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.

. . . o o o O o o o . . .

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.

. . . . . o o o 0 o o o . . . . .

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.

 

. . . . . . o o 0 o o . . . . . .

 



 

Slightly annoyed

I have messed up a little bit.

 

I decided to take advantage of a deal on getting 100 6x4" prints from Jessops for a very reasonable price. I thought this might be a different way of handing out my work to people, something a bit more than a business card and something nice for people to keep.

 

I also purchased a ink pad and stamp so that I could put my details on the back of the photographs.

6x4" photographs stamped on the back

I love the prints and I love the stamp - look how cool those look?

 

However I had forgotten how none absorbent photography paper is. I have stamped lots of the 100 and the ink on the back - even after a day - is still smudging.

 

Grrrr. If it doesn't dry I will not be able to hand them out as they will smudge onto the front of the photograph they sit next too. Perhaps I could put them into an envelope - but that takes away from the idea. Slightly annoyed with myself. However if they do dry I will be very chuffed. Any suggestions on how to get them dry. I have tried using a hair dryer and also blotting them - but still they remain smudgeable!

 

Answers on a postcard please.

 

. . . . . o o o 0 o o o . . . . .

 

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

. . . . .

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

. . . . .

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.

. . . . .

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.

 

. . . . . . o o o 0 o o o . . . . .

 

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.

. . . . . o o o 0 o o o . . . . .

Scouting Locations

Sarah contacted me for some head and shoulders shots ready for her new business, new website and new career - all NEW hear!

She chose to meet outdoors near St Peter's Church, Burton saying "I want outdoors cos I'm an outdoorsy sort of woman". I like her style.

I arrived a few mins early and had a quick walk around looking out for nice backdrops alongside the River Trent. This structure was interesting. I loved the colours of the bricks, there was a good source of natural light and it would give us some shelter from the wind.

Shelter

Sarah liked the look of it too and this is my favourite image of her from inside the shelter:

Natural light and a little flash with a lovely brick backdrop

I also spied this spot with an ivy covered tree, the River and a moss covered wall:  

Mossy wall

Sarah had brought a change of clothes and so for this shot we chose the tweed jacket:

Mossy wall

I encourage my client to bring along a change of clothes (a couple of jackets, a scarf, different jumper) so that they have a few different looks. The reason for this is so they get more images from the one shoot that they can rota through the year. Sarah took this to heart and I actually have a shot of her in a tee-shirt. What a star and now she has images ready for use across all platforms for her new business throughout the coming year.

. . . . . . . . . o o o 0 o o o . . . . . . . . . .

Blooming technology

I've had an issue with technology today and I thought I would share as a gentle way of getting me back into blogging.

 

I often have trouble getting out of Derby - I invariably get lost - but today was a first as I got lost getting in!

 

It's a new year and so I have decided to try out some new networking groups. As some of you know I have moved myself, and the business, to Burton and so I am looking to networking in a nice comfortable radius of Burton. I decided to visit Firm Support networking in Derby. I had hoped to join last year but it clashed with other networking I was already doing 60 miles in the opposite direction.

 

This morning was to be my first visit and I put the address into the phone's sat nav, I checked that the destination the phone had chosen matched with where I thought I was going, it did, and I hit ... GO.

 

Yep - this is where I need to be heading

I admit I had left it until the last minute to set off - I wanted to avoid all the rush hour traffic and thought giving myself 30 mins for an 13 mile trip was fine and dandy. I have to say the route chosen was a bit off the beaten track, taking me through villages I had only ever seen on signposts, but I was confident I would arrive on time.

 

I had ten minutes left to arrive as I approached a roundabout with a sign for SinFin Community Centre - I thought hang on this is not quite as near to Pride Park as I thought I was going to be. Then the sat nav said: "At the roundabout, park and walk to your final destination". Now just a cotton picking minute my final destination is the all the way up there. Why have I got to walk?

Red pin = where I should be
Purple pin = where it took me

I pulled over and checked where I was supposed to be going and as you can see above it was a good few miles to go. The sat nav was saying it would take me another 20 minutes to get there. I do not like arriving late for meetings so I sent a text and said: 'sat nav failure, see you next month'. Apologies to all the lovely ladies at Firm Support I promise to be there next month.

 

This isn't the first time my phone has intervened and caused me an issue. One morning I sent an early morning text to my handsome fellar saying good morning. In gently placing my phone back onto the bedside cabinet I somehow managed to touch the screen in such a way that it cancelled my meeting at 10am that morning and sent an email to the lady I was meeting to tell her it was cancelled and she never showed up!

Are we in control or is the technology?

 

. . . . . o 0 o . . . . .

