I was doing a bit of back reading on my blog the other day and I realised it's been a while since I've run one of my lifestyle portrait training days. I love holding these days and to me one of the best parts has always been seeing the theory put into practise by the people who came. However there's always been a drawback in that previously I've charged for this service which I realise has restricted some peoples abilities to attend. This saddens me as I've always loved sharing my techniques and encouraging others to go for it when taking pictures.
However things have changed! I'm super excited to write about this today on my blog as I've just finished putting the final pieces together that makes it possible to hold this event at no charge. A major reason behind that fact is the day has been sponsored by Crooked imaging. Those that know me know that I'm pretty careful about who I do business with and who I allow myself to be associated with, have no doubt I only promote products and businesses who I have a firm belief in. Crooked imaging is an on-line photography accessory website that provides an excellent service providing often hard to get widgets for the UK market. Please before you buy anything for your photography needs check out the website here www.crookedimaging.co.uk . Simon who runs the site has an excellent knowledge of his products and provides an excellent reference when you're looking for something that will make your life that little bit easier. Those that are coming on the 8th May (join my facebook group for full details) will be able to meet him and see he's a genuine guy.
Those people that have already joined my facebook page (click on the fanpage link on the right) will know for the last couple of weeks I've been organising the FREE training day for anyone who wants to come. It's something I'm super excited about and I feel sure it's going to be the start of something really big. If things go well I've got thoughts of making it a regular event and I'm determined to keep it free (or as close as it can be) to ensure anyone who wants to come along can do.
The full details of the first free portrait training day are on the facebook page here join the group and add yourself to the event (on the left of the page) so I know who's coming. There's no catch and I promise I won't try and convert you to any strange or weird religious cults.
I haven't put them in any order and like all things they are completely down to personal taste but it might be a start and I'm always looking to try and reduce any stress from my couples wedding days that I can. If you click on the link it will take you to the tune on you tube (as long as they haven't been removed).
Pin It This weekend I headed over to Peldon near Colchester where I was due to meet up with Hannah and Dylan at Hanna's parents house. it was great to meet up after we had spoken a few times on the phone and could finally put a face to a name. We sat and discussed their plans for the day then set off to capture some images. If you watch the slideshow below I think you'll see the fun we had, I don't think Hannah stopped smiling all afternoon, even when wading through the sludge and mud. I thought the shots came out great, hope you enjoy them. You can download this slide show (and any of the others on this blog) from i-tunes by clicking here. You can then add them to your i-phone or video i-player etc.
I have to say some of the judges comments are just wrong. A good photographer would be able to get a good image regardless of what camera they are using and how much it costs. I mean does anyone believe all Ferrari owners are good drivers?
So if you can't judge a book by it's cover what should a couple do? Well in most cases it's a case of asking friends who they would recommend. The problem with that is of course they only had the experience of one photographer on their day so what makes them the expert?
The answer for me is a test drive. Any bride who calls me (e-mail etc) will know the very first thing I do is offer a free pre wed shoot, no strings attached. Once they've seen the pictures then we can they will know exactly what they will be getting for their day.
If they're happy with the pictures we can then move on with arranging their day. Peace of mind for all involved. I really love my job and I want to remove as many worries from the couple prior to the day as possible .... haven't they got enough to worry about?
Don't believe me .... call my bluff 01376 567 995, It'll be one less thing to keep you awake at night. Of course if you live more than an hours drive from me travel costs will apply.
Is there anything more annoying in life than an intermittent fault? You know the sort of thing, like the car that only starts when it feels like it but behaves perfectly every time it's taken anywhere near a garage.
On the wedding last weekend one of my flashes decided to work to rule. I'm sure anyone who takes pictures will realise that the timing of an image is a vital aspect when capturing real moments in time. The last thing a photographer needs is that nagging thought of, is the camera going to fire when I push the button. Of course I try and plan for every eventuality and is one of the reasons I carry so much equipment on a wedding. My car is heavily loaded with up to 5 cameras and three separate flashes, not including spare tripods and studio lighting etc. The majority of the equipment never sees the light of day and stays securely in the boot but the thought of it being there just makes the nerves settle that much easier.
