The Power Of The Printed Photograph

Have you ever looked at a photograph and felt the same emotion you felt at the time it was taken, or does it stir up other emotions and a longing to turn back time?

That’s just it – time constantly moves forward and a photograph freezes time forevermore.

We all have our special moments stored safely in our memories, but as the saying goes memories fade!

This is why it is so important to mark time to reflect on for years to come and to share with future generations.

Printing a photograph is the best way to preserve a memory. There is something very powerful about holding and touching a photograph to evoke emotions by connecting your senses of sight, smell and touch.

I am very fortunate that over the past 40 plus years I have been commissioned to photograph your special and significant moments and events to mark time – from new family members, weddings, christenings, portraits, funerals (yes funerals), homes & gardens, and marketing images for businesses too.

Take a look at the Then and Now page on our website to see the before image of the young men in my featured photograph above and other photographs showing the passing of time and just how valuable the printed image is here.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your family to capture your memories.

Feel free to get in touch if you have a project or commission in mind – be great to hear from you!

Stella

Your Family Photo-shoot Awaits

Time to choose which photo-shoot suits you…

With the whole year ahead of us and the beautiful changing seasons to look forward to, now is the time to plan and book which location you would like your family photo-shoot to take place in.

If this is something you have been meaning to organise for a while but it keeps getting put to the bottom of the pile, then now is the time to make it a priority, your children or grandchildren will be grown-ups before you know it!

As I have grown older my desire to connect with the outdoors and immerse myself within Mother Nature has grown too, it’s the connectedness and the natural beauty that I love. This is when time stops still for me and I’m totally absorbed by my love of photography to connect and to capture your moments in time that can never be repeated.

As the saying goes - ‘Time waits for no man’ - but that is what photography does, it does make time stand still, frozen in a split second to reflect on.

Below is a reminder of the locations for your photo-shoot, if there are others you would like to explore just let me know, I’m always happy to discover new places!

To secure and reserve a place for your photo-shoot simply call me on 01883 722282 - so when the time comes I can confirm your date and time to fit in with the ever-changing seasons.

Click on the link under each of the photographs below to find out more, this is where you’ll find the option via a button called ‘Commission Yours’ to enquire or book your shoot if you prefer to get in touch online.

Bluebells - flowering is any time from mid- April to early May, the colours and lighting are perfect…

Meadow - Mother Nature decides when is best for her, either June or July but for two weeks only…

Woodlands - from late September to early February for colours rich in browns, reds and copper…

Home and Garden - the comfort of somewhere familiar…

Vineyard - the perfectly aligned rows of vines make this a beautiful setting anytime of year…

Urban- this is London calling, night or day, anytime you choose…

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you if this is your first photo-shoot with me, or welcoming you back for an updated shoot.

Bye for now.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

The Importance of a Professional Headshot by Stella Scordellis

I am often asked why is it so important to get the right headshot.

If you want to be taken seriously in the competitive professional world to attract suitable clients, then you have to look approachable and professional in your headshot, taken by a professional who understands the process of creating this.

I have been photographing people for over 40 years, for so many different reasons and occasions. From wedding days to the birth of a new arrival, from first days at school to graduations and so the story of life goes.

In this day and age, it’s all too easy to get a friend to take a photograph on a phone or perhaps fumble around and do it yourself, but that’s not what it’s about, it’s about capturing the professional you.

The wrong smile, tilt of the head or expression in your eyes can all give a different meaning to the one you wish to convey. My experience and relaxed approach will help you feel comfortable during your photo-shoot.

Follow this link to the headshot part of the website and this link to location headshots.

Your photo-shoot can either take place at your home, workplace or my pop-up studio at various locations in Oxted. To make a booking email me at stella@smscreativephotgraphy.co.uk or call on 01883 722282.

Thanks

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Your Family Meadow Photo-shoot Experience 2019

Now that the bluebells are past their best, and yes they were stunning this year, we move on to planning our Meadow Photo-shoots, which take place in a nearby private meadow nestled beneath an undulating backdrop of the North Downs.

I have been photographing in this meadow for the past three years, I stumbled across it during an Open Garden weekend in July 2016, it was an overwhelming abundance of buttercups and daisies and smelt heavenly!

I couldn’t resist asking permission from the lovely owners to go back to do a family photo-shoot and since then they have very kindly welcomed me back each year to share the beauty of Mother Nature with others.

