First Copy Proposal for Competitions & Live Brief

Today was the Proposal Submission Deadline & Proposal Presentation's for this Assignment.

This proposal is the first copy and shows my original ideas towards the competitions I would like to enter and the live brief I would like to complete.  The written submission is a detailed plan of ideas of how I will conduct my live brief and how I will enter the chosen competitions and the presentation is of exactly what was included in the written submission.

(Shown Full Page Size in my Sketchbook Journal)

So, to start this whole project I started looking into the first section, which was Competitions.  I found some really interesting one's and some that did not look too great, but the four competitions I was interested in entering were shown in a previous blog post. I included them in my written proposal and my presentation. One of the competitions I came across was called 'Elements 2013' which really caught my eye. The project 'Elements' is something I have wanted to do many times before but never got round to it. So I decided to make it my First Live Brief Idea.

I thought that this idea would be ok to use for the brief so started planning out each stage. I show in my presentation how I would provide the images for my own Brand 'Suzi-Rae Photography'.  The concept is to have the four portraits all for each Element; Fire, Water, Air & Earth.  Very realistic props, and locations. I have written in both proposal's how the format, locations, casting, styling, and lighting will be planned and used.  I then have listed the equipment and permissions I will need for the whole brief and how I would show all my evidence by step by step process. The last question on the written proposal is 'whats concerns I have with the brief' and my answer is, finding the time for the four shoots and location scouting, maybe link the ideas with my MPP. 

After my presentation, my Tutor advised that I re-read over the 'Elements' competition conditions, because she didn't think it was as legit as it seemed. About the briefing idea, she said that what I had come up with was a 'Self-directed Brief' which is pretty obvious now. I had just been setting myself my own project which is not what is aimed for by the live brief. I need to have a Commissioned Project, Development of a Business or do some Charitable Photographic work. So back to working on one of these three for now, whichever I choose, I shall still show good methodology and evidence.  

(Clear View copy in Sketchbook Journal)

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - Shoot Day

The Day of the Shoot
We were told we had six hours to do the shoot, but not to rush it all in the morning as something may have been forgotten, creating images to fit the brief can take time and we have to get all three models right. We were aiming to finish shooting at around 2pm so we had enough time to pack up and get the equipment packed down.

Our tutor's gave us a list of what they expect to see at the end of the shoot day;
- A disk/hard-drive of the images shot on the day
- A detailed plan of how the group will execute the shoot on the day
- A model release form from all models used, Evidence of a selection process for the casting
- Receipts for all props used - Did you come in on Budget?
- Evidence of preparation in getting equipment/kit together

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All photo's below are my own photographs taken by me on shoot day, for my own personal use. 

Everything went according to the plan and the call sheet, all crew turned up at 9.00am and got started straight away. We all discussed who was coming in at what time and spoke over things to check we were ready.  The booked equipment was brought into the studio at around 9.30am and was set up by the assistants and Photographer. Once we were all set up and each role was ready it was almost 10.30/11.00am which is when our first model Roxana Andrei turned up, right on time. She had her own black dress therefore did not need any of my black clothes and her hair looked great natural. Myself and Madalina (model recruitment) decided that her hair would look nice over one shoulder and the other shoulder bare so the crab could sit on it.  Make up was kept natural looking and we decided that she should look upwards for sophistication. The positioning of the crab was quite difficult and we used celotape to hold the back legs down. I kept changing the position of the crabs legs so they were all seen and noticable. I think this look was great for 'Cancer', showed the sophistication and elegance. 

Model 1: Roxana Andrei - 'Cancer' the Crab

The first shoot with first model Roxana went well and much quicker than we thought.  I liked standing on hand as Stylist and Prop Stylist, as I felt it was my job to make sure the crab was positioned correctly and looked good, I kept all loose hairs tidy and made sure the dress was hanging correctly on her shoulder. Once the first shoot was complete at around 12.00pm and photographer and the rest of the group were happy with the image, we were done with 'Cancer'. We had a a while until the next two models were turning up and this gave us more time to make sure the props were ready and we could have lunch.  These images below show myself and Ellie with some of the props used, the fish and crab.

