The Long Awaited Preview Night Has Been and Gone

This night I had been looking forward to since before I even knew I'd ever put on an exhibition seem to come and go so quickly. Before I knew it we were on our way home. Believe it or not its been something I always dreamed of, a night when people would come to see my work, work that I've become very proud of. I would like to thank everyone who came to support me. It means a lot to see so many friends and clients who've become friends take the time to visit. I really appreciate it.

I also really appreciate my photographer for the evening, Mr. Ed Brown. All the photographs you see in this blog have very kindly been provided by my friend and fellow photographer. Ed is a fantastic wedding photographer based in Hinckley but serving clients far and wide. Its wonderful to have these images, first because it meant I didn't need to be worrying about a camera or doing a job on this night and second because I got to see this exhibit through someone else's eyes. Ed photographed this event beautifully and in ways I know I wouldn't have which has taught me to look at things differently, a prime example of why we should look at other people's work, whether you are a professional or an amateur. To see more of Ed's work please follow this link to his website.

It was so nice to see the Mayor and Mayoress pop in for a visit - I created their portrait the first time Jeff was in office back in 2007 and its great that we've remained friends ever since.

The Atkins Building is a great venue for an event like this. The space and light is wonderful. And along side it is a wonderful cafe called Café Espanol run by a lovely Spanish couple who prepare amazing authentic Spanish food. Tapas is one of my favourite things and I loved that I could provide some of that on this night. I can highly recommend this place for either just a meal or as a venue for a special event.

And finally I need to thank the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council for providing the venue and an avenue for local artists to display their work. Rebecca, who I've been dealing with most has been so helpful and encouraging throughout, gaining me much exposure in the community and finding me opportunities such as a radio interview with BBC Radio Leicester. This has been an exciting and very worthwhile opportunity I won't ever forget.

My interview took place the morning after this event. Speaking on the radio is also something I've always wanted to do. When I was young being a radio announcer was something I quite fancied. I even used to do the morning announcements at my highschool. I was both excited and nervous for this experience. I was mostly nervous that when it was over I'd wish I had done it differently but to be honest it went much more smoothly than I imagined and I only mildly disliked (rather than hated) hearing myself when I got home and listened to the recording. That's quite an achievement for me.

(This image was provided by my husband - he does take photos occasionally, but usually only when I can't)

Here is a link to the show if you care to hear it for yourself. My segment begins at around 02:10. This link only lasts for another 28 days so if you are viewing this after that time don't expect it to work.

Well I guess its time to get back to reality and back to work. Its been a great week and this exhibit is still running until the 2nd of June. If you're interested in having portraits created for yourself this is a great place to meet with me where you can see so much of my work all in one place. I'm happy to make the trip to the Gallery and meet you there. Just email me at christina@christinalauderportraits.com or call on 01455 611069.

Comments

I am Still Me: A Story about a Transgender Boy

Meet Leo. Leo is 15 and currently going through an epic transformation that has momentarily turned the lives of himself and those around him upside down. A mum who once had the daughter she always longed for is now coping with the realisation that she will be living the rest of her life with a son instead. When your child is born you have certain expectations of the typical life they will lead but most of us know and accept that it won't necessarily end up the way we imagine. Not every person wants to marry, have kids or be involved with the opposite sex. Most of us have come to accept this and can adjust to whatever comes our way relatively easily. But few of us have expected to have to deal with a change in sex. Its not that we've hoped it won't happen, but just that it never occurred to us that it might. This is a new adjustment that we as a society are being presented with today, just like so many others that have come before. When I first heard that Phoebe ...

Burbage Carnival 2009

For the past few years my husband and I have been attending the Burbage Carnival and remarking to ourselves at how much better it could be. The carnival seemed to be declining in recent years. Earlier this year I met someone (Harvey) who mentioned that he joined the committe. When I asked him why he said he had been remarking that the carnival could do with some improvements. The response he received was rather than complain why don't you join the committee and do something about it. Its hard to argue with that. The following week I found myself, along with my husband, at the Burbage Carnival meeting. And we've been attending (most meetings) ever since. With this being our first year we didn't want to dive in head first. We contributed where we felt we could but it was great to see that what little we were able to offer still made a difference on the day. We're now very much looking forward to seeing just how much of a difference we can make next year. I just hope it ...

Limited Edition Storybook Portrait Sessions

Well in the end I didn't take this promotion as seriously as was required in so much as I didn't allocate any budget for advertising. I relied only on the few posts on Facebook and as such I only did 2 sessions, which to be perfectly honest, was all I could handle this year given that I'd not properly planned for these sessions in an already busy time of year. However, what I did do proved to me that this is something that deserves proper attention and a concerted effort to push this promotion forward. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it, from shopping for props, to the sessions and then the editing. I really love the fun that these sessions provide and the look of the finished images. Spring will see a second go at this special collection with plenty of advertising in the run up to our event. I will get another chance at shopping for additional props and tools to run this limited edition promotion and I can't w...

5 Reasons you Should Consider Getting a Professional Headshot

Headshots, or profile pictures are becoming a requirement of so many tools we regularly use or reference today. From Facebook to Linked In, Instagram to Twitter and often any website that represents a company for which you work or own will have a place to include a photograph that is meant to show your audience who you are. And how you present yourself there will tell your audience so much about you. 1. A profile picture is your first opportunity for your audience to see you. Its often the first impression you make and we all know you only have one chance at a first impression. A professional photographer has the skills to show you in the best, most suitable way to give a great first impression. (These headshots were created for recruitment firm Optima UK who asked to have their logo placed behind them. I think it makes these headshots quite eye catching and they should do their job well.) 2. Using a professional to create your headshot will ...

A Most Wonderful Portrait Session with 3 Lovely Ladies

This was a dream session for me. Not only did I have 3 beautiful young ladies, but they also brought with them a fantastic wardrobe and their very own hair stylist too (mum owns her own salon). So all the elements for beautiful portraits were there. And I was thrilled to get this opportunity. Its easy to think of having portraits when you have a new baby or when you get married or have a special family occasion where you get the entire family portrait done. But its less often that people think of having their growing children photographed. After all I suppose, they are photographed at school. I even do some of those school photographs. However, those portraits are made in less than a minute per child and they are assembly line style portraits while they are wearing their school uniform. They are never going to be as special as what can be created with unlimited time and outfit changes in the comfort of a private studio. Its in this environment that I can take the time to...

Christina Lauder Portraits

Search This Blog