Return to my World

Well that is what it feels like. A return to Pixel Vixen's world.

I've not been away. I've not been silent. Only on here.

I've been busy. Busy with photography and exhibitions. Busy with life, moving on. Busy moving forwards and upwards. Learning and growing.

2013 was quite a year. I may share some of it. Some of you will know all about it from Twitter, Facebook and some of you have been there with me all the way through it. Or some of it.

I left my part-time position of eCommerce Marketing Manager and Photographer almost a year ago.  The knowledge that you can support yourself (and daughter) as a freelancer is very comforting. Of course I have my good friend and work colleague Paul to thank for that. For support, for work, for being there. A great team. Also I thank my clients.

I achieved my goals.....

I photographed Prince Charles, David Cameron, Boris, a long list of World Leaders. I photographed not so famous people who were so extraordinary, they left their mark on my existence.

One of my photographs was used as a poster on London Underground for the Royal Parks. Much bigger than I had hoped for!

I travelled. To the city I loved the first time I went and still continue to love. New York.

My daughter became an adult. What happened there? She has always been very mature and grounded. She has worked for the last 3 years, she got good grades in A'Levels. She will do well. I am happy!

I met someone I like a lot, who has similar interests. Unexpected. Nice. Very nice.

I made new friends in random places, on trains, via Twitter, on the street.

I learned a lot about existing friendships. That is all.

I told the world that I was Daisy Meadows. That it was me who won the London Photography Award in 2010. Some of the world knew. Some didn't care. It didn't matter. I was glad the 'secret' was out! I exhibited in Wolverhampton at the Lighthouse Media Centre. I was happy to take my work back to my roots. To where my inspirations and passion for photography started.

I was reminded of the actual picture I saw as a teen, which made me so desperately want to become a photographer. The cover of Nik Kershaw's The Riddle album. I finally went to a Nik Kershaw gig. I met Kim Wilde and Rick Astley. I'm an 80's girl.... what can I say? ;)

I learned a lot about myself. I failed. I survived. I succeeded. I set new goals.

These are the cobwebs I needed to clear...

To Assist or Not To Assist

This is a question I hear all the time. Should I become an assistant or should I go straight out there as a photographer? I truly believe every photographer should assist another photographer at some point in their career. We are all learning, with every job, so why not learn how someone else does it. You may pick up some invaluable pointers!

Some people think they won't be taken seriously as a photographer if they spend all their time helping someone else further their career and reputation. The fact is, if you are assisting someone, it's because they have got to a certain point in their career which warrants the use of a 2nd person and wouldn't you want to be in that position yourself sometime soon? So you see it makes a lot of sense!

Of course you have pressures, you cannot stuff up, but it's not your head on the line if you do. You are assisting, you are not in charge! You need to develop confidence as a photographer to deliver briefs. It takes time to understand what clients want and expect and every one is different.

While assisting you may feel like a general dogsbody, carrying kit, usually lots of it, running around with props, setting up and testing lights, loading backs, chasing models and make up artists to get a move on, racing to Metro and waiting for proofs. It can be hard, but someone has to do it! Get over the victim mentality, it's a job in photography and lots of people would give their right arm for it!

Ok so it's busy, you're always on the go... USE THE OPPORTUNITY to take everything in. What kit does the photographer use, what flash set-up does he/she use? You have the advantage of seeing everything from concept to completion and you can use this knowledge in your own work.

When you assist, you are working with someone else's creativity, it doesn't have to stop your own! Some photographers I know let their assistants use their studio and equipment for their own projects. Don't you think this is a good idea? It saves on hire fees and you can always bounce your ideas around with someone who has more experience and may be able to help YOU!

Lots of photographers rush 'out there' and then fall flat on their face! You need to learn business acumen as well as how to take photos, so why not learn from a professional so you know what you're doing when it's your turn!