Personal development Plan

Task 1: Throughout the years, technology became a part of our lifes and it is really important in order to live. So as in photography technonology change as well so the newcomers in the business should be more careful. A proper photographer should be able to acquire the most appropriate equipment for better results. I can understand that through my father’s work, who every three year he restructure the whole studio. My priority in life after finishing my studies is to travel to several countries, participate in seminars and gain experience about photography.

Task 2: Failing the last year of my studies will destroy my inner and all my ambitions and expectations will be lost. Follow the instructions of my tutors and work with my colleagues in order to be more productive is the key of succession.

Task 3: An ideal photographer is the man who will be able to promote himself in a way to increase his reputation and in this way to be known to everyone. This is the key of succession and in my opinion growing a strong name is the only way for a photographer to succeed.

Task 4: There are a lot of kinds of photography but, my favorite and those that I believe I am keen of are food, HDR and Macro. These are the sectors I am interested in and I will follow in my future career.

Task 5: There is an old quote in Cyprus saying that above all is health and joy. I never admit to myself that one day I would be able to say this quote and mean it. Unfortunately one year ago I had to fight with one difficult illness had to do with my back and I suffered a lot. The problem was serious and for a whole summer I was in bed able to do nothing. This is the worst thing could happen for a last year photographer. Despite this fact, I overcome all my difficulties and manage to finish all my projects in a way that my tutors will be impressed. This fact made me stronger and forced me to find a job in England to enhance my knowledge and skills.

CV

After a few lessons on how to make a CV it was time to write my own one, that i'll be able to find a job. In fact this is the purpose of CV to provide an overview of a person's experience and other qualifications.

Name: Stelios Hadjielias
Date of birth: 10/9/1990
Address: Pyrou 5 Arxaggelos, Nicosia
Phone: 99744667Email: steliosborelluss10@hotmail.comNationality: Greek-Cypriot
Gender: Male

Academic Qualifications

2012-2014: University of Salford, BA (Hons) Photography, expected graduation July 2015

Modules undertaken include: Areas of photographic practise, Directions within Photographic Communication, Exploring Issues in Design, Exploring Photographic Creative Practices International Markets and Context,  Photographic Skills, Professional Frameworks, Professional Practice for Photographic Communication, Responding to Creative Contexts

2011-2012: Salford University, School of Art and Media, International Foundation Year

Modules undertaken include: Development of Specialist Interest in Art and Design, Diagnostic Introduction to Art and Design Practise, Introduction to Digital Media for Art and Design Practise, Individual Development of Specialist

2005-2008 : Lyceum of Apostolos Markos

Lyceum Apolyterion: 15.2 / 20

IGCSE: English as Second Language (C)

Work Experience

·         Cyprus Army: Served the army 2008-2010

·         “Photo Studio Twins”: June August 2010, June- August 2011, June- August 2012, June- August 2013 
      Loca Noche entertainment: Main photographer of the GreekNight events in Manchester 2013-present

Interests and Activities

·         Art: Guitar, piano, movie maker, photo-shop

·         Sports: football, basket, skydiving

Skills and Achievements

Familiar to the use of Windows Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point and Adobe Photoshop CS6, Movie maker

Film Cypriot bands video clips and photography in many events. (E.g. Power of the Night)

REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST  

BIO

Since i was a child i was keen on going with my father every Sunday to several sightseeing and take some spectacular captures. I was always focus on the way my father capture pictures and by the pass of the time and when i was ready i started slowly slowly take my first pictures. At the age of ten i bought a camera can be used only one time (KodakFlash). I took this camera with me in a two days trip had with my family in France and i captured more than 200 photos. This is when i realized that photography is my inspiration and the career path i prefer to follow in the future. My father is my idol. He is professional photographer we a strong CV and excellent works in the past. I am always next to him watching his moves patiently in order to create my own style of a professional photographer based on his skills and techniques. When i become sixteen, during the summer holidays i started working at his own store located in the heart of Cyprus's capital Nicosia. I managed to adopt myself within the environment of the workplace really fast and in a matter of time i was able to take professional pictures related with ID and passport issues. One year later  my father took me with him to weddings, an other events in order to learn more about photography and start taking it serious and work on my own.At the age of 20, after serving two years in Cyprus army i decided to make a gap year and dedicate myself in photography and take as much experience i could. I visited several places and took some amazing captures this year always with the help and guidance of my father. At the age of 21 i decided to move in England and follow BA (hons) in photography in Salford University. My dedication and my work experience, helped to to start working in the Greeknight events in Manchester for Loca Noche organisations and until today i am the main photographer of the events. Hopefully, with a lot of faith after acquiring my bachelor to be able to run my father business with the same dedication like my father and satisfy his expectations to become a successful and a professional photographer. 

