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Monday 5 August 2013

Industry News Bulletin

Here are some articles Graham Mackay Photography have found this week

7 Simple Ways a Blog Can Get You More Photography Clients
Well, one of the things that creative people (like artists, writers and, yes, photographers) forget is that you grow a business by marketing it – not necessarily by just being good at what you do. There are plenty of good photographers out there. So what’s the problem? Not all photography businesses have a huge budget to spend on marketing. In this post I’m going to talk about how you can start a blog (or use an existing one) to get you more clients for your photography business. I don’t run a photography blog but I’ve got a bit of experience with helping small businesses grow using content marketing.
3 Steps to Gorgeous Landscape Images
During the writing of Digital Photography School’s latest eBook, Living Landscapes, I was forced to do some heavy thinking about how I approach creative landscape composition in the field. At this juncture, it is important to note that I avoid heavy thinking at all costs. Thinking truly is the hardest work, especially when you are attempting to simplify a process that is almost instinctual to you. However, my fear of hard thinking is eclipsed by my fear of Editorial wrath, so I set aside a day, dusted off a tantric chants CD and retired to my sweat-lodge teepee for some quality time with sub-conscious me. Thirteen hours later I emerged, 12 kg lighter and armed with two revelations, the first; I approach landscape composition as a three step process. The second; my sub-conscious is a freaky place that is best avoided in the future.

Beware Craigslist Scammers Hunting for Gullible Wedding Photographers
If you’re a photographer looking for a gig on Craigslist, be careful. As with virtually all the types of “help wanted” listings found on the site, requests for photography services are often used by scammers as a way of luring the naive. Scammers also regularly send out emails to photographers advertising their services. Here’s how a typical scam might work: First, you’re introduced to a photography gig that seems perfect for you. The pay is great, and you feel qualified to do everything that’s asked.

Here’s a great video by Reuters in which Bangkok-based photojournalist Damir Sagolj shares seven things about photography he has learned over the years by working in the field. They are: anticipate research, reach out, prioritize, practice, interact, and be invisible. Although the tips are geared towards photojournalists trying to document the issues of the world, many of them can be applied to everyday photography as well.

Legal Rumble over the Critical Elements of Wedding Photography

Earlier today, an Australian court put an end to a year-old tussle between photographer George Ferris and newly-weds Jarrad and Sheree Mitchell over the quality of the wedding photos he took for them. Although neither side really won, the court did make an interesting statement that could serve as a precedent in the future. One of the main pillars of the Mitchell’s argument was that Ferris had missed several key moments, including their wedding kiss. Ferris, on the other hand, called it “just a peck” and maintained that not all moments could be captured. The court sided with Ferris.

This news bulletin was brought to you by Graham Mackay Photography

Thursday 18 April 2013

April/May 2013 update from Graham Mackay Photography

In this issue
  • Marie & Michael's Wedding at the Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan
  • Nadia & Michael's Wedding at Airth Castle
  • Nicola & Chris's Wedding at Doune Castle
  • Paula & Lloyd's Wedding at The Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan
  • Getting married in Spain, see details below
  • New Joke Book just published online... download it free
  • Wedding Show dates at bottom of blog
Hi all

It's been a busy time since our last Blog in January, where does the time go. We have had 5 weddings to shoot, design the albums and edit the DVD's. Aileen now has her own edit suite and can edit the films on her own system. This keeps the photography and video seperate and will greatly improve our capacity and workflow and probably our relationship!

There have also been several wedding fayres to attend. The majority have been organised by Wedding Supermarket, they are well attended, well organised and an excellent opportunity to network with the other suppliers. 

Claire Hammell School of Dance booked us to film their dancing display at Larbert High School in March, a great night enjoyed by the girls and their families.

Marie & Michael featured in our January Blog, we have now produced a slideshow with some of their wedding photographs.

  
 


On the 14th of February John married Mags at the Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan. The weather was cold but we still managed to get all the photographs and filming done outside. We received a nice compliment from the couple when they said " Our work was fantastic "

 
 
 
On the 9th of March Louise married Martin at Solsgirth House and we were booked to film their big day. We managed to get most shots outside, we received the under noted testimonial from the couple
 
" When planning our wedding we weren't sure whether to have it filmed or not...we are so glad we did. Nothing compares to the enjoyment on the day itself however being able to look back and see parts of the day you missed and reliving memories was worth every penny. Graham was fantastic on the day and the team have captured everything we wanted and more in compiling the DVD complete with the music we love most. I cannot recommend Graham Mackay Photography highly enough and look forward to watching our DVD over and over again! "
 
 
 
Airth Castle was where Nadia & Michael had their big day, it was a chilly 29th of March but again we were fortunate to get all of the photographs and filming done outside. We got some really good images, the Bride & Groom plus the Bridal party were all up for a laugh.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
It was a busy weekend at the end of March as we had another wedding on the 30th of March at Doune Castle and then onto the Inchyra Grange Hotel. This was a great wedding with
Nicola & Chris. Some nice photos to choose from
 



The Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan was the lovely venue for the wedding of Paula & Lloyd on Saturday the 6th of April.  A lot of family came up from England and were subjected to some good Scottish hospitality!
 
  

 
 
 
 
Our Blog this month coincides with our April Newsletter which will be sent out to our database of Brides to be at the end of April.
 
