Photography

Photography runs in our family, my father Tony Shill has been a photographer for 25 years. His landscapes and scenes of everyday life around the world are simply stunning. He has tried, sometimes in vain, to teach me everything he knows and I have learned what I can in this complex field.

I have discovered along the way that I love photographing children – their energy, their innocence, their mischievousness. It can be tasking some days but the rewards are worth it – my website Gingerlily Photography displays my current portraits (and my products – should you be in my area and need a photographer!)

In the meantime, check out what I’ve been up to with my camera …

Showing them how it’s done

Posted by Andrea on October 15, 2012
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A couple of years ago, a couple I knew invited me to take photos of them with their newborn baby boy, James. He was their first child and considering both parents hated having their photos taken, it was an honour to be asked. James was a darling – crying very little and behaving absolutely perfectly. The photos were a success and rewarded both the couple and myself with some super sweet photos.

This Spring, the couple welcomed their 2nd baby, Jessica. I was again asked to take some photographs of them all. This time, it would not be so easy. James, of course, is now 2 and with that, as any parent will testify, comes many changes in the dynamics of a home; add to this a new baby sister getting all the attention and the game plan changes completely. He, naturally, wanted all the attention. It was a difficult session – more so for the parents as they tried to get the shots they wanted whilst keeping James both amused and attentive. It is a common theme when photographing families but with a little patience and perseverance, some lovely shots can be achieved.

After we reviewed the first lot of photos, it was decided that a second session be booked. I set up a mock studio in the house and the family arrived. James was on form but reluctant to sit for me – luckily I had my secret weapon with me, my daughter Greta. She has been unfortunate enough to have a camera pointed at her since she was born and outside of a particularly bad mood, will pose for me just about any time I need her too. She brought down her tub of cars for James to play with, took her seat in front of the camera and promptly smiled.

He was in awe of her. He climbed up on the seat and just sat and watched her pose and smile, and I… well, I got to take this little beauty.

This didn’t make it into their album but it certainly made it onto my gallery! Greta was duly rewarded.

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Why I love photographing ballerinas

Posted by Andrea on March 11, 2012
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It’s no secret how much I enjoy photographing children – I’ve talked about this many times (and at length) on my blog. But my absolute favorite models for my photography are ballerinas. There is something completely captivating about an elegant, gamine but beautiful girl wearing a pretty and colourful ballet costume and theatrical make-up. For a photographer, they are the perfect muse – their long neck and limbs and the way they hold and use their body accentuates light, shadow and form beautifully.

I was fortunate enough to photograph a friend’s daughter last year as she embarked on her application to the Royal Ballet School (a successful one at that)

photos which I later transformed into a gorgeous PhotoArt piece. This week I had the opportunity to photograph another young ballet dancer and danseur in a dress rehearsal for Sleeping Beauty at The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham. It was a favour to a very good friend but being given the opportunity to photograph another ballerina was just too good to pass up.

After a brief text conversation with one of the Mums, I decided to go with the oxford blue backdrop I have from Creativity Backgrounds which turned out to be an inspired choice (much to my relief). I had never met the ballerina before so we didn’t have any time to get to know each other. It was also a very hurried affair in a small space and with a small 1.35m backdrop. I had no idea what the parents wanted out of it so we just kind of went with it.

The result were just fab ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the ballerina was beautiful and made my job an absolute joy

When I look back over the hour or so that we were together, I can reflect on how quickly this pretty ballerina responded to my requests. Dancers are very conscious of their bodies and are accustomed to taking direction from choreographers and alike on a regular basis – this is of enormous benefit to a photographer.

We didn’t have any time at all but by the end of this very brief session, I had some fantastic photos and even (maybe) a promise of borrowing her for a couple of hours or so in a studio.

I can’t tell you how exciting that prospect is!

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The highs and lows of school photography

Posted by Andrea on March 5, 2012
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Some of you may or may not be aware that I have a little photography business going on as well as my Scrapbooker site. I don’t do any major advertising for it and rely mostly on referrals and word of mouth. This works great for me as I get to pretty much pick and choose the projects I want to get involved in.

