Tagged: charity
2016 What a Year for Nikki Price Photography
Those of you who caught my round up of 2015, will know how pleased I was to see that year grow for Nikki Price Photography, and have been so delighted that my business has once again gone from strength to strength in 2016. A sincere and heartfelt thanks to all my clients, models, and everyone who has supported Nikki Price Photography. Testimonials from client shoots have reaffirmed that you love my informal style of photography too! So once again thank you.
2017 is bringing some fantastic opportunities for me (watch this space!) and I’m already being booked throughout next year for your gorgeous events, and family shoots. If you need a photographer for your product, portrait, event, or other shoot, drop me a line on my contact me page or via nikkipricephotography@gmail.com .
I have loved looking over the past years photoshoots, commissions and projects, here are some of my favourites:
Cafe Sunlight – Food Photography
I am immensely proud to have worked with so many fantastic creative and charitable organisations this year such as Cafe Sunlight
Cafe Sunlight is based in the Sunlight Centre Gillingham, and the team invited me to take photographs of their hot food offer for parties and conferences; as they wanted to refresh their website for their London events. The food produced by Chef Dave was fantastic as you can see below, and the team were a delight to work with.
Top tip for indoor food photography using flash: have some white card or white fabric handy to make the most of the flash, bouncing the light back onto your gorgeous food, avoids harsh shadows.
Exhibitions
Exhibiting more of my work this year, has been a thrilling but scary experience! I took part in Medway Open Studios with my ‘Hidden forms in nature theme’, which sparked lots of interesting chats with visitors. I was also proud to have interpreted work by Poet Dan Simpson in the Wordsmithery Heretics exhibition/performance. I produced a layered photograph which contained a self portrait, woodland and a glacier, it was good to pushed my boundaries. I was also involved ‘In the footsteps of the Pilgrims’ exhibition at St Mary’s Church Burham, one of my favourite churches near my home town. I exhibited 2 photos, both taken at night of the Church, I was extra pleased about this as one of the pieces sold and is now winging its way to America to a family who emigrated there from Burham over 20 years ago. The exhibition that had most impact on me was the Pandora’s Other Box ‘Skin’ exhibition at the Horsebridge Centre.
Top tip for exhibition photographs: have a plan for your final pieces but don’t be afraid to change it! Playing through your plan; will often bring forward ideas you may never have thought of.
I have loved working with local youth groups, artists, and Rochester Literature Festival this year. A highlight was working at Woodlands Youth Centre MC and DJ workshop for young people, lead by MC artist Harry Shotta. The young people loved the opportunity to try out their MC skills and my only regret is that I didn’t have time to try DJ’ing! A poignant event for young people I had the privilege of photographing was the Tryangle awards at the Central Theatre Chatham, the first time I had been on that stage!
Towards the end of 2016 I was pleased to photograph the See and Create launch, headed up by Artist Chris Sacre. The launch, at Nucleus Arts Chatham, was a great opportunity to learn about his Arts Council funded project aimed at Deaf families providing accessible workshops and other events in 2017.
Top tip for photographing events: sturdy shoes with no heels! and a wide angle (F1.4) lens make for a good shot particularly in low light situations and shoes with no heels make for quiet movement over wooden floors, nothing worse than a photographer with squeaky shoes!
Family photography is one of my favourites, meeting new people and providing some gorgeous informal photos for you is a pleasure. It is a delight to be invited into someones home to capture moments at a party, outdoors with mum (and dads) bump shoot, or in the studio with you and your little ones; I received some great feedback on your shoots. I also ran a competition for a family shoot this Autumn as I had missed out on taking some great photos in the autumnal leaves last year.
Top tip for photographing families: particularly those with small children/babies; ensure you have a rough plan in your head about the shots you want to achieve, and take your time, feeding and changing stops need to be factored in!
Everything else!
I have put this section to wrap up the year for all those things that would seem a little lonesome on their own, but gives you a flavour of everything else I get up too!
I’ve started my series of skills sharing blogs, and ran nature photography workshops with young people in Grain. My business is also now live on Gravesend.co.uk business listing pages, a particularly significant direction taking Nikki Price Photography into North Kent.
Although I am not a wedding photographer, I do make exceptions for very small number of intimate weddings each year; Garry and Vicky’s was just that, a lovely family and friends relaxed wedding, in such a beautiful setting, it was a pleasure to be part of their day.
This years short documentary/business info films include The Right Step Dance Company and my own personal short about Time which had its launch at Seasonally Effected a cultural open mic night back in November.
Personal Projects
Being a photographer I don’t ever really stop taking photographs, after all its what I love the most. I’ve usually always got my i-phone on me to take snaps or love to take the 6D out for a spin when I feel the urge.