So having successfully substituted the faulty kit and finished the job it was time to inspect the camera and flash for anything obvious. It became apparent that a trip to the repair shop was in order. A trip into Central London (Oh Joy) to Fixation and quick chat with the repair team sees me leaving my camera/flash with them to investigate and report. Fixation are authorised Nikon and Canon (apparently some people use Canon) repairers and also have a thriving hire and sales section. It's interesting to spend half an hour or so just looking at the various equipment they have on display. I must admit I was very tempted by the roller style camera bags, perfect for those long haul flights and a really cool solar panel for running a laptop ... hmmmm.
A couple of days later a phonecall tells me the camera is ready, the culprit being the hotshoe, I had guessed this to be the case and was pleased when my theory was confirmed. I had feared a chase the fault exercise, where everything that can be replaced is replaced in an effort to find a fault (I used to work in the motor trade). I've tested it several times and all seems in order. The true test will be this weekend at a Bar mitzvar i'm shooting, The backups are all on charge just in case.
So all in all I'm very pleased with the service ... just wish they weren't in the city.
Pin ItOccasionally I get really lucky and this weekend was no exception. I was chosen to photograph Corie and Josh's fantastic wedding in Amite, Louisiana (near New Orleans).
Click on the photograph or here to view some of the pictures.
Because I had a shot a wedding on the previous Sunday it meant I hadn't managed to get a flight till the Wednesday. So there was little time for a pre wedding planning meeting or reconnaissance of the venue. To add to that I was told that for the previous week it had pretty much rained every day, so it was looking likely that the English weather had come in front of me.
However on the day the sun came out and gave us a fantastic day to work with, i don't think I've ever worked with so much light, a truly fantastic event.
Pin ItI had a little chuckle to myself today. One of the things that can become annoying is when people see your work and say something like, wow what a great picture what camera do you use?
I heard the perfect reply today, "I got it from this really great shop where Shakespeare bought all those great pens that wrote his books!"
In short cameras don't take great pictures, people do. I grow tired of people telling me how many mega pixels their point and shoot is .... so what? When people start talking about mega pixels to me, it just shows that they have fallen for the manufacturers marketing gimmick. Let's face it you can get a six mega pixel on a phone these days, does anyone really believe they'll get great images with the lenses they use? ........ perhaps they do.
Would you buy a car without a test drive? In a previous career I sold Land Rovers, without blowing my own trumpet I like to think I was reasonably succesfull and won several holidays for my efforts (including two to Canada).
One of the reasons for my success was letting the product do the selling. Every customer was offered a test drive, so they could experience what words cannot explain.
This is something I have carried over into my photography business. Every couple that contacts me regarding a wedding gets offered a free pre wed photoshoot (where posible). No charge and the pictures are uploaded on the web soon afterwards to help the couple decide.
Picking a wedding photographer is a huge decision for any couple, deciding who to trust to capture their wedding day. I strongly believe couples should have the opportunity to experience how a photographer works and to see their own images. The days of old albums with the best 50 shots of 10 years work crammed in are in my mind over (and good riddance).
Being as we are so near to the end of the year I thought I'd put together the slideshow above of some of my favourite images. I struggled to cut down the images and could easily have had treble the amount of photographs but finally settled on these. You can see it larger if you click here.
For those of you still waiting on your Christmas cards don't panic I haven't forgotten you, I'm still waiting for them to come back from the printers so it should be any day now ...... sorry.
I was recently approached by the Baddow camera club to give a talk on my work and lifestyle photography in general.
The talk will take place on the 26th February 2008 starting at 19.45 and It's completely free (although tea ect will be for sale). You don't have to be a member of the club to come along. The location is the BAETelford Systems theatre, on West Hanningfield Road in Great Baddow near Chelmsford.
I'll be showing some of my images and sharing a few secrets of how they are achieved, in my normal witty way. There will also be a time at the end where I'll be happy to field any questions people may have.
One of the perks of working like I do is that I'm not tied down in one area. At the drop of a hat I can pick up my gear and go.
Sometimes I rely totally on the client to pick a good venue although I do try and do some research prior to the booking. Recently I took the journey up to Rufford Abbey near Ollerton and did a family portrait shoot for the two sisters seen here. You can see some of the images from the day by clicking here.
I've been asked by photographers how far I would travel to do a shoot, (then i mention i shot a wedding in Australia a while back and they get the message). In honesty i don't think there's a limit as long as the criteria is right I'll go. It knocks seven bells out of sitting in an office all day or even worse a white background studio!
