We have moved to http://www.photographersboutique.co.uk

Yes the rumours are true...  we've had a facelift and can now be found here:

Http://www.photographersboutique.co.uk

Please stop by and say hello...we're getting a little lonely over there!

How to shoot in low light

I’ve always been uncomfortable with low-light situations, to the point of becoming obsessed with natural light.  There are also lots of times (especially during wedding photography) where is is impossible to use your flash, or if like me that you just don’t like the look that flash lit photos give.

Here are a few tips to make the most of the light, and avoid blurry or really grainy photos.

Lenses

Investing in good lenses is, in my humble opinion, one of the most important things you can do. The lower the f-stop on your lens, the more light it will allow into your camera and therefore it will allow you to use a faster shutter speed and then will help you avoid blurry photos.  When you’re first starting out you tend to use the kit lenses which will be around f/5.6 and though perfectly adequate when you’re just learning, wont help much in a dark church!  I use canon lenses and started off with the kit lenses, progressed to the 50mm f/1.8 and then upgraded to the 50mm f/1.4. I’ve now got my eye on the 50mm f/1.2 (though might need to save my pennies for just a little while longer!).  I also use a 17-35mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and they’re invaluable when it comes to low light situations, as having just a few extra f/stops makes a huge difference.

ISO

Don’t forget your can also raise your ISO to make your camera more sensitive to the light.  The only problem with higher ISO is that you might experience a bit of noise in your photos (or speckledy bits)  which is fine if you’re after an atmospheric black and white but could be quite distracting in the photo.  Full-frame DSLR’s like the 5D Mark II  and III are capable of raising the ISO without creating too much noise, however if you have a crop-sensor camera you’ll see much more noise.

Tripod/Monopod

Using a tripod of monopod will help you keep your camera still and will allow you to use a slower shutter speed.  The only problem is that moving them around isn’t always practical, so look for other ways of steadying your camera.

Post-Processing

If all else fails, there are ways of using Photoshop or Lightroom’s  for noise reduction can be  helpful if you find that your photos have a lot of noise from using a high ISO. Try shooting in RAW, rather than JPEG, when you are in low-light situations, as this will give you more control in your post-processing. Be careful not to make your photo’s look over processed.

{Maryanne Scott, owner and Photographer for Maryanne Scott Photography, wedding photographer in Yorkshire.  Portrait & kids photography covering the Yorkshire region.  Published cookbook author, married to Andrew, loves chocolate, mayonnaise and red wine (but not all at the same time). }

Bright light, low light, No light - Diary of a (newish) Wedding Photographer

Ok, so its been a while since my last “Diary of a (newish) wedding photographer” but I thought I would start on the next wedding that I did after this one, in May 2012.

The wedding was a traditional church ceremony followed by a reception at a sports club.  The couple were lovely, down to earth and I wasn’t expecting any surprises.  They weren’t being fussy over what photo’s they wanted and in fact they weren’t even bothered about meeting me before the day (though I have photographed them before so I did know them).

So the big day arrived and it was bright and sunny: perfect!  I suffered the usual nerves as I drove over to the brides house but unfortunately no-one told my tom tom that I needed it to behave today and it refused to find their house.  So after countless laps of their neighbourhood (where every house looked the same) I had to resort to Google on my phone.  By this point I was starting to panic (imagine I’m red faced and sweating - very attractive) as I had to be at the house for a certain time to accompany the bride to the hairdressers, luckily with just minutes to spare I spotted it. Panic over.

The hairdressers was fine, you know how it is, the usual battle between low lighting and an ugly backdrop (though isn’t that why black and white was invented??), then on to make-up and finally back to the brides house.  I often look at wedding blogs and wonder where on earth some photographers find their clients, because generally speaking most people don’t live in huge mansions with beautiful rooms that are a pleasure to photograph.  So there we were in their house and again the battle of lighting commences... I really don’t like using flash, unless it’s the reception, so I spend the time moving the bride & bridesmaid around the room to get the best light.  I think they were as exhausted as I was and it was only 12.30.

