Adams Grammar School Ball

The annual Adams Grammar School Ball took place at the weekend, and as usual it was a sell-out weeks before the event, with a waiting list for spare tickets. This is easily the biggest Ball of its type in the area, with over 420 people attending.

It meant a busy night for me, firstly taking photographs outside during the champagne reception, and then indoors until 1.30am, a very late finish which was in line with the above average level of business generated. We met some great people, sold a lot of photographs and will be donating in excess of £100 to the Adams Grammar Association as a result.

We're often asked if we can make people look slimmer, younger, taller etc., but there was a first on Saturday when we were asked if we could provide a liposuction service. Unfortunately, no, madam...

If you didn't get chance to see your photograph on the night, there's a selection on my website at www.philhyndsphotography.com

Weddings!

After many years shooting weddings for friends and family, I've finally decided to offer the service to all and sundry.

Check out my new wedding site at:

www.philhyndsweddings.com

And give me a call if you're interested, or know somebody that is.

Back to the Studio and a Charity Ball

Glamour

Much as I enjoy the cut and thrust of a Charity Ball, my favourite type of photography is in the studio. This week I had the job of photographing Emma, and up and coming model who wanted a range of new shots for her portfolio. In a 2 hour shoot we mananged 5 different outfits shot against 2 different backdrops, and we were both pleased with the results. The studio, with it's controlled lighting sources gives a photographer the opportunity to be creative, and I'm particularly pleased with the first shot here, which is radically different from anything I've done before.


If you're interested in a studio shoot, give me a call on 07855 741368.

Di Katz Charity Ball, Shrewsbury Town FC

Di works tirelessly for local charities, and this was the second ball of hers that I've attended. The atmosphere was first class, we met some lovely people and made some money for the Renal Unit at Shrewsbury Hospital into the bargain. I don't charge to attend these events and donate 10% of my takings to the organiser's nominated charity.

If you've got a charity ball coming up, and would like a photograper there to add to the evening, let me know. It won't cost you anything and your charity will get a pound for every photo that I sell.

Call me on 07855 741368

Awards, Dancers and Elvis...

Birmingham University

To The Great Hall at Birmingham University for the Annual Athletic Union Awards Dinner. Guest speaker was Kathryn Merry, and a very impressive evening ensued. Assisted by the unflappable Emma, we sold photographs to the students until the end of the event at midnight. As is normally the case, as soon as exactly half of my equipment is packed away a lone voice pipes up: "Are you still taking photos?" Of course we are, sir...


Dance Connection

Dance Connection are a Newport based dance group of dancers from 2 years old to adult. This weekend they performed at The Newport Carnival and put on a splendid show in the sunshine. Photos from the afternoon are available to view/purchase on my website.


The Loppington Summer Ball

Loppington is a small village north of Shrewsbury, but there's nothing small about the annual ball held there. This has become a regular fixture for me, and amazingly numbers were up from last year. Star of the show was "Purely Elvis," one of the world's top ten Elvis Presley impersonators, and he went down a storm. We had a most enjoyable evening amongst as nice a bunch of folk as you're ever likely to meet - particular mention to the girl in the Elvis glasses, whose attempts to "do a deal" have us in stitches every year.

Weddings, Sport and Commercial.

Weddings

I'm often asked to photograph friends weddings, and am usually happy to oblige. Since becoming a full time photographer I'm also being asked the same question by the public, and have decided to start offering a Wedding Service to all rather than a chosen few. The website will be launched shortly, but if you need a wedding photographer in the meantime let me know. There are still a few weekend dates available for this summer.


Sport - Birmingham University

Every June Birmingham University hold an Alumni Sports day, where former students compete in numerous sports against the current intake. My brief is to capture the spirit of the day. This year's unofficial theme was rain and more rain, but the show had to go on...

Commercial

To London this week to take staff photographs for a large sporting organisation. Companies frequently book photographers on an ad hoc basis for brochues, newsletters, magazines and so on.

Families, Balls and Horses

Portraits

Another mixed week that started with a portrait session at St. Andrews Church Hall in Church Aston, near Newport. I rent the hall for half a day, set up a full studio rig with lights and backdrops, and invite all and sundry to have their photos taken. Currently there's no charge for the sitting, and the customer gets a contact sheet with around 20-30 images to choose prints from.

This week I went for the plain white background that's currently in vogue, and was pleased with the results. I was looking to capture the energy and sheer joy that this threesome brought along, and I think I managed it with this shot.

Ellesmerian 125th Anniversary Ball, Ellesmere College

Saturday took me to the impressive surroundings of Ellesmere College, where the former pupils society had arranged a ball to commemorate their 125th Anniversary. It's a place steeped in history and tradition, and the evening was rounded off with the most impressive firework display I've seen in a long time.




Gracelands Equestrian Centre, Bromsgrove.

Now that the better weather is with us I'm starting to get more and more requests to attend equestrian events. This week's was at Gracelands near Bromsgrove wher a BSJA event was taking place.


This week I'm off to London to photograph the directors and managers of a large sports organisation, Birmingham University on Saturday for the annual Alumni Sports Day and another equestrian event on Sunday.

Let me know if you have any particular photographic requirements on 07855 741368, or on my new office number 01952 683681. I've now moved to a new office in Telford as I've outgrown my home office. I'm able to use rooms here for photography as well, so If you need photography in the Telford area and beyond then I'm your man.