Now selling digital images on Etsy – one image up now more to come!

I’ve been looking into selling my landscape and art prints !

Today I made that leap using Etsy I’ve been signed up for a while now but never really taken that leap until tonight!

The thing with taking so many images and only really stock piling them on a hard drive it’s not making any money !

What this lockdown has shown me it’s time to take chances and try to see what you can do from being online! There are so many business making products and money online and doing well at it!

There is a big wide world out there and the web world has a opening for everyone! To take a chance and go do something !

So tonight I added my first digital print to my store

More images will be added to the page over the next couple of days .. images of all kinds of things that may just make for that perfect christmas gift !

If you do get a chance and you any to pop over there is now one of the shipwrecked images up for a great price! That’s worth it to anyone ! Once again pop along to the link at the top or even the one below !

Also let me know if you buy something from my Etsy by commenting below ! Between now and Christmas anyone who ordered a product of this link will be entered into a prize draw for a second image completely free!

BTW THE IMAGES ON SALE ARE DIGITAL IMAGES CURRENTLY, BUT MORE PRODUCTS INCLUDING PRINTS WILL BE ADDED SOON!

Fighting fit during lockdown! Keeping business going as usual

Let me start by saying I know why we are doing this (to save lives) and to help each other to keep going in the future! We need to look after each other!

Lockdown definitely is taking the life out of business

Everyone in the uk and across the would are finding it very hard to keep going

It’s a fight we live every day but so much more when in a lockdown situation. Government officials say that photographers are a non essential business! But documenting life and the situation we are all in I feel we are essential

There isn’t any reason that we can’t keep going we can shoot from a distance more than that of a school teacher or a shop worker!

We are creating works and we can do that on location out in the streets and out in the middle of nowhere and we can still keep everything safe yet still keep our family provided for! And also still put money into the big government fun pot!

It’s seems that yet again it’s going to be a few works of keeping the website up and working on the jobs that are needed in the background! Things like web design, learning new editing techniques, learning how to create BTS videos with the new products we have just had delivered!

You may not know it but being a photographer it’s not just about doing taking pictures ! There is a long list of things that need doing, to keep business going !

  1. Admin
  2. Editing
  3. Learning the latest technologies
  4. Advertising
  5. Keeping up with social media
  6. Replying to everyone and keeping visible to potential clients
  7. Meeting with clients
  8. Sending out products and prints
  9. Creating photo books
  10. Sending out images for publications
  11. And that’s just to start!

One of the latest posts up on Instagram, this one is a fun shot we did for model Stephanie

Check out Stephanie and jack on my page along with many others

This ones an edit of jacks shoot! We love working with new models and helping the get their first take of what it takes to be a model

Adobe colour grade on jacks portrait includes my opinion haha

The difference that the new colour grade tool is making on images is outstanding

It’s possible that Adobe have created something will set it apart from other leading editing suits

I’ve used a number of editing tools over the years and I’ve kind of got bored with the same old ideas that everything needs to be photoshopped!

It’s such a misconception! I’ve been doing that get it right in camera and just do the basic of edit in lightroom

Now I’m a Sony shooter and to make life simple I use the send to phone Sony standard app that sends it in Raw and can be finished while out on location!

This works for so many reasons if you’re with a client and you want them to see the way the finished work is but don’t want to take a laptop /charger / leads and everything else including the kitchen sink ! Lightroom cc mobile it’s perfect and the great part is that as soon as you edit in the app it’s loading to the laptop in the studio!

Talk about the perfect mix ! Lightroom and Sony should join forces and do a deal that puts sony and Adobe users together at a great price!

Below are a couple of edits of jack

Saved out after colour grading and then returned to edit to black and white but to still have the graded mono look!
Colour graded image this to me has something a little different ! Have to say I really like the portrait of jack!

Find the images of jack on our social media pages ! Feel free to head over and show it some love! While you’re there hit the follow button I post every day! And I’m interactive with my followers ! Jacks post on Instagram

Trying out the new grading tool in Adobe Lightroom

Is anyone else loving the new colour grading tool in Adobe Lightroom mobile?

Or is it just me?

This latest update is pretty great ! In my opinion being able to adjust the four main tones of an image really can help set off an image.

This is the image before adding in colour grading
This is the image after colour grading just a little pop

Adding in colours to the Global, highlights, midtones & shadows really makes the image pop ! I found it even helps when changing an image to black and white after sending the image to photo shop

This is the black and white version posted up on Adrian day photography Instagram Post pop over and take a look I really love the way it looks in black and white nearly as much as the colour !

What do you all think about the new tool ? Have you tried it yet?!

Business is first and foremost about making others happy

We get into business to pay the bills and to create something for our future!

This is true to a stage! What we don’t think about is that what we do ultimately makes others happy!

It’s something I’ve just found out. The bigger picture is that for 99% of businesses is that it’s ultimately making our customers or consumers happy.