And then suddenly it was time to get to the church to photograph the groom and it amazes me every time how quickly the day goes.  Again, no surprises yet , the groom and his friends posed for a few images, I get a couple of shots of the church, and then horror of horrors the sun comes out.  Right onto the front of the church.  And because everyone expects photo’s outside the front door, here come the squinty eyes and uncomfortable smiles.  I just pray that by the time they come out after the ceremony that it’s a bit dull... and I guess this is down to experience and I know everyone wants sunshine at their wedding and I should be grateful it isn’t raining.

The church was beautiful, but again very dark and lit with candles.  The vicar asked that I didn’t use flash (which I had already assumed would be the case), and that I kept out of the way in a corner.  All well so far.  The bride arrives at church, the ceremony takes place & it was pretty much perfect. However no relaxing just yet...in the back of my mind I’m preparing myself for the formal photos outside the church...I don’t enjoy the formal photos.

As we leave the church, I start to arrange the guests and family into some sort of semblance of order, when someone announces that the bus to take everyone to the pub has arrived.  So after a couple of squinty photos of the guests everyone hastily departs.  And I mean everyone.  Unfortunately they had forgotten to tell me that we’d be going to a local pub before the reception, so I quickly grabbed one of the guests who was planning on walking there and offered them a lift.  Sometimes no matter how prepared I am (I have a pre-wedding questionnaire and speak to them to get a good idea of the timeline) I feel like I’m chasing my shadow...

So I get to the pub and everyone heads for the bar.  It’s a beautiful quaint little pub, all dark beams and little candlelit nooks.  Finally I bring out my flash and do my rounds.  We pause for half an hour to get some shots of the bride & groom on their own out in the grounds of the pub, but they ask for the formal photos to be done later on at the reception.  I’m conscious of the light fading, I just hope there’s time to get the photos at the reception without flash.

So we head off for the reception.  And would you believe it – the tom tom doesn’t even recognise the postcode., FFS, time to stick to that Vintage bus like glue. 

The sports club is set up for a disco and music blares out invitingly and as I arrive I’m met by the clubs own photographer.  Do I mind if he gets a few shots just for the venue?  No of course not, by this point in the day as long as he doesn’t get in my way he could do the birdie dance too and I wouldn’t care.  So after the obligatory camera gear discussions, you know the ones...”what camera do you use, which lens, are you full time???” I finally get to do some photos...and finally get the formal shots.  Unfortunately by this point everyone is a little worse for wear, so I get it done quickly.

I’m starting to flag a little now, its just gone 6.30pm and I haven’t eaten properly all day and could really do with a cuppa.  The speech’s and meal fly by and we’re at the first dance.  I’m always conscious during the reception that people might be sick of me by then, always in their faces taking photos.  But I suppose its better to feel the wrath of a couple of moaning guests (which has only happened a couple of times) than miss some of those unplanned moments which make great photos. 

And finally its 8.30 and its time to go home.  Time for a glass or two of wine, obviously after I’ve downloaded the photos (and resisted starting to edit them straight away...)

I think the thing I’m learning is that being prepared is important, but being flexible and calm is probably  more important. 

I'm writing these posts, not to moan about photography or any clients, but because I honest love doing it and have learnt so much each time something unexpected has happened.  I'm just hoping that someone new to wedding photography might learn something about what to expect.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR EARLY EXPERIENCE IN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY - PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Ava Inspired - Photography Props

This weeks highlighted Photography Prop's come from Ava Inspired by Claire Bradley.

I came across Claire recently when I did a Photoshoot with her family, here are a couple of photo's of her gorgeous knit wear:

If you'd like your Photography Props to be featured just get in touch!

{Maryanne Scott, owner and Photographer for Maryanne Scott Photography, wedding photographer in Yorkshire.  Portrait & kids photography covering the Yorkshire region.  Published cookbook author, married to Andrew, loves chocolate, mayonnaise and red wine (but not all at the same time). }

Interview with Antonina Mamzenko

So here it is... the first interview of 2013!

1. Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?
I’m a lifestyle family photographer and I photograph babies, families and bumps. My style is really unobtrusive and even documentary in a way. I strive to capture genuine emotions and unposed moments just through allowing people to be themselves.

I live in a tiny house in Surrey, UK and work on location, travelling to places near to where my clients live, pretty much anywhere in London, Surrey and sometimes even further afield.

2. What inspires you as a photographer?

Capturing people the way they really are, creating a snapshot of their love and happiness – something they can look at on a bad day and remember everything that’s great about their family. Although my dad was very much into photography when I was growing up, we didn’t really have beautiful photographs of our family spending time together. I think I always had it at the back of my mind and that’s what I want to give my clients.

3. How long have been a photographer?

I’ve been photographing people for the last 5 years, slowly discovering my own style and things that move me.

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

On Facebook, haha! Browsing the internet or reading a book. I also love travelling but since I had a baby 2 years ago I haven’t been able to do it as much as I’d love to. Slowly getting back into it though!

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

The book that kick-started my business was “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers. I was too scared to admit (even to myself) that photography and running my own business on my own terms is actually what I’d like to do, and reading this book helped me to gather up courage and just do it!

6. Best marketing idea? 

For me – a great online presence. A website and a blog that looks professional and showcases you and your images in the best light is something I wouldn’t be able to get my first clients without.

7. Worst marketing idea?

Giving away free photography sessions hoping to get some good clients. Doesn’t work. I did it once when I first started and told myself “never again”. I now only do it when I want to try something new for me, and add to my portfolio, and I don’t expect to find paying clients this way. Also print advertising. Unless you have a budget to advertise every month, in a number of magazines - don’t do it.

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

I was working out of my bedroom for the most of the first couple of years, and now I’m working out of a tiny study so I can get organised and have space for all the stuff that I’ve got (and I’m slowly running out of space!), but I don’t have a studio as such. I would love to though, but it’d have to be a pretty large space with a lot of natural light – somewhere I could take my clients to when the weather isn’t that great, or when it’s cold outside. I think it would definitely help.... Maybe in about 5 years time, something to aspire to!

9. What do you think makes a photographer successful?

It’s a tough one. I’d love to say “talent” but the truth is that sadly talent has very little to do with a professional success. Business brain is what will make you successful, although a little bit of talent will definitely help along the way.

10. What’s your weakness in this business?

Procrastination!

11. Are you a Nikon or Canon? and which model?

Canon, but for no other reason than it being my very first camera, so I bought a number of lenses over the years and switching to something else is a bit of a pain! I shoot with a 5D Mark II and it’s a brilliant camera.

12. and Lens?

I shoot with 50mm f1.4, 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 L. The 50mm prime is my current favourite and a 85mm lens is currently on my wish list.

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

I’ve already been so many things it’s hard to choose :) I’m actually a trained lawyer and after that I changed my career to being in marketing and design, as I needed a creative outlet law couldn’t give me. So I think I’d stick to being in marketing if I didn’t have the guts to be a photographer.

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

Get your business ducks in a row, figure out what it costs you to actually run the business and price to make a profit. Don’t spend a lot of money on the latest gear, samples you won’t need, and all the fancy design templates. Just do it slowly and more importantly, do it your way. There are no rights and wrongs in this business, there’s only what’s right for you and your clients.

15. Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

Genuinely... being booked again and again by the same families, and seeing how comfortable they are with me, it really makes it all worth it.

Here is where you can find Antonina:

Twitter https://twitter.com/antoninam
Facebook www.facebook.com/LondonFamilyPhotographer
Website: http://www.mamzenko.com/
Blog: http://www.mamzenko.com/blog/



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Be Photography Workshops

I came across this website recently and thought it was definitely worth a mention - Be Photography Workshop's - I love a good training course but its difficult to find ones that suit my own style of photography (or what I want it to be at any rate) they tend to be quite old fashioned and traditional! So when I found out it was being run by two local (Yorkshire) photographers I thought I should share it. 

