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I've been doing headshots for quite a number of years now, but it was only when I was looking back at some headshots from a few years ago that it suddenly dawned on me how headshots have evolved. I used to find that clients just wanted a straight forward headshot for their LinkedIn profiles. Now with blogging, email and social media marketing being so popular, the headshot has changed. Do you have more than one headshot? I'm finding that most of my clients are now asking to have different headshots for different purposes. For example a work associate of mine has around 10-12 different images of herself that she uses. It seems a lot doesn't it? But not really. When we do our local Twitter hour the photograph she introduces herself with is of her stood in the middle of her High Street. I think this is a very clever photograph. It tells you where she is located and that she is approachable. Other examples are of her sat chatting with a client, another photo is of her with her associates. The last one she tends to use before signing off Twitter Hour is one of her standing on the stairs, it's like the photo is saying "Oh one last thing before I go"! All of the photos are well thought out, and this is what I ask my clients to think about. Businesses are quite diverse, the professional headshot is perfect for LinkedIn and for your business card, but it's possibly not the best image to use for marketing and social media content. No Rules! I think the rule book for headshots got thrown out sometime ago, sometimes it's worth having more of a relaxed, natural approach. I also love nothing more than playing around with different backdrops and lighting with coloured gels....this gives quite a fun, different feel to your images. Well that's it from me for now. If your curious to know how I can help you with your business imagery? Please give me a call on 07810516283 or email me jemma@jemmahancockphotography.co.uk Thanks for reading guys, Jemma xx

This is my first full week back in the studio and I already feel like I've taken a huge leap into 2019!! I've made a few changes to my diet which I'm really excited about and over the Christmas period I found myself watching Marie Kondo's programme on Netflix 'Tidying Up'. It's a bit of a life changer - if you haven't watched it, I can really recommend that you do. She makes you look at the items in your home and evaluate if you need them in your life or not, she helps you make improvements in your home. After using Marie Kondo's techniques over Christmas on my home, it made me think of what improvements I can use in my business. Out with the old in with the new. For me it's updating the images on my website and also the images that I use on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. I tend to think I'm speaking to the same audience with Twitter & LinkedIn but Facebook I use in a different way, therefore I have different images for my different clients and potential clients. This week I'm dealing with quite a varied set of clients. I've been dealing with a beautician, a web designer, a lady who creates fantastic centre pieces from balloons for events and parties and a automotive repair centre, these companies are so varied but they all need the same outcome, which is they all need an online presents and to let their potential clients what they're business is all about. They need a set of images that they can rotate for their social media to get their message across, and they all want their clients to see the people behind the brand. I absolutely thoroughly enjoy doing this, for some it will be studio based and for others it we'll go for a walk and come back with some great images!! If you'd like me to have the Marie Kondo effect on you and create a set of images for your business, call me, we'll work together and help you outshine your competitors. Have a great week, Jemma

You're expecting....having a baby is so special and there's no better way to cement that milestone than by having a maternity photoshoot. I've been doing maternity sittings for some years now but each one is still unique to me and my approach to each one is different, no two clients are the same and I hope that comes across during your time with me. I always feel so privileged when I get asked to photograph this special time in your life, but your time with me doesn't just start at your session time. In the run up to your sitting, we will talk about where your wall art will be displayed, it's quite important to think of your homes colour schemes as this can determine what you wear. I have wraps in various colours for you to use during your session, which are delicate enough to accentuate your bump but subtle enough to drape around the areas you don't wish to be seen. With that in mind it's always worth bringing along a few of your own items from home. White and black underwear & strapless bras are a good idea and white and black vests are great props and also really versatile. Floaty dresses and bodycon dresses make a great statement and can undoubtedly give you a very special image. Thank you for reading, if you would like more information on my maternity sittings, please get in touch at jemma@jemmahancockphotography.co.uk Many Thanks, Jemma :-)

When asked to write an article on how to take the perfect Christmas photo it got me thinking as to what actually equates to the perfect photo? Is it the perfect composition? The perfect lighting? For me Christmas is a time for family and it's most definitely about living in the moment. I spend my time in the studio posing families and getting the perfect composition for their family portraits, but when it comes to spending time with family and friends it's important to capture those memories and living in the moment and I do that shock horror by using the camera on my phone! I know I'm a photographer and I should have my camera ready at all times, but the reality is I'm also a mum and a wife and at Christmas although I would love to be taking photos with my BIG camera, I'm also working, the chief present buyer, attending Christmas concerts and getting ready to open the doors to our friends and family over the festive period, so inevitably out comes my camera phone, capturing events as they unfold that I can then share instantly with everyone else, because lets face it, if it isn't on social media, did it actually happen at all :-) We're quickly heading toward the big day and photos of peoples Christmas trees are starting to appear on Facebook and Instagram, you've spent ages getting your tree to Monica Geller standards, you now need it to look insta ready. The same goes for the mulled wine boomarang 'cheers', the christmas markets and the light swith ons So I'm going to give you a 6 useful tips on how to take the perfect photo in low light and capture the beautiful essence of Christmas. Capture the preparation stages For me it all starts when the Christmas tree goes up. Time passes so quickly so I make sure that I photograph the kids putting the decorations on the tree, including the ones that they made in nursery! It's all about traditions and making new memories. Get in nice and close and fill the frame. 2. Focus on The eyes Our attention always goes towards the eyes in a photograph, they're a natural focal point that we are drawn to. Again get in nice and close to your subject, filling the frame. For a better quality photograph trty not to zoom. Instead move to your subject, always ensuring that their eyes are in focus. 3. Taking the photo It may seem logical to take the photo from the actual smartphones screen but it's not always easy and most phones have an additional button on the side for taking photos, maybe use a little trial and error here, if it doesn't look good taking it by pressing the button on the screen, using your body as a tripod use the other button. 4. Turn off the flash Using flash in low light is a bit of a no, no, we want to try and capture that ambiance. Turn off the flash, focus your camera then keeping it steady take your picture. It's also worth mentioning that if the lights are flashing your images maybe a bit blurry, if the lights are stationary they won't blur. 5. Turn off the lights The main lights in the room are going to be too harsh, instead try using the lamps in the room as a light source. We don't want to over light the subject, we're trying to soak up the atmosphere of those fairy lights. 6. Check your settings Most smartphones now have different cameras settings. Try adjusting it to a manual/pro mode and again turn off the flash. The Pro camera system in most smartphones are used to boost settings like shutter speed, ISO, white balance, metering. With images taken in low light, the ISO must be kept in the range of 400 to 800, and the shutter speed is to be reduced by about 1/5 or 1secs. If you have very less light, it is better to keep the shutter speed up to about 1/20 or 1/15secs. Ultimately, it's all about knowing the camera on your phone, it's capabilities, having fun and creating special memories!! Merry Christmas To You All, Jemma