Strawberry trip, Surreal landscape photography

Prop making - fairy boat

Lately I've been wanting to promote my surreal wedding photography, but I thought to do that I'd need some more examples! I turn to fairy tale type art for inspiration and found this lovely painting (unfortunately I don't know who the artist is) 

Here are some steps I took to making my boat:

I drew out the outline of the bottom of the boat on thin cardboard. I then cut a long stripe for the side the boat and used to masking tape to keep it together

After securing the shape with masking tape, I then covered it in brown parcel tape. I did this to make the boat stronger but to also make the base brown.

Then, using a hot glue gun I stuck on sticks that I had collected on a dog walk. I used fairly straight and thin sticks to I could easily break them to the length I needed.

I made the sail using a thicker stick and glue gun glue to make the spider web net in the middle. I added a few small paper flowers for decoration and my boat was complete!

Here is the final photo!

If you're interested in a shoot with the fairy boat for your wedding, Please don't hesitate to get in contact, at becky.netley@live.co.uk 

Thanks! 

10 New year resolutions for creative folks.

I love the idea that in the new year you can start a fresh, do all the things you wanted to do the year before but life got in the way. Well I'm going to try to make time for new things next year, things that can inspire my creativity! I've tried to keep the list to simple things that we can all do that will help our creativity flow...

• Keep a journal or sketchbook. I know alot of people will find it difficult to know what to put in them but there's plenty of inspiration on Pinterest, (you can check out my inspiration board here) or you can buy journal prompt books like 'wreck this journal' by Keri Smith.  

  

  
  

• Read more creative blogs. My current favourite creative blogs are A beautiful Mess, Lets do something crafty and Make it your own. In 2016 I'd like to find more inspiring blogs! 
• Go see more art. If you take the time to do a little research you can probably find loads of art in your local area. Last year I didn't take enough advantage of the Artist Open Houses, but next year I plan to see more, its free and you probably get to meet and chat to the artist. 
• Try more crafts. This is were following the creative blogs comes in handy. This year the new crafts I tried were, making tree decorations, making christmas crackers and biscuit decorating. There's so many things to try, and even if it doesn't work how you planned, at least you tired and you can always improve!
  
• Network with other artists/ creative folk. 
• Go explore! Take a long walk somewhere new, let yourself get lost, who knows what you may find. 

  

  This is the downs where me and my dog, alfie, like to explore!

• Make a collage for new projects. Find images, quotes, adverts, anything that inspires your new project and make a collage! 
• Take more photos. (and no I don't mean just selfies) 
• Write a letter. Don't use facebook chat, or text, pick up and pen and paper and write a letter. There are charities that encourage you to write to people, for example, www.postpals.co.uk where you can write a letter to a sick child. 
• Try out creativity booster games. These games are designed to get your brain thinking in ways, to come up with ideas you may have never thought of. Here is a website to trycreativitygames.net

So there we have it, 10 new years resolutions for creative folks!

Hope you all have a wonderful new year and don't forget to check this blog for new posts every week!

Becky x

Artists Palette - Photo

Testing some new ideas for children's shoots, this ones made for kids who love a little bit of art! 

My favorite instagram accounts to follow

I've recently become slightly addicted to Instagram, and its no wonder really, with thousands of accounts and tonnes of awesome people to follow! The accounts I follow usually tend to be art or photography based, but I also like some food, fashion and pet accounts as well. Here are my favs..

@mermaidens  - I simply love the style of Kailey Flyte and adore her outfits and photos. Think pink! 

@Joelrobison   This guy has some serious skills and I've personally been a fan of his work for a while, so following his account was a no brainer for me.

@arts_help is a great account that showcases artists of instagram, helping them to gain followers. Check it out for some amazing work.

@Alexbeadon - If your a business owner or freelancer and you haven't checked out this girls videos, then get on it! Alex shares such useful info on how to build your business. Her instagram is full of inspiration as well.

@happy.soul - Self taught artist who creates these beautiful illustrations that are simply instagram gold! 

@bodyposipanda - This girl is such an inspiration, she openly talks about her recovery from an eating disorder and she is proof that recovery is possible! She posts inspirational and body positive images! 

@Effyourbeautystandards  This account was set up by super famous plus size model Tess Holiday. She campaigns for plus size women everywhere to feel good about themselves. I love seeing pics of photoshoots with plus size women. Follow this account for inspiring pics and quotes!




