Friday, 12 November 2010

New Beginnings

As I mentioned in the previous post, there are some serious changes going on at HSP.

We've taken a long time to think about the direction the business is going in, and we're finally ready to announce our decisions.

Goodbye, Oulton Institute!

The last year has been a funny old time, and we've watched as our business has virtually been turned on it's head. We opened HSP as Studio Portrait Photographers, but this year we've noticed that the majority of our work is now being undertaken outside the studio, leaving our biggest room empty whilst we feverishly edited in the 2 offices. As with everything we've done, we've added services as we've been asked to - and this year, among other outside work, the demand for our playgroup service and the success we've had with it has allowed us to re-evaluate what the company does and how it does it.

So, we've decided to move on from the Oulton Institute, and redefine HSP. If you've managed to see the website in the last week or so, you'll have noticed the difference. Instead of being stuck in the studio and waiting for people to come to us, we're getting out and about, and we're committed to using our experience with children over the last 4 years that we've worked together, taking great quality, relaxed and fun photographs of children, with a fast and reliable service, and providing playgroups, schools and nurseries with vital funds.

What's the difference?

Well, without a studio, we can no longer offer studio shoots, and we've done our last studio photo-party, but there's so much more we can offer now. Separating who does what helps us to clarify what we do and make it easier for us to market ourselves in the correct areas, so Jo and Caroline will be offering various services under their own names. We're both in the process of setting up our websites and we'll let everyone know the details as soon as we can.

Any service booked for the coming months with HSP will still be carried out, with absolutely no difference whatsoever.

We're not breaking up the company, we're focussing on making it more successful!

Er... hold on, can I still book a portrait shoot, or a wedding, or a product job?

If you'd like to ask about any of our services, or are still confused about what the heck we're doing, please contact us through the new facility on our website, or just email us on info@hiltonsandersphotography.co.uk. Leave us your phone number and we'll call you back.

The next phase of Hilton Sanders Photography Ltd is just starting! Thanks to everyone who's got us started and seen us through the first 2 and a half years, and to all of our lovely customers who are helping to take us forward into the future.

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

October was sooo busy...

... that it's taken me until November to write about it!

Top of the list has been the 3 playgroups we've taken our new fundraising service to - Scribblers at the Sports Centre in Garforth, then the Toddlers Club at Garforth Methodist Church, and then all the way up to Oxford Road Playgroup in Guiseley. We've had loads of fun with the kids, and a great response from the families, raising loads of cash for the groups. See our website for more details - we're restructuring the business (more later) to specialise in shoots at playgroups, nurseries and schools.

Today I am delighted to be able to link our blog to a brand new website for the range of products we shot in the 3rd week of October - Kathryn de Prudhoe's Handmade Baby. The site uses our photos to show off Kathryn's beautiful handiwork. Having spent some serious time working with this gorgeous range of baby gifts and nursery items, I'd recommend it to anyone who even slightly knows someone who's expecting or has a tiny person in their lives. Instant brownie points are available to the giver of such lovely gifts! (Also, our friend Steve Kennell is behind the rather brilliant Icklesites, and built Kathryn's site... a true professional!)

And we were also proud to photograph Bailey Hunter's Race Night at the Marriot Hotel raising funds for Candlelighters on the 21st.

See? When it's quiet on the blog it means we're up to all sorts!

Stay tuned for big news in my next update!

C