All New For 2010

I was lucky enough to be invited by Jeff Turnbull whom is Essex,s premier wedding photographer to spend 6 months under his wing on a mentoring program.

This will enable me to move my business forward, Along with helping me with marketing and a client data base and pricing details

2010 sees many great advantages to my clients, not only have I upgraded my camera body to a top of the range high quality professional camera I have also added many prime professional lenses

To offer even high quality products I now supply Graphistudio wedding books and Ultimat framing service

All images in the top wedding collection and portrait collection will now be printed by hand on superb high quality paper by a master printer

I am looking so forward to moving my business on and being able to offer my clients some of the best photographic products in the world

FINDING WHAT RIGHT FOR 2010

This time of year is just as busy for me, with 2010 approaching fast i need to come up to date
Finding new suppliers, giving my web site a revamp, checking pricing,with the new VAT increase, sorting out advertising , the list goes on

Problem is all these little things take a lot of time

I have learnt one lesson this week from a visit to a prospective client that just having a web based portfolio isnt enough, I now need to get a printed version

Deciding on which wedding album to supply there are so many out there in price ranges from £50 to over £2000

Updating my processing software is another minefield, Having tried the free trials and found the software does not deliver what is promised

Purchasing of new lenses yes lenses wear out, To get the best shots i use professional glass , that does not come cheap around the £2000 mark for a good quality lens

going over ever aspect to make sure i always deliver what clients want

Did i hear Christmas is a time to relax??? Maybe next year

PORTRAITS A QUESTION OF PRICE

Q) Why do I as a photographer charge more for my portraits then, photographers that do portraits in high street shops?

A)Because I dont beg for business, I dont have offer saying portraits NOW £25.00 was £125.00, sounds to good to miss that type of offer, but sit and think for a minute
you will take your child to a high street shop, the image will be taken on a camera previously set up and connected to a PC , After 3 to 4 shots your session is finished,

You will pay your £25.00 and be given a card to come back in a fortnight,

On return you will be given one 7x5 image, now comes the shocker , on a large screen or even in the sales persons hands will be the other images of your child starting at £65.00 each, They will be destroyed if you dont purchase them . so thats 4 images at £65.00, so you duly hand your card over to the sales person and pay another £260.00, so your 5 minute portrait session and 5 images have cost you £285.00.

Did the photographer spend time getting to know you? Did they spend time amusing your child? was there time for a change of clothing? did the photographer discuss your needs what you wanted from this session?

I can answer that NO
These people are not photographers they have to be skilled in sales

Portraits should be an investment, a true portrait should capture the spirit of the person, a portrait is something to treasure when your little baby leaves home, you should still have portraits to cherish

I take time i meet with my clients i talk to them about what they want, They smile in my images because they are happy not because i asked them to smile, I am a photographer an artists I create beautiful images to cherish

Will i fool you? no,. will i charge the earth? NO, will you have options of how your prints are displayed? YES

You see i am a photographer not a sales rep
Next time you want a portrait done just think for a minute and ask yourself what do i really want from my portrait session, Do you want to que for a 5 minute session?

or do you want a relaxed session to fit around you and your family in a place of your choice, with images to cherish
With a session starting at £65.00 and print prices from £15.00, I am actually cheaper and offer more

Took a break

We have been away to Devon, taking in the beautiful Autumn colours , spending time on the dramatic coast and having walks on Dartmoor, as well as the odd Devon cream tea

Had a nice relaxing time, all apart from the caravan we stayed in, which was rather disgusting with mold growing up the walls and curtains. I certainly recommend you do NOT stay at Devon Cliffs resort,
they had run out of food and the camp shop was empty just a few pricey goods on the shelves

As for the staff whom one told me was very experienced as she had worked for Haven since May 2009, she among the others were the most unhelpful group of people i have ever encounter, very rude and with attitude like Vicky Pollard,

Its a shame as I always opt to stay on Haven sites great base and good evening entertainment, but not at this site

In fact unless Haven sort out the mess and the fact it cost me twice as much for a short break then it cost me for 10 days in July , i shall never use them again

E-session

Oh what a day, I mean a bad day weather wise rain rain and more rain,
today i had an E-session which i normal do outside, Unfortunately the groom to be had pneumonia so had to be kept in the warm, and the lovely bride to be had recently had a stroke

This meant studio lighting a small room, The couple still wanted images done though they were not feeling 100%, I just did a small session with them.



This is where as a photographer I have to be prepared, On days like this when everything is against you and your clients

They still want me to do their wedding which is great as they are a lovely couple and i am looking so forward to this as i am sure it will be an amazing day and we will get some images to treasure

Hardest photographic subject of them all yourself

To be a good photographer you need to portray people and objects well, Self portraits seem to be an in thing at the moment, so I thought why not give it ago,
GEE its hard
armed with tripod and remote shutter fire i have set out this week to try and capture the inner me

The moods, emotions, the real person that makes me
I am a mum cuddly, wrinkly middle aged
Inside i am 16 fun outgoing impulsive and a little eccentric
its very hard to capture that
My image of self today was moody, I was feeling down as had tons of washing and house work to do
A beautiful day wasted apart from a trip to the park with my younger two kids this afternoon

putting myself in front of the camera is giving me a new insight into how people behave on a shoot, made me think about what is the best capture, Is putting my camera skills to the test creating lighting and moods, Its fun but also very embarrassing
I recommend this for any photographer to try as its very challenging

Lifestyle portraits

A session yesterday in the beautiful village of Finchingfield in Essex, This was for an older client a group of people that seem to shy away from having their picture taken, I personally would encourage them to have a photo session done, It relaxing and fun and you get a nice cup of tea depending on your location choice

This session was done so mum ,wife and grown up family have some images to treasure

Heres a sneak preview of an image from the session

Camera Club and portrait session

well busy busy busy still. Had a portrait session which is the last by one for babies first year book, I must say its been a pleasure being apart of this little girls first year, I have built up a great relationship with the family, The mum even asked me if she can pre book me for a wedding in about 25 years time :)

I told her she will have to opt for my son whom will follow in my footsteps

I attend the Great Notley Camera club this week, Its a club that started with a handful of strangers and has now grown in strength its members produce some excellent images

Its always interesting to meet up with other photographers, as each one has different skills and likes and dislikes

I guess today I best fill out my TAX return form dreaded paper work

Lost Blog and busy

Sounds good really yes i lost my original blog, Get a new password i hear you say, i would do but have lost my long time email pass word, Yes my windows PC decided its life was over its little light went out and that was in,

repair cost did not warrant the expense and I had typically saved everything on the computer
what i have learn t windows is so unstable hence now i work on MAC, computers are not reliable so now have a little pass word book

I am now a convert to MAC its so much faster for my processing needs and does not crash or ask me to wait while windows does this or that, easy to move files just drag and drop simple.

Unfortunately now it means my daily blog has been lost hence the mighty three postings on this one

well whats new
I have my own make up and hair stylists fully qualified six years experience with cosmetic companies, working on make up for films and TV,

she also does bridal make up as well as extreme make overs

so a new service will be offered to clients for a make over portrait session and I will also be able to offer my brides to be a full make up and hair service as well as being their wedding photographer

In the new year i plan to offer wedding stationary as well which will save couples even more money giving them an all in one package price

I also think i will be the first photographer in Braintree to offer this service

so its a busy time of year with winter approaching and Autumn almost in full swing, making some lovely light and backdrops for outside portrait sessions