photographer

#AskTheExpert Create your Own Photographic Content

by Zelda de Hollander

Just over a week ago I did something I’ve been scared to do for years. Stand up in front of a group of (utterly wonderful) people & give a workshop on Photography ? Imagery is such a vital part of creating engagement with your audience, an invaluable marketing tool that every business, no matter the size, needs.

As part of the #AskTheExpert series at GetSet East Dorset I delivered ‘Create your Own Photographic Content’ ?

My favourite part of the workshop was running around with everyone’s iPhones as part of the show & tell from the practical exercises we did ? ?‍♀️?

 

We’re 10 years in business!!

by Zelda de Hollander

Bournemouth-based photography business, Studio Shotz is celebrating its 10th year in business.

In March 2009, Zelda de Hollander started business straight from university, trading as Studio Shotz, a high street based photographic studio in Southbourne.

Zelda de Hollander gained her degree in Commercial Photography at The Arts University in Bournemouth after attending Twynham High School in Christchurch.

The first half of Studio Shotz’s successful trading life was in Southbourne Grove, specialising in studio portraiture and family photo shoots. Zelda de Hollander, owner of Studio Shotz Photography, says: “I set up the high street photography studio at just 21 years old, straight after I’d graduated, and was lucky enough to stay trading on the high street for 5 years.” Research from Bloomberg, has shown that 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months and a full 80% of businesses fail in less than two years. These are staggering statistics.

In 2014 Studio Shotz moved to become home-based so that the focus of the business could shift more towards commercial work and this enabled the business to become much more flexible. Zelda says: “Being based at home, I can work the hours that people need me and am not being restricted to the usual 9 – 5 shop hours. I loved my time trading from the high street, but working from home makes more sense for progressing my business.”

“I’ve have had the privilege of working with some amazing local businesses and people over the last decade, including JP Morgan, Barclays Bank, The Telegraph, Dorset Chamber and Enterprise Nation. I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved in the past 10 years, and can’t wait to see what the next 10 have in store!”

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

 

Venus Magazine Cover & Feature

by Zelda de Hollander

Was absolutely delighted to be asked to photograph not only the cover image for the new Venus Magazine, but also 2 features. The cover girl is Emma-Jane Taylor an Entrepreneur, TV Presenter on The Well-Being Show aka The Inspirational Mentor and author. Emma graced the cover of the magazine photographed in the picturesque Chandelier Bar in Christchurch, followed by a studio photo shoot, along with a few outfit changes, back at Studio Shotz. Here are my favourite images from the shoot…

 


For the Thames Valley London edition on the Venus Magazine, I also went on a road trip to Reading to photograph Sir John Madejski at the Madejski stadium. Sir John welcomed us into his penthouse apartment for a feature interview and my photo shoot, EK! Lucky for me, his apartment has a gorgeous wrap around deck that showcased the entire city of Reading. He also had numerous paintings, photographs and memorabilia which made for great backgrounds and props (I love the gnome!).

In the middle of Sir John’s penthouse was a beautiful black grand piano, I asked if he wouldn’t mind posing for me while playing “Oh, I only play this thing when I’m drunk” I think I’m quite persuasive and he looked so happy tinkling the ivories…

Gift Vouchers are available online (again)!

by Zelda de Hollander

Earlier in the year we had a bit of a website whoopsie which stopped our gift vouchers from being available – we’re all fixed now, YIPPIE, so Gift Vouchers for all our photo shoot packages are now available to purchase here https://www.studioshotz.co.uk/product-category/gift-vouchers/

This also means we’re now able to take online deposits
https://www.studioshotz.co.uk/product-category/pay-a-deposit/

Tune in to hear me on BBC Radio Solent

by Zelda de Hollander

On Saturday 11th March I headed down to Southampton to be a news reviewer on BBC Radio Solent with presenter Katie Martin. If you did the broadcast you can now hear it on catchup!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04tlcdn#play

Head to 2 hours and 15 minutes to learn about #mouseeyebrowgate (THANKS MUM ????)

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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.

