PART 4 OF THE STORY

Quick Thoughts - As I’m writing this, I’m realising exactly how quickly everything happened. I have my iCal open in front of me and things that I thought were over a month actually happened within a week. I want to write more and include more of my thoughts on it, but that may be more appropriate for another blog at another time. All I’m aiming for with this is to give photographers the information from somebody that has experienced creating it. Please email me if you have any questions relating to this at all.

*PLEASE NOTE* - This is written in present tense but it must be noted that the following things occurred in late 2010/early 2011. I have tried to recreate my feelings towards it as they were at the time, hence why I feel present tense is appropriate.

FADE IN

Monday the 17th January 2011 at 12:05pm

I’m on the train home to Edinburgh. I’ve just been at my dad’s in Suffolk re-telling the stories over and over again of the past few days. He and Julia seem very proud. I really want to continue speaking to the people I’ve met; I can’t let them get away now. I think I’ll utilise Facebook. The train is dull but I’m looking forward to getting home. I’ve got a shoot with a musician, a shoot with model & make up artist and my first engagement shoot all lined up in the next two weeks, plus a meeting with my business advisor.

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Tuesday the 18th of January 2011 at 21:09pm

I’ve created a Facebook group and added all of those into it that had confirmed to come to the event, plus those who didn’t. It’s grown to over 200 people in a few hours, from the members adding new people. It’s for UK photographers to network and arrange meet-ups in an easier way than Twitter. 140 characters doesn’t allow you a lot. Everybody is telling me that it’s a great idea and I’m already planning for the next stage.

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Tuesday the 25th of January 2011 at 13:19pm

The shoot with Anna Smith of Edinburgh Sounds went really well last week. I borrowed my friend Andrew Moore’s studio (i.e. his living room) and played around with lighting. I also stole my friend Lauren and her make up artist flatmate Sheleigh out around the streets of Edinburgh a couple of days later and I’m fairly happy with the results. It’s more of an opportunity to practise and develop my processing than anything I’ll show in a portfolio. I go back to my day job tomorrow, but I have a meeting with my business advisor in the evening. The meeting is run through Business Gateway/PSYBT in Scotland and I’m hoping to gain some funding for an idea I had….

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Wednesday the 26th of January 2011 at 20:03pm

The meeting went well. It’s bloody freezing outside though - I walked most of the way home from the West End. My Facebook group has just gone from strength to strength and in the past week I’ve realised a gap in the market. There is no one place for photography meet-ups to be listed. I bought the domain photographyeventsuk.co.uk and upload a basic Google iCal with some of the shoots people are organising through the group. It can be more though… it can document ALL events. Exhibitions, seminars, workshops, photography walks… etc. The business advisor was impressed and advised me to make up a proper business plan and I can potentially gain some funding to build the website. He also advised me to check my intellectual property rights, so I’ll call my dad and try to speak to a lawyer at the University. The engagement shoot with beautiful Tara and Jonathan is on Sunday. I’ll be back then.

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Sunday the 30th of January 2011 at 17:47pm

Tara and Jonathan are amazing. So friendly, so warm, so welcoming. They were together in their late teens/early 20’s as Tara was beginning her psychology degree. They broke up and both went out with other people but never forgot each other. One night, Tara had an odd psychologists dream that she saw Jonathan and the next day she phoned him and they met up. A few months later they were living together and now they are engaged. I love romantic stories and risk taking. I wish I was shooting their wedding, but they have a photographer at their venue. Everything just seems to be working out at the moment. The group has another couple hundred members, the lawyer advised me I don’t need to patent my website, I’ve joined an Edinburgh photographers group, I’m speaking to a couple very talented photographers near me about second shooting at weddings, I’m attending a networking event tomorrow… All organised over the past two weeks. Shows what you get when you put your mind to it.

FADE OUT

The next part of this installment will be available right here on claudiarosecarterblog.co.uk in the next few days. Please stay tuned.

Kirstie & Pip’s Wedding

We’re sitting on Kings Road drinking coffee out of bowls. Literally, they don’t have handles. It’s lovely. There’s such a buzz of Christmas (sorry, I know it’s not even November yet!) and warmth. G and I are heading back to the second part of Kirstie and Pip’s wedding in an hour or so and…. The first half was amazing.

Kirstie’s dress is made by Sabina from Motasem and it suits her perfectly. Her and her new husband are happy and relaxed and their mini Finn is suited and booted.

We’ve got some amazing photographs and can’t wait to share them with you.

http://www.marshalgraystudio.com

A CHRISTMAS TWIST…

I know, I know; you were expecting the next installment of THE STORY. I’ve begun writing it, and it will be up in the next couple of days. We’re shooting a gorgeous wedding tomorrow so I’ll be back in ‘the office’ on Saturday.

