Tales of the Unexpected – Are you Prepared?

This is NOT advice on how to survive an apocalypse…however sh*t happens, and often at the worst time.

For a sole trader, an emergency can potentially harm your business, so it’s best to be prepared. Experience has taught me how to weather an unexpected storm with good habits and great connections.

Plan & schedule your Social Media marketing ahead of time – especially seasonal promotions:

My diary is irregular, my days rarely 9 to 5. So I have a regular agenda of social media posts that are scheduled at the beginning of each month. It doesn’t matter how busy I am, you’ll see a wedding photo every weekend. Any other activity is spontaneous.

In autumn 2022 Laura Sands hosted an excellent workshop on planning your Christmas marketing. The template provided was duly filled with all my social media posts, newsletter content, e-card distribution etc.

Hey presto – I had prepped & scheduled my Christmas marketing weeks ahead of time – BRILLIANT!!! I now use this template to plan all my seasonal marketing.

In the runup to last Christmas, all seasonal posts were scheduled in November and I concentrated on work and festive prep.

In the second week of December, this happened:

My head was like concrete, my energy tank empty and I was generally miserable.

I couldn’t shoot, any kind of extended office work was nearly impossible, and I had to cancel all my pre-Christmas networking events.

However, in the cyber world I was alive, kicking AND selling gift vouchers!

People emailed about January bookings and some of those queries turned into (remote) planning sessions – all I had to do was dose up on Lemsips for those….

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Take detailed client notes: everything from contact details, addresses and the journey time. Prepare a brief!

Covid brain fog was SO intense that I wrote down EVERYTHING discussed at those virtual meetings. Booking logistics were diarized and detailed briefs created immediately…before I retreated back to bed.

I do this with every client in any circumstance. Once the booking is confirmed, I write down all contact details, addresses, parking details and journey times in the diary. During this illness these good habits were my contingency plan.

So, despite having scant recollection of those December interactions, I was ready and informed for the January bookings.

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Nurture a community of peers with whom you would trust your business:

In 2017 a sudden bereavement meant dropping everything to cross the Atlantic.

Respected photographer colleagues were notified and ready to cover any bookings.

“Leave it with me” said a great friend with amazing business talents when she commandeered my diary.

She set up my autoresponder, call & email forwarding then got me to the airport. I returned to the UK attending the bookings she’d taken for me without a hitch.

Virtual Assistants like Get Ahead VA offer these services. I know that Rebecca and her colleagues would more than capably step in should something similar occur.

If you put contingency plans in place when things are going well, you’ll be ready when things go wrong.

I network regularly – there is a wealth of talent out there.

Maintaining business relationships outside of formal events is the enjoyable part as it usually involves cake.

I plan my marketing at least 4 weeks in advance and repeat any successes.

It sounds a bit obsessive, but the main work is done once when you develop a process that works FOR YOU!

There are many professionals out there that offer advice on planning and time management, see what fits.

I sound terribly organised…but most of the time I’m a free spirit easily distracted by cats….

What is the difference between a Head Shot and a Business Portrait?

I use both these terms to loosely define the diverse corporate portraits I’ve created with my business clients. So this blog is just about my thinking process.

Head Shots of a team should reflect the public personality of the business.
They often used on an “about us” or “meet the team” web page, so each portrait should follow the company brief.

A popular commission is to produce a collection of friendly and welcoming studio photos – and I am NOT a fan of forced smiles.

It is my job to encourage a confident and relaxed expression from each unique colleague so that the business presents a diverse and talented team.

Shipleys LLP

Some colleagues may regularly feature in the press so various expressions should be captured.
A smiling photo next to an article about bad news may not be well received, but I believe the subject should still look like a nice person.

Shipleys LLP

Sometimes the brief is more relaxed and informal, but the team are still directed to portray the company personality.

Knights Absorb

If an individual IS the business, they will want to appeal to or inspire likeminded clientele.

This is what I call a Business Portrait: the subject is the story of the photograph.

Images describing their personality, lifestyle, story of success and work ethic are invaluable.
Detailed preparation of locations, wardrobe, and props is essential.

Siobhan Jones Designer Glass

Rachael Lashley Personal Trainer

Reach New Heights

A client might need photographs for a press profile or a book. Often, they want an updated library of images for different purposes.

Chris Towndrow – Author & Playwright

A positive relationship with your photographer is an advantage – creating these portraits is a TEAM effort.
Make sure you are both comfortable and on the same wavelength.

