![Shoot and Shadow Course – January 2018]()
Last week I ran the January Shoot and Shadow Course in Buckinghamshire. I met 5 wonderful photographers and had a blast photographing our TOP MODEL Rob Waine Dressage at his lovely yard.
Thank you to Rob for his excellent modeling (along with Cici and Naz) and for your hospitality. It was a super fresh (some might say chilly) morning, but, luckily we had coffee and biscuits on hand.
We had 5 delegates on this course. We started with a quick getting to know you, and finding out who we are, where we have come from and where we would like to go. Next came the location walk around the yard, where I pointed out the locations and back grounds that we would be picking for this portrait shoot.
As will most of my photo shoot we started in the stable.
We moved onto a some punchy backdrops that we had available on this yard, including a container that brings that extra ‘something different’ to these shots:
We spent an hour and half capturing portraits of Rob with a couple of his dressage horses, Cici and Naz. I set up each pose and talked through the settings I was using on my camera, everyone attending took their own position for capturing the connection between Rob and his horses, so although there were 6 of us photographing him we will all have different images.
TESTIMONIAL:
“I attended the recent Shoot and Shadow course and I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was an fantastic experience from start to finish. I learnt so much and with Hannah’s guidance and support managed to take some amazing photos to be proud of. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone.” – Sue
The next Shoot and Shadow Course is on 22nd February, in Wiltshire. There are a couple of spaces left if you would like to add beautiful images to your portfolio and gather experience of creating successful equine portrait shoots.
![Shoot and Shadow Course – January 2018]()
It’s a brand new year, and it is VITAL that you set yourself goals, so that everything you do actually has a purpose, and doesn’t just happen by chance.
Yes, be sure to you push yourself- but set goals that are achievable!
Your business
Set realistic goals for where you see yourself by the end of 2018. What clients would you like to target? What new locations have been on your mind for the past few months that you’re dying to shoot at. How can you develop your business that makes you stand out from the crowd this year? Perhaps there’s a professional rider in your area who you could work with to boost your portfolio? Get things down on paper- you’re more likely to complete a list than commit to ideas floating round in your head!
Your finances
Although money isn’t everything, you don’t start a business to make a loss! How much money would you like to be taking home each month? How will you get to this point? Do you need to put your prices up for this year? These are all things to consider in order to reach your goals. Remember quality over quantity- so If you can shoot less, but sell more per shoot- you’re laughing!
Your creativity
It’s so easy to get stuck in the little routines you have whilst on location shoots. Have a look through your 2017 archive- notice that you have a LOT of similar shots… just featuring different owners and their horses? Don’t panic- I’ve been there before- it’s so easy to get too comfortable! What can you do to set up and produce more creative shots that really set you apart? Have you been thinking about experimenting with different light? Do you want to alter the way you edit your images? These are all things that can encourage you to get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to push for more work!
Your personal life and activities outside of work
You must be sure to make time for you! A healthy work/life balance is really important to ensure you don’t become overwhelmed or hit a wall with your business. Make time for family, friends and hobbies… it’s these things that keep you grounded in life!
