Last month, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Leven Amateur Musical Association’s (LAMA) Youth Company production of Shrek the Musical. This was my third or fourth time working with the company, capturing both their cast photos and production shots, and I was especially excited for this one because Shrek was my favourite film growing up.
I could quote it almost word-for-word (and still can, if I’m honest!). It’s only in recent years that Shrek has been edged out by The Lord of the Rings as my all-time favourite movie but it still holds a very special place in my heart.
A Technically Tricky but Rewarding Shoot
This production presented some unique technical challenges, primarily because of the digital screens used as part of the set design. These screens looked fantastic in person but can be tricky to photograph their colours often appear differently in-camera compared to how the eye perceives them.
To manage this, I shot with a high shutter speed and in the high-speed continuous drive mode available on my cameras, capturing multiple frames per scene to ensure I’d get the perfect exposure and colour balance. Thankfully, many of the images turned out beautifully, with the digital backgrounds complementing the performances rather than overpowering them.
A Standout Cast and an Emotional Story
The cast were brilliant - full of energy, expression, and heart. One of the standout moments for me was the Act 1 finale between Shrek, Fiona and Donkey, which the young cast performed so powerfully it actually had many people in the audience in tears. As a photographer, those are the moments I live for: genuine emotion, beautifully lit, captured forever in a frame.
Because I know Shrek so well, I found it incredibly natural to anticipate key story beats and emotional moments, which really helped me tell the story visually through the images. The resulting photos are bursting with life, colour, and emotion, and I couldn’t be happier with them.
Looking Ahead - and a New Idea Born
It was during this show that I first had the idea for my Brand Ambassador Programme — something that’s since gained huge momentum. In fact, several members of the Shrek youth cast have already applied to be part of it, which is incredibly exciting.
I’m so grateful to have the chance to work with Leven Amateur Musical Association’s Youth Company again and again. Each production brings new challenges, new creativity, and new stories to tell - and I can’t wait to return next year to photograph whatever brilliant show they have planned next.
If your theatre group or youth company is looking for professional production photography that captures the heart and energy of your performance, I’d love to collaborate. You can reach me through my contact page.
