Category: News
Deal or no deal? European Travel post-Brexit
With the end of March approaching fast and the UK still surrounded by uncertainty around its impending exit from the European Union, anyone planning European travel might, rightly so, be a little worried about changes to come. Our partners at Responsible Travel have put together a few very useful pointers around what is likely to be in place post-Brexit – deal or no deal:
- UK-EU flights will operate – the European Commission has confirmed UK airlines can fly to the EU. A cap on the number of flights based on 2018 levels is being contested
- Ferry services and cruises from the UK will sail – shipping rules are mostly international
- UK passport-holders won’t need visas for the EU – an electronic visa-waiver scheme for the Schengen area is due in 2021 but would happen anyway and is nothing to do with Brexit
- Passports must be valid for six months from arrival date. Here’s a useful link which will help you determine if you need a new passport – https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/check-a-passport
- If you are buying a package trip from the UK you will continue to enjoy full financial protection thanks to the EU Package Travel Directive. The UK has adopted the same level of protection and this has been written into UK law. This may help you determine what a package holiday actually is – https://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/frequently-asked-questions/what-package-holiday
- The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) won’t be valid in the event of no deal. We always recommend that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is also a good idea to buy your trip with a credit card as this will give you an added level of insurance and it is now illegal to charge you more for paying by credit card.
- UK drivers in the EU will need an International Driving Permit – available from the Post Office for £5.50
- Pets will still be able to travel, but owners should consult a vet in advance about documents and health checks.
Commercial photography, done right: Creating imagery for Sanctuary – luxury hair and beauty salon
Jelly Beanz hair salon in Whitstable has recently expanded to Herne Bay with Sanctuary, a new hair salon and day spa. It is located on the lower floor of the Methodist Church on the High Street in Herne Bay. They have a mix of premium hair and beauty brands that is unique to Sanctuary as well as offering a range of relaxing and effective treatments.
We were commissioned to create a portfolio of images that Sanctuary could use for their website and promotional materials. It was important to us to capture the beauty of this luxurious new salon and spa and ensure that the brand was reflected in our images. Equally, time was of the essence: with advertising deadlines to meet, we were on a tight schedule to visit the venue, plan the shoot, create and professionally edit the photos all within 4 days.
Successful commercial photography is not happy snapping. Although the end results look effortless, it takes a great degree of planning and customised lighting. For this shoot we took time to carefully plan and set up the lighting for each room to reflect its purpose and mood, while promoting the brand throughout. We did the shoot over two evenings, to minimise disruption to the client’s business.
The shoot delivered the results desired and feedback from the client was everything that we would love to hear every time: “Amazing work, spot on”; “Love them, amazing shots. Great work with the dark beauty rooms.”; “Super happy with the results”
We loved this job for Sanctuary and we wish our new clients every success in their new venture.
If you are a business looking to create or refresh your portfolio of images, CONTACT US TODAY to discuss your requirements and get a free, no-obligation tailored quote.
John Stoddart Exhibition Opens in Style
‘The Name is Stoddart. John Stoddart. From Liverpool to Whitstable, via Hollywood: a lifetime of images‘ exhibition has opened in style at Light and Imagination Whitstable on Saturday 24th June. The exhibition is on for 2 weeks until the 9th July and it shows a very wide range of John’s work, from street and reportage photography on Livepool’s streets in late 70s to iconic photos of Liz Hurley, as featured on the cover of Loaded magazine, or Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.
You can admire the collection and purchase your very own John Stoddart image from only £90 for a digital print or take home a very collectable one-off framed vintage print signed by the photographer! For the first time ever, one of the most iconic images of John Stoddart, his very own interpretation to Leda and the Swan, the Greek myth that has been inspiration to many artists including Michelangelo and Salvador Dali, is available in an impressive 50″x40″ ChromaLuxe metal print, in a limited edition of just 10, authenticated and signed on the back by the photographer. Watch John talk about this stunning piece, only available at Light and Imagination in Whitstable.
Watch John here with Leda and the Swan
Find us at 82 High Street Whitstable CT5 1AZ, email info@lightandimagination.com or call 07950481728. We are open daily throughout the duration of the exhibition until 9th July 2017.
The name is Stoddart. John Stoddart.
The name is Stoddart. John Stoddart.
From Liverpool to Whitstable via Hollywood, a lifetime of images.
24th June – 9th July 2017 @ Light and Imagination Whitstable 82 High Street
We’re marching full speed ahead on our journey of becoming THE photography gallery of choice in the east of Kent. We are over the moon to announce that we’ve teamed up with world-famous celebrity photographer John STODDART for a number of joint projects.
The first one will be a solo exhibition for John’s reportage, celebrity and risqué images. This will show between 24th June and 9th July 2017.
We recently interviewed John in his Whitstable pad. Walking into John’s stylish yet unpretentious, homely living room, we can’t help but remark on how coordinated he is with his environment.
‘Sometimes I feel like I’m living inside my pictures’, he laughs.
