Red Bull/Bottled Water is over €5 per litre

Perfume/Face Cream is over €350 per litre

But Ink for your inkjet printer tops the chart at over €600 per litre.

These prices are based on buying small bottles/cartridges like the ones the tax payer was buying for Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh who spent over €50,000 of tax payer’s money on ink cartridges over the past two years!

I’d be happy to buy him some Red Bull, the ad says it gives you wings!!!

Dominic

See http://www.thejournal.ie/sinn-fein-td-urged-to-come-clean-over-e50000-use-of-dail-printer-cartridges-367908-Feb2012/

I get many emails from people seeking a job at Priory Studios but one I received about 11 years ago was to prove a life changing experience for the sender and for Priory Studios. Vladimir Polivanov is from Omsk, Russia (Two & half days from Moscow by train). He studied Photography & Cinematography at the Institute of Culture in Moscow and served his statutory two years in the Army where he was based in Vladivostok (Nine days by express train from Moscow).

His email caught my attention because he mentioned he used “Photoshop” and I had only read about it at that point. But I was in no position to offer him a job. However I did make a cheeky offer to correct the English in his CV which might improve his prospects elsewhere.
He was delighted with the offer and in the course of a few more email exchanges I sent him two images which I had failed to merge as desired in the darkroom. He returned the file and the result was better that I expected. That project went on to be one of two books depicting people in their hobby mode, titled Out of Your Tree and Out of Your Tree 2. Both of which have been very successful thanks to Vladimir’s Photoshop skills.

He spent his first eight months in Ireland living with my family and experimenting with Photoshop projects. It was still film back then which he would scan and retouch to a level which I saw as acceptable and desirable to the Irish market.

Ten years on, Vladimir is an integral part of Priory Studios and Priory Weddings; he is probably one of the most skilled Photoshop editors in Ireland and is also a master of Cinematography, conferences, bands and company profiles.

I’m very happy that I did make that investment in Vladimir all those years ago, he was subsequently joined here by his wife Inna who now runs a very busy dress design & alterations business and his son Vitaly who along with his wife Anna have been the All Ireland Dance Champions for three years in a row.

Here’s to another 10 Years!

Dominic

Je suis arrivée début Mai a Dublin pour mon stage de fin de première année de BTS Commerce International. Pendant deux mois j’ai travaillé au sein de Priory Studios. Ce fut une très bonne expérience. Je me suis très bien et très vite intégrée dans cette petite famille. Je fus très surprise en voyant les prix que propose le studio, mais j’ai réalisé qu’une photo passe dans les mains de 4 ou 5 personnes avant de la remettre au client, donc en fin de compte, les prix sont relativement raisonnables, surtout lors de promotion.
J’ai découvert beaucoup de choses, aussi bien le coté administratif que les séances photos. J’ai pu assister a un mariage a l’Ouest de l’Irlande, ou Priory Studios était photographe et caméraman, des séances photos de familles, de communion, commerciale, une conférence sur la photographie… et pleins d’autres choses !
J’ai également beaucoup appris de chacun : Vladimir et la retouche de photos vraiment très impressionnante; Laura et les photos de mariages ainsi que l’actualisation constante d’un site internet et la realization d’album de mariage; Sonny et son beau travail de cadres et de tableaux. Linda et Mairead avec leur grande polyvalence et leur implication dans les différents domaines (confectionner un cadre, faire les comptes, accueillir les clients…) de l’agence. Ainsi que les 23 ans d’expérience en photographie et en management de Dominic.
Tout le monde m’a beaucoup donné chaque jour de mon stage. Je remercie cette belle équipe pour m’avoir fait gagner en expérience (aussi bien dans le travail qu’en anglais) et en maturité.

J’éspère que vous allez apprécier ce petit power point que j’ai réalisé sur Priory Studios.

