Children’s Portfolio Photography

Meet Millie!

You can’t help but fall in love with Millie when you meet her. She is full of life, sweet natured and has a little twinkle in her eye which is always visible, never waning once throughout our recent shoot. Millie, 8 is a child model, dancer, singer, swimmer and all round ace performer.

She came to the studio in January this year with her Mum Jo, a colleague of mine from my Venture Portrait in Gosforth, Newcastle in the mid 2000’s and who owns the amazing Decote Dance group in Whitley Bay. Together as a team we created a really varied and colourful portfolio. We wanted photography that had a fashion angle but with personality and character combined. We went for lots of different looks, some edgy and sporty, some sweet and feminine and some fun and energetic. I wanted to capture highlights of Millie’s personality, paired with the outfits Jo brought along. These elements together with my suggestions on composition and lighting created a fantastic fresh new portfolio for Millie and her Mum. It was a really creative and fun shoot!

Many children start early with their model portfolios, attending shoots nationally for work and gaining experience with different photography studios and production companies. It can be a lot of fun if you enjoy it like Millie does and her brand new bank of images now means that she can enter competitions in all areas of her expertise, gain agency interest and refresh her social media online presence.

Below are a selection of Millie’s model photos below, so see what you think. If you know a child who’d like to try it out, my studio is a super friendly place to start out and I will always help you and your child feel comfortable and at ease. You can find more information, client reviews and portfolio pricing if you visit this page on my website

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YMCA Portraits

Just before lockdown I worked with the YMCA in Newcastle on their Urban Mushroom project, capturing photos of the grow-your-own kits they sell made from recycled local coffee grains. It’s a genius idea and more mushroom images will be shared when they go live. Part of the photography brief was to capture urban portraits in Newcastle city centre of the local youth that the scheme employs.

The YMCA are an exciting new client for me and one of the fist things I discussed when meeting Calvin, the Marketing Officer at YMCA Newcastle, was the infamous song! I was curious to know whether it felt relevant to the work they do now. I’d thought the memorable 1970’s Village People’s flamboyance was worlds apart from what the charity does today but did you know that the song was celebrating the YMCA help given to young gay men who were rejected by family and turfed out of home? The YMCA charity gave accommodation to those homeless young men and so Calvin explained the history of the organisation was well respected in this song. Now the YMCA supports both young men and women in all areas of life and Urban Mushrooms is an important employment scheme in Newcastle’s YMCA.

My main focus for the portrait shoot was the amazing Wilton who is employed by the Urban Mushroom scheme. He was a super star and surprisingly tolerant of me pointing a camera in his direction for several hours! I got some atmospheric shots of him and YMCA staff too by simply crossing the road from their premises and using the alleyway next to the Tyneside Cinema. So many brick textures, backdrop colours and lighting styles in that one street!

The brief was to capture a more relaxed expression, so not necessarily smiling as this can appear unappealing, staged and possibly unrealistic to the younger target market the YMCA want to attract. We also discussed the use of dimension and angles to fit with the YMCA style of photography and branding currently on their website. It was a clear and creative brief (the best of course) and the mood and expression needed to be just right. It was also a different type of shoot for me as I usually encourage people to smile although I did get a few smilers at the end though. Obviously!

For more information on the YMCA Newcastle and it’s work click here

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Newcastle Model Photography

In the words of Kraftwerk, she’s a model and she’s looking good. Well more accurately ‘they are looking good’ I’ve had some incredible looking women (and men) come to my studio in the last couple of months. My model portfolio shoot at my Newcastle city centre based studio, is a really enjoyable and relaxed hour long shoot with outfit changes, posing guidance and creative lighting. The results scream professional, even if it is the model’s first ever shoot. It is a perfect trial for a wannabe model, or a fun photo experience for a Birthday or Christmas Gift.

Sisters Izzy and Charlotte came for separate shoots on different days, both with really edgy streetwear looks. They brought excellent outfits and ideas unique to their characters (although I think there may have been a bit of theft from each sisters wardrobes!) Izzy had unbelievable hair, a really strong confidence and a very clear idea of how she wanted to be styled and her poses fitted perfectly. Charlotte was really sparky and had lots of smiley energy, her colour choices and accessories were fantastic, really flattering her beautiful grin! I adored them both and just love the results!

If you think this could be something you’d enjoy (it could just be for a personal portfolio), or someone you know has always wanted to try out being in front of the camera, please shout for more information. Gift Voucher Packs can be posted out in time for Christmas, and below you can see what I can achieve for my models in only an hour! More info can be found on this page on my website https://www.sarahdeanephotography.co.uk/professional-portrait-pricing/

Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Christmas Gift Ideas for Daughter in Newcastle Experience Gift ideas for Christmas as a Newcastle Photography shoot experience Experience Gift ideas for Christmas as a Newcastle Photography shoot experience Experience Gift ideas for Christmas as a Newcastle Photography shoot experience Experience Gift ideas for Christmas as a Newcastle Photography shoot experience

BBC Music Day’s Dementia Initiative

Musical Memories

Today, 26th September the BBC celebrates it’s official Music Day 2019. A large part of this event is the BBC’s Music & Dementia Initiative which highlights the benefit and importance of music to those who are living with Dementia. There are pop up concerts in village halls, sing alongs at charities and and even raves in care homes!

