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ITH her parents owning a video
shop, Sarah Robinson grew up
surrounded by film and images.
So it's not surprising that just
over five years after graduating
with a moving image degree from the
University of Central Lancashire, Sarah
launched her own photography business.
The 26-year-old started Diamond Dayz
Photography in January and within only
a few weeks her business has grown
significantly.
She has already seen a number of new
clients come to her with a diverse range
of requests and has produced photographs
for businesses, families, events and even
pets.
"I like all aspects of photography,"
Sarah, of Flimby, said. "I want to be able
to offer every option of photography to my
clients � nothing too niche.
"If I stick to just weddings or family
portraits then I'm limiting my business
opportunities. Not only that but I'm not
getting the chance to use all the
photographic skills I've developed."
It's this business savvy that has
propelled Sarah into one of the most
talked-about photographers in Cumbria.
Her talent for pushing her business
forward has come from a recipe of
determination and experience.
She spent time working in sales for a
Carlisle-based photography studio and
there developed a passion and awareness
for pictures.
Sarah said: "Photography was an aspect
to my course at university and I always
enjoyed capturing images but it became a
real passion and a hobby in November
2007.
"As time went on I knew it was
something I'd love to develop into my own
business but juggling a full-time job and
squeezing in photography at the same
time became a growing issue.
"So I made the decision to venture out
on my own."
Diamond Dayz Photography offers a
range of individual options for clients � a
popular choice is the family lifestyle
portraits where Sarah will spend hours
with a family on a day out, capturing
them at their most natural in a relaxed
environment.
Businesses are choosing Diamond Dayz
Photography to capture images of staff.
Owners and employees are taking the
opportunity to put a face to their business
and publishing the pictures on
promotional material and websites.
With the age of digital in full swing,
Sarah has taken advantage of the skills
she learned during her university course.
She said: "If something turns out wrong
or not as expected then I have the ability
to either delete it or play about with it.
"It's all about knowing my client to be
able to deliver exactly what they want.
"If they want me to picture them at
home then I have the equipment to set up
a studio in their living room."
But the excitement from this young
businesswoman about her passion has not
detracted her determination to make her
business succeed.
At first, she said, she was daunted at
the prospect of setting up on her own
although she admitted she'd always
wanted to be her own boss.
"The scary bit is having to pay the
mortgage every month but I wouldn't be
human if I was fearless," Sarah added.
"Film was always my first interest at
university but I soon realised the
opportunity to establish a film business,
or even carve a career from the industry
in Cumbria, was going to be pretty slim.
"So photography became my love and
an opportunity to build a career.
"I'm constantly pushing my business;
you have to when you've set up on your
own. But I'm also constantly looking at
ways to further myself and my skills.
"Soon after I left university I began a
business start up course with the West
Cumbria Development Agency. And a
grant from that helped me to promote
Diamond Dayz, have business cards
printed and develop the website. So that
was a big help in the early days.
"I regularly attend training seminars,
wedding fairs and I'm a member of the
Workington Camera Club. In fact, some of
my work will be displayed in empty shop
units in Workington town centre at the
end of February through Workington
Camera Club.
"They're all ways to promote the
business and network.
"The website has really helped in that
sense though and I have had interest from
as far away as Preston.
"But I have every confidence my
business will continue to grow; the more I
put into it the business I generate."
For more information on Diamond Dayz
Photography visit www.diamonddayz.com or call
Sarah on 07517476325.
I
GGESUND
director
Damian
McSweeney
has been
awarded the
prestigious
status of Fellow
of the
Institution of
Mechanical
Engineers.
Given in
recognition of experience with the
field of mechanical engineering and
for promoting engineering, Damian
will receive his certification from the
president of the IMechE.
Damian, a full member of IMechE
since 1989, was required to submit
details of how he fulfilled the thorough
requirements needed to become a
fellow of the institution.
Normally this involves showing that
experience complies with a number of
relevant assessment criteria including
a position of senior responsibility with
mechanical engineering.
Damian said: "A team normally
assesses the applications before
making a recommendation to the
IMechE and occasionally you might be
asked to support your submission by
attending an interview but it wasn't
necessary for me to do this.
Damian hopes his award to a fellow
will encourage others to follow careers
in mechanical engineering.
But his involvement in encouraging
others into engineering on an
educational level has taken another
development.
Damian has been appointed chair of
the Lakes College governing body in
acknowledgment of his support for the
college.
He has represented Iggesund as a
board member of the college since
September 2007 and has also held the
position of vice-chairman over the last
12 months.
He said: "I am particularly
interested in local education and was
delighted to join the board as a
member in 2007.
"I was very happy to do this for
three reasons really, to help develop
and influence the needs of the area
through training opportunities, to
encourage the potential for good
manufacturing business in West
Cumbria and because I hoped my
private sector knowledge and skills
could benefit the public sector in some
way.
"My role as chairman will be to
oversee the governance of the college
and ensure there is sufficient energy
and effort put into strategic planning
so that resources are in place to
deliver these services.
"Accountability is much greater at
college level and the turnover of Lakes
College makes this quite an
enterprise."
Damian McSweeney
SELF-PORTRAIT: Sarah Robinson is making a name for herself in the photographic world
FRAME
AT LAST
FOR
SARAH
ZOOMING IN ON HER OWN BUSINESS

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