pixiepot

How's everyone holding up? These times are definitely uncertain, and I've been known to rear my head around here in times of uncertainty. deviantART is especially poignant to me at the moment, as I'm writing an essay about the effect of community on creativity and creative culture. I think that dA will always be a good example of how the two work hand in hand.

I haven't updated my journal for a while, so I thought I'd leave a few links below in case you're wondering what I've been up to.

Skillshare

I've started teaching online. Mostly photography related, but design, branding and creative entrepreneurship classes will soon be coming. You can get a free two months subscription using this link if you wanted to check out some of the classes. Especially in times like these, it's a great way to spend your time; learning new skills, as such. You can find my classes here:

Mastering Photography: The Basics
Mastering Photography: Editing Basics

YouTube

Similarly to Skillshare, many of you might be aware that I post regular content relating to photography, design and creative entrepreneurship over on YouTube. You can check out those videos here. Below are a few of my favourites.

Instagram

Instagram - by far the platform you'll see me most at. I post my photography over on Instagram a lot more regularly than I do here, so head over and say hi if you please.

Print Shop

I finally went and did it. My print shop is here! You can check that out here.

Adobe Lightroom Presets

Talking about shops, I also sell my Adobe Lightroom Preset so, photographers, get on that!

Branding

I'm taking a leap back into design in recent weeks, especially within the realm of branding. If you're looking for a new brand identity, for you or your company, get in touch to see how I can help.

But, enough about me - how are you? Let me know

I hope everyone's doing well. I've been crazy busy over the last few months - finished my second year at university, turned 20 , and have been working a whole lot. I've recently been moving my photography in the world of videography, and more specifically YouTube; doing collabs with likeminded creatives and trying to show people an insight into what it is I do as a freelance photographer.

Last week was my third challenge on my channel, and another addition of two photographers shoot the same model. Please give it a watch and let me know what you think! Which locations were the best, which outfits, which shots? I always appreciate the support and of course, as always, constructive criticism.




The video below is another challenge I did recently, and one with a little twist. We had three photographers - including myself - and one model. Each photographer had a budget of just £5 to spend in Poundland to purchase props that they had to use in the shots. Again, a great challenge and loads of room to get creative. Let me know what you think.



Anyone on here from the UK? Specifically London or Manchester. Always looking to work with more likeminded creatives. Hope you're all well!

As many of you may know, a couple of years ago I made the transition into fashion photography. One of the biggest aspects of my business is working with fashion bloggers and so I've put together a little video with some of the tips I'd suggest keeping in mind when working with bloggers. Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think!

deviantART for me has been a massive part of my growing up and in my finding myself as an artist. I attribute a lot of my skills today - both creative and otherwise - to the time I spent growing up on deviantART and learning from this community and, despite the hiatus I've taken in recent years, this community has always had a special space in my heart.

To hear of the passing of someone that I genuinely considered a friend, Alicia (Endorell-Taelos) has deeply saddened me. The conversations that I had with Alicia are conversations that I will always look back on with fond memories. She truly was one of the kindest people and even after all of the breaks I took from dA she always resumed our conversations with the same kindness and welcoming spirit she always had. Alicia played a massive part in me continuing to come back to dA, just as she played a massive part of my entire deviantART experience, and for that I will thank her for endlessly.

My love and condolences go out to her friends and family, and her deviantART family too - especially mirz333. I will always remember the conversations that the three of us, and others, used to have in the chatrooms with the most fond of memories.

Please take a moment to have a look at some of these beautiful tributes to Alicia which feature some of her amazing work:


Rest in peace Alicia. You will always be a part of the deviantART community and in the memories of so many people who cherished you. Thank you for being you.

FINALLY got round to documenting more than 5 minutes of my day as a freelance photographer and managed to create an entire 9 minute video of how I spend an average day. The video, if you're interested in watching it, documents two of my photoshoots from yesterday - the first with a blogger called Amira, who runs a blog called Modest Mira, and the second with a band from Manchester called Crush. Check it out, let me know what you think!



If you're a photographer (or even if you're not) and you enjoy following photography related videos/vlogs, what kind of thing would you like to see? I'm really trying to build and grow my YouTube and hopefully by gaining an insight into what people want to watch I'll be able to do that!