Interview with Serena Taylor from image newcastle

1.     Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I am a self taught photographer who grew up in a small country town outside of Melbourne, Australia.  After years of travelling throughout the world working as a photographer managing up to 16 staff, I met my future husband - in Alaska of all places, whilst we were on assignment. After 2 years of a long distance relationship he flew out to Hamilton Island, where I was the assistant manager of Hamilton Island Photography at the time and we got married on a private Yacht on the Great Barrier reef where we had 8 photographers onboard all snapping away (Talk about Paparazzi!). I then emigrated to Northumberland where we set up our business image newcastle in 2004. As a business we specialise in Wedding photography throughout the UK and abroad and this is the core of our businesses income. However I am also employed as an Inhouse Sports photographer by Newcastle United Football club and have been working there for almost 7 years now.

2.     What inspires you as a photographer?

I have always loved being behind the camera and capturing the moment. I remember Photography becoming a major part of my life when I was picking up my parents camera at the age of 11 and taking away on Basketball trips taking photos of my friends playing in tournaments and at the parties afterwards. Its the memories that remind you of how you were feeling at those particular moments in time that mean the most to me. I also love looking at other photographers work like Jerry Ghionis and Yervant, both highly talented photographers based in Australia. Simply the best in my eyes. They inspire you to become better at what you do and for you to push the boundries.

3.     How long have been a photographer?

I have been in the industry now for 18 years and my husband John has been in it for 20 years. Some people don’t believe me when I say I have been doing it for 18 years and I have two children 4 and 2 as they think I am in my early 20’s… (I’ve been blessed with some anti-aging genes but I’m actually in my mid 30’s!)

4.     When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

You can find me in the Kitchen cooking. I was meant to be a chef… That’s what I really wanted to do and got straight A’s in school with a certificate of distinction when I graduated. However, fate had me down as being a photographer and that was the route that I ended up taking from the age of 18.

5.     Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

Scott Kelby is helpful with photoshop techniques but we mainly do online research.

6.     Best marketing idea? 

Word of Mouth Referrals and Freeindex.co.uk- which is what we rely on the most!! Followed by Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and networking (Which I really don’t spend a lot of time doing and need to make more of an effort!)

7.     Worst marketing idea?

Advertising in glossy wedding magazines- it costs a fortune for very little return!

8.     Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

We don’t have a studio as we specialise in weddings which are location based. I do my meet and greets in the comfort of my clients homes or somewhere over a cup of coffee and cake. If you have a studio you need to push for portraits and other types of photography but I don’t want to get into that right now. My sister in law is about to have her first child, so I will do some baby portraits for her… If I enjoy that then I may change my mind and decide to start photographing babies… We’ll see!

9.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

Working hard and having charisma to really make your subject shine so you can capture the best in them.  And when you start providing a great service with great photos your clients do the hard work for you referring you on to their family and friends and leaving you great testimonials. Ok so you still need to be a sales person as well, but I find that when I go to meet and greets I show my couples that I am just ‘me’… a friendly, approachable person who wants to do the best photography for their memories… not a sales person being pushy and just wanting their money!

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

The amount of photographers out there. The industry is flooded and everyone wants to turn their weekend hobby into a full time career. With digital cameras becoming more accessible now the competition has really toughened up and if you are not at the top of your field you will be left behind that’s for sure! Oh and keeping up with the book work… I’m a photographer- not an accountant or book keeper!

11.  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

Have always and will always be a Nikon Girl from my first F50 at the age of 18 that I bought with my first pay cheque to my D3’s now and I have just got the new D7000 with video. I can’t wait to play with it… I love them!

12.  and Lens?

Nikkor 10.5mm 2.8 Fisheye through to 400mm and everything in between… We have about 10 different lens to go on 4 different bodies. My personal fav is my AF-s VR 70-200mm 2.8. I don’t go anywhere without it!

13.  If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

A chef- hopefully with a michelin star to my name… 

14.  Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

If you are naturally talented I would start off photographing friends and family. Build your portfolio and show professionals in your area and ask them to critique your work. Take their feedback and work on your images to make them stronger and learn from your mistakes. Don’t take negative feedback personally. What you see will be different to what a seasoned professional will see and their professional eye will help you make your images stronger! Then start assisting so you can to get experience and learn the trade from a professional. Business link is definitely the best place to go to talk about starting up your own business they offer free advice and have many free seminars and activities throughout the year.

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

Gracing the back cover of ‘The Times’ sports section with a photograph of Michael Owen celebrating after he scored the winning goal against Sunderland in the Tyne and Wear Derby at St.James Park in 2008.

I had been inside working and was late to come out for the second half. As I got down pitchside the ball was crossed into the box and Michael scored. He ran straight towards the corner flag where I literally had just sat down and captured the perfect shot! If I had’ve been out on time I would’ve been on the other side of the goal away from him celebrating or if I had’ve been out just 10 seconds later I would’ve missed everything and would’ve missed out completely! Oh and holding the championship trophy in the tunnel and then with the Manager at the time Chris Hughton when NUFC won the league in 2010.

Here is where you can find image newcastle

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Website- http://www.imagenewcastle.co.uk/

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