Millie and Cam arrived with their parents and younger cousins Kate and Tom to have some portraits taken for their grandad! While we were at it... we shot some fun, funky pictures of Millie and Cam both together and individually, and lets just say mum and dad had a hard time when it came to choosing which of their fab pics they wanted up in their house, just down the road from our studio.

Here's a small selection of our favourites from the shots they decided on. We can't wait to deliver their order!

The first event was a resounding success with scores of people coming down to scope out the local arts and craft talent both from within the area and further afield. We're delighted to be exhibiting again and look forward to chatting with you all on the day.

Let's just hope the weather stays as glorious as it has been this week already!

We've been waiting for Baby Ben to come along for months, and at just four weeks old, he paid us a visit along with mum, dad and big brother Sean, who at 2 years old had been the baby of the family until very recently!

Here he is anyway... what a an absolute sweetie!

The Byrnes are supporters of Wirral Autistic Society and were the lucky and generous highest bidders for one of our portraits at the recent Wirral Autistic Society Quiz Night. The night was a great success all round, and raised a huge amount of money for a very worthy charity.

Our studio is now a massive heap of discarded props... but we wouldn't change that for the world! A lovely end to a busy day!

I know I don't post here much, but I'm constantly holed up working on projects and its easy to forget to tell you all about them from time to time.

I've promised the team I'll make more effort though, so here goes.

We've been working on a number of music based websites lately, and I wanted to create a new audio player in flash for these sites that would have a true graphic EQ. Most EQ's on the web have a simple animated EQ that does not actually follow the music but is merely there as a bit of eye candy. Why not make that eye candy functional I ask?

If you're not into the technicalities, now might be a good time to just point your browser at www.wilnomek.com to check out the player in action... otherwise, read on!

Since Flash 9 there has existed the AS3 compute spectrum method that outputs data from the audio stream into a BiteArray and then its merley a case of interpreting that data and tweaking it to fit with the front end interface.

I basically use a method of splitting the array data into 10 blocks, 5 left and 5 right and reading the upper most value to represent the peak amplitude of that particular frequency band. Then gating that data over the for upward LEDs in that band gives a realistic visual representation of the audio.

To finish I added a timer and playhead with a load progress bar, play pause button and some more eye candy with some glowing of the LEDs. This was created by storing bitmap data from the MovieClip containing the LEDs and then applying some soft processing filters, i.e. a quick blur (set to low quality) and reducing the brightness so the glow fades on playback. Then all that was needed was to draw the bitmap data back into the MC with the display mode as screen. I got quite a few interesting results experminting with visual feedback in this way but less is always more and I didn't want to push the boat out too far!

It was a fun event with lots of enthusiastic networkers from Liverpool and further afield chatting, making introductions and (hopefully) procuring and enabling new business relationships.

Usually shy of this sort of thing, our own Ian even got in on the action... see if you can spot him in the photos below!

Aside from their involvement in National Family Picnic Day, Art in the Park is making its debut at this, the Coronation Gardens Spring Fair.

We are making an appearence both to promote our family portraits, and with our photographer friend Jon Hall who will be exhibiting a range of his local photo art - a sneaky peek of which can be seen below.

The event will be starting around 10am... so we would love it if anybody local enough popped down to say hello!

http://friendsofcoronationgardens.co.uk/default.aspx

This week it was time to update their Staff photos, and what a handsome bunch they are!

Check them out over at...

www.paliltd.com

What a wonderful family...

Check out their fun, cheeky photos!

We held off as long as possible with our move to West Kirby in August last year, but now is the time to bite the bullet and change our phone number.

We're now on 01515220042 - so drop us a line for a chat, we can't wait to hear from you!

Ian, Amy & The Team

We certainly didn't forget her cheeky smile - but this time, Mum, Aunty and Nanna joined her for a beautiful generational girly portrait session!

How amazing do these ladies look?!

You wouldn't believe it of course... look at these angel faces!

