The End

Seems no-one is any longer looking - so I will not post here any more.

Please visit my proper blog

. . . . .

Networking

Had the chance to attend a new network last week. Well I thought that was what I was attending - turned out I was slightly wrong. Derbyshire Arts were doing roadshows for creative people around Derbyshire and wanted to find out whether they were interested in networking together. Errrrr well, yes, of course we are.

I have been networking with two very interesting groups for 18 months but I find I do need to spend time with creative people outside of Uni. This is why my hopes were raised about the event last week. I left them with one comment "Set it up, tell us about it and we will come". There were many people in the room that are just waiting for a creative network in the area.

I have in mind that if this does not happen that I should work with other creative businesses in the area and set something up ourselves.

Decided that we should get on with it and I have been working with a friend and set up a twitter account and a facebook page to see how many followers and subscribers we get - this will give us the chance to gauge how interested people are.

Update:

Seems people do want something and the level of followers shows this. We are meeting later in the week to see how we should go about setting this up, what it will look like and how it will be run. I have a feeling I will be part of the committee. Jolly good fun.

Lesson learned:

If you want something then sort it out yourself.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client Y - social media portraits

A client asked how long it would take to capture some images he could use for his various profiles across the social media networks he uses. After a brief discussion about costs we decided on a date.

Had fun capturing these images and we had the chance to have a chat before hand where I found out about another network meeting in Derby and a new phone that has a function I am quite interested in.

My favourite image from the shoot:

Feedback:

"You made the whole process so easy and enjoyable - a bit like a long soak in a hot bath".

I don't think I can improve on that.

I have asked if he can put a recommendation for me onto my LinkedIn profile - particularly one that describes working with me as similar to relaxing and comfortable.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Logo

I have developed a new logo and here it is:

I am developing it into an ident for my timelapse movies and have instructed my web designer to update my website in line with the new logo. This will all happen over the next month or so. At that point I will do a big announcement and launch of the logo.

I am getting new business cards ready and updating all my office stationery in preparation but until the website is ready I am holding back a big official announcement.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mentor

I am organising a mentor.Someone to bounce ideas around with that has a financially sound head  to make sure the decisions I make and the ideas I have in the future are sensible and meaningful.

Our first chat resulted in him encouraging me to take to ALL my business network meetings a product or two for sale on the day.  You never know if people have a birthday coming up or a client they want to treat.

The next network meeting I took my packs of notelets along and said they were for sale at £5 each pack (they retail at £7.50) and I sold 7 packs. I had a request for another and someone else asked me to bring cards next time rather than a packs of cards!

Fabulous I will do this each time I network now. Only issue I have is that I ran out of paper and envelopes so I have ordered more and at the weekends I will make more packs and cards.

I am updating them with my new logo!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Business Presentation

I have a presentation ready to present - unfortunately I will not be available on 21st March to give it.

I think if you read through my blog here and my client facing blog link here - then you will see that I am doing all that is required for me to happily move from student to business owner in June.

I have consulted:

• Accountants
• Solicitors
• Mentors
• Tax advisers
• Business advisers
• Bank Manager
• Insurance brookers
• Web designers
• Graphic designers
• Printers
• Marketing managers
• Grant advisers
• Fund operators
• Local Councils
• Local Police
• Local Businesses
• Chamber of Commerce
• Local Rotary clubs
• Other professional photographers

Collaborations with:

• Animators
• Graphic designers
• Interior designers
• Website designers
• Local business networks
• Event co-ordinators
• Printers
• Local specialist groups
• Local museums
• Local newspapers
• Other professional photographers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Work in the pipeline

I have quite a bit of speculative work in the pipeline but it might make sense to write it down somewhere to see if I cant make some of it move from being speculative into being actual!

