Location scouting

Two residents of the farm

I have had one shoot for the online fashion retailer and I have started to discuss other locations for more shoots.
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There are two types of shot we need. Number one is to show the clothes at their best, with and without a model. We'll need a plain area, white background, and slightly higher ceilings. It doesn't always have to be studio. I doubt it will be convenient for me be involved every time a new picture is needed. I'll talk to them about how they could improve the day to day pictures they use.

The second is more location based like the one a couple of weeks back. They are the type I like to most. With spring on the way I'll be looking for a park with early flowers blooming.

A friend of mine has moved to a farm. Although the only animals are horses. I thought it would be a great place to base a photoshoot. There is one planned at the end of the month. The mixture of open pasture, trees and shrubs and the stable block will give plenty of scope.

I took some pictures while I was there. David is very comfortable in front of the camera, so I included him in the shoot.

And the horses.

It wasn't just stables though. An old freight container had to be investigated.

I have used a park with gym machines and a tennis court. This will be a great place for sports clothing.

I have a shoot in London along the Thames tomorrow. I know the area quite well and street view comes in very handy for planning where we need to go.

Check back to see and read how that goes.

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Fashion shoot

The lanes around Polesden Lacey was the chosen location. It was a good one for my first collaboration with the Caroline, a fashion retailer. It is close to everyone involved. And gave us the opportunity to discuss future projects.

Caroline arrived with Louisa. She had modelled before but not for some time. They had discussed the outfits on the way to meet me. So once we chose a place to start, we didn't waste any time. The dark background of trees and bushes really helped the clothes to stand out. I am sure Caroline and Louisa will be as pleased with the pictures as I am.

The clothes Caroline had brought were summer themed and light. Unfortunately the weather was definitely not summer themed. It was cold and very windy. We had to find a sheltered area, not only to keep the dresses and hair from being blown all over the place, but also so that Louisa didn't freeze to death.

She took it all in her stride. Quickly moving from one outfit to the next. And following direction from Caroline and myself. No complaints, just a great attitude throughout. It was only towards the end that Louisa started to look cold. And I can't blame her. By then we had been interrupted by so many dog walkers, families and horses. It would have been enough to put most people off. I have never shot in such a busy location.

Here are a selection of the pictures we produced.

A great smile and warm personality, even on a cold and windy day.

That great smile again.

I have another shoot in London next month for Caroline. Looking forward to it already.

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Dream Job

 I'll be working with Marilyn again on the collaboration for the online clothes retailer.

I have posted a lot on the subject of being a full time photographer. I mentioned the different fields and my thoughts on how difficult it would be to break into them, the risks and my unwillingness to take those risks at the moment.

Then whilst out cycling with my NVL co-member I mentioned that a picture I tweeted of a bottle of Red Stripe beer I had been drinking whilst in Jamaica had got a reaction from the brewers. They only said great picture. But it was enough for Matt to say, "expect a message from them offering an all expenses paid trip to Jamaica. A tour of the brewery and a job offer to become their official photographer." I have already mentioned an unlikely job opportunity in my last post. That of a portrait photographer commissioned to travel with a wealthy family to photograph their holiday. The Red Stripe fantasy is much the same. I would spend time visiting the places in the Caribbean where Red Stripe is sold. Producing their promotional material. What a great life that would be. Combined with the family portrait travels.

How often do those types of opportunities come up?

I guess I'm waiting for that big break, or that one situation that will take my photography to the next level. If I keep moving forward, creating my own luck you could say. Then it's only a matter of time before it pays off.

I am in the early stages of a collaboration that could be the step up I'm looking for. It's with an online clothes retailer. They aren't very big at the moment. But that could change. They have been let down in the past by photographers and models. At first it won't be paid. I know what you're thinking. But this could be that chance. We have discussed models, locations, themes and clothing. So fingers crossed. Stay tuned for more news. 

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Holiday pictures

A relaxing way to spend the afternoon

I have recently returned from a trip to Jamaica to stay with family.
I thought about taking my DSRL. But decided to take a bridge camera instead. For a few reasons. The DSLR is bulky and heavy. And people tend to get a bit intimidated when it's a family trip and out comes the "big camera" as it's called. In a more formal setting. Like the recent studio session it's okay. Everyone expects and is prepared to be photographed. But around the house or family trips. Everyone just stiffens up.
The Bridge camera is okay in good conditions. It's customisable and flexible to an extent. I take it with me cycling. Pretty much all of the pictures from my biking adventures are taken with it. But I miss my main camera. It's slow. Slow to turn on and be ready to shoot. Slow to capture the picture after the shutter button is pressed. But the worst part is the wait for it to save the picture to the card. Even with a fast one it just takes too long. When taking a family portrait, I realise someone blinked. Everyone starts getting bored while they wait for me to take another shot. If I have been using the DSLR a lot and go back to this one. It really frustrates.

I'll use this post to show the other, travel photography style shots I took. I wanted to show a flavour of my trip. Not just beaches and palm trees.
There is ackee and sugar cane. I have eaten a lot of ackee. But only from a can. In Jamaica it was growing in the garden. From a can it doesn't have much flavour. But fresh, wow, it is a whole different taste. Then there is the beer. Red Stripe. Sitting on the veranda drinking Red Stripe in 28 degrees and sunny weather. Whilst listening to Heart FM on internet radio. It's freezing cold at home. It can't be beaten. With only the dogs barking at people walking too close to the fence disturbing the peace.

I just took it really easy for the two weeks. So I didn't take a lot of pictures. But the ones I did take have some thought behind them. I hope it shows. Let me know what you think.

This visit got me thinking about a career in family holiday portraiture. How good would it be travelling the world photographing a family's holiday? I had it all planed. The contract would say how many hours a day I would follow them around. How much time I would spend each day processing the days pictures. And how many they should expect after the holiday. Just think of all the great places I would see.

But then the two weeks we're up and it was back to work.

ocho rios bauxite mine used to film some scenes from Dr No

Ackee growing in the garden

Ackee and sugar cane

And the guard dogs, taking it easy

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A change of career.

There are many ways to make a living from photography. 

I have wondered what it would be like being a travel photographer. At first glance it seems very glamorous. Traveling the world, at someone else's expense. Visiting great places and staying at nice hotels. 

But it is more likely not that easy. Like any photography career. It will be difficult to break into.

I at first tried to get a foothold in motorsport. But it was not to be. I worked with a pro photographer, and for a while was the pro, providing pictures for an Autograss club. But gradually more people assumed I should provide pictures for free. I wasn't intent on making a living from it. Just to cover some of my expenses incurred attending the events. I started thinking that they didn't really value my pictures. Once it became clear that was the case it took some of the enjoyment out of it. Then a mechanic started taking pictures and giving them away. 

The pro photographer I worked with didn't have enough extra work to give me regular opportunities. The work I did gave a valuable incite into making a living. Anticipating what the client wants. And it gave me access to areas of race tracks I wouldn't have normally had. So it was a very good experience. I did get a few pictures in the Autograss magazine, but mainstream magazine publications and commissions eluded me.

Landscape photography appears to be very speculative. And for me too much of a risk. I know I could produce pictures in my spare time. I'm just not sure how to get the business of selling prints started.

Over the past few years my portraiture portfolio has improved a great deal and I have developed a style of my own. But it's the move to selling my time and knowledge that I am having trouble with. 

There is wedding photography of course. I'll need to gain experience and a portfolio. But it is a stressful job. You only get one chance to get it right. 

And like everything I do. I wouldn't commit to a photo shoot or wedding commission if I didn't think I could do it.  I know some would say yes and worry about how to deliver later.  But not me.  

Maybe that's the problem, I'm not a risk taker. And I would need to be for a change in career.

This post isn't meant to sound like I'm complaining or think I am owed a living from photography. I applaud anyone who has made the change I am thinking about. 

This year I will keep building my portfolio and experience but focus more on marketing what I can deliver for people.

I enjoy photography.  Should I risk changing that in an attempt to make a living?

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Calendar

The idea started at the beginning of the year. I mentioned it in my last blog. I want two things for my photography in 2017.

A purpose and a new way to display my work.

A calendar will give me both.

I'm have now started planning and contacting models.

I don't want to have only one or two locations or models. So it will take a few sessions.

I'm using Pinterest to gather pictures of outfits and posing ideas. I'll share them with the models. We can discuss what they have available that fits the theme.

It's a good way to ensure there are no misunderstandings.

I have some ideas for locations. But this time I can't rely on scouting the area as the shoot progresses. This worked before because I knew the areas. This time around I won't have been there with the intention of completing a photo shoot. I want to ensure the area is as I remember it. A visit beforehand will be needed. I could also take some pictures, use them for a montage on the back of the calendars. Display them in a scrap book style. Or to look like a scattered pile of polaroids.

Of course I also want more opportunities like the family photo shoot a while back.

If I keep posting my thoughts on this blog and the results of my photography on Facebook, twitter etc. They might come me way.

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Please checkout my website and facebook page. And leave a comment about this post. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this or any blog post.

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