Podcast appearances and mentions of andy blake

So what does it take to be successful (at least as a portrait photographer?) In this episode I muse on the key building blocks that every successful photographer I've encountered seems to exhibit, at least to varying degrees! This episode also features a quick catchup with Andy Blake from Kaleidoscope Framing (https://www.kaleidoscope-framing.co.uk/) who have been our supplier for nearly twenty years.  Why?  Because their products and their customer service are second to none! The PMI Smoke Ninja Photographic Competition is now in full swing - deadline is 5th May so what's stopping you?  Head over to  https://pmigear.com/pages/smokeninja-portrait-contest to read all about it.  The Smoke Ninja is genius! Actually, it should be called the Smoke Genius... I also mention Datacolor's excellent products in the podcast, in particular the Spyder Cube, the Spyder Checkr Photo and the Spyder Checkr Video - they can be found at  https://www.datacolor.com/spyder/products/ We have used these products for years and years and I would never go on location without them!   If you're interested in any of our workshops or masterclasses, you can find them at https://www.paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk/photography-workshops-and-training/    Enjoy!   Cheers P. If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography, for more articles and videos about this beautiful industry. You can also read a full transcript of this episode. PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics, you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.    Transcript EP151 What does it take? [00:00:00] Meet Andy: The Heart of Kaleidoscope Framing [00:00:00] Hi, I'm Andy I'm the general manager at Kaleidoscope. [00:00:02] Tell me a little bit about Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope. Okay, so we're coming up to our 26th year in business. We are a bespoke picture framer, mainly for the photographic industry, so we basically can make anything you want. So, as long as we can actually build it, we'll do it, it's as simple as that. [00:00:18] Why Kaleidoscope Attends the Photography Show [00:00:18] Tell me why you come to the photography show. So we come to Photography Show, uh, mainly to obviously try and drum up more business, new customers, but also see our existing customers and show off our products, ideas, what we can achieve, what we can do, and try and inspire photographers into what they can tell and display their work like. [00:00:36] Andy's Passion for Photography and Its Impact [00:00:36] Why do you love the photography industry so much? I've always had a passion for photography. I know we've spoke before on your podcast, uh, from a young, young age. Um, don't do as much of it myself anymore. Uh, unfortunately, uh, more involved in this side. But I love photography in terms of what that moment can capture. [00:00:54] What you can hold that freeze frame, that image for time. Um, and look back at it. And just, you know, it's memories, isn't it? You're capturing memories, you're capturing happy moments, sad moments, uh, important moments, lots of different memories from people's lives at different times, so. [00:01:09] Uh, if you could change one small thing, or one big thing for that matter about this glorious industry, what would it be? [00:01:17] That's a tough one. I don't know. I don't know what I'd change. Um, obviously for us, for us as a company, I'd change in terms of trying to encourage people to sell more products. That was what, that's what we would change, uh, in terms of helping us as a business. [00:01:31] But it's, in terms of the industry? Sorry, on that note, I'll stop you and we'll just drill into that a little bit. [00:01:38] The Value of Physical Art in a Digital Age [00:01:38] Do you think that photographers understand the importance and the role that finished artworks, whether it's in albums, which you don't do, or whether it's in a frame, as opposed to the fleeting pixel base like phones, iPads, TV screens, do you think they understand the difference and the importance of it? [00:01:57] Not everyone, no. I think there's an element where in a day Very digital driven world. Social media and images being on screens, and I think a lot of people don't realize how different an image can look when you put it up on the wall, when you print it big, when you put a mount around it, put a frame around it, put it onto a canvas, laminate it. [00:02:15] There's so many different options or ways to display that image. I think when you see an image framed up, we. Customers where we print their images and display them here, uh, as you've seen yours, and I'm amazed actually how often people, the first thing they say is, I didn't think it would look that good. [00:02:30] I never thought it could look that good. And, and it goes to show that actually displaying it large, printing it and putting it onto some paper can make such a difference to seeing it on screen, seeing it on the back of the camera, whatever it may be. So, and by extension, I've got a few clients that say they put their, these frames like in a. [00:02:44] Position of prominence, not necessarily visibility, but somewhere they'll see it every day, like the top of the stairs, or somewhere they, you know, walk through a hallway or something, and they enjoy that moment, they relive those memories every single time they look at a frame, and that's something I think digital products don't do, they're much more fleeting. [00:03:02] No, I'd completely agree with that. We moved into our new house in December, and I'm still trying to get frames on the wall, and it's the one thing I'm missing. In our old house, we had lots of frames. Of lots of small frames with lots of captured memories and, and I used to love it walking past the stairs and you'd see 25 frames on the wall, lots of different things. [00:03:17] And now it, we don't at the moment. So that's, I'm driving for that because it does, it, it, it brings back that, that memory, that spark, that emotion from that moment. [00:03:25] Thank you very much, Andy. I'll talk to you soon. Thank you. [00:03:28] Honestly, it's one of the greatest things about being a part of this industry is the people I've met along the way. And Andy. He's definitely one of them. [00:03:35] The Busy Life of a Portrait Photographer [00:03:35] I'm Paul, and this is the mastering portrait photography podcast. [00:03:40] So I've been in London this afternoon, we've had such a chaotic few weeks. It's nine o'clock at night. Actually it's half past nine at night. And I'm sitting on my own in the studio with just the whirring of the heating. And a couple of disc drives, chattering weight in the background. And if I'm honest, I've just found myself asleep at my desk because finally I've managed to get myself back into the habit of doing some exercise. [00:04:19] And so when we got back from London tonight, I hopped onto the Peleton and did an hour, but all it's actually happened is I'm just exhausted because it really has been a few weeks and it must have been because I haven't recorded any podcasts and that's in spite of me, not just promising. I suppose all of my listeners, but promising myself. I would do more and I do them shorter, but actually the reality is finding the space, not just the time I suppose, but the headspace to sit and do a podcast. Well, it's just alluded me a little bit. [00:04:55] So it's me. I'm on my own. A little bit of peace and quiet and I think at the moment, Things are a little bit like playing Mario carts. I love Mario karts. Cause once you get to know the course, you get to know where you're headed, what's coming up, what you've got to do. But in spite of that, well, usually my family, uh, throwing stuff at me, banana skins Inc. [00:05:18] Shrink me. You name it? [00:05:20] The Art and Business of Photography: A Personal Journey [00:05:20] Um, but then there's also those boosts where you get that little bit of extra energy and off you go, and I think running a photography studio. Is a little bit light that. It's kind of crazy. It's full on. You're running at a hundred miles an hour. Things are thrown at you that in spite of the fact you think, you know where you're going and what's coming up next. Well, life doesn't work that way. [00:05:41] So what's happened over the past. What's it been? Three and a half weeks, I think since I released a podcast. Uh, in that time we've done nine client reveals, which has been a really nice, hugely successful, which is lovely. Uh, we've done 15 portrait sessions, which means there's a whole load of reveals coming up. Um, we've judged the monthly for the BIPP, which is something I absolutely adore doing. Um, I'm chair of the judges. Uh, chair of awards and qualifications for the BIPP. [00:06:10] So I'm not strictly speaking. Judging. So I get to be a part of the process and I really enjoy that. Uh, cause it takes a little bit the pressure off Sarah and I coordinate it. And bring it all together and make sure everything's running smoothly and keep an eye on the scores. But in the end, the pressure's not on me to analyze all of these images. [00:06:28] Having said that though. Uh, over the past couple of days, I've been judging for the Photographic Society of America. Uh, which is a blast as he seeing some work from around the world. Uh, the BIPP though it is an international organization is predominantly a UK photographers, but the photographic society of America is exactly the opposite of that. [00:06:47] In fact, I'm not sure how many UK guys. are in it. And so to see work from all over the world. And he's just a real pleasure. Um, Don two shoots for the Hearing Dogs, including photographing, uh, Chris Packham. TV presenter and natural history sort of buff. I suppose it was a wonderful thing, actually. [00:07:09] I didn't know quite how I'd find him, cause it's never, you're never certain when you meet people, who've been on TV. Uh, quite what they're going to be like. And he's quite outspoken about various things, but he could not have been a nicer guy. And at the end of all of the shooting, we sat in a park and had a quick, it was a Coke. I say it was, it was a pub, but we had a diet Coke at a hot chocolate. [00:07:31] And do you know what. There was a window. There was a window in exactly the way I describe how to set up light in the studio is it was, it could not have been more like a one meter square softbox and so I persuaded him to sit and we had a chat about photography and production and all sorts of things. Uh, and I took a couple of portraits of him using window light in a pub. [00:07:55] Exactly as I describe how I learned today. So that was lovely. [00:07:59] Uh, we've done five wedding pitches so far I've lost one, but one, all of the others, which I think is pretty good going. What's that 80% I'll live with 80%. The one that I lost was one that. You know, when you get a pitch. And your instinct is always to want to win. [00:08:16] That's just inbuilt. But it was a job I couldn't figure out. Whether it was going to be tricky. And I'm not going to say more about it than that because I don't, I, you know, I don't want those prospective clients, if they happen to listen, to the podcast. You know, obviously they've decided to use somebody else or to go somewhere cheaper. [00:08:36] Actually, I was too expensive. The price we put in was too much. Um, and they were lovely people. Absolutely brilliant. And I would have loved working with them. But the job was such that it would have meant cancelling, some other bits to do it. A couple of, um, Extended stays and a few of the bits and pieces. [00:08:53] And I think in the end, I though I lost it. And of course you never, ever, ever. I want to lose work, my suspicion is the time that it would have taken. We'll drop a couple of portraits shoots in there. We'll stand, you know, we'll, we'll learn about the same kind of revenue for probably a lot less work in the end. [00:09:11] So hello, 80%. So I've lost one, one for. Uh, I'm going to live with that. That's pretty good. [00:09:17] Embracing Change and Challenges in Photography [00:09:17] Ah, I've almost, almost completely finished, ripping out. I say a ripping out. It makes it sound like a gutted, the place. Uh, reorganizing the studio. Uh, for the Elinchrom kit that we now have, because of course, I've got to take out all of the existing adapters. Change out all of the, um, any of the sort of third party kits. [00:09:38] So we've sold all of the Profoto equipment back to, uh, the Pro Center in London. Got a good price rate. So that's makes me very happy. Sarah drove that into London and deliver that safely to those guys. So thank you to them. Ashley for having a brilliant