What have I learned over the years?
I've learned that on this one special day of your life, your photographs are going to be one of the few things what will still be around long after the confetti has been swept up, the cake has been eaten and the flowers have faded. You really want to make sure that your photographer is going to capture your day in a way that resonates with you.
So how do you choose the best photographer for your day?
Well it's not easy, for many there's a budget involved; no doubt there will have been much researching online, deciding on what can be afforded as well as what is included in the price; but there's much more to finding your ideal photographer than this. For example, do you like their style? Do you like them?
The last question may possibly be one of the most important. Like any relationship that brings people together, be it business or personal, the magic happens when you all get on together.
As a photographer, asking your bride and groom to trust you comes from empathy and understanding them and they you. You are being invited to be part of their day - and not just any day - it's the day they are sharing with family and friends; and although you are there to deliver a service, you also find that you often become a friend to them, supporting them in the lead up to their big day as well as on the day, and often afterwards.
We are often privy to the most intense moments so trust is very important.
Here are some other things that I think couples should think about when choosing their photographer
- Most professional photographers offer or include an "engagement shoot" also known as a "pre wedding shoot" which is an ideal time to get used to being in front of your photographers camera.
- They usually always have a gallery of pictures on their website, but often these can be the "very best" or even images taken during photography training days and may not give you a true idea of a full day of images.
I always offer to give the password to recent weddings I have done so that a couple can get a good idea of the coverage I give. Make sure you ask your photographer about this. - Talking to previous couples. I always ask my couples if they are happy for me to pass on their contact details to future couples.
Testimonials are wonderful for a photographer to have, but there's nothing quite like talking to someone who has been in front of your preferred photographers camera on their big day to give you a good indication of what it might be like for you. - Make sure you meet face to face. I love to meet with my couples, whenever possible, over a coffee/tea so we can have a good chat.
Getting to talk to your photographer, especially if you are booking with a studio that has many photographers is essential. You need to know who you will be trusting with your special day. This is the time when you'll start to get a feel about how well you'll gel on your day. - If in doubt, meet with them again before you book them. But likewise, if you know instantly that they aren't the photographer for you then tell them. There are only so many days in the year and while a photographer is holding a day for you they may loose another enquiry. Of course we are always disappointed when a couple choose someone else, but it's harder when we don't hear back at all.
- Make sure they are insured. Seriously important that they are covered.
- Do they have a network of reliable professional photographers? Should the worse ever happen and they can't cover your day can they make sure that you are not without a photographer?
- Do they have back up equipment? A simple question, but if you are trusting your day to someone with just one camera and one card then you are taking a big risk should something fail to work on the day. Unlike a portrait shoot where a booking can be rescheduled your wedding day is a once in a life time event.
- How booked up are they, are they shooting back to back weddings? Can they give you the time and energy they need to on your day to deliver the best images they can for you?
Choosing the wrong photographer can cost a lot, and I'm not talking about the financial aspect, although this is important
Do you get what you pay for??
Often the answer is yes. You have to remember that the actual cost of getting married is quite inexpensive. Going to a registry office or even a church, without the luxury of a dress, the suit(s), the reception, flowers, favours and yes, even the photography, you can get married to the person of your dreams for a really good price. But I think that we all want to share our day and then we want it to look beautiful when we do, and finally we want someone to record it for prosperity. All of these cost and you have to decide where you invest your hard earned money.
I always tell a couple to invest in three things
- Your wedding rings. You wear these for the rest of your life, make them something you truly love and cherish
- The bridal underwear. Invest in something beautiful that makes your feel like a queen every time you wear it, even if it's just under your comfy joggers.
- Your photography. Remember that a good professional photographer can make your wedding look amazing no matter where else you try to keep the costs down.
Be realistic about your budget, on average the cost of a UK wedding is now £20,000. The average professional wedding photographer charges £2,000 upwards. But they will have invested in good quality equipment, professional photography training, business insurance and will have vast experience with difficult situations that they can master.
I hope that this has been useful to you. With over 20 years of experience I've heard so many heart breaking stories of couples who have been let down because they choose someone without researching. But with a few choice questions, like those I've suggested here, in your pocket you should find it less likely to happen to you.
I no longer advertise doing weddings, and you won't find a wedding page on my website. My weddings are through referrals, and I am grateful to all the couples who have trusted me over the years.
Barbara Leatham Photography is based in the small village of Tilshead in the middle of the Salisbury Plains in Wiltshire. but also covers Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, London and the rest of the UK. Barbara also teaches photography and runs workshops for beginners, enthusiasts and amateur photographers as well as business owners who want to improve their own business photography
]]>
Who can believe that we are already more than halfway through January? After all it seems like only last week that we were in a panic over Christmas, have we forgotten anyone’s present, if we shop tomorrow would the sprouts still be fresh on Christmas day, if we leave it any longer will we still get that brand of mince pie we love? You know how it is, endless questions going through our minds as we analyse the smallest of details and then all of a sudden it’s mid-January and all forgotten.
Unfortunately we often treat our businesses in the same way as Christmas. As we prepare to launch a new business, a rebrand or a new product or service we plan and pay attention to every tiny detail making sure that nothing gets overlooked. But then time flies by faster than we realise and before we know it all that careful planning is long behind us and maybe things have evolved and changed within the business.
When did you last take the time to sit down and cast a really critical eye over the public persona of your business?
If you can’t remember now might be a good time to grab yourself a cup of tea and really analyse the outward appearance of your business. Over time our businesses evolve, product ranges change, our personal style develops or maybe we even set off in a different direction. Outside influences come into play too, styles change and something that was once unique and on trend might now be very commonplace and maybe even a little clichéd.
Try to view your business as a potential customer and evaluate every aspect. Is your tone of voice consistent throughout your website and social media? Is your logo still unique and relevant? Sometimes a style of logo can suddenly become really popular and you might find that your logo which was once eye catching no longer stands out.
Cast an extra critical eye over the images you are using, people often form a lasting first impression based on images alone and you don’t want that first impression to be the wrong one. If your business has evolved do your images still give the correct brand message? Are you using any images of discontinued product lines? If you are a creative business have your images kept up with changes in your style?
And finally, take a look around and see what styles of images other businesses are using, trends change and you don’t want to be left behind using photos that make your business look outdated. Business portraits are a perfect example, they no longer need to be a very formal headshot on a white background (unless of course that’s in keeping with your brand). They can be fun and quirky, relaxed and friendly or they could even be documentary in style. Customers increasingly want to feel like they know the person behind the brand so pay careful attention to this area of your photography.
Why am I sharing all this with you? Because I can be guilty of some of the images that I use in my portfolios being over three years old and although some are timeless, others weren’t a fair reflection of my business and the work I now do with my clients.
If you’d like to have a chat about your photography please head over to the Contact Page and get in touch.
]]>
I wanted to share with you a wonderful piece my husband's aunt sent to me and it really resonated.
It's a piece from The Times newspaper that talks about the fact we live in a world where we can potential lose our memories. It resonated because as a photographer I am constantly asked if I'll sell the digital files to my clients, and although I now do this, in my heart I wish they would purchase a physical photograph, something framed that they can hang on their walls and revisit the memory of every time they see it. Or a memory album that tells a bigger picture of a special time that they cherish.
I hope this inspires you to print your photos, stop leaving them on discs that can corrupt, and computers than might break, or USB's that can get lost.
Thanks to the digital age we’re all losing our memory
THE Russian Federal Guard Service, the body given the task of protecting the country’s top officials, recently invested in 20 old-fashioned portable typewriters. These were to be used to ensure that documents of a particularly sensitive nature would not be written electronically and stored digitally, but typed out by hand and then filed away.
The message was clear and as old as writing itself: if you want to preserve something, write it on paper and then put it somewhere safe.
The digital age was supposed to render obsolete the traditional ways of preserving the past. Everything written, recorded, filmed or photographed could now be safeguarded for ever at the push of a button. No more filing, storage or dusty archives: the present would be captured and the past curated by the machines themselves. Increased computer power and ever-expanding digital storage would ensure infinite memory-retention, an end to forgetting.
The reality has proved very different. Digital memory has proven fragile, evanescent and only too easy to lose. Technology has moved on so fast that the tools used to access stored material have become obsolete: CD-roms degrade, tapes crumble, hard disks fall apart; the laser disk and the floppy disk have gone, soon to be followed, no doubt, by the USB and memory card. I have half a novel, written 20 years ago on what was then a cutting edge Amstrad and “saved” on a 3.5in disk. I will never know how unreadable it really is, because I now have no way to read it.
As the internet pioneer Vint Cerf warned recently, the disappearance of hardware needed to read old media means we are “nonchalantly throwing all of our data into what could become a digital black hole”. In 1986, the BBC Domesday project set out to record the economic, social and cultural state of Britain on 12in videodiscs. Today, those disks cannot be read, unlike the Domesday Book itself, written a thousand years earlier.
The internet will carry more data this year than was created in the entire 20th century — some 330 petabytes, or enough capacity to transfer every character of every book ever published 20 times over — but our descendants may be unable to read it.
Quite apart from the technical inaccessibility of the past, the assumption of digital permanence has eroded the habit of archival hoarding. Earlier generations wrote letters, diaries, postcards and notes, on paper, stored them, and forgot them. Who archives their emails, let alone texts, tweets, or posts?
We blithely assume that these are being preserved somewhere, when most are simply evaporating into the ether. The old-fashioned photo album has given way to the digital photo-file — as prone to sudden wipe-out and technical obsolescence as every other “saved” electronic artefact. The images of your grandparents may be better preserved than those of your grandchildren.
What looks like never-ending growth on the internet is really a form of endless decay. The average lifespan of a web page is 44 days. Pages are constantly being updated, overwritten, shifted or left to expire in the process known as “reference rot”. We may lecture our children that anything posted on the net will be there for ever, but in fact it’s true of very little on this strange, unstable, ephemeral medium.
A web page link that leads only to a “page not found” message encapsulates the transitory nature of digital data: solid information that has shifted into nothingness, with no clue to where it has gone.
Historians looking back on our time will face a mighty challenge, with a patchy digital record and a culture lulled into believing that the past is being preserved every time the save button is pressed.
Bizarrely, despite the vastly larger flood of daily information, we may end up knowing more about the beginning of the 20th century than we will know about the start of the 21st.
The world is waking up to the danger of collective memory loss. Cerf has called for the creation of “digital vellum”, technology that can take a digital snapshot, at the time of storage, of all the processes needed to read it at later date. The British Library now routinely gathers information from millions of public websites as well as tweets and Facebook entries, to create a constant, rolling record of the digital present. The American Library of Congress is archiving the whole of Twitter.
