Wearing the shoe leather...

Back at base camp after a very busy period...

Firstly I'm very proud to announce that whilst on business in the I.O.M. I was fortunate enough to be able to help support the work of Lesley Turnbull of the "Wish upon a dream" Charity, the charity does fantastic work granting the wishes of sick children so I was delighted to get "roped in" by my friend and MMoS delegate Mr Dave Silvester. I'm very proud to announce that the prize I donated, a session with yours truly, raised a fantastic £3000.00. I'm certain Lesley will put this to very good use.

I was honoured to be involved... see you next year ;0) x

No sooner was my business in the I.O.M. concluded and I was heading home on the plane just in time to make my Mum's 70th birthday party.  My eldest son Matt did the lions share of the organising and he did a superb job, we are all very proud of him. Role on September when he comes to work for Dad... muahahahahaha!

Party over and I was off again, yes even at my age!  I was proud to be invited to give a presentation over in Ireland at the SWPP mini convention.  It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm and desire to learn.  I thoroughly enjoyed your company and thank you so much for the kind words of support.

Your friendship and warmth have left me majory excited for my return in May for a serries of one day seminars.  The REAL exciting news though is that why I'm there a limited number of photographers may get to enjoy a private "hands on" workshop!

Now even if your slightly interested mail me and let me know... THESE PLACES WILL GO QUICKLY and we already have three interested parties, need I say more!

So to thank the kindness of those that visited my seminar at Dunadry, these images are for you.  They show a slight variety in post production options but REMEMBER... YOU saw the back of the camera, shoot time less than three minuets, just two lights, using a Damian McGillicuddy 36" multi modifier and the "Bare bulb" enhancer from the Damian McGillicuddy Portaflex kit... Simple if you KNOW how ;0)

ttfn

McGillicuddy

And so it begins...

Just another few hours and I'll be aboard my first aircraft of the year!  Winging my way across the water to do a shoot, back for my mums 70th birthday (she never reads this so safe to tell you I've hired her favorite restaurant for the night) then off again.  Second trip is by boat to "ring" the changes... a short while back at base camp and then on board another plane and off to Italy.... then it will be the end of February and it all starts again ;0)

It sounds glam but I can assure you it isn't (ok thats the first time I've lied to you dear reader)

I'm looking forward to Focus where you will be able to see me helping my friends at Olympus out... all I can say is Oh My... ;0)  It also goes without saying that you can catch me and the team on the SWPP's stand with my dear friends there.  Educating, entertaining and causing general chaos as is the usual script.

Lots going on with Team McGillicuddy as usual... all will be revealed shortly!  As I can't say much at the mo regarding imminent plans then lets do a catch up of things past.

It always makes me smile when people are surprised I make portraits of kids, even more so when you see the look of surprise on their faces when the realise I was twice UK Child Photographer of the year... shame on you you should never judge a book by its cover!!! ;0)

All this baby whispering stuff is nothing new... I have a portrait of my 18 year old "whispered" it was a big MPA award winner for me 18 years ago, so nothing is new photographically, trends just come and go.  If he'll allow me I'll post it but as he has "street cred" I'll have to ask first ;0)

The "Baby Whisperer" works shops with Tracy Willis have proved ever so popular and even the latest one is selling out quickly... its a very good way of augmenting your studio income and very controllable as a client base and ever so lucrative, you can find out more about it by clicking "HERE".

MMoS goes from strength to strength.  If your on my list to ring please don't be offended if I haven't called you yet... very busy start to the year for me... you WILL get the call as a new group start is imminent ;0)

Ok time to kiss the wife and head out the door... I'll leave you with a few images from our resent "whisperer" workshops...

ttfn

McGillicuddy

There just aren't enough hours...

Recovering from the convention is still "undergoing"... 2012 WILL be the year I find better balance in life and realise that I no longer am (if I ever was) superman!

