Sussex Wedding Photographer: HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

The past year has seen big changes for us both professionally and personally.

Despite tough market conditions, we launched a new website early in the year. It had been a long time in coming and was well overdue, despite the continued success of our old site.

Professionally, we repositioned our wedding business and ended up achieving all of the goals we had set back in January and bookings for 2012 are ahead of schedule despite the continued doom and gloom we constantly hear in the news.

2011 was another great year for us on the competition front, seeing me picking up a number of awards in the regional MPA Awards yet again and achieving 2 Awards of Excellence in the National MPA Awards held in Newcastle.

I held my annual intensive workshop in March and was being invited to speak for SIM200 imaging in May and up in Aberdeen in October. Each seminar was sold out which was very pleasing.

In May we moved from Stone Cross to Polegate, just outside of Eastbourne. We found a wonderful house tucked away, a real hidden gem and just couldn't resist. Better still it offers us a dedicated client meeting room/gallery as well as a small home studio space. It couldn't have been better!

One of the highlights of my year (apart from covering so many wonderful weddings) was meeting one of my heroes, Sir Stirling Moss.

To finish, please note that we are closed for business from 22nd December until Tuesday 3rd January. If you need to get in touch please email info@peterprior.com as we will be checking our inbox if time permits.

We wanted to take this opportunity to wish our clients, friends, supporters, fellow wedding suppliers and photographers a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Thank you all so much for your support.



To view my wedding portfolio please click here.

Sussex Wedding Photography: CHRISTMAS DEADLINES

With the silly season fast approaching i thought i should post about our festive deadlines this year.

For reprints the cut off is the 5th December, for Wall Art such as canvas prints the deadline is 20th November and for parents albums and the like, the deadline is 12th November.

The dates are partly because our suppliers are super busy and running at full capacity this time of year and also because we are in very much the same boat and can't guarantee to be able to delivery products for Christmas after these dates. It may be that overly late orders are completed, but we can't promise this.

So if you are thinking about ordering photos as presents, please get in touch as soon as possible. For standard reprints, the on-line shopping cart (found in the CLIENT AREA of our website) is the quickest and easiest way to go.

Sussex Wedding Photography: "Photographer" or "Camera Owner"

After many conversations with colleagues, other suppliers and friends i have been thinking as to whether owning a modern day digital SLR makes a person a "photographer" or a "camera owner". The number of "horror stories" i have heard of late has really focused my mind on what really makes a photographer a "professional photographer".

My reasoning for thinking this is because it seems that everyman and his dog is a "professional photographer" these days. Without trying to sound bitter or hard, in the main most of these are in reality "camera owners" with aspirations to be a "professional photographer".

Some people suggest that i shouldn't worry but the thing is, that i am passionate about my profession, my work and the standard of work and service clients deserve and it concerns me about the cowboy approach many "photographers" seem to take to wedding photography in particular.

Just by owning a decent camera, it doesn't mean a person is a professional, even if they are charging for their photography in the same way as if i bought a set of knives i wouldn't be a professional chef or if i bought a set of tools i wouldn't be a professional mechanic or a plumber!

Being a professional photographer is far more than owning decent kit and taking nice photographs.

To be a true professional requires a lot of hard work and many skills. Being professional in your approach towards dealing and working with clients, other suppliers, venues, colleagues etc is a huge part of being professional.

Keeping true and accurate accounts, paying taxes rather than trying to slip under the microscope and avoiding paying income tax, VAT and NI is what being professional is all about. The same goes for carrying adequate insurance, having good working practises, having enough back up equipment and having the right approach and attitude when working etc.

This all takes a lot of time and effort as well as costing money, but this is where realistic pricing comes into the equation.

Being a professional photographer isn't an easy option. Its easy to start off but getting more and more difficult to keep a sustainable business going these days.

It takes constant hard work and effort to keep your work fresh and exciting as well as profitable.

Anything less is unprofessional and in reality makes the photographer a "camera owner" rather than a "professional photographer."

You can view my wedding galleries here.

Wedding Photograhy Training: SIM2000 Seminar

After a mad few days following our move, i drove up to SIM2000 in Hatfield, Hertforshire to hold a full day's seminar.

I left at 5am to avoid the inevitable M25 chaos, stopping for breakfast at the service by the A1M exit.

Arriving a couple of hours early i was greeted by the welcoming staff and invited inside their very impressive facility.

Lee, the owner of SIM2000 took me to their air conditioned show room where the day's seminar was due to take place to set up. I was very pleased to hear that the spaces had all sold out and that there was a waiting list in case of last minute cancellations.

