Tag Archives: Dutch

Networking Images

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I’ve met up with my friend KB. yesterday. We’ve known each other for quite some time but while I was still living in the Lowlands she decided to move to London at some point, came back to the Lowlands after a few years and then moved back again to London. I moved a few times myself over the years and because of that I lost contact with her. Lucky me I registered a while ago with a website similar to Friends Reunited and found out that she basically lived ‘around the corner’ from me in London for two years before she decided to move to Surrey. I asked her to come along to the annual Picture Buyers’ Fair organised by the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies. It’s a good opportunity to do some networking and see MvdM. at work *LOL*. Although I didn’t expect much it turned out to be a really awesome day.

I talked with some very interesting people which reminds me that I still have to visit a website of a photographer who had some amazing pictures on display. I promised to email him because we ended up having a discussion about web design and how most websites look like crap and so unprofessional. When I mentioned this I was trying to be modest and didn’t use those exact words but he bluntly corrected me and we had a good laugh about it. His pictures are the kind that will keep you intrigued for hours, staring at them. Pictures of forgotten ancient places, specialising in the fantastic and the supernatural. Eight books have been published by him and he had numerous exhibitions worldwide. Some of his pictures are part of famous collections in London, Paris and California. I will ask him if I have permission to use one of his pictures here.

I also met a very nice Dutch woman: while KB. and I were discussing something, she overheard the conversation and we ended up having lunch together and talked for at least half an hour. She lives in Scotland, is a photographer and has her own business. She was extremely interested in my photography and offered to represent me. So if all goes well my pictures will be archived and for sale soon. This is the third professional photographer who shows interest in my pictures which is great. I will also be represented by another company who asked me a while ago if I was interested in putting my pictures up for sale. I haven’t done anything about it yet: I have about 4000 on archive and will have to make a selection first which is going to take quite some time, but it will be fun and I’m really looking forward to this!

In the meantime I’m still busy designing the second phase of a website for a new company that needs branding. I’m not allowed to write anything but it’s fun and quite a challenge and I’ll be working on this over the weekend. I’ve been looking at cameras for some time already and always said to myself that the one I currently use is fine but if this is going to be a success it won’t take much to convince myself to upgrade to a better camera… Just the thought of all this is extremely uplifting and the fact that people seem to appreciate my images on a professional level is the best compliment I could ever get! I’m eager to take the next step! *hehe*

M. at work *hehe*

Repetition

Overview

Business Design Centre

Bless Me!

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I’m always surprised how easy it is to start taking certain things in life for granted. And as soon as that hits me I feel ashamed because I should be grateful for what I have and count my blessings instead. I had a tough Wednesday night this week when I was reminded again of some very unpleasant moments last year. And since I wasn’t made to feel welcome by all the harsh remarks that were made, I ended up running out of the house in tears. I had to get away from the ghosts for a few minutes and called MvdM. to get things off my chest while I wandered around the area. I stayed out for 45 minutes, it was cold and freezing that evening, but I didn’t really notice.

After a really bad night, I woke up the next morning feeling extremely down and not in the mood to make any changes that would contribute to my near future. I ended up communicating with two people who are the closest ones in my life at the moment. And after some time when I took a short break, making my first mug of coffee in the kitchen that day, it suddenly hit me while I stared at the kettle waiting for the water to boil. I was thinking about my conversation with MvdM. the previous night and about the conversation that I was having with JB. I felt embarrassed and wondered what the hell happened to my willpower and why I still allowed someone to control me like this.

Instead of judging the situation or myself, I started thinking about all the amazing gifts I had received over the last few weeks. A beautiful Valentine’s message, wonderful words of appreciation left by my readers, phone calls from friends across the Canal and from Scotland, encouraging emails, a bright sunny Sunday so I could go out and enjoy the scenery and satisfy my photography addiction, the foxes that I saw nosing each other out in the middle of the night only a few metres away from me, lunar eclipses, birds singing at dawn, an ex-colleague but most of all a dear friend telling me he misses me, trees blossoming and JB. showing me a different perspective and the right angle that morning…

I managed to snap out of it because JB. reminded me to put myself in a better place, which was the greatest gift someone could’ve given me that day. I wrote an email to a recruitment agency that MvdM. had suggested to me: set up by former colleagues of his. He had gone there to have a chat with them that same Thursday morning. A few emails later I was invited for an interview on Friday at ten which lasted for almost two hours. That, is extremely unusual over here but I had a great time talking to this woman who had also been a recruiter in Amsterdam for a few years up until some months ago. She has given me extremely useful information and advice and I felt that finally someone had taken time to listen to me!

Since yesterday I already have three inspiring options through this agency, with three awesome [design] companies here in London. Both design companies work with Dutch clients and being Dutch is a major advantage in this case since the Dutch clients prefer to communicate in their own language. One of these clients is based in Amsterdam and it means I would have to fly and work there on the project for a few weeks. The third job option is a well-known charity within the UK and international. So I will be busy over the weekend finishing some portfolios in PDF format which will be send out to these [design] companies on Monday.

I will start freelance but two roles have the potential to become a full time creative directors position… The universe is smiling at me again, so please let me not forget how to hold on to this feeling this time, but if I do, don’t hesitate to remind me! *hug*

Can you hear him sing?