Inspired by Another Creative.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a wonderfully creative soul, an artist whose passion for her craft is evident in every stroke of her brush, Wendy Taylor. As a photographer, I was immediately drawn to her paintings, and I have to say, I was blown away by their beauty and depth. Each piece was a unique reflection of her vision and imagination, and I found myself completely engrossed in the intricate details and vibrant colours of her work. It was a joy to capture her art through my lens, and I can honestly say that I felt inspired by her talent and enthusiasm.

I had an incredible experience creating short films (the below is the first of four) with my photographs of Wendy’s paintings. I wanted a unique and organic mix of visuals and the soundtrack was made by recording wind chimes from my garden.

There’s was something truly special about combining different art forms to create something entirely new and wonderful. Using my photographs of Wendy’s paintings in my film was an excellent way to bring her art to life.

Meeting Wendy was a highlight of my day, and I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate again in the future.

Raymond Jones Images: The Future of Photography

The Future of Photography

I’ve been reading a few photography books recently that were given to me as Christmas presents (below). I’m always researching new trends, where they’ve come from and what’s may happen.

Knowledge for me has always been a strength and power thing for me.

Photography The Whole Story by Juliet Hacking

Wildlife Photographer of The Year by Natural History Museum

I’m glad I no longer use chemicals in a dark room washing away those substances down the sink at the end of the process. I must admit though that I do miss the feel and look of film which you don’t really get with digital!

Since the beginning of digital SLRs, I have enjoyed the immediacy of digital. I take a photograph and immediately see my results. There’s more to it than than but you know what I mean.

Then came mobile phones with in-built cameras which nowadays are almost comparable to the earliest DSLR’s. We all find them useful especially because of their size. Mobile phone quality images aren’t comparable to DSLRs are they? I’m sure you’ve been on Instagram and realised the difference between a mobile phone photo and a DSLR image.

But does anyone care? Some businesses do and surprisingly some don’t. I’ve lost count of the number of smart businesses who invest in their business yet when I’ve seen them represented on social, their advertising materials are of poor quality and taken most often by a member of staff in bad lighting. Many businesses don’t realise every photo of their business from their business creates an impression of their business.

I certainly care about images and their quality which is why I’ve invested significantly in new equipment including cameras, lenses, etc. I’ve also invested in many years studying light and getting the best light whether that be for a business portrait or a product.

What are your opinions about this? I‘d really like to hear your views.

The Future

I’m unsure, but I know digital is here to stay and social media will have a big influence as to where it will morph into!? I see people turning away from big user apps to more locally based ones. I’m excited for the future and to adapt like I’ve always done. .

Ray

Ps. This self portrait wasn’t just taken. I set my R5 on a tripod. I triggered the tripod with my remote trigger. If you look at the photo, you’ll see the trigger in my right hand. I chose to stand where I did because there was closed shade above provided by thick branches. The main light came from open light to my right. The mask of my face is perfectly lit because I looked in that direction.

Self portrait of Raymond Jones near his home by the canal in North Wales

One of the pitfalls of being self employed: not getting paid

I’ve been wanting to write a blog post on this subject for a while now but I’m happy to being doing that now.

It’s been a busy year for my little business. I pushed it in ways I never thought possible being totally out of my zone of comfort but it has paid off in so many ways.

However, with the increased work load, I’ve experienced not being paid on now two occasions. I really don’t know why these businesses don’t pay up as they’ve received the promised and given digital products and are even being used online on websites and social media. It’s a strange experience, seeing ones photographs on the net and yet they haven’t been paid for!

I always pay businesses straight away because I know how important cash flow is to me and them.

On with the reminder emails because I won’t give up and I’m currently updating my terms and conditions which have unfortunately I’ve got to do to help prevent this from happening again.

If you’ve been in a similar situation, please do reach out to me. I would really find that helpful!

Ray

Why I went mirrorless - what some photographers won’t tell you!

Earlier this year, I made a change from digital single lens reflex (DSLR) to mirrorless. My 6d’s and 5ds were a few years old and I was realising they had a few flaws which I didn’t like!

I like to shoot my portraits, most often business portraits, at my lenses widest aperture, sometimes at f1.2. I like the look of a portraits taken at f1.2 and I like the natural vignette at this aperture.

However, I was realising that some of my portraits, after bringing them into my software, Lightroom, that some portraits were soft when I zoomed in 100%. To compensate for this, I would take several shots of my subject and with a safer aperture of say f2 or above.

