Photography Service For The Self Employed

November 04, 2019 in Business Photographer, Commercial Photography

Photographic Content Creation.

A service that gives you regular photographic content for your social media.

It’s commonly known that to maintain a strong image on social media, you need to continually update your social pages with attractive visual content and strong supportive text.

A picture is worth more than a thousand words
Research proves that to get good engagement on social media, you must use good photography.
Photography offers an 87% engagement rate on social media.

Karen at KJ Interiors in Hinckley is the first to book me for this new service and it’s going really well.

The service consists of one visit each month to create bespoke visual content for the business owner to use on social media and their website.

It’s a straight forward subscription service that delivers professional photography at a price that is extremely affordable for any self employed business owner.

£150 per month.

For that, you get 10 professional photographs every month, designed to target specific audiences and for particular reasons.

You also get inclusive marketing on Hinckley Photographed.

This service is only available to the self employed and businesses with fewer than 5 employees.

Take a look at what some of my customers have said about my services…

“Paul is a highly skilled professional photographer for all types of stills or video, and we can recommend him.”
Steve Wegerif, Hinckley BID

“I worked with Paul on a recent commission and was impressed by his enthusiasm and attention to detail. He took time to understand exactly what we needed and delivered some fantastic quality photography and video for us to use in our marketing. He made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable on the shoot and has great customer service and follow-up.”
Kate Addison, Diabetes UK

I’ve discovered that small businesses need to boost their social media more than ever because they’re 100% reliant on themselves to generate their own work and social media is a solid route to your customers.

The best thing to do is get in touch and we can share ideas.

Contact Paul

New Website Photographs

June 07, 2018 in Commercial Photography, Business Photographer

Corporate Business Photography

Tailored photographs designed for your new or existing company website.

Most of my clients need my services to help them clean up their websites, to help support their brands and to promote their business to their own clients and potential new business.

The SFB Group in Nuneaton commissioned me to create corporate portraits of every member of staff from all of their UK offices in 2017 and then became a returning client in 2018 when they required new photographs for their website and for public relations in the local media. The above photograph was created so they have a strong photograph to use in their recruitment campaigns.

JJ Churchill in Market Bosworth commissioned me to provide a series of corporate headshots of their Directors, working photographs of staff in situ, on site and operating their multimillion pound machines, which are used to create precision aerospace parts as well as product photography of their machined parts.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council commissioned me to produce a series of images for public relations to help promote their tourism partnership project, starting with a new Bosworth visitors map. The image below shows MP David Treddinick giving a speech to the local tourism businesses and other council dignitaries.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, David Treddinick

Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond and Sajid Javid Home Secretary

Morris Homes and the Treasury commissioned me to provide a natural candid style of public relations photography to help them promote the new Homes England campaign to support house builders throughout the UK. These images were used in social media blogs and on their website, all in aid of supporting positive direction.

The commonality of my image making:

These are just some of the commissions that I've been working on during 2018 and the common theme between all of them is the platform in which the images will be published, as well as the fact that most of my photographs are about people and place and always with promotion and a positive end result.

In the near future, I have a large commission for local government to produce a year-long series of documentary films promoting how the Business Improvement District support local businesses. This will be heavily focused on the footfall of the town centre, the busyness and how the BID bring business to the businesses.

I'm a passionate photographer and filmmaker that specialises in storytelling and promotion. Check out my client list and services here, along with great examples of the finished product of my assignments.

This is just a small snippet of my client list:

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If you're considering hiring a professional photographer to create brand-specific photographs for your website, social media or for newspapers and magazines, then make an enquiry to discuss whether your assignment and my skills & availability are compatible.

Enquiries

Alternatively, call me now on 07854 956 970

My phones in my pocket on vibrate, I won't miss your call.

Email: paul@paulhands.co.uk

Can Street and Landscape Photography Skills be utilised for a Commercial Organisation?

March 28, 2018 in Commercial Photography, Professional Photographer

Commercial Photography in Leicestershire.

Can the skills gained whilst making personal work be transferred to a commercial client brief?

YES!

The end!

Well, not actually the end, this is the beginning and that was a bit gimmicky!

Phillip Hammond and Sajid Javid visiting a Morris Homes building site in Leicester.