Web Page

A website is important for businesses because people can easily find you. Nowadays most people use the internet to research products, and find information for making cooperation with other companies. Through this fact of today’s revolution of the internet, I created my own web site. I tried to keep a minimalistic style that represents the calmness which is an element of a photographer’s psychology. I wrote about my bio since today and my ambitions and three galleries are embedded for giving to visitors a glance of my work.

My Web site available HERE Enjoy !!

http://www.i-m.mx/borelluss10/Borellussphotoart/

FACEBOOK PAGE

Social media and especially facebook has really become a part of our daily routine. The reason is because it is a free and a simple social network can be used by anyone. So, despite my personal account last year I have created my professional site to post and promote my works. My personal site has 326 likes so far. I am posting new things at least twice a week in order to be active and people be aware of my site. The name of the site is borelluss art and photography. The positive feedback I receive every day and this is the reason that enhance me to continue the hard work and develop my skills. 

Business card 

One of the most popular ways to promote yourself is a business card which is recognizable by everyone. In the back of the card there are my personal details, with my personal photograph in the right and other important information. With the help of the application Photoshop I managed to create my personal business card and account in order people start taking me more seriously and seeing me as a photographer.

Post Cards 

In addition to that, another one really promotional idea was a post card with a regular size of a photograph. As you can see through my postcard photos the only meaning coming out is the joy and happiness of life that coming out through these pictures. 

My portfolio 

At this moment of my life it was asked by the university was requested to create my personal portfolio including 6 – 15 photos maximum with the best according to my choice to be included in the interview. The case of my portfolio it looks like an envelop with a zip and has hard and the papers inside it is a size A3. The reason that I had choose this way to create my portfolio is for safety of the photographs and it is also protecting due to the hard cover and it is also easy to carry it anywhere.

Some of my final Images

Landscape is my favorite style of photography and this Is why I created my portfolio in this way. I dedicated many hours, endless nights trying to create the best. To achieve that I tried to find strange places, I walked lot of miles in abandon areas and some times I used to stay in the forest at nights to take more pictures the next morning. I always go with another one person for more protection and support. The view is stunning, your souls is feeling with energy and the only thing to do when you are in such places is to admire nature. My photographs are all coming from the wonderful island Cyprus.

My prior goal is to capture moments of nature that no one else can realize even if is in front of him. In other worlds, to create something extraordinary. I dare to say that I achieved that because when I am asking people from Cyprus to identify some places they do not even believe that these pictures are from Cyprus. I love nature and landscape as well and I would like to work for magazines related with these photographs and National Geographic as well.

I capture the following pictures in the morning with not a good weather and lack of sunlight. The first 2 are probably my best captures that expressing myself and this is why I used them in the university competition.

I grew up in a city and the moments I was next to nature was every weekend when I visiting with my family my grandmother in the village where she leaves with his husband. Leaving far away from the noises of a big city, and be close to nature is something that relax you mentally and spiritually and give you the chance to think and consider about things you worry about more wisely. In the future I would like to visit Ireland, a country were people love nature and have amazing sight sights.

Veins 

The waterfall of Asbestos

The Orange Path

Under the Tree

After the Snow Storm

Underneath Chaos

Resent Final Work

From the 15 photos it was asked to put in portfolio, we had to put at least 5 photographs from a recent work. The following six are from a recent work in a trip in Cyprus. It is obvious the yellow and orange color in my captures because it was the time when sun goes down and creates this charming and spectacular view.

Nature Trail

Athallasa Park

The Resurrection - silence 

Working experience

 The fact that i started following my father steps from a young age was a crucial and vital for me to be the mature and professional photographer i am today. The last five years, the faith of my father on me, his power and his motivational was a significant factor contributed for me to gain the confidence i have now and at the age of 24 be a professional photographer. Below some of my major work experiences so far will be described.

Wedding

My first official professional work was in the marriage of Yiannos and Julia Petrou. Despite the stress and the pressure, I had to stay focus and do what I love most in a way that can be appreciate and understandable by others. The traditional Cyprus wedding last almost 15 hours so you have to be prepared for a long day for the best results. My father went to man's house and I went to the women house where traditional ceremony held with relatives singing and be proud of the day that there young boy getting married. After the celebrations and ceremony in the house, the following step is the church where is the most difficult part of the photographer and later to a restaurant where people eat and drink to celebrate with the couple. In total I spend 14 hours to cover all the event capturing videos and photographs.

 Traditional dance from the family of groom for good bless

The father of groom

The arrival of the bride 

The groom with his parents waiting impatiently

The first step in the Churchyard

The Touch

A Step Before the Ceremony

Weeding Wreaths- The Union of Love

Crossing The Couple- The Bless

Carnations Roses and Rise

Throwing the Bouquet

The following video created by me and my father who is the owner of the Photo Studio Twins. Spending ours editing with my father i realize  that one of the most important things is to have fantasy and inspiration. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=845974948776456&fref=nf

Loca Noche Entertainment 

There is a tradition here in Manchester the last 20 years with Greeks organizing in a weekly basis Greek nights in different nightclubs in Manchester. Loca Noche is a huge organisation based in Manchester organizing mainly concerts and events in Cyprus and GreekNights in different places here in  England. The manager of the events mr. Tasos Kyriakides approached me two years ago after he discovered about my works and we came with a negotiation. Until today, our cooperation is in excellent level and the manager of Loca Noche now considering to ask me to join his group in Cyprus and work together more closely and me his major photographer of all of his events. 