There are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is set to rise to over one million by 2021. Mostly the over 65’s are affected but it can also hit us earlier. This initiative boasts over 800 music events held today by collaborating organisations across the country raising awareness whilst having lots of fun.

The BBC recently launched Nile Rogers as the ambassador of this initiative as the subject is close to his heart having a mother and Aunt who suffer from dementia. His mother has had Alzheimers for over 13 years but can sing faultlessly along to old songs from her past. He talks of an ‘internalised’ memory of music, so embedded that tunes and words to songs never leave us.

Nile Rogers BBC World Music Day

The joy that this can bring to those who suffer from anxiety and other stress related symptoms of dementia is becoming strongly recognised and increasingly promoted by charities and support groups nationwide.

I began working with a local charity Chrysalis Tynedale, during a rebrand and renaming of Chrysalis Club this summer by local agency Design Engine. Heather from DE got in touch having worked together on similar local projects and knew my documentary photography style would fit her client’s brief perfectly.

It has been one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on, feeling part of a team and seeing the positive effects that Chrysalis brings to those with dementia, their families and carers. This friendly and fun club based in Hexham works hard to deliver twice weekly workshops with enjoyable themes such as gardening, art, sports and music. The first workshop I photographed was a music workshop taken by local drummer Simon Wood. The images below are a small selection I captured at this event with permission from those involved.

Photography taken in a documentary style in Northumberland by a newcastle based photographer

Photography taken in a documentary style in Northumberland by a newcastle based photographer

 

Simon created a drum circle with the group following simple rhythms with shakers and hand drums then played familiar songs on the hang drums (which look like a bbq and sound like a harp!) which brought big smiles and happiness to the group. This was a documentary photographers dream, smiles, energy, movement, concentration and expression at its best!

Photography taken in a documentary style in Northumberland by a newcastle based photographer

 

Simon then rounded off with the most magical version of  Faithless’ Insomnia, resulting in such an electric and euphoric atmosphere many of the regulars got out of their seats and danced aided by sticks and volunteers. The music seemed to soothe any confusion or trouble and it felt joyous. It was such a fantastic moment I had to hide my watery eyes behind the camera.

Photography taken in a documentary style in Northumberland by a newcastle based photographer

 

Photography taken in a documentary style in Northumberland by a newcastle based photographer

 

Hurrah for charities that bring such relief from the of difficulties dementia and how fantastic that the BBC has the power to bring this to peoples attention and with an ambassador as high profile and delightful as Nile Rogers on their BBC Music Day 2019.

For more BBC info visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/CNd36D4NJfvSq36jNtYWJd/music-dementia

If you like my style and have time to browse more of my event photography please go to https://www.sarahdeanephotography.co.uk/commercial/events-and-editorial/

Simon is for hire for events and workshops and is totes amazeballs. His details are at https://www.simonwoodmusic.com

Design Engine are superb graphic designers and branding experts at http://www.thedesignengine.co.uk/index.html

and the shiny new Chrysalis website is coming soon on https://www.chrysalis-tynedale.org.uk

 

The Importance of Professional Profiles

People Photography is my passion! And to squeeze a few more ‘P’s into this for no Particular reason, Professional Portraits are a must when Promoting (six P’s and counting!) yourself on line in a Photo.

It is a given now that if you are self employed with a website for your business, there will be a section about you, with a photo. Equally ‘Meet the Team’ pages are commonplace on company websites and maybe you appear there. Or maybe you, your face or personality is your brand so your image and portrait photography is essential. It can appear disappointing if there is no visual of who you are on your About page, leaving the viewer to question ‘why not?’ and ask ‘but what do they look like?’ these days people expect to meet you, the virtual you, online in a photo often before meeting the actual you, in the flesh.

So with all this in mind a well executed photo, nicely lit by the photographer and looking relaxed and natural yet well presented and professional is what you need! The top priority for me as a profile photographer is to create a set of top notch images that show a little personality (or a lot if you fancy!), approachability and professionalism. I offer an enjoyable experience for my clients as I work as my studio is centrally located in Newcastle near the Central Station, cool and comfy and I guide my clients smoothly through the process with a warmth that will help you relax. That’s what my clients say too (hear it from them and read my google reviews)!

My goal for every shoot is to hear ‘ooh that’s nice, I like that shot of me’ and despite having many reluctant visitors to my studio as few like their picture being taken, the results are as you see below, relaxed natural and perfect for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and websites. Dr Chaudhry came to my studio this month as he needed some images for his social networking, speaking at conferences and his new website under construction and was happy for me to share his favourites. He opted for my Headshot Package for £100, half hour session and 5 images supplied high quality with optional photo-shopping. These five below were the Dr’s choices and they demonstrate nicely what I can achieve for you in a simple and painless 30 minutes. So if you fancy a refresh do please get in touch for more info on 07960 338357 or sarah@sarahdeanephotography.co.uk and I promise you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

For more imagery and lovely faces please visit this gallery on my website https://www.sarahdeanephotography.co.uk/professional-portraiture/studio-headshots/

Photography studio images of a doctor GP in Newcastle upon TynePhotography studio images of a doctor GP in Newcastle upon TynePhotography studio images of a doctor GP in Newcastle upon TyneGreat example of relaxed and natural but business like Portrait Photography by newcastle Photographer Sarah DeaneGreat example of relaxed and natural but business like Portrait Photography by newcastle Photographer Sarah Deane