Over the weekend Tom and I went to a 4x4 event in Wales and we spent the time photographing the trucks. 
This tractor was parked next to where we pitched our tent and I couldn't help but photograph it. It was such a beautiful weekend. I've watermarked this one with toms watermark and have been building up a website to sell the photos we took at the weekend which can be found by clicking here. The rest of the time I have been editing all the pics and uploading which took ages! 

I took a lovely portrait of Suzi whilst we were out today. I had my 50mm 1.8 lens on my camera and was experimenting with shallow depths of field so as we stood by this fence disappearing into the background, I asked Suzi to model for me and I'm glad I did. This shot looks much better in black and white than in colour, mostly because of the light levels and bright colours from the trees which was a little distracting. I also love how dark the fence is behind her in contrast to her great skin and the light on the right hand side of the image. 

GemmieV can provide you with gorgeous portfolio images for serious models
and those who just want to give it a try. Email gemmiev@gemmiev.com with your
requirements today for a free quotation.

I'm testing new suppliers at the moment and have just ordered a couple of photobooks to test for quality. The company I have found are cheap, good quality and have the product to you the next day even when you use first class postage. I think love them!

I've got a nice casual photoshoot today with a friend from college - suzi king visit her Blog =].

Pictures from our shoot will be posted later on this evening.

Something a little out of the ordinary for me this weekend. I attended a 4x4 event with my other half. He is the official photographer for 4x4 adventures and I like to support him on his days out. We took loads of pics together and I have helped him set up a website so he can sell prints to participants in the 4x4 challenges. I did however get a couple of nice portraits at this event. 

One of the marshalls and his friendly dog.

One of the marshalls little boy.

Amelia was brilliant at her first photoshoot, she was smiling quite a bit and posing well, Amelia's gorgeous complexion needed no smoothing in post production and the natural light in the main bedroom was great at providing some gorgeous simple lighting.
We also got some lovely family images which are completely natural and relaxed, by shooting with my closeup lens the images are intimate and really show the love from mummy and daddy.

We were really lucky to get so many smiles for such a young baby. I'm really pleased with the photos.

I'm looking for suppliers today, balloons are expensive! I'm waiting on some quotes from a couple of sites and hopefully can strike a deal. http://www.theballoonshop.co.uk/balloon-printing/index.cfm
and http://balloonprinting.co.uk/info/aboutballoonprinting
Also, I'm looking for print suppliers, the lovely people at Loxley Colour have sent me some sample prints and they are at the top of my list at the moment, they also sent me a pack of example merchandising products. Another supplier who I have just put my name down for samples with is called www.alocalprinter.com hopefully I can get myself a regular supplier from these queries. Anyone have any suggestions for good quality print suppliers?

Keeping all these social media sites updated is like a part time job! It's a good thing I love being on my laptop =] so heres whats been going on today: Updating this blog, added Ivory Flame's Blog to my readers list on www.blogger.com, uploaded a portrait to my flickr after much deliberation on editing this is the final result:

I choose to edit this shot with an action based on one of the instagram effects. I downloaded the actions from http://dbox.tumblr.com/post/5426249009/instagram-filters-as-photoshop-actions
they are great to experiment with and you can download them for freeee!
There is a web based service I am new too which provides you information on your social influence through social media sites such as twitter and facebook. It is quite a nice idea but I am not so sure how accurate it is as it doesn't take into account business people who do not use facebook or twitter. The service is called Klout and you can find it by searching on facebook its an orange logo. http://klout.com/#/GemmieV

I've also been surfing the net for useful editing websites and found one with 70 skin retouching tutorials, if you're interested you will have to fish through any not so good ones to get the the best stuff but it's a good resource to start with and you can sign up to the website newsletter also.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/07/15/70-beauty-retouching-photoshop-tutorials/

To get the most out of sites such as flickr, facebook, blog sites etc always return comments and make an effort to join in groups and conversations to get your work out there and increase your popularity.

Over the years I have come across some amazingly talented, influential, creative people who's work I regularly look at to inspire me. I would like to share these artists with you. =]

First is a photographer who I think is the most interesting and educated portfolio producing photographer out there (in my opinion). His name is SIDESHOWSITO and his work can be found at: http://www.sideshowsito.com/galleria/

His lighting is perfect and he has worked with some fantastic models including Mosh, the model who is in the banner that won model mayhems banner competition >> http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=835622

Another Inspirational artist I admire is called Rion Vernon. Rion draws pin up toons and his work can be found here >> http://www.cdoestore.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=75&pg=1
Unfortunately, his old website which was basically a gallery is not online anymore and his work is best viewed through this website. I guess it might be to stop people ripping off his images and breaking copyright law. such a shame as his website was so awesome.

This next one is a model named Ivory Flame who's standard of modelling is a whole level higher than the vast majority of models. Here's her website http://www.ivoryflame.co.uk/site/

Ivory Flame has worked with some fantastic photographers and has a very professional portfolio. If you are trying to get into modelling then following Ivory Flame is essential as you can learn alot from  looking at her poses, expression etc. Follow Ivory Flames Blog.

