May 2009

May 2009
I’ve had some very interesting contacts this year - photographers, promoters, media. Perhaps that’s what this year is about for me?

Music, film and event photography
I covered a fashion party at the Corinthian Glasgow, which was fun the same day as I met a magazine guy and had an interesting chat. I’ve had images picked up for a wide variety of things – maps, magazines, press. I've had interest from an Arts agency – and been asked to take stills for a movie which sounds fun. It is all quite a strange business in a way.

It is all hugely competitive though and there seems to be loads more music photographers out there than say when I shot images of Patrick Watson at King Tuts in 2007, and I was the only shooter there! – great gig btw. Music photography is about the art of photography for me.

A few years back I read about Paul MacCartney’s tour photographer and how he got a lucky break being in the right place at the right time. I never thought I could ever aspire to this. I check others work and think I can match what they are doing. Sometimes it feels like this dream might be possible. Whatever – I can combine my love of art with my music. I regret not following my passion for art and now I can so I’m grateful for these opportunities. 

I was at a wonderful gig at the Tall Ship last week - the weather was blowing a gale outside but inside was a warm and cosy venue of music.
Please get in touch if you like my work and would like me to cover your event or take portrait or promotional shots – a lot of thought and care goes into my photos and I hope you enjoy them.

PKIMAGE

I am a Glasgow Music and Event Photographer. Also recently I’ve been enjoying taking nature shots as the light has been soft and clear and the blossom those light pinks. After receiving encouragement for my work I set up seriously as a photographer last year in 2008.

NEW Photo site
I have been working on a new photo site for a while, for months and months actually! Mind you I’ve been working on art since I was seven and on photography since I got my first camera – although only seriously with music photography the past year. I took art higher, taught in schools, lived in the USA (Chicago and Cincinnati and travelled quite a lot) for 10 years and brought up my family. I started taking shots of my son’s band and found I enjoyed being able to combine my love of live gigs with my love of art.
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I do my photography for the art of it – there’s something magical at live gigs that I try to capture in my images. It reminds me of all the sketching with pencils ( I loved those soft-edged pencils) and charcoal I did in my teens of dancers, models, portraits – except now I sketch with my camera. It takes just as long to get that one perfect capture with a camera as it does with my pencil (you’d think it would be easier), in fact I’ve often thought sketching at a gig would be easier. I’ll need to give this a go sometime!

I wasn’t sure about the zenfolio site. My music images are mostly quite dark- so recently I changed the background to white put the text at the top and I feel much happier about it. Still not entirely sure (??!) Then again an artist is never entirely sure about their work because it can always be better – otherwise what’s the point?

*Festivals
My first festival shoot was Kilsyth 2007 – it was great fun and the organiser was very positive with my photos. I have also taken images for local festivals at Mugdock Music Festival at Mugdock country park (great setting).


I am originally from Edinburgh and enjoy its huge festival each year and have several photos of Edinburgh festival I’m very proud of. The biggest festival I’ve covered is the Celtic Connections 2008 and 2009 - and it takes place in over 13 venues around Glasgow for over 2 and a half weeks with many overseas visitors and artists. I love the buzz of festivals.

*Live gigs
Last year some of my gig photos for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and of Emeli Sande attracted attention. Emeli's manager and promoter were in touch over using my Oran Mor images of Emeli's for her promotions for gigs and in the press.  

I attend a wide variety of live gigs and I enjoy music from many genres – indie bands, folk, folk-rock, pop, classical more.. In recent years I’ve been to T in the Park, Celtic Connections, Glasgow venues and festivals, London venues and more… make a note to write blog on venues. I enjoy established artists and younger ones also.

Published work – Several artists have used my images on flyers, brochures, websites and in press.

SPF – Scottish Photographers Federation. I joined a local Camera club last year and it’s interesting to meet other serious photographers. To my surprised my images scored well with other photographers and some were submitted to the annual SPF exhibition.

*Photobox Prints - I offer prints and digital photos directly through my website.


* Photo Promotions - I also offer the hi-res images for promotions. Payment is required for the use of images on promotion flyers, brochures or press articles (after all the printers, venues, and sound people all get paid for their efforts).


*Media. - This week I have had some good contacts - 3 magazines looking for images. Also an agency who are very positive which is nice and two promoters. A very interesting commission.


Feedback… ‘your photos are fantastic, you really caught the moment in those pictures’ 

'you used the light exceptionally well, full of life and really catch the spirit of the festival! You have a wonderfully observing and imaginative eye. Great stuff' < ‘

what I find with your photos is that they somehow bring something extra out of the images.. yours have a star quality about them which makes them stand out from the crowd.’


MUSIC & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Pauline Keightley / PK IMAGE

http://pkimage.co.uk/ 

MY GIG & FESTIVAL SETS ON FLICKR - htpp//:www.flickr.com/photos/paulinekeightley

For commissions, image licensing and other enquiries please contact.pkimage09@gmail.com