My youngest daughter attends a fantastic school in Birmingham and my involvement with them on a professional basis has increased over the last 3 years, culminating in a request for me to take their school photos this year. Of course I said yes, but I have to admit, the whole project filled me with fear – their school children range from 6 months to 16 years!

Never work with children or animals, my father used to tell me – bit late for that. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking photos of children – there is something so captivating about capturing their innocence, naivety and fun; but taking school photos is a completely different animal. You don’t get an hour to play with lighting or angles, you don’t get a arming up session where the children get to know you and be comfortable with you and  you don’t get to make the slight adjustments to their posture, pose or facial expression. You get 1/2 hour set-up and about 15 seconds per child, most of that is taken up with seating them correctly, straightening their clothes and attempting to make them smile (of sorts) – they hardly have time to warm the seat!

All things said though, it was enormous fun, albeit exhausting, and has given me a new-found respect for school photographers. We did get some fantastic shots, especially the friendship shots we offered some of the seniors, and the shots of some of the babies and toddlers, although tasking, rewarded us (and the Mums) with some rare photographs of their children actually smiling and not crying. Clearly a result.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! The rewards, both financially and professionally, are well worth it, especially if you are prepared to work long, hard hours and have your patience tested to the max! But I would definitely do some things differently, and that for me is what photography is all about – learning from your experiences and fine tuning them for next time – that is, of course, should there ever be a next time!

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Dreams really do come true

Posted by Andrea on December 6, 2011
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To say that Greta (my youngest daughter) has a passion for all things Harry Potter would be an understatement – especially Hermione Granger and her straight blonde hair (Greta has very curly hair).

Back in September we were asked, as we are every year, to a friend’s house for her son’s birthday party – always an event as this involves fancy dress, treasure hunts around a beautiful rambling Victorian garden, log fires and marshmallows! The theme this year was fantasy so no prizes who Greta wanted to dress up as. As a special treat I did the unthinkable in our house and straightened her hair – she was ecstatic!

With newly straightened hair, cape and tie on and wand in hand, she posed proudly for me as ‘Hermione Granger’ – aahh a dream come true!

She was one very happy 6-year-old for days after, and so was I! She got to look like Hermione Granger for the day … and I got a fab photo for my Gingerlily portfolio. Happy days!

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Ballerina PhotoArt

Posted by Andrea on October 3, 2011
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Last year, a good friend commissioned me to photograph her very talented daughter in various ballet poses as part of her application to the Royal Ballet School in London. During the shoot, I took full advantage of the time, and of a very beautiful, elegant young lady, and took some rather wonderful portraits of her as well – much to her Mum’s delight.

To add to her delight further, I created this gorgeous PhotoArt piece using the photos – a little visual reminder of her daughter who is now, happily boarding at the Royal Ballet School but who is, sadly, missed very much by her mum.

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Storybook Wedding album – testimonial

Posted by Andrea on September 5, 2011
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As part of my photographic business I sometimes get asked to design wedding albums using photographs provided by another photographer. I was recently asked to do just this for a client in Brookline, Massachusetts. After a few days editing and cleaning up the photos, designing the layout, printing and placing the prints into a gorgeous Mario Acerboni album, I packed it off Express Delivery to America and breathed a sigh of relief when it finally arrived 7 days later (proving that shipping to the States can sometimes be problematic).

   

You can imagine how delighted I was to receive this pretty little card a few days later thanking me for the album. It’s a simple but thoughtful gesture that reminds me how important my work is to my clients and how lucky I am to do the job I do!

Read the testimonial 

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Come and see us at Created in Birmingham (CiB)

Posted by Andrea on March 25, 2010
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I have to take my hats off to the guys at Created in Birmingham. Not only have they taken the bold and brave move to set up shop in the heart of the Bullring, (rubbing shoulders (and knees) with the likes of Apple and H & M) but they have also allowed us to plant a browser stand in the shop to display our prints. The shop displays a wealth of Birmingham talent – photographers, artists, crafters, and jewellers in a cool, friendly atmosphere that has a distinctive arty vibe without the austerity or elusiveness of an art gallery.