OTHER NEWS
 
In February we were in the Costa Del Sol speaking to some Wedding planners to look at the costs involved to have your wedding in the sun along with your family and friends.  A wedding like this is not for everyone but with the right numbers and the opportunity to turn it into a honeymoon/holiday it does appeal to some people.  We spoke to Marbella Marriages www.marbellamarriages.com who recommended The Hotel Puente Romano along with many others. If any couples are interested in Spain as a possible venue for their wedding please let me know and I can pass on their details.
 
The end of April is as busy at the start of the month. On Saturday the 20th April we have a dancing display for Danielle School of Dance in Cumbernauld. On Wednesday we are off to the Centre for Health Science in Inverness for their 2 day seminar. We are booked to photograph the speakers and delegates.
 
NEW JOKE BOOK Published on line
 
Over the last 20 years we have filmed many wedding's and have taken a note of some of the best jokes from the speeches. With the number reaching nearly 100 I thought it would be a good opportunity to offer these to the guys as weddings are usually all about the girls!
 
This is a free and it can be downloaded from http://www.grahammackay.co.uk/jokebook.php
I hope some of the jokes can be used by the Groom, the Best Man and the Bride's Dad.
 
SEE US AT THE FOLLOWING WEDDING SHOWS
 
Sunday 21st April The Park Hotel Falkirk 12 until 4pm
Sunday 28th April The Royal Hotel Bridge of Allan 12 until 4pm
Sunday 19th May The Grange Manor Hotel Grangemouth 12 until 4pm
Sunday 23rd June The Leapark Hotel Grangemouth 12 until 4pm
 
Our new 2013/14 Wedding Album Collection will be on view. Both Aileen and I look forward to speaking to all those visitors who attend. As always you can keep in contact with us via our Facebook page and why not give us a tweet!
                         

Friday 8 February 2013

January update from Graham Mackay Photography

Hi

I hope you all had a great time over the festive season, it seems so long ago now.

Our new Newsletter went out at the end of last month to over 250 Brides planning their big day and we have had great feed back. Over the next few days our website will have links that will allow you to register your email address and join the growing list of subscribers.

Since our last blog we had a lovely wedding at the Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan, Georgia got married to Russell, a cold day but we managed all the photographs outside, without any blue noses!  
 
 
Images from the Storybook Wedding Album
 
 
A slide show with photographs from the big day
 
 
 
Another lovely wedding last month, at the same venue was Marie & Michael, again it was a cold day but we still manged to get along to Airthrey Castle at Stirling Uni campus for additional photographs. The Bride & Groom were great and we got some lovely images. M & M were off to the Cape Verde Islands for some warmer weather.

 
 
 
January was a busy month for wedding fayres and we attended one at Alloa Town Hall organised by Wedding Supermarket. The other was at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert, another great show organised by Pamela Jayne Bridal Wear.
 
 
A slide show from the Alloa Wedding Fayre
 
 
Our stand at Alloa Town Hall
 
 
A slide show from the Dobbie Hall
 
 
Exhibiting at the Dobbie Hall
 
We will be attending a show at the Falkirk Wheel
on the 17th of Feb. There will be the usual " Deal on The Day "
 
On the 3rd of  March 2013 we will be at Airth Castle Hotel
Wedding Show
 
 
On the 17th of March 2013 we will be at Glenbervie House
Wedding show
 
 
 
Last weekend we had a photo shoot in the studio with Charlene M.M. Key a lovely model, great to work with and we got some fab shots.
 
 
A slide show with more images can be be seen here
 

OTHER NEWS

Higher Image our Ground based Aerial Photography business has been stirring up lot of interest at the Wedding shows we have been attending. The system allows us to capture photographs from a height up to 26m. We have used this at weddings for WOW factor shots at the door of the venue. 
 
We are now hoping to also include aerial photographs of the bridal party when I am taking the group photographs. On a nice day this will also include images of the guests interacting with one another unaware of  the " Eye in the Sky ".
 
This will add a completely new dimension to your wedding album. As far as we are aware there is no other Wedding Photographer in Scotland with this capability,  so you could be the first Bride & Groom to have Higher Image during the photography session. For more details please click on the top image
 
 
 
Higher Image at Gleneagles
 
 
Higher Image Wedding group photograph Gleneagles Hotel
 
 
Higher Image at Cameron House
 
 
Higher Image captures a spectacular fireworks display at Gleneagles Hotel
 
Glenskirlie Castle as featured in the Scottish Wedding Directory Venue magazine
 
 
Higher Image has many other commercial uses,  it is used by Housing Associations for roof inspections on their stock of properties. We also work for Glasgow City building and advertise in the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Directory  www.higherimage.co.uk
 
New advert for the SFHA 2013/14 directory
 
 
 Lastly, have you every thought about having your wedding in the Costa del Sol?
Too expensive, don't know where to start?
Well it might not be as expensive as you think. I am meeting with some Wedding planners
in Spain next week. I want to discuss putting a package together to offer Scottish
couples an opportunity to have a Marbella Wedding.
I'll let you know how it goes in my next Blog.
 

 
 
If you would like any more information on Photography, Films or any general questions then please drop me an email, sent a message via our Facebook page or catch us on Twitter.  We are here to help!
 
Best Wishes
Graham