The course is being run by Jaye (Tux & Tales Photography) and Shelley (Toast of Leeds) so it is bound to be something quite special.  I've actually featured both photographers on here if you'd like to read more about them...

Interview with Tux & Tales Photography
Interview with Toast of Leeds

Anyway I "borrowed" the following extract from their site. If you go on the course get in touch as I'd love to put a review on here.

Two days guaranteed to Be. full of awesome!

We are offering two days full of awesome….. so you can choose to book one day or both depending on what strikes your fancy.

Want an opportunity to stretch your creative photography muscles? Day one is for you!
Want to learn how to make your business a lean, mean machine? Day two is for you?
Want it all? Then book both days together to get a fabulous break on the price and maximize your experience!

Day 1 -
A hands-on creative photography shoot in two parts. We will work with you one on one through two different fully styled wedding shoots.
Shoot one - taught by Jaye – will focus on client interaction. How to pose and work with clients so you can illicit natural, stunning photographs that reflect your client’s style as well as your creativity! This is an outdoor all-weather styled shoot and we will discuss how to work with the available light and weather conditions of the day.
Shoot two - taught by Shelly – will focus on the challenges of low light photography -set in the gorgeous (but dimly lit!) East Riddlesden Barn. We will discuss the common challenges of shooting in churches and other popular low-light venues and teach you how to bend the light to work for you instead of against you.
Delegates will be put into groups no greater than 10 and work with one instructor at a time on a rota basis – ensuring that you will get maximum individual shooting time as well as plenty of one on one instruction.

Day 2 -
An in depth look at how to run your business efficiently leaving plenty of time for both home life and work life!

• How to set and manage client expectations
• How to manage and maintain a workflow which gives you the time to love your job
• Internet marketing & SEO basics
• Tips and tricks to help you find the right suppliers
• Branding and Blogging – hosted by the lovely Kelly from the Boho Wedding Blog

You will leave with a wealth of information at your fingertips so you are supercharged to make your business awesome in 2013
Cost
You may attend each day individually (£200 per day) or both days together for a reduced price (£350)
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Book before the 31st of January 2013 and get £50 off when you book the full two day course!

Happy New Year

You might have noticed that I haven’t been around much since last March.  Well, following on from my last post (Confessions of a new(ish) wedding photographer), it was my first full year of weddings (on top of my usual portrait shoots) and it all just got a bit too much! 

Anyway things seem to have settled down a little now so I’m working on blogging regularly.  So starting from tomorrow there will be more “Confessions” followed by some more interviews with great UK photographers.  There will be more packaging ideas, I’ll be unveiling a new look to the blog and of course some more great advise from guest bloggers.

If you would like to be featured then just get in touch.  I’m looking for wedding photographers this month & next!

{Maryanne Scott, owner and Photographer for Maryanne Scott Photography, wedding photographer in Yorkshire.  Portrait & kids photography covering the Yorkshire region.  Published cookbook author, married to Andrew, loves chocolate, mayonnaise and red wine (but not all at the same time). }

Religion, Torrential Rain & Auntie Bob

Here's the first instalment of Diary of a {newish} wedding photographer

Last Saturday I did my first wedding of the season.  I’m relatively new to wedding photography (only done 5 weddings), so I’m still struck by nerves and I still freak out over the organisation & formal photos. 

In principal I know what I’m doing; I’ve been “doing” photography for the last 4 years, I’m comfortable with my equipment, I know my style and I’m good with people.  But I don’t think there is anything that can prepare you for the stress of wedding photography.  I’m fully aware that these photos will mean so much to the bride and groom, and that to mess up on them is completely out of the question –so I prepare to the point of obsession. 

So anyway back to the day.  I arrived nice and early (with butterflies) at the grooms house. I took the obligatory photos, we had a bit of a laugh & generally I eased myself into it.  The torrential rain cleared up and we managed to get outside (which was a good job as I had left my wedding umbrella at home – arghh) .  All good so far. 

