As any regular followers are aware, I’ve been working with Silvia Clausin of the Raw Deli and writer Theresa Hedges on two books that we’re self-publishing: Seasonal Raw Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer. This project has been a bit of a slow burn to say the least but we’re now nearly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Today we reshot the stuff that we didn’t think was up to scratch and finally finished the images. We’re really happy with the work we’ve put in to it. For me it’s been an incredible journey and I’ve learned loads about raw food. It’s been hard work but really good fun. I love working with food anyway and using daylight is really rewarding. I don’t really get a chance to use available light on commercial jobs, so I’ve loved every minute of this.
So here’s a selection of our work. There’s something very retro about the blue and white checked table cloth, don’t you think?
Well , hello everyone. Just reeling from my ping-back from Truprint. You see, this blog has been recommended as one of the best family blogs around. Woah! Left me champing at the bit to add more so here goes…
Yesterday, I headed off down to Hurst Pools Rec Ground to get a feel for the Right to Play event held by Elmbridge Council. It was lovely and sunny. Lots of families were out enjoying ….well, just being. I was pushed for time as meeting Vicki Robinson of Entertaining Acorns at Wisley, so I didn’t stick around for long, but did manage to get a few general snaps as kids ran around with their faces painted.
There was lots to do. Several bouncy castles, lots of tables out with art materials available for everyone and above all Huxley’s Birds of Prey. I had seen this lot before. They often appear at Kingston’s Market Place Fayre. Huxley’s has been known to attend Medieval Days in full attire!
Owned by Julian and Stephanie Ford, Huxley’s Centre in Horsham is open to the public. They hold “Meet The Owl” and Raptor days. Before the creation of Huxley’s, Julian kept and trained 80 birds whilst working as a highly qualified horticulturist. Now there are over 70 for you to see including Coco the Crested Caracara, Reaper the Raven and Sydney the Laughing Kookaburra!
Julian Ford is a master at holding an audience enthralled with a highly entertaining combination of informative dialogue and humour. Stephanie joined Julian at Huxley’s in 2001, after initially volunteering at the Centre. Huxley’s could not survive without the dedication of its volunteering team. You can also sponsor a bird and an important part of Huxley’s work is teaming with the RSPCA or local police to rehabilitate injured or distressed birds.
To visit Huxley’s is a grand day out for all the family and you can learn lots.
For further information , visit Huxley’s website: http://www.flyingfalcons.co.uk/huxleys/team.html
For your everyday photo-printing needs and to see my blog’s review:
Want something exciting to do with the kids this week? Then how’s this for an idea?
Wednesday 11 August
11.00 am until 4.00 pm
Molesey Hurst Recreation Ground
Open to all ages and FREE!
A PLAY day has been organised by Elmbridge Council at Hurst Park Recreation Ground, on Wednesday August 11.
The event may be just the ticket for parents looking for exciting activities for children this summer.
Play Day is the annual celebration of children’s right to play. Thousands of children, young people and communities will get out to play at hundreds of locally organised events across the UK.
The free family day runs from 11am until 4pm.
Sporty children can come and join Molesey Juniors football team or take part in Harlequins rugby coaching.
Those feeling more adventurous can get up close with some weird and wonderful reptiles during their feeding times, and watch in amazement as the birds of prey take flight. Creative types can spend time in the arts and crafts marquee making beautiful
masterpieces or simply get messy with glue and glitter.
Maggy Woodley, married to an Englishman, is half Austrian, half Spanish. She thinks of herself as a true “European”. Red Ted Art was named after her one son Max. ” I’m a very lucky mum, as I have Max.”
Maggy has the kind of lifestyle I’m quite jealous of. I met her on Twitter. In Spring she grows tomatoes and other veg and come Autumn she’s at the green tomato chutney. She has fresh eggs every day courtesy of the chickens.
Among Maggy’s useful Tweets: Lavender helps keep moths away. Make these easy No Sew Bags: http://redtedart.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/how-to-make-no-sew-lavender-bags-pillows.
So here, I’ll had you directly over to Maggy…
I love art. Always have. And always will. Art is fun. Art is colourful. Art inspires.
