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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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.

 

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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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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.

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.

 

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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?

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Client Images

My little package arrived today containing the new 250GB external hard drive. (Read my New Years Resolution post to see what I am talking about). This means I have been able to get all client images onto individual sticks/drives. These are now perfectly labelled and stored in a safe and secure box in the office. I can now rest easy. I have also backed-up the entire files/folder/system from the computer hard drive. I did this old school and next week will try out some software that means I will be doing incremental back-ups.

I have been told about SkyDrive for my day-to-day files/documents and I might investigate that too.

Think this story needs an image and as all I can see out of my window is snow I thought this would be appropriate.

It was a bitterly cold 5 mile walk to have a delicious Sunday roast

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New Years Resolution

I never make resolutions - but this year I did. Simply because I must get on with it and do it. There should be no excuse. The only limit is my knowledge and understanding. So what am I talking about?

...Backing-up... 

Yep backing-up all my business files/folders/images.

As you can imagine I am creating a vast amount of images and there is a lot of (electronic) paperwork to cover issues like quotes, invoices, work progress, account, correspondence, orders, emails etc. 

I have been speaking to various people who are very knowledgeable in this area and, to be frank, they did rather frighten me. I got a clear and concise impression of what could potentially go wrong. I appreciate this and this is why I am anxious to get something up and running. Even though I was scared there was the basis of an idea for a back-up strategy in there.

I have been looking at ways to do the back-ups so that they are incremental and not the whole lot being dumped onto an external hard drive each time. I know from experience that to back up all of it takes more than 2 hours. To be effective and efficient at backing up it cannot take 2 hours each time. So until I have worked out the easiest, simplest, (and possibly cheapest) way of doing that I need to do it the old fashioned way. 

I want to have client images stored on the computer, off the computer and off site. That way I have 2 other places where client images can be found if anything horrid happens to my desktop. On top of that I want to back-up all admin files/folders each week (or perhaps fortnight) and store that information off-site (probably at my mums). 

What I have realised this morning, as I continue dumping all my work onto an external hard drive Santa bought for me, is that I need more external hard drives to accomplish the goals above. I have been onto amazon and ordered more memory sticks and more external hard drives - I do enjoy shopping on behalf of my business. 

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Instagram

I am sure I am the very last person in the world to discover and use Instagram but I thought I would say things about it. You can follow me and see what I'm up to on there - my account is PhotoJoanne.

After downloading the application I created these delightful images.

Had a play with the tilt/shift part of the application - I can see me using that regularly

Tried something pretty

My host had all sorts of Mexican items - they worked really well

Think this filter is called Kelvin - I like this, I like the messiness

I cannot work out what is going on here - baffling

A pun on returning home :-)

Well I really like the choice of filter/finish on Instagram. I like that you have to think in a square - which I was getting used to when using the Medium Format camera. These images will be no good for anything above the thumbnails you see here - but they are great fun and a good aid to creativity.

I'm liking the Instagram.

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Road Trip

Found my way to Manchester no problem. Discovered a neat thing on the iPhone which was really useful in helping me find my way to my destination. Had a great day before I left - developing relationship with new client; making plans for future; getting some great leads; dealing with customer queries; taking advice of my mentor and putting it into action; and getting to grips with new phone - I'm going to need lessons on a couple of things soon!

All good - now all I need to know is where I'm working tomorrow and I'll be fine, if I hear nothing then I'm off to Manchester's art galleries for the day.

I made it to Media City

I made it to Meida City OK and waited for the call to tell me where I needed to be - unfortunantely this call never came. So I spent my time teaching myself how to use my new iPhone. I was also intreguied by Instagram and so had a play with that.

Instagram turned this ...

...into this

Such fun I am going to have with this.

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Home Studio

This afternoon I have been playing with the ingredients that Lindz left me on Thursday. These are the ingredients she uses to create her mulled wines. The whole house smells of cloves, star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg. Delightful.

