This week’s ‘Preston in the Picture’ photograph is a portrait of Stella Hall. Stella is the Festival Director for Preston Guild 2012 and while most of the pictures I take for this blog will inevitably be scenic shots of one form or another, I also want to include the occasional portrait.

This is the second of the weekly photos to have a Preston Guild theme and I’m sure it won’t be the last. While many people around the country focus on the other big event this year – the Olympics, Stella and her team are working hard to ensure that this Guild year is one to remember for Preston.

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It was clear from my brief session with Stella that she is looking to create something that is very here and now. Tradition clearly has its place in any Preston Guild celebration but I for one am looking forward to a Preston Guild that celebrates the future as well as the past.

Our portrait session was conducted in two very different locations. The first location was the Mayor’s Parlour which is located on the first floor of Preston Town Hall (or is that City Hall now?). Anyway, the the key thing as far as the portrait goes, is that it is a very traditional location, lots of wood paneling and souvenirs of office. This is not a location that Stella frequents I hasten to add, but I did think it would make a suitable location for the traditional Guild feel. This picture was taken on a Preston ‘blue’ leather sofa in the corner of the Parlour. I just love the ‘Lamb and Flag’ cushion!

For those of you who would like to see the alternative ‘modern’ portrait, I will add it to the ‘Preston in the Picture’ tab on my website – click on my name below for the link.

Camera details: Nikon D700 with 50mm f1.4 lens. Lighting was a SB-900 flashgun fired into an umbrella camera left.

Paul Melling [Paul Melling Photography]