These little models in the making posed and danced, with balloons and party poppers and birthday banners everywhere! We got shots of the whole group, each girl individually and everything in between!

Check out the results for yourself...

We were excited to meet her, as both of her boys are away at university, she was given a mystery clue to find us, and had no idea what her lovely sons had done! Needless to say she was thrilled with her beautiful pictures... and what mum wouldn't be!

They come in two fantastic sizes, 16x20 or 20x24... perfect for filling that empty wall or for above your fireplace.

We have them in Black and White, but as you can see from our stunning PINK version... they can be painted any colour you like!

Three lovely children with bags of energy... see for yourself in these natural photos.

The photos were a Valentine's gift for Jan's husband, whom we're sure will have been thrilled when he received them today.

They came in to the studio today for a bit of practice in front of the camera, and a chance to be photographed together one last time before they tie the knot.

This time it was Kay's turn in front of the camera, and a couple of hours later (Kay and I are fantastic competition for each other in the who-can-talk-the-most stakes!!) we had tonnes of beautiful, classy, romantic, sexy and glamorous pictures to look through.

I think Kay is an amazing role model... an upbeat, fun loving and stylish lady with very few hang ups about her beautiful post-baby body! Check her out in these fab photos!

Five going on Fifteen... Jad showed us his slick dance moves, and posed like a pro, spinning his Mickey Mouse baseball cap around for a really cool look! Mum and Nan came back today to view their pictures, and what a lovely family...

We want to wish them all the luck in the world for their trip to Bahrain - come in and see us when you're back home in the Summer!

January means corporate videography, web development and product photography for us here at Slinky, and as the rush of family portraits died down around New Year, we've found ourselves working on lots of great projects for companies large and small.

Paisley's, just a couple of doors down from our Banks Road studio asked us to photograph some of their beautiful new products.... so here's a little plug for them! Why not pop down and take a look?

The year started off with the focus on media training, primarily in the form of youth workshops on all manner of creative and technical things. From DJ and Music Production courses to Photography, VJ’ing and our ever popular Games Design course where young people involved with local schools, youth groups and charities worked to design, develop and produce their own video games. They learnt all aspects of gaming from filming each other to appear in the games, to photography, storyboarding, sound fx recording and audio production. There were some incredible results and we want to thank everybody involved!

Things took a turn for Ian in April when the focus shifted to design, development and programming for a number of large clients. He sees out 2009 well and truly embedded in a number of big, ongoing projects with plenty of smaller, one-offs along the way.

August was an exciting month for the team when we opened our new commercial premises at 111 Banks Road, West Kirby. The studio is a perfect setting for all kinds of photographic work, and Amy and the freelance team have been kept on their toes with portraits, product and corporate work, music photography and a full Wedding season to boot. The Christmas rush saw us settle in to the area for good opening longer and longer hours every day in order to accommodate all of those lovely Christmas gift portraits. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who came in to see us this year for making us feel so very welcome on Banks Road.

Looking to 2010… we have Lee Williams onboard to assist Ian with a number of projects in the pipeline relating to networking, security and generally making I.T work for you.

So at the start of a new and exciting year for us, we want to wish you, your business and your loved ones a prosperous New Year… from all at slinkymedia.

Lovely puppy dog Millie came along to play too... check out the results!

Merry Christmas all!

With a professional hair and make-up artist on site, you can feel a million dollars and create images that you and he/she will love forever.

The most popular option for our boudoir photos is this beautiful black leather album...  but products range from Digital Packages (if you want to send your pics in flirty emails) to canvases and wall art that will look sizzling on the wall of any boudoir...

...still not sure? Check out the info below which might answer some questions you have, or drop us a line to talk more about what you want out of your photos.

Postdate: 2009-09-09 20:20:06 Photographer: Amy

Eden, Ellie... can I have some of your energy please?!

Check out this cheeky little princess causing havoc in the studio...

Check out 'The Team' page on the right for details on all of us, but for now, I'll hand you over to the man himself...