In light of this, I’d really like to take this opportunity to share with you the MARSHAL GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY Christmas promotion. We really wanted to offer something different for the 2011 festive season, and we feel we’ve come up with just the thing. It’s a quirky twist, unique in this photography niche and a chance to have some real fun with friends and family.

You can watch a video starring MARSHAL GRAY himself explaining more information about this idea HERE.

I personally am very excited about it. CC xo

PART 3 OF THE STORY

*PLEASE NOTE* - This is written in present tense but it must be noted that the following things occurred in late 2010/early 2011. I have tried to recreate my feelings towards it as they were at the time, hence why I feel present tense is appropriate.

FADE IN

Friday 14th of January 2011 at 7.45pm

David’s talk was amazing. A complete awakening really. I went in and sat at the front, on the right hand side, with Greig and a couple others that I’d met in the bar. I saw him at the front and went up and introduced myself, gave him a hug. He knew who I was right away, which made me feel special. It was different. And.. it’s the place that he and Showit come from. They make it important to know who people are.
I saw Jaz Ampaw-Farr from afar. She’s one of Melissa Love’s clients, and it seems, close friend. I always thought her website seemed to epitomise HER and that thought is even more solid having now seen her. What an energy!
The room settled down and David began to speak. Everybody went quiet. He started by telling us about an experience he had on a plane. It was a long flight, and he was sat next to a smart business man with his laptop open. After a while he began to pay more attention to what the man was watching and it transpired that it was his daughters basketball game. And this man was watching it on a plane. Thousands of miles away. From this moment David realised that his priority above all was FREEDOM. Freedom to be present at the more importance moments in life.
From this point he explained to us the benefits of utilising social media, the importance of being unique, a care that goes beyond expectation for our clients. He asked us questions and engaged the room in his words.
Zach and Jody Gray; the gorgeous married photography business power couple from the US offered a few tit bits as well about little competitions they ran with their clients. One that struck with me was offering a client a free print if they referred them to 10 of their friends, and a slightly larger print or a coffee book if they referred them on to 25 friends, and so on. Ensuring all of the networks available to you are noticed, and it gave the client the chance to show off their amazing wedding photography to all of their friends. Who doesn’t like being told they look beautiful?!

I introduced myself briefly to Melissa Love and Jaz. I looked forward to spending more time with them the next day in the Showit lounge.

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Friday 14th of January 2011 at 8.50pm

I feel like I’m famous. My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing from people arriving, checking where we are or letting me know they’ll be here shortly. The pub is packed and I’m glad I booked the back room out. There were people sitting in it when we first arrived but I had a word with the bar manager and it was cleared quickly. It turned out to just be behind the bar, rather than a separate room. I think we must have around 15 of us so far and there are still more coming and going. I haven’t even managed to speak to everybody yet. I’ve spoken to a gorgeous girl with a lot of hair who is getting married herself later in the year. Her name is Tarah Coonan. She’s sitting with Steven Hewson. We match because his name is Carter as well. They are next to Louise Beattie (remember, with the website?) who in turn is next to Leo Bojesen. A group of girls have just arrived. Chanelle Segerius Bruce, Dasha Caffrey, Dominique Bader. Showit’s very own Andrew Barlow is here, next to Alex Beadon. She’s incredible. Just a couple years older than me and her portfolio just blows it out of the water. Her attitude is fresh and she’s so caring. I introduce myself to an American sitting opposite me. It turns out it’s Christopher Becker. Usually just called Becker. Have you heard of him? The B School? WHERE have you been?! Overwhelming. My phone rings again. It’s Nick Tucker. His photojournalist style is unique and original. I’m inspired by him.
David comes but he’s with Katy Lunsford and some other mums. They want to go somewhere a little quieter so they have their own dinner elsewhere.

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Saturday 15th of January 2011 at 01:16am

I can’t sleep. My head is buzzing. We left around 10:30pm and came back to Liesl’s flat in Woking. I’m so excited for tomorrow.

