Leicester Wedding Photographer

Leicester Wedding Photographer

Leicestershire Wedding Photography

I don’t often talk about wedding photography, I did it many years ago and really enjoyed it. Sadly the long weekend’s were taking time away from my young daughter, which is why I moved into headshot/portrait and corporate photography in 2018.

I still shoot the odd wedding, mainly friends and colleagues.

My wedding page is still very much active, Pete Martin Weddings

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing one of my old school friends weddings, in my home village of Broughton Astley.

My approach is mainly candid, I only really step in when needed, and If i see a great shot that needs a little help along the way!

Here are a few images from the day.

Conference & Event Photographer Leicester - East Midlands

Conference & Event Photographer Leicester - East Midlands

Marketing & Branding photographer Pete Martin

It’s that time of year again where business start holding conferences and other associated events.

It’s always good to photograph these as the images are not only a good keepsake, but a usefull marketing tool. The images can be shared on your social media channels, newsletters, website and in various print media to show existing and prospective clients your companies culture.

I pride myself in being an excellent conference photographer, let me tell you about the recent Mclarens conference I shot at the Hilton East Midlands..

I arrived onsite at 9:30am and got to work setting up my mobile headshot studio and a corridor next to the main room. These clients were have individual portraits taken in the conference scheduled breaks. This is a brilliant idea and a very effective way of capturing every members of staff in one day.

Delegates started to arrive at 10am, and my studio way busy with the first of the 82 people. 10:30am and the conference starts with a welcome speech from the CEO followed by the first presenter. I captured all of this using my second camera as to not disturb the studio set up.. this could remain in place for the next wave of people to have their portrait taken.

Conference Photographer Pete Martin

I had a break in the early evening where I grabbed some food and got to work editing the days photos. I managed to get every shot edited and started the upload, the client received the download link the next morning.

Editing on location, event photographer Pete Martin

Food whilst Editing on Location - COnference Photography by Pete Martin

What a service!

Here’s 5 reasons why having me at your event is a great idea…

Professional Image: Having a photographer at your business conference ensures that high-quality images are captured, portraying your event in a professional light.

• Marketing Material: The photos taken during the conference can be utilized for marketing purposes, promoting future events and showcasing the success of past conferences.

• Documentation: Photography provides a visual record of the conference, preserving key moments, speakers, and activities for archival and informational purposes.

• Social Media Presence: Engaging photos from the conference can be shared on social media platforms, increasing your brand's visibility and engagement with attendees and followers.

• Memories for Attendees: Offering attendees access to event photos allows them to reminisce about the experience and serves as a token of appreciation for their participation.

Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball 2024

Leicester Event Photographer Summer Ball

Leicestershire Charity Photographer

A few weeks ago it was the Furnley House Foundations summer ball 2024

Furnley House Foundation

Having done numerous work for FH now, they asked if i’d be interested in photographing ther summer ball. It was a YES from me. Furnley House is an amazing company, and some of my great friends work there.. Their foundation is a registered chairty, they raise money to give to other charities in need.

The ball took place at Winstanley House, with many familiar faces in attendance.

Photo kit wise I pretty much stayed on one camera with a 28-75mm zoom lens and on camera flash. I did occasionally use my 135mm lens for some of the shots of the presenter on stage.

Here are a few shots from the evening. If you are holding a similar event and would like it capturing so you can look back in years to come, please get in touch. There photos are an excellent reminder and keepsake of your event. They can also be used in future marketing in print and social media. Guests can have access to the photo gallery and download digital files as well. Optional print products are also available from the online gallery.

Leicester Photographer Raises money for local charity

Leicester Photographer raises money for local Mental Health Charity

Headshot, Portrait & Event photographer Pete Martin raised £765 for Leicestershire Mental Health Charity LAMP

It was that time of year again, national mental health week 2024.

For the last two years I‘ve organised little gathering at one of my favourite Indian restaurants. This year however, the restaurant was already booked! So a new venue was foudn and the the organisation began.

Tickets were produced, the online booking system went live, emails went out to raffle prizes, a poster was designed. I asked a few people to share the social media posts to help with ticket sales and before long we had just under 40 tickets solds for the event.

It was no nice to see so many friendly faces, some i’ve not seen in quite a few years!

Enjoy some of the photos below, I kept the camera equipment really small, one camera, one lens and a small flash.. Great quality results from such a small compact set up.