Next I had to get myself to the ceremony – never underestimate the journey over to the venue.  I always allow extra time, but even that didn’t prepare me for the disastrous traffic.  So with maybe 10 minutes to spare I arrived at the location for the ceremony and yet again the heavens opened. It was just going to be one of those days...

Its at this point that I have to point out that although I was brought up catholic, I’m not particularly religious.  All the weddings I have done so far have been either non-religious, church of England or catholic.  And so I made my first mistake.  The bride & groom were Jehovah Witnesses.  I knew this in advance, I had taken the time to try and find out what to expect.  Little did I know that the chain I wear round my neck would cause offence, leading to the gentleman leading the ceremony asking me to remove the offending cross.  OMG – I was so embarrassed.

Then within about 2 minutes a lady approached me to tell me that she was an “ex” photographer and started to quiz me about what I was planning on doing, my equipment etc... my heart sank.  Not only did I feel my usual nerves, I was also now expected to perform!  I just hoped that this would be the last I would hear from her.

And yes you guessed it.  Just as I started rounding up family for the formal photos, she popped up again.  Was I really going to do that?  Why wasn’t I doing this?  When she last did weddings at this venue she did X Y & Z.  It took all my strength to remain polite.  I don’t enjoy formal photos, I’m not a naturally bossy person & I don’t do shouting – possibly a recipe for a disaster at a wedding, but it works for me.  So I got on with it, spoke to the bride and ignored this lady.  It was a stressful afternoon. And a definite learning curve! Note to self, talk to other photographers to find out what they do...

The bride and groom had only wanted me there until the meal, so thankfully I got to leave quite soon afterwards.  Though not before the rather odd hotel manager asked if I would download all my photos onto his computer – so he could use them for marketing?  WTF?  I’m all for working with venues but prefer a little time to look at my photos first!

Suffice to say, that my first wedding of the year was an experience & felt in some ways like it was my first one again.  Note to self: lots to learn and even more to remember.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR EARLY EXPERIENCE IN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY - PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!

Interview with Tux and Tales Photography

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

I live in Selby, which is just outside of the City of York, in North Yorkshire, England. 

What inspires you as a photographer?

Colour and Light. Some people get excited when they see a pretty dress or pretty shoes - I am jumping out of my skin with joy when I see pretty light dappled on that dress or an amazing pop of colour on the shoes. It is a silly way to be, really. I am at my happiest during the late autumn, when the sun is low in the sky and it shines the most gorgeous yellow and purple light across the vibrantly green Yorkshire fields. 

How long have been a photographer?

Like most photographers, I don't remember a time in my life when I wasn't camera-in-hand. 

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

Reading a book - preferably outside in the rare English sunshine. When the weather isn't cooperating, I can be found with that same book in any kind of warm, light spot in the house. My husband calls them my 'sunny spots'. 

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

There have been so many since I am the kind of person that devours books. A few that pop to mind - Visionmongers, Duct Tape Marketing & Six Pixels of Separation.  My biggest piece of advice for any entrepreneur is to read, read and then read some more. Some of the best pieces of advice you will ever find about running your business will be in the pages of a book. 

Best marketing idea?  

Collaboration. When many wedding vendors work together to create a shoot, you get so much exposure to so many new people in the industry. It is like networking on steroids. Instead of exchanging business cards and having a cuppa, you are exchanging ideas and concepts - which build a friendship - not just a wallet full of business cards

Worst marketing idea? 

Print advertising. 

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

We don't currently have a studio and I am always of two minds about wanting one. Sometimes when you work from home, you feel like you never get to leave your job. However, if I had a separate office or studio, I would have to pass that cost on to clients which isn't ideal. I don't do loads of studio work - so I generally find that when I need a studio- someone has one to rent at a really reasonable price. 

What do you think makes a photographer successful?

Persistence, ability to 'find the light', persistence, an empathetic way of working with clients, persistence, good marketing savvy & oh yeah.... persistence. 

What’s your weakness in this business?

I am sometimes too personally invested. If someone doesn't like my work, or a shoot doesn't go as well as I would have liked, I am really, really hard on myself. I am my own biggest critic. 

Are you a Nikon or Canon? and which model?

