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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Catching up

Oh look I haven't written anything since 5th Feb and suddenly it's the 15th - were did the last ten days go?

This week's top tips will be posted later on today - if anyone has requests then please ask.

I captured some workplace portraits a couple of Fridays ago which I will share with you now that I know my client is happy. I had such a hoot completing this job I really hope we can work together again. I also met the local handyman - there are times when I get fed up of doing DIY jobs so I am going to keep his number close by.

I have been asked to undertake another photo restoration which I collected yesterday and once everything has been finalised I shall share some of those images with you.

I have been to a Business Show at Castle Donington where I got the chance to chat with potential future customers about an idea I have. They were all quite excited about the idea and said I should contact them when I was ready to roll the idea out. Now all I have to do is work out the package and the extras. I'm seeing my mentor on Friday this will be one of the topics on the agenda.

Tomorrow I am going to fix the 300D now that I have the correct bonding agent. Hope I wont be shaken by the results but stirred to create new work.

Sorry!

Will add a pic later and then show you the work mentioned above in seperate blogs.

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Restoration

This is another lovely part of my work. Restoring people's precious treasured images. Have been given two photographs to sort out.

As you can see one needs tidying up to remove the creases and tears and the other I need to try and bring back the detail.

This is going to be lots of fun.

Noticed in the image on the left that the gentleman in the centre is holding a rabbit - which I had not noticed on the original. I love the backdrop cloth on the image on the right which only became apparent when I was getting up close and personal with it and repairing it. I think I have over done the contrast on the image with the two people so will revisit that.

Reflection:
Realised I haven't put on my website how much I charge for this service. I need to include that I can scan 35mm negatives (colour and black and white) and 35mm slides along with photographs in any state of repair. Must sort that out.

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Restoration

Now here's something I haven't done for a while - a bit of photo restoration work. Have been asked to give a quote. Hope they want me to do it because I find it very satisfying.

Here's one I restored for my family, it's a photograph of my Uncle Pete and Uncle Tony taken in the 1950s: 

And I also sorted out an image for my neighbour. This was taken in the 60s when he had received his very new police bike:

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