The Photographer Academy

For the next few days I am at The Photography Show helping out on The Photographer Academy Stand (G105 - come and say hello).

I love helping them out on the stand and have been a member of their training for 6 years now (wow doesn't feel that long and I am only 21!!!!).

What do I love about them?  Its all on-line learning, I can dip in and out of the content as I need it and they pretty much have a film on any subject - Business, Studio/Location lighting, landscapes and so much more (it would take a huge list to list them all!!!)  

The films are all around 20 minutes long, a perfect length to sit down and be able to watch without having to block out a few hours!

There is also my journey shown from the start of my first studio onwards, you can see how I grew my business, how the idea of the motorbike's (my passion) took over.

I believe that constantly stretching yourself and learning new things will keep you ahead of the competition! 

Check them out by clicking their logo at the top.... and make sure you come and say hello if your at the show :)

Michelle

Staying ahead of the game...

I don't need training..... You would be surprised how many photographers I hear this from as if they have hit the top of their game and don't need to push the boundaries any more.

The last 3 months for me have been about reconnecting with myself (sounds a bit deeper than it really is), I needed to take time to find the person I was before I got taken over by the studio,sounds crazy but those 4 walls were never me, just took a long time for me to realise.

During these 3 months I have taken up running and got back into dance which I love and had left behind (the studio meant I could never commit to a set class - which was all in my head as I could have made the decision to not take on work that day - its safe to have you time).

Andi my dance instructor and I got chatting during my one to one about training, and that to move forward you need to train a minimum of 2 hours per week... whether you are a beginner or an instructor.  For her that is 2 hours over the classes she teaches (her every day work), to really keep moving forward.

This has really gotten me thinking about our industry and what we do about training, I know when I had the studio I was obsessed with business training, how can I bring in more money, how can I increase the averages.... I needed more money to grow the business and survive.  

I lost the importance of training in photography, after all I was shooting every day in the studio with clients... but is that really stretching you to the next level... its not the place to be testing out new equipment you haven't already practised with.

We become the same as the next photographer, learning to a certain level and just trying to photograph what we think will sell, being sheep following what other studio's are doing... not adding ourselves into the images.

If your a family photographer.... why not see what you can learn from a street photographer or a pet photographer... what could you take from them to bring into your own work and make it unique.

For me a minimum of 2 hours dance training, is now also a minimum of 2 hour photography training, be it booking a model, playing with my lights, watching video's on The Photography Academy, and booking workshops.

Its time to grow as a photographer.... take your images to the next level and challenge yourself to train/play at least 2 hours a week!

Mototechnik's September 2014 event

Such and amazing evening last September with the guys (and girls) at Mototechnik.  They have an amazing store in Stowmarket.  Loved looking round the store and their event had such great atmosphere... I look forward to working with them in the future.

Only a few images from the night as looking after my stand :)

#50shadesofmotorbike - personal project

I couldn't resist getting on board with the launch of 50 Shades of Grey and make it even more exciting by twisting it for motorbikes.

Wanting to capture the spirit of biking with these images and including words from each biker to show the biker behind the bike.

Each images will go along side a quote or story from the biker... be it a favourite road, a journey you will never forget or your first bike....

With a huge response already across twitter and Facebook I am already at 25 bikers, if you want to be involved get in quick!!

The session itself is about 1 hour and just one location, with the aim being one fully edited image to go along side the quote on social media/Blog and website.  Later the images maybe used in a book.

Want to get involved then get in touch though the website, facebook or twitter.

Published in South East Biker

I was so excited last year to be published South East Biker magazine, article by the lovely Sandy Caulfield.

We had a fantastic portrait at a private woodland, that we had permission to use.  I loved working with Sandy and her partner's bike's, creating different styles with both the woodland scenery and some outbuildings that were there.

Creating images in my dramatic and signature style.

"Unique, Passionate, Talented - Just 3 words to describe Michelle Szpak - One of the most remarkable and innovative photographers you are likely to come across" - Sandy