Delighted is an understatement. More so for Dad who has sat on a pile of fabulous photographic prints and negatives for what seems like an eternity. It has been a delight to work with him on restoring and printing his work and has given him a wonderful new lease of life and interest in not only his own work but in art and photography in general.

How long Created in Birmingham will be with us is a mystery, their short tenancy will end in May 2010 and  to succeed further they will need funding or a big break (or both!) Pay them a visit and show your support by going to their blog.

We wish them continued success and support.

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New projects and arrivals

Posted by Andrea on February 17, 2010
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Another busy few weeks has come and gone; the days just seem to get shorter and shorter and the list of things to do seems to get longer and longer but I’m treading water and starting to see the benefits of all the hard work.

New project work came in last week from 11 Million – a lovely commemorative book for Sir Al Aynsley-Green on his retirement from the Children’s Commissioner post. (Our congratulations to Dr Maggie Atkinson who succeeds him in March of this year.) I felt really honored to be asked to design it and was truly delighted with the result – can’t wait to see it in print.

We’ve sold a few photographic prints through the Cherry Tree – all to the same lady who, upon receiving the last print would call up and order another – so lovely when that happens! Dad has also been working flat-out on photographs from his last trip to the Indian Ocean and we are previewing a couple of these absolutely gorgeous prints here today … Skies over Indian ocean – available to buy from Etsy and Tony Shill Photography in March 2010.

I’ve also sold a copy of my Banyan Tree Digital Mini Kit to a scrap-for-hire lady in the US this evening. As the guys at Tesco are fond of saying – every little helps, so many thanks to Amy – you know who you are and good luck with the new business…..

If this is the trend for the year, then the smile I am wearing at the moment is here to stay – happy, happy days!

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Being had!

Posted by Andrea on February 9, 2010
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I have to say that having someone or some company ‘do’ me out of money, sell me something duff or simply dash with my cash has my blood boiling and comes second on my hate list only to rude and ignorant people.

This little gem of a company Crazy Cameras (yes, here’s a link – order off them, go on, I dare you!) offered to sell me a wonderful little camera I wanted to get my husband for Christmas.

I was delighted with the price (I should have heard the warning bells then…) ordered it and waited … and waited … and waited … and NOTHING. No confirmation email, no reply to the multitude of emails I sent them asking for confirmation. Nada, zip, nothing!

I was gutted. It was then I started to search for reviews on the site and to my horror found hundreds and I mean HUNDREDS! Read them for yourself! Almost all of them negative. I felt sick. I spent the next few days with that awful churning sick feeling at the pit of my stomach and then my blood started to boil. I could think of nothing else. I drafted an email stating that I had heard nothing, I was cancelling my order as the camera would not arrive in time now for Christmas… and then I waited some more. Determined I would become the bane of their lives if I didn’t get my money back… I, unbelievably and to my complete amazement, was refunded.

Lucky? Oh yes! Stupid? Oh yes! Buy again without checking the review forums? OH no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Lesson learnt!

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All in good time

Posted by Andrea on January 15, 2010
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After what seems like an eternity I have finally pulled my finger out and got myself organised with a Facebook page for Gingerlily Photography. I don’t know why it has taken me so long but in an attempt to break old habits (1000 ideas but none ever realised) I sat down last night and beavered away until the wee small hours of the morning and hey presto, a basic facebook page advertising my photography and Creative Canvases. To add more delight to my day (the first being that I ACTUALLY realised something) I woke to find I had gained 7 fans  – woohoo! How good do I feel! Anyways – if you want to keep up to date with what’s happening over there, here’s the link – enjoy!

In the meantime, here’s a beautiful 12″ x 12″ canvas I designed and created recently for a client.

[Canvas printed and finished with hand sewn sequins, liquid pearls, silver mesh, ribbon and silver bell. Client's can have personal trinkets/keepsakes woven onto the canvas. Price £75.00  Includes all design work, proofs, printing and framing. Excludes delivery.]

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