A lucky few had the chance to attend Denis’s workshop. We got an insight into how he operates, and some valuable tips on how to get that killer shot.

From the moment we arrived Denis’s passion was evident. He loves photography, and weddings, and has some strong opinions on the modern day approach to shooting them.

After shocking everybody with a challenge to “shoot a wedding without speaking”, he opened our minds to the true meaning of wedding photojournalism and how it can be a part of every photographer’s repertoire. I was impressed to realise that one of the rock stars of our industry doesn’t behave like one on the day. He doesn’t act like he’s part of the entertainment. He spends almost the entire time documenting the event, talking to no one and shooting “candids”.

But of all the things we learned, I don’t think I’ll ever forget “foofing”, a term Denis coined to describe an on-camera flash technique that dramatically improves lighting in even the trickiest situations.

After all the foofing and salt and pepper analogies, attendees left with plenty of information and techniques to keep them busy for a while.

Day Two was a chance to show off the Queensberry facilities, and my turn to introduce Denis to a couple of new things. I’m always proud when clients visit us from other parts of the world as I’m able to give them the grand tour, and this visit was no exception. They’re always surprised by the high level of handwork and craftsmanship that goes into every album.

It was also a chance for Stephen and Ian to give Denis a brief look into the Queensberry crystal ball. All involved were sworn to secrecy, so all I can say is, stand by! 2012 will be an exciting year.

Thank you, Denis, for coming all the way here to see us – don’t leave it another 12 years before hitting Kiwi shores again.

Cheers
Gino

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Well, it blew the doors off the OP department. They had 200 acceptances and counting before the email had even finished sending!

So first we need to say “thank you”.

Second, we can hardly say No to people who’s email address starts with “Z”, or who happened to be asleep in the “wrong” time zone, so if you’ve already contacted us we’ll definitely do the deal for you.

Just a few Buts (sorry!):

- Don’t forget they’re for samples only, and (new policy, so pardon the repetition) marked “not for resale”.

- We must have your order by Monday 6 February, and confirmation and payment by Monday 13th.

- Also, because we’ve had so many acceptances it may take us a bit longer than normal to deliver these albums.

Once again, thanks heaps for your support.

Cheers
Ian

PS Sorry, we can’t extend the offer past the dates above, so do get in quick…

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Kodak has been felled by exactly what it espoused: universal access to cameras. – The Washington Post.

That’s true, but it’s not the whole story. Kodak was also felled by its commitment to its legacy film business … even though it was a digital pioneer too.

To be clear, Kodak says it isn’t closing the doors, it’s continuing to restructure, but still, it’s sad to see a company (and technology) decline that brought so much good into the world – art created, memories conserved and stories told.

Three things are certain:

1. Our world is changing, and we have to change with it.

2. We’ll miss the old world (the new one mayn’t work that sweetly for a while).

3. Queensberry will be part of the change.

So much has changed already. Since we started doing business in the northern hemisphere, it’s not just the big film and paper manufacturers that have struggled. All the major British and American album manufacturers we aspired to compete with have been toppled. It’s been just as wild a ride for professional photographers. The whole album business and how it works has been turned on its ear.

Well, the revolution isn’t over.

We aren’t the same company today as we were three years ago, let alone ten. We won’t be the same company in three years more, either.

Last year was busy, as we deepened our involvement in digital offset printing.

This year will be just as hectic. Watch this space!

Cheers, Ian

PS Kodak is emphasising it’s business as usual, but obviously we are concerned about continuity of supply for paper and chemicals. If worst comes to worst, we have some months’ supply, and alternatives from other suppliers. We are also very confident about our digital offset print capability. Queensberry Press is already a major product category for us, and there is no reason we can’t apply the technology to our other product ranges.

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Our phones will be unattended until then but you can leave a message or email us with any questions or queries. We’ll be checking messages from time to time, but will reply to non-urgent matters when we get back.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

All the best from everyone at Queensberry.

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WTF stands for…

Website (yours): It’s hard to get people to visit, but you’re in charge, it looks like you – you shape it, you own it.

Twitter: Millions hang out there, there are ways to get their attention – but it belongs to someone else.

Facebook: Same thing with bells on. Millions and millions of people. Awesome networking and sharing tools. But you’re not in charge, it doesn’t look like you’re in charge, and Mr Zuckerburg gets the Google Juice not you.

It’s essential to hang out with people in these public places, but invite them back to your place as well. Give them a chance to see what makes you different, and better, and authentic.

For example, every week Anna posts a client’s album on our blog, and mentions it on Facebook. People click through to our blog to check it out. Some of them click the Like button, some click through to our main site.

And it gets better if our client (or her client) links, likes and reposts as well.

