Where do you come from cotton eye Joe....

The decision has been made to purchase the Canon D5 Mark2, yes all i need now is the money! I am excited, possibly a little too excited but this camera is possibly the most awesome bit of kit & I honestly believe will improve the quality of the files I am able to supply my clients.  My old camera I love but I have outgrown it and in a bid to continually improve my services and my images I want to step up and be counted as a Mark2 owner!

Somewhere it would have come in handy (with its crazzzzy high ISO settings) is the Barn dance i photographed this weekend.  Supporting my local residents association and Help The Heroes this dance and Mayfayre the following day turned out some great crowds, feel free to check out the pictures below.

Need your own events photography tips?  http://eepurl.com/pDjH

English Music Festival....

The end of May brings the English Music Festival, a highly respected charitable event where hidden English Classics are bought to the forefront and celebrated over a number of days and concerts.  I will be there this year snapping away and capturing some imagery suitable for marketing and PR use in the future but to get things started I needed to get a few snaps of the founder, Em Marshall.  We took these in a beautiful pub in Richmond.

For more information on the English Music Festival visit their site here.

Useful procrastination...

Writing a business plan I knew was not going to be easy but seriously...what?!  I believe the marketing plan is going to be harder as I have so many ideas its reigning them in to a suitable plan and strategy....at this point the answer is less procrastination(better make this a short post then) and more just getting on with it.

I have come across some great opportunities recently though in order to help Small Business's with things such as this besides the obvious Business Link - will the Tories' really replace this with another worthwhile and accessible initiative?!  They are below therefore for your viewing pleasure and I hope to see some of you there!

20th April - Small Business and Politics, meet the local MP

28th - 29th April - RSVP London

30th April - Keeping Business Local, Basingstoke

13th May - How to get a press release published

Bzzzzzz....

A few photographer friends of mine sell their prints online, I have considered this but never really thought my work was anything that people may like to purchase due to it not really being of that nature.  However after receiving a few comments (ok they were in the pub!) I have decided to take that step and started a profile on Arty Buzz.  This is a site dedicated to visual artists where you can browse and buy great artwork but also get involved yourself.  The prints and canvas's are high quality, they offer sculpture (nice!) and they even offer advise every step of the way if needed.   

Right, time to get fully updating my profile!

Bright Ideas...

With the edition of the Ideas tab on my website I thought it about time that this was introduced as a downloadable, printable, e-mailable (is that even a word?!) document, therefore I proudly introduce you to Bright Ideas!  A quick guide to tackling photography yourself or a point in the right direction when commissioning a professional or writing a brief, this essential guide will offer you and your clients some tips.

If you wish to view it online, please visit BRIGHT IDEAS.

If you wish to receive this fab edition stratight to your inbox...click here.

Create a Boom....

I am sitting here surrounded by paper, files started two years ago now adorning an attractive jacket of dust and various items of my wardrobe that didn't quite make it on to a hanger.  I am having a sort, a big one.  Its my start to my now full time self employment status.

A good start however with a feature in the Reading edition of Creative Boom, an online magazine dedicated to showcasing the creative industries in Reading and surrounding areas, I was very proud to have been asked....check out the feature here.

I have pictures to follow over the next couple of weeks of the Bagatelles Look Book and also the opening of the new Factory 311.  Held last night at their new Mowlem Street location the party was kicked off with a live DJ set and images from the best of their represented talent displayed proudly throughout the space, which is light, modern and fits snugly into the surrounding culture rich patchwork that makes up East London.

Behind the scenes....

One shot only: behind the scenes of a lookbook

Client/Handbag Designer: Bagatelles & Co

Model: Lula

Nails: Jo Webb

Make Up: Justina

Photographic Assistant: Maria Monfort-Plana

I'm Late, I'm Late........

With the goal in mind to refocus this weekend I am trying my darnedest to keep reminding myself that my marketing ideas, plan, practice, action and results cannot be put into place and produce results within a month.  Sounds silly but I am impatient (at times only of course) and seem to believe I am capable of such mean feats, I know I am not but it doesn't stop me wanting to achieve them.  

