Getting to know….
Jemma Watts is one of our suppliers and we thought our blog readers would appreciate finding out a bit more about her so we asked her a few questions….
1. What do you do?
I am a professional photographer, based in East London, I live right byLondonfields. I have two companies Pearl Pictures, which is wedding photography and I also do food and lifestyle commercial photography with my other company called Jemma Watts Photography.
2. How did this type of work interest you?
And how did you get started?- I have always loved and art and been creative. I was given a camera when I was thirteen years old and that’s when it all started really, I was always taking photographs. I worked at a graphic design agency for a few years before I made my break into the world of photography. I got a job assisting a well known photographer,and worked for him for just over two years which was great.I then went on to work for myself shooting food and lifestyle for clients. The first wedding I shot was for friends about nine years ago now! Just over two years ago I decided to do this properly and market myself as a wedding photographer and this is when Pearl Pictures began.
3. How long have you been doing it?
Pearl Pictures officially began over two years ago now, and Jemma Watts Photography has been running for longer, but I have been a professional photographer for just under ten years.
4. What is the favourite part about your job?
The brilliant thing about my job is the variety! Its so different day to day. With the weddings it is fun to meet so many varied people and to shoot so many beautifully styled events. With the food and lifestyle its all about the details and lighting, making everything look great!
5. What is a typical day like for you?
When I’m not shooting, I get up, go for a run. I edit and collate images from various projects and I have lots of meetings with potential clients and suppliers. Otherwise shoot days consist of being on my feet taking photos.
6. What is the biggest success you have had at your job?
Something that made me proud and felt like a big success happened after shooting an event inTuscany, I received a letter from a young boy’s mother thanking me for inspiring her son to take up photography. She said I had changed his life from being a boy who had no direction to now being passionate about a career and so much more involved with people and the world around him.
7. What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
Just getting peoples reactions to their photos, I love it when they are pleased with what I’ve captured from their day.
8. Do you have any hints and tips for budding photographers wanting to take more interesting shots?
Be observant, look past the obvious and the obviously exotic! Look for inspiration everywhere and create mood boards of the things you like, the colours the lighting, the settings, the atmosphere. Don’t replicate it, but draw your own inspiration from it, think about it. Your shots are bound to be more exciting!
