All posts by Bob McEvoy

Freelance Photographer.
Child Portraiture, Pets, Studio

Tips for Including Your Pets in Family Photos.

9 Tips for Including Your Pets in Family Photos.
In principal we enjoy having your pets along for your photoshoot – we are very happy to meet the furry part of your family.

1) Please let us know in advance. There might be things we need to do in the studio to make them safe or provide them water and so on.
2) Be sure your pet will be comfy in a new room. Dogs, tortoises, rabbits and so on are usually pretty relaxed about being in new places. Cats really don’t get on with it all.
3) Bring a collar and lead. During the shoot we might well be able to do without it, or at least hide it away. Outside of the shoot there might be all sorts of reasons why your pet needs to be secure.
4) Bring treats. These are great bribery and we can frequently create poses with your pet looking or waiting for their treat.
5) Bring their preferred toy. The photographer can use it to make certain the pet’s attention is in the right place. We can also use it for some fun games with your animal.
6) Keep your animal cool, especially dogs. If it means coming over in the car with the air conditioning on please do. You don’t want you dog all panting with his tongue hanging out.
7) We know accidents happen, don’t worry about it. If you can take your pet for a short comfort break before the shoot starts that would be great.
8) Give your animal lots of strokes. Despite outward appearances it may still be stressful for them and lots of contact and comfort will help them relax.
9) I’ve never seen an animal react to our studio flashes, the flash is very short and doesn’t seem to bother animals at all.

Black & White, Pets, Uncategorized

Flint the Greyhound

Greyhounds are fantastic dogs, and they make really sweet pets.  Very often they are raced to exhaustion and then destroyed when they can race no more, but there are lots of rescued greyhounds living as pets in people’s homes, and enjoying life to the full.  They are so quiet and companionable, and they just love human company.

Today Flint, a rescued Greyhound came with his owners to our Dundonald studio to pose for the camera and to enter the Pet Portrait Awards in support of Dogs Trust.

Here he is, totally chilled out on the studio floor…

Flint.jpg

Environmental Portraiture, Family Portraits, Weddings and Events

Engagement Portraits. 

5 Ideas for Telling Your Love Story in Your Engagement Session
What we want to do is really recount your love story through images. Now some of those will be a range of cuddly, romantic poses. But, how about if we can really personalize it around you.
1) Where did he/she propose? Can we use the spot of the proposal. If it was a restaurant then most owners are really happy to help you re-create the scene. If it was a park then we already have a gorgeous location. If it was on vacation – well we’re game 🙂
2) Where did you meet? Same as the proposal venue, if it was a pub, concert or sports event again the venues are usually really happy to help.

In both cases it is really nice to send them some images afterwards. We will provide the right info and license so the images are properly credited and the venue has our permission to use the images.

3) What are your common hobbies? Do you like dancing, let’s re-create your favorite dance. Do you play sports or support a sports team: sports jerseys, scarves, sports wear all make fantastic props.
4) Do you have pets? Dogs especially are terrific add-ons to your shoot, especially when they are part of your family. Cats don’t usually work so well – they are too lovably self-centred to co-operate. If you have something more exotic like snakes, reptiles or something else then I’m certain we can manage.
5) What about your personalities? Are you quiet and romantic, we can set you up for some pretty, cozy, lovey-dovey photographs. Are you loud and boisterous always out for a good time – then we can do something much more exuberant. And if you want both, then that’s fine. 
All our engagement photoshoots aim to show the whole you and your whole love story, so we like to express both who you are and how happy you are together.

If you would like to reserve your love story photoshoot at Portraits2Go.co.uk then simply phone 07802466302 to make your appointment.

Photo-Technique, Training

Nikon FG20 

I picked up this old camera yesterday from my good friend Raymond Cotter. A 1984 Nikon FG20. It was in a pile of cameras in the charity shop. I wrote it off as worthless and he let me have it for display purposes in the studio along with other old camera examples. Last evening I got it out, fixed a Sigma manual focus lens, cleaned it up, and tested its meter. It’s perfect! There’s a wee problem with the film winder, but otherwise it’s in good enough condition. 


Today I’ll load it with Ilford 400ISO Black & White and take it in a test drive. 

If it works – my conscience will be severely tested and I’ll be down to make a donation asap!

I’ll update this post with the results!