• Images for website - heath and safety. Have date booked into diary for the shoot.
• Images for website - training. New website is up and running and will use me for photography when cash flow picks up. This will definitely happen over the summer I don't need to do anything.
• Large wall art - an anniversary present. Sizes and dates coming to me from client. Will chase to make sure we don't miss the key dates.
• Large wall art - that is all I know will continue chasing the person that asked me. Think it is for his office, but he was vague so not really sure.
• Large wall art - for redecorated lounge. Seeing them on 22nd March.
• Photobook - father's birthday in April. Photobook required. Client has been chased as I need a months notice to produce these. Seeing her next week to to given the photo albums. Will charge more the less time I have.
• Newsletter - I edit a quarterly local newsletter. I take shots, edit, design and layout. Work is done by small committee. It needs to meet so we can have a newsletter out ready for Easter.
• Training - i sold 3 gift cards before xmas and those people will be asking soon to have their hour with me. As they have already paid this will be about finding a suitable hour for them and me!
• Diamond Jubilee - have been given permission to capture a timelapse of the closing of Market Street, Ashby and the setting up of the 970 seat street party. This needs lots of careful planning. Meetings have been set up.
• Stud Manager - have been given the go-ahead to approach Stud Manager to discuss ways of adding value to his offer to horse owners who send their mares to the stud. Will contact manager during week now that the idea has been described to him.

Lessons learned:

1. With people in small businesses like myself you have to appreciate that cash flow may be a problem. You need to be persistent without being pushy.
2. Patience will win the day. Some people don't understand your offer or how you can help. But if you slowly show them they will understand. I'm in no rush - as long as I enjoy this and I give good service and produce interesting images - the rest doesn't really matter.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Funding

Part of my progression is to undertake some community based work. Something that will add to the local pot of information about the area in which I live.

I have had meeting with two very different groups recently and have developed with them two different, but mutally supportive ideas.

With one idea we will need to approach the Arts Council for funding and have organised a meeting with Heritage Officer Snibston Discovery Park to ensure she has the archive material we need and is supportive of our planned idea.

The other idea has a team of people working together to create a digital resource for future generations about the Ashby Woulds. We have already presented a draft bid to the HLF who have replied asking us to ask for more money. Brilliant.

These two projects will be very welcomed and go into my business plan mix very nicely. I love a bit of philanthropy.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client X - camera appreciation training

A client I have worked with in the past asked me to give her some training on how to use her camera and take better photographs of the women she trains.

We set aside an hour and got down to work. I found out exactly what she needs the images for, what sort of camera she has, the sort of issues she has with it and the issues she has with the final images.

Armed with this information I was able to help her understand her camera better, give her some top tips for when she is capturing her images and some ideas for the future when to make further improvements.

Finished the hour exhausted, paid - but with one very happy client who is more confident about capturing images of the beautiful women she trains. Result

Lessons learned:

I learned something from this- and that is if the client wants to talk about - well, anything - then let them. They are, after all, paying for this. I do not have to cram all the information I know into an hour. They will not remember it all, in fact they will get a headache. But if the client is paying and the client wants to talk then it is only right that I sit and listen!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The 3 Cs

When being asked to do some work I consider the three Cs. When considering them I need to have 2 of the 3 satisfied before agreeing to undertaking a job.

The three are:

1. Creativity
2. Contacts
3. Cost

• If I'm not getting paid but it will be creative work and I may make more contacts for my business - then it is worthwhile.
• If it's not a very creative job but I will get well paid and might make some new contacts - then it is worthwhile.
• If there are no new contacts to be made but it will be creative and I'll get paid - then it is worthwhile.

This is a rule like all rules is meant to be broken but it does help me make a work decision. Sometimes only one of the three will apply. But as long as I am OK with that then there is no problem. But if none apply - then I will politely refuse.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client W - a freebie for charity

A chap I network with on a Friday morning is also a Rotarian. He asked me if I would like to photograph a World record breaking attempt. I said yes.

On 25th February 2012 an attempt to break the world record for the maximum number of people swimming at the same time was attempted. At Hood Park in Ashby 52 brave swimmers swan their required 4 lengths watched and recorded by about 80 people. These 52 officially adjudicated swimmers were then added to the final total of swimmers around the world that day.

Initially I was asked to photograph the swimmers with their numbers on their arms as proof positive that they had signed in and arrived. However, someone else was found for that task and I was asked to 'do my thing - be creative' and get the essence of the event. Much better use of me and my equipment. I couldn't resist.

 

You don't often get the chance to photograph in swimming pools. The images I captured were a ducks-eye view of events and I loved every minute of it.

