Although Birmingham is my operational base and the central area of most of my work, I do cover the country on various commissioned projects. When two shoot queries came in for this month (for Manchester), it was perfect to tie them together.
A combination of corporate portraiture and city architecture could both be performed in the same day. I charged each client half a day plus mileage and parking fees. Where possible, I don’t charge a travelling fee – just a mileage fee going by the latest figures provided by the RAC.
I take my own lighting and laptop to shoot portraiture; this means each person can view their headshot live, in real time. That way the subject can choose the photograph that they prefer – no point spending ages on a shoot just for them to say “I don’t like any of them.” It’s much better to get approval on the day and at the time of shooting.
I have a very thorough set of guidelines to work to, and I’m the photographer that seems to adhere to those. The company tried to use several photographers to do this (across several cities) but found there was no consistency and a very mixed bag of photographs.
I ensure I follow the company policy on headshots, colour balance the photographs before I start, use flattering lighting, and talk to each person involved to get the very best out of each and every member of staff.
The architectural images requested were all of one Manchester city centre office complex – however, at the time of writing, I don’t yet have permission to use those here. So what you see is a shot of Graham Oakes Photographer on site interior shot. The others are a couple of interesting and powerful street scenes of this bustling metropolis.
I took a break between shoots at Caffè Nero and afterward visited the Leica store on Police Street in Manchester – friendly and helpful staff and a range of cameras and lenses to die for! More on my Leica purchase soon – something I have been promising myself for many, many years.
Manchester – marvellous!
Bristol – brilliant!
Stoke-on-Trent – superb!
Malvern – magnificent!
I’ll be where you need me, at the time you request, and raring to go.
CALL GRAHAM, MOBILE: 07958 712088
OR EMAIL: [email protected]