Monday 31 May 2010
Izzy & Amelia
This was an impromptu mini photo session but well worth carrying the chair in to this beautiful meadow for. Such sweet little sisters in a heavenly setting on a beautiful evening...
Sunday 23 May 2010
My Christmas Present
When Ed gave me my Christmas present last year wrapped in a beautiful box I opened it expecting pyjamas, perfume or something along those lines but inside it was a little stuffed toy, a tiger. Underneath this was a voucher gift for a photography day at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent. I'll be truthful when I say that although extremely grateful for this sweet gift, particularly as it was photography related, I was a little dubious about the whole thing.
In all honesty I envisioned being thrown in amongst a huge group of photo-geeks who would be talking endlessly about metering modes and wearing all sorts of big cat related fashion wear. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, all cats, big, little, domestic, wild but most of all (well, after Rolo, Molly & Ziggy at least) tigers. That said, I have never once owned a tiger tea towel, a tiger coat or a tiger pullover as I was sure that the entire rest of the group would do. Anyway I was very grateful for the considerate gift but I just wasn't sure what I was going to do as I am not a wildlife photographer and I don't have a clue about that field of photography.
The day came and we drove in to the beautiful countryside of Kent. On arriving at the centre it really seemed nothing remarkable from the road, in fact I didn't even notice a sign. This place is strictly off limits for the general public unless an appointment/ event day is booked. From the car park I could see one or two enclosure type structures and a main, wooden building, again, pleasant but nothing to write home about.
When I walked in to the building that's when things changed. Yes, there was a little area in the main building with shelves of little toy leopards and lions, some lovely fine art prints and photos but nothing tacky to be seen anywhere. I met the rest of the group, who were all lovely and eager (no tiger-related fashion wear in sight!!) and off we went.
I won't go on too much about this but as you can see this is already the longest blog post I have done and I am sure I will be posting at least a dozen photos form the day. It was fabulous. The whole thing from start to finish was professional, informative and entertaining. The chap who showed us around, Andy was so knowledgeable and the sincere passion he has for his job just shone through.
The place itself has an almost spiritual feel to it. That may sound strange but it's the only way I can describe it. The animals are cared for in loving but natural (i.e hands off when possible) way. They are truly respected, they aren't cajoled in to performing for the cameras and they seem completely at ease in this environment. This place really had an impact on me, not least for the animals themselves, so powerful, beautiful and enchanting but for the way the place seems to tick over with happy, enthused and caring staff. Just incredible.
As you can see form the following photos I am no animal/ wildlife photographer but as I am a portrait phtoographer I decided to stick to what I know best and I took their portraits! along with a few abstract shots too.
The WHF work to ensure that big cat species from all over the world are protected from extinction, they are a part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme and they help to educate people who share the habitats of these cats.
You can support the Wildlife Heritage Foundation by visiting www.whf.org.uk where you can donate, volunteer of sponsor a big cat.
Here are some photos!
We got to have a wander around the enclosures at our own pace later in the day. When I took this I was the only one near the lions and I swear he was staring right at me, it was moving and fairly terrifying at the same time.
In all honesty I envisioned being thrown in amongst a huge group of photo-geeks who would be talking endlessly about metering modes and wearing all sorts of big cat related fashion wear. Don't get me wrong, I love cats, all cats, big, little, domestic, wild but most of all (well, after Rolo, Molly & Ziggy at least) tigers. That said, I have never once owned a tiger tea towel, a tiger coat or a tiger pullover as I was sure that the entire rest of the group would do. Anyway I was very grateful for the considerate gift but I just wasn't sure what I was going to do as I am not a wildlife photographer and I don't have a clue about that field of photography.
The day came and we drove in to the beautiful countryside of Kent. On arriving at the centre it really seemed nothing remarkable from the road, in fact I didn't even notice a sign. This place is strictly off limits for the general public unless an appointment/ event day is booked. From the car park I could see one or two enclosure type structures and a main, wooden building, again, pleasant but nothing to write home about.
When I walked in to the building that's when things changed. Yes, there was a little area in the main building with shelves of little toy leopards and lions, some lovely fine art prints and photos but nothing tacky to be seen anywhere. I met the rest of the group, who were all lovely and eager (no tiger-related fashion wear in sight!!) and off we went.
I won't go on too much about this but as you can see this is already the longest blog post I have done and I am sure I will be posting at least a dozen photos form the day. It was fabulous. The whole thing from start to finish was professional, informative and entertaining. The chap who showed us around, Andy was so knowledgeable and the sincere passion he has for his job just shone through.
The place itself has an almost spiritual feel to it. That may sound strange but it's the only way I can describe it. The animals are cared for in loving but natural (i.e hands off when possible) way. They are truly respected, they aren't cajoled in to performing for the cameras and they seem completely at ease in this environment. This place really had an impact on me, not least for the animals themselves, so powerful, beautiful and enchanting but for the way the place seems to tick over with happy, enthused and caring staff. Just incredible.
As you can see form the following photos I am no animal/ wildlife photographer but as I am a portrait phtoographer I decided to stick to what I know best and I took their portraits! along with a few abstract shots too.
The WHF work to ensure that big cat species from all over the world are protected from extinction, they are a part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme and they help to educate people who share the habitats of these cats.
You can support the Wildlife Heritage Foundation by visiting www.whf.org.uk where you can donate, volunteer of sponsor a big cat.
Here are some photos!
We got to have a wander around the enclosures at our own pace later in the day. When I took this I was the only one near the lions and I swear he was staring right at me, it was moving and fairly terrifying at the same time.
Wednesday 5 May 2010
My Family Magazine
I am a believer in having written goals in life, simple, straightforward goals. Don't think that by simple, I mean easy, not at all but I mean a strong simplified goal that represents other successes along side of it. By creating these goals, I believe that we welcome other similar opportunities along the way. One particular goal of mine is to have one of my photographs on the cover of 'Junior Magazine'.
Whilst this hasn't happened just yet I have been lucky enough to work with the lovely Karen at My Family Magazine. My Family is a free magazine circulated in and around the Midlands and, like Junior magazine is filled with interesting articles which are relevent to todays modern family.
It has been so exciting to see my image on the cover today, for the first time and to see how the magazine looks and feels. It really is informative and interesting so have a peek at the website and see where you can pick up a copy - there are lots of fantastic competitions too.
Here it is...
Whilst this hasn't happened just yet I have been lucky enough to work with the lovely Karen at My Family Magazine. My Family is a free magazine circulated in and around the Midlands and, like Junior magazine is filled with interesting articles which are relevent to todays modern family.
It has been so exciting to see my image on the cover today, for the first time and to see how the magazine looks and feels. It really is informative and interesting so have a peek at the website and see where you can pick up a copy - there are lots of fantastic competitions too.
Here it is...
Tuesday 4 May 2010
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