 

Post-Script: I think the record was broken.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client V - events photography

As part of the work Kerry and I are doing with the NHS we were asked if we would like to do something at their Staff Excellence Awards evening.

We suggested two things:

1. To capture a timelapse movie of the room transforming into the beautiful event. This would be so the NHS could use it to show-off to and attract sponsors for next years event.
2. Offer a photo-booth area where we capture images of guests as they arrive and they can purchase the images for a flat fee of £10 which, after Kerry and I have covered our costs, would all go to a charity in the hospital.

They loved both ideas.

The timelapse equipment was purchased, repaired and borrowed and set up to capture for 7 hours.

The photobooth area was set up with back drops, props, camera, lighting, and other equipment. Kerry and I worked out how to administer this so that it worked as smoothly as possible. And it did. We are an excellent team.

 

We have both got other work from this and we are both very proud of the way we handled all the different issues that cropped up before, during and after the actual event. A wonderful experience and a lovely night.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Insurance

It's the time of year when my house insurance is due. Up until now all the camera kit has been on the house insurance as individually notified items with serial numbers etc. however I realise that as a professional the kit needs to be a part of the business. Now that I have a fully kitted out office (in the house - but separate none-the-less) I need to separate the insurance.

Went to see my insurance broker to discuss what I need to do. She has already sorted my Public Liability Insurance and now she needs to sort Indemnity and also to insure all the kit and office equipment. The insurer that offered the PLI will not cover the £10,000+ of kit/equipment which I have.

She is investigating others to find me the most cost-effective and extensive cover possible.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client U - staff portraits and location shoots

Previous client has come back for staff portraits of new staff and action shots of new team on site.

Afternoon descended into drizzle and low light. Have offered to reshoot location shots with an hour FoC.

Client very happy with images and has come up with different ideas for the geomatics team and other shots he would like.

Future:

On-going client who is very happy and am thinking of suggesting working with him on a contract basis. Am working out a contract and seeing a solicitor so that I understand what I am saying before I approach clients with this idea.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Testing the Market

I have an idea which I am considering which might become my USP. I have been considering this idea for a while now and thinking about the best audience to approach who might be most interested in this product.

At a recent Business Show I had the chance to speak to companies with the profile I'm looking for and discussed my idea. They were very interested and said as soon as I am ready to go to market with the idea to contact them.

Brilliant - now I need to work out a pricing structure for this - the basics and the extras; have a discussion about it with my mentor and then plan a way to present it and then get out there and get me some customers.

Feel like a real business woman.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client T - Cash Sales

Met someone who is as obsessed about blue glass as I am. I printed off a pack of blue bottle notelets for her plus two greetings cards (one A6 and the other bookmark sized). She bought all 3 items.

Sometimes it is nice to make cash sales. But now I have the problem of working out how to get it into my business bank account!

It was a retorical question - I have it all under control I am not actually asking for advice here!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client S - family portrait

This was a challenge. I could have said no but realised I could achieve some of what she wanted so decided to see if I could make this work.

Process and result will follow.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client R - photo restorations

Another chance to practice my skills at photo restoration. Five images to sort out, scan and restore and then print and present back to client.

Thoroughly enjoyed doing this - happy client.



Before

After



 

. . . . . . . . . . .

Business Development

Time-Lapse Photography:

I have got seriously interested in creating time-lapse photography. I have purchased a Remote Timer for my camera and been experimenting. I will post links to the films on Vimeo when I get chance to do it - although looks like I can post them here. I wont show all my steps and progression. Suffice to say it has been fun and a HUGE learning curve.

I have taken advice from Lance and Rich and also made contact with an animator and she has really given my ideas wings. This has also resulted in her asking me to quote for a film she is working on and me providing the set up for a time-lapse section in the film. Quote given but think I may have over done it as I have no idea what she needs. Will discuss and see how to pitch my offer in the future for work that I can do with her.

I am producing a time-lapse 'film' for NHS for their Excellence Awards evening and Burton Albion are interested in making use of it to promote their conference facilities. This has made me realise that there is an offer here that I can make to local hotels and conference venues. My Friday morning network is focusing on getting leads in the hospitality market and this will include hotels so I will be getting on top of my skills and ideas for this technique and seeing if I can have some 'films' in the bag to show to potential clients what I can do.