Tips for you when being photographed

You will see many posts about how to take good portrait photos - I know I offer them myself when training people. Any good photographer will absorb and learn from these tips to develop their own style. However it occurred to me the other day that there are never any tips for what to do when you are the subject. You need to get the very best out of your session and have confidence as you meet with your photographer. They should be considering and planning for all of these things - but it is worth having them in your head - that way you will go home with some great images from your shoot.

If these are a bit too much for you then let me take the hassle away and come to me. I always consider all of these points and I will definitely put you at your ease.

If you are using a different photographer then please take with you my top tips for things to do, look out for and ask about during your head and shoulder portrait shoot:

Top tips for Great Portraits

And getting the best out of your photographer

 

Stand with your feet at 45 degree angle to the camera and turn at the waist towards the camera. This gives a more flattering body shape – for men and women. Even if you are just doing head and shoulder shots. 

Do not stand close to the backdrop/background/wall stand at least 1 metre away - more if possible. This will avoid nasty shadows being cast particularly if your photographer is using flash. 

Don't look down at the photographer. If they are shorter than you then you need to sit or get them to stand on a chair or ladder or up some steps - whatever is available.

Back lighting is very flattering so if you can position yourself with the main source of light being behind you that always looks good and provides a highlight on your hair.

Find out how they like to shoot – do they prefer shallow depth of field using a large aperture – ask them because if they do then this will nicely blur out the background and make sure the focus is all on you. Your eyes, or the leading eye, must be in focus. The danger with large aperture and extremely shallow depth of field is that your nose might be in focus but the 2cm to get to your eyes and they are out of focus. So if they are showing you images as they work always check the focus on your eyes is sharp and crisp.

Don't let them use on-camera flash pointing straight at you – there-in lies red eye – not a good look. Make sure they have a swivel head flash and bounce it off wall or ceiling or they are using an alternate light source.

Look at the camera but look just above the lens not straight down the barrel of the lens.

Try some shots where you are looking off camera - perhaps laughing or chatting with someone standing to the side of the photographer. Some candid shots can be really quite lovely.

Remember to get some where you are smiling: teeth showing. And some where you are being approachable but not with a toothy smile. Also have a couple of different jackets or scarves so that you can have different looks. This way you get more out of your shoot.

Ask if you can have your images processed in colour and black and white – this way you can have many different looks and styles all from one shoot. 

If you are sitting remember to lean forward slightly so that your chest is over your belt buckle. Don't overdo the movement just make subtle adjustments.

It's always better to have a slight double chin rather than look down your nose. That way you look snooty. Looking up through your eyelashes is must nicer, glamorous and quite sexy. This is why your photographer needs to have their camera at least at your eye level, if not higher.

Make sure your photographer cares you want someone who will straighten a tie, adjust a jacket, flick dandruff off your shoulder or smooth down your hair. It shows they are bothered about how you are going to look and it will put you at your ease. The more time they spend with the camera away from their face the more you will relax.

Make sure you like your photographer. If you love your images make sure you tell everyone who captured them for you.  

 

. . . o O o . . . 

 

 

Can a car really be this dismal

I was just looking at some of my old blog posts and reading about my 'Van Plan' story that resulted in me buying a Fiat Punto. Well I have to say this has not been a match made in heaven, it is very dull to drive, it makes a whole cacophony of noises that are too expensive to fix and worst of all - the technology. It has many lights on the dashboard - all are useless. For example when I switch the engine on a flashing baby in a baby seat appears - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I don't have a baby in a baby seat, flashing or otherwise. And here's the really annoying thing. As every other car it has a petrol gauge which also has a really bright light which illuminates when I am down to a quarter tank left - WHY IS IT THERE? I am quite capable of being able to see the gauge and, wait for it, gauge when I need to fill up. I am contemplating investing in a small piece of duct tape to cover up the light.

What this, and most other cars, could really do with on the whole gauge front is one that shows me the fullness/emptiness of something that helps ensure I can see where I am going. It would help me if the windscreen washer bottle had a gauge on the dashboard. It would be more useful, and I'd appreciate more, than two ways of showing me how much petrol is left and something to remind me not to forget my flashing baby.

Nothing better

There is nothing better than sharing your passion with someone.

 

I love photography and I love helping people get to grips with their camera. I do this on a 121 basis this means I can tailor the training to suit your needs, your camera, your abilities, your ideas and your requirements.

 

This is one of the best bits about my job. I was asked by Lisa to show her how to get the best out of her camera and lighting to enable her to photograph her beautiful bespoke jewellery pieces. Her plan was to keep her website up-to-date with all her new creations. Of course I said yes.

 

I have already helped Lisa by capturing some of her work for her website home page and also her portrait for her about me page and now she wanted help in making the hard working part of her site - the shop - be up-to-the-minute with all of her creations.

 

No matter what the equipment or the product I can find a way help you achieve what you are after.

