20 March

Pro Centre Workshop Series launched

London’s Pro Centre has announced it will be running a series of seminars and workshops in conjunction with some of the world’s leading professional photographers. For full details of the workshop series please go to http://www.procentre.co.uk/seminars/seminars_and_events.html

24 February

Looking for a little business boost in March?

Don't forget Mother's Day is nearly upon us and there's nothing Mum's like quite so much as portraits of their kids. Facebook marketing, as we know from Immi Imaging and many others is now a sure fire way of increasing business - the promotion below is for Fitzgeralds on Guernsey and very much shows the way forward
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150567046632549&id=64010252548

17 February

2012 EUROPEAN PUBLISHERS AWARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The European Publishers Award for Photography, now in its 19th year, is a major initiative to encourage the publication of contemporary photography. The 2012 Jury will be held in early May in Manchester, UK and Dewi Lewis Publishing is the Project Leader.

Open to photographers worldwide, the competition is a unique collaboration between European Publishers: Actes Sud (France), Dewi Lewis Publishing (United Kingdom), Kehrer Verlag (Germany) Blume (Spain), (Peliti Associati (Italy). The competition requires the submission of a substantial, completed and unpublished photographic book project. The winning project is then published in book form simultaneously by each of the publishers in their own country and in their own language. The winning book will be published in autumn 2012 

More information about the award please click here

The closing date for entries for this year's Award is March 31st. 

Entry details and entry form are available to download from www.dewilewispublishing.com

3 February

Hamish Campbell

Here at F2 Freelance we're always keen to hear how featured photographers are doing and to be able to pass on to you a bit of what's happened to them since they appeared in the magazine. Last summer we ran a Starting Out feature on Edinburgh-based photographer Hamish Campbell. In Hamish's case we're pleased to be able to report that his career is really taking off. Recent projects include promotional material for some of Scotland's premier five star resorts, an ad campaign for Sterling Furniture and a large promo for Scottish model agency Colours. And in this case taking off really means taking off - Hamish will soon be jetting off to the USA for a two-week commission with Kohler Hotels. To see some more of Hamish Campbell's work go to www.HCampbellPhotography.co.uk.

23 January

Immi Photography - new site

Immi Photography, one of the most successful wedding and social photography businesses in the South of England, and one readers will know we've been following for some time, has just launched a new web site - check it out at www.immi-photography.com

12 January

Aidan Dockery
Some time back we ran a Turning Pro feature on Aidan Dockery. It's not everyone that decides on Hanoi, Vietnam as a location to set up a new photography business and we thought Aidan had a really interesting story to tell. Today of course, due to recession in Europe and boom time on the Pacific Rim, Aidan looks a bit like someone who could see into the future. Suffice to say he's done really well. Now operating out of both Hanoi and Bangkok he's becoming a sought after wedding shooter on the international stage: recently for example being commissioned from Bangkok to go and shoot a wedding in Canada. We'll be running an update feature on Aidan in the coming months in F2 and his work can be checked out at www.abdphoto.net and www.aidandockery.com

6 January

I Am: Pushing the Limits - Nikon announces the D4

Nikon's latest professional DSLR was released worldwide at 5am GMT, with the emphasis on multimedia production and sports/agency workflow stronger than ever. A new 16.2Mp sensor, unique to the D4, allows a lower base ISO of 100, and expands the "extended" range from 50 to 204,000; usable with the flexible video modes as well. High speed 11 frame per second capture is now supported by UDMA 7 and XQD card slots for 98 raw frames in 10s.

The most significant improvement in the camera's capabilities comes from a revised Multi-CAM 3500 metering system. The D3's 1001-pixel RGB sensor has been replaced with a 91,000 pixel unit that enhances performance in mixed light and when tracking or identifying subjects (face priority affecting metering choices, as well as focus). Many ergonomic changes have been made, including illuminated buttons, better viewfinder information and joystick selection of AF point for both horizontal and vertical shooting.

The D4's phsyical changes are subtle, but clear, improvements over the already familiar and well-liked D3 range - much of what has been revised makes the camera more accessible to professionals used to other brands' layouts, presenting unambigious controls clearly.

Connectivity is also vastly improved. The video capabilities now extend to "limitless" uncompressed recording via the HDMI port, with suitable professional video equipment, and the internal audio features have been extended for better control of levels, with a headphone socket for reviewing and monitoring on-location. Using the cards for video, it's possible to record just under 30 minutes of H.264 compressed HD video at 24,25 or 30 fps, with 50/60 fps for 720p.