The image of Hammond and Javid above was a picture that I made while on a recent PR photo shoot for The BJL Group and Morris Homes. It involved working closely with The Treasury and working to a brief. This was the cover image used for a blog written by Morris Homes and wasn't really on the brief they gave me.

As an avid Street Photography fan and practitioner, this was a naturally easy type of shot to get for me. The rest of the press group were a good 20 feet behind me. I had a brief to work to and they were just collecting imagery, so I had a free run. The government ministers walked very quickly and it was a cold February morning. You can even see Phillip Hammond breathing out some misty air. The shot isn't perfect but in this kind of situation, perfection isn't what's required, it's the story that counts and with the Morris Homes flags waving around in the background, it was just what they wanted but didn't know about that at the time.

This picture above is of the building for one of my regular clients The SFB Group a nationwide firm of accountants. It's all too easy to make a picture looking straight on at the building. I wanted to create something that fitted with their branding which was quite dynamic, hence the acute angle. This is loosely where landscape photography skills come in useful, I positioned the composition acutely to create a more interesting view of something usually very ordinary. The angle has given the building form and made it look more three dimensional.

David Treddinick meeting with the owners of Enchanted Bell Tents

The above picture uses Street Photography skills because it's candid and the people in the picture are unaware of my presence. My intention was to follow my brief and collect natural looking pictures of the MP David Treddinick meeting local business owners at the launch of the new Bosworth Visitors Map at a special event held at Royal Arms in Sutton Cheney.

A Street Photograph made in Leicester city centre.

Mirror Man, Street Photography in Paris.

I've shared a small selection of my street photography to show the similarities to shooting reportage and PR work. Also the landscape picture that I've included is more of a contextual play with the words and space in the frame. The sign on the right reads 1 million square foot, so I've framed the image to include lots of space to insinuate that you can see 1 million square foot in the frame.

I've included the picture of the giant chicken tree because I think it's cool.

I've crafted my skills over a long period of time, been judged, examined, won awards and gained a level 3 qualification, HND and a BA Hons in photography through creating this style of work. I've figured out a way to transfer my skills to a growing client base, who are using me more and more regularly.

My clients keep coming back to me and won't use anyone else now. Assuming I can keep this up, yes, street and landscape photography skills are very transferable to a commercial client,.

The trick is to get deep in the minds of the commissioners to learn what they want and to identify with the brief. Once the purpose is established, I can easily determine what kind of pictures to make and which style to use.

My images now appear on many company websites, marketing literature and newspapers online and in print.

You can enquire with me about my availability or to get a quote for your business here.

Contact me

Why is your business headshot / portrait so important?

November 09, 2017 in Professional headshots, Commercial Photography

Professional corporate headshots / portraiture helps to put a face to your business and makes you and your employees appear human to your customers.

corporate headshots / portraiture, Leicestershire — Your image

is so important in business

Did you know that when your customers view your website and come across photographs of the staff, the information they can get from a simple headshot is initially your look, style, type, age, occupation, professionalism, socioeconomic status, personality traits, and of course your brand, you're the brand!

So as you'd imagine it's pretty important to get it right and project the right image to prospective customers and those that already work with your business.

Some people might take their own photos and convince themselves that it looks good and if they've been trained professionally in the visual language of photography, there could be a good chance that it is but usually it isn't.

You often get photographers in my industry that haven't actually trained or qualified in photography, have just bought a camera and then watched some Youtube videos! That puts them on the same level as you, so why should you pay someone like that? Is that what you think of your professional image and your beloved business?

Cutting corners is always bad news in any industry. Image making is no different.

If saving money is your goal, try to reverse your thinking. Make yourself look more professional, get more work, make more sales and put extra money in your pocket. That's the same as saving isn't it? Perhaps better than holding what you have and collecting more instead!

Put the extra effort in to you!

Contact me to discuss my corporate headshot / portraiture service.

I have a fixed studio in the town centre of Hinckley, Leicestershire.
I have a portable studio and portable professional lighting if you want me to come to your business.
I'm qualified, have a Level three, HND and BA Hons degree in Photography & video.
I'm experienced and have a long list of incredibly prestigious clients of all sizes.
I have solid reviews, awards and fantastic reputation.

