Shopping, eating and getting kicked out of shops

Yesterday I went to London to do some research for the marketing module we're doing at uni this semester. The module is about TM Lewin, a businessman-focused company specialising in shirts. So, a couple of girls from uni and I made a day of it, went to visit three TM Lewins and some of their competitors. It was interesting to see the difference between different locations of the same brand, all within London. 

The Fenchurch St store was my favourite, light, spacious and displayed their heritage everywhere, which is what TM Lewin are all about. The staff were very friendly, approachable and helpful, under the promise that we would disclose nothing to their competitors. They were also very knowledgeable about the brand. They even encouraged us to take photos of the store - they seemed proud of it. At Canary Wharf, however, the reception was quite the opposite - we were asked to leave. We had been given permission by two members of staff to take notes, just not photos, but were then approached by a third member of staff who said it was company policy that we could not do our market research there, and had to leave. I didn't think to say it at the time, but if it is company policy, why were we allowed, even encouraged, to do the research at Fenchurch St, while at Canary Wharf we weren't even allowed in the store? 

After visiting the TM Lewin at Stratford, we decided to go for a meal at Giraffe in Westfield, a first for all three of us. We all really enjoyed the meal, and would definitely return - it was reasonably priced, the food was of high quality, the two girls I was with are vegetarian and they both found food they really enjoyed, and the interior design was to our tastes. We were all very full afterwards though!

We then waddled around a few of the shops, stuffed full from the meal. We had a look around Forever 21, and made a visit to the Disney Store to look at potential Christmas presents. We also went into Victoria's Secret - I've never been in there before, and I so wish I had more money to spare, as I loved loads of the designs in there. I found one thing I loved more than anything else, a black and gold basque/bralet at £80, and I wanted to post a photo up on here but I can't find it on the website :( 

However, the Accessorize obsession continues - I went in there next and fell in love with so many items! I only bought one thing due to funds (quite restrained, I thought!) This is Barry, my Accessorize sheep necklace:

This was the drinks stirrer that came with my drink at Giraffe. I thought it was pretty cool :)

Studio Kit

So I decided it was time I had some of my own studio equipment, so I have more freedom in when and where I can shoot. However, I am a student, and although I have a job I am only contracted to 7 and a half hours a week - so I wasn't looking at getting really good, expensive equipment, more a first time user sort of thing for as little money as possible (while still working!)

So, I bought a studio kit consisting of 2 flash lights, an umbrella, a softbox, 2 light stands and all the cables you need for £200 - the Interfit EX150 Mark II. I haven't tested them out properly yet, but I've made sure it all works and syncs correctly. One thing you can't do with them is use them as a slave from your flash, so unless you buy a radio trigger, you can't use the camera cable-free. Because of this, I needed to use a hotshoe with my camera to connect it to one of the lights, but that was the only other piece of equipment I needed in order to use the kit. The online reviews said that the softbox was hard to put together, but I don't think it's that difficult, you just have to put some elbow grease into it.
I've also just today received a backdrop stand, and one black and one white backdrop to use with it - I haven't had the chance to put it up and try them out yet, but I'm just happy I've now got the option to do a studio shoot with a professional looking background without having to worry about booking  a session and how long I'll have, and so on.

I can't wait to try both the backdrops and lights properly - I will need to sort something out soon!

I attempted to test the lights out on the only model I had available (until she bailed on me!):

Canvey beach shoot

So I did a photo shoot at Canvey Island beach, which considering many things went wrong, actually turned out okay. It took 4 hours for me to get there, as I have to travel to Southend first, then to Canvey. When we got there, there was no beach! Just a tiny bit of sand, as the tide was so high. Then, while we were shooting, the tide came even further in and we didn't notice - my shoe started floating away, and the rest of my stuff got drenched too. I also got sunburnt, and my model Beth started feeling really ill from the heat and we had to cut the shoot short after just one dress, and the bikini she had brought. So it didn't go particularly smoothly - but we still got some images, so it's not all bad! Here's a few of them:

Printable Discs

I've just realised I haven't put any photos of my printable discs up yet, so thought I'd do so now!
Basically, I thought I'd buy some discs to personalise so that when I give clients etc a disc of their photos, I can personalise them to be specific to the client, as well as put Jo Drury Photography on it. I've now also ordered some DVD cases to put the discs in, so I can do personalised covers to put on those too - I have been doing that with the couple of discs I've done so far, but I have no more cases left. I could only order them in a pack of 100 though, so it's going to be reallly bulky to store!

On another note, I've now ordered a couple of studio lights - they're beginner sort of lights, not amazing, but they were only £200 so I'm not complaining! I only ordered them today so they haven't come yet, pretty excited to try them out. They come with an umbrella and softbox (which is apparently really hard to assemble!) and all the cables etc, plus an instructional DVD - which I will DEFINITELY be watching, so terrified of breaking them instantly! I need to get a backdrop & stand as well in order to have a proper home studio, but when I do I'll have more freedom in that I don't have to book out a studio when I need one, and it doesn't involve working with people willing to travel to Southend. I can ask friends and family who are local to just pop over to take some photos that I can use for my portfolio. Which I'm looking forward to!

So, back to the discs. These are the two I've done so far:

They may not be the best, but I'm getting practise before a proper paying client at least!