Introducing Microlino - Born in Switzerland - Raised in Italy

I was introduced to the new Microlino – an all-electric, lightweight, four-wheeled Quadricycle, designed for urban mobility by Ian Smith of Casmin Group. With styling closely inspired by the BMW Isetta, a bubble car from the 1950s, it features a front-opening door and externally mounted headlights.

Seats two adults comfortably and three beer crates in the boot or whatever takes your fancy.

Microlino is a Swiss brand manufactured in Turin, Italy. This 100% electric light vehicle with a range of 177 km, a top speed of 90 km/h and a boot capacity of 230 litres.

Parts are 80% sourced in Europe with 50% fewer parts than a regular car.

Compact and durable

Charges in 4 hours

Sturdy and lightweight

Easy access open button

Comfortable leather seats

External headlights

Seats two comfortably

Stylish design

Good visability

Key access and mini microlino keyring

Microlino can be charged on a household plug in 4 hours. Easy to park with an exit through the front so no need to worry about tight parking spaces. The fold back sunroof allows a lovely breeze on a summers day.

A pleasure to photograph and to be a passenger! A good looking run around car with plenty to offer for stress free driving and good for the environment too…what more could you want!

For more information please get in touch with Ian Smith from Casmin Group on 07774 100006 via WhatApp or Call.

Thanks

Stella

My Photoshoot Amongst the Bluebells aged 19 Months

It was a sunny morning!

I had the pleasure of photographing my granddaughter Bella at the weekend, she liked it so much she wanted to tell you all about it.

Hello everyone, my name is Bella, I’m 19 months old. This is my second photoshoot amongst the bluebells. I’ve been photographed many times because my grandmother is a photographer. (I call her yia-yia because her mummy and daddy are from Cyprus).

Me when I was just 7 months old. I was just a baby.

Look at me now I’m a big girl because I can walk, run, sing and dance and say lots of words too.

With my mummy. Look at my pretty dress. I haven’t got very much hair.

With my mummy again, she still looks the same but look at me, I’ve got lots more hair – mummy says she can’t wait for my hair to get longer so she can put a ribbon in it.

Did you know my yia-yia has been a photographer for over 35 years? She has been photographing families in the woodlands for a long time, especially when the bluebells are in flower. She said now is the time to book your photoshoot because they are only at their best for a little while before they die.

If you would like to have a photoshoot with yia-yia she is called Stella. She said to contact her before Saturday 20th April to book your photoshoot as there are a limited number of photoshoots available until 28th April.

She is very friendly and the photoshoot was great fun her phone number is 0777 181 0105 or email her.

I’m happy I have all these photos to look back on when I’m older to enjoy with mummy, daddy and all the family.

Yia-yia said to me “Be very careful Bella not to tread on the bluebells, they are very delicate and are to be treated with respect so they can keep on flowering every year”

With my daddy, he is lots of fun and very strong! It makes me laugh a lot when he does this.

We sat on a pathway so we didn’t squash the bluebells.

We spotted an animal running up a tree, mummy said it’s called a skirril I mean squirrel.

The flowers tickled my nose when I smelt them. I tried to eat one but mummy quickly stopped me and said they are not food and not for picking. They are wildflowers. Yia-yia says I’m wild too…because I love being outdoors and running around, she calls me a little monkey.

I can walk and stretch too. I was pointing at a big bird in the sky called an aeroplane. Do you like my jeans and roll neck jumper?

We went for a wander down the lane afterwards…it was a bit chilly.

Then back to yia-yia’s to download, whatever that means!

I’m having lessons to learn how a camera works. I press this button called a shutter to take a photograph. Did you know the word photograph comes from the Greek word φωτογραφία? Meaning drawing (γραφία) with light (φωτο). I’m learning Greek too – yia-yia (pronounced yah yah) is the first word I have learnt so far.

This is my yia-yia taking a photograph of me and my mummy. Daddy took the picture on his iPhone.

This link tells you more about having a photoshoot.

Thank you for reading my story

Bella

International Women's Day - 8 March 2024 - Behind the Scenes

To mark International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8th March I’m taking the opportunity to feature some of the work I have photographed showing the behind-the-scenes aspect too. This viewpoint isn’t always possible because I’m so focused on what’s in front of me and the brief in hand.

I have been inspired to do this as a member of the Association of Photographers. The project, called Behind-The-Scenes was instigated by the f22 group who represent the female perspective of the association to mark International Women’s Day.

We were asked to submit a behind-the-scenes photograph of ourselves and the resulting photograph.

To mark IWD The Times has chosen to feature the work of my fellow brilliant female photographers with an online article – the link to this can be found at the end of this blog, it really is insightful.

International Women’s Day is about inspiring and including each other.

Read on to find out more about the diversity of my commissions. I love what I do and inspire others to follow their passions, especially if you can make a career out of it.

I photographed behind the scenes at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It’s a four-day event, from Thursday to Sunday. This is me in the pit lane when things were briefly quiet. The next photo, also from the pit lane, was taken on Thursday, Media Day, before the race on Sunday. I usually have two cameras with different lenses. This impromptu photo was taken by a fellow photographer when I passed him my second camera to grab the shot!

Later the same day in the pit lane, fans with the appropriate ticket await the racing drivers to grab their autographs. Lewis Hamilton generated the most excitement – he handled it with ease as he passed through the crowds for the allocated 10 minutes before he was ushered onto the next media event.

