Today I was back at Lansdowne Green with Optivo. We were photographing a fitness club that they have been running for older residents, but whilst we were there also took the opportunity to photograph a resident in her home. Stock photographs of residents are always so useful for newsletters, posters, social media etc. 

As the cold wind blows outside, I thought I would warm my website up with some reminders of summer. For the past three years I have photographed International Day at Landsdowne Green for Optivo (formally AmicusHorizon). It is always a fun and vibrant event and each year they've even managed to book wall to wall sunshine. 

First stop for the photos is the press release. Each year several have been used in the South London Press. But the photos have a much longer shelf life. As well as capturing the event itself, I'm also asked to take photographs that can be used, in different ways, throughout the year. This is where my ten years of experience of working for various housing providers really helps. As well as looking for great photos, I'm looking for shots that will work in a variety of ways, to give my clients value for money.

Here's what Optivo have to say about working with me:

'Victoria has a great eye for photographing exactly what we need at different events. She takes amazing images every year at our International Day at Lansdowne Green in Stockwell.

The great thing about Victoria’s photographs are the fact they can be used in different ways throughout the year. This includes our website, annual review, other publications, social media and the press.

Victoria makes people feel at ease and, to steal a cliché, her images say more than a thousand words. She captures everything we need in a brief (and more) and we’re always confident Victoria will deliver when she’s booked to cover a job.'

                                                                          Ross Lidbetter, Communications Officer, Optivo
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Here are some of my favourite pictures from the last few years and how they've been used:

A lot can happen in 10 years and that is certainly true for Phoenix Community Housing, who marked their 10th anniversary with an exhibition celebrating their local community. For me, the wonderful thing about working for Phoenix has been seeing ideas turn to reality. With my husband Mark, I also run a film company, End 2 End Productions and in 2007 we made a film to launch Phoenix. Over the years we have got to know the staff and residents and seen the organisation blossom into a major influencer and force for good both within the local community and the housing sector. We've loved being involved. Happy Anniversary Phoenix.