We are on the move.

After around two and a half years at our little studio above the Head To Toe hair salon I have taken the descision to vacate the building when our contract expires at the end of June.

The whole of the upstairs section of the shop is being converted into living accomadation and although we have the option of staying put, I feel its not really an ideal situation.

To be honest we have outgrown the room  and we are searching for  new premises to develop the portrait side of the business.

Its business as usual though.

For those who have weddings booked with us its business as usual and I will be contacting you with further details. We are also still taking wedding & event bookings.

Final Chance of a free sitting.

We have around 5 or 6 weeks left in the studio so there are spaces available for  final studio sittings and  all sittings booked from now will be free of charge. LAST CHANCE!

Call me on 07504-684641
Geoff Tustin

Let me tell you about Emotional Moments Photography and why Photography need not burn a hole in your pocket.

Hi and thanks for looking in.

You may have picked up one of my leaflets outside of the Head To Toe hair salon or you may have just linked to this blog from my website or Facebook page so please lend me your ears while I explain to you why photography can cost so much, or so little.

The purpose of this blog is to reassure you that walking into a photo studio need not be something that should worry you when it comes to cost.

I hear stories all the time about people who have visited high street studios and been blown away by the cost of the "end product". Some young ladies I know have said they have spent over £2000.00 for a photo sitting and have had to take out a direct debit to pay for their photo products because of the enormous cost.

I will not go on too much because I am sure you know that most high street studios pay vast sums of cash to marketing companies to boost sales and profit.

These big studios are a well oiled machine that employ staff for Marketing, The photographer, a digital adjustment artist to cull and spruce up your photos and sales person who works on commission who needs to pressure you to spend as much as possible so that they can earn a living

If you have gone for the full makeover package then add to the above a hair stylist and a make up artist.

Thats a minimum of 4 staff and up to 6. Throw in a receptionist and an accountant and staff cover for annual leave and sickness and the cost of the business expenses increases.

Then you have to consider the studio rent, I recently enquired about a small shop in Castle Bromwich that would have cost £16500.00 per anum plus business rates and utilities.

Then of course there is equipment, (Dont get me started on lens costs) software, hardware and insurance expenses and again this all has to be factored into the cost of the end product that YOU pay for.

PHHHHHEEEEEWWWWWWWW

 

Are you still with me ?

Ok so thats why when you walk into one of the high street or franchise studios you walk away with some lovely products for the price of a decent second hand car or a nice holiday in the sun.

How EMP started

Let me tell you about myself and Emotional Moments.

My name is Geoff Tustin and I am a 56 year old father and grandfather. I worked most of my life in factories and on building sites before spending 25 years as a postman.

When my first child came on the scene 31 years ago I did what all proud parents did and took her to have some photographs taken. The photos I must say were lovely. They cost me the best part of two weeks wages at the time but it set me thinking about photography and, being a closet entrepreneur I thought "I can do that". Shortly after I enrolled in a correspondence course in photography and purchased my first SLR camera from an ad in the Birmingham Evening Mail.

From the course I became fascinated by the arts of composition, lighting, posing and the developing of pictures. The years passed and my fascination continued into the digital age.

When I was offered my redundancy at Royal Mail I thought right, this is it, I have over 25 years experience of studying photography and taking pictures so I invested my redundancy money into some serious equipment and even took 3 more courses to achieve the qualifications I needed to give me the confidence to try it full time.

I searched for a trendy name and finally came up with an available web url emotionalmoments.co.uk and I was up and running. I spent the first two years with Debra my partner visiting clients in their own homes to take photos and slowly started putting together some print packages. This was great experience working with restricted space and we had some good results and feedback.

After the last course I completed at The Brooks School of Photography in Poole, Dorset I decided to look around for a small studio. I was amazed that on the course, 5 students were using a space smaller than my own living room. I discovered that you can get some fantastic pictures in a small space with a bit of creativity and some good equipment.

