Private shoots... why so awkward?!

So we're a couple of weeks into 2017 already, and I've managed to already attend a car show BUT... I'm missing taking photos so much!!!
There's just something about private shoots, that is so fun. Not even doing it just to show off for social media - just to meet new people, learn more about people's pride & joy and to hopefully create images they enjoy!

Now here's the political issue of it.

I have some lovely people who ask me to take photos for their companies, or for personal use and they pay for my time, travel and efforts.
I mean I'm no professional and I sincerely appreciate when someone wants to pay for my work. 

But it's something that's so awkward!!!
I've had people approach me just expecting my photos (my time) to be free! 

It often goes -

"so wanna do some photos of my car?"
"Sure, what you thinking?"
"Well somewhere near mine, do a few pics"
"Sure! I'll do mates rates too!"
*lots of laughter*
Erm.... You're expecting me to bring my expensive equipment to you, upon your request, and to spend my fuel, time and efforts to come do this for you.... for free.
Really?

I use my expensive camera and lenses (they don't buy themselves unfortunately.) The expensive camera body. The fuel for travel. My time. My effort. The editing time. 

People will say, don't buy such expensive cameras and lenses, but I wanted to upgrade! I just need to maintain it and expand the lens collection. The money would go right back into what it paid for, to keep it moving! Bigger better equipment!

If I say, can I shoot your car - I understand, I asked... therefore I can't charge for my time, upon me asking. Same at a public event! Not right for me to charge for that.

But it's just so awkward!

Then you have people offering everything for free and people choose that option! You kind of lose hope with most people and wait until someone who appreciates your time and work, asks.

But it's just such a touchy subject. When it doesn't need to be.

Anyway, just a random thought as I haven't posted in a couple weeks.
I will definitely try and keep this updated this year!

Take care
Skully x

Twenty Four

2nd January, 1993 saw me enter the world.
A lot has happened in those years. Everyone has their story to tell but mine is certainly an awkward, complex, unpredictable one!
Now, I'm not sure what I want to do/achieve this year... I know after 2016 tried to see me off, I'd rather like 2017 not having an scenarios like that, preferably!

- I know I want to raise more awareness for the illnesses I have, not just for my benefit, but for all those that suffer this horrendous pain!
- I DEFINITELY want to see my godchildren more!

But car wise, I'm not really sure. Obviously getting to drive some more cars would be EPIC but 24 is an awkward age for insurance! BOO. So I guess just experiencing some cars would be just as cool!!

Going to explore more of America is certainly an aim, especially the West Coast as I haven't been! (any companies that want to sponsor a car photographer to visit the West Coast... feel free to get in touch ;) worth a shot! haha)
Travelling in general, as and when time/life allows me would be cool. I really love just going somewhere new and discovering new stuff and meeting new people.

But I guess, I just want to better myself.
- Better ways to manage my time
- Find a way to balance my illnesses, with not overdoing it!!!!!!!
- Just become a better person really.

I really do want to try and blog/vlog more this year. Myself and Demi did film some stuff at some events last year, but never really did anything with it!

I said all my thank you's at New Years, to all the amazing people I know and love, but anyone who reads this... thank you!!

Take care
Skully x

2016... Well I never...

It's been another year filled with hair colour changes, more ink additions, health ups & downs and yet, still, many miles travelled... all for the sake of these 4 wheeled wonders!
The thing is, I don't really know where to start and what to say about this year! It's all slightly surreal.
I had to go back on my Instagram, and also look through my hard drives to remind myself of this years antics. Some things feel like years ago, whilst some only feel like yesterday!
I've had a couple of things happen that I could of NEVER predicted would happen in my life... yet, alone all in one year.
The funny thing is, all this car photography stuff started because my GP at the time told me I needed to get a hobby. Anyway, I've had this "hobby" for 3 years now. Which isn't long in comparison to some people I've met. But I've had some incredible experiences in this time! Beyond imaginable!
They say a lot can change in a year and upon reflecting the events of this year, it certainly can.

