My Website

I currently already have a website but its not exactly what I want it to be, at the minute its only showing off the photography that I do in my own studio, and advertises my packages from there. I want to change it to also show off some of my College work and personal projects.

I currently use Wix to host my website, its free but I use one of their domain names as I havent yet bought my own domain name, this is something I need to look into.

This is my current websites home page:

I chose a very minimilistic layout once again, but I do really like my website, the picture to the right is a slide show that changes every few seconds, as you can see along the top I have 'Home', 'Gallery', 'About', 'Contact', 'Services', 'Prices' and 'offers' Here is what each page looks like:

So this is the gallery page, as you can see all my contact details remain on the left had side and its only the right had side that changes, I like this about my website.

I think its important to have a section about yourself on your website so potential clients can get to know you before they book you for jobs, at the moment I have a photo of myself on there but it isn't very professional so I am going to look into get a studio a head shot done to put on here.

This is a page where people can contact me to ask any questions, even though I have my contact details on the left I still think its important to have a contact area on a website. 

Because I work alongside the beauty salon I have lots of different packages so I have listed them all in this section, I think this is important because if not you will be getting asked ALL the time what services you provide or you wont get asked to do jobs at all.

I think its extremely important to show your price list for your prints, I have found it very hard in the past to find a price list on other photographers websites, personally this puts me off using them, I have nothing to hide with my prices so I don't mind showing them.

Personally I think my website is good and does the job but like I have already said I want to show more of my work off, I think I will create a sub category to show off  'personal projects' .

Business Cards

I already have business cards but I am currently running out so I have decided to look into creating some more with maybe a new design on and look at getting some flyers printers and other promotional items, I always use vistaprint.co.uk as I find them very reliable and reasonably priced. I also like vista print because as well as having many layouts to choose from you can start from scratch and create a completely unique business card.

They have a range of photography business cards here are a few :

Although I really like these business cards they just aren't they style I want to go for, I want something fun and quirky. 

I really like this one and I think its got the quirkyness I am looking for! 

Here it is filled in with all of my details:

I really like it so I have ordered 500 of them, I always carry a fair amount in my camera bag and in my purse and I also leave some out in the beauty salon I work at and also in local Children's clothes shops, nursery's and also venues that host weddings. 

While looking through vista print I found lots of other promotional things to match my business cards such as mailing labels which would be good when sending letters to clients:

There was also pens which I think would be good to give to clients when they come for meeting with me say for the wedding and things, giving them a pen is going to remind them of me every time they use the pen:

Along with these things there are lots of other things to match, I'm really impressed with how they match my business cards, I will definitely look into getting some' of these other promotional items. 

CV writing

I currently already have a CV but I created it on my own without looking at guidelines and things so I have decided to look into some tips for a successful CV and create a new one,

Here is my current CV:

Although I think my CV is okay I am going to do some research and change it a little bit :

1. Keep it real!

Usually a CV should be no more than two pages – and that's two pages of A4 paper! Employers spend, an average, just 8 seconds looking at any one CV, and a surefire way of landing yourself on the no pile is to send them your entire life story. Keep it punchy, to the point, and save those niggly little details for the interview.

2. Tailor it

We've all done it. Whizzed the same CV out to lots of employers to save time... Stop! Take the time to change your CV for each role that you apply for. Research the company and use the job advert to work out EXACTLY what skills you should point out to them. They will appreciate the obvious effort.

3. Include a personal statement

Don’t just assume an employer will see how your experience relates to their job. Instead, use a short personal statement to explain why you are the best person for the job. This should be reflected in your cover letter as well.

4. Don't leave gaps

We are a cynical bunch and leaving obvious gaps on your CV immediately makes employers suspicious – and they won't give you the benefit of the doubt. If you’ve been out of work it can be a worry but just put a positive spin on it. Did you do a course, volunteer work or develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork or project management? If so, shout about it! 

5. Keep it current

You should keep your CV up-to-date whether you’re looking for a job or not. Every time something significant occurs in your career, record it so you don't later forget something that could be important.

6. The error of your ways

Employers DO look for mistakes on CVs and if they find them, it makes you look really bad.

7. Tell the truth

Everyone lies on their CV, right? NO! Stop! Blatant lies on your CV can land you in a whole heap of trouble when it comes to employers checking your background and references. The last thing you want is to start work and then lose your new job for lying. You also may get caught out at the interview stage when you suddenly can't answer questions on what you claim to know. And that can be VERY awkward!

8. The maths

This may sound dull but by backing up your achievements with numbers it makes selling yourself much easier. When writing your work history, don’t just say that you increased sales; tell them you increased sales by 70% over a six month period. Get it? Big numbers are especially good (although don't forget point 7 of our list!).

9. Make it look good

We live in a world where image is everything, and that also goes for your CV. Take some time to pretty it up... Use bullet points and keep sentences short. Use the graphic design trick of leaving plenty of white space around text and between categories to make the layout easy on the eye.

