.
  • A person with peacock-inspired body paint and headpiece, featuring a red wig and elaborate facial makeup.
  • Two individuals posing for a photo, one with intricate fantasy body paint and headpiece, and the other wearing casual clothing with a skeleton print.
  • A person in elaborate body paint and costume performing at a cultural event, featuring intricate designs and a colorful headdress.
  • A person with colorful body paint posing against a black background, their body artistically painted to resemble a tropical theme with flowers and leaf patterns.
  • A person with futuristic cyborg-themed body paint posing against a black background.
  • A person with intricate body paint blending into a tropical environment with green foliage around.
  • Two individuals with intricate tribal body paint and dramatic headpieces, standing against a black background.
  • Three people posing with a trophy and gifts, with one man expressing excitement and two women smiling at a celebratory event.

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Hosting a creative event and need vibrant, captivating photos and videos? Let’s chat about how I can capture the moments that matter to you.

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