Archive for February, 2010

2 Years and Counting

Well believe it or not but it’s been 2 years today since my first blog post and it’s hard to believe how much has changed in just one year, never mind 2! This time last year I said that I’d be blogging more about me, so you can all get to know the real Clive Blair, but since then Facebook entered the scene and that where I now post all my personal ramblings.  So my apologies to anyone who has been looking here to discover what makes me tick. Feel free to head over to Facebook and send me a “friend request” at: www.facebook.com/cliveblair, and while you’re there, why not become a fan of my business page at www.facebook.com/cliveblairphotography?

So what are my plans for the next year? I’ve got my eye on a few projects, one in particular that I’d like to use as a spring board to add a new photographic style to my work. Of course I’ll not say anything more as firstly, it’ll take a while to perfect and secondly, because walls have ears and the world needn’t know till the time is ready. ;-)  So if you want to know what it is then keep checking back here or head over to Facebook.

Anyway, a big thank you to all who take the time to read my blog and look at my images. I look forward to posting some further great images over the next 12 months.

Like last year, as a thank-you gift for your loyalty, here are a few quick quips: (try saying that quickly with a mouth full!!)

1) A dog is truly a man’s best friend. If you don’t believe it, just try this experiment. Put your dog and your wife in the boot of the car for an hour. When you open the boot, who is really happy to see you?

2) A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!” The husband said, “What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?” ”Doesn’t matter,” she said. “Just get out.

3) And finally…I wish to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, not panicking like his passengers.

“West Midlands Your Wedding” Bridal Magazine

Just had some great news: One of my images will be used for the front cover of the April issue of “West Midlands Your Wedding” bridal magazine. So look out for it in the shops soon. Once its published also I’ll post a link here for you to see it in all its glory!

Stephanie and Edward’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

I can’t forget meeting and booking Stephanie and Edward. We first met early in the day the National Wedding Show NEC last October, and twice they came back during the day to discuss a few more questions on their minds. Now, I’m a very laid back sort of person so I didn’t want to appear too pushy by asking “So, would you like to book?” as I wanted them to feel comfortable with my answers. Then they came back again, right at the very end of the show!! Well now I though ‘let me ask the obvious question that I perhaps should have asked earlier’: “So, would you like to book?” “Yes” was Edward’s straight reply. As we were filling in the booking form I remember the announcer saying “The Wedding Show is now closed please make your way to the exits. Thank you for visiting today”

So the time has come for their pre-wedding shoot, and since they’re getting married in April at Patshull Hall, it made sense to meet there for their shoot. Due to circumstance we literally only had 5 mins for the photo session but never the less a great time was had.

April will soon be here. Take care both till then!!

Jenna and Graham’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

Jenna and Graham are getting married in April down in Kent so we got together in Malvern, where they live for their pre-wedding shoot. We had fun battling the weather with the fog up the Malvern Hills, and just before I had to leave we found a lovely garden area where we managed to shoot for about 5 mins to get a few personal images.

See you both in April down in Kent. We’ll have a great time!!

Danielle and Marco’s Pre-Wedding Shoot

Danielle and Marco are getting married next month at the Hotel du Vin in Birmingham so we’d arranged for their pre-wedding shoot in the grounds of an old hunting lodge, in Droitwich, where her sister lives.

We had a great time just walking around the lodge, taking a few photos then walking and chatting about their wedding plans, so much so that the time flew by.

Here’s a slideshow of a few of my favourite images:

Danielle and Marco, I look forward to photographing your wedding next month, which I know will be a great time too.

New Studio Management Software

2010 brings in a new year and new plans for Clive Blair Photographer, amongst them is to be better streamlined and organised behind the scenes. So after testing out the competition, I’ve chosen some new studio management software specifically designed for photographers called Light Blue: Photo.

Using it will mean I can provide a better customer service, as it’ll keep all of my information in one place, and mean I can finally do away with paper diaries, spreadsheets and pieces of paper floating around on the desk!

Dilemma: 2 enquieries for same date! (Part 2)

So following on from the “2 Enquries Dilemma” mentioned here, under what circumstances would I hold date?

Imagine Bride A rang and said “I’d like to book you” There are 2 options available. 1) Secure the date over the phone by paying the Retainer Fee with a card, then I can send the Booking Form to be returned or 2) I can send a Booking Form to be returned with the Retainer Fee cheque.

In the above senarios  I would hold the date (for a reasonable amount of time e.g. 7 days) while waiting for the details to be returned. Under those circumastance I’d consider myself now booked for the date, so if Bride B enquired about the same day then I’d not be available as I’ve got a firm provisonal booking, but would still let Bride B know that should things change and Bride A changes her mind, I’d be able to let her know within a week or so, at the latest.




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