Even though I used to send my lenses away to be calibrated, that wasn’t enough!

Eye Focus

This is where eye focus came in handy with my new mirrorless cameras. AI (artificial intelligence) enables me to select a subject to track and my camera tracks it, particularly when I’m up close to them, their eyes and their nearest eye are locked on to. It’s really cool.

My workflow’s changed dramatically. I take less photographs, saving space on my computer, and I now zoom in 100% and have amazing accuracy.

Video

I do quite a few videos for business where a lot of my clients are talking direct to camera, eye focus is really useful here. I also film myself quite often and eye focus has enabled me not to worry about focus, so I can concentrate on other technical details!

Are you copying photographs from the net and social media and using them on social media or in other ways?

When photographers create photographs of products, people, food, landscapes, etc they are using professional equipment to take these images and edit them often with expensive computers and software.  Add to this the other overhead costs of insurance, etc.  In other words it’s costs money to produce these images.

When images are stolen from the net, often just by copying via a mobile phone, the photographer could be loosing revenue.

It’s also illegal to copy someone else’s photographs and use them on the net on social media, printing materials, etc.  The photographer owns the copyright.

It’s theft and no different from walking in a shop, taking an item from the shelf and walking out the shop without paying!

Over the years I’ve discovered my images being used elsewhere on the net and successfully asked for them to be removed or for me to be credited.  It can be quite flattering seeing my photographs elsewhere but it can also be quite annoying when my photographs have been copied, cropped and filterised!

I often search for my images via Google Images and I also use other tools to search for them.

If you do copy images on the net, you’ll eventually get caught and you could even be taken to court.

My advice

Ask the photographer if you may use their image or images.  I’ve been contacted several times by people about using my images and I often give permission as long as I get a credit.  Always ask before you intend to use them.

Ray

Goals do happen when I write them down

Michael (my partner) has always told me to write things down. Have a list so I know what I’m doing and where I’m going.

I never took his advice. How could things happen if I write anything down? That’s just mad. Surely it’s enough to discuss ideas and eventually things happen. I just didn’t get it until recently…

Since joining BNI, a network that I love because it’s an organisation that monitors everything that each member does. It’s not for everyone but it it for me.

I’d become lazy networking with other networks. Sometime’s I would attend and sometimes I wouldn’t depending on my workload. Other members were the same. I wasn’t taking them seriously and to be honest nor was I.

Since BNI, I’ve changed my whole business outlook. I’ve become educated in business. I’m looking after myself as well as my business. I attend face to face workshops and when I’m not able to do that I’m constantly listening to Ivan Misner , founder of BNI and his podcasts. I enjoy listening to his wise words, I’m dreading the day when I get to the last one!

I’m constantly writing my goals, re-evaluating them and adjusting them and it works. Because I’m writing down goals, it registers in my brain, so whenever I’m with a business working or having meetings my goals pop into the forefront of my thoughts.

Michael was right all along. Writing it down does makes things happen and they are!

Being too good can make clients reluctant or scared to contact me!

As my wedding season approaches, yes I still photograph weddings but no where near as many as pre Covid! Covid was a wake up call for me. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

luckily, I’ve never just been a wedding photographer, I’ve been equally at home photographing people in business, products, interiors and food photography. I photograph anything but I don’t photography babies! I’ve also been bringing back video production as an increasing amount of clients are asking me for video interviews and talking straight to camera film. I’ve just invested in the latest mirrorless cameras that record in broadcast quality which is important to me and my clients.

I digress. I’ve had a great week with photographing business meetings (fly on the wall) and photographing and a couple of entrepreneurs too. I’ve also clinched three food and interior business deals.

One client contacted me and said they loved my photography but were scared to contact me about how much I charge. After a great telephone chat, they were surprised to discover I was affordable. Another comment from a client was that my food photography was so good that if I photographed their food, their clients might be let down when they see it in real life on the plate! With reassurance, I was honest and said I don’t retouch food, I photograph food straight from chef. It’s my dramatic lighting that makes the food pop!

Ray

Influences in Photography

I was asked recently about my influences in my photography.  I think my answers came as a surprise because I’m not influenced by other photographers!


I’ve always admired fine art paintings by artists like William Turner, etc.  I like his dramatic,  moody sky’s.  His paintings influence my wedding photography especially when I’m looking to capture those wow photos with a wide angle lens capturing a pink sky with cloud formations and newlyweds embracing each other.