Since 2013 I have been thinking about and producing photographs for a body image project, celebrating the nude without over processing in photoshop. The bulk of work is growing, with more shoots to take place in the new year (when the weather warms up a bit!); this (or some elements of it) will form part of my solo exhibition (so sorry no sneak peeks here!), more news to come on that one throughout 2017.
Last on the list -but not least! some photos of my Christmas day morning stroll around the West End of London, with my partner and pooch.
Thanks for reading my blog, and your support throughout this year. Here’s to another great year of photography.
Nikki x
Brownie 127 Project…..so far!
The start to my Brownie 127 project (Medway in the 1950’s) has been amazing. I’ve made such a connection with the people I interviewed, don’t get me wrong it has been amazing visiting the Medway archives searching through resources and reading books about local history, but it something entirely different talking to people, and listening to their stories. Here’s a taster of some of the people I have interviewed so far for the project (Don’t want to give any spoilers!), want to be involved? see here.
Barry E: a great visit to the former Horsted Farm site in Chatham where Barry’s family worked, it is now an open space with some housing, skirting the edge of Fort Horsted. Barry remembers when they planted the trees for the Orchard.
Richard B: we visited numerous places Luton arches area of Chatham. I loved hearing Richards stories especially that the proximity to living so close to the railway had inspired him to become an engineer! Richards enthusiasm for the local area and supporting its heritage hasn’t faltered as he is the Chairman of a charity working to establish a 1939 Chatham bus as an educational resource, the Medway Heritage Bus.
Time to Talk – Tea and Cake
On 6th February I organised a get together for a time to talk time to change event (as part of the charity Mind) at the Dot Cafe Rochester.
I gave a talk about the reasons for wanting to put together the event:
One of the key aims of Minds event is ‘to empower people with mental health problems to feel confident talking about the issue without facing discrimination’. People can speak about as much or as little as they want to, the main aim of the campaign is to facilitate chats around Mental Health as well as a platform for individuals to chat about everyday things. Those who attended said to me how relaxed and informal it was, which put them more at ease. There are many wonderful other local events that have a common theme for getting people together, however there isn’t one for getting people together and just chatting.
Here’s what people said about the event:
“to have an excuse to move away from mundane chores to be amongst others so as not to feel too isolated”
“really enjoyable to meet such lovely people, hope it continues”
“good to have a reason to get out of the house…..I’ve become a bit isolated during the last couple of years, I hope it continues”
“it was a lovely relaxing morning, glad to support Mind (and enjoy the cake)”
“good to meet new people, the more friends the better”
“this is a fantastic idea”
“really nice to find out that something like this exists”
A big thanks go to Sandy at the Dot Cafe.
The benefits of the event were fantastic, I am going to arrange another in early March.
Photos taken on my i-phone:
Nikki Price Photography -Top Shoots from 2013
WOW!!!! What a fantastic year for Nikki Price Photography. I would just like to say thank you to everyone who I have had the pleasure of working with this year.
There were many shoots this year that were a fantastic giggle, shoots that reaffirmed my decision to set up a business doing something I love, and many that provided fantastic constructive feedback for me as a photographer.
Don’t get me wrong, it has been incredibly tough sometimes, but with good humour and support from my family and Medway creative community I am looking forward to more fabulous things in 2014 and beyond!
Medway Open Studios – The Nude
This was a particularly important shoot for me, focussing on individuals who did not fit into the ‘magazine model’ ideal of the body. I was keen to promote ‘everyday’ people showing that we are all individual, beautiful, Nude.
Calendar Girls MLT
This was a fantastic opportunity to work with the wonderful cast from Medway Little Theatres production of ‘Calendar Girls’ shooting the cast for a Calendar (as in the film) which is still being sold with all proceeds to charity (get in touch here if you want a copy for a mere £7.50). Also had a wonderful piece in the local KM.
The Right Step Anniversary Party
A commission working once again with the talented team of The Right Step Dance Company, this time photographing their third year anniversary, with a little taster of The Sirens of Ceetham performance. A wonderful opportunity to support another local business.
The Fuse Festival – The Sirens of Ceetham / ME4 Writers
A fantastic Fuse Festival Commission working with the talented team of The Right Step Dance company. A dance performance of ‘The Sirens’ near the Anchor in Chatham, Medway. I was very captivated by the music and the story of the Sirens told purely via dance. Also was wonderful to sit in ‘The word Shed’ and write some poems for the fabulous ME4 writers.
Sun Pier
Sun Pier is a new creative working space in Chatham and many artist have studios there. I was commissioned to take photos of all the artists and the building. A wonderful opportunity to meet so many people and watch the venture grow. Their website is here.