You can make any camera work for you with a little knowledge

Here we are experimenting with her point and shoot camera on a mini tripod using lights. This camera had all sorts of little problems - including sensor blobs - but we found a way to work around them. This means Lisa can start capturing her work without having to purchase a new camera or any expensive equipment.

 

Lisa's jewellery is lovely and I love finding out where her inspiration comes from and seeing the results. If you want to see more of her work have a look here.

 

. . . . . . . . . o 0 o . . . . . . . . .

 

I have a plan, a plan for a van

I have a plan, a plan for a van. I have been working to achieve this 5 year goal. I am 3 years into this plan but as my work has increased my need to be able transport kit and an assistant has also increased. The space in a two seater sports car has not been helping me with that so I decided it was time to implement the van plan now.

 

First step was to go and look at potential vans and I have to say that even the smallest of vans was too big for my needs. I also found out that insurance would be higher on a van as it would be seen as commercial and charged accordingly. I therefore had to think about cars. An estate car was far too big and impractical, a salon did not offer flexibility on space - so I hatched a plan for a hatchback.

 

I used to own a Peugeot 306 and that was like a tardis. I decided that I needed something similar. A couple of weekends ago I popped along to a local garage and found a hatchback within my budget with the lowest mileage I could imagine on a 12 year old car (45,000 crazy).

 

I am now the (un)lucky owner of a FIAT Punto and finally waved goodbye to my MX5. I have been driving a sports car for 10 years and I have to say a 1.2litre engine has been an awful shock. However 2014 is the year of being practical and I know that my bank balance will love this car even if I never do.

 

I have already been out with the car fully loaded with kit and it was easy to convert and load. Think I need to make some further adjustments - but I think I can safely say that now I can take full kit and an assistant without any trouble.

 

The Van story in Pictures:

 

This is what I really wanted - but could not find it

 

This is what I went out to look at and realised a van
offered far too much space for my needs

Time to say goodbye to the Mazda Igloo ...

 

... and hello to the Fiat D"ismal hatchback

Bonus: I can fit all the kit in after playing with
 the 60/40 split rear seats.
Result: I still have two seats left

 

Note to Self:

Remember this is for practical reasons and you can always get something more exciting in the future.

 

. . . o 0 o . . .

   

Mail Chimp Training

You can never get too much support, mentoring, advice and ideas and recently I have been seeing the lovely people at Growing Rural Enterprise Ltd. When I visited them last week I found out about this wonderful course they are running ...

 

... and cake too

I really do need some advice on how to use Mail Chimp and think the offer of cake has swung it for me really! Seriously though, I have said for a long time that I do not offer wedding photography. However, if you have been paying attention, you will have noticed Devoted pop up in connection with me. I have set up Devoted to offer wedding photography and have started marketing Devoted to brides to be. Now what I need to do is communicate with the people that I have been networking with over the last three years to let them know I have extended my offer and they can call upon Devoted to give them beautiful wedding photography.

 

Mail Chimp will also allow me to develop a dialogue with my customers and clients alike and also make me start thinking about offering tips, advice, special deals and beautiful imagery on a regular basis.

 

Watch this space - or a space in your inbox!

 

. . . o 0 o . . .

 

Client Images

Yes it's that time of the year again when I need to back up, label and store my client images for the previous year.

 

I once again ordered an external hard drive, 320GB this time, and have spent a bit of time this week getting my 2013 client images all back-up and carefully stored away.

 

It is important for my clients to know that if they lose the images I create for them that I will always be able to easily access my copies.

 

So rest assured if I have done some work for you over the previous 3 years then I still have your little beauties snuggley tucked up and looked after.

What is the collective noun for external hard drives?

. . . o 0 o . . .

Update at Cooper Towers

I have been a little quiet on here I know - but have been very busy diversifying and setting up the new venture ready for 2014.

I now offer a wedding photography service. Devoted Wedding Photography. A Bride-to-be looks for photographers in a different way to my commercial SME business clients so I have set up a new name, a new website and a new blog that will appeal to them. 

I still shoot people, products, events and specialise in time-lapse photography - but now I also capture weddings.

 

I like being Joanne Cooper whether I am Joanne Cooper Photography or Devoted Wedding Photography - it's me and it's photography.

Clever lighting removes wrinkles!

. . . o 0 o . . .

Netwalking

Yes you read that right - netwalking - networking and going for a walk - right up my street that one.

 

This is my second netwalk organised by Skylark Activities and this time it was to Bradgate Park. I met a lot of people I had not met before - which is always bonus - and I got to walk around my old playground. I learnt a couple of things about Bradgate Park that I did not know - it is always a good day when you learn something new. Met one very nice person in particular and am hoping we can do some business together in the future.

Bradgate Park, Leicestershire

. . . . . . . o 0 o . . . . . . .