I’m doing my dream job!
Friday 27th February 2009, 8:34AM GMT.
Judy Mainwaring – Photographer, Shrewsbury
What do you do?
I’m a freelance photographer and work in and around the Shropshire area. I photograph landscapes and weddings as well as social pictures for the local press and commercial photography for corporate brochures.
How did you get into the industry?
I’ve always had a true passion for taking photographs, but it wasn’t until I was made redundant from my office job that I got an opportunity to take some pictures for the Shrewsbury Chronicle. I found I really enjoyed it, so things snowballed from there. I became very in demand for local press work and started getting new referrals through the contacts I’d made.
Describe your typical working day:
Since the local press work has diminished considerably this year due to cutbacks, I’m spending most of my time at the computer updating my website. I have an office at home but I’m never happier than when I can get out and take photos for work or pleasure! I’m also working towards a professional qualification from the British Institute of Professional Photography.
What do you love most about your job?
Meeting the people I photograph, getting to know them, finding out their stories, and ensuring I take photos that truly convey the reason for taking them.
Have there been any particular highlights so far?
Meeting celebrities, politicians and royalty including Princess Anne, and I do get a kick out of taking photographs of people and places that nobody else is allowed to! I also love to see my work in print.
Any downsides?
Sometimes the hours (evenings and weekends) can be rather antisocial, so I’m looking for more regular 9-5 projects.
Any advice for people changing careers or starting their own business?
Try not to borrow money if you can help it! Learn as much as you can about your chosen avenue before launching yourself in the deep end. Don’t pitch yourself cheap or give too much away for nothing – it’s easy to be too nice!
Contact:
Judy at Pictureworks can be contacted on (01743) 249884 or her mobile on 07976 838986.
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hiyaa cool lol
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I doubt if the words ‘clinical’ and ‘aromatherapy’ have any place together in the same sentence, in much the same way as ‘homeopathy’ and ‘medicine’ don’t belong together either.
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How fantastic to see so many people who are passionate about their jobs, especially in the current climate.
And such diversity! who’d have thought you could remove hair with sugar or make mirrors look antique?
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well done to my cousin Denise of whom we are so very very proud
XXXX
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I’m doing my dream job – I’m unemployed!
The hours are long, the money is poor, but everyday I am my own boss, except once a fortnight when I have to see the girl at the job centre who doesn’t ask any difficult questions because I think she fancies me.
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im now doing my dream job ,
just bin made redundant while on the sick , sucks yes ,
well now starting my own photography buisness, might be long hours lonely hours in front off pc ,
but i know its going to be rewarding eventually
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Well done for you dipstick. I’m glad I’m funding your ‘dream job’. You sound like an idle git who is quite happy living on the money acquired from the hard work of others. Lets hope the girl behind the counter starts asking some difficult questions and then perhaps the gravy train will grind to a halt.
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I’m doing my dream job, praying I stay in work and don’t join Dipstick living off the hard taxed employed.
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Annoyed: How dare you say I’m idle! I am very busy doing lots of jobs for cash helping the needy who can’t afford regular prices due the the economic uncertainty.
I am currently busy changing a gear box for a poor old retired man who relies on state benefit to survive. The garage wanted £1,000 and he just could afford it and would have been house bound if I wasn’t doing it for £200.
People like me, who forego the material trappings of life provide a vital community service. And what thanxs do I get? Not alot but the reward of knowing that I have helped someone worse off than myself.
Don’t believe it: Don’t worry, the sub-labour economy is well suited for people with initialtive, drive and ambition. Come and join us, you’ll love it.
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So, dipstick, having told us you’re unemployed, you’re stealing money from the pockets of the rest of us by failing to declare paid work. You may not be idle, but you are clearly dishonest. You’re presumably not foregoing the material trappings of medical treatment, street lighting, refuse collection or any number of other things that other peoples’ Income Tax, Council Tax and National Insurance contributions pay for…
I hope the good workers of the DWP are keeping an eye on you even now and claim back every penny you may have claimed and more.
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Go on Dipstick, keep winding them up :) made me smile on a Monday afternoon. Soon that idiot Tory Boy will be on here shouting at you !
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im with dipstick……… im unemployed and its great, we get paid for doing nowt and free vouchers to go get a suit and shoes, and i dont even get asked if im looking for work when i sign on because the jobcentre staff cant be bothered.
its great, and relaxing!
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Peter: get a life, its hardly stealing! have you never paid someone cash to save the VAT? Never brought duty free booze and fags?
I don’t bother my doctor, then can switch the street lights off and I’m quite happy to burn my rubbish in the garden if needs be.
Confused: The unemployed are the natural friends of the Torys because for an economy to be sucessful you need some unemployed for some reason or other. If you want full employment you need communism – is that what you want?
Daz: Glad to hear that the voice of reason on here. Them others are just jealous cos they have to get up before noon.
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and what planet is holly from??????
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At least dipstick is doing a hard days work for whatever he is earning…how many highly paid council executives can say that they earn their grossly inflated salaries?
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Brill article on FLOW for ALL Mac
You’re catching up on me !
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I was going to rant and race at Dipstick & Co but Brian(2) has put it in perspective. Dipstick might sponge a little off the state while giving something back to the community.
Whereas our elected representatives sponge alot and do nothing for the community as they have no real-life experience.
Dipstick should be PM and use his worldly experience of live to put this country right.
I’d rather rather share a bag of chips with Dipstick than go to the Ritz with a politician!
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Dipstick,
Nope – I haven’t paid anyone cash to save the VAT, I’ve never smoked, and whilst I used to occasionally buy duty free booze when it was legal to do so on cross-channel ferries, I wouldn’t buy dodgy booze from some ‘White Van man’ who has smuggled these goods across the channel.
I work hard and pay my dues – why can’t you do the same? Instead you’re sponging off me and all the other honest people. Parasite!
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