Steve Gerrard's Wedding Photography Workshop - Birmingham

On Wednesday Myself and 11 others attended Steve Gerrard's Wedding Photography workshop in Birmingham. I managed to peer pressure photography friend Amy along as well because I thought she'd get a lot from the workshop (and I didn't want to be lonely!) She did bring lots of entertainment especially when her tamogotchi decided to give birth.

Anyway... back to the course. Steve was very forthcoming with his knowledge and experiences in setting up a photography business. He told us a lot about the things he has learnt on the way and has definitely got me thinking a lot about the way I want to take things from now on. He also showed us his workflow, and gave us some great tips to speed up the editing process. I can't believe I didn't know about Photoshop droplets... but thankful that I now do!!

In the afternoon we wandered the streets nearby Steve's studio in the old custard factory and took some pictures of our models for the day Dave and Leanne. I loved the shooting, we do not have the gritty locations that Birmingham has to offer here in Colchester. But I certainly think I'll be looking more at the less obvious locations for future shoots. I mean these two even made a skip look great...

I'll be posting a behind the scenes post soon as well as I got some fun photos of everybody in action on the day as well. See the links below to see everyone else's results from the day too (I'll be adding more as and when people update their blogs)

Amy Radcliffe
Jenny O'Neill

Claudia Carter - Shoot Swap

It seems like ages ago now that Claudia and I met for lunch in Colchester whilst she was down for a few days to meet lots of photographers in London. We did a bit of shopping and then took some pictures of each other at Castle Park.

Claudia is such an inspiration to both myself and lots of other people. I met her at SWPP in January and she seems to have single handedly pulled together a great community of photographers both pro and amateur to offer advice and experience to one another. Before SWPP I didn't know anyone, and after a meet-up in the pub after the conference I was suddenly able to faces to names and even speak to Chris Becker. She is also in the process of setting up 'Photography Events UK' a website that will list all photographic events such as workshops, exhibitions, shoot swaps, meet-ups, conferences in one place online. It's a mammoth task but such a great idea, it wont be long until it launches!

Below are my pictures of Claudia from our meet-up.

My New Partner In Crime...

Last Christmas my family all put some money in towards a camera bag I was in love with, but was out of stock until February 2011. I was planning on buying the Red Lola Epiphanie bag. Until I went to order it and it was out of stock until the end of March.

I got completely fed up of waiting, and started looking elsewhere for a bag. Then I went on The Photography Parlour Meet Up in London (see my pictures from that here) and met Shan Fisher, who had a Kelly Moore camera bag on her and it blew the Lola out the water! So I tried it on, wanted to steal it (i didn't!) and immediately decided this was the one for me.

I ended up purchasing the bag through Everleaf. A UK supplier, which meant I didn't need to worry about export and custom taxes and it came the day after I ordered it! The only issue I had was deciding on the colour. I was torn between mustard yellow and muted teal, but finally settled on the yellow.

I've only had one shoot where I've used it, but I'm using it as a handbag in between because I just can't part from it! Take a look for yourselves...