Only half the chairs were out when i arrived.




The folks attending were really enthusiastic and full of questions; their input making the day fly by and i hope they all enjoyed the day and got a lot from my seminar.

After the day closed, Lee gave me a personal tour of the unit, showing me the impressive work rooms, printers and framing facilities. I can see myself adding some of SIM2000's products to my current range for our clients as i have to say the quality was first class.



Over the past couple of days SIM2000 and myself have received so many thank yous, emails and kind words. Most of the emails have questions that i will try to answer next week once i get back up to speed.

It was a fantastic seminar Peter. You're very talent and very modest at the same time. Thank you.

Lesley Bee

Peter,

Many thanks for yesterday’s excellent seminar. It was very informative and inspiring.

Regards

Denis

Hi Peter

Just wanted to say thank you for the seminar at Sim2000 yesterday. I’ve been on a few of these things and the information is often superficial but I found it useful and inspiring (I’ll certainly be using more available light and less gear).

Kind regards and many thanks

Mike


Thank you for your words of wisdom at the Seminar yesterday.

Kindest regards,

Jo

I attended your seminar at Sim2000 yesterday.

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you for the day… I’ve always loved photography and have only recent started earning money from weddings/portraits.

All the information you shared was very valuable to me and should help me take my business further in the near future.

best regards,

Ben Bull

Hi Peter,

Just a short note of thanks for Wednesday’s seminar at Sim2000 11th May 2011.
Your enthusiasm for wedding photography and getting it right in business terms was inspirational.

Many thanks once again,

Clive

Hi Peter - I attended your seminar at Hatfield last Wednesday - I really enjoyed it, thank you - congratulations on your career success - I did't know one could make living from wedding photography - I\'ll continue to develop my style and up my prices with more optimism - best wishes - Dan

Lisa,

Many thanks to the team at Sim2000 for organising the Peter Prior seminar and for the warm welcome received.

Peter was full of enthusiasm and is an inspiration for photographers like me. I also appreciated the brief intro from Lee on starting an album using the Sim2000 software, very timely as I'm working on my first one of these over the next couple of days.

Many thanks again,

Clive

You can view my wedding galleries here.

Sussex Weddings: New Contact Details

Just a quick heads up to let you know that we will be back open for business from tomorrow, Monday 9th May as anticipated.

BT and Gavin of 24 Box did us proud and got us all up and running on time: thanks guys. There is still quite a bit of unpacking and organising to do but i think we are 80% there after 4 days of hard work.

We are looking forward to getting back to work, speaking to old, current and new clients, suppliers and allied businesses.


Our new contacts details are:

PETER PRIOR PHOTOGRAPHY
271 EASTBOURNE ROAD, POLEGATE, EAST SUSSEX. BN26 5DL.

TEL: 01323 486837 or 0844 4142474

Email: info@peterprior.com

Websites: www.peterprior.com and www.artvisage.co.uk

You can view my wedding galleries here.

Sussex Wedding Photography: Office Closed Until Monday 9th May

Just a note to say that from today, Wednesday 4th May until Monday 9th May, our office will be closed due our family and business relocation from Stone Cross to Polegate, East Sussex.

Our phone lines will be off down for up to 48 hours as we in BT hands as they install new lines into the new house.

If you need to contact me, please send an email to info@peterprior.com and i will do my very best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Sussex Wedding Photography: Peter Prior Photography is Moving

Its been a hectic couple of months but we have at last been given the green light to announce that we are officially moving next week.

After 5 years in beautiful Stone Cross, we have decided to relocate just 3-4 miles west to Polegate, East Sussex. We are moving from a lovely modern house to a newly renovated, beautiful 1930s house full of character and with space for our clients to relax away from the chaos that comes with running a business from home.

Set closer to the A27 and A22 main roads and within 500 yards of Polegate's mainline railway station it should be perfect for our client and family needs.

Moving a family is stressful enough, but also having to sort out a business move is tough!

As is the way, we are packing in the middle of one our busiest times of the year. I have four major shoots in 9 days before we move and hopefully the office will be up and running on time to ensure i don't have too many delays.

So from Wednesday 4th May until Monday 9th May the office will be closed. All being well new phone lines and internet will be in by then as BT have promised they won't let us down.

Once we are back open for business our business number will remain 0844 4142474 and we should be able to confirm our local number then as well.

In the meantime, if you need to get in touch please email info@peterprior.com or call my mobile.

Seminar in May

I am pleased to announce that i have been invited to speak for SIM200 in Hertfordshire.