Immediately after the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, the Bibliotheque Nationale de France set out to gather the rolling digital story and the web response — media reportage, public reaction, blogs, Twitter, online commentary — to create a genuine digital archive of the moment.
A similar shift in attitude towards digital preservation is needed in the wider culture. Psychological studies show that people who gather evidence of their own lives are happier and more self-confident.
Just as our grandparents hoarded the physical evidence of their worlds, so we should print out the photographs, preserve the emails, write, cut, paste, and print the stories, memories and relics of our own lives and times, and put them all in the attic.
Thankfully, as the Russians know, a machine has already been invented that can solve the problem of digital impermanence: the typewriter.
The Times
Barbara Leatham Photography is based in the small village of Tilshead in the middle of the Salisbury Plains in Wiltshire. Specialising in lifestyle family photography, excellent commercial photography for small to medium businesses and beautiful weddings in and around Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, London and the rest of the UK. Barbara also teaches photography and runs some workshops for beginners, enthusiasts and amateur photographers
]]>
I know I can't be the only person who suffers with the winter blues; also known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). As the days got shorter I just wanted to curl up into a ball and wish the days away until they started getting longer again. And now we have had the shortest day (Winter solstice December 22nd) - and I know the days are getting longer - but it still feels like a long journey ahead.
Also, did you know there is a day in January called "Blue Monday"? Typically it is the 3rd Monday of January, this year (2024) it is on January 15th. It started back in 2005, with a scientific formula dreamed up by a travel company; it is said to be linked to the time after Christmas and New Years when you get over the excitement and start getting back to normal. On the plus side, there is an International Day of Happiness, on March 20th, so pop that in your calendar.
Living with SAD's isn't easy, the hardest part for me initially was recognising I had it. Once you do start to recognise the signs, what can you do to make the days easier?
I have a blue light that I can use when I feel really drained or fatigued. I also turn to my family and friends to try and keep me busy, but on days, when there's no one about but myself, I make myself go out with my camera and go for a walk.
Fresh air and real daylight can make a huge difference, even on a rainy day. Yes, there are some mornings when it is harder than others; but I know once I'm out I'm much happier.
Taking my camera stops it feeling weird that I'm "just going for a walk" and it helps to keep my mind busy looking for things to photograph rather than brooding on something that may keep my mood low.
I've spoken to lots of people who find this time of year harder, most of them say getting outdoors helps them. Some go for a brisk walk, others go for a run, but all feel some kind of benefit.
To inspire you to get out with your camera and avoid the winter blues - here are my top tips for photography in the winter months.
1. Wrap up warm, wear sensible footwear and take some pocket hankies with you (I always get the sniffles). I also take a plastic bag with me as I know I'm likely to want to be kneeling on the floor to get low angle photos.
2. Make sure your camera/phone is fully charged - in the cold weather batteries die quicker. I take a spare battery with me in my pocket to keep it warm. If you are using your phone keep it in a warm pocket until you are ready to take a photo.
3. Take your time, don't feel desperate that you need to take a photo. See what catches your eye; in the darkest of the winter months, when things are dormant, look for interesting shapes, textures and colours, maybe moody or bright skies, perhaps reflections in a puddle of water, or look for small details that might be more abstract. (And remember, if you run a business, these can be great for stock images to use on your social media).
4. Why not create a "photo a day" for the month and see if you find you are drawn towards photographing certain things in particular? Make it a challenge to help you get out of the house. For myself, I love photographing mushrooms and toadstools (although I've never truly worked out the difference). But I love it when I find one I haven't photographed before.
5. Why don't you ask someone to go with you on your walk, see what other people find interesting to photograph and see if it inspires you - can you both approach the same subject differently? Having company can lighten your mood, and if you find a fellow SAD's sufferer, understand that you are helping each other, which in itself can be quite healing.
Most important for all of this, is taking time out for yourself and not punishing yourself with guilt because you've found yourself spiralling. Your walk doesn't have to be a long one, if the end of your garden, or the end of your street is enough for you, that is still a win!
Do you think you've got SAD? Check out the NHS website for advice and help. Seasonal Affective Disorder
Talk to family and friends and keep an eye out in case you think someone close to you is affected.
Barbara has been doing photography for over 30 years, covering most fields in the genre. Her favourite thing to do is inspire others to go out with their camera and improve their photography skills, be it as an hobby, or for business, For more details, check out the different options on her "Learn Photography" dropdown menu on the website.
Life can be very unpredictable when you are self-employed. One minute everything is ticking along at a manageable level and the next you are feeling completely overwhelmed as those jobs you quoted for several weeks ago all get back to you at the same time and all are suddenly very urgent. Add in all the usual "Mum Duties" and all of a sudden you find yourself wondering when you will find time to sleep and stress levels soar. For me there’s one activity that is guaranteed to completely take my mind away from the stresses of daily life and allow me to completely unwind and recharge my batteries.......
And that activity, believe it or not, is photography!
Yes, even though photography is my business there’s nothing more relaxing and therapeutic than a walk with my camera, connecting with my surroundings and shooting purely for pleasure. I’ve lived in my little Wiltshire village for several years now but every single time I wander around it with my camera it’s like seeing it all through a fresh pair of eyes. Photography allows us all to reconnect with all those little details that we stop seeing in the hurry of everyday life. It gives us the opportunity to slow down and really see the beauty of our surroundings. Regardless of where we live there are endless photo opportunities and beauty all around once we learn to see to them.
Photography gives me the excuse to go out for long walks, sometimes on my own and sometimes with friends with cameras. The combination of fresh air, creativity and exercise is meditative, calming, inspiring and thought provoking. Every time I return from a ramble with my camera I feel refreshed and revived and ready to take on the world!
I know I’m not alone in my pursuit of a quiet mind through photography, increasingly more people are coming to recognise it as a therapeutic pastime and many people now engage with photography as part of a wider mindfulness practice. But I also realise that I’m in a minority when I say that I’m happy to wander off alone with my camera so in spring and summer I will be organising a series of photo walks for people of all ages and abilities. These walks will be an opportunity to walk, chat and shoot at a relaxed pace, they won’t be a training course but I will be on hand to offer tips and guidance. Best of all they will end with coffee and cake, or tea and scones, and a chance to compare photos and marvel over how we all see the same things so very differently.
Dates and details will be announced on my Facebook Page but if you would like to receive an email as well head to the Contact Page and send me a quick message.
The photos accompanying this blog post were taken on a walk around the village where I live, after a few wet days we had a misty morning and I knew I needed to escape with my camera. The sun broke through the mist and the light was just beautiful.......
For every business owner there comes a time when they need to put themselves in front of a camera. Whether it’s for the About Page on your website, your LinkedIn account or your Facebook and Twitter profiles, it’s impossible to avoid that need for an image.
But do you really need a professional photographer?
After all when you post a “selfie” on Facebook you get such a lot of likes, and so many people comment to say what a great photo it is. So why not just crop out your friends and family from the picture and use it for your business profile?
The harsh reality is that those people who say “great photo” aren’t really commenting on your camera skills, they are just pleased to see you having a great time. Those people who click like, at best they like that you look happy, in reality you probably just popped in their feed and they clicked that button and moved on to the next post hardly even noticing your picture.
So those likes and comments aren’t really an endorsement of your skills as a photographer and yet it saddens me to see so many business owners using exactly this sort of picture to represent their business. It saddens me not because I’m potentially missing out on business but because these business owners are not giving themselves the best chance of success.
If you happen to be in need of an accountant or solicitor who are you most likely trust, the one with a Linkedin profile picture from a night out with friends or the one with a well-lit headshot where they look professional and approachable? Most people will instinctively trust the one with the professional photo.
The same applies to any sort of business, whilst a corporate looking headshot may not be right for your business, a professional commercial or environmental portrait shows prospective customers that you take your business seriously. Not only does it build trust but it also helps you stand apart from all the other similar businesses that have settled for a quick phone snap.
So how do you know what sort of portrait will be suitable for your business?
Below there’s a quick guide and some examples to help you decide what is most appropriate to attract your ideal customers to your brand. Better still why not give me a call, I’d be happy to have a chat about your business and give you some guidance on portrait styles.
Business Headshots
These are usually just head and shoulders but the same style also works for a three-quarter body shot. They will generally use a plain background, often white, and some form of photographic lighting. These are well suited to professional businesses and businesses that require a number of staff to be photographed in a consistent style. They are great for corporate brochures and “meet the team” boards often found in reception areas.
Commercial Portraits
Although these can also be head and shoulder shots they often include more of the body, they could be a three-quarter shot or maybe someone sitting at a desk or in a chair. Generally a photographic background won’t be used but a location will be chosen where the background isn’t a distraction, these portraits may use photographic lighting or natural light. These are a less formal than a headshot but can still portray a professional image, they are often used on an About Page of a website to give a friendly and approachable feel to a business.
Environmental Portraits
These are the least formal portrait type but are every bit as worthwhile as the others. These portraits will include more of the surroundings, they are often unposed and can be documentary in style. They may well use available light although sometimes additional light will be needed. They are often taken in the working environment and are used to tell the story of a business. Environmental portraits are particularly suited to creative businesses but work equally well for any business that wants to tell an added story with their portraits.
If you feel your business photos aren't creating the best impression please get in touch via the Contact Page, I'd love to chat about creating images that will really help your business stand out.
]]>
This year has been a roller coaster one with last Christmas being quite stressful with my Mum being incredibly ill. Then she passed in the February and the year has sort of plodded on with "stuff".
My daughter, who is 15, is quite excited for Christmas, whereas I'm finding it a bit harder to "get going". It's made me think of the times mum made a massive effort for us as kids growing up, to the fuss she made when she came to visit once I had children of my own. She never really said it, but I think she loved this time of year.
Traditions come in all kinds of ways, some that your parents would have started for you (like not opening up a present until you had eaten breakfast!) to the ones you start for your own children, like the tiny stockings we hang on the tree and pop a little Christmas Eve gift into (usually sweet and tasty).
I was recently asked to review a wonderful new audio book called "The Call Of Mektoub, An Enchanting Christmas Tale, by Helen S Michaelsen.
You meet some fabulous characters, including, Lucy and her mum, Emma, Mother and Father Christmas, Jack Frost, Tweeny Bunting and a rather brilliant villain called Whipper-Whopper - plus many more.
The book has 24 chapters so that you can start on December 1st and listen to one chapter every night finishing on Christmas Eve, building up the magic of Christmas and making it a fantastic advent calendar of a different kind - and it will last longer than chocolate and will leave nothing but festive memories.
The story takes you on a wonderful Christmas adventure with Lucy and her mum, and really makes you want to get to the next chapter. It takes effort not to cheat to find out what happens.