Chances are you’re not trying to rule the world, just set up your own place as best it can be. Better to own your virtual castle, I reckon.

Cheers
Ian

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Order a Press Album or Press Book SAMPLE in the next seven days (i.e. by 26 October) and we’ll DOUBLE THE DISCOUNT – to 50% instead of 25%.
Don’t tell anyone

All the best from everyone at Queensberry

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Anna M grew up in the beautiful historic city of Kamakura in Tokyo, which maybe explains her very strong focus on materials and the preservation of history.

She studied curatorial and fine arts at the Tama Art University in Japan. Issey Miyake studied at the same university, which has a strong emphasis on the art of choosing and working with materials. While at TAU Anna also did an Internship at the Tokyo National Museum where she studied how to present artifacts.

After moving to New Zealand she studied at Victoria University, majoring in Industrial Design. It was her innate sense for materials and her quirky fashion sense (she’s one of our in-house fashion plates!) that made Peter Haythornthwaite, her supervisor and one of our design mentors, suggest that Heather take her on as a product design intern.

Anna has now been with us for three years, working on Musée, the Press range and the very distinctive Japanese-inspired Mayu Case. Having grown up with a great appreciation of history, Anna sees the value in making something to last, and pass on to future generations.

I asked Anna where she draws her inspiration from, and here’s what she said:

1. Our Photographer’s Images: “I love learning about the great cultural diversity through our clients’ photographs. Everyday I get to see a collection of treasured moments from all over the world. It’s a bit like taking a special paper called ‘the anthropology of beauty and love’”.

2. New Zealand: “For a girl from Tokyo, every second of NZ is like living in National Geographic. Speechless. Also I like the Euro-Asia-Polynesian mixed culture here. Very different and very special.”

3. Cy Twombly: “My love for materials, textures, letters, everything is in his work!” If you’re interested – take a look at Cy’s work here.

Cheers,
Anna B

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Books are inherently more affordable than albums – although as the saying goes you can really pimp your ride with Queensberry’s Press Books: translucents, art papers, leather covers, Mayu cases, the works. In fact it’s surprised (and gratified) us a bit how many of you have gone for the upmarket options.

On the other hand, with Press Albums the challenge was two-fold: to offer something you couldn’t get with our classic albums (art papers in particular) and to strike a dramatically lower price point.

How did we do that? By keeping things simple, and leaving out the options that ramp the cost up.

Nothing non-standard. No Pagemount. No Duo. Just gorgeously simple Flushmount and Overlay. No optional extras, fewer sizes. As the price list says, “For more upgrade and design opportunities check out our other album ranges.”

No compromise on quality though. They’re made in exactly the same way with exactly the same materials.

By the way, the fact that Queensberry Press products are printed digital-offset instead of silver halide does help with costs, but surprisingly little in the big scheme of things. Check ’em out and you’ll see we’re not compromising on quality there either!

Cheers
Ian

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It’s a good illustration of our most interesting challenge as an international supplier: getting our products into new clients’ hands for them to touch and feel, no matter where they live.

Getting started is an act of faith on your part, and an act of commitment on ours. “You take the first step and we’ll go the extra mile.”

It gets even more interesting when the product is new to existing clients, as has been the case with Queensberry Press. To introduce our new books and albums we’ve been giving away some major discounts.

It’s cost us serious money, but it’s got the product into your hands, and when we see the feedback from our clients we think it’s money well spent.

And maybe we’re not finished yet…

But this is one reason we won’t be there in force at WPPI and FOCUS. We can only spend the money once!

Tomorrow: why Queensberry Press is cheaper.

Cheers
Ian

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At that first show I turned up late on Day One because of a minor drama back home. It was amazing. Our little team (with an Aussie customer in support) were red-faced and practically shouting to make themselves heard to photographers piled up like driftwood round our booth. We had a blast for three days, heading back to the Casino in the evenings for a quiet drink in the din of the slot machines.

Each year we’ve built bigger booths at both shows, taken more staff along, and the events have certainly been good to us. Thank you!

But we think it’s time to try something new.

We started thinking about this last February at WPPI. There were – how many? – fifty? sixty? vendors selling albums. There was Costco! There was breast painting! There were people throwing dollar bills around (in the booth next to us!) And plenty more side shows and conversation stoppers.

We don’t care so much that it’s a bazaar (or a circus – it’s Vegas after all) but we do care that it’s so hard to get quality time with clients and prospects in the middle of this me-too madness.

We prefer situations where you can have our full attention, and we can get yours.

So yes, you’ll be able to catch up with us at both shows in some way, but we’ll be doing things differently.

Stay tuned for more about what we’re doing, and that “something new”.

Tomorrow: Why we’re doing discounts.

Cheers
Ian

PS As always, we’re keen to know what you think.

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