Cassandre

I arrived in Dublin on 1st May for my end of first year work experience which I completed over two months in Priory Studios. It was a wonderful experience as I quickly incorporated into this friendly family. My first impression was that the price of the portraits was very expensive but I soon realised that most of the work passes through the hands of 4 or 5 staff members before it is received by the customer and that each stage uses the highest standard possible so I then changed my mind and now feel the price is very reasonable, especially when there is a promotion.

I also now have experience in the extensive administration required to run such a large studio and I was fortunate to attend a wedding in the West of Ireland where Priory Studios covered both the Photography and the Video.  I went to a conference on photography, photo shoots for several 1^st Holy Communions, family portraits, executive portraits, commercial and PR photos.
I also learned a lot from each of the staff: Vladimir is an expert on photo retouching and airbrushing, Laura on wedding photography & album design, Sonny and his fine work with making frames and canvas portraits; Linda and Mairead with their versatility and their big involvement in every aspect of Priory Studios, one day cutting mounts & framing, next day doing accounts, and equally important displaying great patience with customers during a sale. As well as the extensive experience in photography and management which Dominic has.

Everyone gave me a lot and learned every day of my work experience.
I thank this wonderful team for making me gain experience (in work and in English) and maturity!

I hope you enjoy watching this short slide show which I made about the work of Priory Studios.
Cassandre

Terms & Conditions:

Book a pre-studio planning session to discuss what to wear, portrait sizes, prices for extra copies etc;

Offer includes Studio session (normally €75)

Framed Portrait (normally €175) of The Grandparents.

Offer does not include the Family Group photograph. (Please request a price list)

Not applicable with any other special offer

Offer expires October 31st 2011

Session to include at least 3 generations

Portraits to be chosen within 10 days of your session.

“You never actually own a portrait from Priory Studios you just mind it for the next generation” Print off your voucher and book us today!!

01 288 07 55

Our shoot took us to Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda where we were asked to photograph participants and judges for a new TV series called “Craft Master”. Craft master is presented by Sonya Lennon and starts Tuesday 6th Sept at 7pm and runs for 6 weeks on RTE1.

“Over the course of the six part series presenter Sonya Lennon will meet a total of fifteen apprentices all hoping to represent their chosen craft in the final of Craft Master to be in with a chance of winning the prize, a stand in Showcase – Ireland’s International Trade Show for Irish producers and with the Irish Craft Industry being worth almost half a billion Euro annually it’s all to play for.” [http://www.rte.ie/tv/craftmaster/]

Similar to the other Big Mountain productions, we worked on a live set. During our shoot we had the pleasure of meeting Fashion designers Paul Costello and Louise Kennedy. We can’t reveal the winner of the show at this stage but can give you a sneek peek at some of the photo’s we took at the gallery. More photographs to follow as the Craft Master show progresses! Photography by Dominic Lee & Laura Leonard (Priory Studios)

For further information about the show visit: http://www.rte.ie/tv/craftmaster/

So sorry to hear that Richard Branson’s Necker Island home has been destroyed by fire. News reports from the BBC have said twenty people escaped unhurt. The fire was caused by a lightning storm and Sir Richard was quoted saying ”My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs and my note books which is very sad. But all family and friends are well – which in the end is all that really matters.” Actress Kate Winslet reportedly helped Richard Branson’s 90 year old mother to safety.

Dominic spent a week on the Carribean Island  shooting Richard Branson in his hobby mode of  Kite Surfing for his second charity book. Dominic’s books entitled Out of Your Tree 1 & 2  depict the private pursuits, passions and inspirations of notable personalities. Priory Studios has raised over 56K for The Central remedial Clinic and The Irish Cancer Society from the sale of the books.

We have some beautiful photographs of Richard Branson’s Necker Island home to share with you, in particuar the lovely panoramic view from the crows nest. We hope the Branson family will be able to rebuild their home as quickly as possible.

Our photography shoot took us to the fabulous setting of  Slane Castle, where filming took place for the final series of The Genealogy Roadshow.

