Blog | © Francis J Pullen

06/02/12

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:13:06 +0000

Had a busy week with the final Corporate 'Headshot' for a Cambridge company, editing and burning both sessions to DVD, then delivery. Then initial discussions with another company who require exactly the same, although on a smaller scale, and maybe using locations in London and Cambridge.

Despite 15cm of snow overnight in Cambridge, Olivia made it to her workshop on Sunday morning. This was fortuitous as the bright white snow scapes were ideal for her to practice Exposure Compensation, a topic we had covered in January's workshop. Now her snow scenes are snow white rather than grey! There was also ample opportunity to experiment with slow shutter speeds on the fast flowing water in the wiers on the River Cam, and using manual focus to photograph the Corpus Christi Chronophage Clock which sits behind thick glass and provides plenty of unwanted reflections. We finished with a session on Street Photography, anticipating what people are going to do next, looking for unusual angles or opportunities. Probably the best part of the day for her was the small cup of very thick, silky smooth, hot chocolate (à la the film, 'Chocolat') to ease the pain of her frozen feet. A 5 star young lady!

29/01/12

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:17:22 +0000

Today's Street Photography Workshop with Olivia has been postponed as the poor girl is unwell, but hoping she can come our to play with her new camera next weekend. Get well soon young lady!

Just a little bit of prep to do for tomorrow's Corporate 'Headshot' Round 2. Last Monday we completed Roiund 1 of 125 staff A-L, so still to do 175 staff M-Z. It's for a company I worked at before turning fully time photographer some 11 years ago, and there are quite a few people there I still know, but there's so little time to chat!

Later Monday afternoon, I have the first discussions with another company who require corporate/web/printed materials photographs, so looking forward to that too.

Made some tweaks to this website design - let us know if you like it.

27/01/12

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:59:41 +0000

Pleased to receive another Corporate enquiry on the back of a recommendation for web/published material shots of staff in active and passive modes. Discussions start early next week for chosen locations (London/Cambridge) and style of shoot - looking forward to this :)

26/01/12

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:08:45 +0000

Today the new logo and website design goes live - hope you like it?

Although our primary focus (no pun intended!) is still on amazing Wedding photography, our sub-banner now includes Portraits and Corporate photography, so that potential clients will at least now be aware of our many fine stringed bow!

25/01/12

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:32:55 +0000

Saying those 3 little words - 'I Love You' - Go on! Give your loved one a Special Valentine's Day Portrait. Sessions available until 7th February.

What more appreciative way to say 'Happy Mother's Day' on Sunday 18th March - treat her to a lovely portrait, with or without you! Sessions available until 11th March.

24/01/12

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:02:43 +0000

Had a nostalgic shoot yesterday photographing 'headshots' for a new security system at a company I worked for some years ago - wonderful to meet so many 'older' faces again, and new ones too. We were bang on target, photographing the first 125 staff, another 175 to do next week. My thanks to Caroline, Steph, Rebecca and Loren for assisting during the day, ensuring the shot number matched up with the name and for keeping the tea cup filled and providing a sandwich lunch too. Roll on next week!

Today, myself and Stephen (ninja) are visiting the venue for the next Wedding Fair we're organising on Sunday 7th October. We're also starting to contact exhibitors, and in particular would like to hear from a Bridal Gown supplier who would like to host the 2 Fashion Shows - contact us through the wedding fair website:

http://www.weddings-cambridge.co.uk

Looking forward to this weekend's Street Photography Workshop with Olivia in central Cambridge, where she'll be putting into practice all the theory and techniques so ably learnt over the past few months. As another contribution to her work experience, she's also going to shadow at a company annual dinner dance next month where the theme is 'Oriental Orchid Ball'. We photographed their very glamorous 'Masquerade Ball' last year, so every reason to expect another cracking night!

20/01/12

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:22:27 +0000

Visiting Lindsay today for a wedding consultation. She is marrying at one of my favourite venues, Minstrel Court in Herts where we are recommended photographers. Sadly, she has been let down by the photographer she had booked, so very much looking forward to making her Big Day one to remember in photographs.

www.minstrelcourt.com

Delighted that during my visit to Helen and Adam earlier this week, they chose our 'Diamond Collection' for their wedding at Swynford Hotel in Cambs in October. Helen's Maid of Honour will be Caroline who's wedding we photographed last year and at which Helen was Caroline's Chief Bridesmaid - so a family affair as such!

It's that time of the year when I re-stock the DVD Folios, Album Print Presentation Boxes and Mario Acerboni Albums - so quite a large bill this week!

Sunday is prep for Monday's 'heads only' shoot for a company's new security identification system at the end of this month. There are about 300 staff, and as some won't be available on just one day, we're attending on 2 half days, on consecutive weeks. Looking forward to seeing some old(er) faces, as I do actually know quite a few of them!

15/01/12

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:37:14 +0000

Well this week has had its highs and lows.

