Commercial

Kate and I first met last year and we have shared a few nights discussing running our own businesses and the tricky world of managing it around a family, she is a lovely and very smart woman and I have a great deal of time for her.

Kate, like me is 40 (Yay for the fab and forties!) and qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 2004. She has over 15 years experience in finance and she set up her own business BMB Solutions in Nov 2009 to offer accounting support to SME's and sole traders and it really is going from strength to strength. Take a peek at her website

Like most of my business portrait clients, she thought it was time to take the plunge and get in front of the camera to get some fabulous images to go on her social media accounts, to accompany press releases and for general marketing use.

I was delighted with Kate as she has to have been one of my most nervous clients ever about having her photograph taken, I am sure you will agree she looks fabulous!

Kate – you are a superstar and I had great pleasure taking these of you…..now what's next Kate? How about getting out your wedding dress and doing a 'rock the frock' shoot?

Here are the two that Kate chose for her package.

I don’t do too many commercial product shoots really as it’s people I love to photograph, rather than product alone, but when LottyBlue got in touch and asked if I’d do some product shots, we got chatting and discovered there was some fun to be had with this shoot and so I agreed.

Lotty Blue sells mid-century, modern retro and vintage furniture and homewear. It was the homewear we were focussing on bringing the fabulous aprons, oven gloves, cake tins, clocks, teapots and mugs alive with a vintage feel.  Kelly Middleton owner of The Cupcake Queen in Stafford provided beautiful vintage style cupcakes and the wonderful Sarah Lyndsey modelled for us – she had the perfect look we wanted.

So prepare yourself for a little ‘Stepford Wives’ meets vintage inspired products and away we go!

Here are some of my favourites from the shoot and for further info on Lotty Blue and Lisa who is behind it all please see below.

A few words from Lisa, ‘I live in Stafford I am married with two children I have theatre /fashion background and have  a BA in Theatre Design where I specialised in scenic and prop design. I now use these skills in my restoring and upcycling of vintage furniture .

LottyBlue (http://lottyblue.co.uk) specialises in mid-century modern furniture (mainly 1950′s through to the 1970′s), but I must admit I have soft spot for G Plan – I so adore the early G-Plan pieces. I think the ‘Brandon Range’ is particularly iconic with it’s unique style and is still practical for today’s modern home.

As well as sourcing classic vintage furniture I also stock modern contemporary items with a nostalgic influence that have a mid century feel. During 2011 LottyBlue will be adding many new items to our shop but just to give you a taste of things to come I will mention just some of our new suppliers:

One of this years new additions is a new range of fabrics and oil clothes from the Betty Boyns vintage inspired collection .The vintage inspired fabrics are just beautiful and so very stylish but also contemporary in there look for today’s modern home. I have blogged further about Betty Boyns here

Martin Wiscombe is well known for his nostalgic painting and his work depicts images of life of the 1950 onwards and we have many items of homeware with pictures of his art. I am particularly fond of his images of split screen camper vans as I have written about on my blog

Also I am  delighted to be stocking a new range of vintage themed homeware by Ulster Weavers, the range includes Vintage Aprons and delightful homeware

All in all LottyBlue has something for everyone who loves vintage and traditional items.’

It's not everyday I get a call asking if it's OK to wear a superhero's outfit for a business portrait! When creative guys like Sean walk into your life it is never a dull moment!

I grew up with Batman and Robin and ever since Del and Rodney did that famous Batman and Robin scene in Only Fools and Horses I dare you not to raise a smile at the thought of this character, so 'Zowie Batman!' we had a giggle with this shoot. Sean wanted some shots for a promotoion he was creating for his own business and who am I not to let these creative juices flow.

'Kapow' Sean entered my studio and off to work we went! Sean is as you can imagine  also a good business man and a serious networker so we also took some other shots of Sean being himself….and what a contrast they are!

Here are some of my favourites from this shoot, one I will not forget in a hurry!!

For more information on Sean's business please take a peek at http://www.daredevil-creative.com

Marla came to me a few weeks, with lots of clothes and options and a fabulous smile on her face. Marla is the director and owner of Enterprise Solutions and she specialises in Women's Enterprise, there was lots to talk about there for us!

A pleasure to photograph, she has the fabulously expressive eyes, so we kept them sparkling and went through some different looks. I particuarly like the image where Marla is leaning on the wall, as when I first suggested it she looked at me as if I was insane…and then said 'go on then'…turned out to be one of her favourites…Yay!