A Brief Guide to Event Photography

This gallery contains 93 photos.

Every event needs a unique approach and this article outlines the basic planning I use to successfully document an occasion. Continue reading →

Alpacas: A Bigger Picture

Since 1994, my entire adult life has revolved around working with cameras. My photography business covers the usual weddings, family and corporate – but I often add the statement that I am “somewhat known” in the alpaca world.

Years ago, my great friends of Backyard Alpacas started their herd and joined in competing with fellow breeders, becoming active in The Heart of England Alpaca Group. Through them I started covering their annual Spring Fiesta and this year photographed at the BAS National Show.

Who would have thought that these strange squeaky camelids would win me over so much?
I now fling around terms like Suri, Huacaya, density and lustre like a proper armchair expert and look forward to showing season with fond anticipation.

Excitement, competition, rosettes, trophies, and titles make up these show days.
Success in the categories makes the animals desirable for breeding.
Networking amongst the owners improves bloodlines.
The one thing that has become noticeably clear to me is that the quality of the animal’s fleece nails a win!

Arkadia Alpacas at the HoEAG Spring Fiesta 2022

BAS National Show 2022 Supreme Champion
won by CS Alpacas

I am a great believer in sustainability and eco-friendly living.
In the breath after describing myself as “known in the alpaca world” I follow up with the environmental virtues of their fleece.

Alpaca fibre is one of the most sustainable products on the planet used as a material for clothing and bedding. Any fur used comes from alpacas that have died naturally and clothing made from the wool is extremely durable, incredibly warm and hypo allergenic.

Val Scane of Little Acres Alpacas

Whatever the subject, I love using my camera and every now and then I get an idea to create something (hopefully) meaningful.

It struck me while shooting at the BAS National Show that the relationship between the competition and the practical benefits of the fleece needed celebrating.
Over dinner, I floated the idea of creating images portraying actual breeders and their animals…the idea seemed well received.

Lulu Oliver of Lusi Alpacas in Northamptonshire also runs the alpaca clothing business Softly Softly.

Val Scane is the owner of Little Acres Alpacas, a small breeder in Oxfordshire.

Both these exceptional ladies are highly active in the Heart of England Alpaca Group, and I have known them for years.

We three got together aided by enthusiastic newbie handler and part-time human light stand Lucie Bourne to create these images during the HoEAG Spring Fiesta in April, 2022.

Breeder, animal, and product.
I am so pleased with the results of this visual exercise.

I hope the alpaca community appreciate the meaning of these photographs with well-deserved pride.

Alpaca products and breeding deserve appreciation and value in our society.
There is a lot more to these creatures than being exceedingly adorable!

Val Scane of Little Acres Alpacas wearing a wrap from
clothing business Softly Softly

Breeder Val Scane in a scarf by Softly Softly

Shooting a Photographer…..

So many clients start their photo shoot by saying: “I HATE having my picture taken.” I do my best to reassure and relax them while introducing an element of fun into the session.

Then it was my turn to have new portraits taken, and the tables were well and truly flipped…I am middle aged, not as svelte as I once was, possess minimal make-up skills and am often found in jeans and a T-shirt/hoody. These things were ALL I could think of as the appointed day came closer and I was a bag of nerves.

I should know better, right?? Well, we all have insecurities and that is just the way it is.

I needed someone to “handle” me – not only was I preoccupied with my appearance, but I did not want to think like a photographer. I wanted to relax.

Whenever I ask fellow photographer, Angela Melling for an opinion on anything, she gives it – and I respect her greatly for it. I knew she would be both sympathetic and very straight with me.

So, on the day I chose comfy clothes (and a more formal option just in case…), an outdoor location and managed to wash and blow dry my hair. I could not stop the nervous giggles at first but soon relaxed under Angela’s expert guidance and reassurance.

My point is – I get it. I know how most people feel in front of the lens from personal experience.

TALK to your photographer, do not be shy about your insecurities. Mutual trust makes for a great image.

Thank you, Angela!

One Small Step for Mankind…

During the worldwide lockdown of 2020, we were not using our cars as most of us had nowhere to go apart from the supermarket. The air got cleaner and the wildlife bolder as I personally witnessed when a deer crossed the road in Ashford town centre.

We all need the clean air, water and food provided by our relationship with nature and I am dismayed at the amount of damage we are inflicting on our planet.

It is easy to wrap up all the world’s problems into a neat package with a single bogeyman to blame – but every single person bears a responsibility to Mother Earth.