Think about it like this, a baker makes cakes and you buy them to make your belly happy and that makes you feel good as the consumer but the baker is happy too because he is doing what he loves

Builder build a house with out thinking that what they’re doing is potentially making a house that will become a home for a family to grow and live happy ever after!

It’s the same being a photographer, though we capture images and we love what we do.. we are doing it to make others happy capturing your big day or taking that portrait of your grandmother who you love and want to always remember. It’s about making you happy!

It’s great that we can do what we love, while making a living yet at the same time making someone else happy!

I love that feeling of making others around me happy so remember everyone’s out to make you happy! Even when you don’t know it and take it for granted

I truly hope that what I do makes those who see it very happy and that it puts a smile on someone’s face! Here are a few images that I really hope makes you smile.

Model vineta – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Vineta – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Vineta – Photographer Adrian Day

My go to portrait set up .. 85mm Sony 1.8 lens on a Sony a7 body.

I used to be a Nikon guy ! Until I first put my hand on a Sony camera in a local camera shop!

It’s amazing that as photographers be that as a hobby or a business. Gear is a big debate! What brand do you use? what body? and so on ! It’s the war between Nikon, canon or sony amongst a few others that seem to be the go to brands .

Now when I say I was a Nikon shooter I loved my camera it was the be all ! And nothing was going to change that! Well nothing soon changed to a maybe because the look of the Sony camera really captured my eye, I see images and others shooting with it and then I was in a local camera shop and was talking about Sony bodies that’s when it happened I got my hands on the first Sony Alpha 7.

That was that I was hooked! It wasn’t long before I had to buy it ! Though the Sony bodies or lenses are not cheap I soon found that the quality matched the price! We all have that idea of what we would pay for a product and this certainly was a little more than I was anticipating but after buying a few lenses I could see that the build quality and the image quality balanced the price and quality scales.

One lens that I got was an 85mm 1.8 now this lens Uk price was just under £600 the build quality is fantastic and I couldn’t wait to try it ! I’ve used other 85mm lenses on other bodies like the canon and Nikon and not been taken by the images.

This time I was keeping everything crossed I got a model and a location sorted out and Waited for the delivery!

Upon opening the box I was pretty happy with the lens it had a good weight behind it. Smooth focus ring. As always I can’t wait long to use new gear and was soon out with a beautiful model and location. The lens focuses pretty fast and mixed with the 24mp full frame body the images look great on the back of the camera!

I know sometimes looking at the back of a camera don’t always show the best of an image! So couldn’t wait to see what the images looked like on the laptop. Flicking through the images and zooming in to the eyes this set up was perfect the image had a crisp edge to the shots 80% looked in focus and the fall off of the images at 1.8 was stunning ! For the shots I took at this first shoot with this lens I shot a lot at f6.3 I’m sure you will agree these images below definitely look great!

I’ve used this on over 30 shoots since I got this lens and body and I’m never disappointed! It’s a great bit of kit and I would honestly recommend anyone thinking about changing to Sony to go to a shop and try this combination out! I’m pretty sure that you will soon agree with me that they are a great combination!

Before I finish if you shoot sony what lens is your go to ? I would love to hear!

Until next time remember – one life,one shot, capture it!

Model Amber – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Amber – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Amber – Photographer Adrian Day

New Instagram growing slower due to new algorithms

New Instagram up and running!

It’s only just starting to get seen, it’s definitely taking it’s time picking up! I guess it’s not the best time in the world starting a new page, what with the new algorithm that’s just been rolled out by Instagram!

It’s looking like images are getting fewer likes and views than when I first started my other page! If it’s wasn’t hard enough in the first place with all the millions of people posting. Now there is a wall we have to climb just to be able to wave at people let alone get seen through the fog of hashtags and selfies

We all need to work harder to get our accounts out there and I see few people these days following others they all seem to be looking for others to follow them. But not always prepared to follow for follow. Or like for like.

One thing I pride myself on is the fact that I’ve always followed my following back and I always try to like for like.

If you’re feeling kind and you’re obviously reading this post! Pop over to my new page and give it a follow and some love then watch for the likes and follow in return! My word means more to me than anyone would know. I always keep to it it’s not only in business but in every day life.

Below are a few images from what I’ve posted so far on my new page. Click on the images to be taken to the actual Instagram post to like

Model Vineta – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Alana – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Alana – Photographer Adrian Day

Instagram back up account for Adrian Day Photography

A little over a week ago I was going to try running an advert on our main page.

For some reason the Instagram advertising has been locked and there seems to be no backing down by Instagram themselves. To unblock the page as someone else unknown to me paid for a promotion and didn’t pay the bill. I’ve never used paid promotions until this week.

This has meant that I’ve had to start a new back up account for our advertising, this isn’t all good news

Having tried out a two day advertisement and being quoted 1400 views, it seems posting on a new page that has very low following, mean that we don’t hit anywhere near that many accounts much more like 140 ..

If you have Instagram and would like to see more of what I’m working on please feel free to click >> Adrian Day Photography and follow it would be much appreciated. This account is going to be more about the black and white images I post.