Marketing Photography East Midlands

Marketing Photography Leicester & East Midlands

Leicester Branding Photographer

I was approached by Tom Bates from Altitude Marketing over in Loughborough a few weeks ago, we discussed me going in for a couple of hours to capture headshots (not typical) and some general office lifestyle images.

I’ve known Tom for a while, he has another business, ‘The Printers’ also over in Loughborough. They have done business cards, workwear and mugs for me in the past. There for all your print needs!

I didn’t know much about ‘Altitude’ so it was nice to go in and mett the whole team so see hoe they work.

The brief for the shoot was keep it light and fun, to show the team as they are.

Take a look at a few of the images from the half day shoot below. There were around 200 images delivered from this shoot.

Lifestyle and Branding Photography Leicester

I love it when a client comes back, it might be for updated headshots.. maybe a new person has joined the team etc.

Northwood Estate agents however wanted some shots around the office, these are called many different things.. Lifestyle, environmental portraits or the new buzz word in the industry, Branding Photography.

To me it’s all the same thing, capturing people doing their thing in the best possible light. Showing the environment in the portrait, with the person captured naturally… no staged poses. This helps show the companies culture, which in turn will attract new clients and future employees.

Here are a few examples from the 1.5 hours I was on site, 130 images were delivered in total.

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Have a read of this article about branding photography and why you should consider it..

Why Branding Photography is Essential in Business

In the competitive landscape of today's business world, investing in branding photography can offer a multitude of benefits for companies looking to establish a strong and memorable brand image. Here are five crucial points illustrating why branding photography is essential in business:

1. First Impressions Matter: Branding photography plays a pivotal role in creating a positive and lasting first impression on potential customers. High-quality, visually appealing images can instantly capture the attention of your target audience and convey the professionalism and identity of your brand.

2. Establishing Brand Identity: Consistent branding photography helps in establishing and reinforcing your brand identity. By showcasing your products, services, or team through cohesive visual storytelling, you can create a strong brand presence that differentiates you from competitors and fosters brand recognition.

3. Building Trust and Credibility: Professionally curated images can help build trust and credibility with your audience. Authentic and engaging photography can humanize your brand, showcasing the faces behind the business and creating a connection with customers based on transparency and authenticity.

4. Versatility Across Marketing Channels: From your website and social media profiles to advertising campaigns and printed materials, branding photography can be used across various marketing channels to maintain a consistent brand message. Versatile imagery ensures that your brand's visual identity remains cohesive and compelling across all platforms.

5. Increasing Engagement and Conversions: Compelling visual content has the power to drive engagement and increase conversions. Whether it's through captivating product images, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or lifestyle photography that resonates with your target audience, branding photography can help create a strong emotional connection that motivates customers to choose your brand.

In conclusion, branding photography is not just a luxury but a necessity for businesses looking to thrive in today's visually driven market. By investing in high-quality imagery that aligns with your brand values and resonates with your audience, you can elevate your brand presence, establish credibility, and ultimately drive business growth.

MDL Fitness Plymouth Shoot

Leicester Commercial Photographer Fitness Brand Shoot

A few weeks ago I was asked back to photography the fitness studio at MDL Marina in Plymouth.

I set of on the Friday, had dinner with Andy from the design team where we discussed the brief and shot list. Having a clear understanding of the images required, and their use is key for me. I can then think about lighting and composition to hopefully achieve the very best results.

As well as gerneral shots of the gym, both empty and fairly full, we also had to shoot every piece of equipment being used my both a model and a Personal Trainer. We set up classes such as spin and yoga, as these are a new offering.

I also took all of my portrait equipment to get some amazing shots of the PT’s.

It’s great working closely with the design team as they have a clear vision of the end product. It might be a local advert in the press. a pull up banner, a webpage or social media campaign. It’s crucial to get the best shots possible in the time on site.

Not only because Plymouth is 4hrs and 240 miles away from Leicester!

Here’s a few images from the shoot.

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I also did a short vlog which is on my YouTube channel.

East Midlands Event Photographer

Leicester & East Midlands Event Photographer

Professional Event Photographer covering Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Northampton (East Midlands)

A few weeks ago I had two events back to back, Menphys sports club and the Real Entrepreneurs Dinner. 

Menphys Sports Club is done of my favourite events to photogrtaph, all of the guests are great and the speakers are brilliant. The events are always really well attended and there’s so much to capture. 

