I'm a photographer...

Bit of a catch up post as haven't found the time (it's the summer holidays.. I've been busy!) to sit at my computer and blog. Received my results, I got a distinction, collected my portfolio and have propped it up against a wall to gather dust... Feel a little sad that it's all over and am now eager to embark upon a new adventure: I have the learning bug and don't think I will ever be free of it! Took some photos for the Magg's Day Centre the other day. Was a very scary experience but have learnt so much from it. Had to produce a poster to attract subjects and model release form to put things on a more official standing. These things take time and I think in the future I will have to start figuring these in the costings! Spent the day prior to the shoot taking test shots and working out good locations, weather was lovely and came away full of inspiration. Day of shoot arrived, typically overcast and weather forecast ominous, subjects didn't want to venture further than the front door! Felt a little nervous to start with but soon put this aside and just enjoyed having a natter. I think I would have struggled if I'd been alone, was good to have an extra pair of hands when it came to getting forms signed and thinking on the hop about how I could make one location look like several different ones! Also the subjects were not of the sit and pose for multiple shots variety... Took two shots max of each subject (and second one was often given grudgingly!) thank god it was drilled into us on our course to think and compose before firing the shutter - I didn't get any second chances! Was aware from the outset that the client wanted a particular look for the images and tried to accomodate this but think I probably snuck a bit of me in there too! I'm not sure I'll always be able to equate what I want to achieve with client demands! Sticking one guy behind iron railings felt wrong to me, client liked this one, getting them to smile felt right! Read an interesting article published by jpeg magazine which offers advice to aspiring photographers. Couple of things I took from it: firstly learn to say no if a job doesn't fit you, I think this one did - I like portraits and love B&W but the one I've just been offered doesn't and secondly learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face! Read the article you'll understand!