Monday 7 December 2009 '
Almost two months later...
Well a lot has happened within two months to say the least. Having struggled for months to get a job (doing anything and everything) I managed to find one! Rather awesomely within the field of photography too. It was (and i say 'was') at a photography studio called Pixifoto. There are numerous of these studios throughout the UK and also Australia where it originated. I was really chuffed I got the job (although it wasn't my ideal job I saw it as better than a job in tesco or something..) I had to go away for training to Northampton. I met some great people. It was all loads of fun, we stayed at a Premier Inn and lots of the girls ended up in mine and Chelsea's room of an evening chatting and watching telly. Chelsea was a girl who also got a job at the same studio as me in Manchester and we were going to be working together. We got on really well and I am happy to say I feel a found a friend in her.
However during training I got a call from Venture. Venture is another photography studio that has various studios throught the UK and also America. However Venture is more 'up market' than Pixi and has a more 'professional' approach. I first saw Venture when I was in the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester and I thought I would approach them about a job. I was frustratingly unemployed at the time and I came across highly enthusiastic about working for Venture. The lady ended up giving me her email adress and mobile number and told me to email her my CV and she would forward it to the Stockport studio. The next day I did that very thing and didnt hear anything after that so i almost forgot about it in a way, but it was always on the back of my mind that I wished I could work there. When i got a call from the Stockport Venture studio during my training saying a position had come available I was both excited and gutted at the same time. Obviously I had just started training with Pixi so I thought I was going to miss out. However she suggested I went in to chat with them on my next day off. A couple of weeks later I went to have a chat with them and it turned out slightly more 'formal' than i thought, having been asked a couple of interview like questions such as 'Can you give an example of a time where you have had to give great customer service?' and 'Can you give an example of a time where you have had to meet a deadline?' Those were the only two point that made me feel like i was in sort of an interview but the rest was just a chat about what Venture are all about and what my job may involve. I then went away feeling rather confused about what to do next... A few days later i got a call from the manager of the studio asking if I would come back in to chat to her this time. On my next day off from pixi I went to Venture to have another 'chat'. It was now I found out more info on the salary and how much I could potentially earn from this job and when i found out thay my job role would be Photographer and Digital Artist that I knew I was going to take the opertunity. I wouldnt have to do any sales or promotion like I had to at Pixi.. no annoying paper work. Not to mention there clientel are of a better quality (in the nicest possible way!)
At the end of the chat she then went on to offer me the job... right then and there! I was rather shocked and found out that they hadnt even advertised the job post and there were holding out for me. I couldnt believe how lucky I had been! I hadnt even applied for this highly sort after job, I hadnt even had a proper formal interview and now I had been offered it! I had to try and keep my composure, and explained I needed to talk it through with my partner before I gave her the answer. Needless to say I spoke with James about it as soon as I could, and also with my mum and we all agreed I would be stupid to turn it down. The next day I called her up and accepted the job! So I start on tuesday 15th. I cant wait, im so excited!
Oh and for anyone who may be reading this that is interested in seeing the pictures I took with my friend Bev please check out my website - www.lauratowersey.co.uk :]
Tuesday 13 October 2009 '
Photo Shoot - Part 2
Today I did my photo shoot with Bev, she left about an hour ago. The day has been great, got hundreds of pictures and a lot of good ones too! I am really pleased with how it went, she was my first person I have photographed seriously since, well... forever. We started off with macro pictures of her eyes with colourful makeup and glitter. I experimented with different colours and I even added some water droplets to give that extra sparkle effect. I used my flash gun and my ring flash (at separate times). I found the ring flash complemented the shots greatly and gave me the best results. I also tried different coloured filters, to which i feel the blue one worked well but the red and yellow not as effective.
We then moved onto some portraits, to which i struggled to get some good shots that i was happy with (i am one hell of a perfectionist!) Quickly moving on, conscious of time and not wanting to bore Bev we tried some 'full body' shots. She had made this amazing Tutu out of pink and black fabric which looked great so i wanted to take full advantage of this. I got some great shots with this outfit, the pink and black went fabulously with her bright pink hair!
I then did an outfit change and got Bev to wear a tshirt designed by a clothing company. I wanted shots that looked like she could be modelling the tshirt, so that i could show this to clothing companies to gain possible photography work. We went outside for these shots and i managed to achieve some successful shots here too.
Overall i am really very happy with how today turned out. I shall upload some pictures as examples asap. I will start editing and sorting through the hundreds of images tomorrow! Cant wait! I just wish i could do this every day, and it would be a huge added bonus if i could earn a living from it. Maybe one day...
Sunday 11 October 2009 '
Photo Shoot
I have organised a photo shoot with a friend of mine which will go ahead next week (hopefully, if everything goes to plan!!)
I have never focused on portrait photography before as it never used to be something i was particularly interested in. Throughout college i was still in my macro-obsessed stage, passionate and eager to explore that further. I am glad i did, however it has left me with an unease about photographing people. Since graduating i have realised the main money in photography includes the photographing of people... this said, i now need to crack on with broadening my portfolio with these shots.
If i am honest, the thought almost scares me. I will be going out of my comfort zone completely. However i am going to be photographing someone i know, therefore it will be a hell of a lot more pleasant. My subject will be a girl called Bev. She is fun, bubbly and slightly outrageous! (In a good way.) She has bright pink hair and a querky style for make up and clothes. This is why i have picked her. I think she has a fabulous style and as i love to photograph something 'different' i feel she will fit in perfectly with the sort of images i want to achieve. The shots i have planned with her on the first shoot are eye make up macro's moving onto fuller portraits, then depending on time and quality of images, hopefully some full body shots.
I am excited for the shoot, i am looking forward to trying something new and different and see what i can achieve and how i will do it.
Thursday 8 October 2009 '
What next?
So i sit here at 3:30am unable to sleep. Everything is whizzing through my head. Where am i? What am i to do with my life? I suddenly find myself having just turned 22 years of age accompanied with BA Honours Degree. Yet i feel lost. I don't know where to turn. I am a photographer. That is my where my 'talent' lies. Yet i am unable to find a job in the subject i have spent three long hard years studying! I am panicing. I dont know what to do... where to turn. I have rent and bills to pay, but no job. I am also aware of how depressing i am sounding. I have a degree, so i shouldnt be feeling so glum... Right? I sometimes wish i would have picked another subject to specialise in.. maybe i wouldn't have this problem i find myself facing now. However maybe i would find myself in the exact same position. I just want a job in something i love so dearly; photography. Is that too much to ask for?
