Presentations to Entertain You During Lockdown

In the challenging circumstances we now find ourselves in we are all becoming resourceful in our attempts to connect with each other both professionally and personally.

I am finding lockdown is forcing me to reboot my mind and learn other ways of existing — to find fulfilment outside a dormant business and isolated social life.

I hadn’t heard of Zoom BL (before lockdown) and am learning how valuable the internet is at uniting us, to give the same sense of connectedness; I was surprised to find how uplifting Zoom turned out to be. Not only am I invited to attend regular yoga classes by my yoga teacher (a link and password are all I needed to be one of her students on the screen). Zoom connected me to friends for Saturday night catch-ups from general chit chat, a quiz, to an invitation to give one of my presentations.

I was hesitant about giving a presentation online because I wasn’t sure if the delivery would be the same compared to me standing on a stage in front of a live audience. Anyway, I was prepared to give it a go and was chuffed my friends wanted to listen to ‘My Cypriot Story’ — a presentation I had previously given whilst onboard a cruise liner heading for Cyprus. Read on to find out more…

The experience turned out to be a valuable one, I really enjoyed doing it and it was very well received!

That saying ‘you don’t know if you will like something until you do it’ is so true; it is with this in mind that I would like to ask for a show of hands to see if you would like to attend a variety of 45 minute Zoom presentations?

Covering subjects such as my perspective of Formula One, photographing during the pre-race days at the British Grand Prix 2018 — to a presentation about the Getty Images Photo Library called ‘Photos that Rock the World’ and ‘The Way Photography Shaped My Life’— about how adversity and photography brought me to where I am now.

There is no charge to attend just your feedback and enjoyment is all that’s required.

The photographs you can see are from recent presentations onboard a cruise liner to give you an idea of the images featured. I’m new to public speaking and look forward to gaining new experiences in this field.

To show your interest in attending a Zoom presentation please leave comments below and I’ll keep you posted.

Stay safe and stay well!

A huge thank you to our wonderful NHS and all key workers who are keeping us safe and well-fed during lockdown.

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.

Stella

Life During Lockdown by Stella Scordellis

I do hope this finds you and your family well during these unprecedented times in week four of lockdown. I don’t know about you but I'm finding isolation is making me resourceful and grateful for so many things I took for granted, especially my freedom and health.

Having returned back to the UK from overseas mid-March, a couple of days later I went down with the virus that knocked me back for the best part of two weeks. I thought I had sinusitis and dismissed it as such, but the extreme fatigue and drastic weight loss made me think otherwise, as well as the loss of smell and taste, which still haven’t returned! I’m one of the lucky ones because I didn’t experience any coughing or breathing difficulties and have made a good recovery. Each day I am posting my recovery symptoms on the Covid-19 app - along with nearly two and a half million others - so the information can be used to gather data to understand more about how CV19 affects different people. I have heard of many others who have had the same symptoms as mine and are making a good recovery too.

Along with the majority of the UK population as per the Government regulations, I’m not able to continue with my work for now and the foreseeable future ( I miss it so much), which is teaching me how to use my time otherwise. My three adult children have virtually flown the nest, leaving my twenty-something son living with me; he continues to work full time within the IT industry from the dining room, which seems to be working fine for now. He is good company, well so far anyway!

I am working on different ways of communicating with you and will be writing a blog shortly about my public speaking presentations via Zoom to enlighten and entertain you during lockdown, I have trialled it with friends and the feedback good, I enjoyed it too!

Lockdown is teaching me new things, such as — meditation, how to enjoy the sound of the dawn chorus, how to slow down and do one thing at a time (that’s a hard one) and learning new words like furloughed. As time goes on I may learn to improve my spoken Greek, watch Netflix and so much more!

I look forward to 8pm on a Thursday evening to join the clapping of a united nation in recognition of our NHS and all the carers and frontline workers; I get to see and connect with my neighbours for a few brief emotional moments.

To pass the time of day I have been gardening, tidying drawers and cupboards and doing all the household jobs that I kept putting off before lockdown, like everyone else I expect! During my daily outdoor exercise allowance I have taken a few photographs around the neighbourhood to satisfy my curiosity and creativity of our current day lives, it felt very surreal, like I was working on a fictitious commission of some sort.

Anyway, here they are below, as time goes by and I venture out to the supermarket I’ll capture other images showing life as we now know it and will share them with you on my next ‘Life During Lockdown’ blog next month.

Thank you to all you lovely people out there who are continuing to go out to work to maintain our basic needs so we can enjoy good food and nourishment. I know this involves a whole string of people, from food producers to the check-out people on the tills; the refuse collectors, the postmen and women, the delivery drivers but most importantly the front line workers at the NHS and everyone else involved working in the hospitals and care homes up and down the country. THANK YOU!

From past experiences I have learnt that disruption and storms are processes that teach us different ways of thinking and being. By clearing the mind of beliefs and challenges that are no longer of any use to us, making way for fresh clear air, new positive appreciations and most importantly a sharper sense of who you are, your values and a determination to create the life that is right for you.