January, I had the awesome experience of shooting at Koenigsegg for Koenigsegg and Shmee150. Getting to ride in the Regera with Christian von Koenigsegg and do the first proper shoot of this car, was incredible!!!! It helped that it was snowing to really set the scene and make my photos really stand out.

Little did I know that these photos would basically go viral, with them still being shared and reposted on social media pages today! A few images also got printed on canvas for display at the Geneva Motor Show, along with being published in the Koenigsegg magazine and featuring in the Salon Prive catalogue. So a massive thanks to Tim & then the team in Angelholm.

Another year of working with the lovely guys at Oakley Design...
I love these guys! I'm picked on like I'm one of the lads, we have great laughs on our road trips and I'm honoured & privileged to be invited back time and time again to shoot and show off their unique and performance enhancing modifications!
Whether I'm shooting their Veyron in the Graffiti Tunnel at 3am, leaning over a banking section of a test circuit in France or I'm on a forklift to get aerial shots of a P1, it's always a pleasure to showcase their work.
I cannot wait for their expansion to their new units next year, they thoroughly deserve it! I look forward to working with you again next year and thank you for another incredible year.










I MET JENSON BUTTON!! I forgot this was this year, but oh my God, it was amazing. Attending the London Classic Car Show for the first time ever and meeting someone I've been such a fan of for so long - was insanely cool! He was so lovely - as was Suzi Perry, Jodie Kidd & Bruno Senna. It was also a celebration of the McLaren F1, so that was epic!

Ryan Lugg, hosting his awesome Supercars Of Essex car events, and Cars & Curry nights - has been pretty damn cool too. Especially when a McLaren F1 shows up at a curry house!!! Now that was slightly crazy! But thank you for putting on some cool events and drives, Ryan!

Then a quick run through of other events from this year that have been pretty cool...
- Gumball 3000 coming to town!
- Auto Italia (basically where it all started for me, 3 years ago)
- Blancpain at Brands Hatch = where we also saw the P1 GTR & Aston Martin Vulcan flying round the track
- Blancpain at Silverstone = massive thanks to Pasin Lathouras for the pass for that!
- Goodwood Breakfast Meeting = shooting the Shmee150 "Blue Crew" final drive together
- Goodwood FoS
- Fast Factory meet
- Icons by the Lake = great events hosted by Lee Hill!
- Being invited to the opening of Ford Epsom
- Salon Prive = although it was very very very wet, it was a very cool event with some stunning cars
- Visiting the set of Transformers = SEEING A CENTENARIO ON THE ROAD!!!!! <3
- Passione Ferrari was a fun day = FXXK <3 599XX <3 LaFerrari <3 sounding epic on track!
- Mercedes Petronas F1 Team Christmas Party!!! (Massive thanks Mike!!)
- Special thanks to CarCrazedFool and Porsche Colchester! Especially for the epic 911R shoot! :)

Special mention to Ciro, owner of The Sharnbrook - his events are always amazing. The variety of cars is brilliant, the atmosphere is fantastic... he does such a superb job, I cannot wait for next years events.
Then you have the usual attendees, Yianni & Lenny. I can't thank them enough for looking out for me and checking on me! They aren't just hilarious, they're both very kind guys... but shh, don't ruin their image now ;)








Now, a moment of reflection to sort of round this up.
23rd June, 2016... Probably the scariest event of my life. BUT. I learnt a lot.
A lot changed. A lot then made sense to me.
That date, the day of the accident I was involved in, en route to Goodwood.
I thought that was it, truth be told. Game over.
Alas, someone somewhere said it wasn't and TA DAH! All of us involved are still here today.
I learnt who cared, I learnt who didn't. There were people who showed up asap! There were people who I'd thought were my best friends, yet never even sent a message to check I was okay!
The biggest thing I learnt, every opportunity you're handed... take it! You don't know when your time is up.
There's people I met after that accident, and people I grew closer to that I'd of never met, but I'm SO bloody thankful I survived and did!!