"Hello! I'm Lee. My skills don't entirely fall in the area of photography, however, I come in handy around technology and I'm considered the 'networking guru' of the team. I am the more hands-on tech guy and feel comfortable around lots of loose cables and components, where others would be scratching their heads! After getting my honours degree in 2008 I have been spending my time setting up networked environments for small to medium sized businesses as well as working part-time in the job that got me through university. I joined slinkymedia to help Ian feel more comfortable, as he was outnumbered 2 to 1 and felt the place needed a more masculine touch. Only kidding! Between us we pretty much have everything covered with regards technology. We are always looking to take on exciting new projects so get in touch with the Slinky team for a friendly, hassle-free chat about how we can improve your businesses productivity, security and reliability!"

We also did some shots of the little 'uns on their own, check them out for yourself...

From chasing after the football to finger painting... we made lots of mess and got some great shots of the little man, with his beautiful big blue eyes and lovely red curls.

Firstly... we just LOVE these gorgeous gift-boxes, that we can personalise for you with a photograph of your choice and 'To' and 'From' details! Ask about these when you have your sitting!

The first package we have is perfect for grandma and grandad... auntie and uncle.... or even 'To Daddy from Daughter'...  with a little help from mum! You get 4 beautiful 6x4 prints from your sitting, all ready in glass frames, beautifully wrapped and presented in a Personalised, Photo Christmas Gift Box. The box comes in Red, Green and Blue.... and this package retails at a credit-crunching £50.00!

The second package we have includes the same 6x4 glass framed prints, the same Personalised, Photo Christmas Gift Box but also has a gorgeous felt 'Christmas Memories' album, containing a massive 20 different 6x4 prints from your sitting! This would normally cost £280.00.... but is on offer this Christmas for just £150.00!

(For those who want to go that one step further and remember their photoshoot all year round, you can add a 16 x 12 Canvas print to this package... £200.00 total!)

As usual at Slinky all of our sittings are FREE! So don't hesitate to call us to book in for yours!

01515133393

Having a team of female photographers make this a really enjoyable job for us, and we love to be a part of birthday or hen night or just-another-girlie-Saturday night fun!!

Drop us a line for more details!

Anyway... we at Slinky would like to extend a welcome to our newest neighbour, and would highly reccommend any locals pop in for a peek!

http://www.staacks.co.uk/

They've just moved into the Bridal House over in Liverpool and have a website at http://www.rocksforfrocks.co.uk/

We snapped their gorgeous bespoke:

Tiaras...

Jewellery...

...and some general Bridal images...

Aren't they just fab?!

As her birthing partner, I got to experience the whole wonderful day, and when Laila was born at 14.26... we couldn't believe what we saw! Teeny tiny Heidi (look back through the blog for her bump photos!) had managed to give birth to a chunky, chubby 8lb 5oz bundle of joy...! A full head of thick black hair, rosy cheeks and little baby feet!

Here's the first glance of her, snapped quickly in the hustle and bustle of those first few hours. We can't wait to get her in the studio for her first photos!

With Auntie Amy

With Auntie Stacy

Sadie, 8 years old...

... we even managed to rope mum, Mel in for one!!

Gone are the days of ‘mug-shot-esque’ snaps of terrified looking staff stood against your office wall, or cheesy, ‘I was in an important meeting and just happened to be photographed’ boardroom style shots. Our relaxed approach guarantees to capture the image you wish to portray for your company. Quick and painless sessions, informal and fun, we strive to bring you the best images of your team, offices and surroundings whilst capturing what your business is really about. With our efficient portable lighting set-up and backdrops you can fit us into a room at your own premises for the day, or if you prefer, join us in our West Kirby photo studio on the Wirral, where we'll also provide the coffee and biscuits!

