Aim high, kids ..

Here I am, aiming high and obviously wanting to go places! Incredible for me to believe but it's - almost exactly to the day - 40 years since I left school. May 1976, just at the start of one of the hottest ever summers and that was me done. I was out of there like a shot, not quite as young as I am in this photo but still a mere 15 year old schoolboy with the words of my careers teacher ringing in my ears. When he asked me what I wanted to do when I left school I told him I wanted to be a photographer. His encouraging reply? "Be realistic!"..

It took me only two more years before I was a professional photographer ..

At the end of the rainbow ..

I was in the position of being able to use the word 'bokeh' during a Scrabble game last week. "Bokeh..?" laughed Lesley "What kind of word is bokeh?" (I have to admit that, up to a year or two ago, I myself thought a bokeh was what the bride carried as she went up the aisle). "It means blurred background.." I said. "It's one of those new-fangled digital photography words!" She let me use it .. and then went on to beat me by over 100 points!..

I didn't care! We were on holiday in Greece, and the end of the game merely marked the time to pour another Ouzo as we lazed in the scorching Greek sunshine. Back at the coal-face now, though .. with a jumper on! Brrr...

The big thing that happened whilst I was away was the launch of my new Wedding Photography website. ManchesterWeddingPhotography.com went live at probably the same moment I was tucking into a Chicken Souvlaki at our new favourite taverna. The email came in, and we ordered an extra portion of Baklava to celebrate. I can't wait to get its name out there now .. and I can't tell you how excited I am about the relaunch. Let's hope there's gold at the end of that there rainbow ..  

Unexpected treats ..

 Isn't it lovely when your day pings you out an unexpected treat? Mine last night was an email that popped up from New York and made me feel fantastic. A lot of my music photography is represented there by a gallery which is marking 30 years of The Smiths, and the email from them yesterday took me straight to this page! I've been belting out Smiths' songs ever since! They're actually offering Limited Editions of my photographs of Morrissey alongside those of renowned photographer Kevin Westenberg.What a treat ..

I shot a Wedding once down near Stratford, and went down the day before to have a good look around the venues. The church had a gorgeous cherry tree in full blossom alongside its outer wall, and I marked that as a great place to get some fantastic pictures. Next day, I whizzed the bride and groom round the corner to find .. three punks drinking lager in the shade of the tree! Unexpected treat of that day? They offered to hold my reflector, provided a really amusing shot for the album and .. gave the bride a swig of their lager! What a treat ..  

Printworks ..

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogging, Tumblr .. blah, blah, blah .. but how's about a good old advert in the local community magazine? Yeah, forget 'Social Meeja' .. I'm going back to paper basics for my next advertising 'push', with a quarter page ad to cover two locales within our region. I firmly believe that the fad of the 'selfie' will soon be history and it'll dawn on people that, hey, the best place to get a good photograph taken is actually .. a photographer's studio! When it came to choosing an image for the ad I enlisted the help of my good friend Photographer Smurf, who has been sitting atop every computer I've had since .. well, since the first time I got a computer! He agreed to pose for my photo, although he did apologise for not being able to reciprocate as he's not been able to get the sheet film for his camera since 2003! Say Cheese ..

Stompin' ..

Rather miffed to find a company in Nottingham was offering - on Ebay - in any size you liked, starting from £3.50, a nice selection of ... MY PHOTOGRAPHS! A big thank-you to the pal that alerted me to this blatant breach of copyright! Imagine! They were quite happily prepared to make money from photographs over which they had absolutely no ownership claim! God, it drives me mad! Digital has a lot to answer for! The stealing of photographers' images must be Stamped Out! (Cue image of big chunky boots worn by P.Paul Fenech, lead singer of The Meteors, and available to BUY - from ME - from here!)

Ah, music! I had to laugh at a selection of ads in last week's Sunday Times. Upcoming concerts from the likes of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Yes, Steve Hackett and ... Julio Iglesias!! OMG! Am I stuck in 1979? ...

(Erm, I hope so, 'cos I'm off to see The Buzzcocks tonight! Oops! Blush! Sorry...)

Spiffing ..