Studio Found

Debra was in a hair salon in Castle Bromwich one day and a chance conversation with the stylist let her know that the salon had rooms for hire upstairs. Alas the rooms were too small but we dragged in my builder brother-in-law Dave and he converted two rooms into one by removing a studded wall.

I set to work installing laminate flooring, Deb started the painting and pretty soon we had our first working studio. That was over two years ago and from then we have gone from strength to strength building a business whilst continuing my photographic education. (You never stop learning).

We are still growing and have expanded in wedding photography, and Event photography covering events at parties. proms, dance groups and sports groups.

I invested more into top quality equipment and now the business is growing. And its growing because we can offer quaity images at REASONABLE PRICES for the following reasons.

• All the staff I mentioned above, sales, photographer, marketing, digital manipulation person are one person. (Me)
• I do not pay extortionate high street prices for studio rent. I have a very relaxed arrangement with the hair salon.
• I do not pressure anyone into buying anything they do not want.
• Together with Debra we offer a friendly service. Most of our clients become good friends and several have returned many times because they know the products are reasonable and they can be relaxed without the presence of a salesman.
• We offer a100% Money back, no quibble guarantee if not delighted with the images taken in our studio.

 

So, If you come into our small studio you have absolutely nothing to lose. For just £15.00 we offer an unlimted time sitting with a free 8" x 6" mounted print.

We ask you to return one week later to view you photos where you can choose your free print.

Then we will offer you your images on a range of products from Canvas wraps, photobooks, acrylics, MDF and aluminium wall products, framed prints mini albums and coffee table books. All at prices that will surprise you.

And remember, if you are not satisfied with the images we offer you we will give you your mony back and you still get to keep your print.

You have absolutely nothing to lose but some real emotional moments to gain.

Look at the testimonals on our website
www.emotionalmoments.co.uk

Like us on Facebook and watch our updates

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emotional-Moments-Photography/101649933217417

10 Reasons why you should choose EMP for your photography Needs.

These days more people than ever are taking photos with the explosion of Gadgets on phones tablets and cameras. Why then would you need to pay someone to take photos for you?

Below I have posted 10 reasons why you should consider Emotional Moments as your wedding, family portrait or Event photographer 

 

 1 PRICE

The first question I am always asked is "How much do you charge"? This is the same for either a studio session or a wedding package and of course the answer is always "it depends on what you want".

What I can say is I constantly monitor websites of other photographers  and look at their prices and work and can promise you that our prices are well below average.


 

 

2   I CAN DO IT AT A LOWER COST THAN MOST

 

One of the reasons I can keep my prices down is because a I am a one man band. My partner Debra is also my assistant in the studio and at weddings but apart from that it's a one man job.

In a high street studio you are paying for their expensive ground rent, rates and staff that include photographers, marketing staff sales staff, web site designers and production staff.

My overheads are comparatively low because I am all of the above.

 

3  MONEY BACK GARANNTEE

I will give you a cast iron, no questions asked, no catches, money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with the pictures we offer to you, or the products we produce for you.

I am so confident that you will love the photos that you will have no reason to be anything but pleased.

 

4 UNLIMITED TIME

 

When you come into the studio for your sitting you have as much time as you like.

You can bring along a selection of outfits and styles. We actively encourage you to bring personal props like hats, sun glasses, masks. Anything at all. We want to capture the real YOU. We want you to express yourself so that we can capture your personality. 

 

5 NO HARD SELLING

 

When you return to view your images a week after your sitting we will give you what you want.

Yes you will be offered a range of packages and products but you will NOT EVER be given the hard sell.

I  want you to return time and time again. refer us to your friends and to become your family photographer and friend for life. We want to you to feel comfortable to contact us for your life's big events from Engagement, Wedding, maternity, baby and toddler, christening and birthdays.

I believe you will only return to us is if you feel comfortable in doing so. 

 

6 PASSION

 

From the time I open my eyes in the morning until I shut them at night I am thinking, learning or doing something to do with photography. In short "it's my passion". The picture below sums it up far better than I can.

