networking

COVID-19 update for Photo Shoots June 2020

by Zelda de Hollander

COVID update from 1st June 2020

STUDIO PHOTO SHOOTS

Following the new government guidelines, allowing photography studios to open from June 15th, we are delighted to be able to offer these services from then.

However, these photo shoots will not be taking place in our home-based studio, but instead at a commercial photography studio based in central New Milton, BH25.

Throughout studio photo shoots, we are adhering to all social distancing rules to ensure the safety of all parties throughout the process.

All consultations and pre-planning of photo shoots will be done over the phone, over email or by zoom video chat.

All sales materials including invoices will be send digitally with no hard (printed) copies being exchanged in person. All images sent are digital, sent electronically.

Although face masks are not actually government advised for my line of work, I shall be carrying them with me and will be more than happy to use throughout our photo shoot if it would make you, or any member of your team, feel more comfortable. This can be discussed during our consultation. “When managing the risk of COVID-19, additional PPE beyond what you usually wear is not beneficial. This is because COVID-19 is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to be managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or partnering, not through the use of PPE”- Gov.uk

 

LOCATION PHOTO SHOOT

We are adhering to all social distancing rules throughout the photo shoot process. Location photo shoots are available now.

All consultations and pre-planning of photo shoots will be done over the phone, over email or by zoom video chat.

All sales materials including invoices will be send digitally with no hard (printed) copies being exchanged in person. All images sent are digital, sent electronically.

Although face masks are not actually government advised for my line of work, I shall be carrying them with me and will be more than happy to use throughout our photo shoot if it would make you, or any member of your team, feel more comfortable. This can be discussed during our consultation. “When managing the risk of COVID-19, additional PPE beyond what you usually wear is not beneficial. This is because COVID-19 is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to be managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or partnering, not through the use of PPE”- Gov.uk

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHY

With the new government guidelines for the property market and allowing estate agents to do house viewings “Initial viewings should be done virtually wherever this is possible and property agents should help you to do this” we can provide interior photography to help aid with the virtual viewings and sales visuals, available now.

 

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY

Studio Product Photography can still be undertaken at our home studio, for products that can be dropped off to our Christchurch studio location & be left within our porch, to ensure no contact. These can then be picked up at an agreed later date. Available now.

For products that require the client to be present during the photo shoot, we will have to use the commercial photography premises in New Milton, adhering to social distancing throughout, please see the full ‘studio’ section for guidance. Available from June 15th. 

 

Please get in touch to discuss your photo shoot.

info@studioshotz.co.uk

Hoping to get published in the press? You’ll need great PR Photos

by Zelda de Hollander

The importance of photography in PR and newsworthy stories should not be underestimated. We all know the saying ‘a picture tells a thousand words’ and it’s true! Did you know that a recent study showed 90% of what we remember comes from visuals?

Pick up a newspaper or magazine near you and have a flick through — what catches your eye? I would guess that the images are getting your attention, right? Good images are essential when trying to achieve press coverage.

In some cases, the media won’t even publish the story unless there’s a decent image to go with it. In other cases, having a good photo or collection of images can make all the difference between a small, text-based story – which the reader could easily miss – and a longer feature, with lots of eye-catching images for maximum impact

“What a professional. Excellent pics turned around fast with no fuss.” – Darren Slade, Bournemouth Daily Echo

Whether you’re using images on your website, social media or sending them to press, if they are unprofessional or poor quality, it won’t reflect well on your business… Don’t get me wrong, the cameras on smartphones these days are pretty good and in the right light, you can take a half decent shot. ⛔️ BUT ⛔️ you should invest in at least some decent head shots and ‘business in action’ images.

It’s always a good idea to invest in a professional photo shoot. Never underestimate what a photographer can do for your brand visuals. Outside of the business of actually taking the photos, a good photographer can advise on the kind of images you need to show your business to its best advantage, provide lighting and professional backdrops and develop creative ideas to really make you stand out from the crowd

 

I WON the Venus Award for Networker of the Year!

by Zelda de Hollander

Holy Cow Batman, I only went and won an award!

This year I was in the finals for Networker of the Year, sponsored by PlayGolf Bournemouth, a category that I’ve become quite passionate about. It’s a key way of developing your professional & social contacts, not just for yourself but for your already established connections too. The past year I’ve really stepped out of my comfort zone, literally, walking into rooms of people where I have known no one…

The Venus journey concluded at a glamorous Black Tie Ceremony and Gala Dinner at Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday 20th October 2016 . Dubbed the “Working Women’s Oscars” by Channel 4 and now in its seventh year in Dorset, the Venus Awards goes from strength-to-strength in discovering and recognising the talents of enterprising women. Competition was fierce this year with 785 nominations and applications across the 15 Award categories in Dorset.

However, it’s not the first time I’ve been in the Venus Awards Finals, it’s the third! Previously for Online Marketing and Networking! (Not to mention I’ve been in the semi-finals/short listed for everything from PR, online business, customer service and professional of the year!)

I enjoyed the Venus Night with my table; consisting of good friends, my family and some awesome business people that wanted to support me. Thank you for joining me Nick from Foxes Estate Agents, Andy from Gervis Accountants & Christchurch Chamber and Dion from Pure Networking! You all made the night truly memorable, hilarious and fun.

Public speaking scares me. I’m just no good at it, my mind goes blank & I lose my words… Thankfully I remembered to thank my mum “MUM, I LOVE YOU!” and the Venus Awards, but the nerves did get the better of me & I forgot to thank some key players, MAJOR WHOOPS.