If you can imagine the Antiques Roadshow meets Who do you think you are? – The Genealogy Roadshow comes to our TV screens, on Sunday 21^st August  at 6:30 pm on RTE1 and is presented by well known TV and Radio personalty Derek Mooney. It will be aired over four weeks and will take viewers to Carton House (Co. Kildare), Adare Manor (Co. Limerick), Glenlo Abbey (Co. Galway) and Slane Castle (Co. Meath).

The show will feature ordinary people trying to trace their family tree and irish ancestry, some having connections to famous or infamous relatives!  The Genealogy team embark on searching for ancestors of the explorer Ernest Shackleton and trace links to Arthur Guinness. They will also be seeking connections to Dublin-born rebel Wolfe Tone.

Complete with its own ancestry and history, the majestic Slane Castle was the perfect setting for the final series of the Genealogy Roadshow. Owned by Lord Henry Mount Charles, Slane Castle has been his family’ s ancestral home since 1701.

The Big Mountain Production company had just one day to shoot the final series of the show and we were given the task of taking publicity shots and documenting the day’s events.

We photographed the genealogy swat experts Turtle Bunbury, (Historian and Author of Vanishing Ireland), Nicola Morris, (director of Timeline Research) and John Grenham (Professional Genealogist)

We were asked to come up with a shot that would portray their investigative roles in the programme. The use of a wide angle lens and the addition of shades added to the fun element of their shoot.

But, what was most interesting about this particular shoot was that we were part of a live audience. Members of the public were invited along to participate in the show. In the Slane Castle series, over 200 people arrived with all manner of stories and evidence of their past. Some had the opportunity to be selected to talk about their story with Derek Mooney.

As you can see from our accompanying photo gallery some of the shots were taken in the grand ballroom. Notice all of the technology used for the show, in particular the iPad! We are not the only fans of using the Apple device for the purpose of displaying media. We use them to give Wedding couples their photo’s! Priory Weddings

The four-part series of The Genealogy Roadshow starts on 21 August 2011 and ends on 11 September 2011.

Bags and Bling went on sale at Lost Society in Powerscourt Centre, Dublin where Sharon Crosbie and volunteers raised a massive €24,000. Support from Xpose, Deborah Veale, Jedward and Louis Walsh to name a few, in addition to the many members of the public who donated their designer bags made this worthy fundraising event a huge success. Congratulations Sharon! and well done Dominic for doing all the photography. #charity #bagsandbling #somalia

Xpose TV3 Coverage: http://bit.ly/p8a6FB

Our photo shoot took us to one of the Tenement buildings in Dublin’s Henrietta Street last month to photograph the Winston family. The shoot was commissioned by TV production company; Big Mountain for a new series called “The Tenements”. The series is presented by Bryan Murray and starts tonight on TV3 at 9:30pm. The four part documentary takes families back in time to discover their ancestors living conditions. Bryan uses the 1911 census of No 7 Henrietta St to depict the history of the overcrowded, harsh living conditions in the Dublin slums. The research advisers behind the program are lead by Catriona Crowe, Senior Archivist at the National Archives of Ireland and Diarmaid Ferriter, Professor of Modern Irish history at the University College Dublin.

When we arrived at the Tenements we were a little overwhemled by the massive rooms and high ceilings. One couldn’t help but wonder how they were able to heat such a vast area. As a photographer, you sometimes arrive at a venue and have difficultly figuring out what to do with your subjects due to various limitations. Not on this occasion! You immediately sense the grandeur of this building, the rooms are adorned with oil paintings, statues, artefacts, mirrors and ornate furnishings. It was of course at one time the dwelling of the elite, taken over by the local authority to house the working class during Irelands independence.  The high ceilings and beautiful natural light flowing through the rooms with all its faded glory was the perfect setting for our photography.

The Tenements starts tonight 3rd August 2011 at 9:30pm.