I tried many different set ups to capture all of the ingredients in a variety of poses. This is the final tableau I set up showing them all together. As you can see I have been using my new lighting kit, my new soft box for my flash and my new tripod - all in the home studio - commonly known as the dining room/gallery.

Made-with-love-by-Lindz ingredients get the star treatment 

The images will, ultimately, be used by Lindz to create her website in preparation for capturing the Christmas market. I love being in at the beginning of a new business - so much fun, excitement and hard work.

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Wingscapes TL Cam 8.0

My new time-lapse camera arrived today. I am testing this piece of kit out so I can extend my offer for capturing time-lapse movies. I have been considering for a while how to capture some over a much longer period - like days or weeks. This little beauty should be able to do it and cope with being left outside. Fingers crossed. Will be putting it through it's paces over the weekend and will give my verdict after that.

Learning about the menus and sub-menus.

My intital reaction is - IT WORKS - phew! However there are improvements that need to be made to the final images. More buttons to explore. I will continue experimenting.

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Day off?

I found I had a couple of days with no appointments so instead of settling down to do some admin I decided to give myself a couple of days R&R.

What to do, what to do.

I phoned a friend and invited myself round. I packed up Justin. Many of you will have met Justin - Justin Case!

Couldn't resist popping my Fuji point and shoot into my case. Living in an apartment overlooking the canal offers photographic opportunities, even on a grey overcast day. Decided to capture a mini time-lapse (inspired by Amos Poe) of the activity in the Wharf.

Sherborne Wharf with sunken narrow boat

Time-lapse with a point and shoot is a painful operation. Holding and operating the camera involves sitting perfectly still in the same position. This is why it is a mini time-lapse. Pins and needles stopped the shoot!

I will process this later today and post a link. I need a small time-lapse project to undertake to get my eye back in as I need to create three or four big movies ready for the exhibition showreel.

A year ago I had a black eye received from my iPad falling onto my face! My two days R&R has also resulted in bruises but this time for all the right reasons.

Right I need to go and do some admin!

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Lighting kit a go-go

Been and got it and what a wonderful surprise - a shop with staff that know there stuff and are happy to chat with you about what you are after. It was a pleasure to hand over a large sum of money to them. Would recommend you check out Morris Photography for any camera accessories.

It all came in so many boxes - it was like Christmas

I was so excited about fetching this kit, pathetically so. The final piece of kit that I need. Everything else will be about improvements, replacements or development. Here I go then - out into the big bad world out there - but you know what it wont be bad and if it's big then that means there will be plenty of work to go around.

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Piano Restoration time-lapse movie

Successful capture of the piano being serviced and then the keys replaced and put back together. Had something like 2000 images to handle for this movie and the result is a 2 min movie showing just how much hard work Doug puts into looking after these keyboards for his clients.

Yesterday I go the chance to show it to people who would give me constructive criticism. I have taken on board their suggestions and ideas and I will give the movie a final polish before I post it on here - I might also add some originally composed music as well.

In the meantime here is a still from the movie and I need to get back to the software and do those final tweaks - watch this space.

www.klassickeysgb.com
Doug playing to the camera - hmmmmm

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Deliveries

It was suggested that I write this down as a way of dealing with how badly I feel I have been treated by a shop.

I went along on Saturday to spend (rather a large amount of) money on photography equipment. People that know me well know I do not do shopping at the best of times (and this was not a good time). I asked simple questions about complicated equipment trying to decide what the difference was between a seemingly similar item costing £399 and another costing £1075. The shop assistants did not know. I know I am asking about new technology but honestly "I don't know" from a Saturday shop assistant is really not good enough from a specialist camera shop.

I decided to give up on my quest for LED lighting kit and chose some off-the-shelf items that were on my list. One of them would have to be ordered in from their head office/warehouse in Milton Keynes. "Would you like that delivered?" "Yes please," I said, not realising this was adding £6 to the cost of the item - oh well it'll be there by Tuesday I thought.

