Hello, I am Samantha Toolsie, a Leeds based photographer. Photography is my passion and I love making photographs. Toolsie Photography is a commercial photographic practice offering B2B services, whilst fStop Media is a photography service that is committed to participating and engaging with local charities and social enterprises with the interests of the community being the primary focus.
Making portraits as a photographic representation requires an element of a person’s character to be depicted. Ideas surrounding identity and representation, can to some extent, be culturally constructed but, for me, the essence of a person is at the heart of every portrait. People are people the world over and I enjoy the process and interaction of making portraits, whether it’s for professional or personal use.
Advertising and marketing a business service or product is enhanced greatly when supported by strong visuals. Whether it’s for print or social media, a book or annual report, brand awareness or an object, great photographs make for great business.
Documenting conferences, awards, trade shows and any other type of corporate event is of great value for PR, marketing and reinforcing brand values. Sharing images with clients, guest speakers and attendees positively promotes and personalises the experience and showcases the action as it happens.
Environments can be created depending on the desired message, feeling or idea required for communication. Portraiture, still life or advertising images created in a studio all have various options for lighting set ups with the option of 4.5ft or 9ft Colorama backdrops in a wide range of colours. The studio set up is also available for use on location, “Have mobile studio – will travel!”
The integrity of realistic photographs is important when being used editorially to support print/digital media articles, reports or books. Text supported with images can greatly enhance it and make it more engaging and appealing.
fStop Media is the arm of my practice that is committed to participating and engaging with charities and social enterprises with the interests of the community being its primary focus. Time is offered, free of charge where possible, to produce visuals that will benefit the organisations.
As a volunteer photographer to Simon on the Streets, my work has included producing staff portraits and documenting various fundraising events including the Sleep Out, the launch of the musical Busking, 2015 Leeds Business Week events, International Women's Day events the Sounds on the Streets events, the Fire Walk event and the 2015, 2016 and 2017 charity balls. In February 2016 the development manager asked me to produce a new header image for the new website. I really wanted to offer an image with a suggested narrative that indicated something about the valuable and challenging nature of the work that Simon on the Streets do. I considered the perspective of the service users coupled with the frontline status of the staff literally being the feet on the street to create a gritty social documentary image of the feet that don't walk past.