service. They took it in on a Friday morning, checked it all over. Uh, and paid us on Friday afternoon. Um, which was really useful. [00:09:57] I sold it as a job lot in the end. Because it was easier rather than trying to split it up. A few people had shown interest in bits and pieces. But, you know, it's just, sometimes it's just easy. I took a slightly lower price. And offset that against the fact it was an awful lot less. Uh, an awful lot less worry and effort on our part. [00:10:18] So Sarah drove that in, but of course I've got a ton of adapters. Softboxes kit that is sort of, I dunno, got ox or aperture, different manufacturers that were all based around Profoto in of course now I've got to change all of that over, put new adapters on. So that, um, I can use the as the light source. [00:10:38] And on top of that, all of the charges are very different. All USB C, and they're great. I wasn't certain how I was going to react to having. USB C charges everywhere. Uh, but I bought a couple of very long cables. for them and, they're 60watt. I mean, they're pretty meaty these things. I'm going to have to remember not to leave them plugged in. [00:10:56] Cause I don't know quite, I got to get a measurement on them because I don't know if they're left, plugged in whether they're still generating or absorbing that kind of power because they're digital transformers. So they must be absorbing some power. But they're great. And you can run the lights off them continuously, or you can unplug them. [00:11:13] And of course their batteries. Uh, but more on the, on the telecom side in a bit. Uh, another thing that happened is that a friend of ours, who's a wine collector. Everyone should have a wine collector as a friend. I delivered on, uh, where was it? Beginning of the week. Must have been Saturday. He delivered six more. Of the wine crates, the wooden wine boxes that he gets his really valuable, very beautiful wine delivered in, and they are amazing for storage, but also great as props. So, um, that was really, really nice. To see him and also to get these crates. [00:11:47] So it's helped me organize. Uh, stuff in the studio. Uh, also, I, I saw some video there's some behind the scenes footage of one of our workshops. And there's a pan around and it's brilliant. It's vibrant and it's fun. But I looked at just the ount of stuff we've got in the studio. And made the decision there and then that we needed to get some of it out of there. [00:12:08] So I've been redistributing things that don't get used quite so often as other things that then are scattered around the studio, probably never to be found again, I'll be scratching my head one day thinking now where's that particular softbox well, that particular modifier where's the beauty dish con the things that I don't use very much. Where are they? Uh, and I've got to go on a hunt in the attic. Uh, to find them. Uh, what else? [00:12:31] We've written three or I've written three magazine articles, one for NPhoto magazine. One for Digital Photographer, magazine, Digital Photography. Uh, magazine and one for Professional Photo magazine says three in one week. I had to turn. That was quite lively. A lot of writing, a lot of scratching my head about the different things. Eh, love writing. [00:12:52] I'm loving, writing more and more and more. I've surprised myself. I think I've certainly, I would surprise, surprise my English teacher. If only he knew the effect that ultimately many, many years. Uh, down the line, he had had a lot of fun that, so please do look those guys up that's NPhoto, which is the unofficial Nick on magazine. Uh, that's also assay, technically I've written four. I'm just thinking I've also written a piece on print and its place in this ever. Digital and file based industry and why actually a lot of us still use it. Uh, that article. Is part of a whole debate in the BIPP magazine, in The Photographer. Uh, magazine, but look up Professional Photo it's online look, up NPHoto, and also an article isn't out yet, which is about the bit I've looked after is about switching digital backgrounds. Uh, in Digital Photography magazine. [00:13:46] We've had two one-on-one coaching sessions or master classes, which is always a blast because you get to spend the entire day just figuring out stuff with one person, a couple of models on each different things, whether it's off-camera flash or whether it's dedicated to daylight or both. [00:14:03] Of course, when it's only one person. You can do whatever you want. [00:14:06] Uh, we ran one of our workshops in Oxford, which is the, uh, walking around the streets, looking for interesting places to photograph workshop. I said a name for it. Uh, streets. It's not really, I don't like calling it street photography because street photography is a thing. [00:14:21] And it's not that it's finding places, finding light, figuring out how to create imagery and how to invent shots when all you've got is the space you're in the face in front of you and the camera in your hands. And I love working like that. In fact, today I sit to sound away in, so on the way in for the shoot I'm doing that, I was doing some headshots for a Harley Street, um, clinician. [00:14:43] She's a psychologist in London. And I was doing some headshots in Harley street. And so Sarah and I packed up. Uh, the two, two of the Elinchrom lights into the rucksacks, couple of, uh, small, soft boxes. Camera gear. A couple of stands in case he wanted a white background and plowed our way into London. [00:15:02] And I was laughing with Sarah as we hold this stuff. Through the station and into a cab. Is I lay you a bet. We don't use any of it. I'm just going to use one camera and a big grin. And that is it. And sure enough that's exactly what happened. So in spite of me taking all of this kit in all we did was just have an absolute blast with one person laughing our way through it. Taking pictures I'm using daylight is in the light for the windows in her Harley street, uh, consulting room. Out in the street itself. Uh, on the steps and things like that. [00:15:36] And it was just brilliant. And that's exactly what the, the workshop in Oxford was about. It's about where, when you find yourself and who you find yourself there with, what do you do? [00:15:45] The Importance of Storytelling and Community in Photography [00:15:45] Uh, another thing I've done this past couple of weeks is had a presentation to the Village. Uh, Society. [00:15:51] Yes, Hunnam has a Village Society. You couldn't make this stuff up. It's like Midsummer murders is brilliant. A room full of, uh, retirees, mostly one or two of my clients as well. That's quite a few of my clients were in there. Uh, all sorts of people came. A busy room in our local library. And on top of that, my mum came now, my mum is a legend. Uh, she's an absolute power of nature is my mother. Uh, but it's the first time I've done one of these presentations or with my mum in the room. [00:16:21] I'm not going to tell you the whole story, but there is one bit of it where I show a photograph of my mom and dad actually. And it's a photograph that Dorling Kindersley wanted to use and they wanted to use it on a book called Sex And The Older Couple. Uh, of course I never, ever, ever. Let them. That, that image was never going anywhere near, uh, the cover of a book. [00:16:43] Uh, but it's the first time I think my mum has ever seen me do that routine. And it's, it's really, uh, it's just me laughing about photography and imagery in telling stories. And it's just one of those stories. And of course, it's my mum and dad who I think the world of, and they're the people that gave me. Well, they gave me everything. And so much of the confidence, I guess. And the drive to do something. Whatever it is in life to do it and do it well. Comes to my mum and dad's having a moment. [00:17:09] The audience was a real privilege. Uh, because she now lives here in the village with us, but it is a little bit weird. I'm doing a presentation that I've done over and over and over it though, at least that particular story over and over and over. Uh, my mom's in the audience. She didn't look too surprised. Uh, I don't know. [00:17:26] I don't know how she felt about that. Particularly. It's a shot of course of my dad who died 10 years ago. Um, this year. Uh, we've also, uh, we're working with a couple of people. We filmed a new video. [00:17:37] So we're working hard on creating new content for mastering portrait photography, not just the podcast. But the training materials and the videos. And so we've spiked that we've gotten, we're getting some more people involved. We filmed one new video. We had to took two filming days to do it. Absolutely exhausted. I was so tired at the end of it. [00:17:57] Maybe that's why I've just found myself asleep at the desk. Um, and we started to work on our social media and all sorts of other bits and pieces. Just trying to get on to get things out there. Uh, it's hard when your primary objective, you know, if you've ever seen Little Shop Of Horrors and there's the, there's the, what's the, I dunno what it's called, but it's the, it's the monster plant. And he says, feed me, Seymour, feed me now. And they were running a photography business is exactly like that. [00:18:29] We have one client. And that's the bank account because you have to keep running. It doesn't matter how many other things you have in the pipeline. Or things you want to do or ideas you'd like to explore or portfolio images you'd like to retouch in the end is a huge, great plant. Just going feed me Seymour, feed me now. I was laughing with Sarah today. Everything we do in, you know, all we have to have is one phone call that says, can I get five days of paid work from you? [00:18:56] And you drop everything and go do it because you have to. And that's the reality of this kind of business. You don't turn down work or at least, I mean, maybe that maybe some of you who are listening are in a privileged position. Where you can and you do. I'm not in that position. When work comes in, we take it. [00:19:13] We do a good job of it. And we get it back out to the client and then we sit and go, right? Where was I? Here I am recording that podcast. Uh, what's the Dune Part II actually with our daughter. I don't know if anyone's seen it is brilliant. I've no idea what was going on. It was excellent. He was. An absolute mystery to me. [00:19:33] Um, over the past week, couple of weeks I'd spent watching. Uh, Dune part one. Uh, trying to understand, because of course I never watch a film properly. I sit with a film on my second or third monitor on my iPad while I'm retouching or writing for a magazine or something. It's in the background. It burbles in a background. [00:19:52] So usually I can't watch anything with too much of a plot. Uh, but Dune part one, well, I kind of passed by, it was really pretty. I think I understood some of it. There appear to be some telekinesis kind of stuff and some mind reading, he kind of stuff. Lots of sand. Uh, and then I went to the cinema to watch Dune part two. [00:20:12] Now, what I will say is it's worth the watch. Brilliant. Big screen. Theater 7.1, Lucas, whatever THX, whatever it is, sound. Huge bucket of popcorn. A large thing of diet Pepsi and on top of everything else. Uh, class a beer. And then I realize after about two hours, That I've got another three quarters of an hour to go because it's a long film and I've got the bladder. Of a 55 year old bloke because that's how old I am. This, all of this came to a bit of a head. Now I stayed put in my seat, but honestly, by the time we got to the end of the movie, I was sweating. I was sweating beyond sweating as the first pixel of the first credit. Appeared at the bottom of the screen. I made a run for it. [00:20:59] Well, I'll tell you what I was still peeing. When pretty much the cinema was closing. People came and went. I think people got married, had children celebrated anniversaries in the time. I was like that scene. I've Austin Powers. I've never been so pleased to get inside the gents. So I'm sorry if that's a bit lewd, but you know what I mean? Uh, when you're in that sort of, oh my God, I've got to go now. Uh, but it was brilliant. The film, at least the first three quarters of it. I paid a lot of attention to, I think I was getting a little bit distracted by the end. There's a lesson, a beautiful people. If, if you're going to watch a really long film, Don't drink too much. Anyway, it was great. Uh, now what I need to do is watch Dune part one again. In the context of having seen what happens now, I'm that guy anyway, a very often, if a film is or a series or. Uh, you know, a box set or something is stressful. Drama. You know, tension, those kinds of things. I