Brett Trafford photography

Going to the dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Just time to share a couple of shots from my latest portrait session with Bella.

Work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:24:00 +0000

A busy and cold few days with lots of time spent out doors taking pictures. Thursday night and Friday morning saw me on the Roaches taking pictures for my exhibition in May, Saturday evening found me on the side of Rutland water taking yet more shots for the exhibition. In all I have taken 700 shots in 4 days, last Jan I took 488 in the whole month!
This picture is one of the out takes and is of Normanton Church, Rutland.

Photography course in Leek

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:43:00 +0000

I've been asked by a couple of people if I will be running an introduction to photography course again this year, the answer depend on the amount of interest there is, so if this might appeals to you or someone you known could you let me known. I'm looking to focus at getting the best from any camera and exploring different styles of photography, trying to build a foundation to then let you carry on enjoying photography.

Picture is not cutting edge art, its more a lesson in not having you tripod set up in the road for a 30 second exposure, unless you are really sure there are no cars coming!

Looking forward too...

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Busy year ahead with lots to look forward to.

Two exhibitions already booked the first one starts in March and is nearly finished just a few shots to get. The second starts in May and that one is taking up lots of time as the pictures are some of the most challenging I have taken.

I'm also working on a set of panoramic prints, I've always loved large sweeping views but never gotten around to having any printed up, well thats about to change as I've decided to get some mounts made just to fit these large images.

Other plans that are afoot, I'm looking to work with some local bands, I'm in the finishing stages of another web site for a new local business (as well as updating mine), I've agreed to photograph another charity ball and the wedding planner is starting to book up nicely.

All this on top of a long list of shots of local scenes for the Leek United web site and The Staffs Moorland Calendar. And it's only the 3rd!

Photo from a pre Christmas shoot that was used as a gift so I was not able to show until now.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +0000

2012!!!
Happy New Year everyone. Hope the hangovers are not too bad.

To start the year I've a new project, and it's another daily photo blog, Buxton Daily Photo, a photo a day taken in and around Buxton and the Derbyshire Peak District. Pop over and check out the first picture.

Nearly finished my first full year as a self employed photographer and it's been a great one. 2012 looks to be even better with loads already planned and lots that I still have to do. Picture is from one of the many pre Christmas shoots that I could not post as they were to be used as gifts.

Happy Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:14:00 +0000

Well I know it's not the big day yet, at least here in England, but as this is read world wide I thought I would post this today just to catch everyone. So Happy Christmas and also have a great New Year I hope it brings all you are looking for.

December

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:28:00 +0000

Yet another very busy month, loads of photo shoots, shows and planning meetings, on top of that my pc got hit by a virus and has been nearly 2 weeks in the fixing.

My big news is a collaboration with the Leek United building society,starting this month a selection of my images will form the back ground to the pages on their web site. The picture will change to keep pace with the seasons and help keep the web site looking fresh and interesting for their members. Here's a link to their site Leek United and here's a link to their news page all about me

That all for now I would just like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a great New Year, I will leave you a picture of a moorland pony that right after this shot tried to eat my camera, every ones a critic!

November

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:37:00 +0000

Very busy month with loads going on, great to meet so many people at all the shows and the feed back from the radio Stoke interview has been fantastic.

Christmas comes early

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:31:00 +0000

It's been a very busy few weeks with loads happening and I just have a few spare moments to get you all up to date.

The first thing is Staffordshire Life running a couple of my photos, one of which made the cover!!!!! Now it might not seem like such a big thing to you but for me it's massive. When I started full time just under a year ago I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish in my first year and one of these was a photo in Staffordshire Life. Now I did manage this in February so I reset this goal to a cover image for sometime in the next 2 years, so to get it in just under 10 months is really pleasing.

Below is the second bit of good news, The Staffordshire Moorlands calendar has been going for about 20 year and this year all the images are mine. This is a wonderful showcase for my work and also looks to be an on going commitment with 2013 already being discussed. See here for more details.

Here comes the bride, again! part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:27:00 +0000

Pictures from Saturdays charity wedding ball in Buxton to raise money for Buxton’s Corbar Birth Centre. See the rest here

Here comes the bride, again!

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

What a mad few days, but while I get my act together again, I will leave you with this picture of my Saturday night studio venue. The occasion was a charity ball in Buxton, the theme was weddings so I spent most of the night photographic brides. More on the event of last week very soon.

Quick up date

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:53:00 +0000

I can not believe it's been over a month since I last posted on here, I've been so busy that this has had to take a bit of a back seat, First came the shoot at Brough park, which went really well and I hope to post some of the shots here soon. Then a week was spent up in the Lake District taking loads of photos. Back to work after a great week found me getting requests for photos from 2 local magazines and a calendar company. On top of this I have also made a Christmas card which is for sale through Colloco in Leek.

I've also decided on the theme for my next exhibition in May, giving me 6 months instead of 6 weeks to work on it.

Before I go I am starting to book up for portraits to be used as Christmas presents, so if you are looking to get one done book now!

Sarah and Alex

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:19:00 +0000

Last Sunday I had the great pleasure of photographing Sarah and Alex's wedding at the Churnet Valley Railway. It all cam about after Sarah texted me her wedding date after seeing my web page, making sure that I realised that it was only 8 weeks away and not next year! Luckily I was free having set the bank holiday weekend aside in case we wanted to go camping and jumped at the chance to see a bride arrive by steam train!