Another admired painter is Rembrandt.  I adore his warm tones and dramatic use of light and shadow giving dimension to his portraits.  My food photography is heavy influenced by Rembrandt.  My foods often lit with a single light at a low angle.

What or who are your influences?

Perfectionism

I created my YouTube channel about 7 years ago hoping to start talking to camera about photography. I’ve hardly posted in this time which is down to perfectionism.

I really feel it’s had a detrimental effect on my creativity, especially when it came to me talking to camera. I’ve never liked seeing myself on camera and I disliked the sound of my voice. I would record myself talking to camera, make a mistake, and finally get it right. Then when it came to editing my work, I’d see flaws in the way I came across or whatever. It wasnt good enough. It wasn’t perfect. I never completed lots of projects because it wasn’t acceptable. Yet it would take sometimes a whole day to record a sequence. It wasn’t wasted. I used to get so angry and frustrated and I even felt fake and useless. Then I researched on YouTube how others had overcome perfectionism.

Now, after I’ve finished a video project where I’m recording myself, I ask myself “Is this 100% perfect?” I answer with a no and then I ask “Is this 70% perfect?” I’ll always answer with a yes!

Even with 70% perfect the small minor mistakes, no one seems to notice but me.

I still have issues but at least I’ve finally taken the plunge a make a short film on Perfectionism.

In a years time I know I’ll be thinking what was all the stress about.

Thank you for reading this.

Cheers,

Ray

In case you want to see the video, here’s the link and be kind:-

I no longer worry about camera focus and can get more creative…

After a few years saving hard earned money, I’ve updated all my photography equipment, cameras, lenses, etc in preparation for a new year of weddings, portraits and commercial photography.

I use canon DSLR full frame cameras with L lenses. I know my cameras literally from back to front but I would often get frustrated with DSLR’s focus abilities and their accuracy. Zooming in on portraits, DSLR’s can sometimes be off by a few millimetres which is why I would frequently overshoot scenes to at least make sure I nail the shot. At the end of the year I calibrate my lenses or in some cases send my cameras and lenses off to canon for this calibration. Mirrorless no longer need calibration.

After getting my hands on digital mirrorless cameras, I’m finding that I’m shooting subjects less because 99% of the time I’m nailing the shot. Eye focus now enables me to shoot wide open without fear of missing my subjects eye. I can use the 50mm f1.2 at f1.2

Another point that I should mention is that my creativity when photographing anything has increased or widened because focus is no longer an issue!

Ray

A Difference 15 Days Can Make

Happy New Year. I’m home at last having spent over 15 days from home. I missed Alfie, our dog, so much!

I had a total business break which included from all social media. Admittedly I found not posting to social media daily and turning silent all notifications a real benefit to my health. My sleeping patterns improved as did my overall concentration levels.

I’m of an age that I can say I remember when there wasn’t social media or even the internet and it felt good at the time.

As I plan a new approach to social media, personally and with my business, my emphasis will no longer be focused on daily postings but more so on quality postings, posts that give real value to my audience. How I photograph people and products, my thought processes, etc.

Ray

The Andrews Family: Wedding & Portrait Photographer

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Reviews

Where does the time go. In fact where do the years go? It’s that time of the year when I’m thinking about the holidays, relaxing with good company, food and just not thinking about work.

Reviews are an important part of my business and when I remember, I do ask clients to give me a review on my Google Business Page. I recently had a review from John. Heres the review which kind of chocked me and made me realise why, after all these years, I still do and have the passion for taking photos:-

Woodland portrait

“We have been returning customers to Raymond over the last 7 years and still he exceeds all expectations!! From Baby’s first photos, to Christenings, Birthdays and annual Christmas shoots he is the “Goto guy”. He always has a friendly, fun,positive attitude and his talents seem to know no end!! We’ve all heard the saying “never work with children or animals” but for Raymond this is not the case!! He adapts easily to rapid change and works well under pressure(which is a must with my kids and pets)!! It’s really difficult to put into words how much we admire and appreciate what he does, so all we can say is….. Perfection Personified!!”

John- Paul Andrews

(Ps. if I’ve worked with you I would really appreciate a review if you wouldn’t mind)

Professional Product Photography

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We create powerful professional product photography.  We can create clean, clear product photography that is essential for e-commerce sites including Amazon, Ebay, websites, etc.

If you’re looking for professional product photography, please call Ray on 07837788874 or email rrjj@btinternet.com

Now is the time for your business and product to be visible online with quality, crisp, professional images. Our aim is to be affordable. Whether you want simple white background, image psds or styled photography, we can help you with our award winning commercial photography.