Ethernet is provided for situations such as the Olympics, where large numbers of users can make working with wireless impractical or even impossible, and for where WiFi is appropriate, the new WT5 transmitter is a huge leap forward from the WT4's bulk and power requirements. The optional GPS unit - the GP-1 - can now set the clock in the camera for perfect timestamps.

The D4's mission is not only to battle Canon's 1D-X, it's got to follow up one of the best professional DSLRs produced. For existing Nikon users, the changes have been made without sacrificing familiarity; for other users, it's quick and easy to find even advanced modes.

Nikon have an on-sale date in mid-February for the £4799 D4 - and we will be reviewing it as soon as production models are available.

5 January

Lisa Pritchard Workshop: The Business of Photography

Photographers' agent Lisa Pritchard (www.lisapritchard.com) is running a workshop on The Business of Photography. She'll be discussing the essentials of running a photography business, including finance, marketing and legal obligations.

The workshop will take place on 19 January at Westbourne Studios, London. Click here for more information and to book a place.

4 January

Kirsten Murphy - Arctic Freelance!

Here at F2 we stand by the notion that there is a living to be made just about anywhere for the creative and businesslike photographer, but it isn't that often we have it so clearly evidenced as we did this week by new subscriber Kirsten Murphy from Yellow Knife, just South of the Arctic Circle, in Canada's Northern Territories - For Kirsten's story click here or check out her web site at www.kirstenmurphy.com/

19 December

Foto8 Seminar: Practising New Documentary

Foto8 (www.foto8.com) is running a seminar on Practising New Documentary: a look into the realm of new documentary practise through the work of three renowned photographers and one industry professional, on 28 January at HOST Gallery 1 Honduras Street London EC1Y 0TH

The seminar is strictly limited to 30 people and will feature four speakers – Polly Braden, Raphael Dallaporta, Geert van Kesteren (with the fourth to be announced) – examining the nature of witnessing, the challenges and opportunities in bringing documentary work into the gallery realm and notions of authorship vs the story. Participants will also be given the opportunity to show and speak about their own work and receive feedback from the speakers.

Opportunity for students  Four spaces on this seminar are available at the half price rate of £70.00 for current students, sponsored by Blurb. This is available to the first four students to book by ringing Foto8 on +44 (0)20 7253 8801. For further information click here

14 December

New Calumet Workshops for 2012

Calumet, in association with Epson Print Academy and photography workshop and training specialist, aspect2i, has launched a new series of workshops at key branches through 2012. The one day courses, which will include capture, post processing and print techniques, start at Calumet’s flagship Drummond Street, Euston branch on March 2 with ‘The perfect black and white print; with Paul Gallagher` and are priced at £85 for the day, including VAT, lunch and refreshments. More information from www.calumetphoto.co.uk

12 December

Bubbaloo

Volume 5 Issue 10 hit the newsstands this week. This month we talk newborn photography with Bubbaloo, a company that started life on Facebook. When Gary and Hermione Oakley started posting photos of their new son, their friends’ enthusiastic response convinced them they had the talent to become professional. Two years down the line their decision to start their own business has paid off, and they now have a busy studio and dedicated client base in Manchester. Check out Bubbaloo in the new issue.
http://bubbaloophotography.com

21 November

Quantum Open Day at TFC London, on 30th November

Our friends at The Flash Centre London are running a Quantum Open day in their London branch in conjunction with Hardy Haase of Flaghead Photographic, UK & Ireland distributor for Quantum products. The full range of Quantum batteries, flash and radio triggers will be on show with product demos, expert advise & special offers. You can take your own cameras & speedlites to test out the gear. TFC, are offering 10% off Quantum items purchased on the day and there is also currently a cashback deal on certain quantum products.

The event runs 10am till 5pm, with refreshments provided, at The Flash Centre, 68 The Brunswick Centre, London WC1N 1AE Closest Tube - Russell Square For more information call them on 020-7837-5649 or email sales@theflashcentre.co.uk
www.theflashcentre.co.uk

8 November

Matt Greenslade

New York City based editorial, corporate and architectural photographer Matt Greenslade, featured in our very first issue back in 2006 soon after he boarded the plane for NYC clutching a crisp new Green Card, has launched a new web site. New York appears be the right environment for someone of Mr Greenslade's very determined work ethic and he's very much made things work in the USA. To see his new web site please visit http://www.photo-nyc.com/ - we will be doing a catch-up with him in F2 Freelance over the coming months

