New equipment!!

In this last week I have been slowly finding my way around my new camera, a Nikon D3s. Its a fantastic camera and never fails to surprise me. I also bought a 14-24mm f2.8 Nikkor lens and a 70-200mm f2.8 Nikkor lens. Again the quality of the pictures and the build itself is outstanding and never fails to deliver.

Below is a trial run of a portrait sitting,

This was using natural light from a nearby window.

Below is another couple of photos taken in a sitting with his brother,

Again this was using natural light.

Despite this being my favourite way to shoot, I have also upgraded the equipment for my studio, but I will talk more on that another time.

Next week I will be on a course for the majority of the week and of course it is the royal wedding and Easter as well, so I wish you all a Happy Easter and hope for good weather for the four day weekends!!

Valentine Roses

Ok, so I realise Valentine's Day has been and gone, but I came across this photo I took of the Roses my husband gave me this year. Taken on my kitchen floor with minimal lighting, I used two different coloured backgrounds. The low key was more effective in B&W, but I have yet to try a high key B&W image - maybe that will give me something to try today.....................

On a more serious note, not really my intention on this blog, can I please remind everyone that none of my images may be downloaded, altered, manipulated, copied (or otherwise) in any manner whatsoever. Any person/s who do so will be in breach of the copyright law protecting photographers and their work. Thanks.

'Thru The Seasons'

Last year, when I bought my new camera, I set myself various projects so that I wouldn't lose my passion in what is now 'my job'. One of these personal assignments is titled 'Thru The Seasons' and is based around the changing weather, vegetation and wildlife at our local allotment site.

The allotment is my happy place, a place for me to go with (or sometimes without) my family and get back to nature. Gardening and all things associated does not come naturally to me, but I love it all the same. I feel re-freshed and tired after a stint 'down the lotty', I get excercise and the kids get an education in a fun and informal manner. Most importantly though, we have the opportunity to grow ample delicious vegetables and fruits for our family.

This project will span at least a year, possible more as I missed the snow in December thanks to kiddy illnesses, and I would love to include some winter wonderland images in my collection. Every now and then I will post some images on this blog, or mention a reminder to check out my website.

Can I feel Spring in the air?

It may still be a little cold outside, but the sun has been shining and the daffodils and snowdrops are starting to bloom.

To mark, what I hope is the start of Springtime, I would like to share the image with you. Enjoy............

You can find more on my website http://www.rachelbryantphotography.co.uk/.

Diploma completed!!!

Wow! Has it really been over 3 months since I last updated RBP's blog!  How time has flown.

My diploma is now complete and I have included the six images I submitted for my final portfolio in this post.

My field for this particular portfolio was portraiture and macro.  I was over the moon to receive an overall pass of 92%!!! It is always a compliment for a photographer to hear highly regarded praise, whether from a professional or personal viewpoint. My thanks go to my Tutor and all the team, for making this experience a tough, but very enjoyable experience!

My aim now is to apply for the opportunity to gain a Licecntiateship with The Royal Photographic Society. This can take a year or two to achieve and is invaluable in terms of professional and personal development.

I have also been extremely busy re-evaluating the legal status of the business, and work is gradually picking up pace. The diary is filling up and many more potential clients have come forward to discuss their requirements. I am also finalising details for RBP's Business Plan - this is not something that can be rushed, more of a document that has to nutured and matured. As we are planning a investment of a large value to expand the business, the plan is a must to ensure that goals and targets are realistic and achievable.  I will admit though, this is not my favourite part of having my own photography business - I would much rather be behind the camera than behind a desk!! Still, it is a very important document and the process helps refine the direction of a business, so needs must, as they say!

 Above are five of the six images from my portfolio, the sixth image can be found in my first ever blog. The image of the rose has had many good reviews and compliments, so it obviously had to be including in my final assignment.