Here's some quotes from my clients:

“Our company has used Paul Hands Photography on two occasions now; the photographs produced have been exceptional quality and Paul really helped our staff feel relaxed in order to achieve some really professional looking staff portraits. We will continue to use Paul Hands for his portrait services and in addition we have instructed some bespoke commissions in relation to obtaining high quality material for our website. ”

— David Frisby, Mode Transport Planning

“We used the photographic services of Paul Hands for our Corporate Staff Photographs. We required photos for our new website. Paul was recruited as a last minute booking and he could not have been more accommodating. His attention to detail was a comfort as a client and we received great customer service. On the two days of shooting he was very professional and brought out the smile in every member of staff in his own unique way (a lego car and a gingerbread man helped with this too but I won’t let any further details slip and ruin his secrets to getting you smiling). We had the photographs returned to us within a matter of days and Paul had put each set of photo’s into individual files, per staff member, for ease of reference for us. These little bits of attention to detail really make the difference. The quality of the photographs were crisp and clear and were exactly what we were looking for. We would thoroughly recommend Paul’s services to anybody looking for a photographer, he is fantastic!”

— Rosie Iliffe, Stuart Fletcher & Barrett Wealth Management

Contact Me

Commercial Documentary Photography - Diabetes UK

September 25, 2017 in Commercial Photography, Documentary Photography

Commercial Documentary Photography Midlands

Diabetes UK

Type One Events

Recently I was commissioned by Diabetes UK to produce a still and moving image documentary of their Type One Events so they could use the images in their 2018 marketing campaigns. The moving images were for a documentary film and a short trailer for social media.

I'm always grateful for every bit of work that I get along the way and this assignment was no different. In fact it was special to me because they chose me for my style of working and not because they just needed a photographer or filmmaker. Their marketing team found my website and preferred my work above most of the other photographers that they came across. So for me, this was special and encouraged me to really zone in on the assignment.

I can't show you the films yet because they're not allowed to be viewed until the proofing stage has been completed and I get the green light on the final production. It is for their 2018 marketing campaign as well so I have to be careful where I show the work.

Plus it needs a shed load doing to it in post production after the first proofing has been done.

What I can show you is a small selection of my favourite pictures from the Type One Event.

These events are for 8-10 year old children who all have type one diabetes and are designed to allow the children to experience life together, with other type one children, to feel normal and inclusive. They also learn easier ways to manage their intake of insulin in softer ways, so that they don't realise they're learning. You can get more information about Diabetes UK and their Type One Events by clicking on their logos below.

Working with the children for the day was so special and they gave me a real zest for life, just by being themselves. This helped me to be with them and make such a close body of work with the main brief being to work closely without interference, my speciality and no flash required...

Contact me

Corporate Business Headshots Leicestershire

August 03, 2017 in Commercial Photography, Professional headshots

Corporate Business Headshots Leicestershire

Recently I've been working with The Stuart Fletcher & Barrett Group at their head office in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. They hired me to produce 60 corporate business head shots for their new website. I managed this in 2 days of location shooting on site with a quality mobile photography studio.

The SFB Group are a nationwide accountancy and consultancy. They wanted a professional image for every single member of staff. So I took my time and fussed over the details.

We used a grey back drop, a fixed light shooting through an umbrella to soften the harshness of the permanent key light. Then I set up a Bowens lamp shooting through a Snoot and pointing it on to the back drop behind the heads of each staff member. This was by design and also to cover up a wrinkly backdrop!

This style produces a brilliant effect that allows the characters to really stand out from the background and gives each person a unique portrait.

Would you like to see some of the results?

Was that a silly question?

You can click on each picture to enlarge them and inspect the quality easier.

The SFB Group were so pleased with the work that I did for them, that they wrote to me with a review and even placed it on Google so it forms part of my SEO.

“We used the photographic services of Paul Hands for our Corporate Staff Photographs. We required photos for our new website. Paul was recruited as a last minute booking and he could not have been more accommodating. His attention to detail was a comfort as a client and we received great customer service. On the two days of shooting he was very professional and brought out the smile in every member of staff in his own unique way (a lego car and a gingerbread man helped with this too but I won’t let any further details slip and ruin his secrets to getting you smiling). We had the photographs returned to us within a matter of days and Paul had put each set of photo’s into individual files, per staff member, for ease of reference for us. These little bits of attention to detail really make the difference. The quality of the photographs were crisp and clear and were exactly what we were looking for. We would thoroughly recommend Paul’s services to anybody looking for a photographer, he is fantastic!”