7 November

Ed Clark

Pakistan presently remains something of a no-go area for British Journalists and photographers. Not however if you happen to be Edmund Clark, who has been in Pakistan filming a Jirga or council of tribal elders protesting about civilian casualties caused by American drone strikes in Waziristan. He was also invited to take part in workshops with Pakistani and British artists in Islamabad and Lahore and to talk to students at the Beaconhouse National University. www.edmundclark.com  

30 October

Albert Watson: Benin bound and a new show in Hamburg

Albert Watson is off to Benin at the end of the year to take pictures for the Cotton Made in Africa Initiative for the Aid by Trade Foundation. The photographs will be help promote the Cotton Made in Africa project, and they will also be featured in Albert's upcoming show at the Deichtorhallen Museum in Hamburg.

26 October

Tim Flach: More Than Human

We caught up briefly with Tim Flach last week who is now in America shooting for his forthcoming book ‘More Than Human’. Since his last F2 interview he has had great success with his books Equus (Abrams, 2008) and last year Dogs Gods (Abrams) and is now working on a major new book project "More than Human". The book continues his mission to challenge the viewer by bringing them into unnatural proximity to his animal subjects, encouraging both discussion and fascination. ‘More Than Human’ touches on a variety of subjects that discuss how we perceive animals in contemporary culture and, as you would expect from Flach, also brings attention to more controversial subjects including transgenics. At the moment for example he is in the USA shooting, amongst other things, Tigons, Ligers, and the Spider Goat: a product of transgenic technology that produces raw silk proteins in its milk which can be turned into a product called BioSteel. F2 Freelance will be running a catch up interview with Tim Flach in the near future  www.timflach.com

11 October

Steve Jobs obituary portrait

Since the sad passing of Steve Jobs last week, we've been wondering who shot the black and white portrait? It could only have been one of a few and turns out to be Albert Watson - very much one of the "usual suspects" who spring to mind when you consider so many of the great portraits of the past forty years. Watson's photograph of Jobs, originally made in 2008 and said to be Jobs' favourite, has of course gone stratospheric: being transmitted on every visual medium across the globe in the space of twenty-four hours. It would be fascinating to see the statistics but the only other obituary portraits that spring to mind for going so far, so fast, would be those of the late Diana Princess of Wales, and in her case it was multiple pictures rather than the single iconic image under discussion here.

6 October

Jason and the movies

Stills photographers shooting movies continues to be a "Should I? Shouldn't I?"  for very many stills shooters. And all the while those already aboard the train get further ahead. Jason Bell for example happily states he's primarily a stills photographer and had considerable doubts when his agent first suggested that he ought to start shooting moving footage. He did however make the leap and the short films get increasingly sumptuous. His latest, "Courtney in Wonderland" featuring Courtney Love, can be found on the front page of the Vanity Fair web site vf.com - to see the movie click here Also check out Jason's own site for his shoot of the cast of the new movie War Horse, also shot for Vanity Fair

26 September

MicroMuff Update

For anyone not yet aware: MicroMuff was invented recently by our tech writer and web guru Will Hutchinson and thanks to that fine distribution company JP Distribution is now available to increasing numbers of places across the globe as an economic and entirely effective way of reducing wind noise on integral DLSR microphones - but the journey of MicroMuff is becoming the stuff of legend! It's presently cycling down the coast of California in aid of Leukaemia as somehow Will has become a sponsor of the Firelflies... Watch this space for the continuing journey of Will's Muff - or get one of your own (and reduce noise from your built in mike!) at your local camera shop www.micromuff.com

23 September

Katherine-Marie Pagé profile now in Turning Pro section

We've just loaded another photographer profile into the Turning Pro Section. Paris based photographer Katherine-Marie Pagé left her career as a lawyer to pursue a career in photography - check out her profle by clicking here or go to the Turning Pro button on the Profiles page

22 September

Nikon 1 system unveils a whole new way of shooting

News wires are abuzz with Nikon’s launch of two ground-breaking cameras – the V1 and J1. A full product review will of course appear in the magazine as soon as Richard Kilpatrick has been allowed time to try them out; but the early news is that Nikon's in no doubt at all it's onto a very major change in the way people take pictures. The company is working hard, and fast, to build this potentially large system. Here at F2 Freelance, as you would expect, we're pondering the implications for the self-employed professional, and one of the first things that comes to mind is the new Motion Snapshot mode where a short moving sequence freezes into a still image. Thinking about this it seems, as everything continues to move onto the web, there may be considerable applications for this in both press and advertising. Wedding and social photographers may also find opportunities here.