The book would be ideal for 6-12yrs but I think that it will be a great tradition for the future and I can imagine that it would be something that is carried on past these ages.
My daughter heard me listening to the book and even though she is 15, she's asked if we can listen to it together as an advent. It's really helped me with this year and closing one tradition and starting a new one. I love that even at her age she's so excited to embrace the magic and take me along with her.
I'm definitely going to recommend this book to two of our older children, who both have their own families at a perfect age to be caught up in the pure magic of this story.
I think it is something my mum would have loved when I was a child at home, and I hope it becomes a new tradition for our children to pass on.
Any type of training that you undertake for your business requires an investment of both time and money, neither of which any business owner has an unlimited supply of, so it’s essential to ensure that you are making good use of your time and that the financial investment reaps rewards with an increase in skills.
If you are using a phone rather than a camera for your business photography you may well think that there is little point investing in training. After all modern phones have great lenses, lots of megapixels, and if you point it at the subject it will focus and take a sharp photo with minimum user input. And of course all that is true, modern phone cameras are capable of taking great quality images but your phone is simply a tool and as with any tool there are skills that can be learned that will help the user create better results. Let’s face it, if we were given great quality brushes, paints, and papers we wouldn’t expect to produce wall worthy art just by owning the equipment. We know that we would need to undergo some process of learning to improve our skills and a mobile phone is just the same.
What can you expect to learn in my mobile photography training?
Whilst it is possible to simply pick up your phone and snap away most mobiles now have settings that you can override. Learning to take control of focussing and exposure and exploring the different shooting modes available will be the starting point of your training but photography is about so much more than the mastering the tools.
Arguably the most vital element of any photograph is the light. Learning to see and understand light can transform your photography whether you are shooting with a camera or a phone so this is an essential element of all my photography training. Training sessions take place in your own workspace so together we will explore the light that is available to you, I’ll teach you how to use the light effectively and how and when you will need to change the exposure settings on your phone.
We will also take an in depth look at the more creative aspects of photography and how they relate specifically to your business. We will explore the various rules of composition and how you can use them effectively, as well as when to break them. If your business creates products we will explore effective styling, if you are a service provider we will look at various ways to represent that service in photographs. We will also look at incorporating your branding and brand values into your imagery and how to maintain a consistent on-brand style throughout your social media images.
So, is there any point booking photography training if you only use a phone? – Absolutely! As you can see photography involves so much more than clicking a shutter and my half day Improving Your Phone Photography training will equip you with the skills to maintain a stronger and more consistent visual presence on your social media channels.
Please click here for detailed information about my photography training which is available for businesses in Wiltshire and the surrounding areas.
]]>
It was a pleasure to be commissioned for a comprehensive commercial photoshoot which needed to capture the essence of this warm and friendly pub as well as showcasing their delicious food.
To find out more about The Swan;
Visit the website here
Or follow them on Facebook.
If you would like to know more about my Commercial Photography services please get in touch via the Contact Page.
Love To B Skincare are a fantastic family company based in Ringwood, Dorset.
They specialise in producing luxury plant based skincare range, including soaps, lotions, oils, cleanser, toner, moisturiser, lip balm, bath melts, salts and bombs as well as natural candles to help you relax, meditate or energise.
Love To B have gone through an intensive year of rebranding and the shoot was to showcase the new look as well as the existing and new products.
The final look of the edit was also very distinctive, it had to have a very natural stripped back look with earthy tones. The images had to be for the online shop as well as images with more narrative for use across the website and social media.
You can follow Love To B at the following places
FaceBook
Instagram
Twitter
It was two years since their last photoshoot and Active Potential Therapy had wisely decided that it was time to refresh their images.
The Brief
New headshots, team shots, action "at work" shots as well as some more casual images that can be used for social media.
The headshots needed to be bright and fresh, so we used the wall behind the reception desk, which helped to keep the brand of the business strong in the images.
If you are looking for branded photography why not message me or give me a call 07548 219047
You can check out Active Potential Therapy's new website and keep up to date on their social media
Website
Social Media
Facebook - activepotentialtherapy
Twitter - @APTactive
Instagram - activepotentialtherapy
Linked In - Active Potential Therapy LTD
]]>
The brief for the shoot was to capture the glamping pods and the surrounding grounds for use on their website and social media.
Since this shoot some of the pods have been updated and changed, but it's still very much an amazing place to stay.
If you are a B&B, campsite, AirBnB or hotel owner having a set professional images will help your accommodation to stand out from your competitors and appeal to potential guests.
Please use the contact page to get in touch if you would like more details on my photography services for hospitality and leisure.
]]>
Flowplant Group Ltd is an innovative and focused engineering company.
Based in Churchfields Industrial Estate in Salisbury, Flowplant manufacture high pressure fluid pumping systems that are sold across the world to companies in various industries.
The brief for the shoot was to photograph two systems, one of which was being shipped overseas to be used in a mine; as well as photographing the members of staff, the different departments and also capture some images of the component parts that go into the making of the product.
The images will be used on the new website as well as social media and in print.
Photographing the two pumping systems was a technical challenge since they had to be shot in-situ at the hanger. So four studio lights and a green screen backdrop later and a few hours of post production the final images have been delivered to the client.
You can follow Flowplant Group Ltd here
FaceBook
Twitter
Linked-In
Sadly the company is no longer trading, but this was a great shoot to create.
If you are a gym or training room that would like branded images to define you from your competitors please get in touch and have a chat
Call me on 07548 219047 or message me through the contact page
]]>
As with any service personal recommendation can be a good place to start but it's important to note that the photographer who was perfect for your friend's headshots may not be the right fit for you, there are a few things to think about before you make a choice.
Every photographer has their own style and this can be a good starting point. Have a good look around their website and social media, does their style appeal to you? Spend some time reading their blog and social posts, do you get the impression that they are knowledgeable and that you would get along well? You need a photographer who will help you feel at ease on your photoshoot so personality matters too.
If you are happy with their style and online presence it's a good idea to really think about your requirements before you make contact. A good photographer should be able to guide you on the most appropriate style of portraits but is there any other photography you need? If you have products to photograph or services to document engaging a photographer for a longer shoot can often be less disruptive to your business and may turn out to more cost effective too. Now you are fully prepared and it's time to make contact. It's always good to talk on the phone if possible but it may be wise to email and arrange a convenient time, many photographers work alone and would need to arrange calls around photoshoots.
What to discuss with your photographer:
There's nothing more awkward than knowing you need to have a conversation but not quite being sure what you need to ask so hopefully these pointers will make your conversation easier.
- Have they worked in your sector before? It's not strictly necessary since skills are very transferable but it's important to get a sense of whether you think they can understand your business and brand.
- Do they have the necessary facilities? If you need formal headshots you need a photographer with either a studio or a portable studio set up. Similarly if you need white backgrounds or have complex products such as jewellery you'll need to check if they have the appropriate equipment.
- Can they style the shoot for you? Not all shoots need styling but lifestyle photography is increasingly popular and often benefits from some added styling. Some photographers will offer this as part of their service, others may recommend a stylist.
- Can they work as part of a team if needed? Do you need your photographer to be able to work alongside an art director or to consult with your graphic designer or website developer, if so it's worth having the conversation sooner rather than later to ensure they are willing to work alongside a team.
- Are they within your budget? If you speak to a selection of photographers you may find that the prices can vary quite considerably so it's important to have an idea of your budget in advance. If possible try not to let price be the deciding factor when choosing your photographer, their style and whether you feel you can work together need to be one of your highest priorities. If a price seems too good to be true be extra diligent in your research, make sure that you feel confident that the photographer is consistently producing the style and standard of work that you require.
If you are currently looking for a commercial photographer I hope you have found this post helpful. If you would like to see more of my work you can have a browse through the Portfolio section of the website, if you feel my style might suit your needs feel free to use the Contact Page to get in touch and we can discuss your requirements further.
]]>
How would you feel if you were asked to photograph an event that was going to make the whole of the country stop and think, stop and remember?
Five years ago I was asked to do exactly that and it was an honour and a privilege to be a very small part of an incredible "living memorial". At the time I shared some images in a blog post on my previous site, on the five year anniversary of this event it seems an appropriate to share again.
Below the images I’m sharing the original press release which explains the project, those involved, and the story behind the concept, please take the time to read.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this small selection of some of the images that I captured during the day.
Press Release - Thousands of volunteers take part in UK-wide work by Jeremy Deller to commemorate the centenary of the Somme
Thousands of volunteers took part in a UK-wide event today, 1 July 2016, as a modern memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, the work was conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.
‘we’re here because we’re here’ saw some 1400 voluntary participants dressed in First World War uniform appear unexpectedly in locations across the UK. 27 organisations collaborated on the event, which was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, working in close collaboration with partners including: Lyric Theatre Belfast, Manchester Royal Exchange, National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre Wales, Northern Stage, Playhouse Derry-Londonderry, Salisbury Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
The project breaks new ground in terms of its scale, breadth, reach and the number of partners and participants involved. This is the first time the three national theatres have worked together on a joint project, and the first time so many theatres have worked together on a UK-wide participation project.
The participants who walked the streets today were a reminder of the 19,240 men who were killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day. The work is partly inspired by tales of sightings during and after the First World War by people who believed they had seen a dead loved one.
The participants wore historically accurate uniforms, representing 15 of the regiments that suffered losses in the first day of the Battle. The soldiers did not speak, but at points throughout the day would sing the song ‘we’re here because we’re here’ to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, which was sung in the trenches during the First World War. They handed out cards to members of the public with the name and regiment of the soldier they represented, and, where known, the age of the soldier when he died on 1 July 1916.
The daylong work ran from 7am to 7pm and covered the width and breadth of the UK, from Shetland to Plymouth. Sites they visited included shopping centres, train stations, beaches, car parks and high streets – taking the memorial to contemporary Britain and bringing an intervention into people’s daily lives where it was least expected.
The volunteers were men aged between 16-52, reflecting the men who would have fought in the Somme. They were not trained actors but come from a range of professions, including a sheep farmer, flight attendant, doctor, lawyer, social worker, shop assistant, portrait artist and GCSE student. They came together to rehearse in theatres across the UK over a month-long period in the run-up to the performance. ‘we’re here because we’re here’ is one of the largest arts participation projects ever staged in the UK, with hundreds of additional volunteers working behind the scenes.
Jeremy Deller said:
"I wanted to make a contemporary memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, one that moved around the UK with an unpredictability in which the participants took the work directly to the public.”
Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, said:
“This work by Jeremy Deller is a truly national piece of theatre and is a powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago. I also hope it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen ties with theatres and communities across the UK.”
Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW, said:
"1 July 1916 saw 57,470 casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, of whom nearly 20,000 died: it was the bloodiest day in British military history. Taking part in 'we're here because we're here' has given hundreds of young people across the UK the chance to find out more about the Somme, and in some cases discover the stories of family members who fought in the war. Working alongside brilliant artists, directors and theatres on this astonishing project will be an experience they will never forget."
Stuart Rogers, Executive Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, said:
“It has been a huge privilege and joy for The REP to work with the National Theatre to deliver Jeremy Deller's extraordinary vision for this event. It has had a dramatic impact both on the hundreds of participants and on the millions of people it has reached, reminding us all in a very powerful and unique way of the tragedy of the Battle of the Somme and conflict in general.”
The project was supported by: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Belgrade Theatre, Bolton Octagon, Bristol Old Vic, Storyhouse, Left Coast, Leicester Curve, Nuffield Theatre, Oldham Coliseum, Pontio, Shetland Arts, Sutton Coldfield College BMet, The Artrix Bromsgrove, The Garrick Lichfield and Volcano.
Media partner: BBC
‘we’re here because we’re here’ was made possible by an Ambition for Excellence Award from Arts Council England and by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Creative Scotland and Art Fund. 14-18 NOW is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, and by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
]]>
So why is it important to have your photo taken for your business? Quite simply, people buy from people, as consumers we are naturally drawn to do business with people that we like and feel connected with. As a business owner your portrait on your website and social media is the first step in building trust and a connection, it sets you apart from other businesses and it can help break down any barriers to potential customers making contact. People feel more comfortable sending that first email or making an initial phone call when they have an idea of who they are making contact with.
For larger businesses with more staff having team headshots helps personalise the business and avoid it appearing like a faceless corporation. It's more difficult for a potential client to feel that they know and trust a larger company but a 'meet the team' page with headshots that reflect the brand values can act as that first step to building trust.
Once I've explained how photographs can act as ice breakers some people will ask whether it's ok to use a phone snap, perhaps from a family gathering or a night out, and my answer is always a resounding no! Investing in a professional headshot not only shows that you take your business seriously, it will also reflect your brand values so that you attract the right sorts of customers and will help you stand out from your competitors.
If it's time to update your business portraits please head over to the About page to find out more about me and the services I offer. If you are one of the many people who don't feel confident in front of the camera please feel free to get in touch, we can arrange to have a chat and discuss your concerns and how I can make you feel at ease on your photo shoot.
]]>
Without fail around this time every year I will stumble across an early reference to “Christmas In July” and my first response is one of panic! It’s a phrase with different meanings and traditions in different countries but here in the UK it tends to be associated with the large retailers and brands presenting their Christmas offerings to the media.
As a parent it’s a phrase that triggers a moment of panic, after all I’m only just dealing with the summer holidays, surely I can’t be expected to be thinking about Christmas at the same time! But as a business owner it serves as a timely reminder about the importance of planning ahead to avoid adding unnecessary stress to an already busy season. Most of us start January by planning out the upcoming year, I’m now trying to use Christmas in July as a reminder to revisit my plans, make sure everything is on track and that nothing is likely to take me by surprise as the busy season approaches.
Thinking about Christmas in summertime is especially important for any business that needs to update their imagery to match the season and it's something that I always discuss with my regular clients. Ard ALume is a stained glass studio based in County Mayo, Ireland, where owners Magda and Daniel make gorgeous handcrafted pieces which are shipped all over the world. Photographing their Christmas and winter themed products in summer meant that we could take advantage of brighter days and use natural light to showcase the colourful glass, they now have a beautiful set of images of their seasonal products ready to share on their website and social media without any last minute panic.
Perhaps you are a designer or artisan with a seasonal product line or maybe you have a restaurant or hotel with festive events. Whatever your business, if you require seasonal images I would encourage you to be planning them now and booking your photographer as a matter of urgency. Leave it too late and you may find that your preferred photographer simply can’t squeeze your photoshoot into their diary. If you are concerned about how to make summer look like Christmas I’m always happy to offer suggestions if necessary I can recommend some fabulous editorial stylists who are capable of magically transforming any scene with their fantastic props and styling skills.
If you’d like to ensure you are visually prepared for the festive season please feel free to contact me to discuss your requirements and check my availability.
]]>
Every one of my commercial photoshoots, regardless of the size or type of business or which package they have booked, has one important element in common and that is ‘Storytelling Images’. In this blog post we are going to look at how images can tell the story of a business and why storytelling is so important.
Why Storytelling Matters in Business
As human beings we have a deep rooted history of storytelling dating right back to caveman days, throughout history storytelling has not only been a means of communication but also a way to educate and form meaningful connections. As business owners we know that people do business with those that they know, like and trust. Telling our business story, through images and words, allows potential clients to feel that they know us and to form an opinion about whether they like us. Some people may decide that they don’t particularly like us, and that’s great. Genuine storytelling will act as a filter, engaging our ideal clients and filtering out those that are a better fit for another business.
Telling Your Story Through Images
To successfully communicate your story through a series of images you must to aim to answer the six fundamental questions - Who? What? Why? Where? When? How?
The easiest question is 'who' and can be answered with a portrait but it’s important to take the other questions into account when deciding on the style of portrait. An environmental portrait can also help to answer the question of where you do business and documentary images could be used to tell the story of what you do. A portrait may also send subtle messages about how you work. If your approach is very formal and business-like a photo of you playing with your children is not likely to attract the right sort of clients. However if you wish to tell the story of a business with a relaxed and friendly approach with family values at it’s core then this could be the perfect image. Take care not to fall into the trap of thinking that a relaxed portrait is the same as a quick snapshot taken on a phone at a family gathering. Images of a high standard convey a subtle message that you care about your business, low quality snaps tell a different story and won’t build trust in the same way.
First impressions matter, judgements are formed within a matter of seconds and images are the most fundamentally important part of creating the best first impression. Allow your images to tell the wrong story and your ideal clients will pass by without a second glance, tell the right story with strong on brand images and you will stop them in their tracks. Once you’ve engaged their attention with images you’ve made great progress towards building a deeper connection and can reinforce your story with words.
What About Stock Photography?
Stock photography is widely available, generally affordable and usually of a good technical standard but I am passionate about educating business owners to avoid them. Now I can imagine you reading this and your first thoughts will be, ‘But of course you would say that you’re a photographer’. But even if a business is never likely to be my client I would still advise them to seek out another photographer rather than rely on stock images. Stock photography will never tell the story of your business, it will only tell of a generic, bland, middle of the road business and no one wants that to be their story!
Please click here to find out more about my Commercial Photography Packages or use the Contact Page if you would like to discuss your photography requirements.
]]>
One of the most common photography related questions I’m asked is by parents desperate to know how take better photos of their children. We’ve all been in that situation where we see our children doing something that we know should make a great photo but somehow the image doesn’t quite live up to our expectations, yes it even happens to me sometimes. My kids seem to have an inbuilt radar that warns them I have a camera in hand and it’s a 50/50 chance whether they will cooperate or disappear faster than the speed of light!
Over the years however I've learned a few "tactical" skills on how to photograph my own children and I’ve put together my top tips to help you capture better pictures too.
1. Don't make it too obvious.
When you see your kids doing something and quickly grab your camera....
.....whatever you do don't call out to them to catch their attention! Let them carry on with what they are doing while you get your first couple of shots, if they still aren't noticing get in closer and take more. It’s likely that they have now seen you so now is the time to ask them to "look this way".
Sometimes the detail photos are as important, so don't feel that you need the big picture when the little pictures can all add up to tell a bigger story. And don’t forget that you don’t always need your children smiling into the camera, those candid documentary photos while your children play unaware are also ones to treasure.
2. Create your own shoot.
Get the kids to make a den in the garden, or go for an adventure in the woods, stage a reason to take some photos. Kids aren't good at standing and posing, they are much better if you give them something to do, the chances are they will want to show off a little, but if they are engaged in something they will mind the camera less.
3. Pay attention to the light.
When images are disappointing it’s often down to the light working against us rather than for us. Learning to quickly recognise where the light comes from and how to work with it is one of the most important photography skills and one that I cover in detail in my 1-2-1 training sessions. Between our eyes and our brains we see light very differently to our cameras, we can see the detail in a much greater range of light and shadow than a camera or phone and this leads us into problems. Pay attention to where the light comes from and make sure it’s lighting faces rather than backs of heads. It is however important to remember not to ask anyone to look directly at the sun or a bright light source.
4. Be prepared.
For anything - and I'm not just talking about having your camera ready just in case a photo opportunity comes along. Sometimes I need to be prepared to act the fool, or to lie on the floor to get a better angle, or to get a little dirty. Clothes can go in the wash, I can hop in the bath, but some photo opportunities will never present themselves again.
Sometimes I need to be prepared to negotiate to get the images I want and that often involves handing over my camera so the kids can take a photo of me, it’s a fair trade and if it’s important for me to have photos of them it’s also important to them that they have some of me too.
5. Have fun.
The most important thing of all, have fun. It's easy to get frustrated with our children when they don't do what you want them to, and something as simple as them looking and getting them to engage with the camera can lead to even the most qualified of photographers getting stressed and irritated. Remember that kids have a short attention span, if all you are doing is telling them to "look this way" or "smile" then they will likely get bored very quickly and not want to "play that game" for too long. So, my best advice is to have fun, engage and don't worry if you don't get the photo, it's more important to have fun, create a memory and be in the moment with them.
6. Hand over the camera to someone else.
If you are the one who always takes the photos then the chances are you are never in them, you look back over family photos in years to come and be asked "Where were you...?"
Most of us hide behind the camera to avoid being in the front of it, but don’t forget that taking these photos isn't just for us to remember, it's for our children to remember too. As much as I don't truly enjoy being in front of the camera I hate to think how my children would feel should there be a day when I'm no longer here and they don't have images of us together. Getting in front of the camera educates the next generation how important it is for the future.
The importance of photos only really hits us when we lose someone close to us. When this happened to me I made sure I had every photograph I could find of them, unfortunately there were very few of us together and I can never change that now, but I can change it for my children.
So from one parent to another, even though you may not love the camera, remember that you love your children and they love you.
7. Get them printed.
We all take so many photos of our children, especially now that we constantly have a camera with us in the form of our phones. If you do nothing else today, upload your favourite images to an online photo shop and get them printed out. We live in a digital world but technology can fail and digital images can easily be lost, and nothing beats the experience of pouring over printed images and sharing happy memories.
If you would like to learn how to use your camera to take better pictures of your children my photography training days are highly personalised and include everything from camera settings and understanding light to capturing movement. Training is available on a 1-2-1 basis, or a 1-2-2 basis if you would like to share with a friend, I offer single days or block bookings of 4 days spread out over a few weeks to allow time to practice and reinforce the skills learned in each session. For more information or to check availability please use the Contact Page to get in touch.