The highs were receiving the Corporate Contract to photograph an annual dinner dance at the end of February at the Apex in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, with a theme of 'Oriental Orchid Ball'. We have previously shot the same comany's 'Masquerade Ball' last January, which was an amazing night, so looking forward to seeing them all again and their fabulous costumes. A treat for myself and 2nd Ninja Andrew!

We also received another Corporate Contract to photograph 'heads only' for a company's new security identification system at the end of this month. There are about 300 staff, so time management will be key on this one as it'll be a bit like a 'sausage factory' churning out the images, but on the plus side, I do actually know quite a few of them!

Tomorrow, I visit a couple of which the bride-to-be was chief bridesmaid at a wedding we photographed last summer at the fabulous Minstrel Court in Herts. They would like us to photograph their own wedding at the Swynford Hotel Cambridge, so it'll be good to see them again and discuss their plans for this lovely venue.

10/01/12

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:05:43 +0000

We continue contacting exhibitors for our wedding fair on 4th March and have a meeting with Kiss Radio tomorrow to discuss advertising in mid February. Details at: www.weddings-cambridge.co.uk

Talking of February, we are offering beautiful Valentine's Day portraits, so treat yourself and your loved one to a special present and contact us now.

Had a lot of fun at the Mount Kilimanjaro charity fund raiser at Cottenham Village College last Saturday. Thanks to Stephen Ninja for bringing along his mobile studio, and we donated our time and print profits to the charities. A ceilidh, live band, buffet and games for about 200 people raised over £1,700 - a magnificient effort by all. Good luck to all 6 climbers including our own Ninja, Andrew, for their climb at the end of January, and of course their safe return.

Last Sunday, Olivia attended another of her work experience 1 to 1 workshops with us, where we covered Metering Modes and Exposure Compensation and White Balance, all put into practice with her Christmas present from her parents, a Canon 1100D DSLR with 18-55 IS lens - lucky young lady!

06/01/12

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:18:32 +0000

Delighted that the Chief Bridesmaid at Caroline and Craig's wedding last summer would like to discuss us photographing their own wedding in October at Swynford Hotel in Cambridgeshire - lovely.

Did you, or do you know anyone who got engaged at Christmas/New Year? Contact us for amazing wedding photography.

Continuing contacting exhibitors for our wedding fair on 4th March, and delighted to confirm some first time exhibitors with us. There are stand spaces of various sizes available, so check out the dedicated website for booking details:

www.weddings-cambridge.co.uk

or email us at:

bookings@weddings.cambridge.co.uk

or call us on:

07768 364567

02/01/12

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:56:11 +0000

Well a very Happy New Year to all our clients (wedding and corporate), models and those that have already booked our services over the coming 18 months.

Going to be hitting the ground running tomorrow, as we start to contact suppliers and sign them up for our wedding fair on 4th March, organise a refresher meeting at the venue, Cambridge Regional College, and organise the radio advertising. There's an awful lot to do!

This coming weekend myself and Stephen (Ninja) are supporting a charity fund raiser for a group of people who are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro later this month in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice (100% of donations will be forwarded). Amongst the climbers will be our very own Ninja, Andrew. The event features live music, Ceilidh, Buffet and Bar, and we'll be taking a backdrop and lights for portrait sessions with the climbers and supporters. All our time and prints are given as our part of the charity donation, which can be made through the Just Giving website:

www.justgiving.com/Chris-Cross

29/12/11

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:36:52 +0000

Ooooh, Santa has belatedly delivered a beautiful 24-70mm f2.8 L lens for one of my Canon 5DMkII camera bodies :)

28/12/11

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:53:28 +0000

Updating and tweaking documentation and the website for exhibitors for our Wedding Fair on Sunday 4th March 2012.

We already have a number of exhibitors re-booked from the last fair in October, and we're sure that many of the others will also be re-booking. so we'll be contacting them in early January to convince them!

We can accomodate about 100 exhibitors across 2 Halls, so there is plenty of room for anyone new.

Exhibitors old and new can book a stand by emailing:

bookings@cambridge-weddings.co.uk

or visit the website:

www.weddings-cambridge.co.uk

23/12/11

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:47:54 +0000

Well the ink is finally dry on the first of our 2012 ventures. We're officially hosting the 'Weddings Cambridge' Wedding Fairs on Sunday 4th March 2012 and Sunday 7th October 2012 at Cambridge Regional College in Cambridge!

For Bride and Groom - 2 Fashion shows, Suppliers for all your wedding needs, competitions and special offers.

For exhibitors there are 4 stand sizes at very competitive rates, Radio, Press and Online advertising - contact us if you want a stand before they all go!

Our grateful thanks to Jane Doggett for all her help in the transfer process and for her continuing support.