Nikon marketing supremo Jeremy Gilbert, by contrast, said at the launch that his favourite mode is the Smart Photo Selector. Using pre and post capture technology to start recording images before the shutter button is fully depressed and continuing after it’s released, SPS actually takes 20 images at click of a button, saves what it judges to be the best five shots and then goes on to suggest the pick of the bunch. Gilbert said in an aside that he's been trying to catch it out for weeks and hasn't managed it yet.

Backwards compatibility has always been of paramount importance for Nikon, and we're pleased to note this concern continues with the new system. Included in its opening range of accessories is an FT-1 mount adaptor, which allows the use of any NIKKOR D-SLR lens with its latest cameras.

For more information check out www.nikon.co.uk and look out for Richard Kilpatrick's in-depth review soon in F2 Freelance Photographer.

15 September

Publishing Your Book - feature now available online in The Business Section

Every photographer would love to get a book publisher interested in their work, but very few manage to make this aspiration a reality. F2 Freelance publisher Simon James has two books to his name and contends that the way in which you pitch to the publisher is almost as important as the book idea itself. We've just made this feature freely available online in our busiess section Check it out by clicking this link or via the Business button above.

13 September

Web Services: Pick the Best

How do you go about creating a stunning online portfolio? By reading F2’s guide to the best web service providers, of course! In the latest issue, we look at companies which specialise in web and app design for photographers. Using HTML5 software to ensure it works on all platforms from desktop PCs to iPads, one such company is Digital Photo Gallery, run by music photographer Andrew Kendall. Its software management system has attracted thousands of individual users, as well as major clients such as Download Festival. Read more in the magazine.

7 September

F2 Freelance Photographer Vol5 No7

In the new issue, as well as the majors, we feature a Birmingham based business we heard about two years before its actual launch. David Boynton and Luke Small decided where they were going at the end of their first year at university and worked steadily towards a launch of their business at the completion of their degrees. Suffice to say that even then the first year was a steep learning curve, but in this incredibly difficult economic climate they have applied themselves determinedly and are seeing real results - check out the feature in the magazine

2 July

Arles 2011

The first week in July is here again: the one week in the year when a large section of the photography world descends upon a small town in Provence for Les Rencontres D'Arles festival. Arles exhibitions go on most of the summer: a guide to the event in English can be accessed at www.rencontres-arles.com and as ever there is an awful lot going on. Publisher Simon James and Editor David Land will again be taking part in Arles Photo Folio Review and for 2011 the line up also includes top London photographer's agents Guy Harrington, from Soho Management, and Alyson Jones.

12 May

June Issue to feature DEAN CHALKLEY and MOVING TO LONDON GRADUATE GUIDE

The JUNE issue of F2 FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER will feature the Moving to London Graduate Guide - a real resource for all of you about to graduate and wondering how to take the big step and move to London - Lead feature F2 Profile talks to star music and celebrity portraitist DEAN CHALKLEY who has recently shot Harry Potter movie star Clemence Posey fro the Observer magazine The June issue will be in WH SMITHS in the first week in June

1 May

F2 Freelance soon available to buy in USA, Canada & Australia

Don't forget to check out your local specialist magazine store in Canada, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand as F2 Freelance is now available overseas

22 March

Nikole Ramsay

Long time friend of F2 Freelance Nikole Ramsay has returned home to Victoria Australia after setting up a thriving career in London. Her new business in Australia is under her married name and you might like to check out her new web site http://www.nikolefurnari.com/ Nikole has just done another cook book for Penguin and remains very much one to watch. We wish Nikole and her photographer husband Jason www.jasonfurnari.com every good wish on their return home!

9 March

Drew Gardner lighting downloads

F2 Profile for the March issue F2 Freelance will be Drew Gardner - Drew has just launched a series of "five dollar downloads" detailing how some of his more well known advertising shots were accomplished which can be purchased from his web site www.drew.it There is also a free taster download of Drew talking about his Alice in Wonderland shot which you can view free of charge at

Behind the Photos "Alice in Wonderland"

25 January

Hetherington nominated for Oscar

Multi award-winning British photojournalist Tim Hetherington's feature length Afghanistan film, Restrepo, was this morning nominated for this year's Oscar for Best Documentary feature, by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles. Restrepo, by Hetherington and journalist/author Sebastian Junger, depicts the lives of U.S. troops, under repeated attack in a remote 15 man outpost, in Afghanistan's the Korengal Valley. The film was also winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival and was named in memory of the platoon medic who was killed in action while it was being made. For more information on the film www.restrepothemovie.com