Every year since then it has flowered differently, in 2017 it was mainly a variety of beautiful grasses with a few daisies during late June early July, however last year, 2018, it flowered in late May with a wonderful display of buttercups, daisies and grasses too, much earlier than expected! I just managed to gather a few photo- shoots in early June before it went to seed and had to be mowed in preparation for the following year.

It is with this in mind that we are offering the opportunity for you to gather your loved ones for a photo-shoot of your own, the examples above give you an idea of what to expect and this link tells you more.

If this is something you would love to experience then please do get in touch, photographs will be taking place up to 4th June.

As it’s a private meadow there are limited times and days available with confirmed bookings already in place.

Our contact details are 01883 722282 - or do call into the studio to confirm yours.

Thank you, looking forward to a little piece of heaven on our doorstep, let’s see what Mother Nature delivers this year..

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Your Bluebell Photoshoot Will Soon Be Here.

Spring is in the air and I can certainly feel it with temperatures set for 14c this weekend, hopefully we can start shedding our winter layers and embrace some warmth in the air.

With this in mind it won’t be too long before I start venturing out on bluebell watch to gauge when our magical woodlands will be ablaze with a carpet of bluebells. The first step is to see when the shoots start appearing as this is a good indicator for when to expect them which is usually late April early May, however I have know them to flower as early as the 4th of April.

Now is the time to reserve your place for a family bluebell photo-shoot experience so I can get in touch nearer the time with a few dates to choose from, try not to delay as they will only be in flower for a short time before they are past their best.

Do get in touch either by calling into the studio, telephoning 01883 722282 or follow this link to find out more to commission your photo-shoot.

Thank you!

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Looking Back at 2018 - Highlights

Woodland photo-shoot October 2018.

I love the start of a new year as it focusses my mind on projects and commissions for the coming year, I can reflect on the past year and make changes and improvements to the areas that would benefit most and to be able to engage with you, my lovely customers and readers.

My passion is my work and I’m always up for new challenges and adventures, especially as I celebrate 22 years with SMS Creative Photography.

There have been significant changes during my professional career in the world of photography, if someone had told me back in 1976, when I was a photography student at art college, it would one day be possible to take a photograph and to be able to view it within seconds on the back of my camera, I doubt I would have believed them, let alone to be able to share it worldwide instantly! Back then I was photographing with a roll of film with either 12, 24 or 36 exposures that took at least a week for processing and printing, how times have changed for us all.

What a wonderful thing this is and so powerful too, but we mustn’t loose sight of the importance of printing and saving our images, to share with future generations about how life was back in the day, and to seek the services of professionals to keep the art and craftsmanship of imagery alive.

Looking back at 2018 there were many of photography highlights, including studio and location portraits as well as commissions to photograph during the British Grand Prix in July and other exclusive events that showcase on my ‘Stella’ Lifestyle Photography website.

Below are few images from the past year to reflect on, the coming year is going to be an interesting one for me as I collaborate with others on exciting new projects, read on to see more…

World Champion racing driver Nigel Mansell at the London Classic Car Show in February 2018 where he was presented with the Icon Award for services to motor racing.

A lovely family amongst the bluebells in April 2018.

A photo-shoot for an adorable pug 2108.

Happy couple in a wonderful private meadow in June 2018.

Family photo-shoot in a local Kent vineyard in July 2018.

A selection of images from Masterpiece 2018 which is held over four days on the site of the Chelsea Flower Show, London, at the end of June and beginning of July.

Lance Stroll showing his golf swing during the Live Sky Broadcast on the Thursday pre-race and press day at the British Grand Prix 2018.

A selection of images from Silverstone Classic July 2018 both track side, garage side and on the podium.

Photographing at Salon Privé at the end of August 2018 held in the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace.

Birthday celebrations at Hever Castle in August 2018.

The glass and implements contents of a Sevres travel box for a magazine feature 2018.

Refurbishment and re-opening of the much-loved Bull Inn, Limpsfield in November 2018.

The South Bank - 28 February 2018 during the coldest day since records began.

Thank you for reading my highlights from 2108 - if you would like to follow my monthly newsletter round-up please subscribe at the end of this blog.

To read blogs from my sister website ‘Stella’ Lifestyle Photography please follow this link.

Last but not least, if there is an event, project or commission you have in mind please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.