We have to learn from the lessons we are now being taught and to be thankful for the opportunity to use this time wisely for the greater good.

Children around the world and in the UK are creating pictures of rainbows and sticking them in their windows and outside their homes to signify the importance of staying positive. This one is from outside a local children’s home, isn’t it lovely!

Last but by no means least, my sympathies to those of you who have lost loved ones to this dreadful disease.

Till next time, Stay Safe and Stay Well!

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.

Stella

Stella Scordellis - My New Experience as a Public Speaker

The thought of public speaking has always been something that has terrified me. As a photographer, I feel comfortable behind my cameras and directing groups of people up to 300 or 400, this doesn’t phase me — all part of my job taking control to deliver the end results.

However put me in front of a small group of people to speak, let alone on a stage, and ask me to do a presentation for 45 minutes for any number of people fills me with fear, well let’s say it use to.

On Burn’s night 2019 this was all set to change, let me tell you how…

I took my friend Helen out on Burns night 2019 which happened to be a Friday for a Whiskey Tasting hour at the local pub, it’s her favourite tipple. I wanted to hear about the cruise she had been on over Christmas and just why she loved her work as a cruise ship speaker so much. Helen is a smiley, capable, creative and engaging lady and perfectly at home in front of an audience, she has been a speaker and entertainer onboard a number of different cruise ships for over eight years and she wanted me to experience this for myself, she knew I was exploring different adventures to further my career and to grow as a person. My runaway curiosity wanted to learn more and more. I wanted to experience this for myself and I wanted to overcome my fear of public speaking, and if anyone was going to help me I knew Helen could. The feeling of terror in this context is the fuel I needed to see this through, it sounded relatively straight forward!

Little did I know the journey would be long and extremely intense, Helen didn’t want me to be an average speaker she wanted me to rise to the challenge and impress. Part of Helen’s many skills is teaching and getting results, a hard taskmaster with the intention of getting results. Help!

As our Burns night evening progressed we ended up at a local village hall taking part in a Burns Night Supper, with tickets sold on the door for passes by such as us. With a table to ourselves and lots of ideas to play with, Helen helped me put together a few exciting titles in between mouth fulls of haggis, tatties and neeps. Titles such as ‘Behind the Lens at the British Grand Prix 2018’, about some of my commissions, and an introductory email to her agent to entice her to want to know more about me. The email was sent the next day and a reply from her agent arrived first thing on Monday morning saying, “You sound very interesting, please forward a 5-minute showreel of one of your presentations.”

Let’s fast forward to the end of April 2019 when I was preparing for my interview with Helen’s agent Sara. Sara liked what she saw in my brief showreel and wanted to see me in person to see if I had what it takes to educate, entertain and captivate an audience of discerning cruise ship passengers with high expectations.

My preparation for this 45-minute presentation took seven weeks of intense work, to assemble and practice. Little did I realise that having a selection of unique behind the scenes photographs from the 2018 British Grand Prix from when I was working with the Williams Martini team would be enough to almost push me over the edge. I thought a nice presentation of my photography and hearing about my experience would be enough to impress Helen, but no, Helen didn’t want to have ‘a nice time looking at my pictures’ she wanted to learn about the history of the Williams Team, the Grand Prix — where did it all begin, what is the story — ‘we need a beginning, a middle and an end’ she exclaimed… now, this was filling me with true fear!

With no time to waste and the interview date looming, I then had to research and learn all this new information and tie it in with my photographs in the correct order, and obtain historical images to use too! Once I had assembled this information I recruited other friends and family to listen over and over again to my presentation so I could improve and learn it off by heart in time for the interview, so it would roll off my tongue as if I had known it all along!! Ekk!

My hard work, determination, naivety and enthusiasm paid off when all three interviewers expressed their delight, they loved my presentation and signed me up there and then. They explained I would need a variety of different talks about different topics for the various cruise lines and to meet the expectations of their passengers. Speakers are usually booked in good time with at least six months to prepare. This all sounded great and very doable until…

I received an email from Sara mid-January 2020 saying the cruise I had pitched for in early December wanted me on board as a speaker. I had forgotten I even pitched for it over the busy festive period.

The cruise, from Barbados to Cyprus stopping at 10 ports over three-weeks sounded very exciting, from 5th - 25th March! However, with only six weeks notice I now had to prepare seven different talks with the destinations in mind to entertain the passenger on the sea days. I reminded myself just why I wanted to do this;

1. I get to see some beautiful parts of the world without having to arrive at numerous airports and all the hassle that goes with it.

2. I get to meet new people.

3. Public speaking has terrified me so I’ll get to ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ a mantra that has served me well in the past.

4. I love a challenge and I’m not ready to hang up my cameras and retire just yet.

With the checklist ticked I then went on to write and assemble my presentations and practice them too. A quick thank you to my friends and family who had to endure this (so grateful)!

Fast forward to the cruise itself, called Atlantic Sunsets…

My final list of talks as below with a few photographs too.