21 January

Zed Nelson at Impressions Gallery Bradford

Impressions Gallery Bradford is showing the work of top London based freelance Zed Nelson from 4 March to 29 May. Nelson's exhibition Love Me reflects on the cultural and commercial forces that drive a world obsession with youth and beauty. More information from Impressions Gallery

12 January

Griffin signs on with Michael Hoppen
Congratulations to, long time friend of F2 Freelance, Brian Griffin, both on his very succesful show The Black Country, which soon moves to The New Art Gallery Walsall where it will be on show 8 April - 19 June, and for the fact he has recently signed for print sales on with the prestigious Michael Hoppen Gallery www.michaelhoppengallery.com

26 December

February issue feature - Fitzgeralds Photography

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Guernsey based photographer John Fitzgerald www.fitzgeralds.co.gg As well as running his thriving wedding and portrait business on the island, John also owns and operates the island's principal commercial processing and printing business, which also caters for a number of mainland companies. If, for example, you order a print of a picture published in a UK national newspaper, it is more than likely that your picture will be printed at Fitzgerald's and despatched to you from the Channel Islands. Quietly spoken, John sits on a wealth of experience that he continually augments via Facebook, Twitter and any other means he is able. John and his fellow Guernsey based wedding and portrait photographers periodically club together to import noted UK, and overseas, photographers to give workshops and keep them up to speed with current trends in the wider world. In this context among other things we spent some time discussing the way in which, despite it continuing to be an absolute requirement for weddings to be shot in the reportage style, precious few couples actually order larger prints of the reportage style images, tending instead to go for those shot in the traditional style. Here at F2 we're most interested to hear readers' experiences in this area and will of course keep you informed of the information received. The full interview with John Fitzgerald will appear in the February F2 Freelance, available in the shops 1 February.

30 November

LPA Futures Competition - call for entries

LPA Futures is a division of the Lisa Pritchard agency that supports and promotes 5 up and coming photographers as part of a 2 year programme. Entry to the programme is competitive and LPA have just announced the call for entries is now open for the LPA Futures Competition 2011.

This year, as well as gaining all important agency representation, winners will also receive 50% off membership to The AOP, vouchers towards a bespoke portfolio made by Cathy Roberts/Delta Design studios and their own book published by Ubyu.

Previous lpa futures have picked up an impressive list of commissions from clients such as Boots, Orange, The Mental Health Foundation, HSBC and The COI, to name but a few as wellas gaining recognition in a number of International Photography Awards including World Press Photo, Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, Lucie Awards and Creative Review Photography Annual.

The next group, will be selected by a panel of industry experts this year including: Simon Bainbridge, Editor, The British Journal of Photography, Mark Blanchard, Creative Group Head, Baber Smith, Tim Cole, Head of photography, Saatchi & Saatchi Design, Phil Metson, Design Director, Radley Yeldar, Laura Pannack, LPA futures Photographer 2009, Lisa Pritchard, Photographers Agent LPA, Will Thacker and Blake Waters, creative team VCCP, Sarah Thomson, Head of Art Buying, DDN UK, Lucy Webb, Visual Resources Manager, Landor. Winners will be announced in May 2011. Full entry details at www.lisapritchard.com Closing date for entries
is the 7 February 2011

24 November

AOP Assistant success

Congratulations to Sheffield based Nick Eagle www.nickeaglephotography.co.uk who has been awarded a Merit in the AOP Assistant Awards - Nick was featured in the June/July 2010 issue which is available from the back issues page

20 November

Vision 2010 feedback

Good to see everyone yesterday at Vision 2010 - F2 Editor David enjoyed looking at the folios and has, I believe, found a couple of new photographers to feature in the magazine over the next couple of months.

Also very good to get your feedback - to hear what you think we're doing right and also the areas you really want to know more about.

Finally it was great to hear that one person had discovered F2 Freelance while interning at The Sunday Times Magazine - we send the magazine to quite a few  picture desks we think our featured photographers should be seen and it's always great to hear that it's getting read in those places, so a big thanks to Monica Allende, Picture Editor at The Sunday Times Magazine for pointing out F2 to her interns!