In the meantime I am working hard on increasing my skills and getting as much information and advice from Lance, Richard and Tilley.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client Q - Workplace Portrait Shots

Brief:

A referral from someone I network with has put me in touch with the owner of a Consulting company who needed to update the images on her website. The initial contact was made in early September but she is only now ready to update her website. The hold-up was caused by her rethinking the name of the company and rebranding and she was waiting until she had more money in her account. But today (3rd Feb) she was ready for action.

Over the last 6 months we have had email conversations about what is required, what I would like to do, how much I would charge and when she would like to do it.

Set-up:

I knew I would need lighting - particularly in February. I was lucky with the sunny day but glad I had flash (off camera) and cold light. I was able to light one shot as if it were the summer. Very nice. We had both got ideas for different shots and we worked together setting up parts of her house so it looked like an office, a training venue, a presentation area, a conference suite and even went off outside for some whacky shots under her tree with the flip board. Amazing. What a great woman and so much fun. 

The Shoot:

Tried a variety of situation and set-ups and she put on a variety of different outfits so that it looked like we were shooting on different days. We did some outside and some inside.

Invoice and Delivery:

Images will be processed over the weekend and images sent to her on CD along with invoice.

Images:

Client P - Stud Manager

BACKGROUND:

A networking colleague is trying to get me an opening into the local Stud where he keeps his mares and foals. He had been invited to a Stud Open day which was held on 29th Jan and he invited me to go along with him. It was a bitterly cold morning but a warm cup of tea and the sight of those beautiful stallions and we were all warmed up.

SITUATION:

The Stallions are often paraded to potential clients with mares ready to go into season. The Stud shows off the stallions and allows clients to get up close and personal with the stallion as well as seeing it moving and getting the chance to photograph it. The stud provides cards on each stallion which also contains a price for each covering.

PROCESS:

This was not a job but a chance to be seen once again by the Stud Manager and his family and for them to get used to me and get to know me. And also to see that I was OK around horses and around their clients.

I did not have chance to set up any equipment - nor ask for any specific things to be done with the horses. I had to go with what was offered by the Stud Manager whilst he was handling and showing off the stallions.

With a tiny bit more time and a little bit of kit I could get some images that would be stunning and they would WANT on their brochures and cards.

RESULTS:

I processed the images I was happy with and had a bit of fun cropping, cloning and removing the handler on some of the shots so that it looked like the stallion was on its own. Well - it amused me.

The processed images have been burned to disc and I have shown them to my network colleague. I have written him a covering letter which I have said I am more than happy for him to pass on to the stud manager.

We are both hopeful that this will help me get a foot in the door with this family and then potentially their clients in the future and result in much work flowing my way.


INVOICE AND DELIVERY:
No invoice for this.

Images on CD delivered to my network colleague on Friday 3rd February for him to pass onto Stud on Saturday 4th Feb. Ever hopeful!


IMAGES:

Lesson learned:
Whilst I was there I found a photographers buisienss card which said "Equestrian Photography" and this got me thinking - my thoughts can be found in this blog entry.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client O - Photo Restoration

BACKGROUND:

Another networking client has asked for help in restoring an old photograph of Enderby Band.

SITUATION:

The photograph had previously been restored and it was in a very delicate and fragile state. It was taken around 1895 so I felt privileged to have this item in my possession for a week or so. I was given one photograph to scan and restore and then print, mount and frame and another that needs mounting and framing.
PROCESS:

I spent a very pleasant hour or so scanning and restoring the image.

INVOICE AND DELIVERY:

Bubble wrapped the frames, prepared an invoice, burned the restored image to CD so he can use them again and added my new business card/tag. Very satisfying.
IMAGES:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Business Plan

You seem to be asking for a 'Portfolio of Information' for what I plan to do once I have graduated. As I am going to be self-employed and set up my own photography business (it is already set up) I have produced a Business/Progression Plan. This Plan and all background information is available in my Research Folder which was handed in on 13th Dec and 4th Jan. It is far too long and complicated to 'blog' about it. Plus it contains sensitive information which I would not want to share online!