SEND ME YOUR PRODUCTS BY POST

Covid-19 and it’s second lockdown is here so we are again offering you the chance to send us your products by post. Just pop your medium to small sized products in the post to us. We suggest using a local currier, Parcelforce or your own choice but if you’re local (we’re on the Welsh border, Chirk) we will collect and drop off!

We work with you on your product images before the planned shoot creating storyboards, etc via Zoom and on the day of the shoot, we’ll send you screenshots of the shoot as it’s happening and connect with you via Zoom.

Please complete the below form with your requirements and we’ll get back to you asap including a Free no obligation quotation.

Mystical Wrexham. We look but we don't see!

I hear lots of negative comments about Wrexham town the place I was born in. I have fond memories as a child visiting the town on Saturdays. I used to catch the train from Penyffordd on those old trains when the doors used to open outwards and my mischievous friend, Paul Jones, used to hang out the window having a sneaky cigarette.

It isn’t all bad in Wrexham. It has a very long history and was once a bustling market town.

I’ve had busy month travelling to places as far as field as Huddersfield to photograph for Tweedmill Textiles and Whitchurch to capture business portraits and I do lots of work at Brockley, a niche Restaurant specialising in healthy eating.

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful town that is Wrexham…

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It's all about connections! Business Portraiture

I popped to see Charlotte in Whitchurch last week. She needed business portraits for her Accountancy and Holistic businesses. I was so nervous, when I’m not usually. I guess, I felt the pressure even more because she admires my work so much and we’re good mates! We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow!

It’s so important for businesses and people who head businesses to have a presence on their website and particularly so, on social media. It’s the ultimate connection. People want to see you, how you look and if they can trust you.

Charlotte intends using the portraits on her website and social media. I gave her so many images and a set of images in the square formate for Instagram.

We had so much fun taking these. There were no surprises for Charlotte because I let her view each photo I took of her and will full input on clothing changes, angles, lighting.

We are both extremely happy with the set of images we took and the great memories that are now attached to them!

business_headshots

Ray xxx

When chaos in my life lead to calm in my life!

Chaos

It was the end of April 2020 when things were beginning to change for me and not in a good way. When I say change, I’m talking about my body and my mind. Whenever I eat, my stomach would let me know painfully. I dreaded eating and was getting scared to eat. Mentally, it was stressing me.

My head wasn’t in the right place. That inner negative, that we all have, was fighting against me in a big way and taking over my world. After isolation was soon over, our friend David visited for dinner but I struggled to eat even basic foods like lamb and vegetables. The pain was like something I’d never experienced before. I was so concerned and didn’t know what was happening. I felt helpless.

Me meditating

Me meditating

Say yes to new adventures

Say yes to new adventures

Diet, Stress & Gastritis

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer about seven years ago, I developed gastritis which is a condition when the stomach lining becomes inflamed because of a bad diet and stress. I tend to neglect my diet and eat what can only be described as crap food, sugary foods.

Sleeping was difficult. Everyday, exhausted and stress with loosing lots of business with Covid 19 and with little government support, I sometimes think “how the hell did I get through it all?”

I knew, from experience, that I had to change my diet and approach new ways with dealing with my anxieties.

Jess, Lesley and Bobs

Jess, Lesley and Bobs

Working with Brockley Bean Cafe

It’s been over a year now that I started photographing and working for Brockley, a unique cafe and catering business down one of Wrexham’s quaint streets, Charles Street. It’s run by my friend and business owner, Jess Wills, a trained Chef and assisted by my other lovely friend, Lesley Wills (Jess’s mum) who is a trained nutritionalist. Some of my food images taken at the cafe have been shortlisted for Pink Lady Food.

A Blessing

I say, and continue to say, that I’ve been blessed because my eating issues and the solution for them was on my own doorstep. The solution was Jess and Lesley and their knowledge and experience with food, healthy food. I have had so much support from both ladies about my diet and what I should and shouldn’t be eating from drinks like slippery elm which coat the oesophagus and linking of the stomach, nature’s natural way without the need for liquid medicines from the local chemist. Foods like lean meats and vegetables like cabbage, carrots, etc which are full of antioxidants and which heal the stomach.


Brockley Bean Story

The story behind Brockley Bean Cafe with Jess:-

“I was born in 1979, raised and brought up in London in a place called Brockley on Coulgate Street opposite Brockley train station. This was where mum started a tiny whole foods shop (below photo) and eventually squatted next door as that was an 1980’s and squatting wasn’t a big deal like now.