will hop onto, uh, something like, uh, I MDB or Wiki and do a plot spoiler because I don't need to stress. [00:22:01] I do the same with books. If I'm watching, if I'm reading a book that I think is a bit stressy. Then I'll go to the back couple of pages and read them, just went out what happens and then I can enjoy the plot knowing what's coming. Don't ask. I just don't like the stress. I don't need it in my life. [00:22:14] I have enough stress in my life. I'm a photographer. Life is stressful enough. Without me adding extra stress by watching something that, uh, I don't know what the ending is going to be. [00:22:26] All right. [00:22:26] Exploring New Horizons: Reviews and Competitions [00:22:26] Uh, in the middle of all of this, this is a message from our sponsors. Well, not really sponsors. I'm not paid, by anybody, but I have had a few things sent my way to review and have some fun with, uh, and the first of those is the Smoke Ninja. [00:22:41] So this has come from PMI company called PMI. I will put the links to all of this in the show notes, but PMI very kindly sent me a piece of kit I'd already bought from them on the CA. On the Kickstarter. Campaign it's the Smoke Ninja, which is a tiny EDBD. You can't believe how much stuff comes out of it. Fogger. [00:23:00] It's absolutely incredible. So this thing we've had this for a while, talked about it before, but I've, uh, I now have two of them. Excellent. Great fun. But it's all to do with a competition they're running and I'll give you the URL now. So it's, if you go to PMI smokeninja dash portrait dash contest. [00:23:22] So. HTTPS colon slash slash usual stuff. P M I gear all one word.com/pages/smoke. Ninja will one word. Hyphen portrait hyphen contest. Now they have a contest and I'm just bringing it up now on my screens. And there's $10,000. They say total prize pool. There's a prize for the best solar portrait. There's a prize for the best wedding portrait. [00:23:47] There's a prize for the best family portrait. There's a most creative award and there's the most viral award. Everything has to be done. Uh, or rather everything, everything you do for the competition has to use either the Smoke Ninja or its bigger brother. The Smoke Genie. Uh, you have to do some behind the scenes footage of it. [00:24:06] Send up your final picture and the behind the scenes footage to prove you were actually using their equipment to do it. I think as well as it giving some social media content, you have to put, you have to upload it to there. Their portal, as well as putting it on your own social media feeds. So it's a great competition and the prize is absolutely stunning. [00:24:26] Unveiling the Prize: The Smoke Ninja and More [00:24:26] Uh, each prize has $500, $500 us dollars. Um, The cash, uh, but also has, uh, some stuff from, I don't know how to pronounce this is Yoon. Um, some stuff from Small rig and you also get the smoke genie pro kit. If you're a prize winner. [00:24:45] Exploring the Wonders of Smoke Ninja [00:24:45] And the smoke genie. Uh, is like, oh, I miss the Smoke Ninja, but on steroids. Now we've been having a blast with the Smoke Ninja recently. [00:24:54] It's a really good bit of kit. The only thing we've had to learn how to do here is to disable all of the smoke sensors. So that's actually been a little bit of a head scratch. Is figuring out how to turn off the smoke detectors in the studio before we use it. Because the last thing I need is the fire brigade turning up to find me sort of with a family or a teenager, flinging smoke around and laughing my head off. [00:25:15] Uh, I'm not sure that we'll go down that well. Uh, but that's the, the competition and I in return for them sending me, uh, the Smoke Ninja. I've also got to enter the competition as well, but if you fancy it, so it's PMI gear.com/pages/smoke, ninja portrait contest. And I'll put that. Uh, in the show notes that, so it's worth a worth a look. [00:25:37] And I can honestly hand on heart say that the PMI. Uh, Smoke Ninja is well, it's just, I would call it the smoke Genius, not the smoke Genie or the Smoke Ninja [00:25:47] . I think the thing is absolutely fab. And even the other day, when we were filming the video we've created is actually I ran the fogger as a hazer. [00:25:56] So just so I had a little bit of haze in the air so that when we put the lighting across the studio for all of the pieces to camera, it just adds atmosphere. Uh, it picks out little bits of light and it just softens those backgrounds. It's. It's it's only when you start watching how a film. Directors and directors of photography and lighting engineers use this stuff. [00:26:16] You kind of think, oh, okay. That's something that's entirely applicable. In our world to photographic stills, photographic world too. So. Head over to them. Have a look at that competition. If you're interested. Uh, you might just, you might just find some inspiration for some angles on photography. Maybe you haven't thought about. [00:26:32] Diving Into the World of Color Calibration with Datacolor [00:26:32] Uh, the next one is Datacolor also is it's been a couple of weeks of stuff arriving. [00:26:38] I think I mentioned this in the previous podcast, but Datacolor sent us the Spyder Checkr, the spider, sorry, the Spyder Checkr Photo, the Spyder Checkr Video and also. Uh, thing of genius, the Spyder Cube. Now this is one of those gadgets. So. The color check is I've used a Datacolor. Spyder Checkr Photo or the older version of that. For probably, I don't know, six years, seven years, maybe even longer at the beginning of every one of the shoots off site, because obviously once you've set it up for your studio, I don't need to recalibrate this. [00:27:10] I've changed the lens or a camera on my lighting, which of course I'm doing right now. I don't need to recalibrate, but every time I go out into location, We take a safe shot with the Spyder Checkr Photo as it is now called. And I'd be doing that for a very long time, so that I've always got a reference point for my white balance and for my color. So the color spectrum under the lighting that we're using. well the Spyder cube is sort of the next level genius. [00:27:36] It gives you not just your white point and black point. There's a hole in it. What. Uh, brilliant idea. There's a hole in it with no lights you get. So that should be exactly the same darkness is the nostrils. It's just dark. Uh, but it's also got white and gray and a mirroball on the top or a little Chrome. Uh, marble, it looks like a little Chrome sphere. And that, of course, if you were lighting, it gives you your white point because it shows you your specular highlight. [00:28:00] The thing is great. It's absolutely brilliant. And of course, as we've just done right now, we are, re-engineering all of our lighting. So I now have from Elinchrom, four Fives and two Threes, and I am loving it, but not just because the light that these, these bad boys are giving is stunning. But on top of that, we've used the Datacolor Spyder Checkr Photo to calibrate all of the new gear in our studio. [00:28:27] So have profiles in Light Room for the new Allyn crumbs. And although it gives you a very flat finish, which is not my look. It gives you a very, very accurate starting point. So I just thought I'd put that in there. So thanks to Datacolor for sending me that kit. Um, if you have the opportunity head over to that Datacolor with no 'u', by the way, it's a American English, or I suppose these days international English. Uh, as opposed to the British or English, English, C O L O U R. [00:28:54] It's not that it's da as you, but I'm sure you know, it C O L O R a Datacolor. It's worth going to have a look. The thing's not that expensive. It's less than a hundred pounds. It's only about 40 quid for the spider cube. Uh, and then the spider checker photo inspire the checker video. We're all in that sort of 90 quit. Mark, I think anyway, it's very kind to them to send it over and, uh, I will put out some, uh, befores and afters on some of our feeds as to just how good it is. [00:29:20] And of course, having had. All of the new Elinchrom lighting and the Elinchrom theme is going to run for weeks. So we'll leave that. I won't talk any more about that on this particular episode, but rest assured the four Fives and two Threes. I am having a blast. It's so nice. To have stunning light back in the studio. [00:29:40] Absolutely loving it [00:29:42] [00:29:42] The Building Blocks of a Successful Photography Business [00:29:42] anyway, onto today's little, sort of the actual bit, the rest of it. I'll tell you what the diary of a working pro is getting bigger. Uh, um, I need to fix that. I need to do something about that, but at the moment, it's just because the episodes are so far apart, a lot has happened since the last one. So this, the theme of this particular episode, and I was puzzling over this. Uh, or rather what triggered it was a series of conversations and the reviews from our Oxford. Workshop and I kinda been chewing on what is it that makes a successful. Photography business. [00:30:23] What is it? What really is it I'm still working on? I don't have an answer. I doubt there is an answer. But what I have observed is there are building blocks. You need. And sort of you stack them up. I think. And on the top of it is you as a S as a successful photographer or a successful. Photography business, but you build it on certain pillars. And the four I've kind of identified, and this is based on S on feedback and it's based on observations. That I've made as well. You need, I think the following four things. At the very least you need the following four things. [00:31:04] The Essential Attitudes for Success [00:31:04] Anyway, you need energy. Optimism enthusiasm. And confidence. Now you'll notice in there. I haven't said camera craft or. And I for an image or I dunno, technical knowledge, or I, I've not said any of those things, you do need those things. By the way, it's not that you don't. But underneath that. To learn to be able to absorb ideas, to be able to push through. The fear and doubt that is inevitably part of this world. [00:31:35] You need energy, optimism, enthusiasm, and confidence. And these are things. That I'm very blessed. To have I'm lucky in that my parents gave me those things and on the whole I've normally got, I'm going to say I've normally got three of the four. It's any one moment. There are days when I have no energy, but I'll be optimistic that I'm going to get it, get it there the other day. [00:31:56] There'll be other days whenever turn of energy, but it's being in channeled entirely in pessimism. Um, there are days when I'm not enthusiastic, but it doesn't stop me thinking tomorrow will be better. And there are days when I'm, I have no confidence at all. But I'm still energetic and optimistic and enthusiastic about I, what about what I do now? [00:32:16] I could probably do a podcast on each of those things. And maybe in the future, I will maybe I'll interview. Some photographers and talk about these various aspects, but why, why have I brought those out when I could have said. You need to understand cropping. You need to understand your color wheel. [00:32:34] You need to understand how to process digital images. You need to understand how to use your camera when all of these things are undoubtedly. True. But if you don't have the energy and if you don't have the opt or more importantly than enthusiasm, I think you'll never get around to learning those skills. [00:32:52] They just will never arrive. [00:32:54] Before you even start. You have to have energy, optimism, enthusiasm, and confidence. They are the building blocks. They're the attitudes. Maybe that's what I should have called to maybe attitudes there, what you need. I think. And I've never met. Uh, top flight photographer, successful photographer. Now by top flight, I don't necessarily mean award-winning images. [00:33:16] I mean, people who've been successful in the industry. Some photographers are successful because their business just. Fly. Some people are successful because they are amazing on stage. Some people are successful because they images. Or well, simply glorious. There are lots of reasons why a photographer may or may not. Be successful. [00:33:37] So when I say a top flight photographer, I mean, someone who's known for some aspects, some skill, some quality. In industry and every single one of them that I've ever met. Shows energy, optimism, enthusiasm, and confidence. [00:33:53] So let's have a think about what each of these. Uh, attitudes sort of are. So energy and having energy doesn't mean you're bolshy or pushy, or like a bull in a China shop. It doesn't mean that it just means. That, when it comes down to it, when you pick up the camera, there's something about what you're doing. That drives you, that keeps you going because there are going to be days when you really aren't feeling it. And it's your energy. That you need to draw on. [00:34:22] Now for me, I'm kind of lucky. In the, when the client walks into the room, they give me the energy that I need. Somehow, no matter how flat I am, how tired I am, how fed up. I am sometimes. When the client appears, they give me energy. That energy drives everything. Sometimes I'll be honest. [00:34:43] My own insecurity gives me. Energy when I'm having one of those days and I'm not feeling it. I don't often get to the point where I'm like, you know what, I'm done it, it does happen. People have to talk me out of it. [00:34:56] But sometimes my own insecurity is all of the energy I need. But always when a client walks in, that triggers something in me and off I go. [00:35:06] Optimism. Optimism is I suppose an odd one. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone else write down optimism. Um, certainly in the reviews, no one's ever said optimism is not a word. [00:35:16] I think the associate. With any of these conversations normally, but here's why. Here's why I use the word and I don't mean in optimism. I don't mean unrealistic. So I don't mean that you late. I don't know. You think you're going to always make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? To use the expression. I just mean. It's that thing of, well, let's give it a go. [00:35:42] What's the worst that can happen. You know, I'm a photographer, not a brain surgeon. So the worst damage I can do is to take a crappy picture. That's essentially it. Now, if you're doing a wedding, okay. That's a little bit more pressure, but if I go, if I get it wrong, I'm going to make someone look fatter or older. Or thinner or. I don't know, less attractive than they think they should be. Those basically are the limits of the damage I can do with a camera. [00:36:10] Let's say drop it on someone. I suppose I could drop the camera from a great height and it would cause damage. Um, so having optimism is almost baked in why wouldn't I have optimism? Let's take a picture and see what it looks like. But I have met a lot of photographers who don't exhibit that they're nervous of trying things that. They think might fail and I think it will make. They think it will diminish. They're standing in front of their client, whereas I'm, I think the other way round. Is that I think the client loves it when we try things. [00:36:42] And I'm very open about stuff I will say to the client, look, I don't know if this is going to work, but you know, let's give it a go. And if it does work, I'm going to show you, I'm going to. Claim credit for it, and I'm going to enter it into awards. If it doesn't work, you're never ever going to see the image. [00:36:58] And that's basically it. Um, optimism is about the idea that you can. And that today, what do you know what I will. Uh, enthusiasm, enthusiasm runs through me most of the time. And it's a, it's a derivative of energy. Rarely, I suppose I could have fused. Those two words, but I think you can be enthusiastic without being energetic and vice versa. He can be energetic in your pessimism if you want to be. [00:37:24] So enthusiasm has a real place for me and enthusiasm. I found when I'm in, in the company of a photographer who is enthusiastic about what they do, who is full of positivity about what they do. It's it's captivating and you kind of get drawn along on that ride. Now I don't mean naivety. I don't mean. That. You're enthusiastic to the degree that we can know what could happen. [00:37:51] I'm not saying that. Similarly with optimism, you know? I'm just saying that if you're enthusiastic about what you're, what you do it carries now, does that mean all of your pictures have to be happy, bubbly pictures, new, not at all. But it's much easier to take enigmatic, gentle, moody pictures. When you're being enthusiastic about it than when you're not trust me on that. Uh, so enthusiasm is what it is. [00:38:16] And I think I've every successful photographer I've ever met is enthusiastic about what they do now. Occasionally you time it and you talk to them and they're like, they're not being very enthusiastic or optimistic for that matter. But on the whole, you feel that they would be the rest of the time. [00:38:32] Confidence, Feedback, and the Art of Adaptation [00:38:32] And then there's confidence. And now confidence does not mean. Arrogance. [00:38:37] And it certainly doesn't mean. That I don't have, or the photographers I've met don't have insecurities or imposter syndrome or all of those words they do. They really do. But something in them. Says that it's going to be all right again. Allied to optimism, having the confidence to say, I know what I'm doing. To ground yourself with the camera in front of your client and say, it's fine. [00:39:04] I know what I'm doing. And I know I can do this. Or having the confidence to take. Feedback critical or otherwise to take. feedback from your peer group or from your client. It takes confidence and it takes. To an extent, a thick skin. I think I might've missed an attribute. I think sensitivity might be an attribute that I should add to this. [00:39:26] Let me think about that. I'll come back to you on that. one, but having the confidence. To say, yeah, I can learn that. Or having the confidence to take. Feedback in a way. That you turn it into a forward facing energy. Oh on the Peleton tonight. Honestly, I have done an hours exercise. That's like nearly a thousand calories burned, which is why. He likes snoring. [00:39:48] I've lit. Honestly, I'm not kidding. I woke up at my desk. Uh, with the microphone over my head. Uh, waiting to record. Um, and that's because I've done an hour and it's been a long week. I submitted an article last night, or this morning at three o'clock in the morning. I submitted one of the articles much as I love writing. [00:40:04] Uh, sometimes the inspiration doesn't come until the wee small hours. As my Scott's friends. Uh, I would say, um, anyway, during the exercise class. That was on tonight. [00:40:16] One of the instructors said, there's this thing called? Yes. And now I've never heard of this as a thing before. Yes. And not. Yes, but, or no, but, or no. Yes. And. And that's having a confidence to take feedback in a positive way and move forwards with it. There's a scale in and of itself giving everyone knows that giving feedback in a positive way. Is a skill, but I don't know how many people think that. Taking feedback is a skill. [00:40:49] It's a practiced. Skill to know how to take feedback and. Extract or distill what's useful. Actually is a lot of confidence. And I come back to the same thing. Don't get me wrong. Of course there are days when I'm absolutely terrified. There are days. When I can't feel it, there are days when my confidence is not for whatever reason, you know, it, I'm not at all saying you disassociate. From your normal character. [00:41:20] And my normal character is I'm very, very confident in what I do. And I'm confident in my ability to learn stuff. I'm a quick learn. I can certainly do that. And I'm very good at the yes. And. But it doesn't change the insecurity. When you show an image and somebody doesn't like it, there's still that burning sensation. That you get when somebody points out something [00:41:44] , if you go to any art gallery, any and have a look at people, enjoying the pictures. Isn't it curious how some people will head towards one artist and others will head towards another artist. But they don't always like the same artists. And that's similar to photographers and feedback. So having the confidence to give feedback and take feedback is a thing. [00:42:06] Having the confidence to stand in front of a client and say, Genoa, I can take this picture. Don't worry. You're fine. Giving confidence to your client through those actions. Well, that's the thing I think. So these are your building blocks. [00:42:20] You've got energy. Optimism, enthusiasm and confidence. And I also think. You have sensitivity in there. You're going to have to leave that one with me. I thought of that while I was talking. Why does that happen? Why is it just as I think I've got my podcast nailed. I've got my things I want to talk about. During the actual recording. [00:42:38] I think of one item thought about. I think sensitivity might well be in there. If it is, I'll bring that up in another. Another podcast because having empathy and sympathy, when you're a portrait photographer, I don't know if that matters when you're out there doing landscaping, but this is the mastering portrait photography podcast. [00:42:56] And so I guess that's, pertinent. [00:43:00] So you need those things [00:43:02] . Of course, you also need practice. You need perseverance and hard work. You need creativity and your craft. They don't go away. But in my experience, Those things are built. . On your energy, your optimism, your enthusiasm, and your confidence without those. You'll do no work. You won't have what it takes to pick up your camera and develop and push forwards and change and evolve. And that's another thing, , having those four things. [00:43:31] I'm going to go back to the four. I think. Having those four things gives you what you need to be adaptable and pliable. It gives you what you need to develop and change. And trust me in this world. Particularly now AI has arrived on the scene. You're going to have to adapt and evolve to be competitive in this market. [00:43:51] Not just as a business. But visually too, because what's out there in terms of the visual arts is changing at a pace. We have never experienced. It's changing at a pace. When I did my PhD in AI 25 years ago, nearly 30 years ago. That could not have envisaged where we were going to end up. We talked about this stuff back then as a fantasy and here it is. You know, type a few key words into half a dozen of the different image generators. And just see what comes back, [00:44:22] Wrapping Up: A Look Ahead and Gratitude [00:44:22] but on that happy note, On that happiness. [00:44:24] I hope that's. I. I'm quite curious about this episode. I hope that's useful. I might write this one up as a, an actual article kind of thing. Uh, thank you for listening. To the end. Um, please do go across to PMI Gear. To Datacolor and to Elinchrom, all excellence suppliers of the stuff we use here at our studio. Uh, we stuff I use with enthusiasm, energy, optimism, and confidence. Now, it just sounds really corny. [00:44:50] I'm so sorry. Uh, but please do go ahead and look up the competition. Uh, it's a really cool one. I will be entering mostly because it gives me a chance. We've got someone coming in on Sunday. Uh, to, uh, create some, uh, very fogged work. Can't wait for that, but thank you for listening to the end of this podcast. [00:45:09] If you've enjoyed it, please do subscribe wherever it is. That, uh, you consume your podcasts. Thank you to the people that left us reviews last week. That's been quite a few. It's been really rather lovely. Um, if you do feel like leaving us a review, please, do we read them all wherever we can find them? [00:45:24] The most obvious place of course is iTunes. I represents about 60% of the world listening to podcasts at the moment. I believe anyway. Uh, so please leave us a review and a rating up there. If it's a review where you think I should change things, uh, then please do email me. Don't write that in a review. [00:45:42] Nobody wants to read that. No matter how confident I am, it stops me being optimistic. Uh, so please do email me. It's Paul at paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk dot co.uk. That's Paul. Uh, Paul Wilkinson photography.co.uk. Uh, also head across to the spiritual home of this podcast and mastering portrait photography podcast. [00:46:02] And of course that home is mastering portrait photography.com, where there's a whole heap of articles and ideas, all dedicated to the business, the craft, the art, the creativity, and well. Frankly, the enjoyment of portrait photography. We're about to hit that with some reorg. I talk about that in the coming weeks. [00:46:22] Um, and some new content, uh, we changed in the way that's all working while I'm in the process of putting together thoughts on how we're going to change that. Uh, hence the fact we're now filming videos, uh, on a more regular basis. It's all quite exciting. There's a ton of stuff going on. Hopefully I won't be asleep at my desk with too much of it because frankly that's a big waste of time. But until next time stay awake and whatever else. Be kind to yourself. [00:46:48] Take care.