17 November

Albert Watson talk at London's V&A on 23 November

World-renowned fashion and commercial photographer ALBERT WATSON will be ‘In Conversation with’ Andy Golding, Head of Photography at University of Westminster at The Lecture Theatre, Victoria & Albert Museum on the evening of this coming Tuesday, 23 November at 7.00 pm. There is an allocation of free tickets for students - to book call 0207 942 2211. After the talk Albert will be signing copies of UFO: Unified Fashion Objectives, (Hardie Grant), a fully illustrated retrospective of his extraordinary career - www.albertwatson.net

A new exhibition of Albert Watson’s work "VINTAGE WATSON" runs at Hamiltons Gallery, 13 Carlos Place, London W1K 2EU from 26 Nov - 21 Jan
www.hamiltonsgallery.com

8 November

Vision 2010  - 19 November at Islington Business Design Centre

F2 Freelance's next event will be Vision 2010 only just over a week away now at London's Islington Business Design Centre on 19th November. F2 Editor David Land will be at the show and reviewing portfolios free of charge on our stand - so don't forget to update your folio prior to the show and bring it with you on the day - here at F2 Freelance we're keen to know what you're doing and how things are going!

Heading the lineup of speakers this year are Magnum photographer Jonas Bendiksen and Tom Hunter. As ever there is also the opportunity to get your folio reviewed by top London picture editors, curators and art buyers including Cheryl Newman, photography director at The Saturday Telegraph Magazine, Marian Paterson, Photo Director at NME and NME.com, James Mullinger, Photo Editor at GQ, and Alexandra Bortkiewicz, Photography Director of Alamy images. To see more about Vision 2010 or book your ticket please click here

3 November

Steve Pyke's Philosophers

So often when talking to photographers at portfolio reviews we emphasise the importance of continuing to work on long term personal projects. A fantastic example of such projects is Steve Pyke's Philosophers series which is soon to have its second book published. Steve himself moved to New York... some years back and now has one of the most coveted contracts in the world as the portrait photographer for The New Yorker magazine. He's just has a really interesting feature on The Philosophers series published in the New York Times which can be accessed clicking here

25 October

Canon Pro Solutions 26/27 October

Canon Pro Solutions 2010 launches tomnorrow at the Islington Business Design Centre in London. This is the second nyear for Canon's major professional show and it looks set to become a regular annual event. For more details about the event which takes place on 26 and 27 October please click here

18 October

Photovision Roadshow Brands Hatch

We're going to be at PhotoVison Roadshow Brands Hatch tomorrow. As ever the road show will be packed with professional and freelance relevant trade stands accompanied by a running programme of lectures and seminars. If you're coming to the show make sure you save time to stop by and say hello. For full details about PhotoVision Roadshows please click here

30 September

f2 Freelance is now on sale in WH Smith in UK

Brian Griffin - F2 Profile for October and major retrospective FACE TO FACE in Birmingham

Innovative Immi - major feature in October issue

The October issue is now on sale and we're pleased to be able to announce a roll out into very many more WH SMith shops in the UK - we're not yet in railway stations and airports but you are now able to buy F2 Freelance Photographer in 310 WH Smith branches across the United Kingdom. If you're trying to get the magazine from outside the UK, or there isn't a WH SMith in your area, individual copies of the magazine and subscriptions remain available, securely via PayPal, from this site. F2 Freelance Photographer now publishes ten times each year: annual subscription rates for UK £39.99, EU £48.99 and Overseas £55.99. TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY VIA PAYPAL PLEASE CLICK HERE

Brian Griffin

Also in the October issue is a major feature with corporate, portrait, advertising and fine art superstar Brian Griffin, whose major retrospective FACE TO FACE is on show in Birmingham until 21 November. Griffin has also recently busy shooting a commission for the National Portrait Gallery on the movers and shakers behind the London Olympic Games. For full details about FACE TO FACE please click here

Innovative Immi

For the next issue I've been doing an interview with Immi Photography, a cutting edge wedding and social outfit based in Margate in Kent. Ted Cunningham, Kim Geddes and Ells Gosling all met while working as photographers on Royal Caribbean Cruises. They set up Immi on what might be described as a wing and a prayer, and despite the current economic gloom opened a state of the art bespoke studio just under a year ago.