The day went very well, the train was on time and the weather behaved its self (mostly). After a short civil ceremony in the station and a few photos with the bride, groom and steam engine (never thought I would write that sentence)it was on to the train for Champagne and Strawberries.

With Monday being a holiday I did not get the chance to start on the photos until Tuesday, but by the end of the day had weeded out the poor ones and was ready to hand finish the rest about 200 images. The first thing that jumps out of the pictures is Sarah's smile, it just never stopped, the next thing was just how much in love they both are, I was getting tears in my eyes just looking at them which is not good when you are trying to edit them.

The final 204 images were finished by Thursday, very quick, you would normally expect a full week at least, but there was a reason for the rush as they are off to visit relatives on Sunday and wanted to show them the pictures.

The last thing was the wait for the bride to pass judgement on the pictures, know matter how good you think they are she is the boss where this is concerned. As always the result was a happy one, for which I'm very glad, having shared their big day the last thing I would want is to disappoint them in any way.

Portrait Event 10th September at Brough Park leisure centre

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 11:04:00 +0000

With just 2 weeks to go spaces are filling up fast, call me on 07801 058345 to book your 1/2 in the spot light. It costs just £40 and the pictures will make great Christmas presents.

Portrait Event 10th September at Brough Park leisure centre

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:29:00 +0000

In what I think is a bit of a first for Leek I'm converting a room at the local leisure centre in Brough park in to a photo studio for the day on the 10th of September. Photographic session run for 1/2 an hour starting at 9.00am till 4.00pm. The cost is just £40 including a free 10" x 8" print. The session can be for family groups, couples, kids, bands, or even just one person. The maximum number that can be accommodated at one time is 7, but if you have more just call and I will see what can be done (size does matter).
This is a great opportunity to get family photographs while the tan is still showing and have them ready for gifts at Christmas.
The shots below will give you an indication of the type of portraits available, all these were done in the home, some under less than idea conditions.

Plague rats and poop bags

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:36:00 +0000

This could have the sub title of "The exciting life of a professional photographer". What a start to a month, lots of work coming in and a number of great photo shoot, then I go and do my neck in! Wednesday last week saw me being unable to move for most of the day and at points almost passing out with the pain. Just the right moment to take a call from a new customer and discuss an up coming job, how I managed the call I will never know, probably 13 years of call centre training coming in to play (time not wasted then).
Lucky for me I have a great Osteopath and by Friday was almost fit for work and after a rest full week end, watching Caz cut the lawn, I started my latest job yesterday.
The job in question is photographing items for a web site, something I've done loads of, but as with each job it posies new challenges, the biggest with this one matching the previous photographers style and technique so the site keeps its overall great look. The items in question are all to do with your dog or cat, so dog toys, leads, collars and poop bags, and for the cat in your life a great little item the Plague rat. When people think of the life of a professional photographer it probably seems like a collection of photo shoot of beautiful women and fast cars, but for me the challenge of photographing everyday items to a set standard and repeating that over and over again is great, I spent the whole day totally engrossed in my passion, pushing myself to my limits, I feel very lucky that I now get to do that on a daily basis.

Deb,Nick and Jude

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:13:00 +0000

A wonderful Saturday afternoon shoot in their living room, Jude was an absolute star and mum and dad weren't bad either.

The last 3 days

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:57:00 +0000

Life is not be boring at the moment, here are 3 shots taken this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. From working on scaffolding wearing a hard hat, to being out in the fresh air, to then find myself in a studio with 2 beautiful ladies, its been one hell of a week so far.

Look no hands

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:18:00 +0000

Just spent the morning photographing the monument in Leek, from the outside, right up to the top.
The Nicholson War Memorial a Grade II listed building and the tallest in the country towering 80ft above the town of Leek in Staffordshire, has had a £178,000 grant for its restoration by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
I have had the chance to photograph from the top before the scaffolding is removed later this week.
Thanks to John Povey and Julie Taylor.

New web site

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 06:19:00 +0000

After months of work and even long taking to decide on the design my new web site is now finish (for now).

Brett Trafford.com

I've taken a completely new direction on the style going a way from the black photo gallery feel to a brighter white look. There's a lot more space for information and loads of links always to hand what ever page your on.
As it is a complete change feed back would be welcome.

Carolyn Bews dot com

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:24:00 +0000

Just uploaded a finished web site, Carolyn Bews.com. Really please with the final result, this along with Reflections Coaching mark a new sideline to the photography and one that I really enjoy, I have another site due to be started next week and my new site is in final prep as well.

Last Request

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:42:00 +0000

A great photo shoot with the band The Last Request, check out their version of Sweet child of mine.

Chestnut Queen, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

I have again had the honour of being the fetes official photographer and spent a few wonderful hours on Sunday taking pictures and being part of something that is so English. The English village fete is a dying breed, they take months to organise, are costly to run and at the end of it are hostage to our great weather.
This fete is one of the best in the country, listed in The Times Weekend supplement as 'One of the 20 great fetes', and it is all down to the hard work of the local volunteers.
My picture taken on the day can be seen HERE

New web pages

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:05:00 +0000

Just finished work on a new web design, or at least the first stage and have 2 new pages on my web site Brett Trafford.com.
The first is a weddings page which can be seen here, the next is a Portrait page which can be seen here.

As soon as I can get the thing finish I will up load a completely new home page that will match these two. The work is taking some time as it is having to fit in with my other photography and web design work.

Fashion shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Brett) — Sun, 29 May 2011 07:30:00 +0000

A few of the pictures from a fashion shoot with a difference I did last week for Elle and Belle from the blog Our Handmade Journey.