This image is from Sonisphere, a touring rock and heavy metal festival at Knebworth Park. A two-day event where I had an Access All Areas pass.

Gary Numan entertaining the crowds brought back memories from the late 1970s when I had the pleasure of working with him before.

Back stage capturing Limp Bizkit entertaining the roaring crowds. I stood next to a speaker, it was so loud I could feel the music in every cell of my body!

From a tower whilst Iron Maiden, one of the headlining acts took to the main stage. In my opinion this was the best viewpoint.

This photograph in a local meadow was taken in May time. Such beautiful scenery and sunshine

My son, who lives in the USA was over with his wife to celebrate his 30th birthday. He took this photograph above before joining his wife for the below image.

I used the glorious buttercups in front of the lens to highlight the intimacy and beauty of nature. I’ll never get tired of this image which hangs in my living room.

This photoshoot in our local woodlands during autumn time. The idea was to recreate a Pre-Raphaelite scene. The studio lighting and reflector mixed with the ambient light gave an ethereal feel synonymous with the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelite era.

The resulting photograph evokes feelings of spirit and emotion whilst capturing the beauty of our model and the rawness and simplicity of nature.

This is just a glimpse into my life as a photographer. I love the different worlds I’m exposed to and the people I meet on the way.

Below is the link to The Times article…you don’t need to be a subscriber to read this link…

Behind-the-scenes with the AOP photographers to mark International Women’s Day

Thanks

Stella

Photography Mentorships - Ready for your first step?

Take a leap of faith.

WHERE DO YOU START

The first step is always the most daunting when you are thinking about venturing in a new direction. Such as developing a business idea, moving home, changing jobs, or wherever your intuition is pulling you.

So often there are words of doubt swirling in your mind…’ what if I fail’ … ‘It’s going to be too hard’… ‘I might regret it’…etc …etc…

It’s all negative self-talk that won’t get you anywhere. It only holds you back, just like in the photograph above – this piece of urban art was positioned on the rooftop of an art gallery in the South of France, and the treetop one below struck a heavy chord with me.

It made me realise it’s very easy to lie back – perhaps very uncomfortably and wait for all your desires and wishes to come to you… it doesn’t work like that, you have to take a leap of faith – otherwise, nothing will ever change. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience…

It’s easy to lie back and wait…

IS THIS FOR YOU?

Are you a photographer who is:

• Wanting to start your own business?

• Struggling to keep up a pipeline of business?

• Looking for a change of direction?

• Looking for creative inspiration?

  OR

• A student embarking on a photography career?

Then my service is for you.

MAKING IT HAPPEN

I always wanted to run my own business ever since I started selling eggs from our garden chickens to neighbours as a child. My dream was to open a portrait photography studio.

In my early teens I worked as a Saturday girl at the local portrait and wedding studio and became an apprentice in their commercial department at the age of 17 enrolling on a three-year day release course back in 1977 when cameras had a film inside and were processed in darkrooms, not Lightroom.

Fast forward 20 years and three children later I was catapulted into adversity and took a leap of faith to provide for myself and my children by realizing my dream. I was completely outside my comfort zone and knew it was now or never. I didn’t want to be on my deathbed regretting having never accomplished what I wanted to achieve – financial independence being my goal through my passion for photography.

MENTORSHIPS

If any of the above resonates with you and you would like my professional one-to-one attention this mentorship program will help you flourish.

This includes:

• Creating a clear understanding of your goals

• Overcoming your fears

• A plan of action

• Networking

• Technology

• Marketing

• People skills

• Managing money

Pricing starts from just £500 with your choice of the below.

Either face-to-face or via Zoom

1. Three hours to gain clarity

2. Two hours a week for three months

3. Two days a month for six months

4. One day a month for a year

LOOKING BACK

This February 2024 marks 27 years since I opened the doors to my high street studio SMS Creative Photography now called ‘Stella’. I didn’t have the confidence back then to have my name above the door – (what if it failed?) so I used my initials Stella Marina Scordellis – the Creative part was to emphasize I wanted to be different from other high street photographers of the time, who were more conservative in their style. I introduced a more informal and relaxed approach to portrait photography where children were encouraged to be more natural and candid either in the studio or in their homes & gardens.

Please feel free to email me, Stella – or call 0777 181 0105 for a brief chat about your direction and how we can make your vision happen.

Thanks

Stella

Is it Time for a New Professional Headshot?

Ant Anstead having a moment of reflection before taking the recently restored 1958 Lotus Elite Series 1 out for the next race

Are you looking to update and refresh your brand?

A new headshot is a vital part of your profile – without this, it just doesn’t give you, or your business the credibility you deserve.

Here are five reasons why you should update your headshot:

1. It doesn’t professionally reflect you

2. You’ve changed your hairstyle

3. You don’t like what you are wearing

4. It’s more than five years old

5. You are rebranding

This applies to any business – whether it is just you or a team you manage or are a part of. Now is the time to refresh and revitalise for 2024 and beyond.

I have been photographing people like you for over 35 years – directing you to present yourself in the best light, and most importantly, make you feel relaxed and at ease! Leave the lighting, and all the technical stuff to me…

Photoshoots take place at my studio, a pop-up studio in your workplace, or a location relative to you and the work you do.

Are you ready to put your best face forward?

Click on the button below to find out more or feel free to call me on 07771810105 or email.

I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks

Stella

Studio headshots for a a more corporate feel