Neither. I am one of the 2% that use Olympus. I grew up on Olympus and my first digital was an Oly. I shoot with 2 Olympus E5's, 1 Olympus E3 and I still clutch onto my E410. 

and Lens? 

Zuiko 12-60 2.8, Zuiko 70-200 2.8, Sigma  50mm 1.4, Sigma 35mm 1.2 (and a few others which don't get to see much action)

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

I can't imagine being anything other than a photographer - but I can imagine being a different kind of photographer. Perhaps a photo journalist visiting really exotic places. 

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

Shut up and do things. The people I see that are really floundering (outside of skill issues) are doing so because they spend a lot of time talking about what they should or should not do - and never really doing much of anything. In this business, if you stand still, you die. 

Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

I keep having them! I would say my first 'WOOOOO FREEKING HOOO' moment was when we were first featured on Rock n' Roll Bride. 

Here is where you can find Tux and Tales

twitter.com/TuxandTales
Facebook www.facebook.com/TuxandTalesWebsite: http://www.tuxandtalesphoto.co.ukBlog : http://www.tuxandtalesphoto.co.uk/blog

Chris Chambers Photography – Urban Wedding Portfolio Course

Yesterday I went on a portfolio training day with Chris Chambers of www.ChrisChambersPhotography.com.  I’d chosen the Urban wedding course, because later in the year I have a couple of weddings in Leeds City Centre. The course cost £120 and lasted from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with various stops for coffee/lunch etc (though not included in price obviously).

The day started with a coffee and an introduction from Chris, and then it was straight out into the mean streets of Leeds.  We headed down to the train station for some flash photography in front of one of the newer buildings.  Then Chris had found an amazing graffiti wall, and later we walked up to the main pedestrian area by Harvey Nichols.  And finally after a quick cuppa and a warm up (it was bloody freezing) we made our way up to the Town Hall.

Chris was helpful and happy to share tips throughout the day, he shared his settings, helped out with using flash and generally explained what he would do in the situation.  He also encouraged us to try new techniques and generally have fun with the models.

The models were great; young, slim, pretty and full of fun, perhaps it’s a little unrealistic to expect that all weddings will be like this, but if you get some nice images from it and you learn a few things – it’s all good!

The photographers I spoke to were divided over whether to use the images for their portfolios.  Some didn’t think it was an issue, but a couple thought it would be unfair to suggest that they were taken from a “real” wedding. Personally, I’ll be using them in my portfolio, but I will be saying that they were from a shoot rather than a wedding.  I also think that if you’re just starting out, its really difficult to put a portfolio together if you haven’t done a wedding so you need to do things like this.

So to round up:

Positives:

·         Got to find out how a more experience photographer works

·         Chris shared tips and tricks

·         Chris brought lots of equipment and wasn’t precious about us using his.

·         Met some lovely photographers, shared stories, moaned etc!

·         Found some really great locations for future weddings.

·         It was cheap compared with other portfolio building courses, and local to me!

·         Use the images for your portfolio

Negatives:

·         You need to have a fairly good understanding of flash & off camera flash (though Chris was more than happy to help).

·         There was only one “couple” – if there had been another couple it would have been more beneficial in terms of using it in your portfolio.

·         Although there were only 8 photographers (plus Chris) at times it wasn’t possible to all get the shots.  Some people are naturally pushier than others so it could have been frustrating for some – though to his credit Chris did his best to sort this out.

·         It was freezing and wet at times – I’d probably go for a course in summer in future J - but I suppose not all weddings are perfect!

One thing to remember is that you need to be sure you like the style of photography that the photographer running the course does – personally I wanted to try flash more and I know Chris uses flash in a lot of his images. But if that’s not your thing, then make sure you’re aware of what you’re getting into!

Anyway, my overall thoughts are that it was a really positive experience, I learnt a lot, I met some lovely photographers, got some great images and overall achieved what I wanted to achieve from the course.  I’d definitely recommend it! and here are a few of my favourites:

You can find Chris here:

www.chrischambersphotography.com