The aim of the focus Gallery is to bring together like minded local business to collaborate on projects that will benefit all parties involved. The idea (which I am sure is not original) came from the concept of TFP (Time for Prints) or TFCD (Time for CD) much used by photographers doing model/fashion photography. The idea being that the model and the photographer work for free knowing, or hoping that the images at the end of the shoot will benefit both portfolios.
I thought this could translate at a local business level both as a way to gain access to products, skills etc. that might otherwise be cost prohibitive, but also as a great way to network and build relationships with other small businesses in the area. One way this has worked is a recent shoot I did with Martin Charles of Martin Charles Bridal Gallery and Donna Grant of Beauty Angels Processional hair and makeup at the beautiful Althorp House (you can read all about the shoot and see the images on my blog post). It is a great example of the benefits it can bring as not only did we all have some great promotional images to use, but it was also the main feature in the Bridal edition of Image Magazine in Northampton giving us some great exposure.
If any one party had wanted to charge for the services/products, then the shoot would never have happened. If there are any costs associated with the shoot, then these are shared equally amongst the participants. It was fun, great experience and we learnt some really useful things form the shoot, but more importantly it created a great professional relationship between a number of local business, a relationship that has benefited us all in one way or another since the shoot.
Each focus shoot will have a blog entry with details of the shoot and the images from the shoot. Links to the website and contact details for each person or business involved will remain on the site for anyone to view.
I now have another couple of shoots in the pipeline and hopefully many more in the future. So if you fancy getting involved or have a project in mind which maybe you have been putting off, get in touch and we can discuss the idea. Pop your details on my contact page, or give me a call.
Matt
