ramshackles

ramshackles, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

Over the fields and far away...... well not too far is what we used to call the "haunted house". It's been over 15 years since i was last over the fields at home and what great fun it was to rediscover and remember childhood haunts and memories.

Would love to do a "grunge" photoshoot at the haunted house as soon as possible but i need to contact it's owner and get permission first. can't see there being a problem but would like to keep everything above board.

If you'd be interested in being part of a photoshoot either being a designer, make up artist or model you can get in touch with me on my model mayhem page or by email juliegibson100@aol.com, would like to try and get something organised for end of january/beginning of february.

Arthur

Arthur, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

Going into the Ards Advertiser next month (February) is an advert for taking pet portraits in their "Animal Kingdom" feature. Hoping that there's a great response from it all and i'm getting plenty of practice in taking portraits of my sister's newest family addition pictured here, Arthur, a black lab pup and my parents dog, Star, the Collie Cross.

Also done a photoshoot for a client last month, Her dog is a Bernese Mountain Dog and is HUGE, but soooo lovable.

Not many photographers will do "pets portraits". Guess it's like that old saying "do not work with children or animals".. my saying is "course i'll take their photo, why not!"

So if you would a pet portrait done, get in touch, Camera is ready!

wedding advert

wedding advert, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

Well in the Ards Advertiser is the advert now placed in their wedding feature for me doing weddings. Bern & I are joining up for this venture as we both work well together, we compliment each other with our "eye" and our styles.

I'm shooting my sister's wedding this year and this is a great way to get experience beforehand and be able to do it with someone who i trust greatly and have a very special friendship with.

So far the dates are building up, so looking fwd to when it really all kicks off. I'm soooooo hoping that it does for i'm really, really trying to make my photography pay for itself, to give me soul the freedom and joy that i've been searchin' for, for such a long time. I truly do believe that Bern and I can do this. It's going to be a learning curve and a market that is very very very hard to get your own wee nitch in but over the next couple of years with grit, determination and plenty of batteries charged, memory cards filled and packages reworked and new additions for our customers we're positive that this is what we both can achieve and give the other guys a run for their money! Wish us LUCK!

Funny who you spot joggin down a carriageway!

Eddie, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

yeah it was the man himself, Eddie Izzard!

went to see his show "sexie" in the kings hall a few years back and nearly fell off the chair laughin, the man's a genuis! and at the weekend was heading out to take photos of the windmill down in Millisle. Had the local radio station on playing in the car when he said "i just got a text, man says he's just passed Eddie Izzard running down the ards/dundonald carriageway... what's that all about then!"

Quick change in direction, lens changed and off I went with daughter in tow, driving down toward the carriageway. Had to, Love the man, HUGE fan!! so there he was, doing his marathon along the roadside, pulled in and got ready for him to pass us.

Top, top bloke, Eddie stopped, posed for photos, including one with my daughter, told us about the marathons for sport's relief, goal is to reach as close to 30 miles a day from london, scotland, belfast, back to scotland and back to london, all the way carrying flags to represent the country's.

As for NI's flag, Eddie didn't want to cause any conflict so he designed one for us himself. It's the green of the NI football team, with a "dove" in the corner to represent our new claimed "peace".

Very smart and intelligent man Eddie is, but couldn't believe just how down to earth he is too. Loved every second of the 5/10 mins he had stopped to chat. I wish him all the very best in raising as much money as he possibly can for Sport's relief but more so in that he completes his marathon's and achieves an emense personal goal!

Robert Render

Robbie colourpop 1, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

Robbie works with me but he's also a pro wrestler AND more importantly he's an Actor! He was in the lead role of the recently Award winning "Death in D Minor" which was awarded "Best Local Film" at this year's Yellow Fever Film Festival in Belfast.

Wish Robbie every success for his future acting career and hope he remembers us all when he makes the big time!

heading in the right direction!

o~o~o~o.sprinkles.o~o~o~o, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

So a good friend of mine and myself are going to do weddings together which shall be great as that mean's i'll not have to worry about trying to get all the shots myself. Our wedding packages shall include a casual "get together" so that WE can get to know YOU! what are YOUR interests and build up a friendship so YOU are more relaxed with us, we want to hear what YOU want from your images, It's your big day afterall, we're only there to document it, not dictate it! We shall also have included in the price, a pre-wedding shoot.. get you used to us fluttering about you with the camera's so you can be more relaxed and not fizzed by what we are doing in the background. It's your big day and we're honoured to be part of that.

Contact for more information and availability.

And while we've been discussing things, it's also made me more determined to have my own studio up and running i hope by spring next year.

Sitting down to think things thru, what could I offer more than just the normal studio portraits, well... there's a "pamper" package. Full hair and makeup provided by the experts, and then onsite or on location shoots.... all can be arranged .. just give me a call!

Maternity shoots.... Ladies.. don't think you're, heaven's above, fat and frumpy, You're body is a special vessel for which your new little bundle of joy is growing and waiting to meet you so why not celebrate your changing shape with the "maternity" package. photoshoots can include husband/partner, just yourself or even your other children. all fully natural, tastefully done and be a lovely momento keepsake of your pregnancy! (morning sickness and other issues, don't let it put you off... might be just what you need to lift your spirits!)

baby portraits... three photoshoots in one package.... from newborn, 6 months and then 1 year (other shoots can be arranged at an additional cost)...

Also then is the "portfolio portfolio".... if you are a model, actor/actress, then come and see me about your porfolio. one hour photoshoots with either studio and/or natural lighting can be arranged. Prices shall reflect on the hour photoshoot, along side full A4 prints fitted into a fully complete portfolio, ready to dazzle your potiental clients!


keep an eye out on the website for more details or get in touch with me

Juliegibson100@aol.com and we shall create a package that shall suit your needs!

Thinking about the future

creation block, originally uploaded by Shutterbug©.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo&nctrct=1239321180849#/pages/wwwbraehillphotographycouk/75354166372?ref=nf

Well, the cogs have been turning and plans and idea's have been rushing through my head.

There is a small shop available locally and i've been down to have a peek. the possibility of turning it into my own wee studio/gallery is very possible but it would depend on finance and a lot of time to set it up. I'm hoping that by this time next year i'll be a proud owner of my very own studio and be able to provide a proper photographic service. There's ALOT of work, marketing, planning, working out a budget etc plus trying to see where i'll be able to drum alot of business to keep it worthwhile for the cost of the outgoings but it's a dream that won't shift, the idea's keep coming and I don't want to be 40 and regret not taking a chance to see if I can make a real go of it.

So after doing some "marketing" research, I found out that one of the ways of creating more business for yourself is by using the social network websites like facebook and bebo. I've made a "page" on facebook for advertising my photography on there so it will be interesting to see what, if any, feedback i shall receive.

I'm also looking at the local businesses, see how they market themselves, how they advertise themselves locally and what offers etc they have. With the village now ever expanding, new families moving into the area and other opportunities I'm hoping that by the end of next year I could be up and running. I pray and dream... fingers and toes crossed for me!