I hope that you will agree that the images I post are worthy of you liking !

Below are a few images that I’ve posted up on the new page you can also click the images to head over to Instagram and be able to see more of the work I have created. And maybe even hit the like button on the image 😉

I really hope that you will like what you see and like this post too!

Before I go! If you follow my page or my blog I will do the same in return! If you comment I will do the same in return. It’s only polite to be kind and help each other grow! Have a great week!

Model Vineta – photographer Adrian Day
Model Jack – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Jade – Photographer Adrian Day

New times make for new ways to run a Photography business

‘Lockdown’ we have all be hit in some way shape or form, by this hard hitting restriction.

Businesses, life in general has had to change! And we have been left with no other choice, but to change with the times.

Since this all started and the world was hit with lockdown, the photography industry has really taken a hit. Not being able to get your subject infront of the camera

Weather it’s a simple portrait or a wedding we can’t be in close proximity, though we have found ways to still do some forms of photography. The way it’s been done has be much more virtual than we would like.

I’ve personally found it so hard not being able to get clients in front of me. It’s hot my business very hard and not just that hit my creative side too!

I have been pretty lucky that I’ve had enough back stock of images to keep me socially active (social media busy)

Just as we have started to get back to business it’s looking like there will be further restrictions to business! And this will most definitely include photographers.

As photographers we we have to change with the times. Every day can be different and that’s with out the world being on lockdown. Times are hard for everyone. And we are all facing life changing actions.

In my next post I will be posting 5 tips to keeping a little business flowing in while we are unable to shoot! And to help keep our creative side going .

Please join me on my covid-19 lockdown journey ! By following my social media pages and this blog ! There will be a vlog coming soon too! Let’s all help each other in these dark business times!

I’ve added a few of the latest images to grace the social pages and the editing room below!

I really hope that I see a little of my following commenting and liking what I post! I always try to do the same in return.

Also listed here are the links to Instagram 1 Instagram 2 and Facebook pages.

I wish you all the very best of health and hope that you manage to keep going if you’re running a business. As I say images below! Show them some love! By clicking on the images to see the social posts.

Model jack Howe – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Vineta L – Photographer Adrian Day
Model Amber Reed – Photographer Adrian Day

A few new Black and white images from shoots Adrian Day Photography

Love these images… it’s amazing what a desaturated image can look like. and really change the whole look of an image.

You may think you have the image you want in colour but until you have at least tried to see what a monochrome version of your looks like don’t take it for granted it can show all the imperfections or even make that image pop !

Model: Hazel
Photographer: Adrian Day
Model: Jade
Photographer: Adrian Day
Model: Amber
Photographer: Adrian Day

Is Instagram dead? – has it lost the plot and put its self in quarantine!

I’ve been using Instagram for years… pretty much from day one…

It’s was great watching all the people posting amazing images and showing of what they was doing in a way that no other site had been doing.

Images got likes and each person had its real following in its own style, niche..

Everyone had a voice, everyone could be just who they wanted to be. okay there was a few restrictions and Instagram kept an eye on the naughty side.

As the years have gone on it’s become restrictive in ways that we don’t realise. We only don’t realise this because Instagram has taken it up-on it’s self to use it’s algorithm to put pay to getting seen in any way shape or form unless instagram feels you deserve it. or that you tick ever box it want you to.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been looking into where and what’s best to get yourself and images seen and noticed. Paid or free.

It’s looking like social media is now making it more like antisocial media! It’s killing its self off by doing all it can to so called be the best! Why if a site calls its self social would you stop people for doing exactly that.

I’ve tried everything to get a following used a number of different pages even posted images that have on other sites got tens of thousands of views and like yet on social media got just under 100 views and maybe 30 likes.

This to me isn’t worth my investment at all. I’ve paid for and done free posts and got nothing in return.

To me it’s seems that a number of people are coming away from the platforms and putting the money into their own websites and posting the work right to the bourses mouth! And getting so much more ! For way less.

A few weeks back I posted to Pinterest! From my website now my website is a free WordPress and my Pinterest is free.

In one seven day period I had over 60k of views and a large number of saves and like. And my views and comments to my website went from 10 to 100 per day!

It’s honestly a no brainier when you’re getting something for free and the numbers are showing for them self what’s happening . It’s only time before everyone goes it alone and walks away from so called social media !

This is just my opinion but try it your self and if you don’t see a difference let me know.

I’m sure in a day of media being a sales point that we need to find our best format or medium to get ourselves out there! It’s only smart business that we look out for ourself and our really followers and clients

Question is do you think it’s dead? What have you found that works for you? I’m always open to suggestions !

Black and white photography covid lockdown edits with jack

Here are a few images from the back stock of a shoot with Male model Jack

Do like shooting males and editing the images in black and white it gives a depth to the images unseen by colour images!

If you like what you see please show these images a little love!

Model: Jack
Photographer: Adrian Day
Model: Jack
Photographer: Adrian
Model: Jack
Photographer: Adrian