HEY DNA STRAND CREW!!! Welcome to our newest episode of Dynasty DNA Plus Tj Blake and Andy Blake from the Dynasty DNA Podcasting Network get together with our special guest for this week's episode Dr Kevin Murray from the Fantasy Football Unlimited Podcast and Website! In this episode we talk a variety of fantasy football topics such as Justin Fields value and significance of landing in Pittsburgh! They also talk about the 2024 Dynasty Rookie Wide Receiver Class and how many of these guys do we see get taken in the 1st round of the NFL Draft this year! It's an awesome episode tune in with us for a few laughs and let's talk some dynasty fantasy football!Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The DNA Guys On TwitterTJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Dr Kevin Murray Dr. Kevin Murray (@DrKJMurray) / X (twitter.com)Check Out Kevin's Website and Show Fantasy Football UnlimitedFantasy Football Unlimited

HEY DNA STRAND CREW!!! Welcome to our newest episode of Dynasty DNA Plus Tj Blake and Andy Blake from the Dynasty DNA Podcasting Network get together with our special guest for this week's episode Josh Larky Formerly of the 33rd Team Fantasy Football! In this episode we talk a variety of fantasy football topics such as the 2023 Draft Class and finding some players who could be values next season and that could bounce back! We also talk 2024 Start Up ADP Draft Values heading into the offseason! We also review 2 recently made trades from the Dynasty DNA Discord Channel It's an awesome episode tune in with us for a few laughs and let's talk some dynasty fantasy football!Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The DNA Guys On TwitterTJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Josh Larky Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) / X (twitter.com)

Sign Up and join Underdog Fantasy The greatest Fantasy Football Platform available right now Bestball, Daily Drafts, and Pick Em's use this link to sign up and Underdog Fantasy will match up to $100.00 for your first-time deposit!  https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-dynasty-dnaHEY DNA STRAND CREW!!! Welcome to our newest live episode of Dynasty DNA Plus Tj Blake and Andy Blake from the Dynasty DNA Podcasting Network get together with our special guest for this week's episode Ryan Miner from the Fantasy Faceoff Network! In this episode we talk a variety of fantasy football topics such as where do we have Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon Ra St. Brown in our dynasty ranks heading into 2024! Plus, each of us give everyone two way to early dynasty bargain buy lows at the start of the Fantasy football off season! It's an awesome episode tune in with us for a few laughs and let's talk some dynasty fantasy football!Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The DNA Guys On TwitterTJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Ryan Miner Ryan Miner (@RyanMiner_FFB) / X (twitter.com)

Sign Up and join Underdog Fantasy The greatest Fantasy Football Platform available right now Bestball, Daily Drafts, and Pick Em's use this link to sign up and Underdog Fantasy will match up to $100.00 for your first-time deposit!  https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-dynasty-dnaHEY DNA STRAND CREW!!! Welcome to our newest live episode of Dynasty DNA Plus Tj Blake and Andy Blake from the Dynasty DNA Podcasting Network get together with our special guest for this week's episode Tipp Major! In this episode we talk a variety of fantasy football topics such as what will happen in Chicago this off season will the Bears keep Justin Fields or go Caleb Williams and What do we think of CJ Stroud going into 2024 and where is he in our dynasty rankings right now! How about Tua Tagovailoa and Miami are we concerned or are buying low or are we trying to sell him? It's an awesome episode tune in with us for a few laughs and let's talk some dynasty fantasy football!Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The DNA Guys On TwitterTJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Tipp Major Tipp Major (@tippmajor) / X (twitter.com)

Happy one year of TWIFH! To celebrate the end of our first year and to give you a huge chunk o' podcast to get through New Year's Eve, this week V and Emily are holding their breaths and taking a deep dive into the strange, insidious, bananapants crazytown world of Andrew Blake AKA Jordan Wood AKA Amy Player AKA Victoria Bitter AKA VoyagerBabe AKA strwriter AKA thanfiction and his many, many crimes in the fandomspace (and outside of the fandomspace, too). Because this story deals with many heavy topics and is incredibly long and harrowing, we have split this episode into two parts. PART I covers the first ten years of Andy thanfiction's cult of personality and Munchausen by Internet, and deals with the following sensitive topics: gaslighting, intimate partner abuse, emotional abuse, suicide attempts, fraud, mental illness, Munchausen by Internet, financial abuse, and brainwashing tactics. PART II covers the second ten years of Andy thanfiction's cult of personality and downward spiral, and deals with the following sensitive topics: gaslighting, emotional abuse, Munchausen by Internet, suicide, murder (gun violence), gendered violence, intimate partner violence, unhealthy weight loss, mental illness, disassociation, financial abuse, and fraud. Sources: Andy Blake: A Timeline by @theteablogger Abbey Stone's Wordpress blog

Happy one year of TWIFH! To celebrate the end of our first year and to give you a huge chunk o' podcast to get through New Year's Eve, this week V and Emily are holding their breaths and taking a deep dive into the strange, insidious, bananapants crazytown world of Andrew Blake AKA Jordan Wood AKA Amy Player AKA Victoria Bitter AKA VoyagerBabe AKA strwriter AKA thanfiction and his many, many crimes in the fandomspace (and outside of the fandomspace, too). Because this story deals with many heavy topics and is incredibly long and harrowing, we have split this episode into two parts. PART I covers the first ten years of Andy thanfiction's cult of personality and Munchausen by Internet, and deals with the following sensitive topics: gaslighting, intimate partner abuse, emotional abuse, suicide attempts, fraud, mental illness, Munchausen by Internet, financial abuse, and brainwashing tactics. PART II covers the second ten years of Andy thanfiction's cult of personality and downward spiral, and deals with the following sensitive topics: gaslighting, emotional abuse, Munchausen by Internet, suicide, murder (gun violence), gendered violence, intimate partner violence, unhealthy weight loss, mental illness, disassociation, financial abuse, and fraud. Sources: Andy Blake: A Timeline by @theteablogger Abbey Stone's Wordpress blog

