Stamford Photo Express Weblog

Nothing to see here, just a test so please move on. Thank You!

Star-date 26/07/2008

Stamford Photo Express completes a milestone delivery just a matter of a few days prior to its 10 anniversary of opening in 1998.

I am happy to announce that after a few emails flitting backward and forward through the ether, both myself and my partner Karon Gillard were able to deliver a large Film Process order to Miss Helen Lee. “Mmm ok” - I hear you say, that is a lot of film. But what made this delivery special was the fact that it was made in Cumbria.

It is very important for me as a SPE’s owner to point out that we have never achieved anything like this before with a member of the public. Granted we have the odd order coming in from neighboring counties by post but nothing as amazing as this. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Helen again for taking the time to not only look us up via the internet search engines but also to believe in the service that we offer over her local outlets. The fact that Helen found our website amongst hundreds of others out there and then for us to be able to produce and deliver her work has just blown me away, I hope that this can be the start of more great experiences like this.

It was a great weekend away for us in addition to the work element. The weather was great and Karon took some great photos which we shall be uploading to the SPE Photo-Stream soon. We are also hoping that it will be possible for us to upload some images from Helen’s trip aswell. Keep an eye on the Photos page of the main website for updates - alternatively join in the fun and send some of your own images.

Hi folks.

Andy back on the Blog again. I’m here this week to announce that we are now tempting all you artistically creative types out there with our new Scrap-booking range of products.

Scrap-booking is the latest in creative craft to hit the UK shores and is proving ever popular not just in a traditional scrap-book sense but also in conjunction with the photography market. You can now buy all the products that you require here at our store. We have a wide selection of individually packed components to choose from and for the beginner to this craze, a complete kit.

The choice of Album, paper and components are all part of the fun of Scrap-booking, instead of just buying an Album to put your pictures in, now you create and display your own memories in a very special way that is completely unique. Great fun too!

Pop in and check out our new range of Scrap-booking products and components brought to you in association with Ebay’s very own Crafty Lady.
You can find her at www.stores.ebay.co.uk/Crafteelady1

Hi blog readers, I hope you are busy making the most of the glorious British Summer??????? Perhaps you are taking loads of great images either for print or maybe for uploading on to the SPE Photostream - more updates on that in a later blog.

But for now it gives me pleasure to announce that we are working with a very talented local artist called Ash Kaye. His work could be described as street/graphic/pop art and is very individual in style.

One of Ash’s canvas images is now currently on display in our window.

Please note that this Original Canvas is now available to buy from the Extreme clothing store not far from us on Broad Street.

Ash specializes in Canvas and print designs and he approached us to produce his work here at SPE - how could we refuse. He has other limited edition images that we have produced for him exhibit and these are available to buy. A new example from his collection titled “English Rose” is on display in our window.

You can contact him direct for a viewing by calling 07800904946 or emailing AshKayeDesigns@Hotmail.com

Check out these very special pieces of work produced by a very talented artist and lets give Ash a chance to succeed.

Andy

Just testing to see if we can upload a picture into a post without any problems… On this picture we can see Andy as he’s listening to one of his favorite music podcasts out there…. Spacemusic hosted by *TC*.

Works for me,
Thanks!

Hi blog readers, here are the up to date course dates for the month of June.

Part 1

From camera to computer - Wednesday 4th of June

Part 2

Computer to print - Wednesday 18th of June

Please note that following these dates SPE will take a break from this course through the summer months recommencing in September.
You can pop into the shop or Telephone 01780 410078 to book your place on either of the above nights.

Further information about these and other photographic courses is available at www.pm-images.co.uk or email photo@pm-images.co.uk

We now are able to offer something new for Digital camera owners in and around the Stamford area.

At the start of the year we tentatively tested the possibility of running courses here at the shop for small groups of up to four people. These took place during early evening after closing time.

