articles/Profiles/francis-pullen-page3

Angie's Angle - Francis Pullen - part 3 of 1 2 3 4

by Angela Adams Published 01/10/2015

If you could start your business again from day one,what would you do differently (if anything)?
I would have migrated to digital cameras a few yearsearlier because of the flexibility they offer in real-timeshooting, especially at weddings where conditionschange so quickly. Having said that, I still shoot film forspecial projects, or if a client requests it, and still lovethe analogue results it gives.

What's the best single piece of business advice you'dlike to share?
Make a well-researched, solid and realistic businessplan that sets you and your style apart from otherbusinesses. Monitor it regularly and make the changesneeded to keep yourself on track - no matter howpainful they may be.

Was this what led you to offering photography walksacross the UK?
My Cambridge Photo Walks evolved from the businessplan, as I had been photographically documentingCambridge city for many years. The city has a hugediversity of population, plus another 25,000 studentsat the 31 colleges. Tourists flock in from all over theworld, there's beautiful architecture, many hidden andless well visited areas, and quite a few ghost storiesto tell. So the walks combine photographing all theseplus advising people how to get the best out of theircameras and improve their photography whilst doingso.

Not long after I started the Cambridge Walks, I startedreceiving enquiries asking if I could organise PhotoWalks in other cities, which I now do.

What's the one piece of kit - camera aside, that youwouldn't be without and why?
Actually it's not photography related at all! I alwayshave plenty of bottles of tap water on hand, becauseI dehydrate very quickly, so it's essential to replace mywater loss.

Learning to become a competent photographer isa serious challenge, one that keeps us learning andexploring - what would you say is the most importantchallenge you've faced as a photographer?
Keeping my work relevant and current, amongst a fast-changingtechnical industry, accompanied by vastlydiffering client expectations.Looking at a photographer's portfolio can be revealing- what does your portfolio reveal about you?I would hope it says I'm a more than competentphotographer who meets or exceeds a brief. Whether astraightforward corporate head shot, a full-on wedding,or an engaging portrait or model shoot.

Do you enter competitions? If so, is it with your day-to-day work or do you shoot specifically to create acompetition image?
I rarely enter competitions, but plan to become a littlemore active in that field with styled and themed shoots,created specifically with competition in mind.

What do you love the most about being a photographer?
I love engaging with the diversity of people I meet,discovering more about them and trying to reflect theircharacter in the resultant photographs. I also love thereactions when clients view their pictures.

Please Note:
There is more than one page for this Article.
You are currently on page 3

• Angie's Angle - Francis Pullen page 1
  
• Angie's Angle - Francis Pullen page 2
  
• Angie's Angle - Francis Pullen page 3
  
• Angie's Angle - Francis Pullen page 4
  

Contact Angela Adams

1st Published 01/10/2015
last update 09/12/2022 14:54:26

More Profiles Articles

There are 19 days to get ready for The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Wednesday 15th January 2025