If your name is Katie McKinley (i think e mail is something like katiecolourmc@ I don't know.co.uk ) and you left a message for me this morning on the answer phone can you ring me again as I can't make out your e-mail address .... thanx.
Only 6 days till I go to see the Dolphins v Giants at Wembley can't wait! :-)
It's that time of the year when the organised people (that's me out then) start arranging what they are going to get grand parents etc for Christmas presents.
As a result the diary starts to fill up as families organise themselves. The family seen here had that exact idea (click on the image for a slideshow showing a few more images). Of course the phone continues to ring right through to December with people who are a little less organised (unfortunately that's the bracket I'd put myself into when it comes to Christmas shopping).
I've been completely snowed under recently trying to catch up with various shoots including another two this weekend (images will be uploaded when I catch my breath).
Anyway this Sunday I took a trip down to St Albans to meet up with a good friend Mel Corley . I first met Mel we he came on one of my day of discovery days and since then we've stayed in touch.
I had been commisioned to photographs Mel as he worked.
The brief was to capture images of Mel as he carried out a portrait shoot. The images will be used to help promote him and his business. Whilst we worked together exchanging ideas, and searching out exciting backgrounds, I managed to get the shot above of our stunning model.
I strongly recommend you go to Mels site and see some of his fantastic work from the day under the portrait section ...... they're great!
Yesterday I covered another fantastic wedding. One of the joys of being a wedding photographer is the chance to discover a different traditions.
For example traditional christian weddings have bride and grooms families on opposite sides of the church were as Jewish weddings have male and female sides (as can be seen here).
Another thing I noticed yesterday is in the traditional Jewish wedding the groom actually places the wedding ring onto the index finger of the right hand. At some stage later the bride normally moves it onto the ring finger of the left hand.Intrigued by this discovery i asked the Rabbi who kindly explained, "the reason goes back to the time of the Talmud and the difference in beliefs at that time about which finger is closer or more direct to the heart. Christianity taught the ring finger: Judaism taught the index finger."
Another thing that would appear to be apparent is how different religions view photographers. I have photographed many Jewish weddings and without exception they are more respectfull to any the professionals employed to record the day. I always find it very sad when a couple are denied the main part of their day to be recorded because the person in charge decides that's what they want (irrespective of the couples wishes). Of course there are exceptions to every rule and I have worked alongside some excellent Christian ministers.
I've been bonkers busy over the last week so I'm afraid the blog has been a little quiet. Here's some of the things i've been up to.
A while back I agreed to an interview with an online forum. Some of the questions that came forward really got the grey matter ticking over whilst others were more simple. You can read the interview here and at the same time why not join the forum?
Last weekend I travelled down to Sussex and watched (shot) the American football match between the Colchester Gladiators and the Sussex thunder (slideshow to follow). As this is the part of the world where Emma Duggan lives I dropped in and we spent some time talking all things photography.
We swapped lenses and ideas and set about shooting each other (and Emma's dog Freddie). During this time Emma got this great shot off me (not the easiest of subjects).
The "Day of adventure" photography training day has now started to fill up and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone. It seems like we've got a great cross section of people coming from complete amateurs to all out professionals. I really love these days as there's nothing better than spending time with creative people.
My great mate Emma Duggan sent me this picture! It was taken by a friend of hers on their mobile and she new it would hit a cord with me.
Whilst it won't make sense to many, the guys who came on the "Shoot to sell Course" will immediately recognise the significance (I hope).
I'm currently trying to put another two days together to run the course again so if you think it may be of interest keep an eye on this blog (if you sign up it will be emailed every time i update) and i'll put the dates up here as soon as i have them. In the meant time the "Day of Discovery" on the 1st July is already starting to fill up. Why not come and spend a day with like minded photographers and learn a few new tricks.
I don't know if I'm strange but I seem to measure things differently to most people. For example I regularly meet many photographers, some run great businesses, others run very expensive hobbies that they call a business.
Many people in business fall for the line that to be successful you have to be busy. I regularly hear of photographers who's only aim in life is to shoot more weddings next year. Perhaps I'm wrong but my vision of a successful business is one that aims to work less not more? Surely by taking on less work it means the jobs that you do have can be done to a much higher level?