Backstage: Fish, Crab & Studio Set-up

Ellie was a prop assistant and helped a lot with the fish as not many other crew members wanted to hold them.  We came up with how we wanted the fish positions on the model and were trying out many different positions with the lighting set-up on what would look best. The studio was set to the low key, black sophisticated look from the brief. The two images below show evidence of my Styling for the shoot, my make up that I brought to the shoot for the models and an image of a hairstyle I done on model 3.  Model 3 was used for scorpio, and it was my idea for this hairstyle because it was similar to the way a scorpions tail and sting look and also separated the look from the other two signs.

Styling (MY ROLE) : My make-up box & One of the hair styles I done

Models 2 & 3, Stefania and Catalina turned up at around 12.30pm/1.00pm and had a big selection of black dresses with them. They seemed like outgoing girls and had a lot to choose from.  Because I was stylist everyone suggested I choose which dress the model should wear, but I chose and then asked what everyone else thought to check that they liked it too. Together we chose model 3, Catalina for the scorpion shoot, and I chose a leathery studded dress to match the similarity with a scorpions shell.  At first her hair was down, but whilst standing watching i thought that it was too much of a distraction and wanted to tie it into a fishtail plait as mentioned on the previous stylist image.  Myself and a few others wanted the scorpion on the model's head, so that it was different from model 1's 'Cancer' image on the shoulder. But this was quite difficult with tape, but one assistant had brought string with him, and we used a broomstick to tie both scorpion toy and handle to make the toy hang. I was in front of the model on prop stylist duty to press the toy into place for the shot's, until we got an image we liked. Using the hanging technique meant that the handle would be in shot, but taken out in editing by the photographer.

Model 3: Catalina Dragne - 'Scorpio' the Scorpion 

 The third model, model 2 Stefania was used for the Pisces, fish sign. As stylist, along with assistance, we decided to make the model wear long sleeves because she would have to hold real fish on her arms. Once hair was done, hairstyle different to the others and a similar smokey eyed make-up look was done, by the models themselves and myself and team member Madalina, I gave the model items of the clothes I had brought in for her to change into. For the prop styling, I sprayed the fish with hairspray, for the smell and too keep them shiny. We also propped open the fishes mouths with small tubing. The pisces star sign actually curves round almost circle, so we tried to get her arms in an over under position with a fish on each arm. This technique worked really well and the shine on the fish came out perfectly.

Model 2: Stefania Lacob - 'Pisces' the Fish

Once all of us in the group were happy with the last two shoots, and I was happy with the stylising of each model, we said a huge thanks to the models and were done by around 3.30/4.00pm.  We packed up all of the equipment together whilst the photographer Matt, went off to edit and retouch the final images.

Evaluation Of the Brief 1 Star Sign Shoot
I personally think that our shoot went really well. I think that the overall outcome of the three portraits look very nice and show exactly what was needed. The brief says, iconic with a sense of calm and sophistication, which I think we conveyed very well in the images. I do think the models we a little worried by the props that they had to pose with, due to two of them once being alive. I think this made them feel a little bit 'nervy' and it shows slightly in their facial expressions but I do think they tried their best and did a great job. Our props were fantastic, the scorpion looks very realistic and the crab and fish look subtle but stand out at the same time.  We were asked to create images with a lot of deadpan space around them for text and marketing material purposes which we done, along with realistic props. The part that we struggled with was the age group, the brief says 25-35, but only two of our models were 25 and the other was only a few years younger, I personally think the topic and brief suits younger models because it seems as if it is aimed at a young adult (20's) audience, which works great for sophistication. The style/lighting set-up was also correct according to the brief, low key, black background with spot lights on the props for highlighting. We stayed well into our budget of £25 as the only things we bought were the two fish (£4.00) and the scorpion toy (£4.99).  I am pleased with the results as there is room for improvement to keep all three portraits looking the same technically. But I think I played an important role, worked well and contributed a lot to the group brief task.

