events photography Archives - Tony Pick Photography

Why I love my job…

I took the below screengrab from my website. Now, whilst this may seem like self-promotion stick with me on this (because it isn’t – much).

Being a photographer gives you an element of your career anyone would want – variety. In one week I can be on a shoot with a couple blissfully celebrating their wedding, creating a video for an airline and capturing that ideal corporate head shot to keep you head and shoulders above the rest of your firm.

What I’m trying to express is that one of the reasons I love my job so much is because I get to do so much within one role. I’m able to get out and explore the countryside which I live in whilst at the same time earning an income – sounds pretty great to me.

And, with variety comes networking. Throughout my job I couldn’t guess the amount of people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, or list the friends I’ve made along the way. The social aspect of my job is what’s helped me keep going for so long – to be motivated about what you do is a huge help in ensuring you’ve got a long term career.

Well – long may it last. I love my job and can’t think of a better way to spend my time when I’m ‘working’!

Flying high with video…

Just lately, our corporate video offering has been gaining momentum and it feels like we’ve been soaring to new heights with the work we’ve been doing (apologies for the pun – I just can’t help myself).

A couple of weeks ago now I ventured to Gatwick Airport to help Norwegian Airlines with the launch of their Inaugural flight to Austin in Texas. The day was full of laughs and smiles from captain to cabin crew, and I have to say the commission is one of my favourite corporate shoots I’ve done.

Not only were all of the staff cooperative and extremely friendly, but the exposure the shoot gave me was a real eye opener. Being able to explore most of the plane on my trip, I realised how fascinating being a pilot must be (although it does look very complicated).

If you haven’t seen the video yet (I’ve been sharing it so hopefully you have) then please do so using the link below, and for some similar stills please also refer to our corporate portfolio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO8l7I_cPdk&feature=youtu.be

Working with Norwegian Airlines on this video commission got me out of the Suffolk countryside and into the buzz of an airport which was an exciting change, and I also got to do what I love – capture people’s joy and excitement through photography. The passengers boarding the plane were all happy to pose for the camera as they boarded the aircraft, and it made me smile to see a group of people united by their cheerfulness.

I love being able to create a more personal approach to any corporate work I do to really show off that company’s personality and I feel that’s exactly what I did here with Norwegian – they’re a light hearted and friendly airline that created a warm atmosphere for everyone involved – a great project to be a part of!

Springing into the new season…

With the warmer weather on the horizon and the sight of spring creeping into view, I thought it was time to update my blog with what I’ve been up to before the summer season fully takes off.

It’s been a busy few weeks with a huge amount of variety for me, from filming the ‘Big Beach Clean’ at Thorpeness, working with Gatwick Airport during their ‘Hidden Disability Access Day’ to commissioning work for ‘Best of Suffolk’ and shooting a wedding! (phew)

Here in Suffolk, the community spirit is one of the strongest I’ve witnessed and so to be able to document this during the Thorpeness beach clean (when the people of the village came together to help save our planet from pollution) was very rewarding. If you haven’t watched the video on my Instagram page yet, you should definitely give it a view – heart-warming teamwork at its best.

The ‘Hidden Disability Access Day’ held by Gatwick Airport was another inspiring project I worked on. Being able to document the effect the event had on people who usually struggle with airports was quite moving. The team at Gatwick had evidently worked hard to make the day a success and put those with hidden disabilities first. This commission is one of my favourite corporate jobs I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of.

Sticking with the corporate side, my friends at ‘Best of Suffolk’ have also been busy during the start of this year. We had a hilarious morning filming the team in their (very) impressive office space, and managed to also get out into the beautiful Suffolk countryside to film this! The company work hard to ensure all of their 300+ properties are truly amazing, allowing a visit to Suffolk to be the best it can be.

And, as if this wasn’t enough – I also shot a wedding at ‘The Ickworth Hotel’! It was a really special day for everyone involved, and if you’re getting married soon and looking for that perfect photographer please get in touch! A portfolio of some of my work can be found here, and if you’d like to know more about the package I offer please click here.