I am now pleased to announce that this has become a regular event and that the courses shall be running for the foreseeable future. We will be hoping to assist all the complete beginners out there who have either just purchased a new digital camera or have had one for a while without realizing its full potential.

The course itself, tutored by Mr Pete Murry, will run in two parts as follows:

PART 1 From camera to computer
This stage of tuition will cover the transfer of images from your camera onto your computer and then the organizing of them once they are there.

PART 2 Computer to print
The second stage of the course will include basic editing using a piece of software called PICASSA (download-able via the internet) and then the transferring of your images to either CD or USB memory stick ready for printing. This evening will also include a brief demonstration by myself of the operation of our instore APM Digital Order Point and then the actual printing of images on the main Print Processor.

For information on availability and dates of our next courses you can either subscribe to our blog, just keep an eye on the blog through our website, or alternatively pop in and collect an information leaflet available on request.

Look forward to seeing you.
Andy

You can always print your precious photos on canvas! It’s a creative and artistic way of displaying the best shots from your collection to family and friends. There is an example of this type of placed in our window. Please pop by and have a look we have other examples instore.

This stunning shot of the Rotterdam skyline by night is titled “Serenade” and was provided by TC who lives in Rotterdam NL. It is available to buy along with others from his collection. For more information don’t hesitate to email us via the contacts page here on the website.

Discounts are available at the moment if you are interested in creating your own high quality artwork in a similar way: We are offering 10% off our usual list price

For more information please visit our shop.

Hi again Blog-Readers, how are you doing?

Andy here asking for your feedback and any ideas, not only for the Blog but also the website. Are you enjoying the features, the Photostream, the Jukebox, if you are or you have any ideas hints or advice for fellow customers then let us know. One of our customers, Mr Allam, was particularly impressed with the Jukebox feature you can read his comments in our Guestbook, just click on the contact button and there it is.

You can reply to this blog by clicking on the Comments section and leaving a reply for us on whichever topic you wish, once you have entered you text you just click on submit easy as that. Come on let us know what you are up to and what you think of the blog subjects.

Please also feel free to send us your favorite images via email attachments and we can add them to the SPE Photostream, then fame and recognition will be yours as other website users will be able to view and comment on your great images.

Feel free to add your feedback to our Guestbook, this feature is rather underused at the moment and I would very much like to see that change. Have you received good service with SPE? Were you happy with the quality of your work? Did you enjoy your sitting with us in the portrait studio?

These are all important things for us to gain your opinions and thoughts on. We need this level of feedback to help us promote and establish the SPE Imaging Experience in Stamford further. So please don’t be shy get typing and help us spread the word and the quality of work around the Stamford area.

Thanks for reading.
Andy

Christmas has come and gone we are in the new year of 2008 and its cold, wet and grey outside.
Sounds dreary doesn’t it?
But, hey we all have holidays to plan. Even me!! Don’t know how I managed that???

Most importantly if we plan to travel abroad we will need our passports, you know those little books with our dreaded mugshots in that we would much rather keep closed so no one can see how bad the picture is.

We are now able to produce your pictures for passport applications or renewals in a matter of minutes with the help of a new digital/wireless system that we have in store. Bookings are only required for babies and small children as we can cater for adults, teenagers and children straight away.

No more of that messing around in photo booths spending anything up to £10 trying to get the image right, only to have it rejected. We know exactly what is required for your images to conform with the regulations, but please remember that because of the stringent rules imposed on us by the Passport Authorities you are not here for a fashion shoot, so please do be prepared to do as we request. At a cost to you of only £6.50 for this while you wait service it represents great value for money.

By having your passport photos taken by us you are guaranteed as we will re-shoot any images that do get rejected FREE OF CHARGE. We are also endorsed by the Main Post Office in Stamford and work quite closely with them to make sure that this whole process is as stress and hassle free as it can be. Just what you need to hear.

So pop in whenever its convenient and we will make what can be a troublesome experience, a lot more bearable so you can get on with looking forward to that great holiday, just like I am. “Europe here we come”.

Andy