Hiseman publishes 2019 golf photos portfolio, adds Spa & Leisure

In his 2019 golf photography portfolio, published today, Golf PR agent and photographer Andy Hiseman reveals something new, with a section devoted to Spa & Leisure joining hundreds of other striking, marketing-friendly images taken at a wide variety of golf facilities.

The photographs show not only classic ‘magic hour’ golf course images, but also the many other aspects of the sport – with a focus on the welcoming atmosphere which can be found at most places these days.

In his new portfolio now on view at www.hisemanphoto.com, the ex-golf magazine publisher – who has taken over 60,000 photographs at over 100 golf clubs and resorts in the last four years – presents a new collection of golf images which show what life really looks like at the modern golf club.

Speaking about this year’s portfolio, Hiseman said: “Golf clubs and resorts are certainly diversifying fast. Recent photoshoots at multi-sports and leisure clubs like Roehampton, Cranleigh and Branston have been heavily slanted towards off-course activities, and I have had to learn many new tricks recently. Swimming pools tend to fog up your lens. Spin classes tend to take place in near-darkness. People doing yoga are very aware of their bums when there’s a photographer standing there.

“Spa & leisure photography is very different from golf. You have to empathise. People are much more self-aware, and you can upset them pretty quickly if you invade their Zumba class with a camera. And, speaking from experience, seniors doing aqua aerobics are much more fearsome than senior golfers.”

With time-poor golf executives often barely able to manage their emails, let alone browse through a photo gallery, Hiseman is under no illusions: “There are over 700 original images to look through, and only the most dedicated will get through them all” he said. “But hopefully people will find the new collection enjoyable to dip into, and maybe it will inspire some clubs to get some new photos for themselves.”

With many people tempted to do their own photos, using a smart phone, what tips does he have for budding photographers?

“It’s all about loving people’s faces, and being prepared to experiment with a camera” he said. “I am self-taught, so one reason my images may look a bit distinctive is that I probably break the accepted rules of photography every time I’m on a shoot.

“You need to make people relaxed, for them to act naturally enough to star in a good photograph, so a bit of gentle banter doesn’t hurt, and you need to reassure people that you’ll only keep the most flattering ones. Most photographers are also quite good on the spur of the moment, and are constantly looking around – if you stand there expecting a good picture to walk right past you, you’ll not get many ‘keepers’.

As well as commissions from golf clubs and resorts, Hiseman also supplies photographs to a growing number of golf industry organisations such as the PGA and GolfBusinessNews. “If you visit the PGA tent at The Open, you’ll sometimes see one of my images on a banner there” he said. “I’ve seen some wonderful PGA pros in action, and capturing those moments when pro and pupil are working in complete harmony is very satisfying.”

For those who care to take a look, the portfolio pages have been put together in a particular order. “Just for fun I’ve hidden little groupings together” he said. “Golfers shaking hands, silhouettes, men wearing loud trousers, golfers getting touchy-feely, big celebrations … they’re all in there, and more.”

See the photographs at www.hisemanphoto.com, and contact andy@hiseman.com to discuss your own needs.