Brining Photography Weblog

Haven't Been to the Blog Recently!

I've been extremely, unforgivably, almost unaccountably lax with updating this blog recently for which I apologise to those who frequent these pages on anything more than a casual or accidental basis.

In part things have been busy over the past few months with a couple of other projects that are on the go, but also I have to confess to being a slightly reluctant blogger. There always seems to be a more pressing task or engagement which calls for my time over sitting at the computer searching for words to add some meaning to the accompanying photographs.

Thus, there are several posts featured below that all appear in one mad outpouring rather than as timely ditties published as close to when they actually happened as is humanly possible.

Perhaps I flatter myself that anyone actually notices (or indeed cares) but in these days of Facebook, Twitter, Flickr etc where it seems every moment of one's life needs to be immediately documented I feel guilty if several jobs go by without letting the World know about it.

So.... enjoy the following posts whilst I slip off to make some lunch. Who knows, I may even Tweet or Twat or whatever later to inform the information-hungry masses what that consisted of.

CRB Checked!

I am pleased to announce that I have just recently passed an Enhanced CRB check which is becoming an increasing necessity for working in any capacity with children. Although it was good to receive the certificate, I would have been VERY surprised and indeed somewhat alarmed if I hadn't passed!

The Importance of Qualifications

Further to my previous post about the benefits of using a Professional Photographer, I thought I'd follow it up with a post about the importance of using a QUALIFIED Professional Photographer.

What's the difference you may ask - surely by definition a "professional" anything must be qualified? Well no. Not in the case of a photographer. The definition of a 'professional' (according the dictionary on my MAC) is "someone who is engaged in a specified activity as their main, paid occupation rather than as a pastime" Thus the act of being paid defines the 'professional' status.

All very well so far, but this doesn't necessarily guarantee any degree of competence - this is merely implied by the 'professional' moniker. The truth is that although it is possible for a relatively unskilled person to make money from photography by using one of the latest highly-automated cameras, and thus call themselves a "professional", prospective clients and customers should always look for a measure of defined competence which only comes with a qualified professional photographer.

To gain a qualification, issued by one of the three main awarding bodies  - the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP), Master Photographers' Association (MPA) and the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) - a photographer has to demonstrate not just photographic skill, but artistic and technical ability, presentation skills and excellent customer service before being allowed to use the relevant letters after their name on business cards, letterheads etc.

From a client's point of view, booking someone who is a member of an accredited body gives them the peace of mind that, should there be a problem with a job which cannot be resolved directly with the photographer, they have at least got a third-party to go to. Also, as qualified members of a professional body, we photographers are duty-bound to uphold the high standards set by them when dealing with our clients and customers. A win-win situation.

So just as you would think twice about using an unqualified plumber who turned up with a shiny bag of spanners and a cheeky smile to fix your heating, you should apply the same logic when choosing someone to record your precious memories, capture your event or promote your products.

Let the cowboys stay with the cattle.