]]>
In the previous post I explained how I help my photography clients to identify their visual style. Typically my clients will have a specific reason that prompts them to book a photoshoot, it might be the launch of a new product range, a full rebrand, a flurry of upcoming PR opportunities, or perhaps it’s simply time to refresh their image library. Whatever the reason it’s also highly likely that between times my clients will also need images for their social media. It’s always good to be able to share some behind the scenes photos and updates on current work but of course it’s not practical to engage a professional photographer on a daily basis.
So how can you maintain a visual style between professional photoshoots?
My own photoshoots are very collaborative which helps my clients to understand their visual style, if you didn’t have the same sort of experience here are a few tips to help you keep your photography on brand;
- Study your existing images, can you spot any similarities? Your images might be busy and conveying energy or they may be simple with lots of empty space. Are there any colours consistently used? Are they shot from a similar angle? Try to include any recurring theme in your own images.
- Incorporate your brand colours into your photos wherever possible. You can do this in lots of ways including the use of props for styling.
- If you have promotional items displaying your logo such as mugs, notebooks, pens etc, consider using these in your photos. They don’t need to dominate the image, a casually placed mug of coffee in the background can be effective.
- Consider investing in some photography training for your staff. Photography training won’t replace the need for high quality images from a professional photographer but it will help to ensure that the images your business shares on your social media channels remain consistently on brand and of an acceptable standard.
I currently provide training sessions for a variety of business types that are available as a full or half day. I teach nominated staff members to get the best out of their existing equipment whether that’s a camera or the phones in their pockets. Training is personalised to the requirements of the business and aims to help people make the most out of their current space. I help to identify the best light within their workspace, understand the basic camera settings and develop a set of guidelines to ensure consistency. Consistency is especially important when several staff members are taking photos. I offer training for teams who are mostly working out on location and using their phones to document their daily work. Through my sessions they will learn to identify the best light, control the exposure and focus, and develop a consistent approach to composition and framing.
For more information regarding photography training for businesses please click here, or if you would like to discuss your training requirements please use the Contact Page to get in touch.
]]>
In the first post I explored what visual style is and my own issues with having a consistent style, in this post we are going to look at how I help my clients define their own visual style, a task that might initially seem daunting but really is quite painless! But first let’s have a look at why having a consistent visual style that reflects your business values is important.
Your photographic style is just one element of your business branding and all elements of your brand should work together to create a memorable impression that encapsulates your personality and the values of your business. Your visual style helps to differentiate you from your competition and helps you to connect with potential clients and customers who share your values. With a consistent visual style people who share similar values will subconsciously feel a connection when they view your website and social media. It’s important to attract people with shared values since we naturally create our best work when we feel a connection to someone, these are generally the clients where we take a collaborative approach and everyone enjoys the experience of working together.
Occasionally my new clients have a clearly defined visual style and have a style guide that I will be working to, but these are very much in the minority. Most new clients will have a brand but aren’t sure how to translate it into their photography but sometimes they haven’t fully defined their core business values. Whatever their situation I love to work with business owners to help them uncover their visual style.
The work starts well ahead of the photoshoot with a telephone consultation and a help sheet that I send to all my clients. We’ll discuss what to expect from the shoot, I’ll give advice on clothing, location and props and I’ll look at my client’s website to get a feel for their branding and key colours. If a client hasn’t already defined the core values of their business I suggest that they ask a number of friends, family, and business contacts for three words to describe them. Looking at the words that recur is a great starting point in identifying core values and once these are clearly defined we use them to guide the shoot. We will also use Pinterest, I send links to some of my boards for ideas and we will also share secret boards for likes and dislikes and ideas for the shoot. At the end of this process we usually have a clear idea of how the shoot is going to look and if necessary I’ll source props to match the branding and provide recommendations for hair and make up artists.
On the day of the shoot itself we will discuss how the images are going to be used, I like to know that my clients can gain maximum value from their images so we will ensure that some are great for PR uses and we will discuss the use of negative space to allow for text overlays, great for social media and print. I always recommend a variety of images that include formal, semi-formal and relaxed and I’m happy to help with the choice of clothing. I often find myself hunting through a client’s wardrobe and making suggestions that they wouldn’t have considered but look great in their images. If a client has a pet I always suggest we include them for part of the session, not only does it make them seem more approachable but social media always loves a pet photo. After the shoot I’ll provide a gallery of images that have been ‘soft edited’ and when the favourites are selected they will be fully edited.
If you would like to discuss your own photographic requirements please feel free to get in touch via the Contact Page, and keep look out for the third and final post in this series.
]]>
Like many small business owners I try to keep up with current marketing advice and realise that a strong presence on at least one social media channel is absolutely essential. As a photographer I naturally feel drawn to Instagram, both as a place to seek inspiration and as a platform to share my own work and to market my business. One piece of advice constantly given by Instagram marketing experts is that consistent style is essential to grow a large following on the platform. Which is something of a problem, how can I have a consistent style when I am creating images to reflect my client’s own visual style? Fortunately as a small business I don’t need hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers so I’m happy for my account to showcase a style that adapts to my clients needs as well as a peek behind the scenes - you can find me as @barbaraleathamphotoartist.
(My portraits will vary in style to suit my clients)
In photography visual style can be reflected in numerous elements such as colour palette (often reflecting brand colours), tone (might be warm, cool, neutral, muted) and composition - images might be simple and uncluttered with lots of space to overlay text or they could be busy with people engaged in an activity. When I work with clients I help them to define their visual style if they haven’t already – more on this in the next post – and that style might vary significantly from one shoot to the next, so when it comes to sharing examples of my latest work on Instagram it doesn’t often have a consistent look.
(Environments can vary drastically from one day to the next)
While my style will adapt as I create images to reflect your style there are some elements that remain consistent. My images will always be technically strong, the lighting will be good and suited to the subject, skin tones will be accurate and any background elements will enhance rather than distract from the subject. I also avoid any trends and gimmicks that are likely to be short lived, so no heavy Instagram filters or editing styles that are likely to be a passing phase. Nothing dates an image more than jumping on the bandwagon of a trend that passes in the blink of an eye!
Next in the Visual Style Series I’ll be explaining how I help my clients define their style.
]]>
Providing an escape from everyday life is one of the many benefits of photography for children, especially at the moment when the news can feel overwhelming. With home learning and zoom lessons our children have spent more time than ever in front of a screen, photography can be a great way to get them outdoors (or at least moving around the house if the weather is bad), engaging with their environment and thinking creatively. It can also help them to make sense of the world around them and give them a way to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Taking some time to look through the photos they have taken can be a great way to open up conversations with them and it’s always inspiring to see the world through the eyes of a child. With younger children photography can also be a fun way to reinforce learning, try asking them to take a photo of something red or something beginning with A. Whatever age your children are learning a new skill can offer a boost in their self esteem and one of the great advantages of learning photography is that it mostly just feels like fun.
Once we’ve established that photography is a great hobby for children the next question is how to get them interested. First of all they’ll need something to shoot with and a phone is a good way to start. If they are too young for their own phone an old one with a working camera is all they need to get started. Alternatively compact cameras can be very inexpensive, they don’t need anything sophisticated to get started and equipment can always be upgraded if they show a real flair and lasting interest. Once they’ve got something to shoot with a great way to get them started is with a list of items to find and photograph, this can be tailored to the age of the children. With small children it can be as simple as ‘your favourite toy’ and ‘your dinner’. As children get older the list can be more abstract with prompts such as ‘something that makes you feel happy’ or ‘something that reminds you of Grandma’. You can even encourage older children to create a series of images to tell a story.
During the first lockdown I shared a series of photo prompts on my Facebook Page as a fun photography challenge. The first was a Treasure Hunt that is suitable for children of all ages although some of the prompts may need adapting to suit the season.
The next two sets of prompts help to improve observational skills and introduce some compositional ideas and photographic rules while still feeling more like fun than learning.
These prompt sheets are available as a free download to encourage your children to start shooting and can be printed or saved to your phones. Please click here to access the files. I’d love to hear how you get along with them, you can use the hashtags or better still give me a quick mention on Instagram and I’ll definitely see your photos (you can find me as @barbaraleathamphotoartist).
Good luck!
]]>
My photography training sessions can cover a wide range of subjects and are tailored to my clients’ needs. We always schedule a telephone consultation prior to the training so that I can ensure they get the maximum benefit from our time together. The full day sessions run from 10am until 4pm so there’s plenty time to discuss the theory and start putting it into practice. The days are very relaxed and lots of fun, lunch is included and is often spent reviewing and discussing the morning’s images before we head back out to continue learning and shooting.
(Using nature to explain aperture & shutter speeds)
Over a period of weeks prior to the second lockdown I had the pleasure of spending time with a lovely lady and seeing her photography and her confidence grow. She had been going through a difficult time in her personal life and decided to book one of my special four day packages. She already owned a DSLR and wanted to learn how to use it so that she could benefit from the therapeutic nature of photography without the frustrations that can arise from not knowing the camera or understanding the basics. While she knew that she could find all the relevant information in books or online she also recognised that this was likely to be an extended learning process and full of frustration. Recognizing that she was the sort of person who learns well from personal tuition and guidance she booked a set of four lessons and spent one day a week with me. Each day was an in depth learning experience with time for questions, shooting and feedback. After each training session she spent time putting the learning into practice and the following week we were able to discuss her progress and resolve any difficulties she had encountered. Our days were mostly spent outdoors with nature providing props to help explain and demonstrate various concepts and it was an absolute joy to see my client’s skills and confidence growing each week.
(Nature also provides perfect subjects for macro photography)
I’m now taking bookings for 2021 for personal photography training sessions in Wiltshire, these can be either 1-2-1 or shared with a friend and can be for a single day session or a discounted block of four, further details can be found here.
Gift Vouchers are also available, if you are struggling for a Christmas present for that difficult to shop for loved one why not support a local business and give them a gift of knowledge that could bring a lifetime of pleasure.
If you would like further details on Gift Vouchers, or would like to discuss your own training requirements please use the Contact Page to get in touch.
]]>
It’s very easy once you’ve established yourself as a professional photographer to find yourself only getting out the camera when you have a paying client. For the very small minority of photographers who only took up photography as a means to earn money it’s not a problem, but for the vast majority who first fell in love with photography as a hobby and means of creative expression, personal work is essential.
When I’m not working for clients you can still find me with a camera of some sort in my hands. Some days that might only be my phone camera as I capture the beautiful Wiltshire countryside while I’m out and about. On other days you will find me with my “proper” camera on hand as I document my family’s daily life or create artistic images, often of flowers.