 

7 WE ARE LOCAL

 

Look around for a professional photographer in the area of Castle Bromwich & Shard End and you will be hard pushed to find a dedicated  studio. My aim is to become the local photographer who you will immediately think of when you have an exciting event. Having said that in the last few years we have covered weddings in London, Wolverhampton, Lichfied, Rugby, Shifnal and have one coming up in June at Clearwell Castle in the Forest Of Dean

 

8 FRIENDSHIP

 

Here is something that may shock  and surprise you but what I have found is "Most people are really nice".     It's a cynical seemingly unfriendly world these days but my experience of interacting with people as a photographer is that most people just want to have a laugh, enjoy themselves and get through the day.  Debra and myself have  some fantastic memories from some of the weddings we have covered. We have met some lovely people and have some friends who we love and respect.

It really is the best job in the world .

 

9 DEDICATION

 

I have a complete dedication to improve as a photographer. I am constantly looking for new ideas through a number of courses, seminars, online training films, books, forums and webinars. Trends & style change and our search for new ideas is always passed on to the client. You can never stay still in the photography business. I took my first correspondence course nearly 30 years ago but still feel I have so much to learn.

 

 

 

 

 10 EMOTIONAL MOMENTS

 

Deb and myself are now starting to count up the amount of tears being shed in our studio. (You know who you are) When clients return to view their  images they are shown a beautiful slideshow on our studio TV. This is when we count the tears. It can be a very Emotional Moment watching your loved one on screen. We love to watch the emotions of our clients as they watch.

 

Pricless !



 

Busy Week at EMP

Been a busy week at Emotional Moments Photography with two weddings booked together several requests for sittings in the studio and a 30th birthday party to cover as well.
Good luck with your planning and preparation to Sophie and Anthony and Charlotte & Danny. I love doing weddings. Everyone is dressed up to the nines, happy, relaxed and just out for a great time. Bring em on.
On Sunday Debra and myself went to the NEC to the "Focused on Imaging" photographic show. We sourced out some local suppliers for wedding books, acrylic products and a fantastic framing company in Stone, Staffs that we hope to do business with.
Dont forget Mothers day is fast approaching so give us a call and get booked in for a sitting. Think how much your mother would love a beautiful picture of you or your children. Probably not as traditional as a bunch of flowers but much longer lasting and treasured.

Its been a busy few weeks at the new studio with our first half a dozen sittings with more to come this week.

The new leaflets business cards and posters are on their way with our special offer of a session fee of just £15.00. This is for unlimited time and as many outfit changes as you want to bring along.

Included in your session is a DVD of all the photos in your sitting like the one above of my beautiful grandaughter Taylor Jane. Or, if you prefer, a 10" x 8" print of your favourite image from the session.

Remember-No obligation to buy and no hard selling.

All Set for our first sitting

We are now all set for our first sitting on Friday at our new studio in Castle Bromwich.
Debra and myself worked all over the weekend to complete the renovation and this week will be fitting it out with backdrops and lighting.
Over the next few weeks we will continue the work to personalise the studio.
We will be contacting the people who have been in touch about a sitting but there is still room for more. Next step is to revamp the website so keep watching the blog and I'll let you know when the website is ready.

From This

To This

And the wall comes tumbling down

Its been quite a few days at Emotional Moments with work starting on the new studio above Head To Toe Hair Salon in Castle Bromwich.
My brother in Law Dave worked all day Friday knocking the wall out, relocating electic points and making good the plaster work.
On Saturday Debra and myself prepared the walls and ceiling and will continue with the work this week.
A big thank you to our hosts at the hair salon Elsie, Laura, Courtney and Jodie who have been so helpful throughout the week.
Next the studio need painting out and new laminate floor laying before the fitting out of all the equipment. We hope to be up and running in the next two weeks.
In response to my invitation for models we have been inundated although we still need new born babies and pregnant moms to come forward. Know anyone? Give us a call.