Here are the final three portraits for 'Cancer', 'Scorpio', and 'Pisces'. All complete with realistic props, the same lighting set up, black and sophisticated and most of all, what the brief asked of us was completed.

'Cancer'

'Scorpio'

'Pisces'

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - Model Release Forms

Our Producer of the group was supposed to take care of all of the paperwork and things and the rest of us kept asking for the Model Release Forms as they are important for all of us to have, but she kept saying that she didn't have them, I started creating my own Model Release Forms and was close to finishing them and she's finally found them.
So I have added this blog post in late which includes the three Model Release forms from;

1. Model 1 - Roxana Andrei
2. Model 2 - Stefania Lacob
3. Model 3 - Catalina Dragne

These forms are important as it shows that everything in our group shoot was carried out correctly.  It is also good to make sure we all have copies as we were there when they signed their names.  I had to read through the form before the models to make sure everything was written correctly and was ok.

Here are the three forms below, they explained how we are using the imagery for a University Project and that they agree that their participation is voluntary and the university can use the images for anything to do with the work in class etc.  

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - (my) Call Sheet & Input

The Call Sheet for a any Photoshoot is an essential thing, especially when working in a group task.
A call sheet says when everyone is turning up and when the equipment and models etc, are going to be turning up for the shoot and how long for.  The problem with my group is that we produced the call sheet in the week before the shoot and had it ready on the day, it was the Producer's job to keep hold of it and give it after the shoot, but, they've lost it.

Having the Producer and other team members loose the Call Sheet, doesn't help the rest of the group at all. I, on the other hand, had already made my own copy of a Call Sheet whilst the other one was being done. So I didn't get a copy of the one given in, but have my own styled call sheet here.

My call sheet has all the same information but includes, images of the models and a small description about the concept. I have shown a timeline of how the day was going to plan out and who was turning up at what time. Although it is a Producer's role to make sure the day goes as plan, I made sure everything was on track according to my call sheet.  It includes the dates and times, model names and the positions of each of us in the group.

As a professional side, I think my call sheet has everything necessary and looks neat, stylish and professional. I would use this one as a template for any of my own shoots and would include my brand name 'Suzi-Rae Photography' and my logo.

My Input to the Shoot

I find it very easy to talk to new people and make models feel comfortable within the photo-shoot space and is something I'm used to doing now.  So, with me being the Stylist and Prop Stylist, I think I can make the models relaxed and in the mood for the shoot. 

Before the shoot I was keeping up with every detail of what we were going to do and how we were going to do it, I also made sure I was doing my job of getting the props and style prepared for the shoot.  

Once I had told everyone that we should stick with black clothing for the shoot, I made sure that I arranged some of my own black clothes, tops & dresses, and had them ready to bring into the shoot incase the model needed to wear something else. I also brought in my big make up box, which is full of all kind's of make up, but as shown on my call sheet we also asked the models to bring their own too. But there was plenty of choice, I also brought hair accessories and hairspray. 

Whilst the shoot was going on, I stood by photographer and made sure the small tweaks and changes needed to the models were changed and was on hand with hairspray and making sure the props stayed in the right positions. I also did the hair of two of the models and because the models were comfortable with doing their own make-up I assisted them on what to do for the style we wanted. I feel that I was very useful and helped out a lot and worked well with the team.  I had all props there at the right time and the style was done on time for the models.  Next I will show Images I took on the shoot day.

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - Facebook Group

For this team task, the first thing we done was create a Facebook group page, as an easy way to communicate to one another throughout the group, to also share ideas and discuss what we would do. Messages include evidence of planning and each role taking place.  I am going to show some of the messages as evidence of our practice.

The roles throughout my team were explained in the previous blog post/page and show who was doing what role. Through these beginning Facebook evidence messages, it shows how we arrive at our roles. Madalina in charge of Model's created the page including everyone in the group. The Call Sheet was the first item that needed to be completed. As shown in the message below right, the call sheet shows time's of shoot and arrival of crew, equipment and each model, so very essential.  I add that we needed to sort out each role, so everyone knows what they are doing and thinking about up to the shoot.

