I'm Back ....

It's been such a long time since I updated this blog..so here goes ....

The last update was October 2012 so what's happened since.  Well Christmas for a start.  Last year we decided for the first time to go away for Christmas to St Lucia.  It was really nice to have some winter sunshine after a terrible and wet summer.  Both Rob and I were so tired and really needed to get away from home and re-charge our batteries.  I have to say it was a bit strange being on a beach on Christmas Day....it was lovely and relaxing though and just what we both needed.  We arrived back home on New Years Eve and somehow felt a bit strange as there was no Christmas tree in the house, that was a first. In a very strange, almost as if we had missed Christmas altogether !  No busy supermarkets where everyone is shopping like it's the end of the world !  Would we go away again over Christmas ? Yes but somewhere cheaper, we travelled to a Sandals resort which was adults only, all I can say was that it was totally overpriced especially when you are travelling from the UK and full of some very noisy people...I will say no more.

Is That a Birdie?

A couple of weeks ago, what started out as a normal day in the office took a slightly different turn.  An email popped into my Inbox with the subject header ‘Professional Freelance Photographer Required’.  My initial thoughts were ‘well you have the wrong person’, I am just a mere amateur dabbling when I get the opportunity.  On reading further it was all around the annual golf day that the part of the company I work hold.   I know in the past they have always used a professional photographer, but this time there just wasn't not the money in the budget to do so.  As a result my name was put forward (thank you Mr Pellow) as they knew I was a keen photographer.  The rest is history, although they couldn’t pay me I would get a day out of the office, my own golf buggy and a three course meal...well what could I say !

I have to say I was a little anxious not having done anything like this before and of course the weather was a little worrying as the previous week there had been nothing but rain.  Thank you to my friend Richard Danter for your tip about using a plastic shower cap to protect the camera/lens if it did rain.  Although it would have been a bit of a dilemma if it did, do I keep my hair dry or protect my equipment ?  Answer, take two shower caps!  I need not have worried as the day was perfect, although far too sunny for a photographer.  Getting group shots on the first tee that was swathed in sunshine was almost impossible but I did my best.

For a first timer doing something like this I don’t think I did too bad.  I did some research online and got some good advice from some other photographers (thanks Neil).  It was slightly daunting as I wasn’t sure where I should stand as I didn’t want to put them off their game by standing in their eye line.  I seemed to just keep popping out from behind trees!  I think there is a name for peope like that!

 I think in all there were about 35 people playing in various groups of 3’s and 4’s. I did my best to get as many shots as possible and the banter was great. A few choice words when shots didn’t go so well but always followed by an apology if I was close by ...such gentlemen!

 All the guys seemed pleased with the results.   I am always very self critical and as I always think ‘I could have done better’, but that’s my ongoing challenge. Hopefully if they ask me again next year there will be more than one photographer (Luke, that's you !!)

So here comes the birdie, and yes it was me !  I did get some rather odd looks from other players on the course not connect with my office wondering who the hell this woman was with the big lens !

I was really pleased hat I didn’t get lost on the golf course, I didn’t get hit by any golf balls and I didn’t crash the golf buggy!

Thanks guys for a great day.

 

Jackie x

Strike A Pose

A somewhat unusual post this time with me being one of the subjects of the photoshoot rather than the 'shooter' (and that's with a camera and not a gun !!). 

So let's rewind a little for some background....my lovely and gorgeous friend Jess from work asked me if I would be interested in going with her for a photoshoot that she had a special offer for, my immediate thought was 'hmm a chance to have a look around and ask some questions' so yes why not !  Any opportunity I can get to learn something is always valuable for me as working full time, any courses and training really isn't easy unless they are at weekends.

We met at Waterloo Station at 11am and started to make our way to Studio 52.  Our appointment wasn't until 1.15 but we wanted to drop our bags off and then make the most of being in London and go for lunch (yes ladies that lunch ...quite like saying that !!).  So with bags dropped off we needed a drink (non alcoholic...far to early ..) and some food,  Luckily Jess knew of a great place just round the corner from the studio called The Townhouse ..lovely place and definitely one for 'celebrity spotting' ..sitting outside and who walks past ...none other than Ralph Feinnes ...and yes he was rather easy on the eye ...well we can look can't we ?

Lunch out of the way and time to head back to the studio...and feeling a little anxious ...really don't like being on the other side of the camera ...definitely out of my comfort zone.   Anyway, it was really nothing to worry about as the folks at that the studio were great ..someone to meet and greet you and explain what will happen and then into hair and make-up.  They did ask prior to this what look we wanted and we both said 'glamarous' ..let the transformation begin ...I have to admit this bit for me was great, feeling pampered and the MUA's were all brilliant. All had worked on various things from music videos with the Black Eyes Peas to Bollywood Movies to name just a few.

So all 'glamed up' and time to meet our photographer ...in walks Abby with a huge smile on his face which immediately put us both at ease.  The 'sets' they use (there were about 6) were on the floor below and Abby kindly carried our bags containing various outfit changes.  After looking at what we bought it was time to change and get started.   He took some pictures of us together first and then individually.  I know Jess won't mind me posting this one with her in as she looks totally gorgeous .. and yes I was wearing clothes ,,, a strapless dress before you ask !!