The challenge is vast, and our rate of consumption is a major problem. Everything is easy, available, single-use and disposable.

Be under no illusions, we PAY for this convenience. So, if the welfare of the planet does not resonate with you then concern yourself with exercising efficiency and savings.

Use less and pay for less.
Making a tiny start in reducing your everyday consumption & waste of “stuff” will ease the strain on our environment and your wallet.

First inspired by a talk at WWF years ago, I started embracing a few ideas which developed into more. Here are a few of the simplest ones:

• Reuse the blank back of paper (old correspondence, screwed up printouts etc). If 1000 people used both sides of 1 sheet of paper in one day, then 2 reams need not be produced and purchased that day for single side use.
• Make an efficient “to-do” list with that repurposed paper and plan single car journeys that run these errands together. You will travel fewer miles, use less fuel, and spend less money.
• Could you walk to do everyday tasks? If just 10 people were to walk or cycle one journey a week instead of driving it would equal 520 fewer car journeys in a year.

A typical list to streamline my vehicle use

• Upcycled old towels make great washable, reusable rags to replace some of your kitchen roll usage. Be posh and use cloth napkins.

Old towels make great washable rags

• Secret Santa this Christmas? Ditch the throwaway gift and donate to a charity or cause in the recipient’s name, or literally ask them to throw your gift of wildflower seedballs away! https://www.beebombs.com/shop; https://seedball.co.uk/shop; https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/how-to-make-wildflower-seed-balls (other brands available – including corporate giveaways!)
• Take your litter home with you if the bins are full. Putting the roast NEXT to the oven is a useless way to prepare Sunday lunch. (thank you for that analogy Michael McIntyre)

An ugly sight! An overfull bin at Chertsey Bridge.
Read: https://www.community-life.co.uk/tackling-the-litter-problem/

• If you need to wear disposable face coverings cut the straps of your disposable masks to prevent wild animals getting tangled up. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rscpa-gull-trapped-covid19-face-mask-a4504101.html
• If you can – plant some flowers or build a bee hotel for our pollinators. https://jimmysfarm.com/jimmy-save-the-bees/
• Wrinkled old veg is brilliant! The seeds & scraps can grow several more plants, and used containers make great pots for your free seedlings – they are not fussy!

Bird’s Eye Chillies grown from the seeds of a store bought packet.

Chillies & spring onions grown from cuttings and reclaimed seeds

Used containers are great for seedlings

• A reused water bottle will keep you hydrated and most petrol stations will refill it for you at no cost. Read: “Five amazing things we learnt from War On Plastic’s first episode“
• Invest in a good coffee/tea flask: it will save you money at most coffee shops. My personal recommendation is totally sealed and keeps my coffee hot for hours.

Cannot live without this!

• Boil only the amount of water you need
• Switch off unused lights and shut down your computers and TV.
• Download instead of streaming.

There is a great Facebook group called the Lazy Environmentalists: real people, real budgets and real lives sharing great advice. Someone submits a question and the community answers from their own experience.

This is a big deal to me, but I am not helpless.

Neither are you.

If YOU have great and super simple ideas – share them!

We’re Getting Married…Intimately.

Hitched!

Our everyday lives were disrupted the Covid-19 pandemic, hopes dashed on upcoming holidays, events and weddings. Many engaged couples said: “Sod it! We’ll do it anyway! We’re doing it NOW and we will party when we can!”

This covid-inspired “outside the box planning” of a smaller wedding resulted in several creative and intimate occasions. With the cost of living crisis truly upon us these smaller celebrations may well increase in popularity.

In my time as a wedding photographer I’ve photographed a couple of elopements and several small and vibrant weddings at registry offices. With small groups of people, the logistics are easier, and the nearby world becomes your photographic oyster…

As well as covering the ceremony, the portraits can be created almost anywhere. I covered a wedding at a London registry office and photographed the couple’s portraits on the steps of the Albert Hall on their way to a celebratory lunch.

Nuptials at Hammersmith Registry Office saw group photos and Bride and Groom portraits along fence rails and on balconies overlooking the Thames.

This couple eloped under the Eiffel Tower to the applause of hundreds of picnickers. We all jumped onto the metro and took photos on the Parisian streets, finishing at Gare du Nord where I caught the train back to Blighty.

Parisian Romance!

This couple’s backyard became a mini-festival!

Small is beautiful. Small weddings are a different kind of fun and present an opportunity for creative thinking.