Another team member, Ellie, seemed to be on-top of things and checking what we need to do and writing on the page so we all could see, much like a Producer role. On the below message's I mention again that each role needs to be chosen as it is a vital part to starting the brief properly. Ellie also had the studio booked and the equipment booked which shows a Producer and assistant role. At this point the Call Sheet still needs to be completed.  

As a group we decided to meet up at my University for a group discussion about the brief and the shoot we needed to do. Here shows evidence of planning the meeting, in which we discussed what needed to be done, including props and what kind of style approach we were going to do.  I suggested that we go for a high fashion approach, with young good looking models and a modern style, and also suggested that all models wear all black for the sophisticated look we are asked to create. 

Like I mentioned previously, I have produced a Star Signs shoot myself before, and had lots of ideas and research to help. I thought by posting some of my ideas it would helps us as a group to get a better idea of something we were aiming for.  Here below shows my input of showing the three signs Cancer, Pisces & Scorpio, from three different series of star sign projects. I have written on the message what the images are each from.  I have also shown the message that shows us all deciding on what role we want to play in the group. A member of the team Matt asked us all to comment and straight away I wrote that I would like to be the Stylist & Props Role. The reason being is that when you are the Photographer the whole team rely's on you to get the shot right, whereas when you are the stylist, all ideas can be given to me by the group and then can be applied with my own style. I also like to stylise models because I like fashion and have always had interest in completing lessons in hair and make-up so I can use it in my own practice for my brand 'Suzi-Rae Photography'.

These messages below are of the Prop & Styling ideas for the shoot. A member, Alex who plays Producer printed the model release forms for the shoot, so she holds responsible for making sure they are kept and given in at the end along with final images.

The above and below message's and images are for Prop/Styling for the shoot.  I was the Stylist for models but also the person in charge of props.  I said to the rest of the group that I was struggling a little with finding props for a crab and scorpion, but mentioned that for scorpion it will probably have to be a toy, and maybe a crab from a local fish monger.  So the prop assistants helped with this problem.  We found a toy scorpion in 'Argos' and I asked if another member of the group could go and pick it up whilst I go get the fish for the shoot.  Richard, a prop assistant went down to the beach and found a crab (dead already) that looked great. Here shows the two images he posted of the crab he found, one with a scale. I wrote a message over-looking the three props, and asking about the fish.

The message below (top left) shows, Madalina in charge of models, and shows her idea's on possible girls for the shoot, she posted their Facebook pages so that we could all see the people and say if they were ok to use.  Madalina also sent the call sheet to our Tutor. The call sheet was something that I was never shown, I would have liked to look over it and check it to see if it was ok. The two messages on the right were made after the shoot was completed, asking for the model release forms as whomever in charge, can't find them.

And the last messages on our Facebook group page consist of members of them team asking for the model release forms.  This is a vital part of our journal's and I would like to show them.  I would have preferred it if the call sheet and each of the three model release forms had been posted on this group for everyone in the team to use, but they haven't been and now we are all asking model recruitment, and producer for them and no one can find them.  This is a let down from other team members and now I have been left without any.  Luckily, I made my own model release forms for the shoot anyway, but other forms were used, so if I can get the information, then I will have my own.
These Facebook messages are to show evidence of my practice as being the Prop/Stylist role in the team, I have asked about setting roles, what prop's are needed, and made sure everything I needed done was done.

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - The Roles

The lesson that we were assigned to each brief, Everyone in my group, grouped together to discuss what ideas we had for the shoot and what we thought about it.  This was when I told the group that I had worked with Star Signs before and shared all my ideas with them.  The first thing we needed to discuss was also the most important, the roles in which we each would play throughout the week before the shoot and the shoot day. These roles consist of a Producer, Photographer, Prop/Stylist, Model Recruitment and Assistants.

Producer:
The Producer of this brief would be the one in charge of booking the studio and booking the equipment, this will also be the person who organises the day and when everyone should arrive and keep things in order. Producer's stand back and make sure everything is going accordingly.

