Back in April 2015, for the second year running, I was commissioned by WARL to shoot a set of images for Abbeyfield Care Homes. The client wanted to promote the positive side of sheltered accommodation by producing a set of optimistic images with a bright, natural, real feel.
We cast the models, recced the locations and the shoot dates were set. On the second day we were shooting at a location in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Far from being put out by the disruption of a film crew descending on their home for the day, the residents were amused and interested with what was going on.
For the last shot, we wanted to set up a group shot around a piano in the living room. As the crew were setting up, I got chatting to an amazing lady called Elcy Sagen. Sadly Elsy had lost her husband six months prior. As we got chatting it was clear that she had lived a full and accomplished life and still had a twinkle in her eye. As well as running her own dental practice and speaking nine languages, it just so happened that she was also an accomplished pianist. It didn’t take much to persuade Elcy to be in the photograph and she captivated the models, crew and residents alike with her playing.
I was really happy with the photographs from the session and finally declared, “it’s a wrap” for the day. However one of our models, Gabby Fraklin, was so blown away by Elcy’s playing that she flung her arms around Elcy and they spontaneously started to dance around the living room.
I grabbed my camera, called the assistants back on set and was able to capture these final joyous shots of the day.
# serendipity
