Tag: Mel Taylor Photography

The Socities of Photographers Convention 2017

Well yes, I agree the title does make it sound a little Geeky but it is one of the major photography events of the year. So what’s it all about?

It is Europe’s largest all welcome photographic convention and is held at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel near Paddington station.

The event is attended by photographers from around the world, amateur and professional alike. There is a huge choice of seminars, and workshops to attend.

The 20″x16″ Print competition is very popular and any merits in this competition are not to be sniffed at. The entries are high and the judging is very tough!

Aspiring photographers can also have a panel of images judged for either Licentiate, Associate or Fellowship Qualifications.

There is a tradeshow on Friday- Sunday where there are many exhibitors, from all aspects of photography. A great place to speak to suppliers, see what’s new on the market and get ideas.

On Saturday evening there is a Grand Awards dinner. This is attended by 500+ people and is a great social event.

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The Gold images from the year are displayed through dinner and the awards for both Trade and Photographer are presented.

Gold Image by Clive Hall. (Sadly the photograph of my Gold did not come out well)

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The individuals go up on stage to get their awards and have a photo taken after with trophies or certificates.

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My good friend Clive Hall having his photograph taken after receiving his Fellowship Certificate. Well done Clive.

A very enjoyable event. I am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my new backgrounds and have found some great new products for my customers. Looking forward to next years event already.

 

 

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A Good Start to the New Year!

Happy New Year to you all and I hope you had a good Christmas too.

The year has certainly started off well for me with a Nomination for Photographer of the Year with the Guild of Photographers. Last year I got nominated in the Dog genre, this year I have a nomination in the Equine genre.

Yesterday the Oxford Mail kindly celebrated this achievement with me in their Newspaper and also on line. Oxford Mail – on-line

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The nominated image was taken on a shoot with a lovely client and her old labrador and this handome chap. The shoot was a gift to her from her boyfriend.

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It is hard enough to get an award in the monthly competitions, each year the standards get higher and the competition is fierce so to be nominated in the top ten is a great honor for me.  The main thing for me is that I am able to produce good quality images to my clients that they love because they bring out the personalities of their animals and have something to treasure forever.

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If you would like to book a session then give me a call. 01235 763359 or 07818427876

www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

Last Minute Xmas Ideas…

Hopefully, you will all be far more organised than I am and have all your Xmas shopping done.

If you are not and you are still looking for ideas then I still have a few GIFT VOUCHERS available for my Pet Portraits. They make a great gift for a family member, a friend, yourself or even use your pet as an excuse to get one.

The voucher includes a 1 hr Photographic session and a Complimentary 9″x6″ or 8″x6″ Glass Desk Framed image for the SPECIAL PRICE of only £30 normally £95.

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Don’t forget to get your pooch something tasty for Christmas but be sure it’s safe for them to eat. Kongs are great ideas, you can fill them with all sorts of tasty things to give variety and they can be frozen to make it last even longer. My dogs love these as both a toy and a treat.

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I hope you all have a wonderful Xmas and New Year.

TWO! – IT’s THIS WEEK!

I have been working with the AmEgos Theatre group for quite a few years now, providing the images for their posters, PR, program and the show images. I always enjoy the shows and the latest is no exception!

From the writer of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice,  Jim Cartwright, “TWO” is a story of the British pub and those that frequent it. Two actors play all characters who tell their stories.

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The AmEgos Theatre group presents this show this week  Wednesday 2nd November to Saturday 5th November,at the lovely Buscot Park Theatre.

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The Theatre constructed in 1936 for the 2nd Lord Faringdon it has recently been restored and provides an excellent venue for this great show.

A few images from last night’s dress rehearsal.  It is really worth going to see…

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Tickets are available  http://www.wegottickets.com/AmEgos (plus £1 booking fee) or Hare in the Woods, Market Place, Faringdon.

Bar from 6.45pm

Curtain 7.30pm

More information can be found on their website : http://www.amegostheatre.com/two-2016.html

Equine Art – Cotswold Preview

 

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Having spent the first part of my working life working with horses and loving every minute of it, it is no surprise that photographing them is a real joy for me. This is a side of the business I am just expanding, following my true passions and was lucky enough to be included in the June Issue of Cotswold Preview Magazine, in their Equestrian Art Special Feature.

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My Image, bottom right was taken on a Wedding Pre-shoot. It was a lovely evening capturing the couple to be but also the horses and the connection and bonds they have with their owners.

As the article states I have many years of experience of working with horse and I feel this gives me a distinct advantage for equine photography, understanding their habits, how to get them to look attentive, what is likely to spook them, how they should stand when they are really connecting with the owner.

I can come to your home, yard or meet you somewhere you like to ride.. for more information visit my website. www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk

A quote I  love is “When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have” – Winston Churchill.

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Thank you for reading my post.

A Tribute…

May 2016 Fronts

It is always a pleasure to find one of my images in the Dogs Today Magazine and I am lucky to have been featured in many editions, last year and this year in the best dog photographs in the world section. I love the magazine and the article on the dog on the front cover was lovely.

If an image is featured of a clients dog then I provide a complimentary print of the image that is used. I contact the client as soon as I know so they can go grab themselves a copy of the magazine.

The image in this May’s magazine is of the lovely Nula…and her buddy taken on one of last years Bluebell shoots. We had a lovely play around the woods that day. The light was tricky as it was a bright day and so lots of dappled light which looks lovely but is tricky to work with from a photographic point of view.. we did manage to find some shady spots too.

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It is with great sadness that I have to say when I contacted Nula’s owner to tell her that she was featured in the magazine, I found out that Nula  had to go doggy heaven a few weeks before, due to illness. My heart goes out to her family as I know only too well the hole that is left in your heart by the loss of your dog.  I feel honoured that I was able to photograph her last year and that her owner has images that are displayed at home and will remind them of her.

Here are some other images taken on the day… RIP Nula…..and I hope her buddy is not missing her too much.

A few of my favourite image from the shoot. It is the intent look at her owner that makes this image for me.

 

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A little bit of fun is always good if the dogs are getting fed up of posing.

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This is Nula’s buddy, I have a real soft spot for Lurchers, having owned several myself. I would have been more than happy to have taken this lad home with me.

 

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The good thing about Badbury Clump is that you have a variety of backdrops to use.

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Beautiful girlie, so soft and gentle. I usually ask owners to remove collars but with Lurchers it looks better if they keep the collar on.

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One of my favourite images from the shoot.  Gives a real feel of them being at ease with each other.

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Thank you for reading my post. http://www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk