Latest Updates: May 2013
Well good afternoon everyone, it's the afternoon of the 20th of May, I'm just waiting for this web-site to upload my files it's being slow. So I thought I'd write an update in the mean time. If you look under the Online Store page, you'll see a new design, Yola has opened up a new online cart for it's users, so you can order one or multiple images easier. I'm just in the process of updating that page so be patient. I have two lots of news I'm keen to share, I met a great chap called Mr Richard Lee, who bought the same model motorbike as me who just needed some help and advice, and by a curious twist of fate, he's also a fantastic photographer working in film with his own dark room. So not only am I envious of his work, but I'm hoping to convince him to donate 5-10 photos for this site, to promote his work and raise lots of money for charity. He's an excellent black and white landscape photographer. Richard if your reading this it's time, no backing out NOW get in touch please! Secondly I felt inspired to photograph, a 10 pin bowling league night here in Carlisle, I'm always astounded at the understanding of Cumbrians, one phone call to a Mr Bill Riley and it was all considered in one phone call. He's at the league night tonight and he's going to put it to the members and hopefully we can organize something from there. It should be an interesting topic, rituals, uniforms, technique, competition it's got it all and probably an understated topic, I'd love to get some good shots. It should also be technically difficult as the lighting is low in the Bowling Alley, respecting the competitors space and not proving to be a distraction! I'll let you know how it goes. bye for now Matt Please if your visiting the site and like what you see even if you don't buy a photo please can you use the social media widgets at the bottom of the page in order to raise awareness for these great causes. Thank you Dear readers, welcome to my website and my attempt to raise money for these two worthwhile charities. There are many worthwhile charities and I appreciate how hard it is to support all of them. By purchasing one of my images you will be making a donation to these two charities. I would like to tell you a little abit about why I support these two charities, first of all my name is Matthew, Matt to most, I'm thirty three years old, a skilled worker and a photographer and I suffer from anxiety, not always and to varying degrees during episodes. I just wanted to highlight it's something that can happen to anyone. If you were ask any of my friends or colleagues they'd be surprised. I use this expression, "my anxieties could sink a battleship" I don't know how I can explain why I'm so sympathetic towards these two topics, without going into too much detail, I don't wish to identify the person that made me so aware of the effects of anxiety, nor embarrass anyone, needless to say she's a wonderful woman. Sadly were not together anymore for many reasons not just anxiety. I promised myself that I would and could do more to raise awareness of mental health, and to try to raise funds for these two charities. It's a cliche but making donations is a vital part of allowing these two charities to continue their vital work. My day job is quite unique and not very helpful generally to these bodies, I have little spare time and volunteering would be difficult also. If I may I'd like to elaborate more so on my financial reasons for wanting to raise money for these charities I would like to raise £600 at a time. The reason as so; This special lady in my life suffered from anxiety, we initially tried to deal with it ourselves, however it became apparent it wasn't working so we sought professional help we knew CBT therapy was already the best course of action. We knew it was a desperate situation so we went private. We were very fortunate we could afford this course of action. S, required generally 6 sessions her counselor said, she ended up having 10. Now we were so grateful to this therapist, it made a difference not immediately but helped change s's way of negative thinking and began turning the anxiety around. The sessions were £60 each. So it cost us £600, this is a huge sum of money to most normal people, most people would never consider paying this with mortgages, kids to feed, car insurance etc etc. I would prefer it if anybody who suffers from severe anxiety, shouldn't have to forego this therapy because of money. I would like to think this sum of money can change somebody's life. Please have a quick chat to close friends or family who you can trust to have an open debate, and ask them if £600 could change their life. Apart from the jokes and a few bills paid the answer would be no. But if you suffer from severe anxiety, the answer is yes. Lives, relationships, families and futures, could all benefit from this sum of money. I would prefer no-one had to go through what we had to. We suffered together equally. That's my financial aim for fundraising, multiples of £600. I was at work one day and I had an epihany instead of struggling to change career and become a full time professional photographer which wasn't going at all well and causing