Sophie - Colchester Teen Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Today was my first photo shoot of the year. I photographed Sophie who is one of my teenage representatives and have been home editing the pictures. I just couldn't resist getting one up to show her. The rest will be ready tomorrow.

For more information on becoming a teen representative e-mail me on: kerrie@kerriemitchell.co.uk I still have two places left!

My Week In Pictures...

Another week another seven pictures. This week has been a hard one again, mainly because of the job searching and failing. I am really starting to feel unemployable and its the worst feeling in the world. I managed to cram in a lot of friends into the weekend though, and my mind was taken off all this. Tomorrow I have a photo shoot and I also plan to buckle down with my business plan and start to make a job for myself rather then finding one. 

Assisting Carlo Nicora - London Lingerie Shoot

On tuesday 18th on January I had the opportunity to tag along and assist Carlo and Fabiana Nicora on a lingere photo shoot in Battersea, London. I've never assisted on a photo shoot before, and Carlo and Fabiana made me feel really welcome from the moment I walked in the door. They were also happy for me to take some images for myself which I'll soon be adding to my portfolio.

Below are some behind the scenes images I took throughout the day;

Hair and make up was provided by Gabriella and Csaba from Karda Beauty 

Carlo and Fabiana were both very open and informative about the techniques they were using. For the most part Carlo was shooting with a ring flash whilst Fabiana shot with natural light (because of those huge windows!) or using a softbox. I really appreciated the chance to see them using lighting creatively, before now the only lighting experience I've had has been very regimental. By that I mean that the light has always been metered and the distances measured from the subject, I really liked the laid back attitude they had by just adjusting it when necessary by looking at the results in camera, rather than metering for each shot.

Models were Hayley and Sabine from Girl management and styling was provided by Natalie from Natalie styles.

Below are three shots I've chosen to include in my fashion portfolio. I've tried a different kind of processing on these images and given them a vintage-y effect. I usually shy away from the vintage style because I love colour and hate to desaturate my images too much. However, for these I think the effect works really well. I used Pioneer Womans photoshop actions, which are free so be sure to check them out!

Valentines Photo Shoots

I'm currently offering Valentine's photo shoots for just £70.00. So if you fancy getting something different for your other half this year, get in touch and book up soon to receive a gift voucher entitling you to a shoot taking place before 20th March 2011.

Photo sessions can take place in a location of your choice and last about an hour. You'll receive a disc of edited images for you to e-mail, post on Facebook or print. Perfect opportunity to get some nice new pictures for your walls!

E-mail me to book your date: kerrie@kerriemitchell.co.uk

A Photography Survey

I'm in the process of writing my business plan, it's a hard long slog but I've started now so there is no turning back!

I've compiled two online surveys both containing 10 questions to help me gage the current market for photography. One is more aimed to those who have been married before, are engaged or planning a wedding. The second one is a general survey about portrait photography that anybody can fill out.

I would really appreciate it if you could fill out one of the surveys below depending on your current situation.

The results I collect from this will help me to define my pricing, packages and placement in the current photography industry. So thumbs up to you for helping me out!!

Click here to take Wedding Photography survey

Click here to take Portrait Photography survey

Printing Photographs

Back in 2009 I started work on a cruise ship with Princess Cruises as a photographer. I spent 6 months living on the Island Princess and met some amazing people I'm happy to call friends for life, even though they seem to be scattered all over the planet.

Today I decided to collect all my photos from the experience into one place and started to design a photo book. I am notoriously bad for printing photos, I take hundreds of pictures and they just get left in a folder on my computer. It's pretty sad really, but I can spend ages looking through them and reliving the memories. I think this is the way most people have become, the main priority of my 'social' photographs from nights out or family occasions has just been to  upload them to Facebook after the event and then, they're, well... forgotten about.

I did make the effort straight after receiving home from working on ships, and printed out a selection that I have framed on my wall in my living room.

However, since taking the time to print and sort the pictures above, I'm guilty again of not printing a single picture for myself to frame in my home! The whole of 2010, there were countless occasions where I had my camera and took some lovely photos of my family and friends. Yet not one of them has made it into tangible form! I have lots of walls to be adorned with pictures, so this year I'll be sure to think twice before condemning my snaps to another folder on my computers memory.

Am I the only one guilty of this?! Surely in the digital age, its becoming (sadly) the norm!

My Week In Pictures...

I spent Monday getting my head around writing a business plan... its difficult work, but essential if I want to start taking photography seriously and making some profit from it. The plan is a work in progress, a looong one.

