24 years a Photographer in Newcastle!

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There is a lot to celebrate this month! I took the leap to set as a Newcastle Photographer with my own Photo Studio in March 2011 servicing Product e-commerce photography and Business Headshots and despite the crazy ups, downs and storms ridden with topics such as bereavement, client restructuring, a recession and a pandemic, I’m here fighting fit, always progressing and most importantly still loving it!

Newcastle Portrait Photographer

I graduated from Camberwell College of Art in the millennium so this year I celebrate being a professional photographer for 24 years! This feels like a major feat together with my city centre studio business at Clavering House Business Centre turning 13 years old this month.

Newcastle Photography takes portraits

On reflection I think one of the successes is my passion for my work, always wanting to improve my photo shoots here in my Newcastle Studio, always aiming to enjoy shooting and keeping client happiness at the top of my goals.

Multiple Awards!

What better way to celebrate your own achievements in business than awards? Last month I went to meet with Prestige Awards at Blackwell Grange and receive a gold ‘Multiple Award’ for best Portrait Photographer North East having won this for 3 years running! I took Dan, my assistant so that we could celebrate together as he has been integral in supporting my studio in the last year. It was interesting to be interviewed about my Portrait photography and my new Photography Tutorial products too. The very first Photography Award I achieved was in 2007 when I managed a Portrait Studio for Venture Photography at their studio in Gosforth. It’s wonderful to reflect on the 17 year span of awards won.

 

Newcastle Photography takes portraits

Photography Courses here in Newcastle

With all this experience in mind and to keep my work varied and my product offerings diverse, this spring I launched two new products to my portfolio of services to the general public. Whilst I capture images for businesses such as Meet the Team Staff Headshots, Office Documentary Photography and Interior Design Shoots, I also offer Headshot Portraits, Portfolio and Press Shoots to the general public.

The one question I’ve been asked regularly as a Newcastle Photographer over the years is do you teach photography?’ and now I can answer a solid YES! My vast experience working in studios such as shooting freelance projects in London 2000, managing Venture Portraits in Gosforth 2002, shooting in house for advertising Agency NDC Marketing Communications 2008, then my own business in 2011 has led me to a point where I feel a desire to share what I’ve learnt.

Newcastle Photography takes portraits

So this month I’ve launched two new products! I’ve designed two Photography Courses in Newcastle, here at my city centre studio, teaching you in my cosy space at Clavering House. I can teach you all about how your camera either a Phone camera, DSLR or mirrorless works in a simple two hour course. You might be a business wanting to capture better shots at your events on your phone, or you may be a hobbyist who’d love to learn the ropes in a studio whatever the requirements, you may even want to understand what makes a good portrait and how to shoot them in a studio. I can tailor the session to your needs and design a course that means you leave confident and full of knowledge.

FIND OUT MORE HERE!

 

 

Below is a snapshot of a ‘Shoot like a Pro’ article that featured in Digital Photographer Magazine with the type of tips I can share with those who want to learn studio skills in Newcastle! You may also like this link to another blog telling news of an article featuring me as a photographer and my professional CV here

Newcastle Photography takes portraits

 

 

Newcastle Portraits Behind the Scenes!

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Photo shoots at my Newcastle Photography studio often end with my visitors saying

“That was so fun….. but I didn’t know what to expect!”

This is what so many of my clients say to me when visiting my portraits studio for the first time. Maybe you also have wondered what getting a new headshot photo would involve. maybe you want a new online profile photo but don’t know where to start looking!

So here is some help! The full finished video my assistant Dan and I have put together for exactly this purpose. It’s a thorough look behind the scenes at a relaxed hour long Portfolio shoot in my studio in Clavering House. The hour long shoot allows for a multitude of image types, so some for Corporate Headshots some for online profiles and for keepsakes. So this video documentary will give you an insight into how my Headshot Shoot, Portfolio Photography and Press shoots work. Some people come to me for business shots for conferences, social media or a website, but also want to tag on another requirement like a dating website profile or a celebration be it a birthday, special occasion or hobby.

Gurminder Marwaha came to me for 2 requests, some corporate headshots together with some story telling portraits having been a DJ since a teen. He was kind enough to let Dan film him during our session from arrival to completion! The hour allows for time discussing accessories, colour schemes, creative lighting and ideas that you might have seen online. My client Gurminder sent me a Pinterest board of shots he’d seen that he liked and I mimicked the lighting styles of these images so that he got exactly what he came for!

I used creative lighting for the headphones and vinyl props using coloured gels and spot lights. Then a simple white backdrop for an alternative smart corporate approach for business use. The Portfolio shoot allowed Gurminder to try out both types of portrait photography- for business and for fun!

The video is aimed at anyone thinking about a new headshot and yet no idea what is involved. This video demonstrates what happens in my magical cave at Clavering house! It’s meant to break down any apprehensions, showing you are guided through the whole process: from booking and preparation to final edit and delivery.

Please do get in touch if there are questions you may have and check out my Studio Portraits page for more info here.  Or if you’d like to see the various types of Portrait Shoots I offer go to my Portrait Galleries  here 

BOOK ME HERE!