Firstly, I need to thank Pure Networking! That room I first walked into not knowing anybody, I can say that a year later they’re now clients, business contacts and friends. It is the most welcoming, friendliest & most FUN networking events I have ever attended. Why else would I sign up as their official photographer and attend every single event!?

I also need to thank CCTC (Christchurch Chamber of Trade & Commerce), I was delighted that Andy from Gervis, also CCTC’s Treasurer joined me at the Venus Gala, they’re one of the first local networking groups I really got associated with and have met some big influecnes in my business world there.

For obvious reasons I have to thank PlayGolf Bournemouth, especially Peter Gilbert (Thank you for the celebratory bubbles!) for choosing me as their winner. When waiting for our turn to be photographed and filmed as winner & category sponsor, I blurted out “But, why me!?”, “Your progression in the past year. You don’t have to introduce yourself any more, people already know Zelda the Photographer”. How awesome is that!

Lastly, however cheesy this may be, here it goes…. I need to thank my late Dad. He was the person that persuaded me at 21 years old, only 2 weeks after finishing my university degree, to set up my photography business with a high street shop! Talk about diving in at the deep end. There is no way I could have done what I’ve done without you.

Thanks for Venus Awards for the above photographs

Bournemouth Echo Article – Here’s who one at this years Dorset Venus Awards

 

 

 

New Year – New Business Photography?

by Zelda de Hollander

Do your promotional images properly reflect the quality of the items or service you have to offer?

Whether its an event, product, service, experience, people ……

High Quality photography is now a vital selling tool for any business; from PR, advertisement and business showcases such as your website, you need to show you are an expert at what you do.

If you want to sell to the largest market (both web and print) then you will need good quality, well-lit, sharp, high-resolution images. High Quality and Modern Photography should be used as a marketing tool, to enhance appearance and drive sales.

Photography for your business, ideal for your website, promotional materials and social media is vital in this day and age. Studio Shotz Photography can create beautiful images to showcase your products and services, or just plain and simple white background images to show your products quality.

Studio Shotz has the ability to produce a wide range of stock images, including total cut outs ready for you to place into brochures and websites. We are more than happy to produce JPEG or PNGs of images. We have produced stock images for nearly everything from shoes, jewelry and toiletries to pieces of artwork and even people!

We undertake studio and location photography, dependant on the style you wish to show for your business. From pack shot photo shoots, lifestyle photo shoots as well as general business showcase photography.

 

 

 

Rising young star makes finals in Dorset Venus Awards

by Zelda de Hollander

 

Local Business wonder and young rising star Zelda de Hollander is delighted to have made the finals of the Dorset Venus awards in the category Networker of The Year 2015 Sponsored by PlayGolf Bournemouth.

At only 28 and having been nominated two years running, this is a great accolade for the young businesswoman. Last year Zelda was a semi-finalist for Professional of the Year, Online & New Media and Customer Service awards. Zelda readily acknowledged that she has made some big changes in the way she runs her business including moving from a commercial shop on Southbourne High Street, now working from a private studio as a home based business. This dramatic decision coupled with realising the contacts made networking in the Dorset Business Community have seen both her businesses grow sharply. The relationships garnered have led to constant referrals for not only her photographic business, but her newly established website design and online marketing venture. The last year has seen the business shoot famous makeup brands and pop videos, photographic spreads in Gay Times magazine and images shot for national publication!

Having been integral in Southbourne Traders ( SOSBA ) for the last five years, including designing and maintaining both the website and the social media platforms through her role of head of communications, as well as being involved in the rebranding and modernization of Christchurch Chamber (CCTC) has been a positive reinforcement of the power of business relationships through networking effectively.

The process to determine the Venus awards Networker of the Year category to decide on the finalists was an informal interview held in the glorious sunshine at PlayGolf Bournemouth, followed by an hour instruction on the driving range, dinner at the Kitchen Club and then a round of foot golf and racing golf buggies!

When pressed after the interview Zelda openly admitted “I honestly didn’t think I’d make the finals as the competition was so tough & the ladies in the category are so well known & loved in the Bournemouth area. It is an honour to get this far and well done to all the other semi-finalists and now finalists who all deserved to win, they are truly inspirational. I feel as though I’ve only properly understood the power of networking for a year now and it’s within the past few months I’ve noticed what an important part of running a business is. “

This is proof that at such a young age, Zelda is only 28, and has been running Studio Shotz Photography for 6 years and DH Websites for two years now, that determination and likeability can go far in the business community.

The Importance of a Professional Business Head Shot

by Zelda de Hollander

The importance of good head shots should not be underestimated; people nowadays would prefer to connect with a business that has a face. Take Apple and Steve Jobs as well as Virgin with Richard Branson. With the ever growing online presence surrounding even the smallest of companies, it’s now imperative to always be seen in the best possible light (excuse the pun!)

Head Shots should be seen as a vehicle to help show your brand, your personality & your professionalism within your company.  Having a professional head shot taken shows you care about the details of your business, it will look professional but friendly and creates a good first impression. Connections these days are rarely verbal, most people these days ‘meet’ your photo online before ever making contact with you . Let’s not forget sites such as LinkedIn where you as an individual are constantly representing your business.

Studio Shotz offers a variety of different head shots, ranging from actors head shots through to personal head shots for social media websites as well as business portraiture to show your employees and your business in its best light.

Head Shots are ideal for actors, performers, the self-employed and all business people that need a great looking photograph. Ideal for your own business website and advertisement, as well as sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Studio Shotz provides Head shots for just £25, which includes up to 30 minutes in our studio and a high resolution digital image that is fully edited and airbrushed, in colour and black&white.

We also shoot ‘group’ headshots, and are more than happy to work on a bespoke basis. Why don’t you email us at info@studioshotz.co.uk to get your quote?