Oxted Rotary Club Christmas Tree Campaign

Hello everyone, I hope this blog finds you safe and well.

I’m writing this on a wet and cold Thursday afternoon with warm and happy thoughts of seeing friends and family over Christmas time. However things are going to be very different for all of us this year during the pandemic.

It is with this in mind I want to bring to your attention the good work of Oxted Rotary Club, did you know that they have been responsible for the Christmas tree outside Boots on the high street for almost 50 years? No, I didn’t either and I was on the high street for 23 of those years too!

I want to give them a helping hand because they are unable to collect donations from passing shoppers this year on the high street and that’s going to impact on many families struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.

Please take a few minutes to read their ‘Christmas PLEASE Campaign’ below – it will make all the difference to so many and you can apply to benefit if your circumstances are particularly hard this year.

Thank you from Stella.

The ‘Oxted Rotary’  

Christmas PLEASE Campaign 

PLEASE Give a little . . . . PLEASE Take a little . . . 

This Christmas promises to be the most unusual ever and we are having to adapt to the way we run our Christmas appeal for funds to help those in need, so Oxted Rotary Club will be running a virtual appeal that allows the community to give a little and take a little.

To help fund this initiative, we would normally provide a large Christmas tree outside Boots and collect loose change from passing shoppers in the weeks prior to Christmas but this is no longer possible.  Instead, we are asking you to give a little by text and our giant tree is being replaced by a smaller tree close to the water feature outside Elements, maintaining our 50-year old tradition of erecting a tree in Oxted High Street at Christmas time.

So, to give a little, Make a Wish to Santa and . . . 

text PLEASE followed by your donation amount to 70085

For example, to donate £2.00, send PLEASE 2 and your text will cost the amount of your donation plus one standard rate message.  PLEASE help us to help others enjoy their Christmas.

To allow those in need to take a little, we are extending our Community Grant Scheme in order to help deserving families with children under the age of eighteen and we have teamed up with Morrisons to provide Gift Vouchers for turkeys and other seasonal goodies in the immediate run-up to Christmas.

Oxted Rotary Club is inviting applications NOW from those in need, so if you believe that you are likely to meet the eligibility criteria and you live in Oxted or immediately surrounding areas, please complete an application form and send it to us as soon as possible.  

To obtain an application form, either send an email to grants@oxtedrotary.org.uk with ‘PLEASE’ in the subject line or, if you need a hard copy, request an Oxted Rotary PLEASE application form by sending your name and address to Tandridge Voluntary Action, email info@tva.org.uk 

The value of Gift Voucher Grants will depend on the circumstances of the family applying and will be entirely at the discretion of the Oxted Rotary Club.  The vouchers will enable the recipient to purchase anything from a Morrisons store with the exception of tobacco or alcohol and applicants are required to affirm their agreement to these conditions.

A little give and take will make Christmas happier for everyone.

Picture supplied by Brian Taylor

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.

Fun Photography Christmas Gifts for Loved Ones

With less than four weeks to go until Christmas Day look no further than here for original and fun photography gifts vouchers for loved ones to enjoy in 2021.

It’s so easy, simply call us on 01883 722282 or email here to personalise your gift voucher and leave the rest to us, you’ll be very glad you did!

YOUR CHOICES:

STUDIO PHOTO-SHOOT

A one hour studio photo-shoot for beloved dogs to enjoy a fun-filled experience either on their own or with their owners. The cost includes a £100 credit towards their order, which can be increased should you wish to spend more.

£195

LOCATION PHOTO-SHOOT

A one hour fun-filled outdoor photo-shoot for all the family to enjoy in stunning settings such as the woodlands, a meadow, a vineyard or even their own garden. The cost includes a £100 credit towards their order, which can be increased should you wish to spend more.

£275

PHOTO-SHOOT WITH MEMORY BOX OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Your loved ones will enjoy a one hour fun-filled studio or outdoor photo-shoot and their favourite six images beautifully presented in a luxury memory box. Photo-shoots take place in stunning settings such as the woodlands, a meadow, a vineyard or even their own garden.

£500

A memory box of wonderfully finished photographs from a fun-filled photo-shoot.

PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS

For the enthusiastic photographer in your life to help them understand their camera better to achieve professional looking results with technical and practical tuition during a two hour class with me.

£185

A two hour photography masterclass with Stella to achieve rewarding results.

AUTOMOTIVE ART

For the automotive lover in your life, visit our sister website ‘Stella‘ for automotive photography of selected commissions to choose from a collection of limited editions, open edition prints, greetings and postcards of some of the world’s finest and most sought after classic cars, supercars and bikes.

This link to the site and this link to purchase gift cards.

Prints £45, postcards £1.50

Visit our automotive shop to choose prints and cards from the collection.

We look forward to sending you your gift vouchers ready to present to loved ones on Christmas Day!

Explore our website here.

Happy shopping.

Stella

Everything You Need Is Here In Oxted

SMS Creative Photography

Everything you need is here on your doorstep in Oxted!

