portrait photographer Archives - Sarah Deane Photography Studio Newcastle

Why you Should Book a Graduation Studio Photoshoot!

17 July 2023/0 Comments/in Portraits /by Sarah Deane

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

25 May 2023/0 Comments/in Commercial, Portraits /by Sarah Deane

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!

Actor Headshots

27 November 2021/in Actor Headshots, Portraits /by Sarah Deane

Portraits of a Scientist

16 June 2020/0 Comments/in Assorted /by Sarah Deane

Nuchido’s Dr Nichola Conlon

I just love this woman. She is really quite incredible! She is a Molecular Biologist Scientist, a Dr, a mother, a business founder and a lovely friend of mine. She is so mutuitalented I even saw her on Instagram this weekend driving a speed boat! I first met Nichola in Clavering House’s kitchen when we were both making like minded lunches. We became friends and in the subsequent years Nichola has gone on to launch the brand Nuchido to develop products designed to stimulate the body’s own self-repair systems. Essentially a genius anti-aging pill! What’s not to love!

This Sunday Nichola featured in an article in the Sun’s Sunday Supplement Fabulous Magazine highlighting female empowerment. It focussed on women working in male dominated industries with stories of where they are today, often having being told they were in the wrong profession. There are unfortunately a number of people who have the opinion that women need to choose between being a mother and their career, that they can’t have both. What rot! I built a successful career as a single parent and did Nichola, alongside many other women and it’s proof we can succeed as business women whilst being fabulous mothers too!

Nichola has used my Newcastle Photography services for various images over several years including product photos and portraits so she asked me to be her photographer and capture these pictures with a clear brief from her team. I’d suggested the fantastic new development Newcastle Helix as it is a collection of modern, shiny and bold architecture giving a dramatic backdrop for eye catching editorial portraits.

Unluckily the shoot was on the windiest day EVER as a US storm was passing over the UK so each photo was captured during millisecond breaks in the wind. We had to stop when the grit flew in our eyes and made us wince. It was pretty antisocial! However the results were fantastic, almost serene with not a hair out of place together with very ‘sciencey’ glass and geometric patterned backdrops. Here are a selection of the best from the shoot and obviously I had to post some outtakes! You will see how aggressive the wind really was. Didn’t we do well?

It’s a fantastic article and can be seen here and more information about Nichola and the company can be found on the Nuchido website here

Behind the scenes with Yoshi Muto

17 April 2020/0 Comments/in Commercial, PR and Editorial /by Sarah Deane

Have you ever wanted to see what the Newcastle United Premier League see as they pass through the player’s tunnel? Or maybe the dressing rooms with new graphics and updated interior where the team prepare before a match? Below are a selection of images that I took behind the scenes at St James’ park late last year with Yoshinori Muto and Newcastle United Foundation’s Melissa Scott.

Last year I was thrilled to begin working with Newcastle United Foundation, the official charity partner of Newcastle United Football Club. The Foundation uses the local passion for football to help support disadvantaged children, young people and families by teaching healthy lifestyle, fitness and employability across the region. They are currently fundamental in supporting food banks, NHS and vulnerable communities in Newcastle during the debilitating Covid-19 pandemic.

The Foundation team are based at St James’ Park and have their own in-house NUFC photographer Serena, but I pick up when she can’t be in two places at the same time. I get such a buzz when I approach the ginormous towering grounds and it’s always such a privilege to be pitch side or behind the scenes outside match times. Having free rein of the stadium feels incredibly special!

Last Autumn I documented Newcastle United player Yoshinori Muto meeting excited young Japanese football fans who had travelled more than 5,700 miles form Shinshiro to visit Newcastle and St James’ Park. The school children were part of an initiative linking towns and cities named ‘Newcastle’ across the world which, Melissa Scott the Foundation’s Community Coordinator was involved with. She had travelled to Shinshiro the year before, playing in a Japanese sports day event with countries from all over the world and left a signed shirt from the club’s premier players at the school. My images of the excited faces meeting Yoshi were for an article published in the Chronicle here

After Yoshi posed for pictures and received gifts from fans he wanted to learn more about the charity’s work. I captured documentary photography in the sparkling newly refurbished NUFC changing rooms whilst they discussed Melissa’s role. She explained she was involved with many staff, children and teenagers at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital on the paediatric oncology ward as they receive cancer care. Melissa’s work is only possible thanks to a special partnership between Newcastle United Foundation, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and People’s Postcode Lottery. More about the charity’s work can be found here

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