You can have your picture taken one at a time or with your colleges around you. Two friendly female photographers aim to make the process as painless as possible – let’s face it, very few of us really enjoy having our photo taken… and for this very reason we’ll even show you your images on screen as we go to make sure you approve of them. Have your photograph taken as many times, or as few times as you like, until you are happy. We are more than happy to take on board any ideas that you, the client, have for your images, or to undertake a full re-branding, if you’re not sure what it is you actually want. Whether you like…

Classic Black and White (like our own Staff Photos)

Selective Colour (for a really lively and modern twist)

or the type of Contemporary Cropping that portrays a very current, stylised approach…

…we can talk over your ideas with you, or suggest a few of our own.

We appreciate that not everybody is always ‘in’ on photo day (coincidence, we’re sure!) So rather than bring us back, if you live close enough, send the one or two stragglers up to the studio anytime, evenings and weekends included and we’ll shoot their picture and email it straight across to you at no extra charge.

Why not give us a call to chat about your company’s image?

The results were great, with a whole lot of black and white and a dash of selective colour to add that extra little something.

We also took a few shots of their beautiful Chester office. Based in an old school, the building has tonnes of character and basking in the chilly but sensational October sunshine, the big blue sky up above does the building justice.

Mum & Dad are very proud and have started a trend with other mums & dads wanting their babies modelling careers to begin after just a few hours!

Welcome to the world, and the family, Bethany May.

Many more pics up soon!!!

Heres a couple we played with this week. More to follow!

The theme for the competition is 'You, Your Shoes and 72'... and at this point i'll hand over to Jimmy Choo who can tell you much more about this project:

From their website...

 "Jimmy Choo has designed the limited edition, Project PEP Collection to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation and are donating 25% of net sales to the Simelela Rape Centre in South Africa.

Why is 72 the key number for this project?

After exposure to HIV, victims of rape have just 72 hours to visit the clinic and start a course of potentially lifesaving PEP treatment. With funding from Project PEP, the Elton John AIDS Foundation can ensure the clinic remains open day and night, providing 24/7 access for this crucial first treatment."
 

So without much further ado... here are our entries! http://www.jimmychoo72.com/users/slinkymedia

He went through all of our props at quite a rate, then looked up with those angel eyes to ask... 'what else have you got for me then?!' Look at that smile... like butter wouldn't melt...!

Click on the portraits section on the left to find out a bit more about our portraits... or why not visit the gallery to have a look at some for yourself.

Our sittings are completely FREE - no catch there! We only want you to take home the photos you really love... whether that be our digital only package, a couple of small 7 x 5's or some unique wall art incorporating your families image, there's never a hard sell, in fact we're happy to leave you curled up on possibly the comfiest sofa in the world EVER... with a cuppa... and maybe some cake, while you look through your photo slideshow.

We're cheap, too! Seriously! I know everybody says that, and ... well, they're not. But why not pop in and have a browse of our pricelist and see for yourself. We literally only charge a fraction of the prices that the big photo corporations charge... why? Because we can. And we want you to be happy with your photos, including the price you pay!

Using purely black and white gave a timeless look, and shooting whilst we were chatting, and laughing, rather than a very posed... straight down the lens stare gives the images a personal feel and is a far cry from the intimidating, imposing look we can often see from similar shots. The modern cropping will work a treat with the re-vamped website, and generally updates their image.

The entire Hillyer McKeowen team were a pleasure to work with, and a thoroughly lovely group of people. Check out their site at http://www.hillyermckeown.co.uk/

So, what exactly would be involved in a boudoir shoot then? Well… whatever you like… really! We are an all female team for a start. So you’re never going to show up at our studio to be met by an intimidating, male photographer, who could make you feel uncomfortable rather than relaxed whilst being photographed. We always have a bottle of bucks fizz or babycham at the ready if you need that extra little something to loosen you up, but more often than not, after flicking through the albums, our prop cupboard and chatting to the girls, you’ll be all too keen to start posing away like a supermodel!

Prop cupboard? Yep! We have tonnes of great accessories from feather boas to pearls, hats, gloves and fans… but you are more than welcome to bring anything you have – in fact, we encourage it! As for what to wear, it’s really up to you, but some things just look great time after time so perhaps consider the following: long, flowing evening dresses, tight denim jeans with white or black vests and bright, pretty underwear underneath, your bridal lingerie, ‘his’ favourite lingerie (if this is a gift!) a silk robe, fishnets, corsets… and of course, those killer heels!