You may have received one of our flyers through your letterbox pre-COVID (same as images above & below). If so and if not I’m getting in touch to remind you of our services since before lockdown and beyond!

The pandemic has shaken us all and forced us to reassess so many areas of our lives, it is with this in mind we all need professional images of some sort, read on to find out more…

From headshots for websites, brochures, LinkedIn or a job application, it’s the first impression that makes all the difference.

To a family photo-shoot in the garden to mark a celebration or just because you want to – it’s a fun experience for all ages. It really does make my heart sing when I meet and photograph families that I have known for years and new ones too. It’s wonderful to be a part of your history, with over 20 years of established relationships with many of you.

I’m also often asked if I teach how to use a camera and the answer is, yes I do. I used to teach group classes but found it works better to teach one to one so the class is tailored to your individual knowledge, camera and requirements. So I ask “Is your camera gathering dust or just kept on auto”? If so now is the time to dust it down and book a masterclass, you’ll be very glad you have taken control of your camera rather than the other way round!

Don’t forget we also photograph business and residential premises interiors & exteriors when the need arises for personal and marketing needs.

One other thing that has been constant since the start of SMS Creative Photography back in February 1997 is the need for picture framing for photographs and artworks. We offer a comprehensive service by collaborating with master craftsmen who have served us for over 20 years.

Last and by no means least our sister website stellascordellis.com is automotive based – photographing events and personal collections as well as producing bespoke coffee table style books for commercial and personal enjoyment, take a look at the site to find out more.

Please feel free to get in touch by email or ‘phone 01883 722282 if you have a project or photo-shoot in mind, and no, it isn’t too early to think about dare I say Christmas!

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.

It has been lovely to share this with you today.

Stella

‘Stella’ Lifestyle Photography

Oxted Town Re-Opens

As we emerge from lockdown to a different world to the one we left in March we can begin to enjoy freedom again.

In June I took a trip into Oxted town to take a few photographs to see how the town was looking during lockdown and to see the construction progress at the former gas holder site Courtyard Gardens from different viewpoints around the town.

The last time I was able to go onsite to take progress photographs was in February, a link to my blog from then can be found here. I think you’ll agree it is going up very fast! I don’t know when I will be given access to photograph onsite again as only essential workers are currently granted the right to do so.

Above photographs of Courtyard Gardens from various viewpoints around the town in June 2020.

On July 4th hair salons and barbers were given government permission to open their doors to start trading again following strict guidelines to avoid the spread of coronavirus. I wanted to record this moment for posterity and to see how the town was waking up after closing in March.

Above photographs of the re-opening of hair salons, barbers and other shops in Oxted town on July 4th 2020 to mark this moment in time.

Hopefully, it won’t be too long before I’m given permission to resume my site visits at Courtyards Gardens to bring you up to date photographs of the development.

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.

Thanks for reading

Stella

Introducing 'The Toucan Agency'

Back in March, I embarked on a new challenge as a public speaker onboard a luxury cruise ship. As some of you already know, this is, or rather was, way out of my comfort zone, the very thought of it filled me with fear.

However, I was determined to overcome this fear and managed to deliver 7 different 45-minute presentations about my commissions as a photographer, as well as other subjects I needed to research and learn about to match the photographs I had taken, such as the history of Malta and Barbados – ports we were due to visit.

I returned from the cruise rather earlier than expected and went straight into lockdown, which meant my photography commissions were put on hold and my restless mind was looking for other challenges – this was the turning point that encouraged me to use my time wisely.

Which brings me onto the very soon to be launched shiny new website to introduce 'The Toucan Agency' – a vibrant personal service to teach confidence and enjoyment in the ability to speak in front of an audience without feeling daunted.

In collaboration with my friend, the effervescent and highly acclaimed public speaker Helen Pointer (on the left) – who taught and guided me during the process – she really is amazing! We are now offering our experience for all to benefit from to empower you in front of an audience, no matter how large or small.

Feel free to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thetoucanagency and Twitter @AgencyToucan

I will be back very soon with more information, please feel free to post your comments, we'd love to hear from you.

Website launch 27 July www.thetoucanagency.com

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.

Many thanks

Stella

Preparing the finishing touches to the website – The Toucan Agency

Father's Day Gift Inspiration

With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to treat the special man, or men, in your life – your dad, husband, boyfriend, granddad or any father figure.

We all need some cheering up during lockdown and something fun to look forward to – so what better time to buy him a personalised gift voucher to use when he’s ready.

Prices from £150 for a photo-shoot in his garden, the local woodlands or somewhere a little more remote. Simply call us on 01883 722282 or email here to find out more.

Below are a few examples of how he can enjoy your gift…

If he is camera shy another idea that might just appeal, and launched in time for Father’s Day – our new collection of automotive prints of some of the world’s finest classic and supercars – follow this link to our sister website ‘Stella’ to find out more.

Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.

Stella

With his best friend

With his family

An experience of his choice

With his beloved horses and dog

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.