Everyone should give art a chance. Just sit down and have go. In my book, no-one can’t and everyone can. No-one is too young and it is never too late. I would like to leave you feeling that you can too. And so can the children in your lives. You can do this on all sorts of levels. Just don’t be scared of it!
Why Art? I could do a load of research now and bring you a host of references and statistics, however this would bore you and would take too much time. So here is a quick overview (amongst others) of the benefits to you and your children: Art…
is fun
is an activity you can enjoy together
develops creativity (no brainer)
develops imagination (no brainer)
develops self esteem (pride in the work you have done)
develops fine motor skills (holding and using art materials)
develops cognitive skills
develops problem solving skills (e.g. I wanted to make bunting, but can’t sew… how to? See here for my solution!)
can help conquer boredom and stress
can help work through feelings and emotions
No child is too young to appreciate art. The littlest will enjoy colours and shapes. The older ones may focus on say how realistic a painting is, another will enjoy thinking about a story behind it. You can engage on all levels. Try:
Galleries
Books
Art activities
Artwork at home
What now? Get stuck in and Get Crafty!
On my blog I have a range of art activities to do both with your children or for your children (or just for yourself). Do head over for some inspiration. But whatever you do, remember the following:
Children learn through trying, but also through copying. Show them that you are willing to give something a go too. That you are not embarrassed of your squiggly bus or lopsided bunny that actually looks like an elephant. They will love anything you draw or make. And as you draw or make, you will find that you get “better” and enjoy the process more too.
Always praise & see the positive (in both your work and theirs – the bunny/elephant may become the next storytelling centrepiece!).
Display their artwork. Talk to them about it. Show it to people. They will be so chuffed.
Do think about taking them to galleries or buying them simple artwork.
I decided to paint both my children some “pop art inspired” paintings (my son, has three teddies and my daughter three penguins – I was surprised by how much they love them and they made them smile. There is a strict “do touch and enjoy” policy in our house!) I got so much positive feedback about these from friends, that decided to sell them. If you are interested to take a look here for some examples.
Read them books. All books will stimulate the imagination and there are many books that specifically focus on art. For little ones it will be about colours and shapes, for older ones it will be about artist and genres.
“Product Testing: Yep, this monkey can go to its new home”
Don’t be afraid. Just have a go. And remember to have fun!
And if you are stuck, do drop me an email, I would love to help!
Today, I attended my first volunteering session for the Surrey Education Business Partnership. Acting as facilitator was really good fun. There were people there from many professional backgrounds bringing their expertise to the pot: an ideal opportunity to network too.
Working with kids from a school in Guildford , we were split into groups and had to design our town of the future. We ran several brainstorming sessions, each group being asked to design something unique. Using multi-media, the kids gave a presentation at the end showing models they’d made out of a range of materials. Because of my photographic background, it was logical that I use those skills and oversee the production of a short video bringing their skills together.
Surrey Education Business Partnership, partly funded by the Surrey Learning Skills Council, organises various programmes to help businesses and schools to work together for the benefit of both. Schools can bring the curriculum to life and businesses can help to ensure that students are well prepared for the world of work and foster an interest in business. I certainly found out how hard teachers work and trying to control that unruly mob of youngsters, gagging to break for the Summer, was a challenge to say the least!
Involved in more than 30 schools in Surrey, SEBP are looking for volunteer mentors to meet a student regularly, providing encouragement and support in their final years of secondary education. This has proven very successful over the last five years in helping students reach their full educational potential.
After attending the fun and frolics of Walton Business Group’s Bridge Street Fayre, I was called to photograph the winner of the event’s prize draw, so on Tuesday just gone, there we were, in front of the Naked Grocer making fools of ourselves!!!
At first, very shy, the winner of the draw, local Walton resident Daphne Rumming 68, commented: ‘I’m elated and can’t wait to tell all my friends’. She soon relaxed into the photo-session saying: “This is a first. I never win anything…” Well, no more.
Chris, proprietor of the Naked Grocer brandished a teddy and Pink Ice’s June Kiddell sported the classy leather handbag donated as part of the prize which included food and wine from Ruby’s, The George and The Naked Grocer, beautiful homeware from Elegance and Dressing for Dinner, fashion accessories from Pink Ice II, 4 Dance and Harpers Jewellers, all gift-wrapped in a faux leather storage box from Wilkinson.
