Portrait Photography

Images of Andalucia

2008-06-06T10:19:00.002Z

Below are some favourite images from a recent trip to Andalucia. We visited the beautiful cities of Granada and Malaga. Granada of course has the magnificent Alhambra Palace which boasts some of the finest views you'll ever see. I was really impressed with Malaga however. This is a city I've never really visited properly before and I was pleasantly surprised.

All of these were taken on my back up camera - the Canon 20d. This I only use when my main cameras go wrong which is quite rare. So its useful to get to know it just in case.

My new toy

2008-05-31T13:33:00.003Z

I've always wanted a Leica camera and decided last month to invest in the digital rangefinder M8.

Being a rangefinder there is no mirror (as you find with all SLR cameras) and therefore no shutter vibration meaning that you can use it more effectively in low light. The absence of a mirror means that light beams enter the sensor at a higher angle guaranteeing excellent photographic quality. It is what gives the Leica its unique aesthetic. I also like its small compact size which I find is a real advantage for documentary and wedding photography. The only thing I don't like is the price !

I gave it a good work out when I visited Tim and Hannah whose wedding I'm photographing in Wells Cathedral in September this year. We also visited the nearby Glastonbury Tor and below are some of my favourite images.

Images of Barcelona

2008-04-28T15:44:00.004Z

Here are some images from a recent trip to Barcelona. I always like to carry my cameras wherever I go and to practise new techniques and capturing the defining moment. I love the work of Doisneau, Erwitt and Cartier Bresson who have had a huge influence on my photography. Hopefully you can see some of their influence in these images.

Mum's to be

2008-03-27T16:36:00.005Z

Here are a few favourite images from some recent Mum's to be sessions. These are becoming increasingly popular here in the UK having been so for some time in the United States. As you can see, partners can be included in the session as well. These make excellent gifts as well as documenting one of the most important times in a life.

Makeovers and Model Portfolios

2008-03-08T15:11:00.003Z

Back in the 80's and early 90's we regularly did studio shoots with professional make up included. This was very popular at the time and often I was amazed how someone could be completely transformed by soft lighting and photographic make up. In a few cases people's lives were transformed by having more self confidence.

For whatever reason the demand for this gradually disappeared and at the same time one or two large companies in London specialised in this. I still do the odd one now and then and have recently teamed up with a local company www.professionalmakeup.co.uk . As well as studio make up they specialise in fashion makeovers and wedding makeup. So if you are considering a makeover, fashion shoot or need make up for a wedding, check them out. Ask for Maria or Lisa Marie.

Images of Auschwitz

2008-03-03T16:36:00.003Z

Following on from my last post about the trip to Krakow in Poland here are some images from the trip to Auschwitz.

This is a place I've always wanted to visit and to photograph what remains. As you can see below it was a bitterly cold day which added to the bleakness and desolation of the place. They say it is a place where the birds don't sing and I can certainly vouch for this. Despite its terrible history it had a certain poignant beauty about it.

All of these images were shot full frame on a Canon 5D with just one lens - 35mm 1.4. This is a great documentary lens which more or less represents the scope of the human eye. Most of the shots were taken wide open @ f1.4 with the ISO set @ 400 to 3200 as the light faded.

Wedding photography meeting in Krakow

2008-02-28T13:33:00.006Z

Each year my friend and colleague Greg Placzek http://www.moment.com.pl arranges a small informal get together for wedding photographers. This is in the beautiful historic city of Krakow in Southern Poland. As well as myself there were 2 other photographers from Kent and 2 from the Netherlands.
Greg arranged some models for us - Aga, Lukasz and Marta who were happy to pose around the freezing streets of Krakow much to the amusement of the locals. This is an excellent opportunity to try out new ideas many of which you would not risk on a real wedding day or have the time to do. One of these was was using a video light which provides fantastic fashion style lighting. It was also an opportunity to visit several attractions including the Jewish old town and the famous salt mines. This is an amazing place where a church has been carved out of the salt many hundreds of metres below ground (images 4th and 6th down). We also spent a day visiting Auschwitz. I'll post these images later.

This was an excellent trip. Krakow is well worth a visit and I must mention the fantastic food and warm hospitality we received. A big thanks to Greg and the models for making this so memorable.

St Nicolas - Sixty Sixty for Sixty Years Appeal

2007-06-29T15:38:00.001Z

My local church - St Nicolas in Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley is raising funds for their Sixty Sixty for Sixty Years. Sixty Sixty represents the amount they are aiming to raise - £6060. This will go to a very worthwhile cause - 2 local children's hospices - Naomi House and Helen House - which will help families in their most difficult times. Sixty years is also the length of time St Nicolas has been in existence.

So to help out I have decided to offer a very special promotion.
Basically I will offer a portrait session and print - total value £100. This will be available to you for just £25. The full £25 will then be donated to the appeal. Not only that, but if you decide to purchase extra prints afterwards then I will donate 10% of what you spend as well.

If you are interested please call me direct on 0118 966 7676 or email me. Please mention the Sixty Sixty appeal when you do so. When you arrive for your session you need to bring a cheque for £25 payable to the appeal or cash. This will then be passed on to the church at a later date. This offer is open until SUNDAY 15th JULY 2007. So please contact me before then to avoid disappointment. Please remember you can have your session any time before or after this date.

This is a really worthwhile cause so please help as much as you can. Remember, you will have a beautiful to portrait as well to cherish for many years after.

Thank you - Neil.

2007-06-29T15:38:00.000Z

Portrait of a sculptress

2007-05-22T10:04:00.000Z

I do quite a lot of commercial portraits these days. These are for people who want images for promotional purposes such as websites and general advertising.

