I'm sacking my Staff Team...

 I am getting frustrated at my product photography.

I had a fantastic bathroom 'set up' for my photography in my previous house.

I just can't seem to find the ideal location with good white light...

 And these two aren't helping me much!!!

 WHAT are you doing fella?

I'm a bit busy here Boy...

"i can help Mummy, I'll just sit here and wait for instruction"

 You win Baggins Boy...

I am frustrated and now distracted by the fluffy face of yours.

 Yummy new products to shoot and i am so proud of them all,

but i hate it when the photographs don't seem to do them justice at all.

Sod it - i'm off to play with the Dog

xxx

Felt Balls - Sharing the stories...

I don't know how Other online shops feel about 'product photography' but for me it is a process of sheer frustration and total joy!

Joy that it is "another job ticked off the list"

Joy that the process can be fun and creative.

Frustration at creating just 'that look' you want...

Craft products, handmade and supplies to sell on, are a constant joy to me. I only make, buy and sell items that make me happy and INSPIRE me. What an immense amount of hard work it would be if i didn't love what i sell?

All photography, Art, Craft - it's all about telling a story and even simple Felt Balls or Buttons have a story to tell. As i am the photographer, i suppose it is only my own story i can convey in a picture.

How can i best suggest the warm, tactile pleasure of handling these fuzzy spheres - how they roll around in your fingers?

The colours and what they remind me of (usually food related, tut tut) but sometimes i think i can even smell the story - These pink balls like pefect mouth sized portions of Strawberry Ice-Cream, and in turn, a memory a Summers Day and my daughter with a sticky ice-cream mouth.

Large green peas and a hazy flash of childhood as i remember picking fresh peas from the garden with my dad... wow, he was so young back then and i thought he ruled the world! (he is still King of mine)

Lilac... it isn't a colour i like. I don't wear it or use it often...ever...? But i had been picking Blackberries the afternoon before this shoot, so maybe these are the two reasons i felt this photo needed a Blackberry Pom-Pom to the side.

Red. Red. Red is the colour! My favourite colour.... i even added more red in this pictures background. And, like the silly sausage I am, i love the fact that the background red basket holds masses of balls of wool. It fits with the wool felt beads. You don't know that as a viewer - but i know that. Somehow that knowledge makes this image complete.

A real photographer wouldn't get caught up in their own stories though. I think a great photographer leaves doors open in their images, for you to see your own stories.

I expect, if you are shopping on the internet, the images that catch your eye are the ones that tell a story you recognise...

Things to do with your children.... Photo Shoots!!

You've gotta love photo shoot sessions, you never know who's head might get cut off... Ours often take place in the bathroom.... usually as there is great light in there BUT often because i happen to be in there... ALOT picking up wet towels and dirty clothes (a housewifes 'lot' - i used to be soooo rock n roll, tut tut)

My BigGirlFish is 5 this very week and we have very little in common....

She is sporty and socialable and loves TV - none of these things apply to me.

(Strike that pose Baby Grrl)

I love crafting and sewing and being on my own often... none of these things apply to her.

But we both love colour and fun and photography.

No, I am not actually sitting 'on' the toilet here.... i hope there are no Americans reading this? You don't like toilet humour do you, over the Atlantic....?!?

BigGirlFish took this before i was ready for my big finish.

Ahhh, photo shoots... give your kids the camera and see where they take you...

P.S loving my cowgirl boots there... hating that chunky thigh! x

Photography and shopping on Folksy....

LOOK at this photograph... I love it. I love the perspective, the clarity, the window... my 4yr old took it. She Rocks - and she has a fantastic 'view' of the world - both physically and emotionally. I thought she might end up as a vet..... now I am wonering if Photography could feature? Maybe a photographer of animals? She is equally at home with a camera or a .... camel! I was photographing these>>>>> when she took the camera (little pegs and bookmarks - new stock on my PaperFish stall and i love them x) Her photo is actually much more inviting, and maybe i'll get her to do my 'stock shots' in future? But actually, it was THESE i bought from Folksy last week - YES, I am well aware Christmas is over for 2008 but i live Christmas in my head so it is never 'too early' or 'too late' in my book.

Handmade by TheHomePress - www.Folksy.com/shops/thehomepress as printed on the reverse of each card. I think they are printed from a LINO cut? They have a raised paint / ink front so quite tactile. ....

They came in a set of three and i love each one (Robin especially so)

In truth, they won't ever be sent. I buy stationary alot - often - and i just hoarde it or pin them on my walls / boards / i like them too much to share but i appreciate them all.

I am thinking I may frame these and have them as a set of prints on my wall because Christmas is my time baby! It is when I am happiest and calmest and mostest fullest of love and affection x

Folksy ROCKS for UK shopping, so go see....ummm, i purchased other great things too! and i'll share them soon..... x