Sourced from


I think these tips are really helpful I am going to put these tips into my new CV:

Body Language

I already know quite a lot about body language as we learnt a lot about it when I studied Acting before coming here. I decided to research into a bit more, I think this is a good thing to look into because I will be working with the general public a lot and stylists and what not so I should know about body language.

• The closer they are, the warmer they are thinking of you. If you move slightly closer to them and they move even closer to you, they probably really like you or are very comfortable around/by you. But this could also mean that they have a special comfort with you. A strong friendship or they consider you a member of their family.
• Overly tilted heads are either a potential sign of sympathy, or if a person smiles while tilting their head, they are being playful and maybe even flirting.
• Lowered heads indicate a reason to hide something. Take note if someone lowers their head. If it is when he is complimented, he may be shy, ashamed, timid, keeping distance from the other person, in disbelief, or thinking to himself or herself. If it is after an explanation, then he may be unsure if what he said was correct, or could be reflecting.
• It should be noted that some cultures see this as a sign of respect.
• Tilted heads mean that they are confused or challenging you, depending on their eye, eyebrow, and mouth gestures. Think of how a dog slightly tilts its head when you make a funny noise.
• People who look to the sides a lot are nervous, lying, or distracted. However, if a person looks away from the speaker, it very well could be a comfort display or indicate submissiveness. Looking askance generally means the person is distrustful or unconvinced.
• If someone looks down at the floor a lot, they are probably shy or timid. People also tend to look down when they are upset, or trying to hide something emotional. People are often thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they are in the process of staring at the ground.
• Some cultures believe that looking at someone in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, or is only done with intimate friends or family, so this could explain why someone is avoiding eye contact with you.
• Dilated pupils mean that the person is interested. Keep in mind, however, that many substances cause pupils to dilate, including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, LSD and others. Don't mistake having a few drinks for attraction.
• If their eyes seem focused far away, that usually indicates that a person is in deep thought or not listening.

I found these point really helpful, I found them at -    http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Body-Language 

Networking

When researching networking I found a website that I found helpful Website here

What is networking?

• It is not just WHAT you know, it is also WHO you know that counts!  Networking is all about building mutually beneficial relationships and talking to people with a view to discussing topics that are of joint interest
• Every time you make a new contact you are effectively then tapping into a new circle of people, so you can gradually build up a list of contacts who can help you

Why do it?

• It is generally agreed that about half of all job vacancies are never advertised publicly and employers often fill them instead with people who have approached them directly. Obviously there is less competition for these vacancies than for those that have been advertised widely and research shows that a referral generates more success than a ‘cold call’ because people usually trust the source of the information
• Some people do a speculative 'mail shot' of the same CV to hundreds of different firms. What they are effectively doing is sending employers junk mail, with a likely return rate of only around 1 or 2%. Applications of this nature work when they are more targeted and well researched to meet the employers' needs.  You might find the selling your skills on paper information helpful as you produce your CV 

 What can you get from networking?

• Establishing what a job is really like – Asking someone about their job, or industry they work in, should give you a better idea of what is involved in a role.  In addition, your contact may be able to organise a visit to their company, paid/unpaid work experience, work shadowing (ie unpaid work observation) or mentoring
• Helping you look for work – Your networking contacts can also give you an overview of the range of jobs within their given field and the level of competition for vacancies; look through your CV and suggest improvements, provide information on experience or qualifications and recommend other sources of information and advice, including their own contacts. They may also be able to tell you which journals and recruitment agencies to use when looking for vacancies, give you ideas of other employers to apply to and let you know about current vacancies
• Researching companies and tailoring your applications – Contacts who work for organisations that interest you could be invaluable in your research.  They can provide insight into company culture, recent company news, and a deeper understanding of the job and even the role of the person who is going to interview you
• Some people are afraid to use contacts. Typical comments include: 'I don't know anybody who could help me', 'I wouldn't want to bother them', 'My uncle could help me get a job, but I want to do it on my own', 'It seems unfair to take advantage of who you know'
• It is possible for everyone to find somebody who can help. In fact most people are actually flattered to be approached for advice and are happy to help.  In addition, there are many existing networks that you can tap into for advice.  Professional bodies are a particularly useful source of contacts as they often publish lists of members.  It never hurts to contact someone (tactfully) for help - they can always say no. Bear in mind that contacts alone rarely get you a job - you'll need to prove you have what it takes. Finally, if you do not make use of networking, you could lose out to others.  That's what makes networking powerful - not everyone does it

What are the rules?

• An important concept in networking is reciprocity (or give and take). Do not only focus on your own needs. If you are looking for information or ideas from someone, you should expect to give something in return. This could simply mean sending them a piece of information, eg a link to an article you have read, volunteering to do some work or introducing them to one of your contacts at university
• You should show a genuine interest in the people you meet and always follow up when you say you will do something
• You should be prepared to share ideas and the skills, ability and experience you have
• Remember, even if the person you meet cannot help you it is quite likely that they will know someone who can

How do you do it?

