Christmas Gifts

In the build up to Christmas, and in some cases when the leaves were still on the trees, I was asked to capture images of much loved pets. As these images were being printed and framed and given as Christmas presents I could not share them with you until now. I didn't want to spoil any Christmas gift surprises.

 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed spending time with the pets (and their owners) capturing these images. Learning about their personalities and spending that little extra time certainly pays dividends. I really enjoyed these shots and I hope everyone loved their unique and very personal gifts.

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Beautiful Portraits

Well you all know that I love my work, so much so it really doesn't feel like work. On top of all that I also get to meet some of the most interesting people doing the most interesting jobs, each with their own unique vision.

 

So here are some of the lovely people I have photographed over the last two or three weeks...



Rachael Brown, AFH Wealth Management

Michelle Lerner, Lewis Adam Estate Agents

Rachael and Michelle, although running very different companies, share an office and both of the images above were captured in the same part of the office. Michelle wanted to show where she works and where she will be sitting with you when you visit her. She wanted to put her customers at ease before they had even said "Hello". Rachael needed an image suitable for her social media profiles (Linked In, Twitter) and so I put my grey backdrop up and shot Rachael in front of that.

 

I have organised my business and purchased kit that means I can be totally mobile. This means I can come to you and capture you in situ and if you have a number of staff then that means less disruption if you want photographs of them all.

 

I believe the shoot above shows that I can bring the studio to you no matter the size of space you have. The end result will be images you love, that tell your unique story, that you cannot wait to get on your website and all over social media.

Cheryl Morris, Creative Word PR

Next I visited Cheryl. She was very nervous about having the photographs done but wanted a variety of portraits for use on her website, on social media and also to support Press Releases and articles. I gave Cheryl top tips about posing and how photographers work; I let her choose her favourite backdrop, her preferred tops and jackets and put her at her ease. Part of what I do is calming people down, so I have learnt to tell jokes and make people laugh, relaxed and happy is the way you want to come across to your customers so that's what you need to look like in your photos. I also captured shots of her at work so that she can tell a much better story about what she does and how she does it on her website. I have a case study about this shoot - here.

Paul Blotheridge, Concept InfoTech

Paul Blotheridge, Concept InfoTech

And last, but not least, Paul. He wanted to show off how he can work just about anywhere and so after a breakfast network meeting we turned one end of the Café into a makeshift office. He was working as he took a call whilst I was shooting him. When then popped outside and made use of a brick wall to add some texture and captured a head and shoulder shot that Paul can start using on his social media profiles.

 

Happy clients. Happy me. Love what you do folks it's the only way to do this Rat Race thing.

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When it happens, it really happens ...

I've been wonderfully busy over the last week - which is the best feeling in the world. I have had clients each day for 7 consecutive days. Yep - I even work at the weekends!

So here's a quick review of what I did:

• Individual Business Portraits x 3
• Product Photography
• Fashion Shoot
• Business portraits - 23 people in 2 poses 
• Event Photography
• Family Portrait

Written down in a list like that it doesn't seem so great - but believe me it was fantastic. Also as well as that list of shooting I have also been to 5 networking groups, delivered a ten minute presentation on how to get the best out of your phone when capturing holiday snaps and had two 121 meetings to find out more about other people's businesses. 

 

Here's some of my work:

Fashion Shoot

 

 Product Shoot

 

 

 Event Photography

Portrait number 1

 

Portrait number 2

Pose number 1 for 23 members of staff

Portrait number 3

 

 

Family Portrait

Well when you group them together like that it seems that I am mostly a portrait photographer. I have meet some amazing people and had such fun and laughs with them. I have been told there are some lovely testimonials coming my way as well. 

 

Another great achievement this week was that I got to make use of my new lighting kit which I bought at the Photography Show back in March. I like them and will be make much more use of them in the future. Firstly thought I need to sort out a proper bag for them so that the lights and the stands they need can be easily transported/carried/moved about. This week was a little tough in that respect. But I have done a little research on Amazon and think I may have found a solution that saves my back and shoulders.

 

I have learned an awful lot from this week. And I am gloriously happy.

 

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Want a busy week? Here's how ...

I have had another tremendously busy week and one that is varied, interesting and immense fun.

 

It started with a shoot at a Solicitors in Leicester. Lovely people I have photographed them before but as they have taken on more staff and refreshed their website they felt it was time for an update.

Solicitor Portrait shoot using the peeling paint door backdrop

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Next I was in Derby to shoot Alive Fitness. Particularly Susan Booth who is a wonderful woman. She and Debbie are planning a very interesting sounding day (9th April) called Va Va Voom a day for women over 40 to discuss what the changes in life mean to our bodies and how we need to deal with them so that we can continue to be who we are and who we want to be. I have signed up for this day and am really looking forward to it. Susan's energy and straight forward way of delivering information means I will enjoy the day. Debbie's wonderfully clear sighted and relaxed approach helps you clear your mind so that you can be who you want to be.

Susan with her team planning the Va Va Voom day

Debbie and Susan - the terrify twosome

Food will help

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The Easter weekend had me running around in the rain capturing delightful images of a group of children taking part in an Easter Egg Hunt - on horseback. I loved every minute and wished I had done things like this when I was a kid.

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I belong to a couple of brilliant networking groups and this week I was photographing my Friday morning network so that they could have some new images for the website. The 10 minute session was a great surprise as Stewart talked us through his hobby - rather than his successful Drainage business. As you can see his hobby is brass bands and he brought along an instrument for us to have a blow.

Kevin seems to have done this before

Sally loving having a go and making us all giggle
 

 

I love my job, particularly the variety of jobs I do. My clients are pretty impressive too.

 

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What a week

It has been a great week... well that is my feeling as I sit here sipping my cup of Earl Grey on a Friday morning. So let's have a think, why am I thinking it has been a great week.

 

Firstly I was out and about with my camera shooting things this week - this always fills me with joy. Portrait, Architectural and Event Photography and a fabulous photo restoration were in the mix. Having work to do means invoices are being raised and that always makes me happy.

The beautiful Fiona

A rather splendid equestrian property in South Leicestershire gets the star treatment

Rain stops nothing

I have been speaking to my accountant to make sure I understand how my income tax will be affected by having become a Landlord at the beginning of the year. Seems all is in hand, I understand all that I need to do, what to look out for and I also cleared up a couple of things I didn't know about. Now I don't have to worry about this and I can concentrate on pushing my business forward. This really makes me happy. 

 

I started going to a new networking group this week and met some really rather lovely people who, after only that first meeting, are asking me to work with them. This makes me happy.

 

I also met up with people I networked with last year. We had all lost touch when the group closed so we planned to meet for a curry and it was great to catch up. I had missed them. It wasn't long, I think the poppadum and chutney's had been cleared away, before work was being passed around the table. Old networking habits never die. This made me happy. 

 

I have talked through a plan I have to rationalise parts of my business. Hearing myself say the words, rather than just having the thoughts rumbling around my head, has really helped and has made me realise it is the correct thing to do. There are parts of the business that are costing money but not bringing in any money. I have to say this is a little like asking a member of staff to leave - but I think needs must. So over the next few months I am going to be making the changes. I shall keep you informed. Sad as this is, it does make me happy.

 

On a personal note: I bought myself a rather large amount of wool this week, mostly purple, to add to my stash and have started working on a project with it. This makes me happy.

 

In summary: I think I can now see why this has been a good week and why I'm feeling happy whilst sipping my Earl Grey.

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