Suffice to say they’ve got a real story to tell in the October issue of f2 Freelance Photographer. Naturally you can also find them on Facebook by clicking here, where 110 albums are presently posted and they have more than 1300 fans, and at www.immimages.com. Immi Photography are clearly  one to watch

28 July

A Story is Born - seminar at Foto8 1 & 2 October

Foto8 are running a weekend seminar in London. A Story Is Born, featuring keynote speakers Olivia Arthur, Neil Burgess, Joakim Eskildsen, David Hurn & Simon Norfolk starting 6.30pm on Friday 1 October and running through until 5.30pm Saturday 2 October. Price 145.00 GB Pounds per delegate (including a reception on Friday evening & lunch on Saturday) To book on line please go to www.foto8.com

9 June

Les Rencontres d'Arles - Workshop series announced

Continuing our coverage of the international photography festival in Provence Les Rencontres d'Arles: for 2010 a series of workshops are being organised. Workshops, with support from Olympus, vary from one-day "get to know" encounters to full weeks working under the guidance of top photographers offering the chance to benefit from their vision and experience. The list of distinguished international experts includes British photographer (and member of the F2 Freelance Facebook Group) Brian GRIFFIN, who draws on a vast commercial and fine art practice, along with: Sarah MOON, Paolo ROVERSI, Marcos LOPEZ, Véronique ELLENA, Claudine DOURY, Stéphanie LACOMBE, Antoine D'AGATA, Klavdij SLUBAN, Wilfrid ESTEVE, JH ENGSTRÖM, Grégoire KORGANOW, David BALICKI, Léa CRESPI, Diana LUI, Ludovic CARÈME, Grégoire ALEXANDRE, Jean-christophe BÉCHET, Gilles LEIMDORFER , Olivier CULMANN, Éric BOUVET, Jean-luc MABY and Martine RAVACHE.
More information from www.rencontres-arles.com
Contact: Fabrice Courthial stage@rencontres-arles.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 90 96 76 06

Arles - Photofolio Review

Opening week for Les Rencontres d'Arles Photographie is only a month away now running July 3rd to 13th. F2 Freelance editor, David Land, and publisher, Simon James, will be in attendance 6-9 July and looking forward to meeting up with friends old and new.

There is still time to submit your work to the keen eyes of international photography experts during the opening days of the festival from July 4th to 13th. 100 publishers, exhibition curators, museum directors, chief editors, agency directors, gallerists, collectors, critics, art directors and famous photographers are gathered to offer critical appraisal and useful advice regarding your practice and contacts that may provide outlets for your work. In the case of F2 Freelance we have participated in Photofolio Review for the past three years and every year to date have found a photographer whose work and practice has been featured in the magazine. Before signing up it's a good idea to check out the reviewers' biographies on-line to find experts who suit practice. As a new incentive this year, at the end of the review days, one of the participants' portfolio will be chosen by the reviewers, the Fnac and the Rencontres d'Arles, to be exhibited in the 2011 edition of the festival.

For further information contact Eléna and Rosie photofolio@rencontres-arles.com  +33 (0)4 90 96 76 06  www.rencontres-arles.com

16 May

June/July issue - Elaine Bandele

Continuing to trail the June/July issue; in The Business section we feature North London based wedding and portrait photographer Elaine Bandele, www.elainebandele.co.uk who launched her business with assistance from The Prince's Trust. One of a growing band of British wedding and social photographers now called upon to work internationally, Elaine mentions that she will be making two trips to Jamaica this year for wedding assignments: in each instance integrating a "Cherish the Dress" shoot within the overall package. June/July Issue goes to the printers this week and will be on sale first week in June.

14 May

June/July issue - Julia Fullerton Batten

Looking forward to the June/July issue of F2 Freelance, David has just done a major interview with Julia Fullerton Batten for the F2 Profile feature.

One of comparatively few UK photographers to successfully combine careers as a top advertising and fine art photographer, she's just back from Barcelona, where she's been shooting a Ford Focus campaign, which she says was the first time that she's been asked to use CGI in a shoot. Fullerton Batten echoes the increasing feeling at the top of the industry that moving imagery is the future, having first seen moving billboards on the underground in China seven years ago, and also makes interesting comment about the fact that, as her advertising work has taken a hit during the recession, sales of her fine art prints have actually increased.

Portfolio construction and editing is one of the all time arguing points of the freelance industry. This of course is hardly surprising when you consider exactly how important the folio is in keeping you in work. Looking again towards the June/July issue of F2 Freelance, for her feature Making the Final Cut, Miranda Gavin has been talking to London based movers and shakers within the industry about exactly what it is that makes a folio stand out from the crowd. June/July issue is on sale from 1 June

The June/July issue of F2 Freelance goes on sale 1 June

7 April

Nikon iPhone App launches in Europe

Nikon this morning launched its ‘Learn & Explore’ photography application to iPhone customers in Europe. Aimed at photographers of all skill levels, the free application offers quick, easy on-the-go access to information and editorial content, including images, video lectures, audio commentary and a glossary of photography terms. The app is now available, so far in English only, in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. It is also available in Canada and the United States. More information about Nikon from www.europe-nikon.com/

31 March

Guardian/RPS 2000 GB Pound Photo-Essay Bursary

The 2010 Joan Wakelin Bursary has been announced, offering photographers £2,000 and the chance to have their work published in the Guardian. The bursary, administered by the Guardian and the Royal Photographic Society, is awarded to the photographer who presents the best proposal for a photographic essay on an overseas social documentary issue. Submission is open to all, with no restriction on age or qualification.