Now don't get me wrong I LOVE what I do but I simply have too many demands on my time and there are after all only 24 tiny little hours in the day... AND beauty sleep is something I've neglected for far, far to much time... I'm rushing to get this up before today's MMoS starts ;0)

Soooooooo I'll be shaking the tree to see what falls out and re-prioritising my tasks... I only mention this because I think in business, especially our business of creative image making, we al should be doing this much, much more often.  Whether it is a portfolio overhaul or a review of business infrastructure or a revamp of our price-lists it needs to be done...

I have images from the convention that I'll get on here and as promised with some "How It Was Done" details but they have to go to magazines, clients and sponsors first... such is life!

There are LOADS of exciting things I'm waiting to announce but as usual I'm under None Disclosure Agreement's but all I'll say is Oh My god!

There's LOADS going on in 2012... so watch this space... its all about what will be in the news so hopefully today's image keeps to the theme and will whet your appetite for more ;0)

ttfn

McGillicuddy

"Key" light here is the "BIG Softie" in reflective mode, so big and controllable we didn't need a "fill" and just an "accent" light for separation... enjoy ;0)

Inaugural Inception...

Well the dust is just about settling from the societies 2012 convention, I'm just about recovered and happily ensconced in McGillicuddy Towers.  As usual the event was full of highs, the only low being I realise more and more at these events how old, tired and out of shape I am... its bloody hard to perform on a stand in substitute leg... next month should see me evolve into a "transformer" when I get my Otto Bock leg... just call me Optomus ;0)

I was immensely proud of two dear friends Roman and Richie achieving the only two Fellowships presented... what an immense achievement, well done guys I'm so proud of helping Richie with his OCF and beside myself with delight in helping mentor Roman from "L" straight to "F".  OMG... even I couldn't do that... so, so proud of you both xxx

here they are:

I need to find out how old Richie is... he may have stole my youngest ever Fellow crown.... grrrrrr!!!

I deliberately did less this year class wise as I knew I was Chairman of Qualifications so had judging to facilitate.  Fortunately for my ego my few Master classes were VERY well attended as the behind the scenes images show ;0)

So, so, grateful for your interest and the love I felt... as long as you want and need me I and Team McGillicuddy will be there.

PERSONAL PRIDE:

I can't describe how proud and emotional I felt to be made an inaugural Grand Master of the Societies... I was blown away.  Even more so by the fact that the other two recipients are genuinely industry legends... the photo colossus George Dawber who has always been "The man" for as long as I can remember and Aled Oldfield, a TRUE industry expert who's technical ability blows the dog away!  He's also probably the nicest man in the industry... fellas the honour is mine ;0)

I'm the young, good looking one:

thank you to Mr Phil Jones CEO of the Societies, all the Jones family, staff and members.

Now this is a loooooooong post for me so I think its time to cut it short... Over the next few days I'll post some images I've shot from the Master classes... but because I'm a tease I'll whet your appetite with the amazing Anita De Bauch... ENJOY!

I JUST take pictures...

These chaps SAVE lives...

So my role as Chairman of the judges comes to an end for this convention... I must say its immensely hard work but oh so enjoyable!

It goes without saying (but I will anyway) that I'm deeply proud and very grateful for the effort and consideration my team of judges put into their task of assessing qualification panels, not only do you have my respect but also my gratitude and thanks ;0)

So that job done I now prepare to "swap hats" and I start again latter today in my roll as an educator with a smattering of entertainment ;0)

I look forward to seeing old friends and making new, come and say "hi" if your visiting Europe's biggest photographic convention over the weekend.

Now if our paths don't cross or you simply run out of time don't worry... but PLEASE do one thing for me!

I've secretly been taking some portraits of serving RNLI crew for an exhibition that is on display at the convention so please stop by and have a quick look... hopefully you'll approve and enjoy it, you may even learn a little or be inspired... BUT... WHATEVER you do, PLEASE put a few coins in the collection tin... ALL proceeds go to the RNLI to help support their marvelous work...

As I've already said I JUST shoot pictures, these chaps SAVE lives!

Hopefully this will whet your appetite and inspire you to dig deep and donate... EVERY penny helps!

ttfn

McGillicuddy