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Saturday 15th of January 2011 at 10:05am


I’m late again. Melissa’s talk started at 10am. I texted her and said I’d be 10 minutes late. I’ve just left Liesl to wander the tradeshow with her friends. We grabbed a croissant and coffee when we came in on the train so I’m pretty awake and ready to go. There are a bunch of half naked men with signs that say Aaduki standing by the Showit lounge. I think they are some sort of camera insurance; but it’s an odd way to advertise. Certainly catches the eye! I head in and settle myself down at the front. Melissa hasn’t started yet, they are having some issues with the projection. A man in a Showit t-shirt named Kevin seems to have it fixed. Andrew comes in to the room and I chat to him briefly, ask if he enjoyed the drinks. I keep repeating it, but everybody is so welcoming.
I turn around and see who else is in the room. A woman sitting behind me grins. I’m intrigued by her. By two of them in fact; another woman sits along from her. They’re so styled and sleek. One has dark dark hair and red lipstick and the other is very tall, slim, cheekbones. Cheekbones turns out to be Nadine Burzler; a South African in Brighton who has her website critiqued. I make a lot of notes about colour charts and design no no’s.

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Saturday 15th of January 2011 at 11:17am

I’ve spoken to Red Lipstick. She’s got a strong Welsh accent and a confidence that is contagious. Her name is Emma Jane Richards and I’m pretty sure she’s going to be my new role model. I need somebody like her in my life. There are more talks throughout the day and I’ve settled myself in. My train to my dad’s in Suffolk is later this afternoon; I have to leave here around 4pm to get there in time. I don’t plan on leaving this room.
Everybody has such an infectious attitude. Showit have managed to mirror their brand values and ethos amongst all the people in the room. It’s incredible.

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Saturday 15th of January 2011 at 2:30pm

Half-way through a talk earlier, a man strolled into the room. Tall, dark… you get the gist. He’s as Cockney as it comes. Dumped his camera bag down and made the room his. He’s speaking now. His name is Gary Lashmar and he’s yet another with a mind blowing website. Showit really can be YOU in a website. He’s interesting. Like there is a lot more below the surface. I’ll ensure to retain contact with him. It’s an informal chat. We’re all sitting in a circle and we ask questions, he answers them. I ask him about contracts. I’m working in property management at the moment and it’s just imperative that things are put in writing. How do you ensure clients don’t change their mind? He looks at me a little odd, but answers the question none the less. Zach and Jody Gray are in here now as well as David Jay, standing at the back. There’s a couple sitting next to Zach and Jody, another photography mastermind; Jayne and Joe Sacco from sacco&sacco photography. They seem very genuine. I never want to leave.

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Saturday 15th of January 2011 at 3:40pm

I’m aware I need to leave soon, so I’ve asked Andrew to get me set up with Showit. We sit in the lobby with his laptop and he gets me to sign in and gives me a quick run through the program. I’ll do some more research when I get back to Edinburgh but it’s definitely for me. Even just for the people involved. I’m sad to go but it’s been an amazing two days. I text Liesl and thank her again for her hospitality. I have a lot in my mind.

FADE OUT…

The next part of this installment will be available right here on claudiarosecarterblog.co.uk in the next few days. Please stay tuned.

PART 2 OF THE STORY

*PLEASE NOTE* - This is written in present tense but it must be noted that the following things occurred in late 2010. I have tried to recreate my feelings towards it as they were at the time, hence why I feel present tense is appropriate.

FADE IN

Still in mid December, 2010

I’ve set a Facebook event up for the coffee. It’s turned more into drinks and possibly dinner. A gang of photographers, together. A lot of them meeting for the first time. It could be a bit hit or miss; we’ve still got a few weeks to go yet before the actual event. I’ve chosen a pub and booked out the back room. It was a referral from somebody that put themself down as ‘attending’. A fellow Scot named Louise Beattie (who has a gorgeous website) seems to have invited a whole ton of people. I’m so grateful for this and I’ll make sure to tell her so later. I best get on with my Christmas wrapping now…

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Friday the 7th January, 2011

Showit are hosting talks on the Saturday. I only bought a Masterclass pass for Friday but it seems fairly easy to just pick up a Tradeshow pass for the Saturday as well. I’ve registered for two talks with EventBrite. One is a website critique class with a woman named Melissa Love. Her website is amazing. She seems to work alongside Showit in some way. Can’t wait!

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Thursday the 13th January 2011 at 12.17am

I’m on the train to London. I’m getting the overnight sleeper and heading straight to the convention in the morning. It was the cheapest way to travel. I’ve got my schedule sorted out and I’m meeting a Scottish photographer named Greig Middlemiss in the first Masterclass; Damien Lovegrove. A girl coming to the drinks event offered me a place to stay for the night, as I could not find anywhere within my budget nearby. I underestimated how busy the convention is. Literally seems to take over the surrounding area. Her name is Liesl Cheney and she seems absolutely lovely. She lives with her husband Greg. It’s reestablished my faith in the good of humans; I’m a complete stranger to her really.