Which leads me to some special people and special events - Demi, Chris & Roger! Our trip to the Nurburgring was so much fun, we may not of seen anything incredible but it was sure damn fun!

Our trip to Dubai, now that was epic! Cars we saw, cars we shot, people we met, sights we saw... LOVED IT. Part of the reason for going was so I could meet up with someone, yes... I'm that crazy person who flies half way round the world to meet them!
A massive thank you to Natalia Itani, her kindness, hospitality and sweet words meant a lot! Plus, that Huracan was beautiful! MUCH MUCH MUCH want <3

Anyway, to my "gang" - LOVE YOU GUYS!! I look forward to what 2017 has in store!

Then everyone else, I haven't forgotten about you - be it spotters & photographers, people I see at events, or friends I haven't seen in ages - that are away from cars (sorry! these cars are rather time consuming and energy depleting!)
but you've all made this year amazing and I can't put into words how thankful I am for you all!!!!
To those who have been in my life and left - thank you to you to. I've learnt a lot.

It was a special year in managing to get Dad out and about - so proud of him, my hero! But the support we have from you guys is just... indescribable! So thank you...

Health isn't amazing in our house, but it could always be worse! I missed a few epic things... LIKE A VENENO cause pain was just too bad but oh well.

Anyway,
Much love, health, happiness and positivity for 2017!
Take care.
Jo

It's not all doom and gloom

So my Facebook reminded me today that on this date in 2009, I failed the majority of my GCSE's. Great, thanks Facebook.
The thing is I'm not even ashamed to say that now. At the time of picking up my results, I felt mortified, I bawled my eyes out and hobbled out of the hall on my crutches with my incredibly unsupportive Head Teacher and Head of Year trying to say "it's fine" like... thanks! That's what I want to hear right now.

I didn't fail my exams due to lack of trying or anything, this part of my life is where it gets hectic and confusing. I shall try and keep it brief and understandable.
I fell ill at the end of 2008, with at the time, suspected M.E (which it turned out to be) But as my doctor was a skeptic I had to continue with life as normal battling the painful and annoying symptoms daily.
It got to a point in 2009 where I had to leave school due to deteriorating health, I was promised they would send me work, well, what a train wreck that was!!! Four months leading up to my exams, I had missed of school. With ZERO pieces of work being sent home for me!
Anyway, leading up to my exams, the school requested doctors letters for the exam boards which we provided.

Exam time came, I was on lots of painkillers, I had my pyjamas on underneath my school uniform and was in an exam hall full of people! Not the extra help I was promised at all, with a room where I had extra time and could lie down as and when needed etc. away from everybody else. Turns out the school hadn't sent the doctors letters off. Brilliant.

Not only was I suffering with my new illness, my Dad had just had a serious leg operation, my sister was incredibly ill with various illnesses, my parents were divorcing, my Nan was diagnosed with Dementia, I had to leave my part time job and I'd stopped playing football which was my FAVOURITE thing in the world... My life was a mess, to then be thrown into my exams!

I survived them though. Just.

Results day came round, I hobbled in on my crutches with the lovely judgemental schoolmates I had staring at me. Opening that envelope I didn't hold much hope.
(See the photo attached for the results - although it was 3 C's & 2D's and excuse the POOR english typing)



In hindsight though... Passing 3 exams was impressive considering how much school I had missed, how doped up I was on painkillers, how ill I was and how much was going on at home.
Now I know my situation isn't "normal" but the point of this post is, everyone has various experiences with exam results.
I know people who did extremely well in their GCSE's and went on to college and uni, but now work in a supermarket!
I know some people who didn't do too well, but they have a good paying job, some in accounting and jobs like that. It all varies!
I didn't go on to further education, as I became bedbound shortly after my exams.

