April Update, why book us?

Hi, thought id best put a few words on my blog, everytime I write one I realise its been a while. So whats new and prompted me to blog?
Well, the year is going fast, and we have upgraded the home studio. A friend John Wright plasterd it all for me, and that looks great.  Newer lights to add to the bowens collection, some new softboxes etc. I have 3 Large vinyl backdrops,. black, Grey and white Lasolite.
I also have some custom backdrops for head shots, baby photos etc so alot of choice.
Added 3 new lenses to the collection in the last few months, Only the L lens standard but ones Im comfortable with. Its all a little boring I know, but the point is we just keep investing in the business so you get a great service and great photographs.

I read a fellow photographers blog and agreed with something he wrote. In reference to some people who offer to photograph a full says wedding for £100, and obviously we start from £425. We take back-up cameras, lenses and other accessories like flashes. Always more than one of each just in case something breaks or maybe is lost. The key is still photographing the important day even if something goes wrong, add to that full Insurance.
These are questions you should ask anyone who offers to photograph your day. Especially if its really cheap. But ask anyway. The other questions you should ask are, What happens if the Church is dark? I use top range cameras and lenses that cope well in low light.
What happens if the camera dies? I carry a full back-up system, extra batteries, memory cards, flash.
Are you fully Insured.? Liability and Indemnity Insurance.
Ask to see a website, facebook page and feedback from other people.

Our Facebook competition is going well. over 5000 people enjoy the page now, theres a competition each week to win a photoshoot, and Ive just run the first wedding competition. I gave away a wedding worth £325, midweek wedding deal.
The page isn't just filled with Local Doncaster people, ive looked and we have Thailand, Australia, USA, Russia. In fact nearly every country. So for a small Doncaster photography business its being seen all over the world.
Ive recently had another magazine cover for Nabba Health and fitness, and NRG have my image and name on there posters, which are in nearly every gym in the UK. Im photographing a few shows this year again. And will be writing around 5 or 6 articles for the next magazine. This doesn't leave alot of time for much else, but I love my work.
If you want any information on anything covered in the blog just get in touch. If your a keen photographer and want some advice, get in touch.
Thanks
Lee

New canvas designs

Here is a sample of one of our new canvas designs, totally gorgeous, email for more info.
Prices from £110
Also here is a sample of our new backdrop

Welcome to 2012 Lots to do....

Yet another late blog. I'm rubbish with remembering to do it. Anyway, here i am. I last posted in December, and its already February.
2012 is flying by already. Ive taken alot of wedding bookings since January, just taken another for August and Ive 2 wedding Fayre's to do yet. I had a lovely day with Brian & Gemma on saturday at the Charnwood Hotel in Blyth. We got bad snow before the drive home which was pretty scary. But got some lovely images.

I have been purchasing new products and backdrops to offer a more vast range of shoots. Yes I can do the black, white and grey, but if you find that a little boring then we have some lovely Damask wallpaper backdrops, ideal for the toddler or baby.
Im just looking at some new studio lights and explorer battery packs to power the Bowens lights on locations where theres no power, so alot to look forward to.
These are mostly for the gym shoots I do as photo-flex(my fitness dept). Were equipped with a full battery powered setup anyway, but I want more power!

Enough of the new stuff I'm just a geek with new products.

Our facebook competition is going well. Its hard work some weeks with the settings etc, but most really enjoy it, over 4000 likes is really good and we appreciate it. It must be popular as other companies are trying it too lol.

Just made front cover of the Nabba magazine Health & Fitness again. My Mr Universe images from 2011. Bit of a proud moment as a photographer. I get to work with some great people, some have become good Friends too, Ive been going to the gym since I was 11years old, boxing at Harworth boxing club and love the gym scene. As official Nabba photographer and writer for the magazine I have a lot of fun with my job. So far Ive worked with Boxers, MMA fighters, Bodybuilders, Fitness Models and the companies that sponsor them.
Il be doing a lot more work with Gary Lister this year as he prepares for his Mr Universe return sponsored by NRG FUEL sports nutrition. http://www.nrgfuel.org/
Gary now offers contest prep from his gym in Harworth, Doncaster.  Listers Gym. http://www.photo-flex.co.uk/Listersgym/ email me for more info

If you would like any information on anything we do please do call or email.
We offer great customer service, great products always use market leading equipment and products.
Thanks for reading and see you soon
Lee

The summer merge into winter update...

Hi, its been a long time yet again since I updated. I'm really sorry, I'm not sure many read my blog. but for those that do, thanks.
Its been a busy few months breaking from summer, or what we expect to be summer into the winter. The car earlier said it was 3 degrees, and that was only 6pm. So I'm hoping we don't get snow until the work is done and all my customers have there canvas and prints.
The package deals have gone very well. Ive still got alot of orders to go in, but they will be in on time, lots of editing to do but its all exciting and fantastic.

