The Importance of a Professional Headshot by Stella Scordellis

I am often asked why is it so important to get the right headshot.

If you want to be taken seriously in the competitive professional world to attract suitable clients, then you have to look approachable and professional in your headshot, taken by a professional who understands the process of creating this.

I have been photographing people for over 40 years, for so many different reasons and occasions. From wedding days to the birth of a new arrival, from first days at school to graduations and so the story of life goes.

In this day and age, it’s all too easy to get a friend to take a photograph on a phone or perhaps fumble around and do it yourself, but that’s not what it’s about, it’s about capturing the professional you.

The wrong smile, tilt of the head or expression in your eyes can all give a different meaning to the one you wish to convey. My experience and relaxed approach will help you feel comfortable during your photo-shoot.

Follow this link to the headshot part of the website and this link to location headshots.

Your photo-shoot can either take place at your home, workplace or my pop-up studio at various locations in Oxted. To make a booking email me at stella@smscreativephotgraphy.co.uk or call on 01883 722282.

Thanks

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

The Art of Picture Framing by Stella Scordellis

Believe it or not, there is an art to picture framing - be it cherished photographs, valued artworks, limited editions, canvases and treasured needlepoints, documents or even a priceless signed premier league football shirt.

It can be too easy to just use any old frame that’s to hand or something ready-made that doesn’t quite fit for now with the intention to change it at a later date, which never seems to come…

This is where the art of picture framing comes in and my professional and creative eye, which intuitively knows what works best to display your artworks for your home or workspace.

Part of my work as a photographer is the presentation of the images I create and by using this skill it has taken me further afield to work with you for your personal or commercial artworks for framing.

For over 20 years I have collaborated with a team of skilled craftspeople to deliver a bespoke picture framing service to suit your lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be the photographs you have commissioned me to take, it can be anything that you value and feel deserve the best presentation, from contemporary to traditional and anything in-between.

Simply call me on 01883 722282 or email stella@smscreativephotography.co.uk to arrange for me to visit you at your home or workplace for a one-off piece or more. I’ll come equipped with a variety of frame mouldings, mount card colours, Art Glass and lots of creativity to take the pressure away from you.

This link to the Picture Framing section on the website tells you a little more.

Thank you.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

A New Chapter for SMS Creative Photography...

The Investment Boutique - Oxted

Hello and welcome to my August Newsletter about a new chapter for SMS Creative Photography...

This month has absolutely flown by with moving out of my lovely high street premises after 23 years I finally closed the doors for one last time on 13th August, it really is amazing how much stuff there is to move, even when I had been moving boxes out weeks before! I was in denial about how much you actually do accumulate over time, both emotionally and physically. Well, that's all done now and I'm settling into my home production office whilst an exciting new business makes its home at 83 Station Road East, Oxted.

The photograph above is of The Investment Boutique in Oxted, more about this to come.

My usual blog about my monthly visit to photograph the progress of the building development at the former gas holder site has had to take a back seat this month and will feature as a joint one next month. I have also photographed other exciting commissions in August that will feature via blogs in the coming months too.

Thank you very much for your good wishes during the last few weeks. I know I'm going to miss you calling into the studio but I am only just a phone call or email away for enquiries or commissions, such as family photographs of special occasions, get-togethers, landmark anniversaries and birthdays or just because you want to, all in the comfort of your home and garden or the local woodlands and vineyards.

Alternatively, we can meet at The Investment Boutique just up the road from my former premises and opposite the Little Waitrose store, where I have very kindly been given the use of one of their comfortable meeting rooms to discuss any projects you may have in mind.

Feel free to call or email me on 01883 722282 or stella@smscreativephotography.co.uk for portrait sittings, professional headshots, location photo-shoots or any other projects or artwork picture framing.

I look forward to keeping in touch and do visit the websites for more information smscreativephotography.co.uk and stellascordellis.com

Bye for now...

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

British Grand Prix 2019 - Formula 2 - 'Chasing the Dream'

This year at the British Grand Prix I had the pleasure of photographing the stills during the making of a four part documentary about the young and aspiring Formula 2 drivers called ‘Chasing the Dream’ due to air at the end of August on F1TV, it will then be available on other platforms which are to be confirmed.

The idea for the documentary is the brainchild of Martin Turner, former head of F1 Sky Sports and Sky Europe - keen to tell the story about the often forgotten Formula 2 championship and the journey the young drivers take to realise their dreams to become Formula 1 racing drivers and world champions - working with Rory Child from Golden Child TV, Martin is making this a reality.

To read more about this exciting commission click on the ‘Read More’ button below which redirects you to my automotive and lifestyle photography ‘Stella’ website where this blog is based.

Thank you!