The date is 11th May and it runs from 10am to 4.30pm at their Hatfield premises. The prices is just £50+vat including lunch.

For further details and to make a booking please click here or call SIM2000 on 01707 273747.

Sussex Wedding Photography: Me at SWPP 2011

After a prolific 2010 and January 2011, my blog seems to have been a little neglected. The main reason for this is that i ma working hard on my brand new website, which is due to go live any day as well as planning my workshop on 3rd March.

I recently attended the SWPP International Convention and Trade Show and Convention in London.

The main reason for attending was to hold a couple of meetings with suppliers and catch up with a few friends from around the country.

My business meetings were very fruitful (details to revealed later) and whilst spending a lot of time on the Jorgensen albums stand it was brought to my attention that they were featuring one of my 2010 weddings to showcase their latest offering.


Matt, who has developed SWPM's new website and database was on hand to take this picture of your truly.



(photo courtesy of Matt Roe)

Sussex Commercial Photography: Harley-Davidson Back Covers

It has just been drawn to my attention that the images we shot for Shaw Harley-Davidson have been featured as full page back cover adverts for their award winning custom work in HOG Magazine.

Together with my good friend Phil, we were commissioned to shoot over 20 custom Hogs for the multi award winning dealership as they launched the Shaw Speed and Custom arm of their official H-D dealership.

As part of the project i also photographed the interior of the new custom meeting area for their VIP clients. This featured 2 metre high images from our earlier shoots.

You can view the Custom lounge images here.

To view my dealership shots click here.

Finally, to view the full page ads in HOG Magazine please click on each link and select the "LAST" button at the bottom of the page.

Spring 2010 issue

Summer 2010 issue

Autumn 2010 issue.

Finally to view my Commissions website please click here.

Art Visage Harley-Davidson Images Published in 100% Biker Magazine

Just saw that some of the images that i shot with my good friend Phil, as part a commission for Shaw Harley-Davidson last year have been published again.

Over the past few months our images have appeared in a number of publications including Motor Cycle News, Bike, Ride, Motor Cycle Sport and Leisure, and now 100% Biker Magazine.

Here is the article about Steve Willis, the driving force behind Shaw H-D.




Shaw H-D specialize in taking a standard Harley, a client's vision and creating a stunning one-off custom bike; a true work of motorcyle art.

You can see examples of Shaw's stunning work and our images here.

Workshop News:South West Photo Mounts Attending.

At yesterday's SWPP Trade Show in London, i had an exciting meeting with Nick and his team at South West Photomounts regarding my workshop on 3rd March at Ashdown Park Hotel.

They have just launched a brand new site and shared with me a link that publicises my workshop and lets folks know that they will be attending so that attendees can see their amazing albums in flesh and talk with Nick about how using Jorgensen Albums can be a huge benefit to most wedding photography businesses.

For further information about the seminar, please send an email to info@peterpriro.com or call 01323 740741.

Sussex Weddings:The Eastbourne Wedding Fair Images

I have just returned from a wedding up in Bakewell, near Buxton in Derbyshire but thought i would share a few images captured on my compact camera at last weekend's Eastbourne Wedding Fair.

I was fortunate to be positioned close to a number of friends and allied businesses which made for a lot of lighthearted banter.

My stand.





With Leo Ferenc.



Perfect Day Studios





Toby from Bows Hire



Mark from Crafting Gold



Paul Smith's stand (Toastmaster)



Whyte Weddings' stand



Brufords




Carina and Gabi from the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne



Chris Mann, wedding film maker



Deans Place Hotel



Michael from Your Sussex Wedding Magazine



The Star Hotel, Alfriston

One to One Mentoring Opportunities

If you can't make my Wedding Photography Workshop on 3rd March or if you want something more than a day's seminar can offer, it might be that a more intensive, personally packaged option might work better for you.

After a lot of soul searching and thought, i have decided to offer One to One mentoring for a very limited number of photographers, aspiring or established.

From feedback i am receiving it would appear that a number of folks really want this sort of support to kick start their new businesses or to give their current business a boost as they try to climb to the next level.

I have built my business up from nothing to being one of the most sort after wedding photographers in the UK. Over a 14 year career i have shot in excess of 750 weddings of all sizes and styles and a One to One Mentoring member will be able to draw on my vast experience to make big steps in the world of professional wedding photography.

I want to be able to offer the very best attention and support i can without things impinging on my own successful business, so places will be severely limited and on a first come first served basis.

