Before the Rush

Just thought I would write a little post as I will be so busy over the next month, I might not have time to.  I have Christmas Gift Vouchers to make for people to give to their loved ones as Presents. They can then book the shoot next year. I have 4 portrait sittings at the weekend - 2 Brothers, A family, 2 Sisters and another Family. Am really looking forward to those, although I know I will be really tired what with all of the editing afterwards. As I like to give my clients perfect photos, I perform editing on the photos too, clear up any blemishes, that kind of thing. All my social dates have been moved or cancelled to accommodate the work lol. I don't mind, I love working. I can't seem to relax these days. Always thinking of something else to write/create/shoot etc... I have a few winter portrait shoots coming up over the local woods. I think it will be really cool, especially if there is snow. There are lakes and bridges are there - lots of nice photo spots! Makes a nice change from the background screens. I met the couple whose wedding I am photographing on the 22nd. We got on so well talking about their wedding day. I made them at ease as have photographed weddings at Langtons in Essex many times. So I know my way around and the good photo spots. Praying for snow because it would be special for them. I hope all of my readers are well and I shall post up my Christmas work when I have time. Take care and have a great Christmas! Rj

Family Christmas Shoot

At the weekend I photographed this lovely family. They had the idea of having photos done and using them for Christmas presents. Great idea I thought, photos are personal. There was 6 people in total including 1 gorgeous little girl who was the perfect model. She loved posing and having fun. I am looking forward to lots more Christmas shoots coming up over the next few weeks.

Winner!

The winner of my prize raffle to win a photo shoot was ticket number 30 (Becca Lambert) Congratulations, I am looking forward to photographing you next year! I announced the winner at The Ellis Lynch Forgot Me Knot Charity Disco on Saturday.  I held a raffle to raise money for my cousin Ellis who has Muscular Dystrophy (more information below) the whole night raised £2700. Well done everyone who took part and thank you all!

Engagement Party

Last month I photographed an engagement party. The first one in fact, I think it's such a lovely idea to celebrate your engagement if you do not plan on getting married for a few years. I followed the happy couple around capturing all those natural moments between them, as well as their guests and the decorations. They had a beautiful cake and balloon arch which made for lovely photographs. Congratulations Danny and Joanna!



Raffle for the Ellis Appeal

My 2 year old cousin Ellis has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. There is no cure and he will never be able to work (for more information, please visit their website) We are raising money for him for all of the equipment he will need in the future (wheelchairs, walking aids etc) and also for that dream holiday to DisneyLand. The next big thing we are raising cash for is a car which is able to seat a wheelchair. Therefore I am running a raffle to win a free photoshoot. The photoshoot includes the sitting and all of the photos on disk. All I ask if for £2 a ticket (you can purchase as many as you want) The raffle will be drawn by Ellis on the 19th of November at a Charity Disco. If you would like tickets, please contact me at r-j-photo@live.com Thank you.

hartbeatz Car Audio

If you need a stereo fitted, amps and subs boxed up in the boot or a bluetooth adapter wired up. Then look no further. Hartbeatz offer simple to complex car audio solutions at great pricing. I joined the owner on a job and took some photographs of his work for his advertising. For Hartbeatz contact details please do not hesitate to get in touch or if you would like photographs taken for your business advertising. 

What I have been up to

With wedding and summer season over. I usually get about a months rest in October before the Christmas bookings start in November and December. What have I been up to? Well I have found time to continue writing my first book. I am writing a story to make a cause I am very passionate about, become even more recognised. I cannot say much more than that but once the book is finished and hopefully published, I will let you all know the name. I have also been busy buying new bits for the business, got a new laptop the other day which is fabulous for photos. Its Dell, it has a powerful processor to cope with the work and software I run and also has a brilliant True Life HD screen. The only thing is it's really heavy! I have also been looking at new cameras. The technology is really advanced and the cameras are getting better and better with more features. I really want one of the new Canon's with the HD video on too. We will see how my profit goes! I went to meet a lovely Italian couple the other day about their wedding next July. I got the booking this week. I will look forward to that. I am also getting a new pet on Saturday, an African Pygmy Hedgehog. Very unusual, but absolutely gorgeous. I cannot wait to pick it up. I have a busy Christmas coming up, have about 10 bookings already for portraits, an engagement party and a Christmas wedding. After Christmas I plan to go on holiday for my birthday in February, probably the Caribbean as I love it there. Wanted to do a Lion Volunteer holiday where you feed and bring up the orphaned cubs up but we'll see. I hope to post some more work soon, just enjoying my little break. Will write soon. Take care.

Breast Cancer Pink Charity Ball

On Saturday I had the oppotunity to be involved in a fundraising event for Breast Cancer and The Willow Foundation. The organisers through a beautiful pink ball with a live jazz band, an 8 year old singer (who was amazing) and other entertainment. I was set up in the venue reception photographing the guests under a balloon arch. They then purchased their 7x5 image in a black photo folder. I made a donation to the charities out of the profit. It was a hectic night but it all went well and the photos are lovely. I would also like to say that I really admire people who recover from cancer and go on to do brilliant things like raising money for the charities that helped them. There were quite a lot of women there that had suffered breast cancer and beaten it, with lots of awareness and donation to charity, it will be beaten!