Love that black wallpaper too !!

I know I can speak for Jess here as well that we both felt completely and totally at ease with Abby, he gave great direction throughout the shoot and only when I started asking questions about 'what aperture are you shooting at' 'what ISO are you on' did he get an inkling of my interest but I have to say he was brilliant and answered all my questions !!

We both had four outfit changes and various sets were used.  I have to say that I really enjoyed myself, much more that I thought I would.  Like many people I have never really liked having my picture taken, but on seeing the results, I was amazed and kept thinking 'is that really me' ??  I won't bore you all with too many pictures as some are already on my Facebook timeline, suffice to say this will probably be the first and last time for me to be on the other side of the camera !

We both left the studio many many hours later with lighter purses (it's not cheap) but what an experience ...something that I may not ever do again but hey...I felt GOOD ....and what a confidence boost which we all need from time to time.

I will finish by saying if you get the opportunity, and I know some cool photographers (see my links page oh and not forgetting me!) have a photo session ......something you can look back on for years to come and say 'yes that was me !!'

Hitchin Lavender Farm

I haven’t really been doing much on the photography side at the moment due to work and other commitments.  I did however manage a visit to the beautiful Hitchin Lavender Farm.  As well as having the opportunity to practice a little more on other types of photography, we actually wanted some advice on lavender.  We have planted lots in our garden (mainly to attract the bees due to the declining population) and also it looks nice. 

We arrived at about 10.30 and after a quick coffee (great little cafe there) we made our way over to the lavender field.  They do charge £4.00 each for adults which is fair enough, it is a business after all.  For that £4.00 they do give you a small bag and some scissors and you can cut as much as you like. I was more interested in taking pictures and getting there early was key as it does get very busy. 

This is a great location for a photoshoot if you are local, there was one going on when we were there. 

I was trying lots of different things from sitting down in the lavender, which was a little worrying at all the bees were buzzing round my head to trying to capture the lines it made up and down the hill. 

Meanwhile Rob was armed with my compact camera doing his own thing.

This is very much farming community as there are lots of other fields nearby and a fair bit of harvesting going on when we were there.  We probably stayed about an hour and a half by which time it was filling up and difficult to get shots without other people being in them. Then the clouds started looking grey as the photo underneath shows we decided it was time to go.

Definitely worth a visit, we learnt that there are actually 39 different varieties of lavender !  I am not surprised so much of ours looks different.   Check out there website for more information www.HitchinLavender.com.

 Thanks for stopping by ...

Jackie xx

Lucetta, David and a wedding ....

First and foremost I am not a wedding photographer and I have no intention of venturing into that area of photography. Far too stressful !  However, when my lovely friend from work Lucetta announced she was getting married the conversation naturally got around to wedding photography.   A friend was going to do the wedding photography for them and I asked the question, ‘who is going to do the photographs of you getting ready at the hotel?’ which I then found out was something Lucetta hadn’t thought about.  I therefore offered my services as I knew I could do this and there wouldn’t be too much pressure!

Lucetta was getting ready at the Petersham Hotel about a 10 minute drive away from the venue which was ideal, it made sense for us to book into the hotel the night before so I was ready on hand when the make-up artist arrived at 9am on Saturday morning. I was more nervous than she was and didn't sleep very well the night before probably to do with a nightmare about downloading my card and there was nothing on it !   I did however manage to get some great shots of Lucetta getting ready.

The hotel had some wonderful features and an amazing staircase which we made use of.  Thankfully the hotel was very quiet and any other guests we saw kept out of the way !

Another few areas I was helping out with were getting some shots of Lucetta coming down the aisle with her dad.  Ian the other photographer was also the best man so couldn’t really do these shots.  So there I was sitting up the front with the registrar, camera in hand (which I was hoping wasn’t going to shake) ...and the music started.  Next thing I knew I was clicking away ...

I managed to get lots more shots during the day from David and Lucetta signing the registrar to them cutting the cake, the speeches, room/table shots,  and lots of candid outside shots of them and the guests...phew  ......

One thing I would like to say at this point is a huge ‘thank you’ to all my friends from work who kept Rob company during the day, I think I only saw him during the sit down meal and one of the only photographs I was in !

By 8pm I was completely worn out and we said our goodbyes to the happy couple.  I have such great admiration for the professional wedding photographers out there, keep up the good work,  I don't know how you do it ...

It was such a pleasure to be part of Lucetta and David’s special day, I know they now have lots and lots of photographs from me, Ian and all the other guests who were snapping away.

Congratulations David & Lucetta !

The Studio Is Finally Ready !!

After all the ups and downs at the beginning of the year I was beginning to wonder if I would ever get my little studio finished.

Well tah dah ..welcome to my studio ....