Your shoot can take as little or as long as you like, but bearing in mind it normally takes a few minutes to get comfortable in each outfit, and that modelling really can be very tiring(!) you’ll likely be with us around an hour to an hour and a half in total. We will then prepare your images for you to view – (retouching/airbrushing - no problem!) and have them ready for a day or two later, when you can pop back, decide on your favourite and either compile an album or choose from our wide range of prints, canvases and photo products.

Have fun with these photos, because for most, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something you probably won’t ever do again, so enjoy it for all it’s worth… and look back at your cheeky grin and beaming smile in pictures you’ll treasure forever!

We were so excited when our friend Heidi decided to get her Baby Bump out! As you can tell she is going to be a very yummy mummy.

5 weeks left and counting now and we can't wait to welcome Laila Louise into the world! Watch this space for some extremely cute newborn pics...!

We then headed down to Port Sunlight village to snap the family shots, and later on to the reception.

Jolene and Paul - you're a fab couple who deserve a lifetime of happiness together, we had a great time on your big day!

All our love, Slinky

Pop down and say hello!

Another portrait-session-post-wedding for us today, this time it was Teresa & Paul's three lovely boys and sweetheart daughter. Lilly wasn't happy having her picture taken one bit.... until we brought out Dotty that is! Then we couldn't get her out of the limelight!

It was lovely to have your guys over for your sitting... enjoy!

The rain didn't hold off but we really didn't care! With artisits like Dizzee Rascal, Calvin Harris and Basement Jaxx on the bill, 30,000 clubbers were in for a treat. Check out the photo's below and go show your support of C.A.L.M.

 www.thecalmzone.net

Family Portraits,
Actor/Model/Band/Musician/Singer Portfolios,
Pet Portraits,
New born baby & Mum's bump shoots,
Boudoir photos,
Fashion shoots,
Engagement and Anniversary photos,
Weddings and Christenings,
Product shots,
Corporate projects.

If only all children were like Sophie... our jobs would be 10 x easier!

We will be covering press for CALM (an extremly worthy charity) at Creamfields this weekend, so if you're going... have a wonderful time, and let's hope the sunshine stays out long enough to make the daytime dancing as pleasant as possible!

www.thecalmzone.net

Rena and her bridesmaids looked just stunning... congratulations you two... we hope you continue to make each other happy forever!

We had a brilliant band in today 'Local Lads Make Good' - we had a great time shooting their new promotional images with really good results. We shot for a while in the studio and then headed the 100 yards or so onto the promenade then down to the beach since it was such a gorgeous day.

This is what summers are made for!

Enjoy! :)

 We had four gorgeous girlies in today on our Best Friends Forever package. Its becoming really popular for girls to have fab, fun photos with their friends to post on their facebook or twitter site, to email to friends and family and to print off for their bedrooms!

We had loads of giggles and hopefully the girls enjoyed their time here too! Enjoy, Zoe, Laura, Abbie and Samantha!

The Holiday Inn, Runcorn was a truly lovely backdrop for this special day, not a venue we've shot at before, but one we certainly hope to return to in the not-too-distant future!

Congratulations Susan & Kev!

Moran & Co!

The Happy Couple...

The Beautiful Bride...

Susan & Kev's cheeky daughter Sophie..!

Heres a couple of shots below... we have another lovely dog coming down to play tomorrow with her two year old owner.... whoever said don't work with children or animals?! We can't wait!

We have tonnes of exciting things happening over the coming weeks, so don't hesitate to call in for a cuppa to see everything thats going on!

Love Amy-Jayne, Ian and Stacy Jo

The Slinky Team

Heres a couple of shots from today...

Well done on being so creative and making your own cake toppers guys! These are amazing and looked just like you!

Heres a couple of snaps from the day...