Unison Benz – band shoot / FHF
I love working with Bands and this was particularly special to me as my brother is the bass player. I shot the band twice this year once for promotional shots for their website and posters, and the other at Faversham Hop Festival were they had an audience of around 100 people.
Another wonderful band to work with, their passion for their music is admirable, and they are a fantastic bunch to have a giggle with. A wonderful shoot in the Vines in Rochester fitted in with their music.
I have been attending Sonnic pilates classes for about 10 years now. The wonderful duo contacted me for a commission for their website. They wanted a clean crisp background therefore we hit the studio. The ladies are wonderful to work with and we had a fantastic giggle.
A performance at Sun Pier house with a wonderful cast of local actors, fun to act in and take photos!
Rochester Literature Festival – Alice and Skywatcher /Other worlds other voices
Wonderful to participate in the October ‘Other worlds other voices’ Project with Rochester Literature festival, actor and photographer in Skywatcher an interactive performance, Photographer for Alice and exhibited in the Rochester Community Hub ‘other worlds other voices’. Further details about the event can be found here. Also had a wonderful piece in the local KM.
On a personal level I have had the most wonderful year, taking lots of photos my New puppy, New Niece, and at a member of my extended families wedding. Heres to a wonderful and creative 2014, Much Love Nikki
Nikki Price Photog-ra-phy at the Flea
I’m so looking forward to being at the Rochester Flea on Saturday 30th November 2013 sharing an outside stall with fellow photographer Richard Reader. As well as some fabulous second hand goodies, musical instruments, clothing and little stocking fillers, I will have an assortment of my portrait and landscape photos available to purchase. I will also be having a an exclusive promotional offer to those who come along to the Flea for an Autumn/Winter outdoor shoot WOW I’m soooo excited!!!!! So get there early to pick up a flyer.
For those of you looking for ‘feel good’ Calendars for 2014 then look no further that my stall, following the successful sell out of the Medway Little Theatres Calendar Girls in May I have a limited number of Calendars featuring the very gorgeous cast, left to purchase (including a little photo of yours truly). All Calendars are £7.50 and all proceeds are being split between the following Charities: Marie Curie, Cancer Research, and Macmillan Nurses. Fabulous causes I’m sure you’ll agree.
Don’t forget to come and say hello, and sample all the wonderful treats at the Flea.
NB: I will be wearing a few more clothes than this! 😉
Race for Life 2013
A quick shout out of thanks to everyone who sponsored me/donated to Cancer Research for my Race for Life back in May in my home town. This is a charity close to my heart.
All my sponsor money is now in and I raised a little over my £100 target which is fantastic!
I jogged/power-walked the 5K course in about 45 minutes (despite not feeling tip top health wise that day) with my mum by my side.
Looking forward to 2014 Race for Life and hope to see you all there.
Race for Life 2013
Medway Little Theatres Calendar Girls Production May 2013
I have been so proud to have been the photographer for the cast of Medway Little Theatres production of ‘Calendar Girls’. In the true spirit of the story, the ladies wanted to produce a calendar in aid of charity, many of their lives (as I am sure many of us) have been touched by Cancer.
The first shoot took place at my home studio, with the ladies very enthusiastic about the props they would be using for their scene, a wonderful mixture of knitting, Jam, Tea pots, cakes, and buns. There was indeed some liquid refreshment to overcome and initial nerves, but the ladies soon settled into the shoot, with one letting me know that if they couldn’t do the nude shots for the calendar, then they wouldn’t have been able to get on stage and do it! I felt very privileged to have undertaken the shots making the ladies feel at ease.
The Second (and final) shoot took place in the Theatre -wonderful to work with the Theatre lights. The mixture this time was a piano, broccoli, some fabulous little black dresses and Christmas decorations.
I was in awe of the ladies enthusiasm for producing a Calendar to support charities close to their hearts, I have enjoyed every stage of this shoot, and ecstatic about the outcome, all the ladies look amazing.
The cast were also very keen to have me included on the Calendar, which I was happy to oblige:
“the last phase of the flower is the most glorious”
The Calendars were sold throughout the production (which I also went to see cried and laughed!) which ended on 19th May 2013, and they still can be purchased for £7.50, collection only from Nikki Price Photography HQ (please use my contact me page if you wish to purchase one).
To date the Calendars have raised over £1,500 for Marie Curie, Cancer Research, and Macmillan Nurses, well on the way to the Casts target of £3,000.
The Calendar has received some wonderful feedback from visitors to the Theatre, as well as having a fantastic write up in the Local Kent Messenger.
nikki price photography 