It may not initially seem that fine art flower photography has much in common with the work I carry out for my clients but I firmly believe that my personal photography makes me a much stronger commercial photographer.
When photographing these flowers from my garden I need to take time to study their shape, colour and texture. I need to decide which of the features are important and how I want to display these features in my photographs. I’ll need to think about lighting and how I can use the light to enhance the beauty of the flowers. The styling and layout needs to be considered, do I want to keep the images simple and powerful or do I want to add some styling and props and create an image with a lifestyle feel. For this particular set of images I don't want anything to distract from the beauty of the flowers so I've opted for a simple white background and a more graphic feel for the images.
Exactly the same thought process is involved when creating images for my commercial photography clients, the only difference here is that the choice of subject and how the subject is portrayed is entirely my own.
This freedom of choice allows me to exercise my creativity and explore different approaches and techniques, such as image stacking for the anemones above. Image stacking is a technique that involves combining a series of images in Photoshop to produce a final image with a maximum depth of field. It’s a technique that can be useful for photographing jewellery and other products with details that need to be clearly displayed.
If you are a photographer reading this I would strongly encourage you to pursue some form of personal photography project, choose something that interests or inspires you and explore all the different ways that you can photograph it. Use your personal work to try out different approaches, perhaps a different lens, a different lighting approach or a new editing technique. Taking time out to be creative will help you approach your client work with a new found enthusiasm.
If photography is a hobby and you are interested in exploring new techniques but don't know where to start why not book a bespoke 1-2-1 training session? Sessions can be booked now to take place later in the year and email gift vouchers are available.
Please use the Contact Page to request further details.
]]>
As a commercial photographer I have a number of similar questions that arise from time to time in conversations with clients, this month I’m using the blog to answer those questions. All the answers are embedded in the core values of my business in that I will only provide images of the highest possible standard and that any of my work in the public domain will not negatively impact on the businesses of my clients or myself.
1. Can I have the raw files?
The short and simple answer to this question is no! The equivalent to a photographer giving clients raw files would be a chef serving the ingredients for a meal without creating the finished dish.
Although I shoot as close as possible to the final image in terms of exposure, white balance and composition, the raw files are a long way from the fully edited files that you see on my website. In fact they aren’t even similar to the images that I may show a client on the back of my camera during a shoot. Those images are a version of the raw file with some enhancements added by the camera’s inbuilt software. Raw files are dull and lifeless, my finished images all undergo an extensive edit to create a polished and professional end product. As with all photographers I gain clients based on the standard of my work that is seen publicly, a poorly converted raw file could be damaging to my business and reputation.
It's also worth pointing out that to most people the raw files are unusable, the file formats vary between camera manufacturers and not all computers will show previews of raw files. Even if you are able to view the files they can’t be used in any way without converting to a widely accepted file format.
2. Why can’t I have all the images in my viewing gallery?
Prior to your session we will have discussed your requirements and agreed a number of images, I will always ensure that the number of images included in your package is sufficient to meet your needs. The price of your package is inclusive of both the shooting time and the time required to complete a full edit of the agreed number of images. During the session I will shoot a variety of images and then select the best for a “soft edit” and addition to your viewing gallery. Your selected images will then be fully edited to a highly polished professional standard. Should you feel you need more than the agreed number I will happily provide a quote based on the editing time. I am however unable to release the soft edited images since these do not reflect the quality of my work. Should these images be inadvertently shared they may be viewed as substandard images and could be damaging to my reputation.
3. What is the difference between a soft edit and a full edit?
A soft edit essentially involves a few minor tweaks to the raw file to make it viewable and may include some minor adjustments to exposure, colour and contrast. A full edit really brings the image to life and gives the polished and professional finish you expect when commissioning a commercial photographer. A full edit incudes the following where required:
- Final adjustments to shadows, highlights and overall brightness.
- Any colour correction required, paying particular attention to reflected colours that may have affected skin tones.
- Ensuring skin looks healthy including removing any temporary spots and blemishes.
- Ensuring eyes look bright and engaging.
- Softening the skin to reduce any lines that have been exaggerated by the level of detail that quality lenses can capture.
- Removal of any stray hairs.
- Lessening of creases, lumps and bumps in clothing.
- Spot removal of any stray fluff etc on clothing.
- Removal of any distracting elements in the background.
- Perspective correction.
- Cropping to ensure the best possible narrative within the image.
4. Can I add a filter to my images?
Unfortunately not! As described above I put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that my work is of a high standard. I am commissioned based on the standard of my work so any sharing of images that have been further altered can be damaging to my business as well as infringing copyright. Before all of my shoots I have an in depth consultation so if you need a specific look to your images we can discuss and ensure that look is achieved in my edit rather than with a filter.
5. Why don’t I own the copyright?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding copyright but under UK law the copyright of an image is automatically owned by the photographer when commissioned by a client. The photographer retains the copyright and provides the client with a licence to use the images. The licence will state how the images can be used and for how long.
By providing a licence rather than full copyright I can ensure that my clients receive the best possible value since they pay for the image usage required. For instance, a sole trader requiring a small library of images to use for social media will not pay the same fees as a multinational company needing images for an international multimedia marketing campaign.
Although I retain copyright of the images I take my clients right to privacy extremely seriously. I never share any images or information publicly until after clients have started to use the images themselves and only share if permission has been given. By retaining copyright I can also ensure that images are only used in an appropriate manner and will not be amended in any way, protecting the businesses of my clients and myself.
6. Why do you charge more for large image files?
My pricing is a reflection of the licence required and has been fine tuned over my many years in business to offer the best possible value. With the rise of social media I found that some clients only needed smaller files for online use while others still need larger high resolution files for print and offline marketing. I offer reduced pricing for those businesses whose current need is for a licence for limited files sizes for web use rather than a surcharge for larger files. Clients purchasing smaller files are able to pay for an upgrade if their needs change and they need larger files and an extended licence.
Do you have any questions regarding commercial photography that I haven’t included above? Feel free to send them to me via the Contact Page and I’ll try to answer them in a future post.
]]>
A Commercial Photoshoot in Wiltshire.
According to the Days of the Year website today, May 11th, is Accounting Day, the perfect day to shine the spotlight on one of my favourite clients, Purple Lime Accountancy.
From the first conversation I had with Angela it became apparent that the traditional white background corporate headshot that you might expect to see used by accountants wasn’t for them. Of course there’s nothing wrong with a formal headshot, and in many cases it may well be the most appropriate style, especially for larger organisations that require a uniform look to their staff portraits, but they wouldn’t reflect the branding and values of Purple Lime. As Angela explained ‘We are a modern accountancy practice using cloud applications and the latest technology to help our clients drive their business forward. We wanted to reflect this in the photos.’
Some of the companies I work with have very definite ideas of what they want from the shoot, others are open minded and will look to me for ideas and inspiration. I enjoy both approaches but Purple Lime, despite being a business that many people would see as traditional, most definitely fall into the second category. On the day of the shoot I arrived with some purple and green props from my collection so that we could reinforce their brand colours in the images. We started with some fun and lively team shots so that everyone would feel more relaxed and natural for their individual portraits.
The fact that Angela and the team are open minded and fun means that we can create a final set of images that are memorable, on brand and that will help them stand out from similar businesses.
Happy Accounting Day to the whole team at Purple Lime Accountancy!
You can check out their Facebook page here where you can see how they use their images to full effect.
]]>
At this moment in time we are all facing difficulties and uncertainties with companies of all sizes, from the smallest micro business right up to the largest international traders, being affected. Many larger organisations have disaster recovery plans in place so they know in advance how they will deal with major issues. But I don’t think any of us could have foreseen the magnitude of the current situation and made plans for how to navigate their business through a global pandemic. Right now we are just finding our way through as best we can.
Many owners of smaller businesses aren’t feeling inclined to be as active on social media as usual, and that’s completely understandable, we all need to find our own way through these challenging times. However, what we can’t afford as small business owners, is to be completely absent. We can’t afford to be invisible throughout this crisis or we simply won’t be remembered whenever life starts to return to normal. If we do choose to be a little less active online then we need to make sure that when we do post we are noticed and the best way to do this is with strong images that are on brand. Of course you could use an image library but searching for the right image can prove extremely time consuming and the images you choose may well already be in use by thousands of other companies.
I’m passionate about supporting other SME’s and I really hope that everyone manages to pull through this time with a business that is ready to flourish again. So with this in mind I have put together a special package which is heavily discounted and valid during the lockdown period only.
Following a telephone or video consultation where we will discuss your requirements in depth I will create a set of ten bespoke, brand-crafted images using your products and brand colours alongside my extensive collection of styling props. They can contain quotes, call to actions or other positive messages or simply copy space for you to add your own text. Your images will be on brand and will reflect the core values of your business. They will help to keep your business fresh, vibrant, relevant to your clients and most importantly they will help you to maintain visibility.
Last week Nicki of Confident Cashflow commissioned a set of images.
After an initial email I created a Pinterest board of ideas and we had a zoom call to discuss her branding and business values in detail. She then arranged to send some branded items to feature in the images and the shoot went ahead in my home studio as soon as they arrived. I’m happy to see that Nicki is already making good use of the images on LinkedIn and across Confident Cashflow’s other social media channels.
*** These branding shoots will only be available while we are in lockdown, they are heavily discounted and start from only £100. ***
If you would like to discuss your own requirements please CLICK HERE to get in touch via the Contact Page.
]]>
Did you know that today, March 20th, is the International Day of Happiness?
I love to have a look through the Days Of The Year website and see what days are coming up. Knowing that March included, among other things, the International Day of Happiness, got me thinking about what makes me happy. Life can be very unpredictable when you are self-employed. One minute everything is ticking along at a manageable level and the next you are feeling completely overwhelmed as those jobs you quoted for several weeks ago all get back to you at the same time and all are suddenly very urgent. Add in all the usual "Mum Duties" and suddenly you find yourself wondering when you will find time to sleep and stress levels soar. For me there’s one activity that is guaranteed to allow me to completely unwind, recharge my batteries, and add a little happiness to my day.......
And that activity, believe it or not, is photography!
Yes, even though photography is my business there’s nothing more relaxing and therapeutic than a walk with my camera, connecting with my surroundings and shooting purely for pleasure. I’ve lived in my little Wiltshire village for several years now but every single time I wander around it with my camera it’s like seeing it all through a fresh pair of eyes. Photography allows us to reconnect with all those little details that we stop seeing in the hurry of everyday life. It gives us the opportunity to slow down and really see the beauty of our surroundings. That process of slowing down and reconnecting really makes me happy. Regardless of where we live there are endless photo opportunities and beauty all around once we learn to see them.