So here are the four images Marla chose in her package and for more information about the great work Marla does, why not contact her through LinkedIn..

I can guarantee that once you have met Stewart there is no forgetting him!  He is a fabulous chap, a professional through and through and has a little habit of slapping a table and demonstrating the range of his voice in a humourous and effective manner like no other I have met (If you have met him during a network meeting you will know what I mean!) All great stuff, so I was delighted when Stewart asked me to 'shoot' him as he wanted some new images for his social media accounts.

Stewart was so easy to photograph as he was so relaxed and confident (a military background brings great discipline and I know he has been in many more situtations FAR more scary than having his photograph taken!)

Stewart is now in the recruitment business, but one with a difference. He specialises in placing ex-military personnel with companies looking to recruit employees with skill sets that match. As an ex-forces man himself he completely understands everything from any resettlement issues  to the skills and trade qualifications and experience they have to offer to the job market. Passionate about what he does he is the man to contact if you are looking to recruit in the north Birmingham area! For more information on Stewart's work take a peek.

So here are the 4 images Stewart chose from the 40 edited from his social media portrait session. Stewart brough several shirt changes and so gave himself a good choice. Please give me a call if you are interested in a session like this or take a look at my website

I first met Julie about 18 months ago, not only is she a fabulous business woman but she, along with Joyce Bullock runs the WiRE Lichfield group and together they are a force to be reckoned with, inspiring and supporting women.  So it was no surprise to me when I was asked to photograph Julie and her business partner Nick that Nick would be equally as fabulous, laid back, professional and fun to be with.

Julie and Nick have worked together for thirteen years and they really help rural businesses gain focus and grow. They, through their business Growing Rural Enterprise Ltd facilitate rural projects connected with learning, work life balance, personal and rural business development. Such a varied and valued business, so we had plenty of scope and got to work.

I was a little excited to be invited to meet them at Woodhouse Farm in Whittington where they chose to have their shoot, a wonderful farm with the most gorgeous walled garden and bluebell patches….heaven to me with so many colours and textures to play with!

Here are some of my favourite shots from the shoot

Like most people in business I love it when repeat business comes along. I first photographed Julia and Michelle about a year so. Recently Julia got in touch and booked meagain, this time to go to their fabulous 'The Retreat Clinic' in Cannock to photograph them but also all the staff there and do some interior shots as well. Lovely excuse for me to go there again and of course book up a few little treats for myself as well!

The ladies I have to say were wonderful and soon relaxed and listened to a little direction and away we went capturing glorious personalities!

The RetreatClinic  really is a little piece of heaven and you have to go there to see just what amazing treatments they do. For more information, please take a look at http://www.theretreatclinic.co.uk/

Here are some of my favourites from the shoot

Lisa and I have known each other for a little while now and when she booked me for a social media business portrait package, I couldn't wait to get the camera out.. stunning looks with a great personality…Yay!

So Lisa came to the studio in Lichfield, we got a coffee on the go and went through the clothes she had brought with her, then we got to work and here are the 4 images she chose from her package…great choices and I have to say I am so pleased she went for a couple with her jacket off, she looks professional (as she very much is!) and yet stunning.

If you need a mortgage, re-mortgage, some life assurance or critical illness cover, Lisa is your lady. For more information on her services and to see some of her fabulous client feedback take a look at http://www.lisabardell.co.uk

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the fabulous Lisa…

Lisa is quite a lady and I am so glad I met her. I first met Lisa when she was doing a felt making demonstration at a WiRE networking group and I have to say Lisa makes a fabulous impression on everyone she meets. Notoriously glamourous she was a pleasure to photograph. I photographeed her in her boutique in The Heart of The Country Village in Swinfen just outside Lichfield. I highly recommend anyone to go and take a peek – she is always very welcoming.

Lisa works fabulous magic in her boutique as she sells her scrumptious vintage style felt bags, accessories, jewellery and wonderful supplies for all quality felt makers and crafters and only the very best will do. The quality of her work is outstanding.

Her felt-making workshops are run from here and if you meet anyone who has done a course they will rave about it. no end! Lisa's passion is infectious and with her deep set belief that anyone can achieve great things through creative arts and crafts, she is on a mission to promote the benefits that participation in creative play can offer not only to an individual but the wider community. Go girl!

Here are the images that Lisa chose from her package and I have to say I thoroughly approved of her choices. For more information on Lisa'a work please take a look at Tigerlily Makes's website

Thanks Lisa for being such a sport and pushing your boundaries…just gorgeous!