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

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...

Family Photo Shoots in time for Mothers Day

Over the weekend of March 26th and 27th I'll be at Highwoods Country Park in Colchester, Essex for a weekend of family photo shoots. Each family will get a 45 minute slot, where we'll walk around the park taking group shots and candid photographs of you all having a fun day out.

You'll get a framed 15"x10" image in either a light wood or white wood frame and the same image on disc for you to make further copies from or e-mail to all your relatives. A perfect mothers day gift! All for £70. (Mothers day is April 3rd this year for all those of you who are panicking!)

Photo shoots are by appointment only so you'll need to e-mail me (kerrie@kerriemitchell.co.uk) to book your slot. I'm planning 5 or 6 per day. Make sure you book up quick, to avoid disappointment! 

 

To see the results from my family's photo shoot click here

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!

2010 - A New Year Recap

When I decided to do this post I had no idea it would take me so long to put together! It was hard to go through and select my favourite images and I kept coming across ones that I must have missed during the first round of editing. However I got there in the end and it has accumulated into this very long image loaded post.

In January last year I'd just returned from working on ships and decided that 2010 would be the year that I'd be able to finally start working for myself a little and make some money from my photography. It didn't initially turn out that way and looking back on the year its been a long process of portfolio building and gaining experience. I'm glad I did it, regardless of the fact a lot of these shoots were done as freebies. It has been valuable in terms of helping to define my style and so I have a lot of people to thank for that.

Below I've rounded up all of my favourites from the year, take a look.

 Liana & Matt: Engagement Session

Anna, Rachael & Natalie: Fashion Shoot

    

Fia: Anytime Session

Cayden: Christening

Slopes: Anytime Session

Mei Mei & Brendan: Anytime Session

Roo & Mel: Wedding

Charlotte, Emma & Nicolette: Teen Shoot

Hayley: Anytime Bridal Session

Vicky & Duane: Anytime Session

 Keeley & Matt: Anytime Session

I'm hoping I'll do twice as many shoots in 2011 and that it will start making me a second income. So fingers crossed!

Thank you to everyone who has appeared above, you have all been wonderful sports and helped me so much by taking part this year.