Now everything is set up it means that when Rob comes home from work the lounge furniture is where is should be ‘in the lounge’ !!  It also now means that if I want to go and practice something I can without having to unpack everything, set it up, then pack it all away again when I have finished.  Now this doesn’t sound too difficult you may think, but when you do a full time job, have to cook dinner and various other ‘housey’ things it does make a difference !!

So everything is ready, now I need a model, step forward my lovely friend Heidi who has recently given birth to her first child.  What an opportunity and challenge for me, not only was this an opportunity to christen the studio, but also my first ‘newborn’ photoshoot.  .

Say hello to Phoebe Mae who was born on the 31^st May.

I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better model.  She was simply perfect and no little ‘accidents’ either!  It was an absolute pleasure and joy to photograph her, posing her and moving her around was so easy, she occasionally stirred, opened her eyes, looked at me,  then she was back in the land of nod. 

Lighting this new vinyl background is very different from lighting the Lastolite hi-light cube background.  I haven’t cracked this new set-up yet,  but at least I can now experiment.  My friend and fellow photographer Jo said it took her several attempts to get the look she was after so there is hope.  Thanks again to Jo and Richard for the hints and tips on the editing side too, so much to learn and so little time !  I think my next purchase will be from the local DIY centre as I need something I can use as flags, now that’s a whole different story !

Thank you so much to Heidi, Stuart and nanny Penny for coming round and being my models for the day.  It was a truly wonderful experience for me to be able to be part of creating some wonderful memories for you all to look back at over the coming years.

The best part for me was the email I received from Heidi, and I am sure she won’t mind me quoting a little bit from it ......

“You had me in tears again last night, thank you so so much, we love every single photo, so beautiful & loved the music you put along to them too, you've done a fantastic job & we are so grateful, it’s such a special gift & means so much to us!  Thank you so much”

For me, this is what my photography is all about ...

Thanks to all my lovely friends and family for their support and patience.

Love to you all, until next time

Jackie xxx

p.s. Ladies watch this space, Alex the gorgeous fitness model wants to do another photoshoot.  Well it would be rude to say no wouldn't it ??

Singapore Sling (or mojito in my case)

They let me out again recently !  Well they do let me do 'long haul' every few years when the business need is there.  I was lucky enough to be able to visit our Singapore office again recently for the third time.  This trip was different though, I was not travelling alone but with my friend and work colleague Richard who I have to say was the perfect travel companion ! Previous trips I have travelled on my own, and whilst Singapore is a very safe place with a very low crime rate, I still didn't feel like going out for a meal or a drink on my own but maybe that's just me.

The trip started well as we were lucky enough to fly to Singapore on a brand new Quantas A30 airbus (one of those new huge things) and wow was it good.  You didn't even feel like the plane had taken off, and soooo quiet, hardly any engine noise. Sadly I didn't sleep which was frustrating as I knew the 'jet lag' would get me big time as it has done in the past.

As this was a 'business trip' I really didn't have the room to take my DSLR which was a shame.  A laptop case and handbag was all I could manage.  Maybe I should look in to buying one of those camera come handbags like the ones by Jo Totes.  So I had to make do with my little compact camera, which I have to say has been playing up of late, not sure why but that will teach me to buy a Nikon !

The weather in Singapore is tropical  at a constant 30 -32 degrees.  Amazing thunder and lightning storms that disappear as quickly as they appear,  The humidity levels of between 70-90 % really take it out of you when you are not used to it !  Marina Mandarin hotel was pleasant enough, however I wished we had booked into the Shangri-La where I had stayed in the past as this was much nicer. 

Couple of views from my window ....

And one from when I couldn't sleep ......

One place I really wanted to visit was Raffles, the home of the famous 'Singapore Sling'....and wow what a place.  I have no idea how much it would be to stay at this hotel but it's not cheap.  Blessed with an imagination,  the place evokes something of a bygone era.

We visited the famous 'Long Bar' which I understand was inspired by the Malayan plantations of the 1920's.  The large wooden boxes of unshelled peanuts are found on each of the tables and patrons are encouraged to drop the shells on the floor, something I struggled with for a while making nice little 'neat' piles on the table.  I have to say that eventually I did dispose of them on the floor with one big sweep with a beer mat, and it felt good !!!

All in all, a very good trip, got loads of work/training done (despite the jet lag) and it's always nice to spend time with the folks in the Singapore office.  I hope I get the opportunity to visit again as this is a wonderful (albeit very expensive) place with friendly and charming people.

Now sadly back to the reality of the UK climate ..... rain and cold, and some sad news that a friend and fellow photographer David has decided to give up photography.  A real shame to lose someone as talented as he is.  He kindly took some great shots of me a while back which I use as my profile pictures on this blog and the one on my FB page.  I hope one day we will see him back but in the meantime wish him lots of luck for the future in whatever direction he decides to take next. 

Signing off for now ...hoping to set up my studio over the next few months so will be looking for models again in the near future. Watch this space....

Love to you all and thanks for stopping by ....

Jackie xx

P.S.  I am pleased to report that there was NO flicking of eye masks across the cabin either on the outbound or return flights this time :)