Rolling updates as they happen.

www.weddings-cambridge.co.uk

21/12/11

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:28:21 +0000

Something a little bit different today for The Cheese Stall on Cambridge Market. Photos of their delicious cheeses and the Christmas customers clamouring to buy them. Photos destined for The Cheese Stall website and printed materials. Love cheese!

http://www.cheesestall.com/

Tomorrow, Friday, we're putting the next phase in place for one of our 2012 ventures - details when we've cleared the legal hurdles...

19/12/11

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:48:01 +0000

Unfortunately the Burlesque shoot last Saturday didn't go ahead, but we're working on 2 new and exciting ventures for 2012 - once the legal stuff is finalised, this Blog will be informing you! Spoiler: one of them is scheduled for the first week of March, but other could be sooner!

OK, I know we haven't got Christmas and New Year dealt with yet, but don't forget we offer Valentines Lifestyle Portraits up to 7th February 2012. Alternatively, if you're planning your wedding, why not book a Pre-Wedding/Engagement shoot with us. Use the online Contact form if you want to discuss and/or book a session.

This past year we have seen a huge increase in the number of clients who wish to pay our Booking Fee by online Bank money transfer, as they find this easy and secure and allows more or less an instant view of their budget. We like it too, but of course we still take cash or cheque for those that prefer these methods of payment. To remain realistically priced, we don't (yet) take credit cards as the operational costs would have to be passed on. (Companies/Banks don't provide the facility for nothing!)

16/12/11

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:06:30 +0000

Writing the Wedding Contract for Amanda and Adam today. They're marrying next September in a lovely village church with the Reception and Wedding Breakfast at the De Vere University Arms Hotel adjacent to the beautiful Parker's Piece in central Cambridge. We're also photographing her sister Nicola's wedding 3 months before, in a different village Church and the amazing Bedford Lodge in Newmarket, Suffolk, so a real family affair! Ouch, an expensive year for their Father Martin :)

Later on is prep for Saturday's Burlesque shoot at 12a Private Memebrs Club in central Cambridge, in period 'speakeasy' style. SO looking forward to this one.

12/12/11

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:03:03 +0000

On the QT and very hush, hush…
Looking forward to meeting Suzy and some of her friends tomorrow. Suzy was the first bride we photographed as a professional some years ago, and she is exploring a new wedding business venture to which I'm hoping to contribute :)

Also this week is a meeting with our photo Ninja Stephen to discuss a different wedding business venture, then a pre-wedding meeting with Adam and Amanda who've booked us for their wedding next September.

Not on the QT and not very hush, hush…
We've found another venue in Cambridge suitable for Saturday's 2 model Burlesque shoot, but having difficulty in getting them to answer their phone to make the arrangements!

Olivia's workshop went pretty well yesterday, having nailed Depth of Field with a practical session using my Canon 5DII with 70-200mm lens - a heavy combination! But at least she could see the effects of subject to background distance, using f2.8 aperture and a long focal length to produce lovely 'bokeh'. We then moved on to camera metering modes, exposure compensation and incident and reflected light, but I think that need's a revisit in January with some notes I've re-written!

10/12/11

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:43:28 +0000

Hannah's mother Diane collected her big, 5 photo collage canvas yesterday and was over the moon with the results. Unfortunately, we can't post a photo of the design as the Groom is in the military in uniform and has asked for security reasons for no publilc domain publication of their day, which of course, we totally respect. Shame, as it was a really wonderful day!

We're looking for an indoor location to shoot a couple of Burlesque models, having been let down by a venue for 17th December that actually runs Burlesque nights. We're thinking 'club, chaise longe, méridienne, red, black' type of room/atmosphere…

Tomorrow is Workshop number 2 for Olivia who has been doing work experience with us over the past 3 months or so. We'll be looking in more detail at Depth of Field, what affects it, how to control it, and putting some of it into practical creative use. So, looking forward to seeing her again and getting out with the cameras.

08/12/11

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:00:22 +0000

Hannah has now collected her huge canvas and 2 Grandparent Books and was so excited and thrilled with them - aaw! She also gave us a really lovely 'Thank You' card with very touching and sincere words for all our work. Thank you Hannah and Scott, your wedding was a wonderful event to photograph.

By coincidence I'm expecting delivery today of a big collage canvas for Hannah's Mother Diane, who I know is also very excited about receiving it.

Also added 9x6 inches size of photo print to the drop down menu in the Client Area and Optional Extras. This size preserves the 1:1.5 ratio of the original image from our full-frame 35mm DSLR cameras, so the photos are not cropped during the printing stage, which they may be on some other sizes, such as 8x6 and 12x10 inches. Yet more flexibility for our Clients :)

Just downloaded the latest firmware updates for both our Canon 5D MkII cameras. Not very exciting I know, but an essential part of our maintenance programme for equipment that has to work every day, thousands of shots per year, and hopefully without failure :) Will also be sending them to the Canon Professional Network for annual servicing and calibration.