But I look back and think, had I known that from those awful results I'd of been shooting some of the worlds best cars, visiting factories such as Koenigsegg, experiencing shows in the States and the UK and driving cars worth more than my life!!!! I wouldn't of cried, I'd actually say "that's fine by me."

A lot of the positives have weirdly been down to social media and the people I've been incredibly lucky to meet. From Zalasin & ItsWhiteNoise to the guys at Oakley Design, and everyone in between.

If you failed your exams, don't worry! You'll figure something out!
Just follow your hearts passion and enjoy it!
I know photography isn't my career or even anywhere near it, but one day I'd like to hope it could be. I'm also incredibly lucky to have such an amazing Dad to support me! Again, my situation isn't "normal" but we make it work.

Take it easy

Skully x

Been a while! Blogging or Vlogging? Do I continue?

Afternoon people,

I sincerely apologise for having not been writing my highly opinionated thoughts about my shoots, Central London supercar news articles and cars in general!

I must admit, I kind of forgot about blogging! I did do some vlogging and I love doing it cause I get to annoy people with my instant thoughts and feelings regarding cars as it's all instant and in the moment! Whereas writing, I take time to stop and think about what I've written and re-read it etc. so it's not quite as exciting I guess. Plus let's face it, it's effort reading something in comparison to going to YouTube and watching a video!

So blogging or vlogging...
Well blogging has the positive of not having to worry about how ill I look on camera! (or how chunky I look!)
I can happily sit with a box of Jaffa Cakes, no make up, hair in a bun and in my trackies writing away... and no one would know. Clearly NOT happening atm *cough*
Vlogging, I really enjoy showing people my point of view at events and in friends cars etc. Now I haven't done many videos lately, some of the opportunities I do regret having not filmed such as:
- Koenigsegg visit and shoot (oh and going in the Regera with Christian von Koenigsegg driving)
- Driving the Porsche 918!!! EPIC EPIC FAIL.
- More of my car spotting Golf antics
- Events in general! I like showing people what sort of events I attend and my perspective

Obviously, the other main issue with vlogs is that I don't have enough arms for it. Trying to hold a camera along with my DSLR, where my priority is to get stills, is tricky!
I hopefully have some more cool stuff coming up where I may try and vlog it... Big question is though, with so many people doing it now! Do I revive the vlogs?!

Anyway as always, my IG is kept up to date (as best as possible) with my photos: @skullsandsnaps

I shall try and get back into my writing though. It's quite therapeutic...
Take care

Jo x

How did this article get the the green light?!

http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13713677.display/

This has genuinely shocked me! The above link needs to be viewed prior to reading the rest of what I'm about to discuss.

The above article, is borderline inciting criminal damage. How can someone openly write in the press that they agree with the fact someone keyed someone else's car, for no reason at all?! Well. Sorry. That's dreadful!

"I hate to generalise but allow me to generalise. You can't spend more than a house worth on a car and claim the moral high ground." REALLY?! Whether the owner of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage was born into money or bought the car himself, that is irrelevant. It was still his car! His property! Some people are fortunate to have money to spend on a nice car. I think he has every right to take the moral high ground! The owners car was just parked, in a car park, not in harms way...

Bringing in how SOME arrogant supercar/luxury car owners drive is just distasteful generalisation based on the actions of a minority. Funnily enough, even how they drive still doesn't warrant damaging someone else property!

This woman clearly doesn't go out in these "swanky cars" as she is totally clueless that there are owners who drive responsibly. The funny thing is, I'm not a clueless individual just defending the drivers. I'm fortunate in getting to go out in these cars and seeing that people do obey the laws of the road.

She also hasn't heard of organised car events which actually allow you to go over the National Speed Limit on a thing called a "closed track" - this is why we have many circuits around the country and events such as V Max to experience the high speeds in a safe controlled environment.

These types of articles really make me laugh in just going off of stereotypes and tarnishing everyone with the same brush.