Working in a club is not easy as many people think and believe. To capture a moment in a nightclub you have to be in the right place in the right time in order not to loose it. I always want to do my best and show the best side of myself for better results. To achieve that you have to join the mood of a nightclub such as enthusiasm and happiness because in this way you can achieve the ideal communication between you and the customers. I always try to be sociable forget all my problems I might face to come up with the best photographs.  In addition, due to technological developments throughout years, latest equipment is important as well.

 At the moment I am using ISO 3200 F6.3 and 1/10s

Lastly, I am going to club 1 hour before to scan the place, see the lighting of the nightclub and see the spots where the best photographs can be captured

Depending on how many people will attend the nightclub I take the suitable number of photographs. For example, a club of 500 people needs around thousand captures. After going home dedicating 5 hours to edit the pictures and choose the best that people will love, I choose the best 400.

Recently I worked in a huge event with special guest a famous Greek singer Giorgos tsalikis starting his tour from Manchester.

First Debate of Greek students in UK

Every year, in the entire England students elections for Greek-Cypriots are held. Students trying to earn votes with several campaigns all around England. The aim of the elections is at the end, is the 5 that received the most votes to represent all students in the several meetings and propose there demands, requests and problems that have to do with students in England. This year, the first debate of 2015 took place a week ago and I was the chosen on to record the event.

Here is the video of the Debate:

FLASH MOB

Flash mob is a group of people gathering in a popular place aiming to create a show for the public. At this event, Greek-Cypriot gathered next to ardale in Manchester and public was surprised and shocked by the dance.

Pouzouki is a Greek traditional instrument

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Zorbas is the most popular Greek dance written by the Great Mikis Theothodorakis. The song written for the Greek movie Zorbas in 1964 and it is known worldwide. It is a must to listen this music and see this dance in restaurants and places were Greeks gather. 

 In addition to that, zeimpekiko is another one popular dance and it is proud for all Greeks and Cypriots to know how to dance this kind of dances. This is the reason why when someone dance you have to knee down, applause for the guy who dance, and it is strictly prohibited  to interact the dance. 

Here is the Video Of the Flash Mob: 

Anti-occupation Protest

In the 15 of November around 20 gathered in the city center of Manchester to shout against the illegal invasion of Turkey in Cyprus held back in 1974. Forty years later, still illegally are in our country acquiring the land the house of my father. A peaceful protest, aiming to make public pay attention and every single man and woman to realize how sensitive issue is that.

Self Evaluation

This assignment was made to highlight my personal progress throughout final year. After several classes and learning of different styles of photography, I had to create my own business cards, post cards, a portfolio, a Facebook page, twitter and generally how to promote myself in Photography Industry. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend due to a health problem that I still facing. I never stopped believing to my capabilities. Now the final part of the year is coming. After the end of the academic year I will go back to Cyprus with knowledge I gained from the university in a combination with the experiences I had next to my father. The creations of my own portfolio made me understand my capabilities that I have and with motivational steps, reach the peak. I get confidence when I am sharing my business card or dismembered my post card. In addition, I am daily sharing creative content on my online social sites where people can have a look and give me useful critiques so I can look up for improvements in the future. Moreover, this year I had to cooperate with an event planner organization “Loca Noche” which is focus in Clubbing and social events in the UK, Greece and Cyprus. Through this I can recognize the difference between work and personal enjoyment of photography. Landscape photography is the type of shooting that grows my creativity and this was the reason that took a respectable amount in my portfolio. For the start of my career I’ll be next to my father and to his business. Specifically I will photo shooting weddings, christenings, schools, events, aerial photo shooting etc. On the other hand I’ll never stop improving my inspirational hobby of photography. I have a plan map for landscape photo shooting and I want to take part in competitions for grapping big chances for my career. In addition I am planning to extend my portfolio and spread it to big agencies, newspapers, magazines and websites that have to do about landscape photography. For the creation of my business car and post card, I had an appropriate research to create something likable and colorful but also minimalistic. My bio/cv is the most important element for my career. I wrote about it in my website and it was accompanied by my galleries. Finally for my Personal Development Plan I am focus on my goals since now and goals for the future. Is a useful chart that I can improve year by year and represent it for new cooperation. Finally this project made me understand that if you want to become a professional photographer, you have to love what you are doing and hence I know that this is what I really want to do. A person can fight with every possible meaning and photographing is a weapon. It is the photographer that would decide how to use it. Another part of a “product’s life cycle” is completed and now I am moving to Maturity part which is to maintain but also improve my position in the market place.