Symply Photography

Dance and Ballet Photography in Lincolnshire

Sharon Mallinson — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:50:08 +0000

I have recently been inspired a lot by the portrait paintings from the “Old Masters”, and have spent some time trying to incorporate it into my photography. After much thought , I realised some of the most elegant images I have ever seen are those of ballet dancers, and therefore they would be a good subject for me to try out my “Old Master’s” theme.

I was very fortunate in finding two beautiful Little Ballerinas who wanted to have their portraits taken in their gorgeous tutus – Hannah who is a pupil at the Go Dance Studios in Sleaford, and little Evie, who attends the Danielle Rawlinson School of Dance. Fortunately they were both brimming with ideas for their poses and we had a wonderful time photographing them. I have worked with dancers in the past having been the official photographer for The Small Ballet Company when they toured in this country – my images are on all their publicity material and website.

After taking the photos I then worked a little bit of artistic magic on the images – the results are here. I am thrilled with the response that these images have had amongst the dancers and am looking forward to being able to create many more pieces of art such as these. If you are a dancer, either in ballet or jazz, or tap or any other form , and would like something to really treasure please get in touch. I have some very attractive introductory packages on offer from only £99 but this is only for a limited time!

Mentor Me on Steroids for Lincolnshire Portrait Photographer

Sharon Mallinson — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:05:47 +0000

No photographer nowadays can afford to rest on their laurels when it comes to staying ahead of the game – there are so many new photographers flooding the market nowadays- especially here in Lincolnshire – that we have to do something special to make us stand out. This is where good quality training comes into play – it takes time and commitment but it is incredibly vital. Anyone who has watched my progress over the last year or so since I started my mentoring programme can see the difference in my work. As a result I am getting more and more portrait commissions from people who want top quality images. I spent a day this week with Damian McGillicuddy in his new studio in Chester – this time he was teaching the difference between soft lighting and hard lighting, and the mood that needs to be considered when choosing your lighting set up. So we had one model, Paula, and two totally different looks from her choice of outfits. We chose the appropriate lighting – the difference is startling! I also used my new camera the Olympus OM-D EM5 with the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 Lens for the first time. As it is such a new camera on the market I was having problems converting the RAW file (geek alert!) saw just shot in jpeg- these images are straight out of camera using the various processing filters that are inbuilt into it. Pretty impressive dont you think?

Pet Photography in Lincolnshire

Sharon Mallinson — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:45:08 +0000

I have been looking for a new model to work with over the last few weeks and I think I have found her. She is absolutely beautiful, blonde,tiny and has a terrific sense of mischief in her eyes. Trouble is she’s not really got much of an attention span at the moment so it is making my photography sessions very difficult. Still it I guess just as I am constantly learning in my job as a wedding and portrait photographer, then models have to learn their trade too. Anway we only met on Saturday and I’ve managed to get a quick couple of sessions in with her – a bit frantic as she is constantly looking for the next meal – anorexic this girl is not!!

But I have high hopes for her and I’m sure we will work well together in the future – have a look and see if you think she has what it takes Oh by the way – her name is Isla and is just 8 weeks old – and we are besotted !

RESULT!!

Stubton Hall Wedding Photography ~ Lincolnshire Wedding Photographer

Sharon Mallinson — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:23:42 +0000

Stubton Hall Wedding Photography is always a treat to do – last Saturday the wedding photography season kicked off for me at the beautiful Stubton Hall, on the Lincolnshire- Nottinghamshire border. Stubton Hall is classed as “One of the hundred best wedding venues in the world” (Brides magazine) and I was very much looking forward to taking Katie and Ed’s wedding photographs there.

At the pre wedding meeting Katie mentioned that she had seen one of my photos that is rapidly becoming a signature image for me I think. This is where the whole wedding party is arranged into a heart shape. This is a photo that caused me many sleepless nights when I was first asked to do it because the last thing I want as a wedding photographer is to spend ages arranging the guests for just one photo. The guests pretty rapidly become fed up if you do and that is not how I think a wedding photographer should be remembered. Fortunately I had a brainwave on how to organise everyone and in fact I can now set this shot up in about 3 minutes. Should anyone else request this photo though please note I need HEIGHT in order to get the best angle – if I don’t have height then it is an impossible image to shoot!

Talking of height – Katie is tiny next to the very tall Ed but her impressive purple shoes certainly helped to make up the difference between them!

I was very much looking forward to taking the heart photo though – Stubton Hall has the most beautiful 300 ft water feature which I knew would look lovely in the background. Thankfully the weather held long enough for us to get the shots done outside – as usual Easter Saturday was overcast and grey!

The other shot I wanted to get was in the Chocolate Bar – such a sumptious room full of leather squishy sofas and stunning oil paintings. I wanted a “different” informal shot of the boys so chose this room for them – they were very happy to pose for photos with their drinks in here!

Finally no wedding at Stubton Hall is complete without a photograph under THE tree. If you’ve been there – you will know where I mean. Nature can provide some stunning backdrops and this is one of them! I hope you enjoy looking through the photos – Katies sent me message to say she “cried all the way through them – they are amazing”. And at the end of the day that is what my job as your Lincolnshire wedding photographer is all about.

Special Needs Photography by Lincolnshire Photographer

Sharon Mallinson — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:19:35 +0000

I have been asked a couple of times over the last few months to take photos for children with special needs. It would appear there are not that many photographers working in Lincolnshire with experience of working with these most rewarding of children. This is always an area where a photographer must listen to the parents and try to understand what they are actually looking for. I have been to homes to take photos for these children and the parents have been in despair over the way some photographers try to make their child look like something they are not. When I’m photographing a child or family I want to get an expression that is truly the essence of that child, capturing their personality, their spirit.

It takes more time and patience working with children with disabilities so t he first thing I do is to allow a lot moretime than with an ordinary portrait session. I am aware that sometimes a break from their routine can upset some children and therefore always allow time to engage with them, get them used to me and generally not try to rush things. During this time I ask mum or dad what it is they are hoping for, what can I expect to be able to do – or not – and whether things like bright lights or the flash will upset them.

Once the child is settled and comfortable then I will take my shots. Obviously , depending on the severity of the condition I may not be able offer the variety of poses that I would normally do, but most parents are understanding of the limitations.

It is the most rewarding and humbling of occasions when I can show the parents a photo of their child and know that I have captured the look that is special to them. If you have a special needs child, and would love a family portrait, then please do give me a ring and I will come out to your home. For more information regarding my private sittings please click here.