Any way I've had a few more comments about the "shoot to sell" course I ran last week that I thought I would share. It feels great to know that the people who spent two days with me have gone out with renewed passion and now have the necessary knowledge that will help them build a successful photography business.
"Hi Martin
Hope all is well with you and you have had a well deserved rest after the course earlier this week. It was 11.45pm when I got home and I then spent another couple of hours at the computer trying to capture all the ideas that were floating around in my head!
The course content was magnificent and it was delivered in a very professional and friendly manner. I would recommend your courses to anyone who is building up or starting a photography business.
My day job finished yesterday and i am now officially a self employed photographer ..... I couldn't have wished for a better start to my business, I know that if i put the effort into using your techniques and following your invaluable advice there is no reason why I can't make a success of it.
You are a very talented photographer and businessman and i feel very honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with you. Thank you again for everything .........."
I have no doubt that Karen will have a great future in the photography world. Check out Karen Petry's website here.
Here's what Andrew Burton had to say (unfortunately I can't show you his website yet as it's not live yet)
"Hi Martin
What a fantastic couple of days I have just experienced. The best course I have ever attended, with excellent ideas and inspiration from start to finish, along with great company. I now feel all fired up to push my business forward.
Martin thanks for a truly fantastic couple of days."
I needed information, inspiration and a kick up the rear and your two day course has provided all that and more. I really enjoyed meeting the others and Emma too. You worked your magic again and now I'm buzzing with ideas of what to do next and after that too! I'm writing them all down so I don't forget them and linking them in with the notes you gave us.
I second Johns sentiments - you should definitely offer this course to a wider range of businesses especially smallish ones who would benefit greatly before making too many costly mistakes.
Thank you for all your effort and your kindness in sharing "the secrets" of your business model with us. I'm sure we will be making great use of this new and exciting information. I know I will be :-) .....................
I know from the amount of e-mails I have already received there is enough demand to run this course again. As soon as I have a date i will publish it here. If you think it may be what you're looking for drop me an email to martin@martinwilmottphotography.com and we can have a chat.
I had an interesting e-mail this morning from someone who had signed up to my free photography tips. He had a problem with the fact I had sent an e-mail advertising my "shoot to sell course". The course is designed to help photographers who want to learn how to make money from photography as a business. It is personalised and reveals many of the methods I use every day.
It is common knowledge in business that 80% of trade will come from 20% of your clients, if you can concentrate on those 20% your business will benefit. I have no problem with the other 80% who like to receive my free tips, I wrote them to help people to take better photographs and I have received many thank yous from all over the world.
However when one of the 80% decide to complain about the stuff I provide for nothing, I act quickly (apprentice style) and fire them. I simply apologise and then delete them from the free tips ensuring they cannot sign up again. Please if you don't like the free photography tips I send then simply unsubscribe.
On the contrary here's a blog posting from someone else (in the beautiful town of Vancouver) who has a different opinion about the same information.
The overall lesson, you can't please everyone all the time so simply remove the ones who aren't happy from your business and let them bother someone else.
I get a lot of e-mails, phone calls and the occasional letter from people from all over the world asking about photography. I must admit, I love helping people and seeing them succeed. I get a real buzz when someone e-mails me their work and says they used one of my tips. It may take me a little while if I'm busy, but I promise I do look at them all.
It was to try and help these for these people that I started my free photography e-mail course (sign up from my web page under the tips section). This also meant I didn't have to spend so long answering each and every e-mail.
The free photography tips have been a huge success. Many of the people have added themselves to my friends map in fact nearly 1000 fellow photography lovers (take a look on the bottom right of this blog, add yourself I'd love to see who you are). However I know that the best way to impart knowledge is to actually show someone and so the "Day of Discovery" course was born. I've had such a ball meeting you all and showing you the tricks that I use that help me get the shots. I absolutely love these days and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people who have come on them. Some making mammoth journeys to spend the day (Germany is the record so far). For anyone interested the next one is on the 1st July see my site for the details.
However because I like to think of everyone who carries a camera as a friend I realise there's a few of you out there who want to actually take the plunge and make a living from photography. There are also some of you who have taken the plunge that need a little help. I know from experience that gaining customers can be really hard so I've put together a slide show that I hope will give you some ideas on how to search out those important clients. I really hope you find it of use and who knows maybe you might want to join us for the "shoot to Sell" course next month.
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