Note to photographers: if you came here looking for how to write an introduction to your photography services, scroll to the bottom of this page!
"Fine Art and Fairy Tales"
I am a professional photographer and digital artist. I particularly specialise in fine-art contemporary landscape and portrait photography, and I especially love shooting in Scotland and creating images with a "fairy tale" feel.
My official gallery of photographs and digital art is at inpictur.es - where you can order prints and canvases and also purchase digital downloads; most of my images are available as smaller free downloads too! My Nik Sargent photography blog is over on my gallery too.
Photography
I have been taking photos ever since I won an instamatic camera at age six. As a child I remember experimenting with 3D pictures by taking two different shots of the same scene. Of course everything was film and print back then. I blew my pocket money pretty quickly!
I had the wonderful privilege of growing up in the wild, open and unspoilt surroundings of the Scottish Highlands, so inevitably my love affair with Scotland's staggering landscapes began there along with an understanding of composition and light forms. Over the years I've developed a style that pushes the boundary between photography and art.
I specialise in landscape and all forms of portrait photography - you can find more about Nik Sargent Photography services here.
Digital Painting
As an extension of my photography, I also produce digital paintings. These are extraordinarily detailed "paintings" created on the computer, using a photograph as the starting point. I do this under the brand name brushstok.es. As well as accepting commissions and pursuing my own projects, I have a vibrant Brushstrokes fan page on facebook where I offer free trial paintings.
You can find out all about Brushstrok.es at the dedicated Brushstrok.es page.
Awards and Accolades
SWPP Gold and Highly Commended Award Winner
I'm delighted to have won both Gold and Highly Commended awards in the SWPP's (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) international photo competition. Gold is the highest marking awarded, representing images of the highest possible standard.
500px.com & Viewbug.com featured
A number of my images have been selected to feature on international gallery sites. "Angel of the Night Sky" was selected as Editor's choice on 500px.com. "Light and Stone" was featured on the front page of the gallery site viewbug.com.
Tiffen Featured Imagemaker & Award Winner
You will have heard of Tiffen if you're seriously into photography and movie making. Well known throughout Hollywood, for many decades they have been the leaving provider of photographic accessories, such as filters, lighting and steadicams. They now also provide world-class image and video processing capabilities in the digital domain.
Over the years they've selected and interviewed a number of featured Hollywood "movie makers" but in 2010 I was thrilled to be selected as their very first featured imagemaker for stills. It's a genuine honour to be recognised by the industry in this way, alongside the ranks of their recognised cinematographers, famous for work such as Superman, The Vampire Diaries, Desperate Housewives, Dante's Inferno, Terminator Salvation and many more. I subsequently was asked to produce a special Halloween image for their newsletter.
Official Contributor the ARKive project
In 2011 I was approached to contribute some of my Bumblebee macro photography to the ARKive project. The ARKive project is an initiative by Wildscreen to document and preserve the World's wildlife through the use of powerful imagery. In their own words "ARKive is leading the ‘virtual’ conservation effort creating comprehensive and enduring multi-media species profiles; complementing other species information datasets, and making a key resource available for scientists, conservationists, educators and the general public."
Wildscreen themselves are a not-for-profit organisation with Patrons including Prince Philip and Sir David Attenborough. It is a privilege to be asked to contribute and have my photographs alongside greats such as National Geographic and BBC Natural History. A huge number of big names are backing the project including BirdLife International, Conservation International, English Nature, The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Natural History Museum London, RSPB, Smithsonian Institution, WWF.
This has definitely made the time spent dragging my camera gear through ditches feel very worthwhile.
Associations, Outlets and Publications
I work with a number of leading photographic and imagemaking organisations and individuals, and my work has also been seen in various locations and publications, this includes:
Me On My Wall - high quality canvas prints & design based in the Scottish Highlands and shipping internationally. All of my images are licensed and available via Me On My Wall.
Helen Maynard photography - Stunning documentary wedding photography and maternity and baby shoots: able to offer my brushstrokes painted imagery
Optimax: promotional images for laser eye surgery
[Please note: there are photographers called Nick Sargent and Nikolas Sargent with similarly named internet sites, but they are not me!]
For Photographers
For some reason my page seems to have attracted many people looking to create their own photographer intro. So, below are some ideas that may help.