I think it’s fair to say the first part of 2018 has been pretty hectic – and it’s just the way I like it! I’m really looking forward to this year after the positive start I’ve had!

Flying high…

Excuse the pun, but the last few weeks I really have been.

Working with airlines is always something I’ve enjoyed, and just recently I’ve been working with Norwegian Air as well as Stansted Airport on some exciting new projects.

With my new video venture in full swing now, I was keen to offer up my services on my recent shoots and in turn was able to create the below video – take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy the flight as the film develops…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XypPX4knzEI&feature=youtu.be

It’s great to be back on the press side of corporate photography, after working as a partner in a busy photo news agency before I started out on my own in 2001.

Working and living in Suffolk can be fantastic for photography which I know I’ve mentioned before (who wouldn’t love all of the natural scenes around here?), but as I work from home in Iken it’s sometimes exciting to get out of the house and immerse myself in a corporate environment where there’s a real buzz.

Going forwards I’d love to team my videography with more corporate clients – so watch this space!

How much do you know…

… about video?

You might think you know rather a lot, or at least enough – but that’s what I thought. I always knew video was an important tool, but recently my eyes have been opened to just how much impact these clips can have for your business.

Let’s start with an example… the video below, titled ‘Riding the waves’ which I’m sure you’ll have seen on my social media channels (if not you can view it by clicking the image below!) reached an impressive 7,000 views within a week. Now, here is where I have to come clean; I did use Facebook Boost to help with these figures, but the below stats taken from a Guardian article should help reiterate my point that video can be really effective at driving more engagement for businesses online.

In 2015, Cisco predicted that by 2017 video content would account for 69% of all internet traffic
In early 2017 the firm shifted their prediction to say that video content would account for 74% of internet traffic
They project that by 2019 global internet traffic from videos will make up 80% of all internet traffic
4x as many consumers would prefer to watch a video about a product/place/service rather than read about it
More than 60% of small business owners said they planned to increase investment in video marketing in 2017
Using the word “video” in an email subject line boosts open rates by 19% and click-through rates by 65%

This means that any local business interested in creating short, impactful and engaging stories through videography would be foolish not to contact me – I can help you provide beautiful, professional and eye-catching videos that will really work for you.

Using another example, my promotional video of ‘Orford – a beautiful place’ earned 2,000 views on social media in just 48 hours.

Although I’ve just started my venture into video, I’m really excited to see where it goes, and am extremely passionate about creating videos that promote the breath-taking Suffolk countryside we live in – watch this space!

The Big Launch Shoot – Suffolk PR Photographer Ready for Take-Off!

Today it’s Jet2 holidays launch at London Stansted, my role as photographer is to capture the event for both MAG airports press office and Jet2 holidays PR department.

It’s 05:00 am at check-in for a few bleary-eyed group pics then out to the apron for boarding at sunrise and what a cracking dawn it was!

With my photo brief in hand I worked through the list of management shots, crew greeting passengers, families boarding and generic aircraft pictures before my 07:30 deadline – first two flights departing… Main focus on branding and friendly service.

No time for coffee, straight back to the terminal to download the pics, edit my selection of 80 plus pics and uploaded high and low res versions for the PR media machine to start it’s social media frenzy by 09:00!

Time for a quick coffee and Danish before wave two starts as passenger’s check-in for the lunchtime flights. A real buzz in the terminal as the Jet2 hospitality team gave away free holiday and discounts – the kids loved it. Time for more group pics and the cake cutting whilst snapping the party atmosphere.

11:00 and camera now full with wave two pics it’s time to head back and edit them before uploading another 40 or so favourites to the main set. Time for the media team to get them out to the world once again.

13:00 and my jobs done – starving but still buzzing and ready for my next commission…. Check out the Jet2 website for your next holiday at https://www.jet2.com/

Wow, loving these pics 🙂 What an exciting launch it was! Thanks, Holly – Jet2

Call me on 01728 687632 with your visual requirements – “Make your brand stand out from the crowd”.

Thanks Tony