me alot of stress and anxiety, why not open up my image library and skills for charity, I thought why not? It's just my ego hanging onto them, what if I need that photo or that image, I can't sell them for that but I can and I will, not only that but I feel really positive about it. I'm happier my images belong to you the public just for the sum of one pound/£1.00. When I was dealing with videographers and graphic designers, marketeers and such like, one of their biggest complaints was word for word, 'but photographers want so much for their images inc royalties" I'm sorry to let down any photographers, however since I'm not David Bailey I don't think my contribution will matter. We were all just small businesses trying to eek out a living I'm ashamed now I didn't do more to help them and probably myself. So to conclude, we are all vulnerable at any time in our life to mental health issues, we must not be ashamed and we must seek help if and when we need it. Don't delay why bother? You'll feel better sooner for asking for help. In my opinion one thing that really helps is talking about it. How do you know your best friend doesn't have a mental health problem but can't share it? If you talk openly about it, you may just help someone inadvertantly and feel better. Please enjoy the images on this website, they are all available to purchase. Please use the online paypal widget there are instructions on the " Online Store " page. Or if you'd like to contact me there is an email address below: or use this link " contact me " for the contact details page. I look forward to hopefully dealing with lots of people, talking, sharing and having you satisfied with your image/s and in turn donating lots of money to the two charities I support. I urge you to please look at the charities and support them in any way which best suits you. Thank you for reading and in advance for any donations or comments or suggestions, Matt I've just joined twitter everyone, i thought it might be a productive way to reach a wider audience. I think I'm going to be lost in the melee of volume on twitter but I'm trying everything I can think of to raise awareness. Follow me at: @charitablephoto |
||||||
Monies donated to date to the two Charities: (please note updated 01st day of every month) 01st August 2013: Tommys : £53.74 Anxiety UK : £53.74 Contact details for relevant charities:
Anxiety UK: Web: http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ E-mail: info@anxietyuk.org.uk Tele: 08444 775 774 (open Monday to Friday 9.30- 5.30) Admin/office line: 0161 226 7727 Tommys Baby Charity: Web: www.tommys.org E-mail: mailbox@tommys.org Tele: 0207 398 3400 Fax: 020 7398 3479 Contact Details: E-Mail : photodocumentanxiety@gmail.com Twitter: @charitablephoto Regarding your prints: Generally I've been happy to use photobox, they produce good quality prints and items, and they have generally good customer service if and when things go wrong. Here are two links; 1. is the general site : http://www.photobox.co.uk/ 2. is specific to sizes and prices so you can double check your paying exactly the right amount for your print or item, postage and £1 donation. : http://www.photobox.co.uk/content/prices-and-services Photobox offers a wide selection of products and services please browse their selection. The image doesn't have to just be a print. Mugs, canvases, mouse pads you name it can all be customised, inc gifts. |
PHOTO-DOCUMENTING ANXIETY Dear readers, during the course of setting up this web-site it ocurred to me whether or not it would be an idea to document anxiety in some way. We all suffer different triggers, causes and effects. I wondered if photography could be used in a positive way to highlight this. My initial thought was portraits, or self portraits, if you've succesfully found a way to manage your anxiety and were happy to do so. Maybe you could send me a photo or a collection of photos that recorded your expierience, hopefully this will be positive, I thought regarding charitable fundraising, if I received enough material of quality, a calendar could be produced for christmas 2013, new year 2014. which I would collate and put up for sale to raise much needed funds. I believe the calendar might be a good idea, with respect that if your an anxiety sufferer it may help relieve your symptoms, it may be positive to know other people are affected also and finally it could be good fun, humorous and enjoyable to see other peoples photographs. No-one has to be identified all photographs will retain their owners copyright, all images/exchanges of information will be treated with the utmost confidence. The calender would be produced at cost price with a small margin which would be the donation to Anxiety UK and Tommys Baby charities split equally. The design and admin would be handled myself without cost. If anyone would like any tips on photography or how to best take a photograph with the equipment you've got then please contact me at this email address: photodocumentanxiety@gmail.com or twitter @charitablephoto, please use this address, to send your photos too. Any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch. Best regards and thanks in advance Matt |
|||||