Preparation:

• Before you go to a networking event ask yourself ‘who do I want to meet and why'? You also need to be prepared and confident so that you make a good first impression, so practise describing yourself in under 30 seconds. It is vital that the person you are speaking to gets an accurate picture of what you do and what makes you relevant to their needs 

What do you say?

• This is often very personal and can be planned to some extent, but here are some ideas.  If you are approaching a person you could smile and offer your hand, introducting yourself clearly and confidently.  You can then develop the conversation by asking relevant questions.  Most people will be happy to talk and will respond favourably to someone who is genuinely interested in them 
• If you are apporaching a group, remember to check body language.  If it is obvious that they are in a deep/personal conversation, don't try to butt in - find someone else to talk to and then come back
• To close the conversation and move on, you should again be polite.  Share your contact details if appropriate and agree future actions before saying that you are going to have a walk around to talk to other people

Follow up

• When you close the conversation or meeting, ask how they would like you to follow up. Write down the action points on the back of their business card
• Take immediate action, eg send them an email to say how much you enjoyed meeting them and send the information you have promised, even if it is something simple like a telephone number, coursework or a website address. You can also remind them of what they have promised you, but do remember to thank them for their offer, and when they respond, thank them again for doing it. Above all, set a reminder for yourself to complete what you have promised and do it on time
• It is also useful to create a contact list of people that you meet, with a few notes about what they do and any other helpful information you have picked up about them.  You can use Microsoft Outlook to manage this task by producing contact business cards

My Own Personal Blog

I decided to create my own blog after doing the session on blogs, I've decided to create it on Tumblr just because I am more used to using that, I've chose a minimilstic layout so that all the attention is on my posts, here is a preview of my first post:

I've decided to only write short posts so that people don't loose interest in my blog, I will start posting some of my work on it and then start posting it on to my other social networks. 

Copyright

For me copyright is a very daunting thing, I'm always worried that I could be stealing some one else's idea and it is a big worry when it comes to doing work for college. I decided that after having this session on copyright I would look further into it myself .

1. Who owns the copyright on photographs?
   Under law, it is the photographer who will own copyright on any photos he/she has taken, with the following exceptions:
   • If the photographer is an employee of the company the photos are taken for, or is an employee of a company instructed to take the photos, the photographer will be acting on behalf of his/her employer, and the company the photographer works for will own the copyright.
   • If there is an agreement that assigns copyright to another party.
   In all other cases, the photographer will retain the copyright, if the photographer has been paid for his work, the payment will be for the photographer’s time and typically an allocated number of prints. The copyright to the photos will remain with the photographer, and therefore any reproduction without permission would be an infringement of copyright.
   Examples:
• If Bill Smith asks Peter Jones the photographer to photograph his wedding. Peter Jones will normally provide a single copy of the prints as part of the fee, but any additional prints Bill or his family and friend want must be ordered via Peter as he is the copyright owner and controls who can copy his work.
• If Bill Smith engages the services of XYZ-Photos for the same job, and Peter is an employee of XYZ-Photo who instruct Peter to take the photos, XYZ-Photos will be the copyright owner and control how they are used.

I already understood that the photographer owned the copyright if he/she took the photo but I didnt know that if they worked for a business it was the business that owned the copyright!

1. Marking your work
   The two primary reasons for marking your work are to ensure that those accessing your images are clear that copyright exists and that they know who to contact to obtain permission.
   1. Contact information
      We often receive enquiries from individuals and organisations wishing to use specific photos, but who are unable to trace the owner. It seems that many images are marked as ‘copyright image do not reproduce without permission’, but that the photographer omitted to include their contact details. This is frustrating to the person wishing to use the image and also means that the photographer may miss out on reproduction fees and exposure.
   2. Copyright notices
      We do recommended that you mark your work with a copyright notice, as this makes it clear that copyright exists, and helps to deter infringement. Please see our fact sheet P-03: Using copyright notices for information on wording you notices.
      For traditional prints, it is customary to use a stamp to mark the copyright notice and the copyright owners contact details on the back of the print
      If you display your photos online, you may choose to use photo editing software to place a simple copyright notice across the image, (typically this will appear in the bottom corner). Ideally it should include the address of the web site so that it is clear where to go to find contact details.
      For electronic images, it is also possible to include the copyright/contact details in the file properties. Under Windows for example, right clicking on a image will allow you to bring up the properties dialogue where you may enter details about the file, (though this will only work with certain file types). More typically, your image software will provide a way to insert comments into the file; this is preferred as these are harder to remove.
      Watermarking may be worth considering if you have a lot of valuable images on your site.

I already watermark all of the images I put onto my business facebook page, and I do have a copyright note in the sidebar. 

Model release forms

An individual has certain rights to control the use of their image. The specific details will vary from one country to another depending on national legislation, although the general rule seems to be to protect a person against defamatory or offensive use of their image.

If you intend to sell or distribute images that include people, then it is worth getting your subjects to sign a model release form as this will protect you against any comeback.

I already make sure that all my models fill in a model release form I also have forms for my makeup artists, hair stylists and clothing designers to sign for any of my shoots. 

All information taken from