A Night at The Drunken Duck with Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds
When Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds approached me with the idea for a moody bar scene, I was immediately excited by the challenge. Their music has a raw, gritty energy, and we wanted the photos to reflect that same intensity. The setting had to capture not just the essence of their sound but also the intimate, almost nostalgic feel of a late-night gig. So, we decided on The Drunken Duck, one of Guernsey’s favorite pubs, with its cozy, rustic charm.
Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds perform in a moody Guernsey pub, blending guitar and violin for an atmospheric music shoot
The creative direction was to evoke the atmosphere of a live performance—raw, unpolished, and completely natural. We didn’t want anything too polished or staged; instead, we aimed to create a sense of realism that would transport the viewer to that moment. To achieve this, I brought along my handheld smoke machine and some colored lighting, using them to inject a bit of drama and moodiness into the scene.
Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds in a colorful music shoot at The Drunken Duck, Guernsey
Inspired by the work of photographers like Theo Gosselin and The Moody Darkroom, we aimed to create an environment where the band’s performance could be captured in its purest form. The lighting, smoke, and shadows weren’t just for aesthetics—they were integral to setting the mood, helping to convey the depth and emotion behind the music.
Charlie Sherbourne in a moody Guernsey music shoot, captured under colored lighting
Throughout the shoot, we focused on capturing moments of genuine connection between the bandmates, whether it was Charlie deeply engaged in playing his guitar or the group laughing together during a break. We didn’t want it to feel like a typical photoshoot; instead, we sought to reflect the organic, unscripted moments you would experience during a live performance.
Bandmates having fun with Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds during a moody music shoot in Guernsey.
The pub’s warm lighting and relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect stage for these images. I used colored gels and experimented with shadows to enhance the moody vibe we were aiming for. The result is a series of images that speak to the heart of the band’s sound—a balance of light and dark, raw emotion, and a deep sense of connection between the band and their environment.
Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds captured in a relaxed Guernsey pub setting for a moody music photography shoot.
Huge thanks to Charlie and the band for letting me be a part of this project, and to The Drunken Duck for giving us the space to bring this vision to life. This shoot was about more than just taking pictures—it was about crafting an atmosphere and telling a story, one that perfectly mirrors the raw, authentic spirit of Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds.
Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds under dramatic lighting during a moody music shoot at The Drunken Duck in Guernsey.
Violinist from Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds performing in a dark, moody bar scene in Guernsey.
Charlie Sherbourne and the Nightbirds under dramatic lighting during a moody music shoot at The Drunken Duck in Guernsey.
Charlie Sherbourne in a moody, atmospheric pub setting in Guernsey, captured during a music photography shoot.