Karen is a local sculptress who needed some new images for her website. She specialises in mythical figures and wanted some shots to accurately represent her style - 'something ethereal, magical almost pre raphaelite'. We decided to use a woodland and lake area about 5 minutes walk from my studio. With outdoor portraits the clothing is absolutely critical and can make or break an image so we decided on a simple plain white dress. I love the work of the pre raphaelites in particular Millais and Rossetti so this particular job was hugely enjoyable.

Anyway please check out Karens website - www.spellbound.eu.com She does some really great and interesting work.

Charities and fund raising

2007-04-24T09:49:00.000Z

I get quite a lot of charities (and school associations in particular) asking for donations, raffle prizes, vouchers etc....
I am always keen to help out and have donated to many worthwhile charities, (Breakthrough in particular) school fetes and so on.

Instead of giving the odd prize which may raise a small amount I have come up with a better idea.
I am prepared to sell photography vouchers for £25 which will entitle the purchaser to £100 worth of studio photography. The complete £25 will then be passed on directly to the charity.
The voucher holder can then book a session for a family, children, baby whatever they wish.

The vouchers can be sold at an event, online or by phone. This can be advertised on this blog as well as the charity blog/website and also in their programme and literature.

If you are interested please feel free to contat me.

Neil

Holiday Photos

2007-04-17T13:41:00.000Z

During the easter break we took the kids to Holland for leisure and to visit family. We stayed at a holiday centre called Landal - very similar to Centre Parcs but about a quarter the price. This was on the beautiful island of Schouwen - Duiveland which is almost completely below sea level and has some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever find.

This was also an excellent opportunity for me to try out my camera with fixed lenses (non zoom). With zoom lenses you can become a bit lazy so I thought it would be a good experiment to try fixed lenses. It certainly made me look harder as well as having to move more. Anyhow it was a great experiment and below are some of my favourite shots.

In the bottom 2 images I am actually below sea level which is just beyond the dyke. I also particularly love punchy black and white photography so this was useful as well.

Getting Started - A career in Photography

2007-04-16T10:42:00.000Z

Ben is an A level photography student who left a question on my blog about getting started in photography. I am frequently asked this question so I thought it would be useful to post my comments here.

Most photographers like myself are one man bands and may employ one or two others, usually part time. So to get any employment with a studio is extremely difficult. However there are nationwide companies like Venture who employ a lot staff and always have vacancies. In fact there are local branches in Reading, Twyford, Marlow and Eton. So there are possibilities here.
Venture are also very committed to training and qualifications so this would be an excellent career start.

If you do not wish to pursue this route then the answer is to be self employed. The problem here is that there are many more doing this compared to when I started in the mid eighties.
This is mainly the result of the digital revolution (making it much cheaper to start up) and the internet. Anyone now can set up a website and use images from seminars and courses they attended. Basically there are no barriers to entry and qualifications and diplomas are not necessary. There is an abundance of excellent courses and seminars to help on the technical and artistic side. However at the end of the day we need to earn money, make a profit consistently over the years. It is all very well taking great photos but if your marketing and selling isn't right then you won't survive.

In summary I would recommend the following -

* decide which area of photography you want to pursue ie weddings, portraits, fashion, editorial, commercial etc... or perhaps a few of these.

* decide whether you wish to be employed or self employed.

* study and look at good photography. Constantly practise new ideas and techniques. You can use friends and family to help. As you do this opportunities may arise, people talk, the word spreads.

* if you wish to be self employed then learn and study business practise and marketing first and foremost. There are many evening classes and part time courses offering this.

* if you are self employed decide on your USP (Unique Selling Point). Why should a client choose you over the 50 others in your area ? I cannot emphasise this point enough.

* be different. This really follows on from the point above. Do not follow the crowd.

* be prepared for set backs but be focused and forward thinking.

I hope this has been useful and I haven't disillusioned you too much. Photography can offer you an excellent and satisfying career. However it is not easy and be prepared for setbacks. With the right amount of hard work and determination (and a little luck) you can do it.

An overview

2007-03-23T16:27:00.000Z

We have now been in business 24 years, so next June 2008 will be our 25th anniversary. Many of our earliest wedding and portrait customers have had children and granchildren. It is quite common for us to now photograph their extended three generation families and their children's weddings as well.

We have seen huge changes in our industry particularly over the last 10 years with the digital revolution. From a customer point of view it means much more choice and instant viewing of images. We can also offer retouching, different effects and can also move heads from other images. In fact the possibilities are endless.

The digital revolution has also meant more and more coming into this industry. First of all it is much cheaper to get started. Once you have the equipment all you need is a website and hey presto - you're a photographer ! A lot of what I see coming in is complete and utter rubbish.
Each week I see another 'lifestyle' photographer who does 'relaxed and informal' work.

There are however some exceptions which is good for everyone. One in particular is Venture
They produce some great stuff and are setting the trends. In fact I was involved with them for several years. I set up the Reading branch which I ran for about 3 years. I decided, however, it wasn't for me and consequently sold up and returned here in November 2004.
I love their style of work, although mine is more muted. You can still see, however , some of their influence in my work.

Hello and welcome

2007-03-13T13:39:00.000Z

Welcome to my new portrait photography site and blog. This has been a long time in the making
and again many many thanks to Patricia for being so patient.

I'm really pleased with it, having it designed similar to my wedding photography website

I have been so incredibly busy these last few months and have'nt had time to post on the blog.
Anyhow I have now managed to find some time and hopefully I'll be able to post on a more regular basis. I hope you enjoy it as I promise to make it as interesting as possible.

Neil