Guest post: Photography tips from Lisa Takes Pictures

Ah, hello there! I’m Lisa from www.lisatakespictures.blogspot.co.uk, a photography and fashion blog based around my photography work.  I’m currently a second year photography student at UCLan in Preston but I’ve been doing my own personal photography since the beginning of 2010.  Everyone seems to ask ‘how did you get into photography?’ and the answer is – I don’t really know!  I’m one of those girls who brings a camera to every single outing she goes on, so I think it just started out of habit.  

I remember being in Gran Canaria and taking pictures of dolphins at an aquarium and saying to my mum that I should be a photographer (really random, I know!).  I saved up a lot of money and in January 2010 I got my first ‘proper’ camera – a Nikon D90, which is still what I use to this day!  Now three years on I’ve worked with various clothing brands, built up a good portfolio & made some really good friends and contacts along the way!

If you’re thinking of going into photography, these are my top five tips to help you along the way:

1.     Invest in a good DSLR – I think this goes without saying.  Don’t rely on your phone/a compact camera to get you through.  If you’re serious about becoming a photographer, you need a good camera!

2.     Never use the automatic settings! – Before I started university, I always used the automatic settings... Big no-no! Manual mode gives you so much more freedom and you learn a lot more by experimenting with it.

3.     Shoot what makes you happy – Don’t be pushed into an area of photography that doesn’t interest you.  In my first year I was encouraged to take part in a lot of documentary work and it just didn’t interest me at all and made a lot less enthusiastic about photography! Now I know what I want to do and what makes me happy! And definitely don’t be afraid to try out your own ideas. Got an idea for a great shoot? Do it! Don’t let anyone else’s ideas hold you back. Unique ideas are always the best!

4.     Have an online presence & build up a good portfolio online – The main reason I started blogging was to create an online presence for lisatakespictures.  A lot of clients prefer to see digital versions of work these days, due to technology advances etc.  So make sure you have some work online!

5.     Make contacts! – I can’t stress this enough.  I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some great brands, do you know why?  Because I emailed people, I got talking to people and I made contacts! It’s so important, especially if you want to get into the fashion industry!

And that’s it!  Remember to check out my blog www.lisatakespictures.blogspot.co.uk for more tips and to see some of my shoots!

lisatakespictures

xo

Go Green For St Patrick's Day!

Everyone Loves to get dressed up for St Patty's day, whether its just to be casual, at work or for a night on the town. I have created 3 St Patrick's Day inspired looks that won't turn you into the Incredible Hulk!

1) Keeping it casual: A floral print dress is perfect for a casual day. By using the little amount of green in he dress and pairing with with green accessories all over give the perfect look.

2) Work ready: Want to wear green at the office and still keep it office approved? Wearing a simple green tee under a black blazer keeps things down a notch. Pair it with a green statement necklace for a more bold look.

3) Night on the town: Going out on St Patty's is the best part! A leather skirt paired with a collared blouse leaves lots of room to play with green. Bold green booties to keep it fun and lots of accessories! 

xo, Janelle at GlamorousMama

Celeb Style: Selena Gomez

The Wizards of Waverly Place star has wowed teens all over the globe with her casual yet stylish candid looks over the years. However, the 20 year old is now impressing fashion critics around the world.

The actress has been spotted stepping out on the red carpet a lot recently due to the release of her latest flick "Spring Breakers." The film sees Selena shed her Disney past and this is certainly being reflected in her style. 

The recently single Selena has been spotted wearing a Dolce & Gabbana figure-hugging black lace gown that’s definitely sexy. Sticking with the black theme, Selena was seen wearing a very stylish black Thomas Wylde jumpsuit that just showed off the right amount of cleavage. She’s been contrasting these edgy looks by wearing a beautiful, ladylike Blumarine pencil skirt and chiffon blouse which shows that the starlet can do understated sexy perfectly. As well as these two looks, the singer has been showing some love for Atelier Versace. She’s been suiting up and donning the tailored look with a plunging neckline that screams sexy, glamming up in another Versace strapless gold leather dress and looking sexy, sophisticated and chic in an elegant nude Versace gown.

