Wanted: Booking agent/receptionist...

Fancy working at Avant Photographic?

seriously...

Phil is looking for a member of staff to help book in all the enquiries.. This is not cold calling, but genuine enquiries that need booking in. 

I am looking for someone to call clients between 10 am and 1 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There may be other tasks that I will need help on, but if you are interested, please call me or email as soon as possible for immediate start.

My thought is this would suit someone who drops the kids off at school or nursery in the morning, comes here for a few hours then home to pick the kids up?? It's a fun job, talking to people, and telling them all about how much fun it is having portraits done at Avant Photographic... 

But please, call me if you are interested...

01323 738 566 or email me phil@avantphotographic.com

I look forward to hearing from you...

many thanks

Phil

Spicer Hallfield

Unfortunately one of the longest serving photographic frame and album suppliers, as well as supplying other photography peripherals, Spicer Hallfield, has gone into administration this morning. The news comes as quite a shock, and I for one will be sad to see them go, if they cannot find a new buyer..?

Unfortunately, several of my recent customers chose to have their portraits framed in SH frames.. I am frantically trying to get these supplied, and have it on good authority that these will be supplied without issue next week... I hope...

I am going to call all customers who have frames on order from SH to inform them and will remain in touch with any news as i hear it. 

NO OTHER ORDERS ARE EFFECTED IN ANYWAY BY THIS AND IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ME TODAY, YOUR ORDER IS NOT EFFECTED

Kodak Portrait Awards 2009

We are still taking bookings for the kodak awards 2009. 

see below for details on how to enter.

Remember, you could stand to win £1000 as the winner of this years award...?

details..

Argh! Look at Marty!

Marty, my cherub photographer of the year 2008 winning image model, came in again for a shoot today. WOW has he changed. He is still really photogenic and we got some incredible images on wednesday..

Its his expressions, he gives such a look. It's the something different and unique that I love to capture. Kids are a whole lot more than just smiles... If I can bring out and shoot the entire range and not just a smile for nana i am very happy..

Thanks for bringing him in again Jane.. It was great to see you again.

Family Portrait

I. LOVE. THIS. PHOTO.

This is Debbie and her boys..

She wasn't keen on having her portraits done, as is usually the case with Mum's!! but i persuaded her and with a little encouragement from her friend who came along we eventually got this shot. I sat Debbie with her boys and coaxed her eldest into position. Gently calling the boys names got them to look up, and I captured this shot. It's incredible, very natural and in black and white the mood of the shot is emphasized.

 

Debbie collected her portrait the other day and was over the moon with it. Framed and completed the image was complete.. I believe it will be placed as the centre piece of her home...

It may be entered for the Kodak Wedding and Portrait Awards mentioned earlier in the blog. 

Recent Faves.

Oh well, the new year lull has passed and Avant is very busy again. I was just getting used to the less stressful level of portraits too. I know some of you will be glad to see me working hard again!

I thought  I would post a couple of recent favourites from the studio. Something a little different. Jayke here had a whale of a time. He came in with his family for a family shoot mum, dad and younger brother. These were some shots i wanted to try out, and Mum was nice enough to let me try to work with Jayke. I think i have made a friend for life. A typical 4 year old, he is interested in everything, full of limitless energy, and has stacks of personality. This is why I do this for a living..

Any way, heres my creation from the session.

Some others from this session are in the running for my competition entry this year!

Secondly, here is Harry..

This is a shot from his second cherub session. He is now a year old. We did a family session too. I have to ask his dad but, maybe I will post a shot of Harry pulling out his hair... whilst on his dads shoulders.. it looked terribly painful, and I felt somewhat guilty for dad having to bear the pain! (I am sorry!) It was me that suggested the pose?

This one of Harry is great though, really stark and simple. But full of expression and a stunning, graphic inspired image..

Kodak Portrait Awards 2009

Ok.. for years I have have wanted to get an OSKAR and I am going to attempt to this year. But I need your help.

All great portrait photography starts with the subject. Without a subject its just me, standing in my studio.... which isn't much fun. For your chance be entered as a subject in this years Kodak awards please contact me. 

You have a chance to win £1000 if your portrait wins a category, or a kodak camera. 

sorry, it's £1000...  OOPS!

For competition entry sessions I am offering a discounted session fee of £20 and a free copy of the entry to the competition from your session. (size 10x8)

The Kodak Awards represent the highest level of photography, worldwide. Open only to professional Photographers. Click here to view the competition website, which is currently being updated for this years awards.

Last year I entered the regional awards and won the MPA SE Cherub Photographer of the year, so my aim this year is for the under 5's award, but definitely for the consumer award. Here is my cherub winning portrait 

Its little Marty and I shall always love this portrait. His expression is incredible, and the contact and communication from his eyes is so powerful.

This offer is open to anybody, so please tell your friends as well. It's a great chance to get some cool portraits and maybe win some cash too!

phil