Don't forget to follow me as well  @beckynetleyphotography 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Take a trip to the sugar palace, Via the candy land! (New shoot pics)

Summery feeling

Waiting...

DIY: Photo necklace

You'll need:

• A watch case
• A small photo or somewhere you can get one printed. 
• Necklace thread/string or chain. 
• Scissors
• Optional necklace charms (from old necklaces or bracelets)

1. You can probably pick up an old watch from a charity shop, car boot sale or online. I was lucky enough to have access to tonnes of watch cases as my dad used to make watches. 

2. Once I knew what photo I wanted to put in the case I measured the diameter of the glass so that I could get the right size for the photo. On photoshop I was able to make the photo the correct size for the frame. If you're not sure how to do this, you could just guess, although it may take a few tries before you get the right size! 

3. Because the photo was printed square I drew around the case back to get the correct circular shape.

4. Once I cut a circle around the photo, I placed it in the case, right up against the glass. Then I closed the back of the case. (please excuse my chipped nails!)

5. I then attached the photo necklace to the thread and tied a knot at the top, leaving enough room for me to fit my head through.. You can pretty much use any thread or chain that goes with your picture. I got mine from the Bead Shop down the Lanes in Brighton, where they have a HUGE choice of colours and materials.

6. I added some beads that I saved from an old bracelet to add a little decoration. You could try this or leave it as it is!

FIN.

I've been making these to sell as I'm planning on doing a stool down at the Brighton Open Market this summer. I also have some work current up down at Sunshine arts cafe on Hove street near, where you can buy cards/prints and some of these necklaces! 

The creative person's 'quit list'.

I came across a blog today called 'Cordelia calls it quits' written by a lady who gave up her day job to pursue her passion. Shes got tonnes of great articles to check out when you're lacking in motivation, Click here for her site. Anyway on her blog she makes a list of things that shes going to quit, for example things that don't benefit her life or help her to pursue her goals. This gave me the idea to write a list of things that we should probably quit as creative people to help us develop our practice. 

Lets get started...

We need to STOP..

1. Judging ourselves. Although seemly impossible to do, we have to practice being non judgemental of our work and just enjoying the process of making. After all thats why we started right?
2. Comparing work. Again we're all guilty of this and sometimes it can motivate us, but most of the time it just causes unnecessary worries about ourselves and our work. There is probably someone out there comparing their own work to yours and wondering why they can't be like you! 
3.  Being impatient. The best things in life take time, like great art work or a steady freelance business. I often get impatient, wondering why I'm not a full time photographer yet, hoping that it'll suddenly happen over time. But of course I know it doesn't work that way, and although its been a slow process, I've definitely come along way from when I started out, I just need to remember this. 
4. Feeling guilty. Just because you're not doing a 9-to-5 job and some days may be slow doesn't mean you need to feel guilty about doing something you love. If you enjoy it but work hard then what is there to be sorry about? 
5. Second-guessing pursuing your dream
6. Worrying about the future. Enjoy the now! (Learn some mindfulness techniques for this!)
7. Perfectionism. Sometimes I'm a super perfectionist with my work, and if I show it and I'm not 100% happy with it, I will always judge that photo. I need to get rid of this idea and just enjoy the process of creating it. 
8. Letting people take advantage. When you're starting out in a creative career path, you usually do things for cheap or even free! (God knows I did my fair share of freebies) This can become a little bit of habit, but you have to learn your worth! You need to remember that you are doing them a service, and you deserve the right pay for that. 
9. Saying YES to every job, even though its not worth it. Saying yes to a job even though, for whatever reason you are doubting it, don't do it, its often more trouble than its worth. 
10. Being fearful of showing our work.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this. I'd love to hear any ideas you have for your creative quit list!

Many thanks to Cordelia's great blog for inspiration and motivation! 

http://www.cordeliacallsitquits.com/

11 ideas to supercharge your creativity

We all get days when we lack ideas and inspiration and creativity seems like a distant memory. Well never fear, here are some ways to supercharge your creativity and get productive! 

                                                                         Pinterest

This is one of my favorite sites for inspiration. The site lets you save ideas onto different boards (like mood boards) which is handy if you have a number of projects. You can search ideas, follow other pinners boards, and even have secret boards for things you don't want other to know about! 

