A spontaneous shoot with model Amber Tutton proves that great light can make any location shine.

Sometimes, the best photographs come from the most unexpected places. During my visit to the Wales and West Photography Show at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Newport—beside the iconic Celtic Manor Resort—I wasn’t there to shoot, at least not initially. I was there to explore, to see what creative sparks might ignite at one of the region’s biggest photography gatherings. What I didn’t expect was to end up capturing one of my favourite spontaneous portrait sets of the year—with the talented model, Amber Tutton.

Like many photographers do at such events, I found myself wandering beyond the main exhibition halls, camera in hand, scouting for locations. The car park beneath the ICC might not sound like the obvious choice for a beauty or editorial portrait session, but sometimes those unassuming spaces hold hidden magic. As I moved through the stairwells and concrete corridors, I noticed a soft golden light streaming through gaps between the structures. The mix of hard stone textures and warm highlights instantly caught my attention—it was too good to ignore.

As fate would have it, Amber Tutton was also at the show, working with a well-known photography brand. Between her scheduled commitments, she had a brief window of downtime and was kind enough to join me for a quick impromptu shoot. It’s not every day you get to collaborate with a model of her calibre on the fly, so I wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass.

Amber is an experienced, internationally published model based between Cambridge and London, known for her work across commercial, editorial, fashion, and beauty genres. She has collaborated with renowned photographers and global brands, and her professionalism and instinct in front of the camera made the process effortless. Despite the setting—a stairwell surrounded by wire gabion walls filled with stone—she instantly transformed the environment into something elegant and cinematic.

We worked quickly, using the available light and reflective surfaces to our advantage. The sunlight filtered through the structure above, bouncing gently onto her hair and shoulders, creating a beautiful golden rim light. With no additional gear other than my camera and lens, I relied entirely on positioning, timing, and natural reflection. That simplicity became part of the shoot’s charm. There were no big light setups, no assistants, no elaborate styling—just good light, a great subject, and instinct.

The tones and textures of the space did much of the storytelling for us. The industrial backdrop contrasted beautifully with Amber’s delicate, sequinned dress, creating a juxtaposition that felt both raw and refined. The rough textures behind her accentuated the softness of her expression and the subtle movement of her hair. It was one of those rare moments where everything—light, subject, and mood—aligned perfectly.

For me, this shoot was a reminder that creativity doesn’t depend on elaborate setups or exotic locations. Sometimes it’s about seeing the potential in your surroundings and seizing the moment when inspiration strikes. The fact that these images were born from a few minutes in an overlooked stairwell rather than a planned studio session makes them even more special.

Looking back at the photos, I’m struck by how naturally everything came together. There’s a warmth and spontaneity to them that reflects the spirit of the day—a meeting of opportunity, talent, and light. What began as a casual wander through the car park turned into a memorable editorial moment, all thanks to being in the right place at the right time with the right collaborator.

This shoot with Amber at the ICC serves as a perfect reminder for photographers everywhere: keep your eyes open, because inspiration can appear anywhere—even in a stairwell beneath a convention centre.