Had a bit of a spiffing day yesterday, one of the highlights being a fantastic portrait shoot with Faith and Rachel at the studio. I also started to get my new 14' backdrop into position, though it's that big and heavy I think I might need to hire a crane to get it up into situ! There were two Wedding enquiries too, and one of them was absolute music to my ears. The call was from a young lady who had been a bridesmaid at a Wedding I photographed five years ago! (Yes, you have to be patient in this game!) She hit the 'ego-boost' button straight away by telling me how I'd been the first photographer they'd thought of booking, even after all that time! As if that wasn't enough she went on to say how "amazing" the shots were at her friend's Wedding, how "artfully" I'd captured every little glance and how I'd .. 'brought out the bride's cheeky side'! (Not sure how I did that, to be honest, but a compliment's a compliment, innit!) Best thing she said, though, was that she wasn't into this current 'trend' of every shot being photoshopped to buggery! No yellowed, faded, ultra-posed photography for her. She wants it done properly! Young lady, I'm your man! Hmmm, don't know about the backdrop being large, I'm gonna have trouble getting my big head into the studio today!..

Bargain ..

Fifteen quid! Not bad, eh? Fifteen pounds for a 15 minute photo-shoot and an image of your choice to use on your Facebook profile! Under 21s only, of course, but what a bargain. It's pocket money money, if you see what I mean! Anyway, I had my first two takers on Saturday, and we got some great shots in very little time at all. Charlotte and Nathan came up to the studio and really went for it! It was great fun! Of course, the best part for me was that, after they'd looked on their online galleries, they both had the 'problem' of liking too many shots, and found it hard to narrow their choice to one image. No problemo.. I sell extra images for just £15 each as well! Bargain ..

Twenty-five quid! That's what I managed to pay this weekend for a brand-new roll of backdrop paper. Won it on Ebay and it made me feel 'reet chuffed'! I saved a fortune and it'll allow me to start shooting larger groups in the studio. Ooh, don't you just love a bargain? ..

  

No flash in the pan ..

Bloody hell, the writing was on the wall there for a while but I have some good news! I'm going to be able to keep StudioFiveFour going for at least the next three months! Hurrah! Yes, things have panned out favourably, and I'll now be able to complete a full year at my 'base'. That's a weight off my mind, I can tell you!
Just got to convince people to come in for a portrait, now!..

Today's little 'shadow' picture comes from the Imperial War Museum North, where I was shooting a dinner last week. There I was - Three Camera O'Neill - caught in the spotlight, and it was only when I looked at the picture again I realised one of the cameras looked - well, a little bit odd! Leave it out, it's only my flash!..

The end of the line? ..

I'm thinking of closing down the studio!

I know it sounds like an April Fool but, sadly, it isn't!
The line I didn't want to write is right there, and it's no joke.

It hasn't worked, basically. Not enough people have come in to be photographed. I hate to say it, I'm sad to say it, I'm even embarrassed to say it, but there you have it. The time, or the place .. or both .. just weren't right for the opening of a new Photographic Studio. But, hey, I gave it a go and now seems the right time to stop chucking dosh at something that doesn't chuck any back! Bottom line is, people are taking their own shots on their phones and, as far as they're concerned... that will do! Amusingly, though, there has been a flurry of interest in the place in just the past few days. Two phone calls have come in asking if .. I could offer an apprenticeship or an opportunity for work-experience, and another two calls have come in asking if .. I'd donate portrait sittings for charity! Ha! Well thank you for the interest in my studio! The crazy thing about raffle prizes is that, when I've given donations in the past, even the winners haven't bothered to come in for their portrait, so what does that tell you about the state of portrait photography in this country?

Anyway - hey ho - I won't go on about it 'cos it might still not happen - just trying to negotiate on the rent and all that kind of thing - but, if nothing comes off and interest doesn't pick up immensely in the next 30 days then that will be the end of that, and StudioFiveFour will bite the bullet in four weeks. I'll have reached the end of the line...

News just in: I've spotted a gap in the market! Now that StudioFiveFour is threatened with closure, I'd like to introduce you to Martin O'Neill, the Culcheth-based photographer who would just love to come round to your place for that all-important family shoot. Book him now on 07860 792660. All aboard...

There is a light ..

I must be mellowing in my old age! I only got told off twice yesterday for getting too close to Princess Anne on her visit to Manchester. I got the PR booking to photograph her during a walkabout at a City Centre company and so - hey, you know - if I've been booked to take pictures then I'll get into the best positions I can to get 'em! I loved the fact that she had her own name badge printed out, though I think Special Branch should have had a word with her, too, 'cos she didn't wear it once and nobody could tell who she was!!

It really was busy yesterday, with the 'Royal' job sandwiched between trips to The Lowry in Salford to cover an international business conference! I then ended up at The Imperial War Museum North last night to photograph the start of their dinner, and now I'm dashing about producing 101 framed prints of all the delegates so they can take them home when the conference ends today!

Oh, and there were two Wedding enquiries and two portrait bookings at the studio..

