Zip Wire at The Chester Food & Drink Festival

Following the success of our appearance at The Ricoh Stadium a few weeks ago, we were asked to attend The Chester Food & Drink Festival at the weekend, where the mobile Zip Wire was making it's second outing in the UK. Lots of fun for all concerned...

Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Day

Ronald McDonald House is an independant charity which aims to provide free "home away from home" accomodation at hospitals accross the UK, enabling families to stay close to their child and maintain a degree of normal family life. I first worked for RMHC 12 months ago, when I attended their Golf Day at The Menzies Welcombe Golf Club in Stratford on Avon. Since then I've attended their Christmas Charity Ball, and was more then happy to attend this years golf day at the same venue. I took action shots of each golfer, and presented these as magazine covers detailing the day and the charity. These are sold to the players for £10 each, with 20% of my takings being donated to RMHC.

Adcote School Barn Dance - Greenscreen!

On Friday I attended the Adcote School Barn Dance and provided a photography service with a difference! Via the wonder of greenscreen technology I was able to add a background to the photos - you'd believe these photos were taken in a barn rather than the reception hall of the school. If you have a themed event that might benefit from this service, call me on 07855 741368.
www.philhyndsphotography.com www.philhyndsweddings.com www.philhyndsschools.com

Bridal Shoot, Albright Hussey Manor Hotel

With the wedding season almost upon us, I decided to invest time and money into a Bridal Shoot. Professional Photographers are a little bit like golfers in some ways. A golfer doesn't spend all of his time playing in tournaments, but you can bet your bottom dollar he'll spend a good deal of his spare time practicing for when he is.

Any photographer that wants to give his clients the very best has to practice when he's not working for money. Sometimes this involves training, sometimes practicing a new shot or lighting - the object is to become a better photographer with every week that passes.

A bridal shoot by necessity has a minimum of 4 elements - a model (in this case the lovely Emma from Stafford) a venue (Albright Hussey Manor in Shrewsbury) a dress, kindly loaned for the occasion by Elizabeth's Bridal Wear of Shrewsbury, and of course a photographer.

I chose the Honeymoon Suite at The Hussey - I challenge you to find a finer hotel in Shropshire for your wedding!

All parties benefit from this - the model gets photographs to add to her portfolio, as do the hotel and dress supplier who may want to use these for their websites. And of course the photographer now has another few lighting set ups at his disposal, and won't be "practicing during the round" so to speak. This is forbidden in golf, but not at weddings, alas, as any of you who have waited hours for the photographer to finish will testify.

Here's a few shots that would make any brides album:

Studio Grid Shoot

New for 2010 are these stunning 10" x 8" grids.

You get 2 hours in the studio, bring as many t shirts, tops, jumpers, jackets, scarves and hats as you can manage, and we take a variety of photos with different outfits, poses and background colours.

The best 36 are then mounted as above, printed and framed as an 8" x 10" photograph.

Let me know if you're interested or if you know somebody that maybe.

01952 683681 or phil@photoph.co.uk

Portfolio Shoots

For those wishing to take their first steps in the world of modelling, a portfolio is a "must have."


This is a set of photographs used to promote yourself as a model. It enables a potential customer to decide whether or not you have the "look" that he or she is looking for. It should have some headshots together with three quarter length and full length shots of you, coupled with shots in each of the modelling "genres" that you are looking to work in - fashion, casual, catalogue, lingerie, swimwear etc.


I'm currently offering starter portfolios, both in the studio and on location - call me if this is of interest on 01952 683681

The Rat Pack at The Premier Suite

A second booking at Cannock's Premier Suite where a sell out crowd were entertained by "The Rat Pack" a tribute act to Messrs Sinatra, Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Business was brisk, and even the act decided to have their photos taken.

If you've got a Charity Ball or Christmas Party on the horizon, let me know. I'll attend free of charge, take photos and print them on site and even donate 10% of my takings to your organisation or charity of your choice. 01952 683681

Don Goodman Charity Golf Day

A late booking last Friday to attend The Don Goodman Charity Golf Day at Swindon Golf Club. I tried a new format for the photos, action shots from the tee, superimposed onto the cover of a golf magazine. It went down well with the golfers, with the exception of those horrified to see their swing in action for the first time...

20% of my takings on the day have beeen donated to Don's favoured charity, St. Gemma's Hospice. If you have any sort of event on the horizon where this service may be of interest, give me a call. I can customise magazines to include your name, company name or logo.

You may recognise the chap in the second photo as well. He used to play for Wolves, apparently...

Wrekin View Primary School

School photography can be a daunting task. 350 children to photograph, and not much time to do it in as teacher doesn't want too much disruption to her class. A pleasure then to work at Wrekin View Primary School, where I was able to get some great photos despite the pressure on time. Thanks to the staff and pupils for making it possible.

Sam Smith Charity Ball, Park Inn, Telford

I first met Sam Smith about 2 years ago at an awards evening in Telford. Since then I've attended a number of the charity balls that she organises, and each one is a pleasure. Great people, great atmosphere, and most importantly a large sum of money raised for charity. Good for you, Sam.