If you want any further information, please do not hesitate to give me a call on 01323 740741.

Christmas Deadlines: a Reminder

Just a quick heads up to say that its not long to go until Christmas and our deadlines are fast approaching.

Our cut off for albums, parent's books, canvas and fine art prints is 12th November (this Friday). After that, we will try to do our very best but will be unable to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas as all of our products are one-offs and made to order.

Our wonderful suppliers are rushed off their feet at this time of the year so please bear this in mind.

The cut off for print orders that are required in time for Christmas is 11th December and again we will be happy to accept orders after this date but are unable to guarantee delivery dates.

Apart from the weddings i am covering over the Christmas period and any pre booked appointments, our office will be shut from 23rd December until Tuesday 4th January 2011. We will be checking emails from time to time, so if you have an urgent request or enquiry please email the studio on info@peterprior.com over the seasonal break.

Wedding Fairs and Wedding Photographers: an observation

After a number of conversations with couples and photographers alike i thought i would post a few thoughts and observations about wedding fairs from the perspective of a wedding photographer.

Firstly, in my humble opinion there are far too many wedding fairs. The problem with this is that due to massive choice facing couples, there is a huge drop in footfall as each event. Many of my couples can't be bothered to check them out as there seems to be 3 or 4 every weekend! I am sure this never used to be the case and as they were less in number it made them more attractive/important for brides to make the effort to go.

After exhibiting at a number of wedding fairs this autumn, i have noticed a couple of things. Every wedding fair is so over saturated with wedding photographers.

I mean where there used to be just one or two there are 4 or more! I find this difficult to understand when there are never three of four hair dressers, car companies, toast masters etc. its just plain crazy and must be purely down to economics as far as the promoters of such fairs are concerned. It is certainly diluting things to such an extent for the couples and photographers alike, i have to ask what is the point of investing money and precious family time in attending in most case.

A number of couples have pointed to the crazy number of photographers present at fairs as being a turn off and that due to the over saturation they didn't really check out any photographer in detail on the day.

A regular comment is that photographers are "two to a penny" these days and in the short and long run this is doing massive harm to our profession.

For the record, i generally only attend wedding fairs at selected venues who i have been privileged to work closely with over a number of years. Each wedding season i turn down far more offers to attend fairs than i take up.

Even so, you can see me at a few select fairs from January through to the end of March and i look forward to speaking to as many couples as possible.

As an aside here is my old post about choosing a wedding photographer.

Christmas Deadlines

Just a quick heads up to say that its not long to go until Christmas and our deadlines are fast approaching.

Our cut off for albums, parent's books, canvas and fine art prints is 12th November. After that, we will try to do our very best but will be unable to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas as all of our products are one-offs and made to order.

Our wonderful suppliers are rushed off their feet at this time of the year so please bear this in mind.

The cut off for print orders that are required in time for Christmas is 11th December and again we will be happy to accept orders after this date but are unable to guarantee delivery dates.

Apart from the weddings i am covering over the Christmas period and any pre booked appointments, our office will be shut from 23rd December until Tuesday 4th January 2011. We will be checking emails from time to time, so if you have an urgent request or enquiry please email the studio on info@peterprior.com over the seasonal break.

Videographer: Leo Ferenc at Perfect Day Studios

Wedding Fair at the Cavendish Hotel, Eastbourne

Just a quick heads up to let you know that i will be exhibiting at the Cavendish Hotel Wedding Fair in Eastbourne on Sunday.

The doors open 11am-4pm with entry free for everyone.

It would be great to see you there so come and say "Hello".


I will also be supporting a number of other wedding events over the next few weeks and here are the details:



26th September: Ashdown Park Hotel, East Sussex (10-3)

10th October: Loseley Park, Surrey (11-4)

31st October: Wiston House, West Sussex

Just Received This

I was excited to finally receive my trophy for becoming the MPA South East Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010, yesterday.

For those of you who didn't read about it here, back in July i was fortunate to be awarded the titles of MPA SE Reportage Wedding Photographer of the Year and the same image went on to win the overall MPA SE Wedding Photographer of the Year. This was achieved despite some amazing images from some superb photographers throughout the south east.

Membership of The Master Photographers Association is only eligible to full time photographers who have to achieve professional qualifications to ensure the quality of their work and customer care.

The images was shot of Holly as she arrived for church in Guildford on a very cold December afternoon and ranks of one of my favourite career images. I love the almost haunting tension and atmosphere as well as the "cold chill" of the air temperature as she peers through the misty window of the car.

Right here is the trophy.



And the winning image.