New Studio - At Last…

So it's finally finished and open! I'm half way through my first week and it's going very well. I had a busy week last week photographing and editing and this week is just the same! The weekends are busy as well…

It's fantastic to be back in the studio at last. It's been 9 months since my last studio shoot! I was a bit worried I would have forgotten how to do it… But they have all gone really well so far. I actually think the shots I've taken this week are some of the best I've ever taken. I think having some time off has given me a chance to come up with new ideas and editing methods. Hopefully some of the parents will let me put a few up on my Facebook page… Have a look and see if they have!

Although I've only just reopened it's nearly time to stop for Christmas! To guarantee Christmas delivery the shoot needs to be done by the end of November. So in a couple of weeks it'll be all about the vouchers!

Thanks to everyone for their support so far. It has really helped get me up and running again. I won't name them - you know who you are!

Nice Package!

So I was trying to work out how to make it easier for me to present my photos to clients, easier for them to choose what they like and easier for me to make more money! And it was suggested to me that I start to offer some packages.  So I did.  They combine a few elements together and offer a real saving to my clients, while at the same time (hopefully) encouraging repeat business.  And the packages are (in chronological order - you'll work it out...):

Boudoir
- A full 2 hour photo shoot with unlimited outfit changes
- An 8x8" coffee table portfolio book with your favourite 20 pictures
- The option to add hair and make-up for an extra charge
- 10% discount off anything else you buy from the shoot
- All this for £150
- saving you a minimum of £50!





Bump to Baby
- 3 shoots.  One at around 26 weeks, one at around 34 weeks and one when your new arrival, erm, arrives
- Your favourite 8x6" photo from each shoot mounted together in a frame
- At least £20 of vouchers including Mothercare, Next and Argos
- 10% discount off anything else you buy from the shoots
- All this for £175
- saving you a minimum of £50!




Baby's First Year
- 4 shoots during your baby's first year - newborn, 4, 8 and 12 months or 3, 6, 9, and 12 months
- Your favourite 7x5" photo from each shoot mounted together in a frame
- At least £20 of vouchers including Mothercare, Next and Argos
- 10% discount off anything else you buy from the shoots
- All this for £175
- saving you a minimum of £60!





Kids' Club!
- 3 shoots over 3 years for the whole family
- A framed 10x8" print from each shoot
- At least £20 of vouchers including Toys R Us, Next and Argos
- 10% discount off anything else you buy from the shoots
- All this for £200
- saving you a minimum of £70!






So if you fancy one, get in touch!

Is Free Always Better?

Quick answer...No!

I've been having a bit of a dilemma recently about pricing.  There are a lot of photographers around and competition is quite fierce.  Especially around this time of year.  Many of them are offering free shoots and heavily discounted photo packages.  I wondered how I could compete with this and still make enough money to keep the lights on in my house.  Or even if I should.

I decided not to.  That might sound silly in the current economic climate.  Why would I not want to attract business from the opposition?  Well obviously I do.  So why not wade in with my own free offer?

I did a bit of research and asked a lot of people what their thoughts were on the subject.  It basically boils down to value and the old saying 'you get what you pay for'.  I provide a personal service giving all of my customers exactly what they want.  My sessions are good fun and all of the pictures I show are of a very high quality.  What the customer receives is always excellent and everyone goes away happy.  Including me.

If I went in with a free shoot and a £19.99 photo package, first of all I would never earn anything.  But also my customers and potential customers would expect a certain level of service.  I aim (and deliver) higher than that.  My prices are already very reasonable while still giving me the margins I need to live off.  Reducing the price also reduces the perceived value.

I have discounted Christmas shoots to £15, which still retains the level of expected value while at the same time giving people a bit of a break in difficult times.

In short - if you want something that's worth nothing, go get it for free.  If you want something that's worth its cost that you will love and keep forever, come to me!

Christmas Pressies

It's only 127 until Christmas!  I don't want you to panic but I do want you to start thinking about pressies...

Schools are still off for a couple of weeks so why not use the time to get ahead of the game and beat the rush in December?  A good portrait in a quality hand made frame makes the ideal gift for grandparents or even your special someone.

Book a session in the studio over the next couple of weeks and avoid a long wait nearer Christmas.  Or why not try some lifestyle portraits?  We can go to the beach, the park or anywhere else you can think of!

A portrait sitting is also a perfect present for someone, whether they've got kids or not.  Why not buy someone a voucher this year.  It's something a bit different and will give them something they can keep and treasure forever!

What makes a great photographer?

Well there's a question!  It's not easily answered, but I asked it so I'll try...

A great photographer is 50% technical ability, 50% creativity and 50% personality.  Maths buffs amongst you will spot a problem.  But that's the difference between a good photographer and a great one.

Almost everyone has a camera these days and most (being kind) know how to use it to take some good snaps.  But you need to really know how to use the camera.  A correctly exposed picture may look good, but knowing what range of shutter speeds and apertures that can be used can really improve a picture.  Close ups of flowers look much better if the background is blurred giving good bokeh (Google it... it'll take too long to explain!) so set your aperture as wide as it will go and speed up the shutter.  A fast shutter might freeze a fast moving car, but try slowing it down a bit and pan to add a bit of movement into the background.

Creativity is just as important as technical know how.  There's no point having a technically brilliant picture of a rubbish subject!  Think about splitting the picture into thirds horizontally and vertically and positioning the focal point on a third line.  Or maybe lining things up on diagonals to change the dynamics.  Think about different view points as well to capture subjects in an unusual way.

But the bit that makes a photographer great is the personality.  I can only take a photo of what's there so it's up to me to put my models, whether adults or children, at ease and help them relax.  They have to feel comfortable with me for me to get the absolute best out of them.  It's just as important at a wedding as well.  The photographer is there all day and spends a lot of time with the bride and groom and their friends and family so it's important to choose a photographer you get on with and who you feel comfortable with.

I like to think I can get on with everyone.  Give me a ring, just for a chat if you fancy, to find out!