Photography also gives me the excuse to go out for long walks, sometimes on my own and sometimes with friends with cameras. The combination of fresh air, creativity and exercise is meditative, calming, inspiring and thought provoking and lifts the spirits. Every time I return from a ramble with my camera I feel refreshed and revived and ready to take on the world!
The photos accompanying this blog post were taken on a walk around the village, after a few wet days we had a misty morning and I knew I needed to escape with my camera. The sun broke through the mist, the light was beautiful and for a little while I could switch off from the world and put all the current news stories out of my mind .......
]]>
I'm lucky to live in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, in the heart of the Salisbury Plains, but even surrounded by nature the winter months can seem dull and endless. As business owners we are generally working flat out in the run up to Christmas and then we breathe a sigh of relief when we can finally take a break. If the year starts like this one, with lots of grey days followed by storms and news of flooding all over the country, it can be difficult to find motivation and the year can start in a bit of a slump.
Thankfully Spring seems to be finally showing it's beautiful face. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming bit by bit, and the flowers are sharing their beauty with us and reminding us that there is new life on the way.
Without fail, waking up on a glorious sun filled Spring day, I get the urge to blitz the house freshening everything up and embracing the energy that seems to come from the day. My house has been sitting idle and cosy for the Winter months and now I’m ready to bring it back to life...
... and your business is no different.
So, how do you Spring Clean your business?
In my case it's a time for a physical and digital spring clean. I’ll start with the office and put everything back in it’s proper place, re-homing anything that hasn't moved for over six months, if it's been sat still for so long I don’t really need it. I also clear up the folders on my computer and tidy the desktop. It’s the most boring job ever, BUT.... when I go back to my computer and it's all organised and looking tidy I feel ready to take on new challenges. It's one of life's little victories that makes me feel good inside even though no one else knows it's happened!
Most years I also go through the images on my website, it’s amazing how time can fly by without us paying any attention to how our websites look. This year I’ll be skipping this job since my website is relatively new but I know for certain that this time next year mu business will have evolved and moved forward. As business owners our websites are our electronic shop-windows to the world and it’s essential they reflect where we are right now.
When was the last time you reviewed your website? Does it do the job you want it to? Does it address the needs of your customers and properly represent the service or products you provide? What are your current images saying about your business? Does your business portrait look like you? Are you using out of date images or ones where the styling looks dated because trends have changed?
Brand awareness and how you present your business is the main way to ensure that your business stands out from everyone else. Having the right wording and the right images that are presented in the right way all help towards creating a presence that engages with our clients.
A few things to do while you're motivated for your Business Spring Clean.
- Ask for help from one or two trusted people who know your business well, ask them to go through your website looking for issues. If they spot something so will your customers. Make sure you fix any issues they raise.
- Invest in professional images that are personal to your branding. Stock images are great, but others can buy them too and you don’t want to end up with the same images as a competitor! Stock images often look generic and impersonal and can quickly look dated. If your business is relatively new and you’d initially set up a website that will "do for now so I've got an online presence" make sure your images still reflect the way your business has developed.
Working with a professional photographer that understands your business and can reflect it in top quality imagery will make a big difference. - Make sure that your commercial portrait is a true reflection of you. Using a holiday snap or one that "will do for now" is not good for your business. Ask yourself how you respond to someone’s image. We are all guilty of judging quickly when we see a photo of someone, good or bad it stays with us even before we have spoken to them.
Your image should reflect your personality as well as the position you hold in your business, and it should showcase your business too. Don’t forget, not all business portraits need to be corporate looking headshots, environmental portraits can be more effective for many businesses. - Get inspired! See what is trending in the fashion industry (Pantone always release the colours for the seasons that are coming and they are trend setters for anything related to fashion). Find ways to make this work for your business. Whether it's styling of your products, or the styling of you. Be on trend somewhere so that people can see that you are aware of the world around you and not stuck in a rut. Check out the films that are coming in the year, they often set trends that hit the high street in the following year. Browse Instagram, look for hashtags relevant to your business and study the most popular images.
- Set some goals for the year. Imagine that it’s December 31st and you are writing about the highlights of your year, what would you love to be including? These dreams can become your goals, now set some time frames and make it happen!
- If you're feeling flat after the dull weather of the winter season, then it's a great time to get out and about networking and meeting new people. Spending time chatting with like minded people is a great way to lift your spirits. With the current global shut down due CoronaVirus, networking via online group chats will be a great way to keep in touch and keep you motivated.
My final thoughts...
It can be really challenging running a business on your own, I know because I've been doing it for many years. Keeping motivated when things are quiet as well as exploring new ways to reinvent the wheel takes a lot of energy. It's important to book time in the diary to reflect and review. Just imagine that the Spring Clean of your business is an extended version of this. Don't feel guilty about taking the time you need, it will pay dividends in the end.
If you are feeling inspired and think that new imagery for your business is something you’d like to talk about then please get in touch. I have some great packages and offer options for new businesses as well as existing ones.
If you'd like to see some examples of my work and a small selection of the wonderful businesses I've worked with please have a browse through the Portfolios section of the site.
]]>
As a commercial photographer I get to meet and photograph a wonderful variety of interesting people and businesses right across Wiltshire, and often much further afield. I meet so many that I couldn’t possibly share all of them on the blog but now and again there is one that really stands out and needs to be shared.
This commercial photoshoot with violinist Lucy Pelger is one that always sticks in my mind. It’s a perfect example of how avoiding the traditional corporate portrait style of photography and taking a more lifestyle approach can really allow the passion of the owner and personality of the business to shine through in the images. Of course there are many businesses that need more formal portraits, and I love to shoot these too, but I really enjoy the opportunity to get to understand a business and be creative with their photography.
Lucy contacted me when she was new to the area and needed some images for the business she was about to launch. I always take the time to really understand my clients businesses and it soon became apparent that it was important to Lucy that her images not only showed her passion for music but were also more personal and showed her as the warm and friendly person she is. As well as a series of relaxed portraits with and without her violin we decided that to including Lucy’s daughter in the photoshoot would really add the personal feel that we decided was important.
As you have probably gathered from the images Lucy is a music teacher. She teaches people of all ages but is especially keen to encourage a love of music in younger people and it certainly looks like her daughter is following in her footsteps!
What story do your businesses images tell? If you'd like to refresh your online presence and inject some personality into your imagery why not get in touch, I'd love to have a chat about how I can help.
For the first of a new series of client spotlights I would love to introduce you to Harriet Scott and share some images from her two personal branding photoshoots. Harriet is a business coach and consultant based in Swindon, she really understands how professional photographs benefit her business and this makes her a pleasure to work with.
Harriet works with creative online entrepreneurs as a business coach as well as offering consultancy services to companies. When we first met she needed professional photographs for her website and some upcoming PR opportunities. As soon as she explained that she didn’t want to use stock images since they don’t allow potential clients an opportunity to get to know the person behind the business I knew we would be on the same wavelength!
Harriet confessed to some nerves ahead of the first session since, like many people, she doesn’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. Her worries were unfounded and in Harriet’s words…
“Barbara was wonderful, we had a prep call before the shoot where she answered all my questions and gave me tips on what not to wear and we also talked about hair and make up and the need to keep it natural so people recognise me. Barbara made the shoot fun, made me feel comfortable and also was very honest when she felt an outfit wasn’t the best, which I loved. She was very creative and brought some props and you could see how passionate she was about her job. The shoot exceeded my expectations and that’s why I continue to use Barbara for my branding shoots.”
Six months later Harriet had undertaken a re-brand and recognised that it was time to refresh her images. In this second branding photoshoot Harriet also wanted some more personal “day in the life” style images to help people to get to know her. We started this session by sitting down for a lengthy discussion so that I could fully understand and incorporate the changes in the branding. We brainstormed content ideas so that we could create an image library of strong, on-brand photos that could work hard for Harriet’s business. Harriet currently uses her collection of images extensively across her social media, on her website, in magazine articles and as profile photos for various memberships.
When asked about her experiences Harriet responded;
“It all just felt very easy and stress free. I feel for the pricing the service and quality of photography is so reasonable. I also received my images back very quickly after the shoot and there is no pushy sales to purchase extra images. I will definitely be using Barbara again in future when I need new photos.”
You can see more of my photography in use and find and connect with Harriet online via the following links:
Harriet's Website
LinkedIn
Instgram
If you are interested in branding photography and would like to find out more please get in touch via the Contact Page.
]]>
Can you believe that we are almost halfway through January already? It seems like only last week that we were in a panic over Christmas. Have we forgotten anyone’s present? If we shop tomorrow would the sprouts still be fresh on Christmas day? If we leave it any longer will we still get that brand of mince pie we love? You know how it is, endless questions going through our minds as we analyse the smallest of details and then all of a sudden it’s mid-January and all forgotten.
Unfortunately we often treat our businesses in the same way as Christmas. As we prepare to launch a new business, a rebrand or a new product or service we plan and pay attention to every tiny detail making sure that nothing gets overlooked. But then time flies by faster than we realise and before we know it all that careful planning is long behind us and maybe things have evolved and changed within the business.
When did you last take the time to sit down and cast a really critical eye over the public persona of your business?
If you can’t remember, now might be a good time to grab yourself a cup of tea and really analyse the outward appearance of your business. Over time our businesses evolve, product ranges change, our personal style develops or maybe we even set off in a different direction. Outside influences come into play too, styles change and something that was once unique and on trend might now be very commonplace and maybe even a little clichéd.
Try to view your business as a potential customer and evaluate every aspect. Is your tone of voice consistent throughout your website and social media? Is your logo still unique and relevant? Sometimes a style of logo can suddenly become really popular and you might find that your logo which was once distinctive and eye catching no longer stands out.
Cast an extra critical eye over the images you are using. People often form a lasting first impression based on images alone and you don’t want that first impression to be the wrong one. If your business has evolved do your images still give the correct brand message? Are you using any images of discontinued product lines? If you are a creative business have your images kept up with changes in your style?
And finally, take a look around and see what styles of images other businesses are using, trends change and you don’t want to be left behind using photos that make your business look outdated. Business portraits are a perfect example, they no longer need to be a very formal headshot on a white background (unless of course that’s in keeping with your brand). They can be fun and quirky, relaxed and friendly or they could even be documentary in style. Customers increasingly want to feel like they know the person behind the brand so pay careful attention to this area of your photography. (If you are confused about what style of business portraits are appropriate for your business this blog post may help.)
Why am I sharing all this with you? Well even though I’m a photographer I’ve also been guilty of using outdated images on my website. One new year I was shocked when I realised they were a few years old and no longer reflected the direction of my business. So now I have a reminder in my calendar to review my images every January.