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

SMS Creative Photography - Update - Leaving 83 Station Road East, Oxted

Since I was last in touch in June I have been extra busy with commissions, which have taken me away from the studio and delayed my blog writing, this tied in with moving out of my lovely premises at 83 Station Road East, Oxted, means I have pushed back the leaving date to Saturday 10 August 2019.

Firstly, to update you, during the first weekend of July I was away selling my limited edition automotive photographs at the Parallax Art Fair from the exhibition ‘A Drive Down Memory Lane’ which was a great success! I am selling the original ‘artists proofs’ at a reduced cost for the car lover in your life, a few are currently on display in the studio window if you would like to purchase one or two - this link to my ‘Stella’ website tells you more about the collection.

Secondly, the following week, I was away photographing during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone (you may remember I was there last year photographing Formula 1), photographing stills for a fascinating four-part documentary about the Formula 2 drivers called ‘Chasing the Dream’ - due to air mid August on Sky TV, I’ll keep you posted on this one and will share my blog in the coming weeks once I have finished editing the 2,000 plus images! If this is a subject that interests you, you may well want to sign up to my blogs via my Lifestyle and Automotive website ‘Stella’ here.

Thirdly, at the studio I have been photographing portraits for headshots and family photo-shoots, if this is something you would like to do before I move on please do get in touch, this link tells you more about the headshot service offered. You may also want to call in for passport photographs before Saturday 10 August as I will no longer be offering this service after my relocation.

Last but not least, my monthly visit to the former Oxted gas holder site took place last week on a gloriously hot and sunny day, my blog about the progress will be out at the end of the month, it really is beginning to take shape!

Just to let you know the studio will be closed on Saturday 3 August as we celebrate the wedding of a much- valued former member of staff Ben Rosser, incase you are wondering, yes, I will be photographing it!

If you would like to know more about my relocation, this previous blog tells you more, but please don’t worry I’m not disappearing, just finding a new way of working more efficiently.

To keep in touch with my regular updates please follow me on the social media icons below, and to subscribe to my monthly newsletters click on the ‘Subscribe To Our Newsletter’ button also below.

Thank you for your much valued custom over the past 23 years, I could not have got this far without you, I look forward to sharing my next chapter with you…

Stella

The shop front 1997 right and 2019 left.

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Exciting Times Ahead for SMS Creative Photography

Exciting news for SMS Creative Photography following on from my January blog about my changes for 2019.

As many of you know I started my photography business on the high street here in Oxted on 10th February 1997. Since then I have forged so many wonderful relationships with you, photographing your weddings, your children and families and other wonderful life and business events, because of you my business has grown beyond my wildest dreams and my commissions have taken me far and wide and continue to evolve with diversity.

As previously mentioned my own family have flown the nest and other exciting opportunities beckon, that I now find myself in a position to change the way I work and to move my lovely business off the high street and adapt with the 21st century to work remotely, read on to find out more…

My passion for my work as a photographer is pulling me in different exciting directions with continued local commissions and photographing at events such as the British Grand Prix. Further afield I will be embarking on my role as a cruise ship speaker, to enlighten and entertain passengers with presentations about photographing at the British Grand Prix 2018 and other commissions in the world of Formula One and high profile motoring events. My first cruise will be later this year, travelling worldwide once or twice a year on luxury ocean liners such as Fred.Olsen, Cunard and Royal Caribbean to name a few, I will keep you posted about my activities.

As a result of this, I will be giving up my premises to allow a new and exciting business to enjoy the town in August 2019.

So this isn't au revoir, arrivederci or even goodbye, it's just a different way of working where I can use my time and expertise more efficiently and above all continue to deliver a personal and professional service and keep a foothold in the town at a new location as and when required.

I have been very fortunate to have been invited to have the use of a meeting room during the week at The Investment Boutique by my lovely customers Richard Arris and Helena Bakunowicz, who took over the premises opposite the Oxted Little Waitrose store last year, The Investment Boutique is a trading name of Raymond James Investment Services Limited.
Richard and Helena had their spacious new office refurbished to a very high standard last September and I thank them for this opportunity. I am very much looking forward to being able to arrange appointments for post location photo-shoot viewings here and a pop-up studio too, with the added benefit of on-site parking, what more could I ask for! I will also be exhibiting some limited edition photographs on their walls.

The studio phone number will remain the same and I am happy to visit you in the comfort of your own home for photo-shoots and consultations about any projects you may have in mind that you would like to discuss.

I will be increasing my online media presence to keep you updated with my activities and will, of course, continue with my blogs for both SMS Creative Photography and the other branch of my business ‘Stella’ www.stellascordells.com which has been growing steadily in the background over the past 6 years with lifestyle and commercial commissions outside of Oxted.

Please feel free to follow me on my social media platforms; Instagram @stellasms & @stellascordellis - Twitter @stellasms and Facebook SMSCreativePhotography and SScordellis

Thank you for your much-valued custom over the years, I can’t wait to start this new and exciting chapter with you.

 Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.