Monthly Archives: December 2009

2009 comes to an end

Well another year is over. It has been a very mixed year for me with the recession certainly having an impact on the business, but I’ve come through it stronger I think. Next year is looking like a bumper year of weddings, with already more in the diary than I did in 09, and getting close to topping 2008 as well. The new training business is going to be launched properly in 2010, after a few problems this year – mainly my stupid injury!I am launching a brand new portrait service for 2010 as well, which I hope will be a success.

2010 kicks off with the annual SWPP convention in London, which I’m speaking at for the third year in a row. I hope to meet up with many friends there, both old and new. Come and say hello if you’re there!

I’ve been nine and a half weeks (nice movie) in plaster now after tearing my achilles tendon back in October, which has been a real pain in every sense, with me struggling to do much, but again I’ve almost got through it. Three more weeks and I’ll be plaster-free and starting a recovery plan. I have discovered over those long weeks just how vulnerable we are in this business, and at the same time I have found that I am a much stronger, more determined person than I ever imagined. I’ve had a lot of help from both family and friends during this time and for that I will always be grateful. They say it’s at times like this you find out who your true friends are, and I certainly have. Thank you to every single one of you for support, encouragement and just making me laugh when I felt down!

I’ve finished the year off by choosing my favourite 10 wedding pictures of 2009.

I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year  I hope 2010 is a great one for you all!


Christmas,Portraits and crutches.

It’s been a busy month or so, shooting portraits of families, children and pets for Christmas. Unfortunately, as they are mostly for presents, I’m not able to post up examples at this stage. I’m working flat out now to get print orders and wedding albums out to clients before the big day! Christmas always seems to come around so quickly, but this year has been even worse. I think the fact that I’m injured has meant I’m wishing the weeks away and that maybe doesn’t help. Only a few more weeks to go before the recovery starts though.

I’ve found myself wishing for snow as I always do in the winter, without considering the consequences. I realised today just how tricky it is to negotiate snow covered paths, and frosty steps whilst on crutches! Not an easy task. Hopefully I’ll be walking (in some way) by mid January, so I hope the best snow waits until then so I can get out and enjoy it.

The last 8 weeks have been a struggle, but have given me time to look at the business and see where I need to go with it in the future. I also have a head full of ideas for great images next year, and cannot wait to get up and running again to start shooting these ideas!

I have Wick High Schools prom to photograph on Tuesday then hopefully I’ll be able to wind things up and have a few days off at Christmas for the first time since I started the business.

Welcome to John Baikie Photography

Welcome to the new blog, which replaces the Blogger one. It is still there with all the archives and can be found here OLD BLOG

I’m currently trying to get all the portrait orders out for Christmas in the hope I can have some time off this year. I also have to prepare for two Superclasses I am presenting at the SWPP Convention in London in Mid January. Then I will be looking at some exciting new plans for next year.

Wedding bookings have gone through the roof for 2010, so it looks like a good year.  I’ll be launching some new products and services in the New Year so watch this space!

The other business John Baikie Training will be launching a whole series of seminars, courses and workshops for all abilities, both here in the Highlands and throughout the UK, and possibly overseas! Again – watch this space.

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