Why you Should Book a Graduation Studio Photoshoot!

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Are you graduating this year in Newcastle? You may want to consider opting for a dedicated graduation photoshoot with a professional photographer rather than the traditional ceremony photographs. There are many benefits to booking a bespoke graduation shoot which you may have never thought of… 

The first is variety! A shoot with me will be a completely custom and bespoke shoot based on your preferences, ensuring you are receiving images you will love for a lifetime. You can decide on a full length portrait (not offered by uni photographers) or you might opt for the classic headshot or a mixture of both.

I can also give you additional options you wouldn’t get with the traditional uni shoot; you could remove your cap & gown for some professional profile images or have a choice of multiple backdrop colours from neutral to bright, giving your images a pop of colour. If there are other props or elements you’d like to involve in your shoot, it can be discussed when you arrive at my photography studio. 

The next is quality! A shoot with me is not a one size fits all service. As an expert in portrait photography with over 23 years of experience, I’ll ensure your images will be of the highest quality and professionally lit to achieve flattering portrait photos. You will also have the option for some light retouching once you have selected your final images. 

Another factor is time! A dedicated photoshoot gives you the luxury of time, so no long queue and no having to be photographed under the watchful eyes of your peers! This is especially good for those of you who are nervous or uncomfortable in front of a camera, you can take your time to relax around the camera with some test shots.

As a portrait photographer, I deal with nervous clients daily. Most people are not confident in front of a camera, but it’s my job to help you relax and enjoy the experience. So if this is you, you will benefit from booking a shoot with me at my Newcastle city centre studio. 

If you are someone who is nervous around a camera, you may want to read my blog post ‘What Happens at a Studio Photoshoot’ for more information on what a typical shoot at my studio is like. 

These portrait photos will also be completely bespoke, so we can of course opt for something more classic and traditional, but if this is not your vibe we can create completely unique and creative shots! Perfect for the person who likes to stand out and this can be personal to you. You can even go for a mix of both! That’s the beauty of a tailored service, it can be whatever you want it to be.

Finally, the images are supplied are digital! I shoot digitally, so you will have 30 or so images supplied as thumbnails for your selection. Once you select 5 images for the Headshot Shoot or 10 for the Portfolio Photography, those are yours to keep! This is much better than the single image you get from traditional university graduation shoots.

As these portrait images are supplied as an online gallery they are perfect to send to your family and friends all over the world. No more taking a blurry photo of your print to send to relatives! Another benefit of digital images is they are ready to be uploaded to your social media, making the perfect profile image for LinkedIn or CVs. A professional image is a must for your profile as you are venturing out into the working world! 

A graduation shoot is also perfect for any recent pandemic graduates who did not get the chance to attend a ceremony or capture portraits in a gown. Most universities allow gown rental all year. So if you missed out during covid, order a gown and book in and get that celebration photo that you missed out on. It’s never too late!

If you are interested in booking in for graduation photography, drop me an email or give me a call and we can discuss what you are looking for so head to my contact form now on the link below or give me a call on the number above.

Contact me here!

or book here!

 

What happens at a studio photoshoot

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Newcastle Photographer Sarah Deane explains…

What Happens at a Studio Photoshoot?

If you’re thinking about having a studio photoshoot in Newcastle by a Professional Portrait Photographer, you may be wondering what to expect. Here’s a brief overview of what happens during a typical portrait shoot with me:

Step one is planning your shoot! 

You will need to book in and schedule a time for your shoot on my easy to use booking page. Once you have your shoot planned, you will receive a detailed email confirming your appointment and information on how to find me and how to prepare. 

So you’ll need to think about what you are going to wear and if you want to style or cut your hair prior to the shoot. You’ll also need to think about make up, are you a full face or a none at all kind of person? 

You might like to consider bringing a few props relevant to your line of work or clothing/jewellery accessories to add some interest or personality to your photos however they aren’t essential and simplicity works very well too.

For more specific information about the different types of shoots I offer and what to expect, check out some of my other blog posts. Model shoots, Corporate Headshots, Actor Headshots and even tips especially for men!


Step two, shoot day!

On the day of the shoot, when you arrive at the studio’s building Clavering House,  you will arrive at the main reception of the building. Clavering’s lovely receptionist Li will give you directions on where to find me and you will be able to sit in my waiting area until your appointment.

At your portrait appointment time, I will come and greet you, guide you into my studio space and offer you a comfy seat whilst we chat through the different backdrops and lighting options. Then we will work together to make sure I create the look you want.

Then it’s time to take the photos! 

My job is to get the perfect shot, and lots of variety from which you choose that shot. I may give you some direction on how to stand or pose. But most importantly I will help you relax around the camera, capturing posed and adhoc shots, making sure I catch natural expressions and genuine smiles by distracting you from the camera.

If you are still feeling nervous about what happens at the photoshoot, head over to my Instagram @sarahdeanphotographic for some behind the scenes footage and please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. 

Step three, Post-shoot editing. 