The Red Boot Ball

Occasionally we have celebrities attend the Charity Balls we attend, and The Red Boot Ball, held annually in aid of The Foundation for Conductive Education was such an event. Karen's heydays as an actress are well behind her - there's a prize for the first email to phil@photoph.co.uk telling me what she was famous for in the 80's.


She's the one on the right, by the way...

Telford Studio

I'm now taking bookings for my expanded Telford Studio. For a one hour shoot, including two 9" x 6" prints I charge £85.00 A contact sheet is provided from which you choose prints, canvases or whatever takes your fancy. A couple of examples from last night...
Call me on 01952 683681 if you'd like to book. A framed photo of the family might make an ideal Christmas gift, and needn't cost the earth.

Wyke Equestrian - Dressage

The Wyke Equestrian Centre near Shifnal held a Dressage competition on Sunday, and a healthy turnout of around 30 horses took part. I attended as a roving photographer, taking photos and printing them on site. No charge to The Wyke for this, indeed they will receive 10% of my sales once the additional internet orders have dried up.

If you were at the event but didn't see your photos, a selection is now available to purchase on my website at www.philhyndsphotography.com. Click on "events" to be taken to them.

Call me if you have a suitable event coming up and would like to make a little extra cash whilst giving your attendees something special to remember the day by. 01952 683681

Bridgnorth Young Farmers Annual Dinner Dance

Patsull Park near Shifnal was the venue for this years Bridgnorth Young Farmer's Dinner Dance. Over 130 attended and a splendid time was had by all, including yours truly. We attended free of charge, took photographs in our mobile studio and sold these to the guests, with 10% of our takings going to Bridgnorth YF.

For the first time we also offered "Magazine Star" photos, where you become the cover star of a magazine. These were sold as mounted prints or in a smart clip frame for a few pounds extra.

If you attended the ball but didn't get the chance to see your photos, a selection is now available for purchase on my website at www.philhyndsphotography.com. Just click on "events" to be taken there.

If you think this service would go down well at your Ball or Christmas Party, call me on 01952 683681

Cystic Fibrosis Golf Day

Aston Wood Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield hosted this years Cystic Fibrosis Golf day, and I attended to take photos of the 26 teams that took part. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the country's most common life-threatening inherited diseases, and affects over 8,000 people in the UK. It affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.

So the day is organised to raise funds to fight CF and to help its sufferers. 18 holes of golf were followed by a meal, auction and raffle, all hosted by Geoff Millar, an England cricket selector.


If you've a golf day coming up, charity or otherwise, you may be interested in my new "Cover Star" service, where you become the cover star of a golf magazine. These are produced on the day and supplied in a smart clip frame. Call 01952 683681 for details.

Marie Curie Golf Day

Thursday took me to Prestbury Golf Club in Cheshire for a Marie Curie Golf Day. The plan was for 11 teams to have a good day's golf, a meal and some serious fundraising for a very worthwhile charity. Marie Curie nurses tend to the terminally ill through cancer in their own homes. 64% of people would choose to die at home, and Marie Curie make this possible for thousands of people across the UK.

The day was a huge success, and whilst this team may not have won first prize for their golf, they certainly won the best dressed competition!

If you have a golf day planned and need a photographer to attend, let me know. I print photographs on site, and am now offering a "Magazine Star" service where you become the cover star of a golfing magazine - yours to take home on the day in a smart clip frame. Call me on 01952 683681 if you're interested.

A Wedding in Ironbridge

To Ironbridge on Saturday for the wedding of Ruth and Adam. The weather was fine, everything was on time and everybody, including the photographer had a great time. It's always a priviledge to be given the responsibility of recording such an important day, and to be working in such a wonderful atmosphere of joy, happiness and love.

If you've got a wedding planned, give me a call. I'm not the cheapest wedding photographer in the area, but you won't find one that'll work harder to give you something special to remember your big day.

Help for Heroes Ball, Broadway

To the picturesque Worcestershire Village of Broadway for a lavish Charity Ball in aid of Help for Heroes, a favourite charity of mine. 250 people attended to raise money for HFH whilst having a good time, and I attended free of charge as usual. I set up a backdrop, professional studio lighting and operated a print on site service until 12.30am, when the final customer was served. A good trade ensued, with a friendly, good natured crowd intent on enjoying themselves whilst helping a very worth cause. If you have such an event on the horizon, call me on 01952 683681 or see my website http://www.philhyndsphotography.com/ for the services I can offer.

The Care Awards, Shrewsbury Town FC

The Care Awards celebrate those that care for others, and were held this year at The Pro Star Stadium. John Parrott was a very well received celebrity guest, and Jim Hawkins of Shropshire Radio was MC. DJ Shuttsie completed an impressive array of local talent, and a good time was had by all, including the photographer!

The BUCS Ball, Keele University

British Universities and Colleges Sport is the organisation that controls sport nationally in our Universities and Colleges. Last week I attended the annual BUCS Ball at Keele University, where presentations were made to those that had made it to the very top in their chosen field. Steve Parry, Olympic Bronze Medal Winner was the MC for the night, and the BBC's John Inverdale, president of BUCS was also present and addressed the 360 guests.