HEY DNA STRAND CREW THE A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake talks his personal player rankings at each position heading into the first round of the Fantasy Football Playoffs to possibly give you the edge against your opponent heading into this crucial week of win or go home! So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNAFollow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)

HEY DNA STRAND CREW THE A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co-host this week Dynasty DNA Friend and Team Member "Muscles" Ryan Mahle talk some possible good dynasty rebuilder buys at the wide receiver and tight end positions heading into next season! So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNARyan Mahle Ryan Mahle (@Dynastydnamus) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)

HEY DNA STRAND CREW THE A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co-host this week Dynasty DNA Friend and Team Member "Muscles" Ryan Mahle talk some good dynasty Start Up Draft Strategies and some good Dynasty Trade Strategies getting closer to the Fantasy Football Off Season! So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNARyan Mahle Ryan Mahle (@Dynastydnamus) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)

HEY DNA STRAND CREW THE A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake breaks down everything from NFL Week 10 such as his take on the Deshaun Watson news and if he feels Dak Prescott can continue to produce at the level he is currently!  So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNAFollow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Website WWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Pod

HEY DNA STRAND CREW THE A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co-host this week Dynasty DNA Friend and Team Member Ethan Justice talk some good dynasty buys and sells for the rest of the 2023 NFL Season and going forward possibly! They also talk a little roster and team building strategy!  So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNAPreston Evans Preston Evans (@PJ2082) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Website WWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast!

HEY DNA STRAND CREW A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co-host this week Dynasty DNA Friend and Team Member Preston Evans talk the Thursday Night Football Game Recap of Steelers vs Titans! They also talk a little post NFL Trade Deadline Talk and how that possibly could change things from a Fantasy Football perspective a bit! They also talk some Dynasty Fantasy Football Players who they are buying low and selling high halfway through the NFL Season!  So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!  Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNAPreston Evans Preston Evans (@PJ2082) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Website WWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast!

HEY DNA STRAND CREW A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co-hosts this week Jimmy Leadbetter, and Ethan Justice talk all things NFL Week 7 they break down some games that took place they talk some players and their performances from last week! They also discuss the upcoming NFL trade deadline and how it may help or possibly hurt some players if they were to get moved next week! So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023! Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On TwitterAndy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNAEthan Justice Ethan Justice (@Bigs_DC_DFS) / X (twitter.com)Jimmy Leadbetter  Jimmy Leadbetter (@ffjleadDNA) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Website WWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast!

HEY DNA STRAND CREW Check out the newest episode of Dynasty DNA's Double Coverage DFS Show this show is designed to go over all things DFS such as Pick EM's, Higher/Lowers, Fantasy Drafts, and all DFS contests! Our goal is to try and help you win as many DFS contests as possible through the 2023 NFL season! In this episode of the Dynasty DNA Double Coverage DFS show the crew breaks down the entire Sunday slate of games for Week 7 Sterling Theiss, "Big E" Ethan Justice, and special guest Andy Blake the host of the dynasty dna fantasy football podcast look to give you as many of their best options from a DFS perspective for the Sunday slate of games for Week 7! So, tune in with us for a few laughs and let's win all of our DFS contests and let's win some money to start out the 2023 NFL season!Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Follow The Double Coverage DFS Guys On TwitterSterling Theiss Sterling Theiss (@Sterling_DC_DFS) / X (twitter.com)Ethan Justice Ethan Justice (@Bigs_DC_DFS) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake Andy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNA Join The DNA Strand Crew On Discord Free To Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Check Out The Dynasty DNA WebsiteWWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast!

HEY DNA STRAND CREW A TRAIN JUST DROPPED THE NEWEST EPISODE OF THE FANTASY FOOTBALL POWER HOUR! Tune in to the newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour as Andy Blake and his guest co hosts this week Jimmy Leadbetter, and TJ Blake preview and talk all things NFL Week 7 they break down all the upcoming games and talk some players heading into their respective matchups for NFL Week 7! So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football it's time we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023! Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Join The DNA Strand Crew on Discord Free to Join Just Click This Link!https://discord.gg/rFAyWzn8Subscribe to The Dynasty DNA YouTube Channel(9) Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast - YouTubeFollow The Guys On Twitter Andy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNATJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Jimmy Leadbetter  Jimmy Leadbetter (@ffjleadDNA) / X (twitter.com)Follow All The Fantasy Football Power Hour Updates On The Spotify ChannelFantasy Football Power Hour | Podcast on SpotifyFollow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter(1) The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Website WWW.DynastyDNA.net - Dynasty DNA Fantasy Football Podcast!

HEY DNA STRAND CREW A train Andy Blake just dropped his newest episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour ahead of week 1 of the NFL Season! In this episode he sits down with Sterling Theiss and Ethan Justice of the Double Coverage DFS Crew as they review and talk about their favorite DFS contests heading into week 1! They go over some Higher/Lowers, Game Picks, and some individual player contests! So, tune in with us for a few laughs and let's win all of our DFS contests and let's win some money to start out the 2023 NFL season!   Join The Fantasy Football Power Hour On TwitterThe Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Follow The Atrain Andy Blake On TwitterAndy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Listen and Follow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0tDYXCBYjig66Il2Ot0xfh?si=5d1f083e560a4ee9

Dynasty DNA is very happy to welcome you to the very first episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour Show by our very own Dynasty DNA founding member Andy Blake! In this first episode of the Fantasy Football Power Hour Andy is going to help you identify some handcuff running backs ahead of the 2023 season. We all want that edge to help you win and there are still a few backs out there that can possibly do that for you. There are also a couple that can hurt your team as well so it's important we try to identify those players before the season begins. Let's talk all 32 NFL teams and find some value handcuffs to help you win your league. be sure to check out the fantasy football power hour channel for more content and check out all the awesome shows on the Dynasty DNA channel!Join The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Twitter The Fantasy Football Power Hour (@FFpowerhour) / X (twitter.com)Follow The Atrain Andy Blake On Twitter Andy Blake Andrew Blake (@FFAtrainDNA) / X (twitter.com)Listen and Follow The Fantasy Football Power Hour On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0tDYXCBYjig66Il2Ot0xfh?si=5d1f083e560a4ee9

HEY DNA STRAND CREW well it's August now and football is almost upon us! That being said the Dynasty DNA team went back into the lab again and this time the mad fantasy football scientists of the Dynasty DNA team came up with a combined top fifteen list of Wide Receiver rankings for all dynasty fantasy football formats ahead of the 2023 fantasy football season!  With many dynasty startup drafts starting soon it never hurts to be ready with a strong list in hand!  So, sit back let's have a few laughs and talk some dynasty fantasy football as we help you begin your drive to a dynasty championship in 2023!Join the DNA Strand Crew on Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDNA_Follow The DNA Guys On Twitter TJ Blake TJ Blake (@FFTJBlakeDNA) / X (twitter.com)Andy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/AtrainDNATy Blake https://mobile.twitter.com/DynastyDnaTyRyan Mahle https://mobile.twitter.com/DnyastyDnaMusCheck Out Our Friends and Partners At Peak One Sports Network https://www.peakonesportsnetwork.com/Follow Peak One Sports Network On Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/PeakOneSpo...

In this episode of Undivided Birmingham, Dr. Chris Crain interviews Andy Blake, the executive director of WorkFaith Birmingham, a ministry with a mission to empower lives through work and faith.  Andy Blake has served as a Church Planter in New York City, as well as a pastor. He now leads WorkFaith Birmingham and has a heart to see God transform the lives of people with challenges in seeking employment. WorkFaith Birmingham workshops help people discover their gifts, talents, and skills, as well as teaching them how to interview with prospective employers through mock interview sessions with actual HR volunteers.  Andy said it's very rewarding to him to see someone come into a workshop on day one with all of their insecurities and challenges and then two weeks later see them transformed with confidence in their mock interview sessions. Many clients have been hired by companies that partner with WorkFaith Birmingham.  Learn more about WorkFaith Birmingham at workfaithbhm.org. 

Andy Blake got his real estate license solely for personal projects and now The Andy Blake Group is a Top 10 Team in all of Kansas City, selling over $100M in real estate. Andy likes to keep it 'old school and attributes his success to amazing team culture and adding an immense amount of value to his sphere and clients. ---------- Visit www.builthow.com to sign up for our next live or virtual event.   Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network

An officer, Joe Gliniewicz comes across a suspicion scene in an abandoned property, where he claimed he was in pursuit of three men on foot, he later calls for backup and when they arrive they find Joe dead from two gunshot wounds, and his weapons strewn about. The search for the cop killers was in full force, but this just the beginning for this small town murder turned mystery! Big thanks to Andy Blake for researching and writing our crimeline for this episode.   Modem Mischief link: http://pod.link/modemmischief   OhMyGaia.com Code: Creeper     https://www.tonicvibes.com Code: Creeper     EVERYTHING TRUE CRIME GUYS:   https://linktr.ee/Truecrimeguysproductions   Patreon.com/truecrimeguys Merch: truecrimeguys.threadless.com   OhMyGaia.com Facebook Twitter/Instagram: @TrueCrimeGuys @AndImMichael @sandupodcast STICKERS CREEPER MERCH   Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/streaming-live-melodie-gliniewicz-widow-fox-lake-police-lieutenant-financial-crimes/ https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/29/us/fox-lake-joe-gliniewicz-son-not-charged/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/26/us/fox-lake-police-lt-joe-gliniewicz/index.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-fox-lake-police-shooting-one-year-met-20160831-story.html https://www.thedailybeast.com/cop-gi-joe-gliniewicz-stole-from-police-then-faked-his-own-murder https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lt-joe-gliniewicz/id541481026?i=1000465110832 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officer-joe-gliniewiczs-dark-double-life-leaves-village-shock-n458821 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8e_09eJGXA  

Finding readily available candidates for employment has been most difficult for over a year now and only appears to be getting more challenging.  Perhaps you should consider hiring 'second chance' felons.  We are honored to have market reentry expert Jermey Miller Alabama Field Director for Prison Fellowship Ministries join us to discuss understanding the pros and cons of hiring 'second chance' candidates and how to access them for employment.  This week 10AM Monday Podcast call is a prep call for the 2021 Second Chance Jefferson County Hiring Fair scheduled for Sept 14th Thank you Russell Haden of C12 Group for representing the voice of employers.  We were also delighted to have Andy Blake and Crystal Parker of WorkFaith Birmingham for joining us as well. Visit with us live each week Monday 10AMclick ULECx.com/conferencecall  205-582-7082or view our archive record of all our calls here.Disclaimer:  All opinion expressed on this podcast including the team and guests are solely their opinions.  Host and guest may maintain positions in the companies and securities discussed.  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as specific investment advice for any individual or organization. 

Welcome to Drone World, the drone podcast by Coptrz! In this episode, your host Jamie Cording is joined by our latest successful clients to start their very own drone business - BB Drone Services directors Andy Blake and Jason Brice. Andy & Jason share how a simple picture on a whiteboard turned into a full-fledged drone business. Today they use their experience from the RAF to offer a range of services from security and inspection to surveying and more. They also share their marketing tips, business advice and their experience winning the first-ever people's choice award at COPTRZ CON 2021. Jason says, "The idea of owning my own company 2 years ago would've scared the hell out of me because I thought it was the hardest thing in the world, and it's not easy, there's ups and downs, but I'm glad I took the plunge. And I'm very glad I did it with someone." "Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves over how quickly things have moved. We've been going since the end of February, but from where we were to where we are now, it's been a crazy ride!" To discover the incredible story behind BB Drone Services, tune in to this episode of Drone World!

Episode Summary:  In this episode, we had the opportunity to interview Skip Ast and Jeff Ast of Shasta Pools. Shasta’s commitment to excellence began in 1966 when Bob Ast founded Shasta and was soon joined by his brother Skip. Today Shasta is Arizona’s most experienced pool builder and the valley’s only Master Pools Guild member, delivering innovative outdoor environments that are built to last with Skip, his son Jeff, and grandson Skip III carrying on the family tradition.  Shasta has completed over 87,000 pool builds, 36,000 pool remodeling projects, and there are currently more than 20 Shasta Customer Care vehicles on the road servicing a 100,000 plus customer base. They also established A&A Manufacturing and Xcel Surfaces out of necessity which is discussed in the episode.  Listen in as Skip and Jeff tell the history of Shasta Pools and how they rode waves of innovation in the pool industry over the last five decades. They also share how they manage to keep their entire team feeling like they are part of a small and intimate family business despite Shasta being the number one pool builder in Phoenix today. Finally, they share how the company navigated both the 2008 Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic and their biggest lessons learned in the face of economic uncertainty.  Topics Discussed:  01:10 - The story behind Shasta Pools  05:40 - How Skip discovered shotcrete  09:01 - Running in-house crews in the early days to ensure a quality product  10:13 - How Shasta became a volume builder  13:08 - Starting A&A Manufacturing  15:01 - Starting Xcel Surfaces  16:13 - Andy Blake’s influence on Shasta Pools  20:57 - Using Key Result Areas (KRA’s) to keep the team motivated through innovation  23:30 - Stay “small” and humble despite growing into a large company  27:24 - Selling A&A Manufacturing  30:04 - How Shasta navigated the Global Financial Crisis  34:12 - Jeff’s promotion to President in 2018  37:28 - Jeff on work-life balance  41:09 - Where Shasta Pools is today and the Asts’ thoughts on 2020 and COVID-19  45:29 - How many pools Shasta has built and remodeled through the years        Sponsors:  Pentair  Connect with Guest:  Episode Webpage  Website  Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  YouTube  Pinterest    Connect with Pool Chasers:  Website  Instagram  Facebook  Facebook Group  Twitter  YouTube  Patreon    Key Quotes from Episode:  You had to get out of your comfort zone. You had to get into a zone where it was very challenging for you. You could never let your guard down. You had to put your nose to the grindstone and keep going; otherwise, you’d fall behind and be stagnant one day. There are a lot of pool builders going out of business because when things did slow down, there was no business for them; whereas we were still getting quite a few referrals, and that’s what kept us going. ~Skip  We did our best in defining those Key Result Areas. What did we really want to see as an end result of doing this or doing that? We don’t want to be going out as an exercise in futility. We want every move to count toward our end results that are profitable for everybody. ~Skip  We knew that the company was huge and growing. So, how do you stay on the edge of growing a very large company, but keeping it small, mentally? Shasta is still a small family business. That’s super key: People feel valued when they feel close to family. ~Jeff  Humility is a major power. ~Jeff  So, it's very critical. We're in a whole different era right now where people are actually starting to realize that the value of a swimming pool, what difference it can make in your life. And it's just not it's just not a thing to get wet anymore. It's just not anything to cool off. It is actually an environment. It's an environment to build stronger families to just really, it's a lifestyle now. It's become a lifestyle, not just getting wet and cool off. ~Jeff   

This is an internal meeting between the ULECx Dream Stream Leaders and Martin & Kayla Briggs co-Founders & CEO of the ULECx Market. In this discussion, we define the ULECx market strategy and shared insight on what the future looks like going forward. ULECx Dream Streamer LeadersCareer & Development, Andy Blake of Workfaith Birmingham Business As Mission, Lori Chambers of Hope InternationalPersonal Power, Lynda J Ratliff of Homefit Top-line Sales, Sydney Murphy of Dotedison MarketingMinistry - Jenny Waltman of Grace Klein Community The outline used during the discussion can be found here. The purpose of each Dream Stream can be found here. The official ULECx communication channel by video and phone are UberConference.com/ULECx 205-582-7042

This was a candid conversation on how to hire and retain employees with criminal backgrounds. Thank you so much Jeremy Miller of Hope For Life Ministries and Andy Blake of WorkFaith Birmingham for sharing tips on establishing safety for your organization's community and assets. Join our weekly ULECx Market Every Monday at 10AM Live click UberConference.com/ulecx or dial 205-582-7042

Life as a photographer can feel like you're working on your own - all those hours with the camera, lights, with Photoshop and the complexities of your own business.  But, of course, the truth is a little more nuanced than that: we may be here in our studio on our own, but we have a wealth of talent around us - our suppliers.  Every day, I sell their products, their talents, their ideas to our clients, whether it's a frame, an album or a portfolio, I am wholly reliant on numerous other people to carry my brand. In this interview, I get the chance to talk with Andy Blake, the General Manager at Kaleidoscope Framing - a company whose wonderful products we have relied on for well over a decade now.  It's a lovely interview (you may get the impression we get on well - and you'd be right!) and we talk about various aspects of the photographic industry and how things are changing - something particularly pertinent in these complicated times. The fact that we get on well isn't a coincidence - building a relationship with your suppliers is as important as building them with your clients as it's your suppliers who, ultimately, provide the platform on which your products will shine.  It's not about the products, of course, it's about your photography, but displaying your craft in the very best light is what this business is all about. And your suppliers make that possible. As always with our interviews, I asked Andy to recommend a book to add to our every-expanding library.  He recommended "One Day For Life", a book of photos all taken on a single day in 1987 in aid of Cancer Research.  I couldn't find any new copies but this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0593014642/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_OV6mFbGKHVT2G takes you to second-hand copies on Amazon (I bought mine for £2.95!) Enjoy the interview!     If you enjoy this podcast, please head over to Mastering Portrait Photography where there are articles and videos about this wonderful industry.  PLEASE also subscribe and leave us a review - we'd love to hear what you think! If there are any topics you would like to hear, have questions we could answer or would simply like to come and be interviewed on the podcast, please contact me at paul@paulwilkinsonphotography.co.uk 

Featuring music from Grace Jones, Henrik Schwarz, Larry Levan, Sly & Robbie, Groove Chronicles, Basement Jaxx, 4hero, Chicken Lips, Kirk Degiorgio, Lil Louis and more... mostly selected at The Little Record Shop in Hornsey, North London.   RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers

Featuring music from Amp Fiddler, Roni Size, Chic, Mylo, Missy Elliot, 4hero and many more... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers

We managed to fit one final episode in before lockdown and we've finally got round to getting it up — very aptly just as record shops begin to reopen. Letting the digging recommence... For now, check out what Ben Gomori found with £10 down at the legendary Music & Video Exchange in Greenwich, London — one of two of the remaining legendary chain of second-hand record shops around the capital. Featuring music from Frankie Knuckles, Rosie Gaines, Bugz In The Attic, John B, Q-Tip, Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, Satoshi Tomiie, Jamie Principle, Arthur Baker…. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers mgeshops.com/pages/music-video-exchange-greenwich

Our Soho Radio show returns with music from Masters At Work, DJ Pierre, Luther Vandross, Vangelis, Detroit Spinners, Chaka Khan and more... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers and more at www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/ Produced and devised by @bengomoriwww.sohoradiolondon.com

Our Soho Radio show returns with music from Inner City, MJ Cole, Mr. Fingers, Jocelyn Brown, The Black Science Orchestra, Circulation, Sunship, 95 North, Q-Tip, Jehst and more... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers and more at www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/ Produced and devised by @bengomoriwww.sohoradiolondon.com

Watch Ben select and discuss the records in this mix. @bengomori mixes a superb haul of 15-for-£10 bargain bin action from East London's Jelly Records. Featuring music by Vangelis, William Orbit, El-B, Soul II Soul, Ambience, Loco Dice, Odyssey, Johnny Corporate, Erick Morillo, Mike Dunn, DJ Spen, Byron Stingily, Danny J Lewis…. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers Produced and devised by @bengomoriwww.instagram.com/jelly_records/

The first of our monthly sessions of bargain bin delights on Soho Radio with Ben Gomori. Featuring music from Masters At Work, Joe Smooth, Goldie, Deep Forest, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Gary Bartz, King Britt, The Gap Band, Derrick May... and Samantha Fox. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Bill Brewster, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Danvers and more at www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/ Produced and devised by Ben Gomori

Ben Gomori returns to The BBE Store in Hackney, London to dig through the crates with £10 and create a mixtape with the spoils. Featuring music from Frankie Knuckles, Roy Ayers, Jovonn, Phil Asher, Franck Roger, David Morales, The S.O.S. Band, Deep Forrest, Jehst... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Bill Brewster, Danvers and more on our Facebook page. Produced and devised by Ben Gomori  

And we're back. Check out how far €10 went at Barcelona's Discos Edison's as Ben Gomori goes cratedigging in our latest episode. Watch him pick the records at bit.ly/2QfBIE4 Featuring music from Basement Jaxx, Kevin Saunderson, Einmusik, Patrick Prins, Angel Moraes, Roger Sanchez, Smokin’ Beats, PQM, Robert Palmer and… Samantha Fox. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Bill Brewster, Danvers and more on our Facebook page. Produced and devised by Ben Gomori

Watch Ben select the records for this mix  RecordReplay creator Ben Gomori gets busy with a meagre £10 budget at Vinyl Hunter at the Saatchi Gallery in London, the pop-up record shop in the middle of the excellent Sweet Harmony | Rave Today exhibition that runs until September 14. See what he selected and listen to the mix put together from the spoils, featuring music by Ewan Pearson, Todd Terry, Dave Clarke, Chris Coco, José Padilla, Pier Bucci, Jori Hulkkonen, Pete Herbert, Anja Schneider and more... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Laurence Guy, Kristy Harper, Andy Blake, Bill Brewster, Danvers and more on our Facebook page. Produced and devised by Ben Gomori

Watch Laurence select the records for this mix http://bit.ly/2XCza6Q We travelled down to esteemed UK producer 'n' DJ Laurence Guy's hometown of Guilford to find out what he could do with £10 at his beloved local spot Ben's Collector's Records. Featuring music by Byron Stingily, Plastikman, CJ Mackintosh, Rhythm Masters, Louie Vega, Nush and more. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Bill Brewster, Andy Blake, Magnier, Danves and more at http://www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/ Find out more about Laurence Guy 

Ben Gomori headed down to Brighton for our latest episode to dig through the crates at Across The Tracks Records, finding delights from Mood II Swing, MK, Ashley Beedle, Simbad, Mousse T, Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Moloko, Rob Mello, Erlend Øye, Spirit Catcher and The Aloof along the way... RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Bill Brewster, Andy Blake, Magnier, Danves and more at http://www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/

Watch the making of the mix http://bit.ly/2FmIIHY Hear what Danvers (1/2 of Kassian) did with £10 down at Bristol's Collectors Cave in the sadly soon-to-be-no-more Vintage Market. From broken beat through house to D&B, featuring music from David Morales, Rhythm Masters, Wildchild, DJ Gregory, Coldcut and more. RecordReplay is a video + podcast series inviting DJs to create an hour-long mix using a £10 second-hand record shop budget. Check out other episodes with Bill Brewster, Andy Blake, Magnier, Ben Gomori and more at http://www.facebook.com/recordreplay/videos/

Hailing from the North, Laurence McAulay is a London based disc jockey who has been steadily piecing together a musical identity amidst the busy capital. He has been a steady figure in the Glasgow dance and electronic music scene for many years having founded the Vicious Creatures party series which has been hosted prominently at Sub Club across many years. More recently he has brought the longstanding venture to London where he has hosted bustling parties at The Waiting Room in East London with the likes of Job Sifre, Oceanic, Johannes Albert and Andy Blake all having joined Lárus behind the decks in his new found home. As a dj his style is broad and varied, channeling energy from the days of trance and hardcore through to the more abstract and dynamic realms of disco, bass, house and techno. Expect the unexpected and you will be sure to learn a trick or two from a man who was brought up with two feet firmly rooted on the dancefloor. We are delighted to feature him as part of our shine a light on series...

This week marks the return of one of the most interesting record labels and parties to emerge from London. World Unknown has become an institution of sorts having offered opportunities to many up and coming musicians across a period of time which has observed a vast array of transition within dance and electronic music. Andy Blake has been a prolific member of the London community for a generation and is responsible for having run some of the most distinctive and singular parties across the city in recent times. From shopfront raves to obscure warehouse nightlife he has raised the standard, encouraging promoters to think outside the box. We invited him to contribute to our mix series as he showcases sounds of significance. Enter World Unknown....

On this month's show, we tackle the complicated question of how to open a DJ set.

On this month's show, we tackle the complicated question of how to open a DJ set.

Brazilian duo Selvagem is made up of Millos Kaiser and Trepanado. Their alias translates from Portuguese as “wild” and their collective output fits that word well: it is organic and from-the-jungle, littered with traditional instruments as well as weird synths, plus bird calls, naturalistic sounds and vocal chantings. As well as being colourful DJs and record collectors, the pair host their own much loved sunset parties and intimate club events in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janerio. Mostly they command the decks themselves, but guests like Optimo and Andy Blake have also stopped by. A genre-less approach informs their DJ style and finds the pair mixing up sounds from many worlds other than dance, including rock, soul and funk as well as house and techno and plenty of indescribable moods in between. All of this is laid bare in their podcast for us, which is a seventy five minute, sun-kissed trip though pan pipes and afro-disco, breezy house and kaleidoscopic grooves. One of the most erudite offerings in our series, this set really does invite you into a whole new musical realm.

Watch the video bit.ly/2fOQIXG Mixcloud http://mixcloud.com/recordreplayTwitter http://twitter.com/recordreplaytv We took World Unknown hero Andy Blake down to London’s Deptford Market where he found a stash of ambient, ‘80s groove, house, techno, progressive and rave treasures for the princely sum of a tenner and mixed it all together for your pleasure. RecordReplay is part of the @gouranga Network. Tracklist:Lith De Lanka vs. Danny Marquez ‎- White Island (From A Son To A Mother Chill Mix) [Deep Touch Records]Feedback - Feedback Of The Mind [Production House]Dice - I Can't Take It [Production House]Sybil - My Love Is Guaranteed (Red Ink Mix Part 2) [Champion Records]Deep C - African Reign [M & G Records]Heller & Farley - Ultra flava (Rhythm Masters Trans Disco Mix) [AM:PM]Sumo Guys - Sumo Something [Centrestage Records] Sub•Merge feat. Jan Johnston - Take Me By The Hand (Instrumental) [AM:PM]Reel 2 Real - Are You Ready For Some More? (Tee’s Freeze Mix) [Strictly Rhythm]Sub•Merge feat. Jan Johnston - Take Me By The Hand (Vocal) [AM:PM]Peter Grummich - The Roll [Spectral Sound]lLith De Lanka vs. Danny Marquez ‎- White Island (Lith De Lanka Dub) [Deep Touch Records]Mystica - Bliss (Mystica Mix) [Perfecto Fluro]

A chat with the standard-bearer of London rave.

A chat with the standard-bearer of London rave.

A chat with the standard-bearer of London rave. For more, visit Resident Advisor: https://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?exchange=305

Alongside cohorts Scott Fraser and Andy Blake, Joe Hart is behind two of London's most subversive parties in Body Hammer and World Unknown. Taking place in carefully selected venues; Body Hammer and WU attract a super loyal crowd with their throbbing electronic melting pot of jack trax and WBMX classics. Joe's mix is a glimpse into their enticing universe... https://soundcloud.com/joe-hart-wu

Shock World Service 041 Spaceships & Sand Dunes by Andy Blake 25/09/2011 London, United Kingdom This month's instalment of the World Service comes from a DJ & producer you may not yet be aware of if you live outside London. We initially encountered him playing live at a party deep in the bowels of a seemingly abandoned office block back in 2009. Soon after we made the connection between Andy and several releases on (the now concluded) Dissident label. Andy now focuses his attentions on other ventures including his label Cave Paintings, which like Dissident distribute almost exclusively on limited run vinyl. Analogue sounds delivered in analogue formats for full frequency response. The label has featured two releases so far, both from Andy himself. Although we usually give a full tracklist & breakdown on each episode Andy would prefer the contents of this episode remained relatively unknown, all we can say is it's a more dancefloor oriented affair than our last few episodes. If you really want to know a particular track email Andy at andyblake727@gmail.com http://www.shockworldservice.com/