Keith - experimental portraits

I've been reading a book by portrait photographer Robin Gillanders ('the photographic portrait', 2004, David&Charles), and felt inspired to try a set of portraits with friends.  This is the first of the lot - our session took place this afternoon in Keith's summer house - I added the Bee and a mirror to the mix, and Keith tried to add his cats, Hugo and Claire, but they had their own ideas ('you want me to sit near a baby?!').  Robin Gillanders repeats the mantra 'keep things simple', which is a idea that brought me some relief in recent times, when options (of location, kit, editing etc) have threatened to seem exponential and overwhelming (surely to be professional, I need at least 5 lenses, and three photo editing programmes on my computer...?).  Robin often carefully adds a couple objects to his portraits that tell us something about the sitter, and I really like the idea of playing with this method - see if you can spot the objects Keith and I have chosen!
These are a few of my favourites from a quick initial trawl of the results.

My favourite from the session - and of course one that I just took quickly on my way out at the end of the session - think that is often the way.  I love the light in this one - Keith has just had his sitting room knocked through, and is in the midst of putting up the shelves, hence the books - I really like the clutter they create in this picture though, I think it creates a nice balance and frame for the sitter - and it also speaks to me of a life in transition, being rearranged, which is very fitting for Keith at the present time.

Keith, the Bee & me

Anyone who knows Keith well will probably immediately spot the glass of juice.
Couldn't resist including the Bee in this one...

'I AM THAT.'
Keith & Hugo.  I like the way they are both looking down.

Not sure about Keith's expression here - think I could find a better one - but it still shows something I was trying to create - the mirror showing the nearby tree; Keith's pile of fire wood; his books & tea; and the dappled light behind his head.