If you’d like to have a chat about your photography please head over to the Contact Page and get in touch. I’m currently offering 50% extra images with any of my commercial photography packages booked before the end of February
]]>
Will 2020 Be The Year You Make Your Business Stand Out From The Crowd?
Although we are still in December like lots of business owners my thoughts have already turned to the New Year. I’m always excited by the start of a New Year and the beginning of a new decade feels like a very special time. December is the time that I put my business under the spotlight and plan a really good “spring clean” ready for the year ahead.
I look at every area of my business with a critical eye, my branding, my website, my business cards etc. and I decide which areas are ready to be refreshed and updated. Next I ask myself whether I have the skillset to do that update myself and whether it’s a good way to use my time. If I find myself saying no to either of these questions it’s time to outsource that work to an expert and spend my time in a way that has more benefit to the business. I would highly recommended that every business has a spring clean, it really helps you start off the year feeling like you are heading in the right direction. Even if you aren’t able spring clean everything you’d like to you can get a plan in place for the rest of year!
It’s an exciting time to be a business owner. The internet and social media help to create more and more opportunities, we really are in an age where anyone can start and run a business of their own. And every year more people decide that having their own business is a path they want to pursue.
But with that wonderful world of possibility comes a downside. If anyone can start a business, and so many people are doing, how on earth can you stand out from the crowd?
The answer is simple. By using quality images that showcase your business, match your brand and tell your story.
Attention spans are dwindling, we make almost instant decisions whether we find online content appealing enough to carry on reading or whether to move straight onto the next thing that is clamouring for our attention. Whether we are aware of it or not our attention is drawn to pictures ahead of text. If the picture grabs a reader’s attention they are more likely to carry on and read the rest of the post, click on the link or visit other pages on a website. If the picture is a poor quality, uninspiring snap it’s highly likely that you will lose the reader within the first 2 or 3 seconds.
Alongside the shortening of attention spans we’ve had an explosion in mobile technology that has put a great camera in everyone’s pocket. And there’s a great temptation to use it, to take a quick selfie to use on your about page, to snap your latest product for your online shop. After all that’s what everyone else seems to be doing these days, isn’t it? Since many small and medium businesses are relying on quick phone snaps it’s really easy to make your business stand out by choosing to use high quality, bespoke imagery.
This is where I come in, I can help you with your own business spring cleaning. By taking time to get to know you and understand your business I can create a portfolio of high quality, bespoke images that reflect your brand values and your business personality. Whether you need business portraits, product images, storytelling images or a combination of all these I can work with you to ensure that your images make you stand out from the crowd on your website and social media.
Because I’m so passionate about the idea of business spring cleaning and because I’d love to help you make your business stand out I’m offering 50% extra images with any of my commercial photography packages booked during January or February.
If you are ready to make your business stand out as we start a new decade please call me on 07548 219047 or send a message via the Contact Page. I only have a limited number of commercial photoshoots available on this offer so please reserve yours as soon as possible.
]]>
For every business owner there comes a time when they need to put themselves in front of a camera. Whether it’s for the About Page on your website, your LinkedIn account or your Facebook and Twitter profiles, it’s virtually impossible to avoid the need for an image.
But do you really need a professional photographer?
After all when you post a “selfie” on Facebook you get a lot of likes, and so many people comment to say what a great photo it is. So why not just crop out your friends and family from the picture and use it for your business profile?
The harsh reality is that those people who say “great photo” aren’t really commenting on your camera skills, they are just pleased to see you having a great time. Those people who click like, at best they like that you look happy, in reality you probably just popped in their feed and they clicked that button and moved on to the next post hardly even noticing your picture.
So those likes and comments aren’t really an endorsement of your skills as a photographer and yet it saddens me to see so many business owners using exactly this sort of picture to represent their business. It saddens me not because I’m potentially missing out on business but because these business owners are not giving themselves the best chance of success.
If you happen to be in need of an accountant or solicitor who are you most likely trust, the one with a Linkedin profile picture from a night out with friends or the one with a well-lit headshot where they look professional and approachable? Most people will instinctively trust the one with the professional photo.
The same applies to any sort of business, whilst a corporate looking headshot may not be right for your business, a professional commercial or environmental portrait shows prospective customers that you take your business seriously. Not only does it build trust but it also helps you stand apart from all the other similar businesses that have settled for a quick phone snap.
So how do you know what sort of portrait will be suitable for your business?
Below you can find a quick guide with some examples to help you decide which style of image is most appropriate to attract your ideal customers to your brand. Better still why not give me a call, I’d be happy to have a chat about your business and give you some guidance on portrait styles.
Business Headshots
These are usually just head and shoulders but the same style also works for a three-quarter body shot. They will generally use a plain background, often white, and some form of photographic lighting. These are well suited to professional businesses and businesses that require a number of staff to be photographed in a consistent style. They are great for corporate brochures, websites and “meet the team” boards often found in reception areas.
Commercial Portraits
Although these can also be head and shoulder shots they often include more of the body, they could be a three-quarter shot or maybe someone sitting at a desk or in a chair. Generally a photographic background won’t be used but a location will be chosen where the background isn’t a distraction, these portraits may use photographic lighting or natural light. These are a less formal than a headshot but can still portray a professional image, they are often used on an About Page of a website to give a friendly and approachable feel to a business.
Environmental Portraits
These are the least formal portrait type but are every bit as worthwhile as the others. These portraits will include more of the surroundings, they are often unposed and can be documentary in style. They may well use available light although sometimes additional light will be needed. They are often taken in the working environment and are used to tell the story of a business. Environmental portraits are particularly suited to creative businesses but work equally well for any business that wants to tell an added story with their portraits.
Are your current business portraits creating the best possible first impression?
If not why not get in touch via the Contact Page, I’d love to have a chat about your business and how we can work together to create images to help you stand out.
]]>
"We're an honest, creative and super friendly web design and graphics agency in Swindon Wiltshire" pretty much sums up the amazing people at Gel Studios. And they also make a mean cup of tea!
The Brief
To capture the team including headshots, both fun as well as more classic, team images as well as ones where they are working.
I always include some arty images that can be used for social media and try and create images that have multi-faceted applications.
There's a strong group of personalities in the team, which has a potent vitality and energy about it. It was important to show the energy as well as the individualism of each team member.
What Gel Studios said
"Barbara's ability to capture "us" was amazing. Something we've never experienced with any photographers before. The shoot was fun and she proposed lots of varying situations to best capture everything we needed for online and offline brand purposes"
The best thing about working with creatives is the "yes" response to any of my ideas. it means the images they have are as unique and individual as they are. Understanding their brand and who they engage with all goes towards the end results.
You can find out more about Gel Studios on their website and their social media platforms. Please check them out
Website - https://www.gelstudios.co.uk
Facebook - Gel Studios
Twitter - @Gel_Studios
Linked In - Gel Studios
]]>
It’s very easy once you’ve established yourself as a professional photographer to find yourself only getting out the camera when you have a paying client. For the very small minority of photographers who only took up photography as a means to earn money it’s not a problem, but for the vast majority who first fell in love with photography as a hobby and means of creative expression personal work is essential.
When I’m not working for clients you can still find me with a camera of some sort in my hands. Some days that might only be my phone camera as I capture the beautiful Wiltshire countryside while I’m out and about. On other days you will find me with my “proper” camera on hand as I document my family’s daily life or create artistic images, often of flowers.
It may not initially seem that fine art flower photography has much in common with the work I carry out for my clients but I firmly believe that my personal photography makes me a much stronger commercial photographer.
When photographing these flowers from my garden I need to take time to study their shape, colour and texture. I need to decide which of the features are important and how I want to display these features in my photographs. I’ll need to think about lighting and how I can use the light to enhance the beauty of the flowers. The styling and layout needs to be considered, do I want to keep the images simple and powerful or do I want to add some styling and props and create an image with a lifestyle feel. For this particular set of images I don't want anything to distract from the beauty of the flowers so I've opted for a simple white background and a more graphic feel for the images.
Exactly the same thought process is involved when creating images for my commercial photography clients, the only difference is the choice of subject and how the subject is portrayed is entirely my own.
That freedom of choice allows me to exercise my creativity and explore different approaches and techniques, such as image stacking for the anemones above. Image stacking is a technique that involves combining a series of images in Photoshop to produce a final image with a maximum depth of field. It’s a technique that can be useful for photographing jewellery and other products with details that need to be clearly displayed.
If you are a photographer reading this I would strongly encourage you to pursue some form of personal photography project, choose something that interests or inspires you and explore all the different ways that you can photograph it. Use your personal work to try out different approaches, perhaps a different lens, a different lighting approach or a new editing technique. Taking time out to be creative will help you approach your client work with a new found enthusiasm.
If photography is a hobby and you are interested in exploring some new techniques but don't know where to start why not book a bespoke 1-2-1 training session? Click here for more information.
Looking for some floral art work for your home? Did you know I have an extensive catalogue of images for sale as prints? Contact me for more information
]]>
And that activity, believe it or not, is photography!
Yes, even though photography is my business there’s nothing more relaxing and therapeutic than a walk with my camera, connecting with my surroundings and shooting purely for pleasure. I’ve lived in my little Wiltshire village for several years now but every single time I wander around it with my camera it’s like seeing it all through a fresh pair of eyes. Photography allows us all to reconnect with all those little details that we stop seeing in the hurry of everyday life. It gives us the opportunity to slow down and really see the beauty of our surroundings. Regardless of where we live there are endless photo opportunities and beauty all around once we learn to see to them.
Photography gives me the excuse to go out for long walks, sometimes on my own and sometimes with friends with cameras. The combination of fresh air, creativity and exercise is meditative, calming, inspiring and thought provoking. Every time I return from a ramble with my camera I feel refreshed and revived and ready to take on the world!
I know I’m not alone in my pursuit of a quiet mind through photography, increasingly more people are coming to recognise it as a therapeutic pastime and many people now engage with photography as part of a wider mindfulness practice. But I also realise that I’m in a minority when I say that I’m happy to wander off alone with my camera so in spring and summer I will be organising a series of photo walks for people of all ages and abilities. These walks will be an opportunity to walk, chat and shoot at a relaxed pace, they won’t be a training course but I will be on hand to offer tips and guidance. Best of all they will end with coffee and cake, or tea and scones, and a chance to compare photos and marvel over how we all see the same things so very differently.
Dates and details will be announced on my Facebook Page but if you would like to receive an email as well head to the Contact Page and send me a quick message.
The photos accompanying this blog post were taken on my most recent walk around the village, after a few wet days we had a misty morning and I knew I needed to escape with my camera. The sun broke through the mist and the light was just beautiful.......