With only 2 weeks left until I take | Carli-Art photography | full time I am getting what I can in place and leaving the rest until I actually have enough hours in the day to produce something of substance.  Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women may be featuring heavily in my first few days in order to aid the mind and prevent a soon to be burn out for a few days, something I understand many small business owners / freelancers suffer from.  (I read somewhere it actually has a name now but cannot find it again anywhere - if I do I will post or if you know, feel free to comment!)  I have heard however that small business owners work twice as much as employees with 54% feeling they are overwhelmed with things to do)

My post therefore brings you an update on the impending full time status and your chance to take two minutes out, ooo go on have that cuppa and cheery bakewell, treat yourself.

'SpeakiSeek' Carli-Art introduces an image stock search service...

There is no doubt that the Creative industries have come under strain in the last couple of years.  

Even though now more than ever, marketing is a more thoughtful structured and necessary process imagery is readily available online at stock prices which makes finding work for freelance photographers like myself even more challenging.  Stock images can be great, they can be good and they can be ugly. In my experience and having spoken to Advertising and Marketing Agencies, it often works out cheaper commissioning a shoot by the time you find the image and the usage rights you want and need.  This is not always right though and time, ease and speed are where purchasing stock imagery plays its part.  I appreciate the vital place it now holds in the market and that is why I introduce you to the 'SpeakiSeek' service.

With an extensive range of imagery suitable for marketing or PR purposes I now offer a stock imagery style service.  You Speak, I Seek.  This will in time develop into a user friendly online site where you can do your own searching but until then I have access to many images from events, food, medical or general lifestyle and would be happy to do the digging and see if there is something suitable for you or our clients.  All of my images are Royalty Free and as standard come with a License to Use Agreement of 1 year.

So go ahead, challenge me to find the right image for you or your client.

"Chillax and look forward to the Roller Coaster...."

Frantically finding time to work and relax is not the easiest of things however after having a weekend away in Wales to 'chillax' as a friend put it really has put me in better stead.  There I was refusing to believe relaxation and getting away from work was feasible or even necessary and here I stand before you a converted woman!

I am gathering info and working hard at the moment to really hit the ground running come April.  A new luxury booklet to go out to clients showcasing some work, a potential redesign of the logo, an actual real business plan and yes some hard cash from the bank (or someone willing to lend!) to follow.  I have a lot of plans that are going to need some capital and having funded the business solely for the past couple of years I felt the full time move deserved to be treated with respect & enthusiasm.  

I have quite a few networking events in the diary so if you are looking for some yourself then visit Berkshire Networking, they have a full diary from various groups.

Other tit bits of news involve confirmation of me photographing the well renowned and highly respected English Music Festival held in Dorchester Abbey in May.  (Sneak previews of corporate portraits to follow as a start)  The Look Book shoot for fashion designer Bagatelles is coming up next week and hopefully we will see those Limited Ink images soon as well.  I am also excited to be taking part in something very local to me, the Burghfield May Fayre.  Not only will I be photographing the event but I have been asked to judge a new addition to their schedule this year, the photography competition.  More details to follow of course but I feel pleased that my goal to get to know more local business's and the local community as a whole has started well.

Keep those eyes peeled for the Sneak Previews plus a whole heap of behind the scenes stuff.  (Oh plus the newsletter in April features a free 'Light Up Ideas' download.....oooo!)

3 minutes of satisfaction...Networking....

Somewhat behind with the blogging this week so apologies.  Honestly, where is time going?  The last few months have been madness...yesterday I was waking up and waiting anxiously for Father Christmas to eat my homemade mince pies.  I am not a fan of this whirlwind in which time travels.

I attended a speed networking event today at Donnington Country Club with the lovely people from Berkshire Speed Networks, Catherine and John.  Having been to a few events I feel I have a good overview of what they are all about now & can honestly say that not only are these events enjoyable but they offer a great opportunity to get to know other local business's, get out from behind that desk and quite possibly, create future leads.  If your intending on going, dropping a hard sell and walking out with confirmed deal then think again.  This isn't about force feeding your business to someone or expecting a sale after talking for 3 minutes across a table in a crowded room.  This is about creating a positive first impression, starting a relationship that could lead to future opportunities and just learning about other companies and people around you.  

This is something I love doing.  I love absorbing information about other people's business's, their livelihoods, every day experiences and lets face it, their passions.  My brain starts ticking straight away about ways I could help or image ideas that could represent them, or most importantly what biscuit they would have with their tea. You can tell a lot about a person by the biscuit they choose.