When I was aged 5, mum decide to open the first vegan vegetarian cafe in London and the UK. I remember the day when I sat there in the cafe room designing menus for Brockley and I said why don’t we call the cafe Brockley Bean and on the front of the menu was the shape of a drawing of a round green face, a smiley green face rather like the logo they have been using before their recent brand change.

Old Brockley Bean Cafe, Brockley, London

Old Brockley Bean Cafe, Brockley, London

Old logo

Old logo

Rainbow Wraps

Rainbow Wraps

At age 7, I worked in the local Deptford Market and then from age 14 onwards we moved to Anglesey and didn’t do very well at school because of dyslexia and found it hard to fit in with schools that only spoke in Welsh. My passion was always with food and then went to work in catering and then being a chef in Bangor where I qualified to be a chef.

I later moved to Chester but unfortunately there wasn’t much work to do with catering or being a chef so I decided to give retail a try and worked for Next for 11 years and worked my up to Store Manager and then another 11 years at Top Shop as Store Manager.

In 2017 Skinnys opened in Wrexham which is a health food shop. I worked there for a really good guy called Kane and his family. It was like meat, vegetables, chicken, steak, etc and I was lucky enough that Kane gave me a position, after a few months, to run the shop for him. 2017 was a real moment for meal preps for people and cooking for people who haven’t got time but wanted clean healthy food and meal preps are for fitness, bodybuilder people. I later run Skinnys new shop in Chester and help support that shop also.

In October 2017, I wanted to do something else so I went to help mum manage her cafe in Bangor. Her cafe was called Follow Your Bliss. We both enjoyed working with each other and it was a real buzz and we had ideas to take Follow Your Bliss to Chester. However, it wasn’t working. In November 2017, I had calls from old customers asking me to cook for them. Before I knew it, I was cooking for 75 clients and working 7 days a week in a small kitchen. I was at this time exhausted.

Then with luck or maybe universal law, one day I was delivering to a customer, I couldn’t park in my normal place, so I walked down Charles Street and I saw the shop that we’re in at the moment, 20 Charles Street, The Brockley Bean and the rest they say is history.”

Keto Bread

Keto Bread

Healthy Mind & Meditation

I remember calling in to the cafe one Thursday morning to visit Jess and Lesley and as my stomach health was starting heal with a new clean diet, my mind still wasn’t where it needed to be. I still had that inner negative voice. After a long chat with them both, they advised I read “The Untethered Soul” by Michael A. Singer.

I can’t remember the last time I read a book! This book changed my life in so many ways. I’ve learned to calm my inner voice with meditation, daily medication. I think of it like cleaning of my mind. I no longer waste energy with worrying but I focus on the now and look forward to my tomorrows.

I’ve also learned to meditate, twice a day and I’ve also found it even more rewarding when I meditate with with others.

Jess meditating

Jess meditating

Wind chime

Wind chime

Please, if you are suffering with that negative inner voice, and are serious about it not ruling your life anymore, please read the book and please talk about your thoughts, no matter how crazy they may seem, it’s such a release to open and talk about everything.

A clean diet and a clean mind have released me from many months and probably years without knowing it, from years of chaos and confusion and I’m thankful and lucky to have two key friends who have changed me for the better in my new life journey.

Take care everybody. We are all going through tough times but stay positive, don’t follow the negatives in life. Choose you’re own positive way. It takes more effort to be miserable than to be happy.

Ray xxx














North Wales & Cheshire Wedding Photographer: Wedding Albums

Wedding albums are an important consideration for your special day. After I’ve edited your images, you choose unto 100 images per album. Why 100 images? More than 100 images in your album and images begin to look cramped and it can be difficult to have a pleasing page layout!

With each of my wedding packages, you receive a 13 x 13 photobook. Additional phonebooks are £100. If you require something a little more special, I offer two luxury albums:-

LUXURY ALBUMS

Large 8 x 11 album, leather cover, lustre prints, thick pages, 50 pages £310 (excluding postage and packing)

Large 11 x 14 album, leather cover, lustre prints, thick pages, 50 pages £440 (excluding postage and packing)

Photobook 13 x 13, leather bound, 40 pages £100 (excluding postage and packing)

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luxury_wedding_album
luxury_wedding_album
luxury_wedding_album

Please do get in touch if you have any questions about my albums, packages, etc. I’m here to help.

Take call, all.

Ray