Why are Digital Files so Important to Photographers?

by Zelda de Hollander

“Oh, that’s expensive! All you’re doing is burning the pictures to a CD”

You’d be surprised how often I hear this. Clients nowadays seem to assume that digital files are included in all photo shoot packages. I believe this is solely the fault of amateur and hobbyist photographers, I do not know ANY PROFESSIONAL photographer that give digital files away included with packages, or very very cheaply.

It has become the norm to see £40 shoot and burn, but this is because amateurs do not have to make a living from what they’re doing. They have a day job. They believe they are beating the professionals at their own game, being cheap & getting the clients. Probably not realising that what they’re doing is not only losing them money, but irreparably damaging the industry they love so.

Would you be happy if someone with basic knowledge of your industry came into your place of work and offered to do your job for a fraction of the cost?. . . you’d be out of a job. By giving your money to an amateur you are taking my business away from me, the experienced professional & my contemporaries.

Ok, so almost everyone that has a computer will have some form of photo editing software on it, most popular being Adobe Photoshop. This is one of the major reasons why I am so against giving digital files to clients, they will ‘tinker’ with (Photoshop) my images. Especially with the popularity of such phone apps as Instagram, editing photos in just 1 click. That client will then turn the image I have worked hours on into something that I did not intend it to be; possibly losing my photographic style, even the original quality. When you upload that edited image to Facebook & tell all your friends where you got it done – how do you know you’re not now damaging my business? As what your friends are seeing is not what I gave you.  A Photographer’s learned skill, individual style, knowledge and time spent on your set of images should also be considered.

To combat this, I offer both colour and black&white versions of all purchased digital images for my clients, as well as any specific amendments that they wish.

You may see an hour spent taking the photos – but in actual fact that photographer will probably spend on average 8 – 16 hours just on your set of images. This is mainly due to editing of your images; this is not just ‘Photoshopping’ them, it includes uploading, backing up, sifting through & picking out the best images, individually colour correcting, cropping, airbrushing, re-naming and backing up the edited images, this all before I’ve even uploaded them for you to view. So that 30 minute or hour long photo shoot has turned into 2 full day’s work. This time scale comes from preparation time, including checking equipment of setting up the studio, time spent photographing the client, uploading time, backing up original files, editing, uploading to online album, sorting through and checking orders and print quality, as well as any additional time required for ordering, client liaisons and shipment.

“But photography’s free! Taking digital photos doesn’t cost anything!”

Oh boy, how wrong you are! Let’s just do a little maths – That 30 minute shoot, £40 shoot and burn yes? If I worked 6 days a week, 3 shoots a week, every week – I’d be making a grand total of £6240…… Hmm, that’s not quite right now is it? What do you make a year? Let’s say £20,000? That’s already £130 for your shoot – Oh, but wait. I haven’t included my overheads! I have a studio with rent and rates, and a website and a phone, insurance, those cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, sample products and background papers didn’t just buy themselves. . . . . . And, don’t I deserve a week off, maybe even two? (Well…That’s now working out as a minimum of £350 for just your small 30 minute shoot)

Giving away digital files also brings up the question; who owns the image!? The photographer took it, so initially full copyright is with them (or that studio). But giving you the high resolution file, does the customer now own that file, enabling them to do whatever they wish with it. Even sell it for profit? Let’s go back to basics, you browse photographers by their previous portfolio work, check out their photographic style, how they work. Well….if they’re giving away all the digital files, legally they can’t advertise with those images because you now own them. So what are they expected to advertise with?

I do sell my digital files, as there is a strong trend at the moment for this & I’m not prepared to completely deny my customers, but I feel I do price my images accordingly.  I offer Full Usage Rights with my high resolution images which, long story short, means that I still own the copyright to the image so you cannot sell it on, however you do get a high resolution file which you can then print, store,  reproduce, upload to Facebook but I still have the rights to advertise with it – everyone gets what they want!

For any beginner photographers out there, my advice is Do Not Shoot and Burn….or if you do, make sure you price it correctly.

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?