Thank you to Jemma from Bamboozle Beauty for today's Celeb Style post. Check out her blog and Twitter! :)

Wednesday Wishlist - by ashllyd.com

1. shirt

2. skirt

3. jumper

4. bag

5. shoes

I chose the fun, slightly dangerous, upbeat and dangerous neon trend. I actually believe it or not, based the whole wishlist around the shoes which I have literally fallen head over heels in love with. They look super easy to walk in, comfortable and they'll go with just about everything in my wardrobe. Win win! I have seen a few people style neon coloured jumpers and I think the pink one on the Glamorous website is my favourite one I have come across. It looks super bright, statement but slouchy and soft at the same time. Together with the absolutely gorgeous skirt from Lashes of London and the lovely bag with the subtle splash of neon pink; I think this outfit would be perfect for any time of day. Now all I need is glorious payday to buy it all and a date night with my boy or maybe some friends who are free for cocktails in London!     - Ashllyd XO

Thank you so much to Ashleigh from Ashllyd.com for today's Wednesday Wishlist! Be sure to check out her blog, YouTube and Twitter.

Guest post: Animal testing by Lornalouise

Parabens free - check. Sulphates free - check. Mineral oil free - check. Silicones free - check. Synthetic colour and fragrance free - check. Cruelty free - No?

We all want our skincare, makeup and clothes to be as natural as possible these days, in my book ‘natural’ includes cruelty free.

Just because we are the most successful mammal on our planet, why does that give us the right to torture and kill other animals for our gain or pleasure.

I recently watched a video from PETA on the increased activity in real fur procurement for the fashion industry and it really made me think; what was I putting animals through for what I put on my face everyday. I had a look at Peta online and was amazed to find that of all the brands or makeup and skincare I use (which is about 30) only a handful categorically did not test on animals. These were Dermalogica, E.L.F, Burt’s Bees, Hourglass, LUSH, Neals Yard Remedies, Stila, Tarte, The Body Shop, Urban Decay.

Notice the shocking lack of the big names.

Animals are not lab toys, they’re intelligent creatures that experience pain, fear, loneliness, frustration and sadness. What is worse is that the results of these tests are often inaccurate, further more these tests are not even required by law. Even if a product has blinded a bunny, it can still be sold for you to use.

I’ve discovered from Peta that scientists have actually developed tests that can be carried out in vitro using artificial human tissues such as skin and eyes that react exactly the same as a living human would. What’s more is that these tests not only end unimaginable suffering but they save the companies money as these new tests are faster and cheaper.

Animals being used for tests are not the only ones suffering at the hands of humans.  Last year 143 racehorse deaths were recorded following races. However, the true figure is likely to be about 30 per cent higher. Of the 143 horses most of the deaths resulted from broken limbs, backs and shoulders, as well as cardiovascular failure. Many of these injuries are caused because the fences they are forced to jump are too difficult for them or something so simple as the ground being too hard. The British Horse racing Authority (BHA) simply never publish clear or complete data on the horses killed.

Animal Aid is the UK's largest animal rights group and one of the longest established in the world. They organise peaceful campaigns against all forms of animal cruelty. They investigate and expose animal cruelty, and their undercover investigations are often used by the media, bringing these issues to public attention. Animal Aids ‘RaceHorse DeathWatch’ was launched during the 2007 Cheltenham Festival. It aims to expose and record every on-course thoroughbred fatality in Britain. Last year while the Aintree’s April 2012 meeting killed three horses, five died at the Cheltenham Festival just a month earlier.

This years Animal Aid are once again campaigning at the festival and ethical cosmetics retailer Lush are doing even more than just not testing there products on animals, they are actively campaigning alongside Animal Aid. As of 7th March a converted ambulance emblazoned with stark protest imagery and a powerful short film on the side of the vehicle was screened continuously, leafleting took place outside every major bookmaker in Cheltenham and Lush are featuring a striking window display to draw attention to the horses who have died at recent festivals.

Also there will be a protest on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival itself (today) at which ‘tombstones’ bearing the names of the dead thoroughbreds will be displayed, while a mourner reads out a short eulogy for each horse. A series of equally forceful initiatives relating to Aintree will be announced shortly which I hope Lush will be Equally involved in.

Lornalouise Wotherspoon

www.beautyandkittens.blogspot.com

This is a guest post for the e-tailPR blog, all views and opinions are the writer’s own and do not represent those of e-tailwebstores.