That said the equipment you use can have a dramatic effect on that. We are pleased to be able to use high end professional cameras, and the quality of the images we can produce from small keepsake portraits through wall mounted canvas wraps, to large commercial installations of our images are exceptional. But we never stop still in looking at equipment.

I was well aware of the quality of the images produced by medium format cameras and lenses having used them at the studio where I learnt my initial wedding craft- but when the market shifted to digital capture I sold my film cameras before they lost all their value and moved entirely over to 35mm, and regularly upgrade that. Five years on and I now see that the cost, capability, and ease of use of the digital medium format cameras is now back to a position where they could once again be part of the capability I bring to a shoot.

So this evening I was pleased to be accepted to attend a Hasselblad “Studioday” session in Portsmouth where due to the restricted numbers I was able to spend over an hour shooting with the new Hasselblad H4D camera. After a brief period of instruction and some time reviewing the quality of results at a still life area I moved onto a white background studio where I was able to photograph Mia with a variety of lenses. Supported by the knowledgeable and friendly Hasselblad staff I was quickly up to speed with the camera and creating some lovely images which I was able to take away with a copy of the Phocus software to process them.

I have been given permission to use these images non-commercially and so here are a couple from the shoot. To say that this web-sized version isn’t representative of the quality of the images is a massive understatement and I’ll be printing at least one of them out at A2 to check the printed quality later on.

For any professional photographers reading this who are considering a move to medium format digital capture you really should take advantage of the Studiodays being run around the country at educational establishments if you have been invited. Having the camera in your hand and using it for real can’t be underestimated.

Now it is a simple business decision about what, how and when.

We have attended some business events there in the past, and over the last few weeks have been documenting the site transformation with interior photography. The site is nearing completion and we will be back over the next week as the furniture is installed and we can complete our brief to show the final office space, and capture the finishing details of the work.

Until then I need to keep the images confidential, particularly as they will be being shown to the end client next week, so here are a few images of the exterior of 1000 Lakeside to go with this post, and I’ll get an entry out with some of the interior images once I have approval.

Clicking on an image will show it in a larger size.

Each catwalk show was divided into four set of clothing – three different looks, and the entire Betty Jackson collection and the show was repeated in it’s entirety. Very much different from the September show with it’s amazing Manish Arora couture collection this was full of more accessible looks for the visitors and much more subtle pastel colours in evidence – which actually made it harder to shoot.

Here are some of the first cut of images from Friday – I have another set to look through and I might add some more up here next week but wanted to get some up early while the shows are still on.

The show was very busy with a large number of couples, and brides to be with mums or friends attending. We had a reasonably full stand for most of the day, justifying the large position we had booked, and the extensive range of display albums for people to look through.

For anyone reading this that met us on the day – thank you for spending the time speaking with us, and telling us a little about your day as well as taking a look at our photography and hearing about how we work. We look forward to hearing from you again and maybe seeing us for a personal appointment at the studio to talk in more detail about your wedding.

As a memory jogger here is an iPhone picture of the stand.

Our next wedding show will be in the Autumn during which we will be at Botley Park Hotel and The Solent Hotel in September, and probably back at the De Vere again in October. So for now we will pack away the exhibition stand and concentrate on shooting weddings and booking in more couples for 2010 and 2011 weddings.

This acrylic frame is modern and stylish and show the entire image with no edges, it works well in a modern house, office or corporate environment and we use them for our wedding and portrait clients and our commercial clients looking for a finished product.

This image of a mother and her son, photographed with a white background looks great in frame and our client has it displayed in her work space. Not only does she love it but everyone that see it comments on both the image and presentation as well.

Our acrylic products are available to purchase at the time of ordering, and prices are available prior to booking a photographic session.

This show we will have some new items on our stand, and look forward to speaking with couples looking for quality wedding photography in fine products with a relaxed and friendly service. We will also be showcasing two items which we launched at the Botley wedding fair earlier in the year – our large premium large, canvas wraps and also our new style coffee table book style digital album designs.

We have some 2010 dates available for those couples looking to book a photographer for 2010 weddings and are now starting to take bookings for 2011 with some key dates starting to go already. This show will be our last of the spring, and our 2011 prices will be revised following the show so if you are looking to secure a photographer in the next 4-5 weeks for next year you should be able to benefit from our 2010 prices if you come and see us.

Do come to the stand and take a look at our photography and get an excellent opportunity to speak with us about your day. Studio appointments for detailed meetings can be booked at the show – or if you miss us or can’t attend  then please call 01329 3103104 or contact us via the website to arrange a time to come and see us.

We have just had our stand position confirmed and we will have a large feature stand against the wall just inside the doors of the main exhibition hall, and are looking forward to meeting you.

This shoot was for the grandmother of the four children for a significant birthday. The large image in the gold frame was a clear favourite and one of mine as well. It looks stunning framed, and the colours work really well. This is presented as an 18×12″ print in a 24×20″ frame, and was supplied finished and ready for hanging.

The smaller frame is to sit on a desk, and features two of the children in a multiple image layout. The solid bars on the edges bear the names of the children in white in the original, but these have been removed for posting here after the frame was photographed. Sized as a 10×8″ frame with a 7×5″ print, and a feature mount. Key to this image are the placement of the four images within the group.

We used a couple of locations and got some variety of looks and Harriet has just selected her image to go on the site. She is also getting that image and another two in 10×8 format for use at casting calls.

We know there are other Casting Call Pro members in the Hampshire area without headshots, so if you are an actors or aspiring to become one and need a professional headshot then please get in touch and enquire about our service.

Here is one of the images Harriet is planning to use.

We were working for the organiser Laura Swetman capturing some PR images for her business and also had our own exhibitor stand in one of the offices which we had transformed into a studio space. We used it to shoot business portraits for the attendees and some of the exhibitors as well as being somewhere we could talk to people about their commercial photography requirements.

With both responsibilities it was a long and busy day but it was great to meet a large number of people, and to have some good discussions about how we can work with their businesses to produce some corporate PR images for use in websites and brochures, and to shoot over 20 business portraits which will be delivered over the weekend.

Here are some of the images taken on the day. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger version.