Tuesday I was out. FedEx tried to deliver. I filled out the online tracking dealy. 'Please leave the item in my greehouse' I said. Wednesday they tried to deliver again. I was out. There was nothing in my greenhouse. Again I filled out the online thing and said 'please leave in the greehouse'.

Well today they haven't even bothered trying to deliver. FedEx will not leave it anywhere without a signature from a person. I can go and fetch it (a 40 mile round trip) but I have to go in person as I have to sign for it.

Grrrr ... I phoned the shop I purchased this little item from. "I don't know why they need a signature", they said. "Can I have my money back and I'll buy it from somewhere else?" I asked. "I don't know, call head office". There is a theme developing here! So I spoke to Head Office.

Head Office are asking FedEx to try and deliver again tomorrow. "Can a neighbour sign for it?" Hang on I thought I needed to be there in person if collecting so why can my neighbours suddenly sign for it - and if they can why didn't they do that the very first day. My neighbours are brilliant and we are always collecting and signing for post for each other.

So tomorrow I am going to try and be in - all day! If they fail to deliver again tomorrow the item goes back to the shop - at that point I will ask for my money back (including the delivery charge) and buy the item from somewhere else.

This might be end of this tale - but does anyone else feel that this is not good customer service?

Does anyone else feel that as customers we are all treated like imbeciles, thieves or the same as everyone else?

Companies say they have systems and procedures to deal with people - but they seem to have forgotten that it is people they are dealing with.

I am NEVER buying anything from that shop again. They have missed out on a great deal of customer from me - for this year definitely and for future years as my business takes off.

I would love to be able to treat my customers with the contempt and disregard I have been treated with over this. And do you know I stick by my opinion that shopping is horrid. I'm staying at home.

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Good Friday, Good Week

A photo shoot started the week for the lovely Cheryl - Vibrant Life Aromatherapy. I was capturing her in action so that she can populate her website with unique images of her and not have to resort to stock shots like all her competitors. We had great fun.

After processing the images I can safely say there are some lovely images - they really capture her spirit and skills. I captured this lovely shot of her daughter whilst we were setting up and if you have been paying attention you might recognise Rehanne for a shoot I did back in October.

The weather caused me some issues on Wednesday. On my return from a network meeting at 'Derby Hub' I found that the wind had blown my recycling boxes and bins all the way around to the front of the house and the contents up and down the road. 20 minutes later I had rounded up all my litter - what a performance.

I had an enjoyable time at the lunchtime meeting, seeing a couple of people I have meet before, making new contacts and I also received an offer of a very interesting and exciting contract. Will tell more when it's in the bag.

Thursday saw me taking an obscure route to get to the Ferrers Centre via Breedon on the Hill (don't ask) but I was treated to the sight of Breedon Church, on top of its escarpment, with the snow capped Peak District in the background.

There is no need to show you a photograph of that, use your imagination and consider the beauty of the gorgeous little pockets around us. Caught up with my mate and got the chance to let off steam about a couple of ridiculous things that happened to me this week and returned home full of tea and happiness.

Friday morning I was at my network meeting where I was asked my opinion on the suitability of a new camera for their daughter (lucky girl I say). I also planned the nitty gritty of the half day shoot I am doing on my return on 16th.

After the meeting a few of us went of on a different type of shoot - in the woods. A little bit of field archery is what you need on a Good Friday morning. Decided to give myself the rest of the day off.

This weekend I am preparing camera equipment, ideas, battery chargers and clothes ready for 5 days working at Eden Project again. It is my intention to capture some time-lapse movies; interview and photograph the very talented, enthusiastic, motivated staff and respond to the brief the Eden Project Marketing Team give me during those 5 days. I will be with creative types so I am really looking forward to this.

A networking friend is also down in Cornwall, on a family holiday, next week and has said if there is a cold/rainy day they will all descend on the Eden Project and forewarn me with a text. I am hoping for a rainy day so I get to see them.

More later my friends - and this week has shown me once again just how important my friends are.

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