"Surely a chap confident in his man credentials would be happy in a Nissan Leaf, ostentatiously plugging it in to charge at a city centre rapid charging point, winking at the ladies going by as he shows how much he cares about the future of the planet." Okay and this is just sexist! Do women not own these fancy cars?!

This also made me chuckle! "The level of fancy of the car is in direct proportion to the level of morality of the driver. You don't get boy racers in a Fiat 500." The last bit! Oh my life! I guarantee you, I've seen more boy racers in Fiat 500's than I've ever seen boy racers in supercars.

Anyway, I'm going to end this here as this is just hysterical!

Just another Daily Mail article about Knightsbridge...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3197127/My-week-Blingmobiles-SARAH-RAINEY-joins-Middle-Eastern-boy-racers-flying-supercars-eye-wateringly-vulgar-spin.html

If you keep up to date on these articles, you will see... it's 99.9% the same as any previous article discussing the "Ramadan Rush" with the "crazy wraps" or the "loud noises" that "disturb residents."

Well...

This article is essentially narrated, like a children's story in parts, for example: when referencing The Wolf Of Knightsbridge and his dispersing of the crowd. It kind of read like a retelling of The Three Little Pigs, as though he was huffing and puffing till they all blew away!

Whilst on the subject of TWOK, the way this story made Angelo, TWOK & the owner sound was just... arrogant! I can tell you from personal knowledge of these people, that's been written so dramatically.
"I am forbidden from touching the plush red-and-white leather interior; forbidden from pressing the astounding array of buttons and levers that dot the dashboard; and, above all else, forbidden from putting my foot anywhere near the accelerator." YOU ARE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR!! You are in THEIR 6x6, it's not a regular G63 or anything. Of course you can't just go touching everything! They don't let just anyone sit in there either.

One thing I have commonly noticed with these articles, they send women. Now I'm basically the only female to take pics in Knightsbridge of the cars, I've written in the past and made a video with a great friend of mine about how difficult being a female in this male dominated industry is. When these female journalists show up, with no passion or knowledge of these cars, the way they portray them is awful! Not to mention stats and figures are often HORRIFICALLY misquoted. On that note, the "Orange" which is more like Red & Black McLaren P1 is by MSO and quoted at £850,000... I'd try somewhere more in the region of a million plus.

The article actually tells of how much money these visitors spend, which is a great boost to the local economy. The article uses that lovely term "Ramadan Rush." The thing is, that's not why they're here. It's to escape the heat in Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai etc. The dates of Ramadan change yearly, so it just doesn't make sense and is such a cringe term used by the press.

"These cars may be dazzling to look at, but with them comes trouble: traffic chaos as they stop on yellow lines, hurtle down one-way streets and fail to pay parking fines." Yes, they may be dazzling. Trouble doesn't tend to come from them. Chaos more often than not is caused by London Taxis, with ridiculous numbers lining up way outside of the allocated bay of the Taxi rank. Followed by minicabs and chauffeurs (in UK plated cars) just stopping in the narrow one way streets surrounding Harrods to collect or drop off passengers. Hurtling is far from what a good proportion do! You may have the odd one or two who will put their foot down, but the articles make it sound like EVERY single Arab guest is just wanting to break the law by having a lead foot!

Shmee150 has done an amazing video highlighting the speeding, sound, disturbance, nuisance complaints regarding the Arab cars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxLDItrQoWc - and yet again, the paper fails to mention how it's the Brits who are the main perpetrators for the noise and speed on Sloane Street.

I just feel the press want to constantly make this a huge deal and it's frankly boring and pathetic. Can someone at least get a new angle on this topic?! Like... maybe how the average speed of the new Aventador SV visiting from Qatar was 13mph!!! Not 130, 13!!! Yet, 2 seconds after that goes cruising by, an English plated BMW M3 goes flying down the same straight strip at terrifying speeds!

It's so annoying! Anyway, I could continue but that's my rant over. Goodnight.

Skully x

Oh... also mentioning the Swarovski Crystal Mercedes is a bit of a fail in that article - it's English NOT Arab.