Entrants should submit a series of six images as examples of their work, along with a written proposal (maximum 500 words) describing their intended project, and a completed entry form, which can be downloaded from this link.

Completed entries should arrive by first post on August 1 2010 at: Guardian Picture Desk, Kings Place, York Way, London, N1 9GU.

The shortlist will be selected by a jury nominated by the Guardian and the RPS. The winner will be announced at the 2010 RPS awards ceremony. The winning photo-essay will be published in the Guardian and the RPS Journal in 2010. Copyright will remain with the photographer, although licence will be agreed for the photo-essay to appear in the Guardian, the RPS Journal and any promotions associated with the bursary.

More information on the Joan Wakelin Bursary and past winners from www.rps.org/bursaries/home

12 March

Nikon D3S and 400mm f/2.8 AF-S

F2 Freelance Associate Editor and technical reviewer David Kilpatrick has been putting the Nikon D3S through it's paces for his review in the April May issue. As a part of this review he has produced a short video shot on the camera which is now available to view on video. To see David's D3S movie please click here

3 March

In the April/May issue

Anyone who has met and talked with us at trade shows will be aware we think maternity photography is an absolute no brainer for women photographers building a social and wedding business. The principal reason for this has to do with one of the fundamentals of the social and wedding sector: the notion of building a relationship with clients who will return to you regularly over a period of years to have photographs made highlighting the landmark occasions of they and their families lives.

To be able to begin this long lasting relationship with a new, hopefully long term, client two weeks before he or she is actually born seems to us to be staggeringly good business! There's also a very old maxim that if a client comes to you three times you are likely to retain them for many years to come; and photographers offering a maternity service should in fact achieve the first two of these crucial three commissions very close together: the maternity shoot for Mum and then two or three weeks later the first formal shots of the happy family

The first specialist maternity photographer we featured in F2 Freelance was Cecilia Magill www.ceciliamagillphotography.com  in the February/March 2007 issue (available from the back issues section of the web site). Cecilia's business has of course now grown along with her client base and a look at her web site clearly shows that Cecilia Magill child photography now forms an important part of her practice 

In the April/May issue of F2 Freelance Photographer we will be featuring leading, London based, social, wedding and editorial photographer Nikole Ramsay www.nikoleramsay.com  We first spoke to Nikole some years back and are now very pleased to be back doing a follow up as her business has moved on so much. Nikole also offers specialist maternity photography in a similarly elegant, lifestyle editorial, approach to that she employs for her wedding work and her site is an example to the sector so please check it out.

As ever at F2 Freelance we are keen to hear about your own work, and in this instance how other social and wedding photographers are developing this relatively new element of the sector and incorporating it into the services they offer  - to make comment on this please join us over on the blog at http://f2freelancephotographer.blogspot.com/

2 February

Jason Bell video

In the Feb/Mar F2 Profile Jason Bell says he increasingly finds himself asked to shoot moving as well as still imagery. An example of this is his short video of ballet dancer Sergei Polunin made while shooting his portrait for the Royal Opera House "A World Stage" campaign. To view Jason Bell's video please click here

21 January

Sigma cut pro lens prices

Sigma UK have cut the price of a number of their specialist, professional lenses. The new suggested retail prices are effective immediately including the following lenses: Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Circular Fisheye £715.21, Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye £766.29, Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye £613.03, Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Fisheye £613.03, Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG HSM Macro £613.03, Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF DG HSM £1021.73. All prices include VAT at 17.5%.

For more information on Sigma products, visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com or contact your local photographic retailer.

Verbatim launches 2nd Generation Micro-drives

Verbatim has launched its second generation of Micro USB drives in a range of vibrant colours and capacities. The tiny drives, which are only 3 cm long and no thicker than a Euro coin, can store up to 32 GB of data, and are available in stores now with the RRP ranging from £7.99 for the 2GB drive through to £34.99 for the 32GB. More information from

www.verbatim-europe.co.uk

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