Once the photo shoot is complete, I will schedule the edit a few days later. I’ll select the very best from a large selection shot, tweak each one then send thumbnails for you to choose from. Once you choose your favourites you can request any photoshop retouching work if you feel you need it.

Then the finale! Your finished shots are supplied on your very own simple to use gallery where you can view, download and even purchase printed versions. 

I love seeing my clients share their images on socials! So on instagram please tag me @sarahdeanephotographic in any images you share. Or find me on LinkedIn too!


Here are some additional tips for having a successful studio photoshoot:

  • Be yourself. The best portrait photos are the ones that capture a glimpse of personality so choose an outfit that feels like you! Style your hair how you think it looks best! And if you don’t like makeup, don’t wear it! You shouldn’t try to be someone you’re not, just relax and be you.
  • Talk to me! I am there to help you create the look you want. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions.
  • Relax and have fun! Photoshoots should be enjoyable, so don’t take them too seriously. Just put your faith in me, let me help you relax and the photos will be amazing!

 

Press Release Photography Focus

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How do you feel about being in the press?

Whether it be North East, Newcastle or nationwide as entrepreneurs the idea of having a piece of press coverage showcasing what we do, how we do it and how we help others is absolutely invaluable!

Portrait photos, editorial and documentary photography that tell an in depth story of who you are are and what you do is the single most reason my clients come to me for their imagery so that they have an archive of story telling photos to use in their marketing materials and press to enhance their brand.

Well this time, the lens was on me which ironically is never easy as I prefer to be safely behind the camera! It was my second feature in as many years in the popular Digital Photographer magazine published just late last year. They showcased me as a ‘CV’ with images, an overview of my work, my kit and experiences running my photography business to date. To see an image of me in print rather than just my images is always exciting so I wanted to shout about it.

You can have a read all about it below…. thank you so much Peter Fenech for choosing to feature me and my business just in time to share with you all on my 12th business birthday this month too!

Let me know what you think!

Sarah

Sarah Deane Photography in Newcastle upon Tyne in Digital Photographer magazine

When did you start out and how did you get involved in your current photo genres?

I loved photography from school age and got my first Film SLR aged 16. Pictures of local architecture and my school pals were the main themes. I discovered the buzz of doing portraiture of strangers in my final year of
a Graphic Design Degree at Camberwell Art College and I furthered this during studio employment at Venture Portraits. I worked at the ND Creative ad agency and moved into the commercial sector with product
and marketing photography. With the tools I’d gained, I set up my own studio in 2011, shooting weddings, portraits and commercial.

What challenges did you face as a startup and how did you overcome them?

Adaptation is an essential skill for self- employment. Initially, I lacked the knowledge of how to run a business. I had good project management and marketing skills from my agency days, people skills from years at Venture and creative skills developed since I was a teen, but I had no idea how to handle accounts or tech issues, or how to consistently generate enquiries. I also was a single parent of a teenager and had no savings or funds, so money was tight. I knew I needed a studio to offer Venture- style family portraiture. I found a rented space that another photographer, Alex Telpher, had created by converting an old church in the suburb of Byker. His studio, his team and his shoots were hugely inspiring to observe when I was starting up mine.

But just two months into my business, my dad died unexpectedly, which was a huge setback. He had been my photographic inspiration and after some really tough times, I went back to my business feeling pretty raw but full of determination to succeed.

What challenges have you faced since?

I had to scale back when I lost my main client, meaning a third of my annual income disappeared overnight. It was a huge error putting all my eggs into one basket and some reflection was needed. Recently, I’ve had
to restructure how I work due to an auto- immune disease diagnosis that causes me chronic fatigue and joint pain. Limitations on the hours I can work, long commutes and carrying equipment have meant a rethink.

Another challenge is being taken seriously as a female in a male-dominated industry. One of my first big industrial contracts needed me to wear hard hats in factories and mines, working alongside mostly men. I remember seeing the all-male film crew I was working alongside sniggering behind my back, it was crushing. I later learned they thought my male client and I were having a fling!

Sarah Deane Photography in Newcastle upon Tyne in Digital Photographer magazine

What skills are needed in your line of work?

Solution-based skills. Sometimes clients don’t know what they want yet and suggestions
or encouragement to find the right tone or genre of photography are needed. People skills are needed to be passionate about the service you provide and to make working with you a fun, bespoke experience for your clients. Efficiency and adaptiveness are also essential, as I pride myself on hitting deadlines and providing a slick and professional service.

Which social platforms are you on and how do you use them for your business?

I’m on Instagram and LinkedIn. Facebook was good when I shot family portraiture and weddings, but now I’m strictly commercial, it has little impact. LinkedIn is best for B2B and growing a commercial network. Instagram has been great for actor headshots, as it attracts a younger client base.

Sarah Deane Photography in Newcastle upon Tyne in Digital Photographer magazine

For sample editorial shots have a visit to my editorial and events gallery where you will see photography shot for medics, higher education, scientists, speaker, performers and schools here

I’d love to hear from you so please get in touch if you have any questions or would like a quote, I have a contact form on this page of my website here

Now please excuse me whilst I get back to the correct side of the lens! ;-)