Sarah-Jane Shellard, director of the WBG, said: ‘The event had a wonderful atmosphere with lots going on captured by WBG member Trish Gant, photographer. This was a new version of our Bridge Street market which worked very well to showcase the superb businesses in this part of Walton’.
For further information please go to www.waltonbusinessgroup.co.uk
Funny how things happen: a chain of events lead to an interesting meet.
I was just dipping my toes into Twitter, having attended several networking events where I was told: “you must do it.” Being a visual person, I stumbled across Motivating Mum’s charming logo first: a cartoon mum with her arms full, juggling many lives. Wanting to invite guest participants to my blog, I thought Motivating Mum would be a great one to rouse the spirits, so I went ahead. I hadn’t twigged that you couldn’t sent a DM without them following me, so frustrated, I turned to email. Alli’s response to my offer was almost immediate. I wanted to build up my portfolio of head-shots too, so I offered to come over and interview her and shoot the portrait at the same time. So we made a date.
Pootling over to Wimbledon, I knew Alli would be a good person for my folio. She had seemed so open, friendly and relaxed. I wasn’t wrong there. Arriving at her flat I was greeted by Alli herself and her lovely supportive partner who was putting their new baby down. We didn’t have much time. Alli was worried baby would wake up for a feed and instantly scream the place down, so we headed off outside to do the shoot as quickly as possible. Photo-shoots are a great leveller. People get nervous and fidget, but there was none of that nonsense with Alli. She was on the button and apart from a little direction on body shape, instinctively seemed to know what to do, so it was easy to chat and find out how she started her business.
Australian by extraction, Alli has been been a marketing manager in the hotel trade, a production manager for film companies, a waitress and bartender. She met her lovely partner working in a pub. Alli knows the meaning of hard work and has met many contacts during this time. I asked Alli how she came to set up Motivating Mum :“Initially only a coaching business for mums, I quickly realised how isolating it was to work from home whilst looking after my daughter.” She started by developing Businessmums’ Networking Lunches on a hunch that there must be other mums like her out there – and there were – 40 or so of them!
Many Mums Under One Hat:
Mentoring Mum is born of having very little money to pay for business advice and understanding that businessmums out there have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, Event Management Mum is because Alli understands that sometimes we want to celebrate our business and Diary Management Mum is because she knows how difficult it is to juggle many jobs at once.
So, if you’re a new mum, maybe previously a freelancer or seasonal contract worker, looking at having to give up some work because you just can’t make tight deadlines, why not give Alli a call? She can help you hang on to jobs you’d otherwise have to give up by introducing you to other mums who could help you with your work flow.
Why not sign up for Alli’s newsletter here: http://www.motivatingmum.co.uk
This Saturday saw the usual hubbub of the French Farmer’s Market in Bridge Street with one important addition: the Walton Business Group’s Summer Fayre. I was there all day watching the displays. The day kicked off with music from a live guitarist Camillo Vergara, followed by demonstrations and fashion shows in front of the George Inn.
It was very hot, so footfall was a bit slow to start with but soon a steady flow of passers-by stopped, interested.
Set up in 2005, Walton Business Group (http://www.waltonbusinessgroup.co.uk) “Taking action for Walton Businesses”, run seminars, talks and networking groups for members. They also represent 140 local businesses in council matters, giving them a voice. Their website is a good place to find local services too. Contributors to the Fayre included: Dressing for Dinner, 4 Dance, Pink Ice Fashion, Escape Hair and Beauty, Elegance Walton and Wilkinsons kindly donated the gazebos to protect everyone from the sun.
Huda Farran and Daughter from Elegance Walton
AFC Westend Youth’s John Borrows gave a lively practical session, going through football exercises with youngsters. They will be offering free training for U7 and U8 players from this September.
Just around the corner at Curtis Ward, the artist’s shop, Sculptress Corinne Manches exhibited her beautiful bronzes along with her artist colleague Hugh Barden, which blew me away. They’re both showing for the next fortnight.