— Rosie Iliffe, The Stuart, Fletcher and Barrett Group

To discuss corporate business headshots and portraiture with me, please click on this link to contact me.

From Corporate Portraiture to Cocktails on the Roof

July 26, 2017 in Commercial Photography

Professional Corporate Portraiture...

...is where it all began.

I was invited by one of my long standing clients; Mode Transport Planning, to their fifth birthday party. Our business relationship has been going on since 2014, when I was contracted to do some corporate portraiture.

David Frisby, Managing Director, Mode Transport Planning.

Cocktails on the Roof...

...is where it has come to.

Whilst I was invited to join Mode Transport in their celebrations, naturally I was encouraged to bring along my camera and was paid as what was noted as a Busmans holiday. It really was an honour to help out by recording the party with still images so that a more unified feeling can be experienced between Mode Transport and the clients that were also invited.

Professional Headshot Service...

...is what I've mainly been providing for Mode Transport and have also produced documentary styled photographs around their offices for use on their website to give the professional image they have successfully built over the past five years. I've also created a tailored set of stock images based around the transport industry to aid the visual impact of the Mode Transport Planning website.

Here's a selection of images from the roof top cocktail birthday party.

If you'd like to enquire about my professional photographic services, please visit this page on my website first.

Alternatively, complete my contact form here.

UBL 17 Fight Photographs from The Athena

March 12, 2017 in boxing photography, Commercial Photography

Welcome to the home of the boxing photographs from UBL 17 at The Athena in Leicester.

This page on my website has been specifically dedicated to the huge collection of photographs, from the unlicensed fighting that goes on between some of the hardest men in Britain.

To view the pictures, simply click on the photograph, then choose the fight collection that you wish to look through. You will even have the option to buy and have a bespoke book designed for you as well prints and a dvd slideshow with music. You can do this directly through my website. Payments are secured and guaranteed through Stripe.

UBL 17, The Athena, Boxing Photography, Professional Photographer, Paul Hands, Hinckley, Leicester, Leicestershire, Midlands, England, , United Kingdom, UK, Europe

Paul Hands, Professional Photographer, Hinckley, Leicester, Leicestershire, Midlands, England, UK, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Commercial Photography

Professional Photographer Leicester, Leicestershire, Hinckley, Nuneaton, Coventry, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Midlands, England, UK, United Kingdom, Great Britain.

Commercial, Business, PR, Public Relations, Landscape, Street Photography and Documentary photographer available for commissions.

A Tough Job with SSAFA (Armed Forces Charity)

May 28, 2016 in Commercial Photography

I've left it a week before I wrote this blog because it's taken me this long to come to terms with the assignment I have just completed with SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen's Families Association), who have just become a new client for my professional photography business.

If you haven't heard of SSAFA, you can follow this link to see who their charity helps. They were formed and designed to help the armed forces, Veterans and their families with a number of issues.

They support the British military at home and abroad and are the oldest and longest running military charity.

The assignment I was given, was to make a photographic reportage documentary about an event where the Parents and families of the fallen military men and women, come together to remember them and to help provide support for each other.

It was a very difficult assignment because it felt like being a photographer at a funeral. The families were sometimes very emotionally upset and to point a camera at the parents of a fallen soldier didn't come naturally. I truly felt their woes and shed some tears for them the following day, once what I'd done sank in.

I'm a firm believer in the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, so no more from me, have a look for yourself...

Click on images to enlarge.

Thanks for reading and looking through this project. As you may have noticed; it was very emotional for the families and difficult for me to document.

I welcome any new enquiries about working with me on any assignments, so if you'd like to discuss any future photographic projects with me, please follow this link to get in touch.

Commercial Photography for Local Businesses - Leicestershire / Warwickshire

March 03, 2016 in Commercial Photography

Tyre Medics Ltd. are a mobile tyre repair company who now have a new solid depot on Upper Bond Street in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

They hired me for professional commercial photography services because they are having a brand new website built for them and needed excellent quality photographs to help show off their expanding local business.

Their initial requirements would have required 4 days of work to create the images and put them through post production but this put them over their budget. Tyre Medics knew they needed the images producing, so they worked with me to help reduce their costs. We negotiated the assignment and managed to shorten their requirements to the core of what they actually needed.

Through helping them to achieve their goals professionally, I won the assignment and here's just a few examples of the results.