How to introduce yourself as a Photographer and create a photographer introduction
here is an example of what a photographer might include in an introduction to their photography services - this includes the basic information that a potential customer is looking to find:
An introduction: Begin by introducing yourself as a photographer, and briefly mention your experience, qualifications, and any relevant training or education you have received.
A description of your services: Explain what types of photography services you offer, such as portraits, weddings, events, or commercial work.
A portfolio: Share a selection of your best work, with a mix of different types of photography to showcase your range and versatility.
Your approach: Describe your style, philosophy, or approach to photography, and explain how you work with clients to create the perfect images.
Contact information: Include your phone number, email address, and social media or website links so that potential clients can get in touch with you.
Pricing: Provide information about your pricing, including package options and a la carte rates.
Availability: Provide your availability, and the time frame they can expect to receive their final images.
A Call to Action: Encourage potential clients to contact you to schedule a consultation or book your services.
Note: The above is a general guide, and can be tailored to a specific photographer's needs and preferences.
How to make it interesting and eye-catching
key to making your introduction interesting and eye-catching - and indeed more appealing to search engines - is to tell it as a story. You could tell the story of yourself, how you came to photography and what your goal now is. You could also tell the story of one of your clients: what happened when they booked you, how the shoot went, and what the outcome was. (Including quotes from them, if available).
The aim is to sell the experience. Remember, photographs are memories: they provide the permanent record of significant moments in life, while the memories and stories fade over time, and this is something everyone values. That’s what you are selling and that’s what you are being paid for.
Here are a few suggestions for making a photography services introduction more interesting:
Use storytelling: Share a personal story or anecdote that highlights your passion for photography and how you got started in the industry.
Show behind the scenes: Share a behind-the-scenes look at a photoshoot you have done, to give clients an idea of how you work, and what they can expect.
Use testimonials: Include testimonials or reviews from past clients to provide social proof of your skills and services.
Use visuals: Use high-quality images, videos, or even GIFs to showcase your work and make your introduction more visually engaging.
Use humour: Incorporating humour can help to make the introduction more interesting and memorable.
Use statistics or data: Show some relevant data to showcase your experience and skills.
Use interactive elements: Consider adding interactive elements like quizzes or games to your introduction to make it more engaging and fun.
Use personal branding: Creating a strong personal brand can help make your introduction more interesting and memorable.
Note: The above are just suggestions, and photographers should choose what works best for their specific target audience and services.
Here’s a simple example intro
"Hello, I'm [Photographer's Name], a professional photographer with 20 years of experience capturing moments and memories that last a lifetime. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful images, I've been honored to win numerous local and international awards. I specialize in family portraiture and child photography, and my goal is to give families the gift of memories that will bring smiles to their faces for years to come.
I believe that every child is unique, and my goal is to capture their energy, fun, and youth through my lens. Whether it's a family photo session or a portrait of your little ones, I strive to create images that are not only beautiful but also filled with laughter and joy. My approach is to make every photoshoot a fun and memorable experience, ensuring that you and your family will have memories to cherish for years to come.
If you're looking to capture the magic and memories of your family, look no further. Let's work together to create images that you'll treasure for a lifetime."
Here’s an intro written in the style of a story
"I used to work as a software engineer in a large corporation. It was a comfortable job that offered financial stability, but I always felt like something was missing. I felt unfulfilled and yearned for a career that would allow me to express my creative side.
It all started when my spouse gave me a camera as a gift. I started taking photos in my free time and quickly fell in love with the art of photography. I was drawn to capturing the beauty of nature and the emotions of the people around me.
As time went by, I realized that my true passion lay in photography and I could no longer ignore the calling to pursue my dream. I took a leap of faith and gave up my job in computing to become a professional photographer.
I started small, taking on freelance assignments and building a portfolio of my work. Over time, my talent and passion for photography were recognized, and I started receiving more and more offers for photoshoots. Eventually, I opened my own photography studio, specializing in family and child photography.
That was 20 years ago. Today, I am a highly sought-after photographer, known for my ability to capture the essence of childhood and the joy of family life. I have won several awards and have a long list of satisfied clients who cherish the memories I have captured. I am living proof that following your passion can lead to a fulfilling and successful career, and I inspire others to take the same leap of faith I did."