Tunnel! Light at end of?....

The tide is high, and so are the stats ..

Bloody Nora! I hadn't realised you could actually monitor your 'stats' on Flickr, but I happened to fall upon the page yesterday afternoon and was absolutely gobsmacked! I'd just uploaded over 700 of my Wedding photographs to the site - I figure they might as well be visible on there as just stuck on my computer - and I was twiddling with the pages when I found this 'stats' page. As I say, it absolutely blew me away! On Thursday alone - before I'd even put the Wedding shots up - I'd had a staggering 1, 932 views of my photographs, and that shot up to 5, 745 after the new work was added. Now that, it goes without saying, is rather pleasing! So now, hopefully, a lot more brides, grooms and 'Franks' .. (You have to watch Father of the bride if you want to get that joke!) will be able to see my work. Form an orderly queue, ladies and gentlemen. Bookings taken on a first come, first served basis...

Oh, this shot is one of those images that's available to view. Not a bride in sight but, as it says on my website, I shoot Weddings, portraits, pr and ... other stuff!..

Have a great weekend ..

Still shooting .. (?)

It's been a bit of a quiet time at the studio lately, and the only thing I have on today is a passport shoot for a young lady who's off to America shortly. It got me thinking about this shot, which has resurfaced thanks to the work I'm doing on my archive of slides. It was taken in Luxor, Egypt, and is of a chap who was taking portraits for passports and official papers. His clients sat on the stool in front of his glamorous backdrop and he would expose a tiny piece of photographic film in his wonder of a camera, which then doubled as his darkroom as he developed and then printed a small photograph inside it. (You can see his bottle of developer and his 'wash' on the floor next to him!) I wonder what he's doing now? Is he still making a living as a photographer, or has digital done for him, too?..

Whip it up ..

When a problem comes along, you must whip it! And I think I have! ..

It's no state secret if I tell you that enquiries for Wedding Photographers have slowed down, but I think I've found the answer to my problem...

ManchesterWeddingPhotography.com!

That's going to be the name of my new website! I know! I can't believe it either, but I was contacted by a chap last week who asked if I'd like to be the owner of this fantastic domain name. "Well, yes.." I said "But surely it's already taken!?" "It is!.." he said "By me!.." And so it comes to pass, my brothers and sisters, that -  once I've got the pages sorted out - I will be the proud owner of a fab new website that's gotta be guaranteed to whip up new business!

Sad to hear of the death of Devo guitarist Bob Casale yesterday. You can't be of 'a certain age' and not know the band's 80s hit 'Whip it', so what a shame to know Bob's just died of heart problems at only 61 years old. I was lucky enough to see Devo twice, both times at Manchester Apollo. The first gig, in 1980, cost £4! When I saw them about 5 years ago it was £40 but, with apologies for the puny 'whip it' line in today's blog, I just wanted to say 'Thank You, Bob! It was worth it..."

Cheesy ..

You probably won't remember a blog I wrote in the summer, detailing the day I had just 15 minutes to arrange 200 people on a car-park into the shape of the name of their new company project, but I went back to that company yesterday to shoot some new pr stuff and ... wow! You know those moments you kinda think "I didn't charge enough!" .. ? Well that's how I felt yesterday, 'cos the image is everywhere! Two framed prints greet you in reception, it's up along the corridors as you walk through the building, it's a centre-spread in the in-house newspaper, it was the screensaver on the laptop of the key speech-maker at yesterday's event and it was projected onto the walls as a greeting to the attendees at the talk she was giving! Yowzer, where's a bloody bye-line when you need one? Anyway, you can check out the 'movie' of the whole thing here...

More pr photography today and this time I'm off back to a cheese factory in Cheshire (As opposed to a Cheshire Cheese factory) to shoot new images for their web-site update. I was there about 2 years ago and thought it was hilarious to squeal "Say Cheese" every time I took a shot! This time I'll stick a wedge in it! I don't think the staff could Camembert any more ...

The Generation Game ..

Bloody hell, here's a first!..

In 1984 I was invited over to Northern Ireland to photograph a Wedding. Hilda and Kenny! Lovely couple and I think I shot it on a Mamiya 645. Well, I've just been asked if I'll go over again to photograph the Wedding of ... their daughter! OMG! Have I been shooting that long?..

Of course I'm delighted, naturally, and it's all I can do to stop myself nipping over on the Stranraer ferry for a quick dress-rehearsal! (I'm joking, of course! I'd actually go from Liverpool!..) It's incredible, though, to think I'd already been a professional photographer for six years by the time I shot Danielle's parents' Wedding - two of those as a freelance - and though I wouldn't have been able to imagine this far ahead, it's wonderful to think I'm still a photographer in 2014! But photographing the daughter of one of 'my brides' .. astonishing! Can't wait to drop that into the conversation the next time a bride-to-be asks me "Done this long?..."

PS: Today's photograph? Aw, I just loved the generational theme to today's blog, and couldn't resist this shot of my Mum with my sister Catherine! I actually photographed Catherine's Wedding as well -  way over 25 years ago - and she herself now has two strapping lads in their 20s. I'm guessing my Dad took the shot ..  'cos I'd have been about four!

Virgin!

Ah, 1.1.'14! Hasn't it got a lovely ring to it? Yes, here we are - a whole brand-new, untouched 365 days to have a go at. Let's hope they're good for us all..

First resolution? Keywords! Must add more keywords to my blogs! #Wedding, #Portrait, #PR, #Photography, #Photographer! Hmmm... doesn't make for an interesting read, does it? Second resolution? Sod resolutions!...

Happy New Year Everybody!!.....

Spot the teenager ..

A study! O'Neill as an 18 year old, with trusty EM and favourite badge! (It's a picture of a bare backside with the legend "I C U R A BUM 2". I think that was thought of as funny in 1978!) Just think, I've been a photographer since I looked like that! Where have the years gone? I was shooting a family portrait at the studio yesterday and one of the teenage lads in the group was - well, let's say his skin has plenty of opportunity to clear up - and it brought to mind this photograph of me as a spotty yoof way back in the day. Hey, it's an age thing! Age was on our minds over the festivities too, as we celebrated the Twins' first Christmas. The little girls that came into our family in February were swamped with gifts, love and - more importantly - shiny wrapping paper as we marked their first Christmas. " I wonder what they'll look like when they grow up.." mused Lesley. "Well.." I said, thinking how quickly the years pass "We'll soon find out..."

Christmas crackers ..

I somehow managed to drink solidly for 9 hours straight yesterday! I must be Christmas crackers! The occasion was the works' 'Office do' which, as a self-employed freelance photographer, involved hitching up with, in this case, four other freelance snappers for a meal and severalteen gallons of mulled wine. Big 'up' to the Deli-Lama cafe in Salford for a delicious Christmas meal (Turkey and all the trimmings in a plate-sized Yorkshire Pud! Oooh, I could just eat it all over again!) and well done to Manchester Christmas Market, which was as glittery, giddy and exciting as ever. The highlight of the day must have been the sight of five professional photographers fumbling with each others' compact cameras and trying to get the flashes to work as we all took photographs of each other taking photographs of each other .. if you see what I mean! Good news of the day was that we're all still managing to make a living as said professionals .. and the shock of the day was when one of the guys came out as gay and told me he'd fancied me for years! How's that for a Christmas surprise!...

Meet the Mother-in-Law ..

I met a lovely lady at a Wedding at Willington Hall a couple of weeks ago. Her name's Pat, and she was the mother of the bride that day. Now, when I say I met her, it's probably more accurate to say I was warned about her as Judith, the bride, gave me the heads up that her Mum was - well, let's say, very particular and demanding! Whoever got the gig to shoot her daughter's Wedding was going to have to be at the top of their game .. or else!! Well, I'm delighted to say I passed muster! I came home from Saturday's Wedding Fayre to find a letter from Pat addressed to M. O'Neill/Ace Photographer Extraordinaire! She said my "skill with the camera is fantastic and the photos will give us all many memories to cherish" .. and then she whacked me with her walking stick! Ok, that bit's a fib, but it's really made my day to know she's so happy with my work! I honestly don't think I've ever had a thank-you card from a parent .. and it made my day! It was an honour, Mrs Bickerton!

#culchethstudio
www.studiofivefour.com

The signs are good ..

Plans for The Culcheth Collection are coming along nicely, with more and more suppliers wanting to be involved. Let me explain..

When I moved into my studio I realised that I was surrounded by other Wedding suppliers. A cake maker, a stationery maker (or two..), a Wedding car company .. and so on. So, I thought it would be a good idea if we all joined together under one name to make Culcheth a 'Wedding centre of Excellence'. Well, it's finally happening, and we'll have a meeting in a week or so to mash out the fantastic discounts that we're going to be able to offer brides and grooms. Whether you need diamonds or dianthus, lingerie or a limo, we're going to be able to point you in the right direction. Oh, and there's a photographer in there, too ...

#culchethstudio
www.studiofivefour.com