Gear wise on these events I like to keep it quite simple, One Camera and a 28-75mm zoom lens. This allows me to capture people right in front of me and up to around 8-10m away. Over the winter months when the ambient light is lower I also use an on camera flash unit to help light the scene. During the summer months I often ditch the flash and zoom lens and go for a 24mm & 50mm prime and shoot more ‘wide open’ to get a slightly different look. 

When I photograph the speaker being interviewed on stage I’m often at the back of the room to try and keep out of the way of the guests, I don’t want my job to spoil their enjoyment of the event. For this reason I switch lens to the awesome 135mm f/1.8. It gives me ample reach to the stage area while staying on the sidelines. 

Menphys also have a ‘media board, this a branded fabric banner which at the end the guests can have a professional photo with the speaker. For this I set up a studio flash with a soft box on a stand, It really makes people look their best. Check out what a camera phone captures compared to my set up… very different!

An iPhone 13 Pro photo from the event

My photo from the professional equipment

Take a look at a few images from this event.

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Next up was the Real Entrepreneurs Dinner at Winstanley House. I don’t get the shoot many of these events as they have a regular photographer, a very good friend of mine. He was shooting another event so the organisers ‘Cross Productions’ got in touch with me again. 

The theme of the the evening is very similar to Menphys, open networking and drinks on arrival, a sit down meal followed by an excellent speaker 

Gear wise, it was exactly the same as Menphys… One camera with zoom lens and a flash, then change lens to capture the speaker.

Here are a few examples from the evening.

Both of these events were edited and delivered the very next morning, so the organisers could create social media posts and send out to the attendees. 

Howden Insurance Open Event Loughborough

Howden Insurance Open Day Event Photography Leicestershire

Quality professional event photography by Pete Martin

It was nice to be asked once again to photography an event for the lovely people at Howden Insurance over in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Following the devastating floods that pretty much destroyed their office, they wanted to re-open after the refurbishment with a bang!

They hired an amazing barrister who served every type of coffee, and brilliant ladies who were cooking up delicious sweet or savoury crepes.

The local Lady Mayor even turned up at the end!

There was lots of nice merchandise available to take away, with my current favourite colour being Orange, that Mug was coming home with me!

If your company is holding an event, consider hiring a photographer to capture those wonderful candid moments. Those photos are not only a great reminder of the event but can be repurposed into social media posts and campaigns throughout the year.

Conference Photographer East Midlands

Why Having a Professional Photographer at Your Conference is a Win-Win

Leicester & East Midlands Conference Photographer

Conferences are a whirlwind of activity, bringing together people, ideas, and experiences. But in the blink of an eye, it can all be over. That's where a professional photographer comes in, capturing the essence of your event and turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.

Here are just a few reasons why having a photographer at your conference is a wise investment:

1. Capture the Conference Story: A photographer doesn't just take pictures; they tell a story. Through their lens, they'll capture the energy of the event, from the opening keynote to the networking sessions, and everything in between. This visual narrative can be used to showcase the success of your conference and attract even more attendees in the future.

2. Professional Polish: High-quality photos elevate your brand and add a touch of professionalism to your conference. They can be used on your website, marketing materials, and social media platforms, creating a positive and polished image for your organization.

3. Engage Your Audience: Photos are powerful tools for engagement. Sharing professional photos on social media can help you reach a wider audience and generate buzz about your conference. Attendees will also appreciate having high-quality photos to share on their own platforms, further extending your reach.

4. Memories for Everyone: A conference is a valuable learning and networking experience, and attendees often want to capture those memories. Offering professional photos as a post-conference benefit shows you care about their experience and allows them to relive the event long after it's over.

5. Free Up Your Team: As the organizer, you'll have your hands full managing the logistics of the conference. Hiring a photographer allows you and your team to focus on what matters most – ensuring a smooth and successful event for your attendees.

Bonus Tip: Consider offering headshot sessions during the conference. This is a valuable service for attendees looking to update their professional profiles and a great way to generate additional revenue.

Pete has a keen eye for capturing the essence of a dynamic event and years of experience navigating the unique challenges of conference photography, I am your expert choice for documenting your gathering. My ability to tell a visual story through candid moments, speaker interactions, and the overall event atmosphere ensures you receive a collection of high-quality photographs that not only showcase the professionalism of your conference but also leave a lasting impression on your attendees.

In conclusion, having me photograph at your conference is an investment that pays off in many ways. From capturing the event's spirit to promoting your brand and engaging your audience, professional photography can help you take your conference to the next level.