Either way, I met some fantastic people today and am looking forward to the next event and the next lot of biscuit guessing!

Who said you can't be satisfied in 3 minutes.....just click here.

(Image courtesy of residents.com)

Straight to your door (OK inbox)....

You may have seen the fab new addition to the site...an Ideas page.  This like the blog gives you tips and tricks and instead of focussing on photography technique or editing it offers everyone some ideas on getting better pictures to use for Marketing, PR or advertising purposes.  Really it gives those clients the option to have a go themselves and be armed with a little bit of information before braving the realms of promotional imagery.  Budgets do not always allow for a photographer or you may just fancy giving it a bash, either way these should help you or your clients.  They will also give you key things to think about when commissioning a photographer or planning your brief.

Take a look at my site.  Visit the 'More' tab and go to Ideas. 

Do you have a question?  Let me know and have it feature in the Ideas section alongside a link to your site.

Want to receive some light up light bulb ideas via email?  Just drop me a 'yes please' to hello@carli-art.co.uk.  

(The Light up email is sent on a monthly basis with every 3rd edition accompanying my newsletter)

(Image courtesy of weblogcartoons.com)

Looking for an idea....

I love freebies.  I also love advise, conversations with people that have experienced things and can give me an honest opinion on it.  Food, Clothes, Shoes, Handbags (see the theme here!) and also business or marketing, or where to get some great inspiration.

On that basis I decided to start an 'Ideas' page.  A page on my website you can click to and get some ideas, some advise and some free tips.  Much like the photography and photoshop tips on the blog the Ideas page on my site is more of a guide......what to expect from events photography, what questions to ask your photographer.  Doing it yourself?  Tips on how to best capture the atmosphere of an event and even what images work best with PR and Marketing material.

If you want to get your free ideas just go to | Carli - Art photography | and visit the More tab.  

Model Look Books...

Some new pics of some wonderful Models!

Twon Allen / Elle Colman

Glass Fairies...

If you haven't yet experienced The Glass Magazine then its definitely worth taking a look.  Lose yourself for a moment in this 'of the moment' fairy-tale video editorial....

(Image courtesy of The Glass Magazine, Diego Merino)

Eye Eye Captain...

Foto Tip Friday actually on a Friday....what is the world coming to!

So just a quick one this week but essentially its about improving skin in your photograph.  I only tend to really work on skin for fashion or beauty images but you can go overboard and that clone stamp can create a lot of softness.  This is purely what I do to improve texture, remove blemishes and so forth so take what you will out of it.

• One you have messed with exposure and colour balance etc I would then start any skin work.  
• Keep editing bits and then look at what you have as a whole, its seriously easy to get carried away and not realize the difference being made.
• Take regular snap shots to see your progress
• I use quite a high opacity brush for skin cloning (between 11 - 22) and do all the work on a separate layer, i then lower the opacity of that layer if needed.
• Use a bigger brush on the forehead, cheeks and chin and then get smaller around the mouth and the eyes.
• The eyes are particularly important hence the image.  Using too much cloning can really make them soft and  you lose the impact.  It is also important to not go overboard on removing dark circles or wrinkles as these all add expression.  
• Work slowly, adding more as you go.
• I use a harder clone brush around the eyes so things aren't quite as soft and in areas where feasible i use the spot healing brush.  Again on around 11-22 and the larger the better.
• Use your history brush on 'Multiply' to accentuate the lashes and the eyebrows.  I also use it like an eyeliner to create some definition if needed.
• Use a high pass sharpen action if you want more sharpness but remember this will bring out pores and lines Don't remove all the pores in the skin, this is not realistic.  Fade some and even ger rid of some but dont remove entirley otherwise the model will look like a doll.

Got your own tips? Know a great way to improve pics...get in touch and show people what you've got!

Cotton Wool and Lighting Diagrams....

Okay so I only watched about 40 minutes of it but the bits I did see were, well, interesting.   One of the Gallagher brothers being a general idiot and throwing his microphone into the crowd, the Spice Girls becoming only 2 and Lady Gaga proving she in fact has a stunning voice and is able to demonstrate some rather flexible dance postures even while wearing the left overs of my bathroom bin in her hair.