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Friday the 14th January 2011 at 08:35am

I’m there. A bit late; around 10 minutes. But, I’m there. The pink/yellow underground line takes bloody forever. Damien didn’t mind and I’ve picked a seat right at the front. After this I’m seeing Brett Harkness, breaking for lunch, then Julia Boggio with her husband James Derbyshire and finally David Jay. Then it’s drinks time. I really hope people show up.

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Friday the 14th of January 2011 at 5:45pm

It’s been an amazing day so far. I’m so overwhelmed and full of nerves and yet… utterly happy. I’ve spent most of the day with Greig but just now I’ve run into a whole load of the girls that are coming to the drinks in a bit. Liesl introduced me to them, sitting in the bar. I’ve also seen Steve Gerrard - the fresh, unique wedding photographer that I emailed a while ago to ask about second shooting opportunities. He’s so warm and friendly. I feel very welcomed by all. Each Masterclass I’ve been to has been an overload of information. I’ve got a long list of equipment that Brett Harkness uses, flyers from Damien Lovegrove regarding his courses and absolute business logic and adoration (!) for Julia & James. The atmosphere here is buzzing and David’s talk starts in 15 minutes. I better get ready to head in.

FADE OUT….

The next part of this installment will be available right here on claudiarosecarterblog.co.uk in the next few days. Please stay tuned.

PART 1 OF THE STORY

*PLEASE NOTE* - This is written in present tense but it must be noted that the following things occurred in late 2010. I have tried to recreate my feelings towards it as they were at the time, hence why I feel present tense is appropriate.

FADE IN

Monday, 29th November 2010 at 2:14pm

I am emailing George Varanakis. He is the Executive Vice President of WPPI; the leading wedding photography association in the US. Each year they hold their convention in Las Vegas which redefines positivity, support, advice and community. After reading about it, I wanted in. Unfortunately for me, I am in Scotland and can’t justify spending thousands on travelling over the sea in 3 months time. So, I’m emailing him to ask for his advice. I’ve outlined that there isn’t really the same atmosphere here. I want to change that… Should I undertake setting something up on my own? I don’t expect a reply as I can imagine he’s incredibly busy. Still, doesn’t hurt to try!

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Wednesday, 1st of December 2010 at 4pm. 11 seconds past, to be precise.

George Varanakis has emailed me back. I’m in a little bit of shock. I can still stand up straight without getting dizzy and all, but it’s a bit overwhelming. He said:

“Hey Claudia,

Thanks for emailing! Great hearing from you!

Right now we don’t have any plans to come across the water but it could happen in the future. I would recommend you check out SWPP -http://www.swpp.co.uk/. I’ve never been but I’ve heard it’s a good show. They do have some of the same speakers that we use for WPPI.

Maybe you need to untie with your fellow Scottish Photographers and start your own show? I’d be happy to help in any way if you wanted to get something off the ground.

Will you be coming across the water to join us for WPPI 2011? Would love to meet you.

If you have any other questions feel free to contact me anytime.

Thanks,

George Varanakis
Executive Vice President
WPPI/Rangefinder/After Capture
310-451-8506 x324”

I email him back, right away. I tell him thank you for your response, I can’t appreciate it enough. Unfortunately I won’t be over in 2011 but I’ll try for 2012. I’d love to meet you too. I’ll go and check out SWPP right now.

And that’s precisely what I do.

That day in fact. I register, and I wait. I hear back within a day or so. I get a pack in the post with magazines, information about The Societies and a lanyard with my own entrance pass. I can feel the excitement building already.

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Some time in mid December, 2010

I’ve set up my Twitter account and I’m accruing followers. I’ve got quite a few of them as friends on Facebook as well. I can’t wait until January now. Not long to go. I had a look through the speakers for the Friday that I’m attending the convention, which is to be held at the Novotel in Hammersmith, London, and I noticed that David Jay is going to be there. I’ve been keeping my eye on him for the past couple of months… he’s the amazingly talented photographer and entrepreneur that Jasmine Star raves about. He’s also running this movement (it is, in a lot of ways) that really seems more than a website design platform. I’m not great at explaining these things, so check them out. They’re called Showitfast and they’ll change your life as well as your business.
I’ve decided to take a chance. Because of George Varanakis emailing me back. I’ve tweeted David Jay. Asked if he would like to have a coffee when he’s over.

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A few days later in mid December, 2010

David Jay said he would have a coffee with me. Blimey. A few others have said they’d be interested. I’m going to take initiative here and set up a Facebook event. It’s pretty much the first time I’ve done it. Still… we’ll see what happens.

FADE OUT…

The next part of this installment will be available right here on claudiarosecarterblog.co.uk in the next few days. Please stay tuned.