Q: Where are your roots and how did they influence your photographic journey?
‘I was born in Liverpool and I’d taken photographs for as long as I can remember. Long before social media, if people had something to say, they would take it to the streets back then! Everywhere was a photograph to be had.’
Q: Was there a breakthrough into getting published as a photographer?
I’d taken some photographs for the hairdresser salon my girlfriend worked in, which got published, and I got noticed. The big breakthrough came with Frankie Goes to Hollywood. They were friends of mine and I was helping them get their record together! I did a big shoot for them and one of the images, quite controversial, got published in the NME – the Holy Grail of music publications at that time. I then started to do more work for the rock and roll press.’
Q: Who’s the nicest celebrity you’ve photographed?
‘Pierce Brosnan by a mile! He’s a charming man, so easy to photograph. He was such a happy guy because he got his dream job; James Bond in Golden Eye.‘
Q: What’s the sexiest part of a woman’s body?
‘Her legs I would say. I’ve always been a leg man’ (giggles).
Q: And a man?
‘Probably his face, I’m thinking now more of what a woman would think of that question. Because obviously women are so much more sophisticated when it comes to attraction.’
Q: Which photographers inspired you over time?
‘They tend to be non-British, people like Richard Avedon and William Klein. One guy I really loved was Weegee, the crime photographer in the 1930s. So mostly American with a few exceptions such as Guy Bourdin and of course Helmut Newton: he influenced everyone in my generation. I’d also always been interested in portrait and pin-up. I wanted to do portrait and fashion, but I’m not really into fashion.’
Q: But you are a very elegant man.
‘Yes I like to be smart, classic, but I’m not into fashion trends. I’d probably be wearing a pair of shorts right now otherwise.’
The name is Stoddart. John Stoddart
From Liverpool to Whitstable via Hollywood, a lifetime of images
will be showing between 24th June – 9th July at Light and Imagination, 82 High Street Whitstable, CT5 1AZ (www.lightandimagination.com)
RSVP: info@lightandimagination.com
China Photography Holiday launches at Largest Photography Show in Europe
For the first time in the UK, Light and Imagination launch Photography Tours in China – Avatar Mountains await!
Over the years, photographers Andreea and Matt, founders of Light and Imagination Photography have searched the world for the best off-the-beaten-track locations to offer unparalleled photography tour experiences. They are now ready to open their doors to keen photographers who want to experience real China in amazing, authentic and super photogenic settings.
A 10-day Photography tour is being launched at the NEC Photography Show 2017 with a special early-bird price, no single supplements and extra discounts for room sharers.
The first China Photography Tour will take place in May-June 2018 and cover two amazing locations ZhangJiaJie (film set for ‘Avatar’) and FengHuang (step-back-in-time ancient walled city and UNESCO heritage).
With a small group of maximum 10 participants, two UK professional photographers and one English-speaking local guide, this can be a photographic trip of a lifetime. The tour price includes all group and individual tuition and feedback, accommodation, meals, internal travel and entry fees.
For more information and booking enquiries please visit Light and Imagination on stand J35 at the NEC Photography Show between 18th-21st March 2017, contact Andreea on 07950481728 or Matt 07764167943, email info@lightandimagination.com or click here!
A New Photography Business in Whitstable Hoping to Capture Your Interest
We were recently featured in Whitstable Times for the opening of our Photography Gallery Studio & Training Facility in Whitstable. The following is the article:
“A new gallery and photography business has opened in Whitstable.
Light and Imagination in the High Street is providing product, wedding, event and corporate photography services. And from January next year, there will also be training courses for budding enthusiasts.
Owners Andreea Paciu and Matt Arnold, who share a passion for photography, are also exhibiting their work at the venue.
Ms Paciu of Regent Street said: “We both are photography enthusiasts and have pursued it as a hobby all our lives pretty much. We now are keen to share our skills with people of the town.”
The couple, who have invested £40,000 in the business, have diverse education and career backgrounds – philosophy, engineering, management consultancy and teaching.
But their common passion for photography brought them together five years ago. They travelled the world together clicking snaps, before deciding to put their passion at the core of their business.
And after having lived at several places including London, they made Whitstable their home three years ago after falling in love with the ‘ethos of the place’.
They now see a long-term future in the ‘lovely’ town.
Ms Paciu added: “It has a tight local community, lots of independent shops and businesses. And as a couple opening a business, we hope it’s the right thing for the town.”
The gallery will open from Friday to Sunday and the studio will be available throughout the week. And the couple are willing to travel across Kent and to London for work promising ‘original and creative’ pieces of work with every job they get.
The 41-year-old added: “Our want to deliver tailored photography services to clients. We have made an emotional and financial investment in it and are very optimistic about the future. We hope that our effort will be well received.”
The couple have put their images and print on display – costing between £60 to £490 – and are inviting people to drop in, have a look and give them their feedback.
She added: “We are in our first year of business and it would be really good to know what people really want.”