I’ve offered small wedding packages for years now. I really want to meet couples planning their intimate wedding and provide a visual testament to their celebrations and their love.

So, if you’re planning a perfectly petite wedding, please do get in touch.

Ingrid Weel xoxo

Ciao darlings!

Looking Good on an Important Video Call

Zoom – as a verb – has a new definition, and for a lot of us it became an everyday tool in the Covid lockdowns.

At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown video communications replaced nearly all of our habitual interactions. We thrashed about in the deep end challenged by unmuting and content sharing.

Social cues, body language and “reading the room” were all but gone in a gallery of talking heads. Despite these drawbacks, video conferencing is now heavily integrated into our changed lives.

There are some simple techniques that can help, particularly for business. These techniques are advisable for those “first-contact” business meetings of any kind.

We are often distracted by our appearance on camera and end up looking at ourselves during a conference call. This is totally understandable, but to someone whom you have never met it is like checking out the rest of the room during a conversation – no eye contact.

When it is your turn to speak look at your camera. Put a mark above it to help: A simple “X”, a photo, or even prompts for your presentation. You are now engaging directly with your virtual audience.

PUT AN EYELINE MARK ABOVE YOUR CAMERA

The camera angle and height will help with your online appearance as well – not least resolving any chin insecurities. Raise the camera level to your eyes and make sure it is at right angles to the floor. Looking down at your camera is like looking down at your audience – or them looking up your nose.

Of course, if you need access your laptop keyboard this might not be possible so you could invest in an external webcam to resolve this.

IF POSSIBLE, RAISE YOUR DEVICE TO A FLATTERING ANGLE

Consider your lighting. If I shot your business portrait with half your face in shadow, it would be the last time I photographed you. These webcams are simple things and they often determine exposure by the brightest thing in the frame.

If the light is coming from the side or an overhead source, bounce it back into your face by angling a simple reflector positioned off camera. The dull side of tin foil smoothed onto a large bit of card does this brilliantly. Avoid having a window as your background unless you have additional lighting from the front.

A SIMPLE REFLECTOR CAN BE MADE WITH SOME CARD, TINFOIL AND POSITIONED WITH SOME HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS

Consider your shot and the simplicity of your background. You will want at least your head and shoulders framed if not a little more so that you can gesture if it is in your nature. You might want to put a roll up banner behind you if you have the space. Move anything distracting lower in the frame or entirely out of shot. You can also engage a virtual background to eliminate all these issues but be careful with your lighting and sudden movements.

Finally, you must prepare for these meetings as carefully as you would if you were attending in person. A lot of people are balancing their family life with working from home so changing into a suit is a challenge. Wear a plain t-shirt on a day you have a meeting scheduled, and pop your jacket on over it when it is time to log in. Use a headset if external noises cannot be helped and ask everyone in the home to at least wear clothes….

MY TYPICAL SETUP FOR AN ONLINE BUSINESS MEETING

You can practice all these tips just using your camera outside of the conferencing app or feel free to book a video chat with me to set up your “studio” ready for the next meeting.

Happy Zooming!

Related videos:

Eyeline

Camera Height

Making a reflector

A Professional Business Portrait is Vital!

“A picture is worth a thousand words”….YAWN!!!!!!!!!! Such an overused saying.
However, the truth of it cannot be ignored.

At the most basic level, everyone in business should present a professional image to their potential and existing clientele: the public. Your portrait should sit beside all of your Social Media profiles looking professional and ready to act.

Your business benefits from good reviews, so why risk unsavoury or indifferent comments or opinions? Or NO opinion at all?

A profile photo candidly snapped at a social occasion for fun is not professional – no matter HOW good you look. Save it for your personal social media platforms.

Your image need not be stuffy or boring, it can present your unique personality while conveying that you are serious and passionate about your work.

A sole trader just starting up probably works from a laptop at a dining table carefully planning every expense. Regular photography rates may be just too much.

From time to time I host Head Shot Events where I set up my portable studio for a day and business people can purchase 15 or 30 minutes of studio time for £50 and £85 respectively.

From my point of view I travel and set up once so can divide up the shoot time into affordable chunks.

Make sure you and your business are represented professionally to the world. A simple studio portrait may offer 1000 great words…

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Boudoir Photography is….FUN!!!

This gallery contains 4 photos.

I have always offered a boudoir photography service but it’s never something I’ve been able to advertise as my portfolio is all work for private clients – I didn’t relish the idea of asking if I could post their photos … Continue reading →