A new year starts and I’m full of my usual gusto to get cracking with my camera and little book of plans. I’ve been given some beautiful hand-made books to cram full of notes and inspiration. It’s been wet and cold which is perfect for this kind of thing. I will be Miss Organisation; making the most of my photography time, planning trips and responding to all of my emails within an acceptable time-frame. How hard can all of that be?
This week…
1 I was keen to use my Fuji Instax a bit more. Sure, it’s not my favourite instant camera (Polaroid SX-70 and 600, obviously) but it’s cheaper and the film is available. Or WAS. One of my real bugbears is ordering film, only to get an email an hour or so later to say it’s out of stock. The last time I ordered this film it was out of stock for 3 months. Great. Now I have no idea when I’ll be using this camera again, but worse things have happened.
2 I planned to focus on using a Prakitica I’d purchased from a market stall somewhere near Wales (vague). Until I woke up in horror to this news courtesy of Kat Hannaford. The words ‘Kodak’ and ‘Bankruptcy’ in the same sentence saddens me so much. Their Portra film is my favourite – heck, so many people adore that luscious film. Kat tweeted me to say ‘race you to Ebay’ which is what the whole film-loving world will be doing if Kodak folds. I shoot pretty lo-fi. I don’t own expensive film cameras, but I might as well if Kodak Portra races out of my budget. Depressing news.
3 I hadn’t expected so many emails and phone calls. In the space of 4 days I’d been booked to photograph 5 weddings. And the best thing about these weddings is that they’re all so different and they like what I do. Perfect. 5 wonderful days for me to start thinking about. This is unexpected but goes firmly into the ‘good news’ pile. What’s more is that I’ve responded to every email I’ve had this week. I think.
4 I’ve been inspired. Some time ago my friend Josie introduced me to the work of Susannah Conway, a self-confessed Polaroid Addict. She reminded me of another Polaroid photographer I’ve been following for a while – Amanda Gilligan. Turns out they’ve put a book together along with Jenifer Altman who produces these lovely cards (I gave to my friend Emma for her birthday last year) which should be out in May. Something to look forward to.
5 I got together with my Effra FC chums on Tuesday for a slide show of our favourite 2011 shots. I love any opportunity to get people together to look at photographs projected LARGELY. Photographs are better seen off-screen. There’s just no comparison. A group of people huddled together around a projector, discussing images in detail or just simply admiring. Inspiring.
6 I’ve thought a lot about producing high standards. Last year a good friend booked a family photography session with a well-known ‘brand’ of high street photographers. The results were dreadfully upsetting. This week she finally got compensation for their poor customer service and final product. What I can’t understand is why they were so bad. When you’re paying many hundreds of pounds on a special photograph for a special occasion you expect professional service and a quality product at the very least. A week into the new year and I’m now thinking about how I would respond to an unhappy client. My ultimate plan of action is to ensure I know exactly what is expected of me and be confident with what I can deliver. Photographing people is a collaborative process. Food for much thought.
7 I’ve got a shoot tomorrow. It’s local and with my lovely talented friend Laura Kidd. I think we might be eating chips too.
Photograph taken with Kodak Portra 400.
