Well I’ve finally had time to sit down and finish the pictures from Saturday night and Sunday, I just need to post them all on Facebook and my work is done.

I loved taking the pictures, going to the gigs, meeting some of the artists and enjoying the atmosphere in the venues, but I was not so keen on having to leave so many gigs 1/2 way through so I could catch more bands and having to drive meant spending more time sober in pubs than I have since coming of age.

All the shoots were technically challenging and all for different reasons, too dark, too crowded, bands that won’t stand still and lead singers that don’t open their eyes. Given all that I’m more than happy with the results and I think the whole set of photos gives a real insight in to the feel of the festival and what it was like to be there. read more

As a business or an event organiser, how do you go about hiring a photographer from amongst the 100s that are out there, well the short answer is to call 07801 058345, but for those in a different time zone or for when I’m busy here are a few tips.

Look beyond the hype. Anyone can set up a web site, facebook page and get business cards from vista print, you have to look deeper to see the real story.

• First start at the beginning, how long have these pages, facebook, linked in and the web site been running for, it takes years to build up the skill to do any job well.

• Google the photographers name, not only will you get a good idea of who they are, but complaints have a habit of showing up in searches. If they don’t use their name, as in the web site just refers to the photographer as “the photographer”, think very carefully before you book, most photographers I known are proud of their work and want their name on it, with no named photographer you could get anyone turning up.

• Look at their photos, like the skills involved, it takes time to build up a portfolio, check the pictures to see how many different shoots were involved, what looks like 10 weddings could really be just 3, a big conference could really be just an event his boss sent him to with his day job and all those portrait sessions could just be a model night at the local camera club.

• Check out their customers, I’m happy to list some of mine on my site, I would list them all but by only listing some I don’t upset anyone by missing them off a full list. Then give a few a call, would you mind if someone called you to check out a builder you had hired in the past, I would be happy to recommend or warn them off, depending on the work done, most people would do the same.

Talk to the photographer

• Ask to see details of their insurance, not only should this cover you from faulty work, but if they cause damage to your property, the venue, your staff, customers or visitors then their public liability cover will pay out any claims. If not, you as the hirer could be responsible for any damages. My cover is £5 million, a figure insisted on by most councils before you can work on their properties, this amount reflects the size of claims they can foresee, could you afford to pay it?

• Ask to see work that reflects what you want done, it won’t be the same as your job, but it will give you an idea of what they can do and also what they understand about what you want.

• Ask for a written quote and a time scale for the whole job.

• Ask how images are stored and for how long.

• Ask about their emergency policies, extra equipment, off site back ups, sickness cover, most professional photographers know of a few contemporaries that they would trust to step in, their insurance should cover this or they will sort out any extra costs.

At the end of the day it is your responsibility to hire the right person, there are loads of people out there who would be happy to take your money and would produce good photos, most very good serious amateur photographers would do an adequate job and cost you a lot less, they may even do it for free, but people turn professional for a reason and its not the easy life and long holidays. read more

As a kid I always looked forward to the weekend, as an employee I hated having to work the weekend, now I am my own boss I find that even getting 2 days off a month a challenge. So this post is about how I spent Saturday and I will point out that although it was a bit special it is closer to the norm than you would expect.

6:30 am   A bit of a lie in, but only because some of the prep was done last night. First job to check all the kit for the shoot is ready, lenses clean, cards formatted and batteries charged, all this times two as I carry a complete back up set of kit. All this is done first as I’m 1/2 a sleep and as I’ve been doing this for so long I can really do it with my eyes closed. read more

A very full day today, starting out with a few hours working on some designs for post cards for the Lake District Calvert Trust, a truly fantastic charity that brings so much in to the lives of all who visit there.

Then I’m off to meet up with some fellow artist for an end of week drop in session, in a pub! But no drinking session for me as this afternoon as I’m off to shoot horses, for a customers web site and need to be at the top of my game. Hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend, don’t forget its the market in Leek this Sunday, I’ll be there as always. read more

I’ve been blogging for more than 4 years and in that time have posted nearly 1500 post that have been seen over 150,000 times in 174 countries. Not bad for something that was only going to last a year and I’m not done yet. It’s been a few weeks or even months since I last posted, depending on which of my blogs you read and this post is an explanation as to why and a update on what I’m planning next and is being posted on all my blogs (apologies if you follow more than one as you will get this multiple times). read more

Crafted by professional photographer Brett Trafford and wonderfully displayed in the Foxlowe, The Market Place, Leek from the 1st of May to the 31st May 2012.

The free exhibition, “Dusk till Dawn” is exploration of photography when the sun has gone down.

Been very busy over the last few weeks, which is great but has meant that I have neglected my blogging and also my work on personal photos, although when it comes to landscapes the line between work and play is a little blurred. I’ve done loads of different photo shoots over the last few weeks, from portraits to house interiors and even a secret wedding, but I’ve now got a few hours to sort out my paper work and tax, so I’m blogging!

The picture below is one of the few I have managed to work on from our trip to the Lakes in March, it is of Castlerigg Stone circle near Keswick and was taken early on crisp cold morning. read more

Well it’s been sometime since I had a moment to update this blog, March really has been mad, I’ve lots going on and even more planned and may even find time to take some photos.

Firstly, The free exhibition, “Canal Side” an attempt to capture the many faces of the canal in all weathers and seasons, is now wonderfully displayed in the Cafe Clique, Getliffe’s yard, Leek, Staffordshire until the end of April 2012.

The canal has been part of my life for over 15 years since moving to our current house over looking tunnel pool near Leek. It’s the first thing I see every morning, its proximity means that a quick walk nearly always includes a stretch of it’s banks and its ever changing face means I never tire of it. Over the years the canal has featured in many of my images but this is the first time that it has had star billing. read more

Why not get them a photographic portrait of the one they love most in the world,
their dog!

A dog portrait sitting, either at home or on walkies, is a great way of capturing their individual personalities and provides you with a lasting memory of your best friend.

Vouchers for a sitting are at a reduced price of £25 until the end of February and can be used up to the end of August. Each sitting comes with a free 5″x7″ mounted print.

Please call on 07801 058345 or email brett@bretttrafford.com read more