Simon Plant has been a commercial photographer and film maker for over 34 years. When the pandemic hit, the Growth Hub advised him on any grants and training courses available to him, and above all, highlighted that in difficult times there is help is out there for sole traders.
Simon’s first break, with help from the Princes Trust, was shooting men’s lifestyle images for Clarks Shoes in their shop windows. Since then, he has photographed everything from minor celebrities to the Royal Family at St James Palace.
Simon Plant‘s core business is capturing images for advertising purposes to promote his clients’ products and services. He has been providing advertising photography and motion to brands worldwide for over three decades. Thanks to the ever-changing advertising landscape, Simon’s work varies from one-day shoots to a full week capturing media at all levels.
Simon said, “During the Coronavirus pandemic, I have been blessed to have my busiest year ever, as a few weeks before lockdown I won a commission to photograph a large portfolio of holiday properties across the South West. Other work involving people proved more of a challenge though as everyone had to wear a mask which, of course, dated them, but I had to find new ways to be extra creative.”
Although I was busy, I was always looking ahead at other opportunities but did not know where to go for advice, and I heard about the Growth Hub from my local Small Business Association. They were amazing! They advised me on the grants that were available to me and pointed me in the right direction for suitable training courses that would help my business to survive post Covid.
I had been so busy taking photographs, that I had somewhat neglected my website and SEO, and the training the Growth Hub introduced me to helped me to implement positive changes to that side of my business. Working with the Growth Hub has made me realise that there is help and advice out there, as being a sole trader even when we are not in the midst of a global pandemic, can sometimes feel rather isolated.
www.simonplant.co.uk
Facebook/Instagram: @simonplantphoto