Photographer:
Fairly obvious what the photographer does, but the photographer will talk to the whole group on how we want the photos to be taken and then shoot each shot and show the group until we all agree on what the images should look like. We all rely on the photographer to shoot well, with the shoot that we have all set up.

Prop/Stylist:
This is the person in-charge of making sure all props including the realistic scorpion, real fish and real looking crab are all there on time. Stylist will also bring make-up, hair accessories, any other styling products they think are necessary and their own styling knowledge to make the model fit the brief.

Model Recruitment:
This person's role is to find the three model's we need for the shoot.  This is a very important part of the process and the rest of the team will need this job done correctly so that the shoot can go on. This role is also responsible if one model doesn't turn up, and needs a backup. They will check if the model's are ok with the rest of the team and let the model's know the information we tell them.

Assistant:
Assisting is just as important as all the other roles, all assistants for props, lighting and equipment will be needed.  As and when the photographer or any other member thinks of something to improve the subject matter, the assistants can change these things.

Producer - Alex Murray                                  Model Recruitment - Madalina Diana
Photographer - Matthew Lloyd                        Assistant/Props - Richard Burke
Prop/Stylist - Suzi-Rae Slough (ME)               Assistant/Props - Ellie Freeman
                                                                   Assistant.Lighting - Adam Coulter

Producer,               Photographer,                       Prop / Stylist,                   Model Recruitment,                     Assistants.   

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - Interpreting the Brief

The Brief I was Given & What I think About It

I was put into a group for the third brief, which was called 'Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio'.  Straight away when my name was called for this group brief I was happy as I have done Star Signs before. I once started a Star Sign project and wanted to show each of the 12 signs, I didn't manage to finish the project and is something I will re-do probably after I have graduated, but I found many props and had done a few shoots for some of the signs.  But I researched into the theme and had a lot of ideas for this shoot. I also had some prop ideas that I have had and used before.  The fact that the three portraits that we have to produce are of the specific 'pisces', 'cancer', and 'scorpio' signs, made it a little harder in the fact that I did not find anything to use for scorpio. Within our group I mentioned that I had done a lot of work with this before and had tried it out, and I told my group the fact I like the styling and working with the props the most and would like to be that position for this brief.

Interpreting the Brief - Star Signs; Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio.
O - Sketching out initial ideas for this brief could be beneficial and show ideas that portray this concept.
O - Looking at descriptions in the original Brief, can help to reach what is needed to be conveyed.

O - The Format of these images are important. We need to know the parameters we have to fit the image to.  Need to make sure it will fit fine as a double page magazine spread and is large enough for the billboards etc. We also need to make sure there is 'dead-space' around the subject for text and logo's to go for the client.

O - The Location for this shoot is quite simple. Because it is an inside Studio shoot we only have to make sure we have one of the studio's booked for us to use. We also need to make sure we have the right equipment to use.

O - Street Casting can be cheap and fast but also not as reliable, the model may not turn up. Using people we know or from a model agency could be a better plan. We need to make sure we take the description from the brief and apply that when looking for model's and make sure they have the right attitude potential for the shoot. Good interaction will be needed to make them feel comfortable. We need to make sure we have back up models. Model release forms will have to be done for each model.

O - The Prop / Styling is something that one person should be responsible for, in this case, me. It will include sourcing clothes and props for the shoot. There is a budget of £25.00 for the shoot and I will be in charge of that and how much we spend on props available.  The receipts will need to be seen but own clothes & props are possible.

O - Lighting / Equipment will need to match what is given in the brief. We will need to work out what lighting and equipment we will need, when we will need it and it will need to be in the studio ready.  Make sure all equipment needed is booked and ready for the shoot day.

All of the above has to be thought about before and during the shoot. All are important things to make sure that the shoot will run correctly.  There are plenty more that each individual in the group will have to think about, but working as a team will be the best way to get the brief done right.