As well as the Brits those in Fashion are celebrating London Fashion Week (booo, I missed out this year) and New York fashion week to come.  I hear all things are good if not busy.  In fact the one bit of advise i did get about attending LFW as a tog was if you were backstage don't use the same toilets as the models, messy!  Their words not mine.

On the photography front I am excited to announce that I am taking part in a hair and beauty shoot this weekend for the Loreal Colour Trophey - good luck Tom with your entry!  Photo's and any words of the crew to follow.  

While doing some research for this shoot actually I came across an amazing website that gives you full blown lighting breakdowns from a picture  I posted the link last week but here it is again as I think its so fab!  Also, here is the link where you can download your very own lighting diagram.....this could keep me amused for hours!

(picture courtesy of nymag.com)

"I'd be a toaster" Meet the Ltd Ink shoot crew...

If Sophie was an object found around the home she would be a pillow.  Not I assure you because she is round and soft but because she loves them.  I mean who doesn't, a sofa would be incomplete without them.  She also likes to remind us that socks with sandals are only fashionable when worn with heels and to be turned on she requires something edgy, interesting and unusual.  These are the fine words as spoken by Sophie Paxton, the stylist and miracle worker with whom I have worked before and chose to work with on the Limited Ink shoot.  She brings that 'pop' to my bang.

I would also like to introduce you to the rest of the lovely crew.....

Antonine Allen, Male model, is a quiet laid back chap who has been in the modeling industry for just over a year.  He enjoyed the Ltd Ink shoot due to its cool concept and arrived listening to Tirrs Riley.  The man has attitude, style and a crazy set of locks.

Elle, part French put some sweetness into the shoot and loved the Geek chic styling.  She last spent her hard earned pennies on food and believes that if she was any object she would be a mirror as it reflects the truth.

Our fabulous MUA was the wonderfully talented Jenny, who day to day works on great film productions and is a dab hand at effects.  She loves to come back to fashion and beauty though even if it does involve living her life out of a suitcase!

The shoot was a new experience for Maria Monfort who assisted and is currently studying hard to complete a BA in Photography.  She mentioned that she likes to sit and relax and would therefore be a sofa if she could be anything.  I like the thinking behind that.

Now if you hadn't already guessed I was the photographer, no there is no pic of me I stay behind the camera.  I liked the shoot because I like the tee's and I love getting a team together and experimenting with ideas.  It was a new experience with me as I tend to stick to natural light situations and outdoor spaces.  If you asked me what turned me on clothes wise I would say nothing, literally nothing.  Naked is best.

So there were a few words from the team and now to get the pictures edited and up for you to see!

In the meantime if you have the luxury of procrastinating this Saturday morning, check out this link - StudioXil.  Some excellent advise for lighting scenarios and getting the most out of those Bowens.  Plus they even show you the make up brief and the finished picture.  Great site. 

A lot of not a lot & something....

Excuse the lack of posts the last few days, I have been what can only been known as rather busy.  To Leeds and back yesterday and today and previous to that just way too much going on with networking events and meetings here and there.  To all of those I met networking and whom I still haven't followed up with....my sincere apologies!  Look out for something this weekend.

I am having album issues.  Its not good for the stress levels at all.  I am also having issues in a sense that I have not even started properly editing the Limited Ink shoot, damn and damn again.  Promise its coming soon though.  That alongside an interview with the cast and crew, some words from fashion designer Louis de Gama and yes...a photo tip Friday.  It will happen!!  (Maybe not on a friday but it will happen.)

Right, work.  Must do some.

PS: The picture is to pay tribute to Alexander Mcqueen.  RIP.  If you want to learn more about this tragic loss to his friends, family and fashion, click here.

White walls and Shadows...Sneak Preview....

Welcome Antwon Allen and Elle Coleman, the faces of the Commercial Fashion Shoot yesterday.  I have not had a chance to review all of the pics yet and decide how I feel about them as I decided to give myself most of the day off and enjoyed copious amounts of tea in bed with Hollyoaks and re-runs of Friends!  This is just a sneak preview...unedited.  (What am I doing?!)  I am thinking of maybe adding a few filters and so forth and de-saturating the pics but all to be experimented with.

Keep your eyes on the blog for the finished set of images and some words from the cast and crew.  All of whom were lovely I might add.....thank you to Elle, Antwon, Jenny, Maria and Sophie.