I was one of three speakers and my presentations took place at 3 pm, only on the sea days. I would spend a few hours during the mornings of my talks preparing and would also sit in as an audience member in one of the other speaker’s talks that took place at 12.15 pm to prepare me and to learn how others present, neither of the other two speakers was displaying any fear or anxiety and I learnt I shouldn’t either. I learnt to separate from the fear of speaking and presenting as it wasn’t allowing me to think and connect to the work I had prepared. I couldn’t afford to mess it up at the last hurdle.

My seventh talk on the last day took place at 12.15 pm to allow for the choir to perform in the afternoon as we were set to disembark in Southampton on 19th March due to all the closure of all seven European ports we were scheduled to visit.

When I left the UK on March 5th on a flight to Barbados little did I know (or anyone onboard for that matter) how the world I would return to was set to change so significantly.

Coronavirus had taken a grip and all European ports had closed meaning we had no option other than to return to the UK. With 12 consecutive sea days, plenty of food and entertainment, we all returned in good health and pleased to be back on terra firma. We were driven via coaches to the airports we had originally flown from and were due to return to from our final destination in Cyprus.

This is a list of the talks I gave, I’d like to thank anyone onboard who may be reading this for your good wishes and words of encouragement, it really helped to have your appreciation and feedback too.

1. ‘The Way Photography Has Shaped My Life’ - the story of how photography has played a significant role in my outlook.

2. ‘Barbados Explained’ - a visual walk into this beautiful Caribbean island.

3. ‘Getty Images - Photos that Rock the World’ - the history of the Getty Images Library, the world’s largest archive of photographs to educate and inspire you.

4. ‘My Cyprus Story’ - a photographic journey into the culture and influence of my heritage.

5. ‘The British Grand Prix 2018’ - behind the scenes on the pre-race days through my lens.

6. ‘Marvellous Malta’ - a photographic journey into this mesmerising island.

7. ‘Discover Cyprus’ - a deeper look into the history of Cyprus, it’s culture and traditions.

Do you have an event or school or college program that you would like me to speak at? I’m happy to share my experiences about my development and career so others can benefit. Please do get in touch if this is something you would like to discuss or find out more about. My email address is; stella@smscreativephotography.co.uk

I’ll be back next month with a variety of photographs taken whilst visiting the Caribbean ports of Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts and Antigua.

Thank you for reading.

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.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Sunday 22nd March 2020

During these unprecedented times when families are brought together, it’s important to remember the special people in your life, such as your mum or a mother figure, especially on Mother’s Day.

For me, photographs are the most emotional (and best received) ways of capturing a moment to reflect on. With this in mind, we are offering personalised gift vouchers for your mum to use for a family photo-shoot once we return to more social contact. Photo-shoots in your home and garden, the meadows, or the bluebell woodlands are always well received and a fun experience for all.

We are happy to either email your personalised gift voucher or hand-deliver in a beautiful presentation box within a five-mile radius of Oxted town centre.

Alternatively, you may have had a photo-shoot with us recently, or some years back and would like to share the memory by surprising your mum and sending her the digital image of it.

Whichever you choose, simply call 01883 722282 or email for more information.

Thank you and keep well.

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.

Moments to last a lifetime and more…

Cars: Accelerating the Modern World & The London Classic Car Show 2020

Two shows about the humble car and how it has evolved over the past 130 years.

On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington to see an exhibition called ‘Accelerating the Modern World’ to learn more about the evolution of the motor car that first made an appearance at the end of the 19th century and how it has influenced the economy, manufacturing, design, and, most importantly the effect it has had on our planet.

I was also invited to attend the preview launch of The London Classic Car Show on the same day at its new home Olympia London - a short trot away from the V & A and now in its sixth year.

I can highly recommend them both, even if you are not a car lover, at the V & A you’ll learn about the history of the motor car and the fuel that is needed to power it and so much more, it really is an education for all ages. The exhibition is on until Sunday 19 April 2020.

You had better hurry if you are looking to go to The London Classic Car Show as it finishes on Sunday 23 April, featuring some of the finest classic, vintage and supercars to admire or even to buy and a tribute to Bruce McLaren too.

The photographs below show you more to whet your appetite.

Preview day on Thursday 20 February 2020 at Olympia

A tribute to Bruce McLaren ‘A Life Behind the Wheel’ to mark 50 years since his passing. The London Classic Car Show will be celebrating one of motor racing’s undisputed icons.

Accelerating the Modern World:

As you enter the Sainsbury Gallery at the V & A you will be submerged into the history of the automobile. Take a couple of hours to immerse yourself in some fascinating facts, figures and footage along with an exhibition of some of the finest automobiles to date. I loved it and learnt so much about this invention that has transformed the world.

A vast display of imagery accompanies the ‘Accelerating the Modern World Exhibition’, and the fashions that accompanied the ever changing designs through the decades. I found the information about petroleum really interesting and how this shaped the clothing we now wear, including stocking from the 1940s.

Thank you for reading this blog, I hope it has inspired you to explore the world of cars further.

I’ll be back next month with more blogs about my travels overseas called ‘The Diary of a Cruise Ship Speaker’ watch this space for updates.

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 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.