Brother and Sister Portraits

I had another fun shoot the other day! 2 sisters and their brother. I did some shots of them together and then some separate for each of them. Their Mum had seen my work of another family on their living room wall and had to book to me. Word of mouth and recommendation is definitely the best form of advertising, most of my work is through recommendations.

Editing Work

My friend has set up her own cake business - her designs are amazing. She is currently making her leaflets and asked me to prepare her cake decoration photos for her advertising. I edited them using Photoshop. I really enjoy editing work, I have had quite a few editing jobs over the years, including fixing 40 wedding images for a Bride that wasn't happy with her wedding photographer! If you have any photos you need fixing, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like a quote on 'Aunty Lornas' cakes, please contact me and I will pass on the details.

Wedding 21/08/10

I photographed another wedding at Langtons this Summer (know the venue inside out) this time for Shirley and Dave. I started off at the Bride's house, photographing her getting ready with her makeup artist and hairdresser. Then on to the venue for an emotional ceremony. It was a lovely and the rain held out thank god! Got lovely shots around the grounds, Langtons has some lovely photo opportunities including a lake, pillars etc...Congratulations Shirley and Dave! What a beautiful day!

Wedding - 12/08/10

On Thursday the 12th I photographed a beautiful tropical themed wedding at Orsett Hall, Essex. The grounds of the venue are lovely, lots of great photo opportunities - bridges, palm trees, fountains etc. The inside of the venue was perfect for photographs too, beautiful decor and the wedding suites...wow! The Bride and Groom chose the brightest suite, which was blue and pink to match their tropical wedding. I love the idea of a colourful wedding, the photos are so bright. The wedding day was perfect, everything ran smoothly and the Bride and Groom looked amazing and had a brilliant day. Congratulations Phil and Karen!

Newborn Photography

I recently photographed a gorgeous newborn baby. I find newborn shoots challenging as the baby often doesn't want to be put in different positions and it can upset them sometimes. This little one was fine for the beginning of the shoot, then needed calming down by Mummy and Daddy. The trick is to photograph them as young as possible when they are still quite dreamy and sleepy. About 2 weeks old is what I usually suggest, this baby was slightly older. I think newborn photography looks great in black and white and there's so many effects you can add to the photos later...I tried my hand at adding this butterfly to his bum. Think it looks good although I need more design practice in Photoshop when I have some time.

Scuba Diving Photography

I qualified in June to be an Open Water Scuba Diver. I must say this (apart from flying my friends plane) is the best thing I have ever done! The underwater world is amazing. The feeling of being 25m under the sea, where you are not supposed to be is unbelievable. I get excited just writing about it. I cannot wait to go back to Egypt in Feb for my birthday. If you haven't done it, please try it. If you are scared or nervous this will soon go away when a beautiful green sea turtle just glides effortlessly beside you...every where you look there are amazing colourful creatures that you would never get to see otherwise. Hope the photos tempt you underwater...I shot these photos with my Canon Digital Camera in a Canon 40m Underwater Housing Kit - the quality is amazing for both videos and photos. I used Cameras Underwater for my set up, they are based in London and are also online...check it out if you are interested.

Summer Lifestyle Shoot

Great weather brings the chance to shoot portraits outside! Theres something about outdoor photographs which I really like. I think it's because it's not the usual standing infront of a screen, there's more colour etc. Had a fun time capturing this family for a special present for their relative!

Kids Portraits

I had 2 gorgeous kids down to the studio for their photographs taken with their mum. Had so much fun! Kids are always great models, I love letting them do what they want on shoot so that their actual personality shines through the photos...

Junior Prom

I recently photographed a junior prom. The kids were leaving for senior school. The parents had arranged everything from the hall, food, entertainment and music to me...I had such a fun night. The kids loved having their photographs done against a leavers background the parents had made up. They couldn't stop posing, my job ran smoothly. Good luck kids!

IKF Fight Photography at Circus Tavern

On the 24th July I photographed (for the 2nd time) the IKF's kickboxing championships at the Circus Tavern Essex. What a brilliant event to photograph...I am literally hanging over the side of the ring, shooting my lens straight into the action. I got splattered with sweat and blood! A few times I have had to dodge out of the way before me/my camera got punched! The talent of some of the fighters is unbelievable, sometimes my heart skips a beat looking at what they go through to be the best at their sport. The action shots I got were amazing. The fighters were all really happy! Great shoot!

Starting a blog

I decided to start my blog so I could share my life in photography with whoever is interested. I really love my work and find the idea of talking about what interesting jobs I get up to quite cool. So here it is (this is kind of a test to see how my layout looks) but at the same time a hello to any fans of my work that come across this. Looking forward to showing you life behind my lens...