What I can do for you
magazines
I can take your copy and run with it! I regularly create glossy 52-page A4 magazines for the European Piano Teachers’ Association - as part of the process, I proofread all the copy, determine the pull-out quotes and source suitable images - either my own or from photo libraries - to complement the articles. Using Adobe Photoshop, I can enhance photos sent in by contributors, manipulate feature images artistically, by adding filters and changing colours, and with Photoshop brushes create from scratch my own backgrounds to give certain pages a splash of colour and extra interest. Because of my musical background, with years spent learning the piano, I understand the musical terms referenced in the articles and with my knowledge of three other languages can correct foreign spellings as necessary.
PS = Photography slant!
PS: I took this photo at my friend’s 50th birthday party - she’s a double bass player by profession but has recently learned the piano to Grade 8, so her friend created this wonderful musical cake with icing piano and stool for her. Great choice for the EPTA birthday issue!
brochures, posters & flyers
Need publicity for your event or concert series? I have many years’ experience creating marketing material from the smallest advert to large banner stands, with all size of brochure, poster and flyer in between. I can take your copy and images to create publicity tailored to your brand, or I can work with you to establish your brand and provide my own photography if you need it.
I have long-established connections with printers and can handle all aspects of the print process for you.
PS: I took this photo on a sunny afternoon in Ripon Cathedral, passing time listening to a choir rehearsal. Using Photoshop I learned to create a light-to-dark effect in filters, to show the passage of time in this spectacular concert.
concert programmes
I first started putting together concert programmes in 1991, for the Leeds International Concert Season, and then for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This involves sourcing all the programme notes, gathering in artist photos and biographies, designing page layouts and adhering to tight deadlines on a weekly basis. My lifelong love of classical music has been paramount in my programme work, and I have translated the occasional German sung text for Mahler and Beethoven performances.
Other clients now include Ex Cathedra, Ripon Choral Society and Ripon Concerts.
I have built up strong relationships with several programme-note writers over many years, so can help you source notes as necessary.
PS: Amazing what you can do with a poppy photograph taken on a blue-sky day surrounded by green fields! But I wanted to create a more sombre version of it to reflect the nature of Britten’s thought-provoking piece.
CD Artwork with cover, inlay and onbody
CD ARTWORK
I have 15 years’ experience creating CD artwork for Heritage Records, so have templates set up for a multi-page booklet, inlay and onbody. My musical knowledge is put to good use as I always proofread the artwork at the same time as creating the layout.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I can provide a photography service, to take pictures for your website, to promote your business. So many people use their phones these days to take quick snaps of plates of food for their restaurant website, or of friends at a party, or of things they’d like to sell online. But it’s only with a proper photography service, with a great camera, the right choice of lens, the right set-up for the lighting situation, the right eye for a shot and diligent, creative processing of the images after the event, that you’re going to get high-quality photos to show off your team, products or events to their best advantage.
As you see from the photo here, I like to catch the moment in a click of the shutter - or, in complete contrast, I take my time, setting up the shot carefully, checking the composition, focus and lighting, to produce a set of images you can be proud of.
See examples of my work here.
Recent clients include The Red House, C. Bechstein Centre Manchester, Swinton Estate, Ripon Theatre Festival, Manchega Ripon and EPTA UK.
PS: Ripon pulled out all the stops on Remembrance Sunday 2018, with a military procession to the Cathedral for the special morning service. I stood on the steps by the Cathedral West end and used a 70-200mm lens on my Fujifilm X-T3 to capture the momentum of the procession in the rain.