To book your portfolio shoot with me and create some beautiful images contact me here.

Modelling is something that a lot of people have thought about doing but have no idea where to start, if you are considering having a few photos taken or if you want to try modelling as a career then read through these tips to help keep you safe and to save wasting time with dodgy photographers.

1. Know your limits and stick to them - If you only want to model for fashion and runway, then thats up to you. If you do not want to shoot nudes then make this very clear in your portfolio or web page so photographers know. If anyone pesters you to do anything that is not within your limit then it is not worth keeping that contact.
2. Decide where you want to advertise - I would recommend signing up to model mayhem www.modelmayhem.com as a model and searching on that website for photographers. This is a very useful website as you can search for local photographers to you, you can view the models who they have worked with and contact them directly for references. You can also look at thousands of people's portfolios and get inspired by their imagery. You can learn alot from this website. My advice to you is to work with professional photographers with a good quality portfolio as you need a professional looking portfolio to be taken seriously. Avoid putting up snapshots of you on holiday or stood in front of the mirror. These photographs give the wrong impression completely to people looking for models. You can check casting calls on this website and contact photographers to see if they like your look and want to work with you.
When you are just starting out you are likely to have to work for free, on model mayhem this is called time for experience or time for CD. Basically, you can work with the photographer and in exchange for the experience and your time working as a model you can get a cd of the images, some photographers may offer you prints as well or instead of but all of the details in regards to pay or what you are offering should be finalised before you start the shoot.
3. Know your measurements - also known as your stats, be aware of your measurements so you can post them to your portfolio and in casting calls if needed.
4. Stay Safe - Be aware of people who call themselves photographers just to photograph pretty girls, these can usually be easy to find based on the image in their portfolios, do their photos all have pictures of girls in bikinis or nude? has their photography improved or is it all amateur looking because they aren't in it to improve their photography skills?an important sign of a GWC (Guy with Camera) is also that there is no desire to improve their skills over the years, because the goal, again, is not to become a better photographer, but to get girls naked and that's all what matters to them. To avoid these type of people only work with those who have professional looking images, look at the lighting and subjects themselves, could you imagine being the model for the photos that have been taken already?
5. Practice Practice Practice - You need to practice posing and expression in the mirror so you can give maximum variety in your photoshoots and know what looks good. Look at other models at the top of their game such as Ivory Flame, Ulorin Vex and Madame Bink.
6. Keep fit and eat healthily - Obviously as a model you have to look good, You do not have to be a size 0 to be a model. The majority of models are toned and have perfect skin, I would suggest regualr exercise and drinking plenty of water. Health is always important please please please do not let yourself become ill or malnourished. You need to look after yourself. Of course there are some beautiful plus sized models out there also, its all about being happy with your body shape, and knowing what to wear to make the best of your assets. Ideally models are 5 foot 7 inches or taller but there are some successful models who are shorter. i.e Ivory Flame who is only 5 foot 3 inches.
7. Create a list on Model Mayhem that's clearly labeled as representative of looks that you'd like to have in your portfolio - This helps you define what kind of modeling you want to do and what looks you want. Having the looks you want visible on your profile page will make it much easier for photographers to plan shoots you - and make it a lot easier for you to get what you want.
8. Learn about scams and what to look out for by reading this. This next one is also useful to read. Click here.
9. Network - Create contacts and get your name out there to get the most work you can. If you're really serious about modelling think about contacting photographers asking for work and make some business cards that you can take with you to networking events.
10. Get yourself a basic wardrobe - make sure you have a good range of costumes, basic clothes and props to take with you to shoots. Keep an eye on popular trends to see what props people are using and try and work the prop in a unique way to your shoot.

If you want more help getting into modelling and want to book a shoot with me then book your shoot here.

These are the main points I can think of at the moment. If I can think of any more I'll add them at a later date. Until then add me as a friend on model mayhem by clicking here.

So this post is about the books I have found that are really inspiring and useful in photography.

Graham Clarkes the photograph - A visual and cultural history. He examines the main subject areas in photography; landscape, portraiture, the city, the body and reportage.

Camera Lucida Roland Barthes - This ones pretty heavy but is worth the read. Rolands reflections on photography and how he observes subjects in front of the camera.

Liz Wells' Photography a critical introduction - Photographic theory great for those studying photography and a must read for university level students or those going onto university.

Susan Sontag on photography - "A brilliant analysis of the profound changes photographic images have made in our way of looking at the world and at ourselves over the last 140 
years."—"Washington Post Book World"

Ways of seeing John Berger - This challenges how we look at works of art and the way in which we perceive our environments.

The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos Michael Freeman - This is about ideas, examples, theory and lessons in photography and is a very good book to help you understand why you are taking a photograph and the best way to photograph your subjects.

The Photographer's Mind: Creative Thinking for Better 
Digital Photos, Michael Freeman - He looks at what makes a photograph great and explores the ways that top photographers achieve this goal time and time again in regards to composition, avoiding cliches and much more.

These books are so interesting if you want to know more about photography and can all be found on amazon.