'The' Weekend for Events...

The weekend just gone was apparently 'the' weekend that everything happened in terms of events and weddings, there were agencies crying out for more Champagne flutes and teams cursing the intern who mis ordered the caviar appetisers & were now attempting to rescue the situation with a emergency trip to Waitrose.  

I did indeed attend (kind of, stay with me here) two weddings.  I was second photographer for Emma Coleman of Blink Photography for a beautiful wedding at Pembroke Lodge, a regular venue for Emma I had never ventured there before and was very much taken with the outside terrace and the willing staff who kept offering me alcohol based refreshments!  If you keep an eye on her blog there will be a posting soon I am sure, look out for the shot of the white chocolate cake, yes that is the cake I resisted sticking my finger in to lick off the icing!

The evening saw me head over to Ayslesbuty for probably the plushest wedding I have ever laid eyes on...a stunning display of stretch tents, bespoke cushions, bar and bunny shaped lighting.  Some sneeky peeks below for you which were taken on behalf of Ten By Fifteen structures.  If your into tents or moonlight might just be your thing.

The other event I attended, this week actually but hey ho, was the launch of the new Toyota Lexus Hybrid Auris...phew thats a title.  It was held in Cambridge and managed by TMB and was filled with pretty pink lights, free luxury beverages and check it out - an old school games room!  Loved by many this room featured Pac Man, Table football and Space Invaders...images to follow soon.

On an entirely separate note if you wish to see a posting I did on Networking in Berkshire re Twitter then click on me.  I by no means posses some magic key to the door of Twitter knowledge however I have found a local clan of professionals who meet in a rather nice bar and talk tech; offering advise, guidance and also a networking opportunity.  I am going just for the board games and Jelly beans!   

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

RSVP......

I have been very busy this week predominantly working on marketing material and am very excited about getting a portfolio designed and printed....the old school returns and I cant wait to give some of my clients something tangible to wrap their fingers around.  I attended RSVP on Thursday (I saw Alistair Guy if you know who that is, I have to admit I was slightly star struck!!) and have posted some images below so you can get a feeling for this Events event, the general feel was really positive and I was proud to bump into friends on a few of the stands including Group Seven Events and Ten by Fifteen structures.

I will follow later this week with some more images from the Bagatelles shoot, a good round up for that one and also some new additions to the stock library!

Bright Ideas...1

To compliment my Bright Ideas paper I have now decided to offer you a Bright Ideas post, so this will be posted every 2 - 4 weeks then the online newsletter based version as per normal every quarter.  You can download the published edition each quarter so that at the end of the year you have your very own guide packed full of good ideas on how to use your imagery to your brands best advantage be it PR, Events or advertising photography being discussed.


To get things started lets look at Start Ups, this can also apply to all brands really wishing to cement or illustrate their brand core values, people, style and business with photography.  These are all Bright Ideas however that I would suggest you might like to consider.


When you read text your brain conjures up visual images.  When you hear the word 'exciting' or 'community' your brain again creates mini visuals in your head, people tend to think visually.....


1) The home page on your website should definitely have a strong image on it.  It should give the viewer an insight into what your company does but also how they do it.  So if your traditional in method then maybe use more traditional photographic or imaging process's, or if you are modern and fresh then express this using lighting by making things clean, bright or colourful.  
2) Think about using images on the different pages of your site or in various sections.  For example, you have a contact us page...make it more inviting by illustrating that contact through a photograph of a telephone box, a phone cable, a handshake, maybe something a little bit more quirky.  Get creative!
3) Incorporate your core values into each image and make sure the pictures remain consistent, so the same 'style' of shot throughout.  Offer continuity & recognition as all of this will help people to remember your business and build up a picture of it in their head.  
4) Fit the images with your brand colours or logo.  So think of things like what colour text the images are going to be used alongside, what other pictures are being used on the same page and even try and incorporate some of your brand colours into the picture.  You don't have to go crazy but just suggestions or hints will work great.
5)....Ok I could go on but the post would end up far too long to read & there will be nothing left to put in the next one!!  If you found these useful and want to have a chat further about finding the right photographs for your new website, marketing material or promotional goods then get in touch; I would be happy to offer any advise I can.

Sweet things....

If you don't already know I am a great fan of anything sweet....cakes, candy, pastilles, more cake...I just love the sweetness!! Therefore as a special treat for all my lovely fans on Twitter, Blogspot and Facebook I am now giving you sweets....yes free as a bird jellybeans and rock candy!!

Just post a comment on the Carli-Art fan-page wall with your favorite image from my portfolio and I will do the rest.  (Contact you and get your address for postage basically!)  So don't miss out....there are a limited number of treat packs to go around!

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!

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.

Creative Boom...

Creative Boom Reading are a regional online magazine about the creative industries in Reading and the surrounding areas.  They cover everything from fashion, film, gaming, photography and art and design, animation and marketing. The site is managed by Creative Boom - its parent and national magazine, designed to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries.  In partnership with jammmedia (a quite awesome design studio - great site) who are a young, energetic creative studio based in Reading.

The lovely Lucy from Creative Boom wrote to me last week and asked if she could do a quick feature on her site about some of my images.  Of course I obliged and having no clue about which images are being chosen or what has been said I await nervously until Monday morning (around midday) when the feature goes live.  

To check out the site (which is fab I must say!) then poke the page here.

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.

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)

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

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.

The Countdown begins....

I've had migraine symptoms, I have had a cancellation and a rebook, packed the car with far too many clothes and tested all the equipment. Everyone is aware of arrival times, the call sheet has gone out, Model releases are waiting to print & I have spent a rushed twenty minutes in Topshop and H&M searching through their undie department to find some 'so uncool there cool' boxers and girl shorts.  Done done and done.  So why do I feel like so much is missing?

If you are not already aware tomorrow is the Limited Ink shoot.  A Geek Chic explosion of funky graphic tee's, biker boots, school girl plaits and high waisted denim.  I have a fantastic team together (all of whom will be featuring here) and an amazing location. Keep your eyes peeled Ladies and Gentleman as these images will not only be appearing on my site, blog and fb pages but also as the brand image for this stylish tee brand.  Check them out, they have a special on at the moment and you can steal yourself a limited edition t-shirt for only £15!  

Fingers crossed for tomorrow and looking forward to sneak previews appearing here at some point over the weekend!

A 4.30am alarm call...

Some new images from the Breakfast Briefing held by Engage Group London where Caroline Spelman, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Goverment was the guest speaker.  (The hotel was beautiful, if you have never been to the Haymarket I can highly recommend it!)

"Oh my ears & whiskers, how late it's getting..."

So for those of you who don't know I also work a p/t job as well as being a tog....a girls gotta know she can get that new paid of shoes!  Anyway it has been madness the last couple of weeks or so as our office is being made redundant.  Not so good.  On the plus side I am braving the Photography Full time - AAHHHHH!  This does mean though I am packing in meetings and jobs and spending a lot of time awake, in my car and generally moving from place to place at a speed otherwise reserved for Concorde.  The week has thus far been exciting though with a birthday party on Saturday, (yes photographing not drinking!) An event with Caroline Spellman and Engage Group this morning and two further meetings for the rest of the week with a Citrus flavored Ad agency and a fashionista accessories designer.  Here is hoping it continues and come the end of March, I have not resorted to other, more illicit forms of earning money.  I feel a Pretty Woman moment coming on.