I was recently asked to do a Fly Through Video of a clients newly renovated building. I was a bit apprehensive at first, having never flown indoors before. I gave it a go and I was delighted with the results, I’ve a feeling that this new service is going to prove very popular. After the first one I bought a new 4K drone to enhance the quality even more. Here are the low resolution videos to give you a taste.
Latest Video of Brand New White Friars Development in Gloucester
Busy Uni Year for new prospectus
I’ve enjoyed a busy couple of months photographing University of Gloucestershire students at work and play for the new prospectus. Here are just a few of my favourites.
New Cookbook
I’m ashamed at how slack I’ve been at writing blog pieces, but it has been very busy since May when pandemic restrictions were eased. Anyway, one of the things I’ve been doing is a cookbook and I’m delighted to say it’s now published. All proceeds go to The Stroud Women’s Refuge if you would like a copy you can order here.
A few positive words about the book.
‘I have just bought two more for friends. It is inspiring and incredibly thought provoking. The only cookbook that ever made me cry.’
‘I've just bought my copy of the cookbook from Stroud Bookshop - what a triumph. I've been sitting reading and looking at it for the last couple of hours and it's certainly a visual feast! You have done brilliantly in every respect, and I think it's so distinctive in its approach with the artwork, personal stories, and local emphasis. Thank you so much for having the vision and determination to develop the overall concept with such flair and for seeing this project through to completion!’
‘I think it's really fantastic - there is a great range of recipes, including leftovers, which is really excellent, and the photographs of the food are so good. I also like the fact that it's not just a cookbook, I've just been reading about our R.A.S. (which took me back a few years !!!!) and also about 'everything in moderation’ which is a reminder of my years of 'weight watchers' as that was their punchline. So much more than another cookery book.’
‘What a lovely book! I love the mixture of recipes, artwork, stories and gorgeous pictures of food and it seems a really good idea just to have a limited number of recipes for each type of food so that you don't get overwhelmed by choice. I've bought one for myself and one for my sister and am thinking of giving it to everyone at Christmas!’
'The cookery book is a huge success! I think I said that the courgettes and chickpeas were yummy. I’ve also made the cauliflower tikka - a winner. It seemed a bit time consuming but that is because the recipe was new to me. Next to try is the butter squash and cashew and coconut korma!'
Now offering drone photography
Construction Industry
I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a tough year for Photographers. A lot of my business has been hit hard by the pandemic, that’s why I am so grateful for my lovely clients in the Construction Industry. Luckily they have been working throughout and have enabled me to feed my family. Being a director of my own little company means that I haven’t been helped by the government, so their work has been a lifeline. Here are a few of the pictures that have kept me busy.
Fire and Rescue Service
I’ve recently been helping the Fire and Rescue Service with their recruitment drive. I’ve worked for them before and I’m always humbled by their devotion to duty and their selflessness. Most of the guys I’ve photographed are On Call which means they do normal jobs and are ready to drop what they are doing and run to the Fire Station day or night. They really are a smashing bunch of humans that deserve our respect at all times.
Safe Group Shots
You don't have to hold off having business group shots. I can safely position people so everyone is safe and looking good. Drop me a line, my availability is good and my fee is eminently reasonable.
The New Outdoor Studio
Today I went on a shopping spree and bought all that is necessary for a Covid compliant Outdoor Studio. I’ve just tested the idea in my garden in the rain with my long suffering wife Claire and it works better than I could have hoped for.
I can set this whole studio up in in any outdoor space in pretty much any weather, it’s 3x3 metres, so distancing will be a breeze, infact for most shots I will be outside the studio shooting on a telephoto lens.
Now that we can all get our haircut I’m very much hoping this will enable my clients to confidently book me for their headshots soon.
Headshots Outside? No problem.
Back to work
I’m delighted to say that this week I went back to work after 3 months. I was very relieved as I am one of the small limited company business owners that don’t qualify for government help.
The first shoot was for one of my long term clients, GreenSquare Homes. When I arrived on site I was given a squirt of hand sanitiser and had my temperature taken. As I expected social distancing was easy as I usually use long lenses that mean I have to be way more than 2 metres away. It felt good to be back, it’s the longest I’ve been away from work for nearly 30 years.
Pandemic Operating Guidelines
New PPE will be used on each shoot.
To continue working through the pandemic Pixel PR Photography will be adhering to the following guidelines to keep everyone safe:
Strict social distancing, this is easily accomplished using telephoto lenses.
Thorough hand washing and cleaning of equipment.
I will wear gloves and a face mask.
If possible conduct the shoot outside.
Inside shoots to be in well ventilated spaces and keep the number of people in there at one time to a minimum.
Only one shoot per day.
Freshly cleaned clothes and disinfected equipment before each shoot.
* Covid 19 Update *
Following Government advice, Pixel PR Photography will be returning to work on the 1st June 2020. Using telephoto lenses social distancing can be adhered to at all times.
Client safety is our top priority in these difficult times so Clint will be using the correct PPE where appropriate and will follow strict safety measures. All photographic equipment will be wiped to ensure that everything is clean and safe to use.
Photos of the new normal
I’m starting to notice that pre pandemic website and brochure pictures are looking dated. People huddled together and shaking hands just look wrong now, a bit like people smoking in adverts.
Luckily the way I work is almost always done at a distance, the exception being the handshake at the beginning, but that can wait for now. I have always favoured telephoto lenses that blur the background, they also dictate that I have to keep at least 2-3m away from the subject.
Work portraits of individuals still look completely up to date.
Corporate portraits outside can be a great way to keep everyone safe during a photoshoot.
Our fantastic NHS staff
How to deal with a celebrity?
A celebrity or VIP can be tricky to handle, you know what you’d like them to do at an event or opening ceremony, but often everyone is too polite to ask.
After 30 plus years of photographing famous folk I have realised that all they want is some clear direction and no faffing about. For them it is part of the job, a normal work day and they want the pictures to be done quickly and successfully for the host. After all the VIP has either been paid for this or they feel passionate enough to support the cause.
My plan is to always find out what the client would really like in an ideal world and then set it up, when everything is in place I’ll ask the VIP if he or she wouldn’t mind joining us for a quick photo, they step in, smile and it’s all over. Everyone is happy, I then move out of the way and carry on shooting candid pictures from a distance.
Here’s some pictures from an event I did with Professor Robert Winston earlier this year.
Why you need a good headshot
A bad headshot on your companies website doesn’t make a great impression. A dreary photo taken on an iPhone is never going to cut the mustard. On the other hand a professional headshot will make you look professional and create the best first impression for potential clients.
You can then get the photo working for you in so many ways, company website, Linkedin, Press Releases, Blog posts, Twitter, Brochures, Business cards, the list goes on.
I can come to your office and bring a studio with me, it couldn’t be easier.
If you would like me to shoot your new headshots get in contact.
Brand New 6th Form Block For Pates Grammar School
Two of my clients have recently completed the new Sixth Form building at Pates Grammar School, Cheltenham.
Quattro Design Architects designed it and EG Carter & Co Ltd built it. I’m delighted to say that Pates have also commissioned Pixel PR Photography to photograph the building
A Business Rooted in Kindness
I’m delighted to see how well the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group Impact Report has turned out. The company is very unusual in that they give all of their profits to charity. So when I was asked to take the photos for the Impact Report I knew it had to be all about their people and how they improve lives with the profits.
No excuse for rubbish looking pictures on your website.
Last week I was booked by a small local business in my home town of Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. The Optical Shop are great asset to the town and well thought of locally, but they didn’t have a website so no one out of Nailsworth knew about them.
This collection of pictures took me one hour and only cost the client £135. They are now about to publish their own site that looks every bit as good as any of the national High Street chains.
My fees are really simple with no hidden extras or complicated licences.
£135 for the first hour then £80 per hour
Half day £300
Whole day £500