Anyway, I must now stop procrastinating on here and get back to my business plan. ;-)

MUGA/Skatepark Opening

So Saturday saw my second official 'gig'.  I was asked by the Chairman of our Parish Council if I would like to come along and take some photographs of the Official Opening of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and Skatepark, which also coincided with the opening of the new play area at the village Playgroup.  I have only done one other vaguely similar shoot, which was for a family member at their annual Cider Open Day (they run a cider museum), so needless to say I was a little nervous.  The local paper was also there looking very official and blatently knew what he was doing - not to say that I didn't mind you!  I decided following his lead would be the best thing - 1) to learn from someone who already does this as a career and 2) people do not want to waiting around while I arrange an already well-arranged set-up!  As much as people love photos, the one thing you hear at lot of at events (and weddings) is 'are the photos going to take long?!'.

The HM Lord Lieutenant - Mrs Pitt-Rivers - was there to open the skatepark along with members of the younger generation of the village (one of whom actually got to meet The Queen, during his quest to fund and setup the skatepark)  Also there were the local police - PCSO Vicki Hedges - as a source of encouragement and public relations. Dorset Communtiy Action (DCA) were also present in the form of local Community Development Worker - Kris Hallett, who tires endlessly to provide Dorchester and surrounding villages with the support they need to improve their communities.  Afterwards we all regroup at the Playgroup to unveil the new play area - much needed as many children in this area do not have access to a children friendly garden at home. 

May I just say a massive congratulations to all those involved in saturday's celebrations - you have all done a fantastic job and should be extremely pround of yourselves!

Fingers crossed a couple of my photos will appear in the Western Gazette on thursday - the second time my images have appeared in a local paper in as many weeks - I'll up date you next week on any developments there.

While all this is going on, I have also been busy researching pricing in this region.  I have my rough estimates for portrait packages, events packages and wall hangs - but need to clarify these with a local printer to source regular access to quality prints. I would rather not use the big 'online' names, as I would prefer to support the small local businesses that are more capable of providing quality along with superb, professional customer service at a personal level.  Hopefully I will have the prices finalised as soon as possible - in the mean time please do not hesitate to contact me if you think I can provide a photographic service for you.  I already have 7 portraits sittings lined up for the coming few months - a studio should be available in the new year - great news.

Thats all for this week - next week I should be able to provide you with an up date to my diploma (module 7) and let you know if my photos did indeed appear in the paper.

Until next time...............

Rach

Module 6 results are in.....

Submitted my module 6 results yesterday and had the results back by lunchtime today. 8//10 - which is good, but my write up was not quite up to standard. I'll have to remember that for next time and keep it straight to the point and in the context of the module.  I've included one of the photos I submitted in this blog. Its of my son picking berries off the bush so he can jump and stamp on them, apparently that helps the birds to eat them!

Tomorrow - I have been asked by the Chairman of the Parish Council to take the official photos for the opening ceremony of the Crossways Muga/Skatepark and the children's new play area!  I will check and re-check my gear today to make sure batteries are charged and its all working and cleaned up.  Should be very much a 'red letter' day so will have to put my professional head on as well.

Fingers crosssed that the rain stays away and people to turn up to support all the hard work achieved by those who have campaigned tirelessly for these amenities for the village - well done to all of you!

My first blog!!

I'm trying something new here - a blog!  Being a complete novice, I have a lot to learn, but hopefully I will learn the ins and outs, the dos and don'ts and have more ups than downs!

If you are new to Rachel Bryant Photography then please check out my website that went live last week http://www.rachelbryantphotography.co.uk/, and you can also find me on Twitter (@rachbryphoto) and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Bryant-Photography/103167236404011

The idea of this blog is to keep you up to date with all that happen at RBP in an informal and friendly way, but it will also serve as a way for me to keep a log of my studies and how my photography is growing aside from the business aspect.  I'll be able to look back and say - wow!! i have learnt ALOT!

I'll endeavour to post a blog at least once a week, all being well. 

So until next time - adios!