Portraits, Rangers, Sportsmen and Horses

A mixed week which started with portrait sessions at 3 venues locally. I rent local village halls, set up studio equipment and offer 30 minute shoots via the local press and my contact lists. Customers this week ranged from 9 month old Cameron to a 65 year old lady wanting photos for her Wedding Anniversary. A lot of photographers shy away from photographing young children - they can be a real handful, especially when they've decided that there's no way they're having their photo taken. My own experience is that the joy of getting a good shot of a small child, that the parents will cherish for ever, far outweighs the occasional non performer. I've yet to come away from a shoot with no pictures at all of a reluctant child, and with the wonders of photshop can usually come up with a winning photo.

On Thursday I was invited to address a group of Rangers (Older Girl Guides between 14 and 25) on the topic of Photography. The group were all beginners, and wanted to know how to take the step from "Snaps" to "Photographs." The presentation was entitled "Ten Steps to Better Photography" and concentrated on the ten things that, in my opinion, regularly spoil amateur photographs and how to avoid them. This seemed to go down well, and I've been invited back in 2 weeks for a more practical session. If anybody is interested in seeing this presentation give me a call on 07855 741368 or mail me: philhynds@hotmail.com

Saturday night saw me return to Oswestry Rugby Club for a Sportsman's Dinner, where I'd been asked to take photos of the guests and print on the night. This type event usually has a predominantly male audience, and wouldn't normally suit the service I offer, but there were more ladies in attendance than you may have expected, and a successful night was had by all. The guest speaker was John Bentley, former rugby league and rugby union three quarter who toured with The British Lions in 1997 and has many a tale to tell, including that of a team mate said to be "not the sharpest knife in the drawer - he could never work out why his sister had two brothers and he only had one." Made me laugh, anyway...

On Sunday I returned to the equestrian world for the first time this year. Prescott Equestrian Centre in Baschurch was holding a Junior Showjumping Event, and I provided a print on site photography service. Equestrian is an area I'm looking to expand my work in this year, as there's a strong market for professionally taken photographs of horses in action - my background in sports photography stands me in good stead for this.

To the Lake District

I've spent two days this week at Annabel Williams Studio in Staveley on a course aimed at improving my Wedding Photography. First day was spent on marketing, the second a more hands on affair with John Denton of Denton Photography. Using real life models John took us through a Pre Wedding Shoot and a "Fake Wedding" using 2 local models. The weather couldn't have been worse (heavy snow) so I was pleasantly suprised to get a huge selection of excellent quality shots.

Saturday night saw me back in action as an Event Photographer at The West Midland Show Valentines Ball at Hawkestone Park. Around 90 guests attended, and I had an enjoyable evening taking photos, printing on site and selling them to the guests. As with all of these bookings I donate 10% of my takings to a charity of the organiser's choice.

This week it's half term, and I'll be offering a portrait service at 3 local Village Halls (Shifnal, Newport and Lilleshall) for anybody looking for quality photos without paying the earth. Call me on 07855 741368 if you're interested - there's still a few spaces left.

Saturday night takes me to Oswestry Rugby Club once more, this time for a Sportsman's Dinner. I'll be offering my usual print on site service with 10% of my takings going to charity.