The last few months,, well, its been a real mixture of assignments and work. Ive done a few small weddings since summer. The weather hasn't been great for these, but we've managed. I was the main photographer for the NABBA bodybuilding shows. I was at Southport photographing for the Nabba magazine that I'm proud to be a part of. And also the Yorkshire Open and Nabba Uk at batley, for these I was official photographer and il be there next year too.
This led to some fantastic fitness shoots. Ive made some great friends through the magazine and shows. My knowledge and approach resulting in stunning results.
The last few weeks have mainly been family portraits. Ive had some great fun with these, and Ive also had some interesting commercial work at the St Pauls Mercure hotel in Sheffield. Lots of variety makes the working week a challenge.

So whats going to be new in 2012 with Lee Archer Photography. Well, I'm always thinking what we can do to make the experience better for the customer. I have already purchased another set of Bowens studio lights to compliment the other Bowens lights. In the new year a new Lens is needed. Mostly a long zoom. Great for shows and weddings.
My local gallery and framer are putting together some new wedding album ideas so IL be looking to offer these to new customers, and of course I already offer the Graphistudio books. There will be some new studio props and a new backdrop ideal for portraits and portfolios.
The main thing that will remain is the customer service and fair price policy. At the moment were doing buy one get one free on prints until Christmas. In January I'm sure we will offer some great deals.
Visit our facebook page for offers, we have over 3000 likes now, which I must thank you for.

Hint and Tips this winter...

I like to offer some basic advice in my blogs(when I remember)
When taking the snow photographs this year, make sure you check your white balance, so the snow looks white. Do this in camera or in edit. I also think a tripod is a good idea as the light wont be great, even though it seems bright.

Make use of landmarks to emphasis the snow. Pictures of a snowy field look better with a random tree or broken gate.

Take spare batteries. The cold weather can make them run out faster! Not many know that.

Il add some more in my next blog, which I promise will be sooner.
Thankyou and see you soon.

Lee

Little update

I really am bad at remembering to update the blog. I keep thinking of doing it then get lost in something.
Its usually the pc deciding to turn off, which i think I've sorted. I recently upgraded to windows 7 to speed things along, really thinking i need to switch to Mac.
Ive had a busy month, and not just in the work sense, or shoots. Ive joined the societies (swpp and sislp)which I want to submit some work and become affiliate member. This requires sending work and being assessed. The work has to be creative and at a high standard. I'm hoping it is lol. I put alot of time into the edits and as Ive said before have got new tools for the job.

I'm looking to have work showcased in a new gallery opening in Bawtry, Doncaster soon. It will be near Robinsons shop, so the location is ideal. There are some awesome artists sending work so i need to really up my game to send really nice work. Plus the people running the gallery are great to work with.

The winter is on the way, but theres still time for lifestyle outdoor shoots, and there are still some lovely locations at retford, finningly, Gainsborough, doncaster, so lets do it. From £30 too.

Ive been really disappointed to have to turn down photographing some weddings. The 3 couples have had the same day booked. Id love to work for everyone, but sadly cant. 2012 is looking to be a good wedding year, and 2013 is starting with enquiries. Don't miss your day if you want me to photograph your day. 2012 prices are frozen at 2011 if booked before February. Prices will increase along side stock prices etc, but 2013 prices are still very competitive considering the service i provide. Customer service is my pride.

Please do get in touch with questions, ideas, or help with your photography.

Regards
Lee

Graphistudio is here

Hello, just a quick update to introduce my new wedding album collection from Graphistudio. These Italian made books are stunning and sought after. All my products are of the highest Value, I'm also taking on a new sample from a  UK company too to keep adding variation.

The Graphi books come with Dust cover hard back, Leather, Crystal Glance acrylic covers etc. Ive some lovely samples if you wish to see them, they also have a load of my work as examples in them.

The next image is showing the edge of the crystal glance book, the front and back are thick.

These are my actual books, the Big book is 18x14" so its massive and very very heavy.

Don't forget that even though Im a doncaster based photographer I will travel to photograph your wedding day.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch about the wonderful Books, the site will be updated soon with new package deals.
Thanks
Lee

Quick update

Hi, sorry I'm getting slow at updating my blog. Its been a busy few weeks, but I do need to keep this up.

I managed to get a Business Grant from Business Link. This has been a struggle for 7 months and due to a more helpful TSB bank I could get it under way.

This means a new piece of studio equipment, a 90cm Beauty Dish, these give great effects for portraits and model shoots, only suit certain situations, but it has a cover to soften the light too. Cant wait to try it, leaves gorgeous catch lights in the eyes. (catchlight = light reflection in the subjects eyes)

I also upgraded my camera to a massive 21mp full frame, and got one of the sharpest lenses on the market. It is always awkward to post what equipment we have as thieves to target blogs, but its not kept at home.

Ive had a great time with the families who have turned up recently, they really seemed to enjoy there shoots. The children were so well behaved too. I now take deposits for shoots and the sitting fee is £30 with 3 free 7x5 prints. You get great customer service and lovely photographs to cherish.

Wedding bookings continuing to come for next year and 2013. The prices will have to go up a little soon, as the initial price was an introduction to the products etc. So you can still book for next year at the price on site now, and when the price goes up its valid for early 2013 too. Don't forget the graphistudio books and other suppliers I sell.

Thanks and see you soon.

Lee