Working to a Brief : 1 (studio) - The Briefs

For one of my workshops in this Professional Practice module, we were split into three groups, to conduct a group task.  Each group was given a slightly different brief to produce, shoot and complete.  For this first workshop each brief was a studio shoot using models and props.  Each group would have to handle street casting, model release forms, styling and prop re-sourcing, organisation of studio times and equipment hire.   It was a test of working as a team and dealing with an industry standard brief, along with lighting skills and photo-shoot knowledge.

We were each told that the brief would have to take place in One week's time and therefore had one week to produce the shoot and one day to carry out the shoot so that the outcome could be evaluated on the following week. From this point I felt very confident that I could play a vital part to a team and show my skills and knowledge in team briefing.
In our second year we had to build and exhibition and I made sure that I was as much help to my team as possible so that I was one team member remembered for a lot of work. I have worked in many team photography shoot's in the past with event photography jobs and I know what has to be done to make sure it will work.

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The three brief's were then explained to us;

Brief One - Nike
Nike have designed a new trainer called 'Canine'. They want to produce a series of advertisements that define the joy of running with a dog.  They want a campaign consisting of three separate images that simply portray the excitement of running through facial expressions.  Imagine the excitement a dog has when it knows it is going for a walk.  This same excitement has to be conveyed via a person's expression. The idea is to have a series of three close up portraits of different individuals with a different prop in each model's mouth, a ball, stick & trainer.  These individuals have different expressions of excitement on their faces depicting of their yearning to go outside and run. 

Format - These images will appear as a single page ad, for various mainstream/womens magazines.  The deadline for publication is very soon, so the client needs the images at the end of the shoot day.  The Nike logo must appear on the top left of the image, so needs space for it.  The 'Canine' text will appear at the bottom.
Location - This is a studio based shoot, so no location permissions are required.  However you must make sure studio space is booked and you have all the necessary items you need in the studio prior to shooting.
Casting - This is a vital part of this particular shoot.  The client is looking for 3 different models.  Ethnicity and gender are not important, but they are looking for 3 people in 3 different age groups; 18-25, 25-35, 35-45.  These models have to be able to produce a range of expressions, so casting is vital to test potential models out.
Prop / Styling - Again vital for this shoot.  The client requires a ball, a stick, and a trainer to use in each model's mouth.  You need to have a selection of each item for the client to choose their favourite.
Style / Lighting -  The client wants the imagery to have impact.  It needs to be shot with high key lighting.  The client particularly likes the effect that a ring flash gives.

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Brief Two - Mind
Mind, the mental health charity, want to produce a campaign highlighting the pain and suffering that people with mental health problems live with every day.  The client wants to produce hard hitting gritty imagery that depicts this suffering.  By using unconventional lighting and colouring, the photographic team have to produce cutting edge images.  The idea is to have a series of three portraits of different individuals head and shoulders.  By mixing different types of lighting, the client expects to see a blur for each portrait to depict the suffering.

Format - These images will appear as a single page ad, for various mainstream mens/womens magazines. The deadline for publication is very soon, so client needs the images at the end of shoot day.  The 'mind' logo will appear bottom centre.
Location - This is a studio based shoot, so no location permissions are required. However you must make sure studio space is booked and you have all the necessary items you need in the studio prior to shooting.
Casting - This is a vital part of this particular shoot.  The client is looking for 3 different models.  Ethnicity and gender are not important, but they are looking for 3 people in 3 different age groups; 18-25, 25-35, 35-45. These models have to be able to physically shake their heads for a long period of time, so casting is vital to test potential models out.
Props / Styling - In order to see the different ages of the three models, the client requires 3 different hats; a baseball cap, a beany hat, and a trilby.  These obviously have to fit the selected models heads.
Style / Lighting - The lighting used has to create a gritty image of impact.  It will probably be a mixture of lighting sources and gels.

