How an old dog managed to learn new tricks! - page 2

When I contacted Alistair Forrest, a former Editor of Panorama who now lives in Spain, he wasn’t a bit surprised by Bill’s latest career move. “He’s gone back to his first love – taking photographs,” Alastair told me. “Bill has strong opinions about what makes a good picture and equally, how to engage with his clients to bring out the best in them. I think it was this love of social photography that made him so forgiving of his prolab wedding photographer clients. Social photographers were never going to be his biggest customers but he treated them well and with humour, even when they were late paying their bills!”

Meanwhile Bill has big plans. “What I intend to do this year is promote like hell to get established again,” he told me. His main promotional platforms are a pictorial CD presentation (compiled by audio-visual ace Pete Rogers FBIPP) and a large website (these days seen as essential by most photographers).

Just as you’d expect, in both marketing vehicles Bill’s approach is friendly and direct. “I have developed a unique, modern, bespoke style that fits today’s requirements,” he declares, “and my pricing policy is simple to understand. I won’t tie you up with lots of different packages…” Then he lists his qualifications and affiliations – including 25 years as a member of the MPA. He ends on a lighter note: “I will make your day fun and enjoyable,” he promises, “no stuffed shirt here!”

Is he going to succeed? Certainly he’s on the way. “My promotions have brought me 45 weddings so far this year,” he reports, “and 32 for next year. I’m also about to be made ‘house-approved wedding photographer’ to three hotels with a world-wide network.” But if you still need convincing, here’s a telling story from Bill’s younger days.

Back when he was ‘on the picture desk’, the Daily Express sent young Bill across the Channel in a small cruiser to cover HRH the Queen taking a Dunkirk anniversary salute from big warships. Unfortunately the sea was very rough. Sick as a dog, Bill retired below decks and promptly fell asleep, completely missing the ceremony! He arrived in Dunkirk feeling very fed up with himself. But then he spotted the great Richard Dimbleby interviewing two women on film for the Tonight programme to be broadcast next day.

It turned out that the two women were sisters who had been separated during the war with one escaping to England while the other went to a concentration camp. Dimbleby had tracked them down and now they were joyfully reunited. Being a keen ‘newshound’, Bill took the pictures, got the captions and dispatched them to the Express that night. The story was published and Bill received the princely (in those days) sum of £200. What’s more, nobody asked what had happened to the ‘salute’ pictures! Moral of the story? You make your own luck.

Fast forward a few decades and Bill is still riding his luck. Recently he sent me an email. “Hi Chris… Got booked for a wedding in Cyprus…” he enthused. “The girl is so happy it’s sweet… I met her at a Wedding Fair last year… She seemed to like what I do and jokingly asked if I would go to Cyprus… One thing after another and I’m booked!!!”

No stuffed shirt here!

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Photo Quote: There are many teachers who could ruin you. Before you know it you could be a pale copy of this teacher or that teacher. You have to evolve on your own. - Berenice Abbott American Photographer, 1898-1991