Being a freelance photographer my role often involves photographing events that companies would like images of for social media, website and other marketing purposes.  The National Lottery Community Fund works with so many charities and organisations across the UK, and to show customers who play the lottery where the funds go, they require photos like the ones I've taken below.  It's important to shoot in a documentary style and show the natural interactions between the people involved. 

The first even below was at the YMCA My Space in Rotherham.  Which provides activities and services for the area's youth.  Another was with Volunteer It Yourself at the Guisborough Rugby Club.  VIY works with young people who volunteer for DIY projects in their community to learn valuable skills they can use for future employment.   Working as a freelance commercial photographer for TNLC has been a great experience and I can't wait to work with them again soon.  

Professional photography will set an estate agency apart from the competition.  It also portrays a more accurate representation of the home for sale.  Bringing out the best aspects of each room.  Not to mention showing off the exterior photos of the house or property and adding a blue sky if needed.  Let's face it, English weather is unpredictable and even sunny days can end up grey during the scheduled photoshoot appointment.  
​Working with RF&O Sales, I've had the pleasure of photographing some of their listings in the Swanwick and surround areas such as Ripley and Matlock.  Below I'll be posting a small selection of photos I've worked with RF&O on.  Go take a peek. 

Unit Sheffield is a North American style restaurant with giant burgers and chocolate covered desserts.  Or puddings as we'd say here in England.  They even sell Mexican sodas as you'll see in the photographs below.  

​The goal of the food photography shoot, was to photograph each item in a variety of ways for use on social media.  Such as instagram.  A restaurant may want to feature a speciality burger for instance, many times.  But doesn't want to bore potential clients with the same photograph.  Therefore, having a handful of images of that speciality burger is essential.  Speaking of burgers, check out the images below. 

Part of being a commercial photographer involves capturing photos for use on company websites.  Which is why Ashmere Care Homes contacted me.  They were completely revamping their website and needed not just images of the care homes themselves, but also photos of the Ashmere team such as, headshots of home management.  Along with some of the residents taking part in the activities and even shots of the food offered on their menus.  After working with Ashmere to photograph their property and staff in Codnor, Ripley, West Hallam, Ilkeston and Matlock; I was offered another opportunity to photograph their awards ceremony.  Keep your eyes peeled for that blog in the future.  For now, have a look at a small selection of images below.

Meal plans are all the rage right now and the best businesses will stand out when potential customers visit their website.  The meals themselves need to be tasty and in this case, healthy.  But the photographs are the first impression.  Which is why Scott and Dave decided to hire a professional food photographer to show off their healthy meal plans.  
Located just out of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, My Fit Foods prep delicious meals and delivers them to their customers homes or work place.  After an over the phone consultation we had a clear vision for food photographs that would best highlight their brand.  My role at the food photographer was to show how the meals would be packaged, each dish plated, and some of the My Fit Foods team.  We also needed to work on images that would show the brand overall.  Especially for items such as the homepage of the website.  To see some of the final outcome you can visit their website or view some of my favourite shots below.

To discuss food photography for your business contact Jessica at 07710 271457.
Or send your enquiry via email here.

Nottingham area based caterers Posh Nosh East Midlands contacted me thanks to a referral from another client.  Interested in some images to compliment their upcoming website design. This time going for a darker colour palette.  But still want the colours of their delicious food to speak for itself.  I was more than happier to accommodate.  Especially when I tasted some of their apple and honey sausage rolls.  They are truly scrumptious.  

Since corporate catering services are a large part of their offerings, Rhona and Rob created a list of tasty canapes, salads, sandwiches, and cakes along with many other items for me to photograph.  We focused on individual food items along with collections of offerings.  Such as afternoon tea, meat boards and cheese boards.  But enough from me, go see some of the images below.  I highly recommend Posh Nosh East Midlands catering services.  Give them a ring for your next corporate event. ​

Derbyshire based Cosmikandi Jewellery is an Etsy seller that creates one of a kind pieces.  To show off the quality of each handmade jewellery piece such as bracelets, necklaces and brooches we worked together to create some of the images seen below.  
After trying a few different styles, Cosmikandi decided on natural earth tones for their second photo shoot.  After which, Cosmikandi Jewellery began selling pieces at Urban Flamingo in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.  The owner of Cosmikandi, Dolores, also ships to the USA for those of you interested in her stunning items created with only quality beads.  
Previously, Dolores photographed each piece herself.  Since our first photo shoot, it's clear that there's a fantastic result and from now on will be using professional images.  I look forward to working with Cosmikandi Jewellery in the future.  But for now, go see some of the product photography images below.  Or even better, check out the Etsy site to grab some pieces for yourself at www.damjewellery.co.uk  or visit Urban Flamingo in Chesterfield. 

Product photos with a crisp white background are essential for amazon seller listings.  After struggling with getting quality photos in this style, otherwise known as packshot photography, Ben from IBEX Retail contacted me to discuss their requirements.  
IBEX Retail, located in Derbyshire, also required images that show off their products such as cupcake boxes and paracord survival bracelets, among other items.  We discussed working with still life styles that compliment each product and shows a lot of detail so that amazon's zoom in feature works as intended.  Which can be used in the future on IBEX's future websites.  
So far, I've had three separate product shoots with this local business.  And more to come in the near future.  For now, here's a glimpse at some of the photos we've worked on within the past few weeks.  

Being a food photographer has many rolls.  One is to provide images for advertising such as company websites, brochures and social media.  All of which Price & Fretwell in Tibshelf Derbyshire hired me for.  They provide aged meats that are sourced locally to high end restaurants and catering companies.
After discussing their goals we agreed on a dark moody set of images that really highlights their products.  Ranging from beef, pork, and chicken among other foods.  Another goal of theirs was to capture the ageing fridge where beef for example, is hung.  Including some shots that show the natural colours of the meats and the colour of the actual lighting that is produced by Price & Fretwell's state of the art ageing process.  As seen in the last image.  
I often see these images shared on their facebook and instagram page.  So it was great to receive some feedback from Nathan Price such as, "The photos look fantastic, we have had some very positive feedback and also we have had some orders from the marketing that has included them. Darren in particular has been very pleased with them."

In the heart of St. Peter's Square in Derby sits Al Arabi Shawarma & Grill.  Not to mention the Shisha and Dessert Bar attached to it.  I was fortunate enough to be hired to photograph their menu items along with interior shots of the restaurant and shisha bar.  We even managed to fit in some photographs of the staff along with one of the owners of the Derby business.  
Food photography is by far one of my favourite types of my career.  So I was delighted not only capture their dishes and team at work, but also to taste some of it.  Absolutely delicious!  Oh and check out all the amazing decor at the Shisha Bar.  It's a gem in the heart of the city.
Al Arabi has used their food photos and images of the restaurant on their social media pages such as facebook and instagram and they've been a bit hit.  Here's a selection of my favourites.