Its also a great way to network, as it allows you to upload your own work, either from your computer, or your website.

If you have pinterest already, check my boards out here

Experiment. 

Try out new techniques, materials or styles. Explore different ways to get creative! Join a new group, research artists and their techniques, give it a go yourself. Even if you don't think you'll be any good, we all have to start from somewhere.

Keri Smith Books

These books are great fun, whether you're artistic or not. Last year I started 'Wreck my journal' and had such fun that when I finished it, I made my own journal, following the lines of Keri Smiths idea. Each page gives instruction on what to do to that page, for example, 'fill this page with circles'. The books urge you to get creative and use your imagination.

Example page from 'Wreck this journal' 

My decorated cover.

Allow randomness. 

Ever had a crazy random dream? Bet it was probably the most creative one you've ever had! Keep note of any random ideas or thoughts. Doesn't make it if doesn't make much sense, it could lead to some amazing work in the future. I carry a little note book with me whenever I travel just incase a great idea forms!

Give yourself a starting point or a set of guidelines. 

If someone said 'just draw anything', that could be a little overwhelming! So getting a starting point narrows your ideas down so that you can really focus on what to do. Starting points can include simple words, colours, sayings, objects or a theme. Another way of narrowing down your ideas is to give yourself some guidelines, for example not being able to use a paintbrush, or must use another body part other than hands.

Try not to think to much about a concept. 

Concepts are great but this is about getting those creative juices flowing! Sometimes we can just create something and then realise that it reflects how we're feeling, and we notice the concept after. But don't stress if you cant figure one out, art doesn't always need it, if you enjoy making it, then thats the main thing!

Go to an exhibition

As simple as it sounds, its not something we often remember to do. Even going to sit in a cafe and check out the art on their walls can bring inspiration. Don't forget the Brighton Fringe Festival this year for some great exhibitions, many of which are free!

Other ideas include:

• Watching a film that inspires you. (One of mine is 'the nightmare before christmas') 
• Going for a walk 
• Starting a blog! Start writing about something that you really enjoy or find interesting. My blog has really helped me research things that I wanted to share with my readers. 
• Do something you enjoyed as a kid. Eg Finger Painting, paper mache, Fimo!

PS I've hit 1000 views on my blog! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this, I hope you get something good out of it.

Becky x

Creating the moon [scenery creation for shoot]

Although annoying at times, I did really enjoy the building of Candyland. My second idea for a kids shoot, maybe one that would appeal to boys as well, was a trip to the moon! Obviously there was no way of me taking good enough photos (without a really expensive camera) of the moon, so I decided to make one!

I took inspiration from the Wallace and Gromit episode with the cheese moon. 

I moulded the moon out of air dry clay, using just my hands as I didn't have any modeling tools. The pole in the middle is for a flag which I can use to write the name of the child in the shoot. 

This is the basic layout I'll use for the set. 

After painting the background a navy blue colour, I added some stars with yellow paint. 

Here is the moon in front of the background with a little flag.  

Here's the cute alien I made to accompany the little astronauts on their trip! 

I am now on a search to find a brave 

young soul to be the first to travel

 to the moon. Any parents interested in a free shoot, please contact me via email becky.netley@live.co.uk 

Making of the candyland shoot. Part 1...

I've always been in love with all things sweet, so when I saw Katy Perry's California Gurls music video, I was totally inspired! I've had the idea for a while to create scene's that I can photoshop people into and the candyland would be perfect for children's shoots!

Scene shot from the video.

The music video was directed by one of my favorite artists, Will Cotton, who paints most portraits with confectionary themes. Below are some pieces from him that I adore!

After I collected inspiration, I made a moodboard on photoshop:

So with this in mind, I went sweet shopping, armed with a long list of classics. Its fair to say that with a successful and run trip, although it was tempting to nibble on them!

I varnished the lollipops, then I drew on the red stripes with a sharpie. To make the lollies stand up, I stuck them in gummy drops.

In the background I knew I wanted mountains of ice cream, so I practiced my painting skills to create a backdrop, which was inspired by these photos I found on pinterest:

Theres still a long way for me to go before the final image, but I'm so excited about it, and hope to take some more scenes in the future, but here is what I've done so far:

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2.