Research Folders containing work undertaken and completed for the first term in Year 1 covering professional practice and second term Year 1 developing a business plan are also available. If you would like to see any of this work I can ensure it is in my Research folder for this term and will be handed in on (or before) the 15th May. If you would like to see any of this work before then please ask.

Work includes:

• Model Release forms
• Property Release forms
• Insurance research
• Public Liability Insurance Certificate
• Business Plan 
• Profit and Loss Account
• How to make money from Photography
• HMRC information
• Local Council Business Rates information
• Your Business
• Your Practice
• Being Professional
• NUJ Charging Guide
• Should I work for free?
• Marketing Strategy

• Ideas for Photography rates
• Information about Weddings
• Terms and Conditions on quotes
• Terms and Conditions on invoices
• Terms and Conditions for weddings
• Membership of Groups/Societies
• Self-Promotion
• List of kit and equipment and costs
• Intellectual Property
• Copyright Law
• Stop and Search Rights under the Terrorism Act

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Client Quotes

I have not determined what my USP is going to be for my business yet. I am liking the "studio quality product shots in your office/home" idea at the moment and am working on getting together the appropriate kit to achieve that. I also have two commissions to produce images over the next 2 months.

In the meantime I have been asked to quote on a number of possible jobs. One for a wedding (yes I know who would have thought it!); another to produce a photobook for a 50th Wedding Anniversary; and another photo restoration.

I enjoy quoting for work it gives me time to reflect on what it is I would like to achieve with people. It also gives me the chance to do a little research and make sure I am keeping on top and on target with things. For example have I got my pricing structure correct, have I got all the relevant paperwork in place eg terms and conditions, fees, quotes, invoices etc etc. I have revisited and reviewed my wedding terms and conditions and in the next couple of months I will be visiting a solicitor (Liz at Else) to ensure I have covered all areas with my T&Cs. I have updated my public liability insurance and will be investigating public indemnity when my house insurance is renewed in April. I might be moving my camera equipment off the house contents insurance and onto a policy of their own to be covered by the business. I have an insurance advisor (Vicky at Law and Ashwood) who is working on this for me.

If these quotes turn into work then you will see the results on this blog - until then - happy reading.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Studio Time

There will come a time when I am no longer at University when I will require the use of a fully equipped studio.

I am moving towards having my own lighting and product/table top studio set-up. However there will be times when I need the use of a studio and studio lighting. Over the last year I have looked for ways to do that. The best is to have my own at home. However the costs of set-up have to be weighed against the amount of use and profit it will make for the business. In the first few years, until profits accumulate, this isn't going to be feasible. Hiring a studio therefore offers a better solution in these early stages of operation.

I recently met up with a very talented, creative person who offered some advice on resolving an issue I was having whilst creating my PhotoFilms in After Effects. Their workspace has meeting room, office and best of all - studio. We have come to an agreement on hiring charges for the studio and equipment. I will be revisiting during February with the intention of itemising the equipment available.

My dream would be to have a similar set-up in the future. I am going to research what business start-up office/studio spaces are available locally and if there are any financial incentives available in the form of grants from local authorities/Government/arts council etc. I know that some places offer seed rents for new businesses. Knowing my local area I don't think this is available - but it wont stop me asking the questions and doing the research. I also received some interesting advice about asking banks for loans. All of this information is going into my research folder along with information about insurance, copyright, website, financial strategy, intellectual property, terms and conditions, HMRC, accountant, solicitor, marketing strategy, equipment replacement programme and wish list for equipment.

There is something to be said for having office/home separate at some point. At the moment though it is great to be able to start working whilst you are still in your pyjamas!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plans.Proposals.USPs

My plan over the next 3 months is to re brand myself in preparation for relaunching the business once I graduate in June. During that time I am considering what my USP is, what the main focus of my business will be and where my commercial future lies. (Developing robust business plans, contacts, support etc).

Consideration will also be given to being able to continue enjoying personal projects and finding the time, space and money to continue them. It is important to me to surround myself with artistic and creative people - I am therefore ensuring that I don't just network with business people but with creative people too - and sometimes specifically. To this end I am organising a creative network group amongst my Alumni and finding out if the Burton Creative network can be restarted.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .