One of the things I love about my annual brand photography service The Seasonal Edit is that there is a flexible version where you have a bank of hours to use as you wish.  I don’t take on many clients in this way, but Lisa Johnson (who by the way has some epic new branding!) is one of them and it means that I get to not only work with her, but some of her incredible clients too as mini brand shoots are offered to those that attend some of her retreats.

 

And Niki French, who runs PupTalk, was on one of these such retreats, in a gorgeous house somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Herefordshire.  In fact, so much so in the middle of nowhere, it was a welcome break at times from any signal and patchy WiFi!    This was one of many shoots over a few days, and the location was amazing, with so many different spots, meaning that whilst I don’t get to do the in-depth recce and planning that I do for my regular shoots, the mini brand shoot questionnaire and shoot guide I send everyone ahead of the retreat, meant when we arrived, I was able to match up locations that worked for each person’s brand – meaning they weren’t all getting the same spots and images, there was some variety!  This also meant though that each attendee was able to think ahead for their shoot and bring the right type of outfit and props – which whilst we weren’t able to source an actual dog for Niki’s shoot, her trusty prop dog from her training came along and made an appearance!

 

“Amanda is so easy to work with, she really did make me feel at ease. And that’s not easy for me when I’m staring into a lens.  I’m very insecure about my body and I was scared I wouldn’t like any body shots because I’d think I look too big. I felt completely comfortable telling Amanda about my specific hang ups. She worked angles and gave me tips on how to stand or drape an arm and I love them!

 

But she’s not just an awesome photographer. She’s also got a brilliant business strategy brain. So she’s great to talk to about your business as well! Awesome!”

 

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Are you hosting a business retreat and want to offer your clients a mini brand shoot?

Let’s chat!  I love working with coaches to be able to offer mini brand shoots on their retreats, to give that extra value and help your clients stand out in their own industries.

Click here to contact me today!

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What first got you into your field?

I’d had a 30 year corporate career before being knocked off my bicycle in 2014. It left me battered and bruised and over the next couple of years I struggled to cope with my usual life of long hours, long haul travel and stressful boardrooms. Something had to change but what could I do?

A chance conversation with a couple of friends gave the lightening bolt to the brain of becoming a dog trainer.

I’d been dog mad my whole life and I knew in an instant, that’s what I was going to do.

Two days later I resigned, three months later I set up my own business. Two years on, I’m now run my own dog training business.

 

What’s your favourite thing about the work that you do?

This job is about loving people as much as loving and knowing dogs.

Seeing people go from being frustrated, tired or stressed by their dog’s behaviour to believing they can make small changes and get big results is the best feeling in the world.

 

What is a ‘reality’ of your work that other people don’t realise?

I’m very camera shy and nervous about ‘putting myself out there’ and I have to firmly park that to do my live training, workshops, videos, lives etc.  I’m not going to let it stop me getting my skills out there to people that need it.  Also, my young rescue dog often looks really well behaved on camera. I get the tripod out and he gets his ‘working head’ on. At other times it’s not always like that! He’s a beautiful handful of a dog.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? (can be on anything!)

Believe you can do something that you love.

On a work strategy one – Progression not perfection. For the stuff you don’t like or you’re scared of – just start a task for 5 minutes and then see how you feel. At least you’ll be 5 mins further along with the task than you were!

 

What’s your cocktail / mocktail of choice?

Expresso Martini. Even though I’m not a coffee drinker or like other martinis!

 

Where can we find you?

Website: https://puptalk.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puptalk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puptalk101/

 

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Are you hosting a business retreat and want to offer your clients a mini brand shoot?

Let’s chat!  I love working with coaches to be able to offer mini brand shoots on their retreats, to give that extra value and help your clients stand out in their own industries.

Click here to contact me today!

 

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Until next time,

Amanda x