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Brief Three - Pisces
A new company, Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio, are about to launch their new website.  They are looking for iconic photographic imagery that signifies and relates to their company.  They require three individual images that relate to the three star signs  that their company is named after.  The imagery produced should create a sense of calm and sophistication which is the defining ethos of this new, exciting company.  The idea is to have a series of three portraits of different individuals with a separate star sign either above their head, covering their mouth, or something else interpreted by the photographic team. The client requires props, ideally real, to use for this shoot. 

Format - These images will appear on a variety of media, from marketing material and posters to banners on websites.  This means you must leave enough space around the imagery so that it can be cropped in various different ways.  The deadline for the launch is very soon, so the client needs the images at the end of shoot day.
Location - This is a studio based shoot, so no location permissions are required. However you must make sure studio space is booked and you have all the necessary items you need in the studio prior to shooting.
Casting - The client is looking for 3 different models.  In keeping with the brands ethos, the selected models should look sleek and sophisticated, so it is vital to test potential models out.  Ethnicity and gender are not important, but they are looking for 3 people between the ages of 25-35.
Props / Styling - This is a vital part of this particular shoot.  The client wants real or very realistic props to match the company's name.  Hence, a crab, a fish and a scorpion.  You need to source these props at an early stage, and think outside the box in order to attain them.
Style / Lighting - The lighting style should be sophisticated like the brand.  The client particularly like low-key lighting with a series of strip or spot lights picking up details.

Here below are the examples of the previous year's three brief's, so that we can get an Idea of what the outcome could look like;

The Previous Year's Examples - Brief 1 Nike (left), Brief 2 Mind (middle), Brief 3 Pisces (right)

'My Photographic Life'

This here is a powerpoint presentation called 'This is Your Photographic Life' which consists of a selection of my Images, which I consider to be my strongest work, and work I would use for my Portfolio, but it also consists of some professional material that I would link in with my Photographic life. This presentation is what I would collate together for a client if they had asked me to send a Digital Portfolio of my work.  I have put some letter heads, business cards, website images, a statement, social networking pages, a CV, cover letter and images of a published book. This presentation was good for me because it got me talking about how far I have come as a photographer and made me think about the things I still need to do, to get better and further through the process of the photographic life. 

If I was to do this presentation again, I would include more of the smaller details about my photographic life, like the Values I use and my behaviour of my brand. These are things that I think about daily and use in my photographic brand.  The qualities I bring to my own brand are always important to me and my Brand personality is always most important.  The way I act around my brand can have impact and I make sure that it doesn't, I have spoken about my personality, behaviour and qualities and values before and I will do again within my blog and project. They all link together to also play a huge part of my photographic life.  I would also add on as to all of the photography jobs I have had before, including one of 'Elton John's Caudwell Butterfly Ball' held at Battersea Park London, in which I was a VIP photographer for Celebrities.  I would also mention any others jobs I have worked as photographer for in the past.

I like to keep all of my photos to an interest of mine and have been trying to create a Style for my brand. I would like to shoot, portraiture and beauty a lot more in the near future and also link in with fashion photography, but have a big fascination with the 'Body'. I have shot a lot of nature, and still life photography but I still think this links in with my brand and the way I portray myself, because I do not want to stick with one genre of photography and think is looks better for me to show how I shoot different genre's for future clients.

Where is MY work taking me ??
The work that I produce is taking me in roughly the direction that I want to be going. But I need to work harder on shoots that I need to do to build up a better Style for my brand. My work, with its link to beauty, portraiture and dance, have brought me to a place where I have had some inquiries for photoshoots. I have had many people I know approach me to ask for wedding day photographs and for baby shoots, which I am more than happy to help with once I get the time.  Because my work has managed to get me to this place, I think that with more shoots to have more of a background and a bigger number of images in each category, I should be able to take myself further and have more clients. My work so far, creates a happy atmosphere in my photographic life but would have a lot more viewers and followers of my brand with a higher number of shoots on a weekly/monthly basis, but these things will take time.  One of the happiest part of my photographic life and is where my work has taken me is to find one of my contacts, who has taken me to high celebrity ball's in which I have been assistant and a VIP photographer at, this has been one of my highlights so far and can happen again, if I carry on with my work, and keep creating more images.