Charlotte Beattie, beautician and multi-talented singer gave a step-by-step make-up session and later up-lifting renditions of classic soul numbers whilst the various fashion shows were going on. Whilst Theatre Kids gave a rousing interpretations of songs from Les Mis.
4Dance employed a gaggle of enchanting lovely little ballerinas to model their beautiful range of tutus and sports outfits, followed by the most glamorous ladies sporting Pink Ice’s range of evening and day wear. Finally Dressing For Dinner gave an informative display on how to dress up your dinner table on a shoe-string, using recycled household objects.
There was something for everyone, here at Bridge Street and I’m sure it will become a regular feature bringing the local community together.
For football training contact Westend Youth at helad@hotmail.co.uk for further information.
As the end of June approaches and with it my Little Gems free photography offer, I thought I’d review just some of the commissions I’ve undertaken to get myself known in Walton on Thames and the surrounding areas. I need to pat myself on the back. As far as I’m concerned it’s been highly successful given that I only started to advertise in Walton in December. When I think of those lovely students from Kingston University, standing out in the cold giving out leaflets before Christmas….the mind boggles!
It was a shaky start back in February when the first call came in. Could I photograph her baby but could she come to my place?…I had set up a comfortable studio from which to work, large enough to do small portrait shots, so I agreed. I was nervous. What would she think? I busied myself tarting the place up, putting German biscuits and chocolates out from Aldi as a welcome…and waited and waited. Nada. Niente. Not even a phone call. Not a dicky bird Well, you live and learn. I launched myself at the biscuits and polished them off in disgust.
Next I set about changing all my marketing materials to include the words refundable deposit. That took hours: I’d signed up on-line to so many places, you see. In the process, I’d met this marvellous web designer on-line, John Graham, based in Leeds. The day the Little Gems site went up, I got emails through enquiring and then….a real booking…. I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I said I was ecstatic. It wasn’t a mother and baby shoot, it was the Roseneath Dentist Surgery in Richmond, responding to my commercial site www.trishgant.com. They needed shots for their website. By putting up the Little Gems site, the other site had become more prominent. It was a fabulous shoot involving mocked up scenarios, rather gruesome and realistic.
Next, Herbfresh in Hersham….pack shots for Morrisons. But I’m not going to put them up for you as they’ll just bore you silly: standard industry stuff for quality control, that sort of thing.
And then …..
First baby shoot near Teddington. Sam wanted shots of her newborn daughter Sally. I went first to discuss what the process was, to make sure I could do something creative in the confines of her house (not all homes are large enough . I should explain) so we set a date. I was lucky. For the first part of the morning the sun streamed into the sitting room. Sally was almost continually asleep and obviously couldn’t yet hold up her little head, so this limited what we could do. I don’t like pushing people in these situations. It’s all about giving time and having patience. We got some lovely shots out of the session. I especially like the baby feet and there’s a lovely shot of Sally stretching her hand out as if to say “hi” to the world.
Then another shoot came in, more of the same but at my place….a lady with her mum in from New Zealand and her daughter aged 5. I was on a roll. I’ve tried to make my place homely and child friendly , and I think it works.
Grumpy Bumps
Quiet: The ups and downs of self-employment. Paranoia set in. The Little Gems website has on-line print buying facility….but no orders……Perhaps they didn’t like the photos? How could that be possible? As a creative person, it’s easy to think that you’re not good enough, that somehow you’ve failed. But really it was only that they went on holiday and hadn’t got around to it.
Suddenly, at a Ladies11 meeting, my Blackberry twitched. At last! Something to get my teeth into. I’m glad to say print sales have been gradual and both families have ordered.
Since then? I’ve had a large commission lasting over several weekends of a local family of seven. It’s been largely weather dependent and as usual slow to bear fruit but the mere fact they keep having me back must mean they like my stuff….I feel vindicated and very happy.
Hurry! If you make a booking before the end of June, the Little Gems free photography offer still stands.
I'm an image maker whose work has been commissioned by publishing houses, magazines and graphic design companies, I moved to Walton-on-Thames in October 2009.
I identified a need for affordable family photography with a difference, concentrating particularly on kids and babies.
I'm happy to work at your home or location of choice, please call to discuss your options.
