Hands up anyone who actually likes having their photograph taken... No? Well, that's not so surprising. When you think about it, being photographed is not a particularly natural act, is it? I have to hold my hands up and say that I'm with you on this one - hence my being behind the camera most of the time!

How natural is it, honestly, to be made to stand on the spot and told to look relaxed and at ease, as if this is the sort of thing you do every day?! In reality, you're more likely to feel nervous, self conscious and uncomfortable... at least until you are reassured that it's really not all that bad.

There is, of course, an alternative to this somewhat 'rigid' approach. Have you thought about the use of more informal, unposed portraits? Increasingly, these are the kind of images that people are asking for - not just in family portraits, but in 'corporate' photographs, too. And the approach could not be simpler.

We pick a location that you feel comfortable in - your office, living room, even the local park - and have a chat. No big flashing lights, no awkward poses - just relaxed pictures shot in natural light. Pictures which make you look like... you!

Examples of this approach can be found in the Portfolio pages on the Giles Babbidge Photography website.

Portfolio

A recent trip to Focus On Imaging - Europe's largest annual imaging show - made it very clear how far technology has progressed in just the last 12 months.

'Wireless' is the way forward, so it seems, and is a technology which has been adopted by Giles Babbidge Photography in the past month.

The applications are as wide-ranging as the distances that images can be transmitted, direct from the camera.

For example, let us suppose we were shooting the launch of your latest product in Sussex and the resulting images were required for instant approval at Head Office in Edinburgh - no problem, the technology is there to support such demands.

Another typical set-up - and one used most regularly - involves on-the-spot instant transfer of images from camera to laptop computer. This is ideal for situations where you want to preview the shots throughout the shoot, perhaps making selections as we go.

If you are interested in the mechanics of wireless photography, and how it can be used to provide solutions to your photographic requirements, please contact me to discuss this further.

How do you want your photographs?

As many of you will know, I am a great believer in the effectiveness of one-to-one networking, and am a contributing member within a number of groups. One of these is The Business Interchange (TBI), Portsmouth.

Meetings are held weekly at The Innlodge, Burfields Road, Portsmouth, and Wednesday 7th March sees the group's next Visitor Day - to which we welcome anyone interested in growing their business in a friendly, relaxed and informal networking environment.

Following a recent reshuffle of positions and the success of last month's Visitor Day - attended by around 30 members and guests - the next event looks set to be another well supported meeting. This really is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people from the local business community, and to further increase awareness of you and your product or service.

Guest speaker this time around is Chris Butcher of Clarify People, who will be discussing 'Investors In People' - a national management good practice standard which sets a framework for good management across organisations of all ages, sizes and sector.

If you would like to come along, please contact me directly to attend as my guest.

You can find out more about TBI Portsmouth's activities by following the link below.

TBI Portsmouth website

It's been a hectic month, so not a lot of change to report on the website in this edition.

However, the Portfolio pages have been updated to include examples of recently commissioned work; so please feel free to take a look at the images on display. As ever, if you have any comments or questions, I welcome your feedback.

Portfolio pages

Last month's edition of In The Frame gave you chance to take advantage of a 15% discount off all Giles Babbidge Photography rates and services.

One company to take advantage of the offer was Consultation Limited - change management specialists who "bring to your organisation a focus on the people aspects of strategic change."

Speaking about forthcoming changes to their own online presence, Derek Dann (Director) explains, "We used Giles Babbidge Photography to meet our need for a more professional look to our web site. The portrait photographs he took gave us the ability to ring the changes on our site by giving us the choice of a formal, less formal and more casual appearance."

Of course, not every approach or set-up suits every customer - which is why all shoots are tailored specifically to the requirements of the client in question.

Derek continues, "Giles quickly adapted to our environment and rapidly set up his 'studio'. He was relaxed and informal which helped to ensure that his subjects were too. His use of technology enabled him to demonstrate the output immediately and gave us the confidence that we would achieve what we were looking for."

No special offer this month, I'm afraid, but please do get in touch to discuss a set of portraits which will meet your own needs.

Let's talk portraits!

There is only so much you can learn from reading a book - how to build a wall, how to make an omlette, even how to take a good photograph.

But at the end of the day, these are all practical applications, and it is only by finding out what works and what doesn't that you become good at doing them.

A couple of weeks ago, my car needed some maintenance (again!). Having obtained a number of quotes, I ultimately returned to the specialist garage I have used in the past, rather than one of the 'high street' outfits.

In conversation, my decision to go back was reinforced by hearing one simple fact - the proprietor first began working on this particular brand of car over 40 years ago. So he knows what he's talking about!

Back to photography... 'Digital' is very often taken to be a kind of 'one-stop cure-all' phrase and way of doing things; yes, it has its advantages... but what did we do before its arrival? We shot film, of course and, being unable to check the image, we had to be sure of getting the results.

The point is, the temptation to take pictures oneself, for use in a business context, is often a false economy. For all the effort, stress and wasted time (and sometimes money) it takes to get those results which, frankly, you are not really happy with, why not hire someone to do it who you can rely upon to get the job done the first time around?

I know very little about how to fix a car, so I'm happy to pay someone else to do it, knowing that when I drive off, the problem will have been fixed and cause me no more trouble.

Remember, you are not just paying a photographer simply to 'press the button' - you are buying their experience, their knowledge of how to give you the pictures you want.

About Giles Babbidge Photography Ltd

It is fair to say that we are nothing short of bombarded with photographs on a daily basis - in magazines and newspapers, on websites and advertising hoardings. You can't even take a trip on public transport these days without seeing some kind of photographic imagery.

Despite this, we still take for granted just how influential a picture can be. Photography has the power to end wars and to change public perceptions - not just to promote the latest new product or ultra-efficient service.

I recently came across this story about how a photograph taken by TIME photographer Yuri Kozyrev was able to positively affect a young girl's life. And I would like to share it with you.

By comparison, and admittedly on a somewhat more local level, I was asked during the past month to photograph the occasion of one lady's 100th Birthday - no mean achievement on her part, it has to be said! Thanks to the instant viewing capabilities that digital cameras now afford, I was able to show my subject the pictures of her surrounded by the people she cherishes so dearly. Her look of amazement at seeing the images straight away was priceless and, needless to say, she was keen to get copies of the photographs to proudly hang on the wall for all to see!

Reaching the grand old age of 100 is quite remarkable. It surely makes sense, then, to capture such an important occasion for future generations to remember. Whether it be a birthday or a wedding, a retirement presentation or a farewell party, make sure it is recorded and not just left to become a distant memory.

Let's talk about capturing your important occasion