Tuesday I assisted Carlo and Fabiana Nicora on a lingere shoot in Battersea. It was a lot more risque (for lack of a better word!) than the stuff I usually photograph but I got a few images I'd like to add to my portfolio and post here when permission is granted. It was interesting to see how other photographers work, and seeing light used creatively. Most definitely a valuable experience. I'm hoping to blog about it soon. Other than that I've been getting excited about a job interview today. Fingers crossed!!

My Week In Pictures...

I've had a pretty strange week this week. While still being on the job hunt (and sending out countless applications) I'm still waiting to hear if i'm successful for any interviews. It's been stressing me out, and making me worry. So I hope things look up next week.

Then on Friday I attended SWPP. It was the first time I'd been and as I was walking from Hammersmith tube station to the Novotel I could hear all manner of photography related conversations going on around me by professionals no doubt. I felt completely out of my depth and had serious thoughts about turning round and going shopping instead. 

I carried on though and found myself in Chris Beckers masterclass. From there things just got much better, each speaker made me more confident in my abilities and really  inspired me to go for it and try to get this 'working for yourself' idea off the ground. Besides the amazing advice from the speakers I also got to meet some great new friends who are in the same position as me or who were quite recently there. 

All in all this week has got me very excited for the future. I've got loads of ideas I hope to get the ball rolling on next week, so watch this space...

Teenage Representatives and The Teenage Cancer Trust.

I'm currently on the hunt for teenage representatives for Kerrie Mitchell Photography. For just a £5 donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust you get fabulous photos to use on Facebook and the chance to earn £250 by recommending my services onto your friends. Sounds simple right? Thats because it is, you just need to be out-going and proactive. Every photo shoot you recommend raises a further £5 - £10 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. 

I am offering a select few teenage students from the Essex the opportunity to have a on location photo shoot if you sign up to be one of my Rep’s.

This is not a job that requires a huge amount of work on your part, but you must be willing to show off your photos and let your classmates know about my work, and how it raises money for The Teenage Cancer Trust. There are rewards for both you and them with each student that books a session with me.

-  What is required of a rep?   -

• A £5.00 donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust. 

• You must be between the age of 14 and 19. 

• You must be willing to show off your photos to your classmates, and tell them about Kerrie Mitchell Photography

• You must sign a contract to be a spokesperson for Kerrie Mitchell

• Photography and have consent from your parents.

• You must use a watermarked image from your session for your social media profile picture for a month after your session. 

• Consent for Kerrie Mitchell Photography to use your images online and in print for promotional purposes.

-   What you get for becoming a rep   -

• You get a full session with up to 3 outfit changes and up to 2 locations.

• 15% off of your print orders within the first 15 days of your password protected gallery going live.

• 10 web-sized watermarked images for you to use to promote Kerrie Mitchell Photography online (Facebook, Myspace, etc.). Watermark must be clearly visible.

• 25 Rep Cards with your pictures and my information to pass out to friends. More available if you run out.

• A feature on Kerrie Mitchell Photography’s blog, Face book and website.

• Personalised printable flyers/posters to hand out or email to your friends.

Sound like something you'd like to be part of? Send me an e-mail (kerrie@kerriemitchell.co.uk) and I'll send you a information pack and get your representative shoot booked up. I look forward to meeting some of you soon!

Monday's Little Drop of Inspiration

So we're two weeks into the new year now, how are those new years resolutions holding up? I've decided to make a serious effort and blog more regularly and in so doing have come up with a couple of weekly features. The first of those being this today, Monday's Little Drop of Inspiration.

Monday's Little Drop of Inspiration will include examples of some fabulous photo shoots from around the world and photographers that I particularly admire out there on the tinterweb. I hope that these series can provide you all with some ideas for your own photo shoots and get you thinking outside the box a bit.

I have a bit of a winter weather edition for you here this week. The rain and the wind we're experiencing at the moment is horrible but if you can brave it, there's some great opportunities for photographs. 

First up this week from LifeAsArt Photography are these fun fairground photos. I'm loving the vibrancy and colour, and even the way the general public have been featured alongside the couples. You can see the complete set by clicking here.

    

I know we've had a fair share of snow recently and most of us are sick of the stuff! However if you've booked up a photo session with me and it happens to snow on the day embrace it because you may just end up with photos like these... and really, how often do you get that chance? 

Photography by Rebekah Westover

Sarah Rhodes Photography demonstrates below, that even the windiest of days can produce amazing results...

Rain... it's inevitable. Kellie Kano managed to wield the following pictures from a pretty heavy downpour...

You can always to opt to stay in if the weather is putting you off outdoor pictures. Below is Elsie (of A Beautiful Mess) and Jeremy's cozy indoor engagement photo shoot taken by Team Rhodes

I hope thats inspired you to think a little into your location for your photo shoots, and proved that even the worst of weather conditions can produce some fabulous results!